Artificial Sweeteners Encourage Weight Gain

Artificial sweeteners encourage weight gain nd a host of other health problems, says Joseph Mercola.

... Avoiding sugar is a crucial component of a healthy lifestyle, but, instead of consuming a naturally low-sugar diet based on whole foods, some people are still trying to have their cake and eat it too.

Unfortunately, the belief that artificial sweeteners can allow you to have the best of both worlds is simply not based in reality. It's a carefully orchestrated deception. So if you're still consuming artificially sweetened foods, snacks and beverages because you think it'll help you manage your weight, please understand that you've been sorely misled.

In reality, "diet" foods and drinks ruin your body's ability to count calories, thus boosting your inclination to overindulge. This effect appears to be true for all artificial sweeteners.

Unfortunately, most public health agencies and nutritionists in the United States still recommend these toxic artificial sweeteners as acceptable and even preferred alternatives to sugar, which is at best confusing and at worst seriously damaging the health of those who listen to this well-intentioned but foolish advice.

Artificial Sweeteners INCREASE Your Risk of Obesity Read more

A Beginner's Herb Garden

Learn how to keep herb gardening simple with essential plants and containers.

Gardening is a hot topic this week on MDA. Two days ago, Mark gave you the whys – gardening can be therapeutic, it can improve health markers, it can be a great way for people to move frequently at a slow pace, and the list goes on. It's also a great way to save money on organic produce, to maintain a constant (and self-replicating) supply of edible green things, and to get out into the sun. Let's just say that gardening is good for you on multiple levels, and if you've got the space and the time, you should probably give it a shot.

You might recall that in that same post, Mark mentioned his relative lack of horticultural mastery. This is true for me, too, and a lot of you guys out there as well. You might say that this Worker Bee doesn't fly far from the hive. Still, I didn't let that discourage me when the queen (er, king? I'm struggling to maintain the bee metaphor here without tripping over gender issues!) bee tasked me with starting a rudimentary herb garden and then writing about it. Read more

What Toxic Chemicals Have You Used Today?

Margaret Durst says your food, home, and personal care products often contain toxic chemicals that you probably aren't aware of..

Ingredients are important, but many of us are too busy to read the labels. They are important on everything we use from cosmetics, household cleaners, pesticides, drugs, food, water and so on. There are increasing links between the number of toxic chemicals that we take in and the number of health problems we have.

Part of the problem with the level of toxic chemicals we are now exposed to is that they tend to stay in the body. Once these toxins reach a critical mass, they can suppress your immune system and cause disease. Periodic cleansing is an important part of any natural health program, and it is as important to identify toxic chemicals in any products that you are still consuming and / or exposed to.

This is where becoming aware of ingredients matters. We live in a world where most of our food has some level of processing. Most of our cosmetics, shampoos and other toiletries are full of synthetic chemicals. On top of that, we use household cleaners, air fresheners, pesticides and many other products that fill the air we breathe with toxic chemicals. Read more

How to Cure Depression Herbally

Herbalist Robert Linde demonstrates how to make a tea using St. John's Wort and other ingredients to help treat your depression.

Natural Remedies for Relieving and Treating Tinnitus

Tinnitus, often called "ringing in the ears," is a much more common ailment than most people realize. Though its causes are not completely understood, tinnitus can be relieved and treated with natural remedies.

Fifteen million people in the United States are estimated to suffer from tinnitus - which is the perception of a noise sensation in one or both ears without any actual noise source being present. The perceived noise can be ringing, chirping, roaring, or humming. In many instances, tinnitus can be either eliminated or greatly relieved through changes in diet and lifestyle as well as with nutritional supplementation and herbal remedies.

Tinnitus is a little understood condition and, while many causes have been suggested, there is no general agreement in medical circles on the causes and treatments in medical circles. Inflammation and poor blood flow are considered to be among the primary culprits. Other causes which have been identified or suggested include: wax buildup, fluid in the ear, spongy bone growth in the inner ear (otoslcerosis), low blood pressure, high blood pressure, and a breach of the eardrum. Read more

10 Natural Remedies for Intestinal Gas

Edward Group reveals ten natural remedies for intestinal gas.

Intestinal gas is an embarrassing and annoying situation that many people experience on a regular basis. Gas and bloating is, perhaps, one of the main health concerns that human beings living in the Western world complain of.

In fact, estimates show that with poor dietary habits we expel gas at least 14 times a day. That adds up to almost 4 pints of air daily! But, while these statistics may be the “norm,” it is certainly not a healthy balance. What can we do about all this excess air? Below is a list of a few of my favorite remedies for gas and bloating. Read more

An Apple a Day Does Keep the Doctor Away

An apple a day really can keep the doctor away, a study suggests.

It found that women on an 'apple diet' saw their cholesterol drop by almost a quarter in six months, while they also lost weight.

Dr Bahram Arjmandi, of the department of nutrition, food and exercise sciences at Florida University, described the results as "incredible"

In the study, 80 women aged 45 to 65 were asked to eat 75 grams of dried prunes a day for a year, and the other 80 were asked to eat the same amount of dried apple, in addition to their normal diets. Read more

6 Aphrodisiacs Proven by Science

According to new data from Guelph University researchers, panax ginseng, saffron, and yohimbine (from West African yohimbe trees) will "improve human sexual function," while muira puama (from Brazil), maca root (from the Andes), and chocolate will "increase sexual desire."

People looking to spice up their love life should try adding saffron and ginseng to their diet, according to a new study.

People looking to spice up their love life should try adding saffron and ginseng to their diet, according to a new study. Read more

How to Have Firm, Perky Breasts

Sagging breasts got you down? Beautiful breasts are not just about size. Most women want to enjoy firm, perky breasts, but over the years, aging, weight loss and pregnancy can really take a toll on the bosom. Although perky breasts might seem like the exclusive property of 18-year-old girls who wear an A cup, there are ways to get firm and perky breasts, regardless of your age or bra size.

Herbs and Spices That Boost Your Metabolism, Curb Cancer, and Lower Blood Sugar

Dr. Joseph Mercola tells how to boost your metabolism, curb cancer, and lower blood sugar by adding herbs and spices to your meals.

... Believe it or not, but common herbs and spices are actually some of the healthiest foods on the planet – topping the list of high ORAC value foods – so you can easily boost the nutritional value of your meal simply by spicing it up a bit. ORAC is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing harmful free radicals.

So, every time you flavor your meals with herbs or spices you are literally "upgrading" your food without adding a single calorie. Read more

Natural Remedies Get Rid of Wrinkles

Wrinkles make you look and feel old. Fortunately, natural remedies can get rid of wrinkles, says John Dill.

Wrinkles are among the most visible signs of aging. Wrinkles form as a result of a gradual decrease in the skin's collagen and elastin levels, which cause the skin to lose its natural elasticity and resilience. The skin also loses fat and becomes thinner, causing the skin to sag and form wrinkles as it loses support. While we cannot completely prevent wrinkles from forming, there are a number of ways to naturally minimize their appearance and prevent them from forming prematurely. This includes natural materials that you may already have at home, such as honey, avocado, vitamin E and Egg white. Read more