If your forehead is fiery with fever, you could reach for acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil) to lower your temperature. (Don’t treat fevers with aspirin in anyone under the age of 19; doing so can trigger a potentially fatal disease called Reye’s syndrome.) But if your fever is 101°F or below, don’t be afraid to let it run its course; Mother Nature has raised your … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Fever to Help You Get Comfortable
Natural Home Remedies for PMS to Quell Those Moods and Cramps
Premenstrual Syndrome It’s not just the mood swings and headaches. Not just the pain and bloating. What’s most annoying is the inevitability of it all—this month’s symptoms repeated the next, and the next after that. When you’re looking ahead to cyclical misery, anything that can break the pattern is worth trying. One approach is to start taking two 200-mg doses every eight … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for PMS to Quell Those Moods and Cramps
10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Life Expectancy
1. Go for a walk Even if you’re 50 and have never taken part in a physical activity, a brisk half-hour walk three times a week can “basically reverse your physiological age by about ten years,” says Gareth Jones, director of the Canadian Center for Activity and Aging in London, Ont. His source? A three-year study of 220 retirement-age men in which half didn’t exercise and … [Read more...] about 10 Easy Ways to Increase Your Life Expectancy
Natural Home Remedies for Poison Ivy to Make the Itch Stop
Seven out of 10 people are allergic to poison ivy, making this the world’s most common allergy. People who have the allergy are sensitive to urushiol, an irritating resin that’s found in poison ivy, poison oak and poison sumac. If you so much as brush one of these plants, urushiol can get on your skin. Within as little as two hours, you’ll develop an itchy rash that will have … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Poison Ivy to Make the Itch Stop
Natural Home Remedies for Headaches You’ll Want to Use Over and Over
Oh, my aching head! In a world of traffic jams, tight schedules, and high-speed everything, it’s no wonder we find ourselves popping an occasional pain reliever. For a bad headache, choose one that contains a combination of aspirin, acetaminophen, and caffeine. (Off-limits...if you have a bleeding disorder, asthma, ulcers, or liver or kidney damage.) But painkillers are only … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Headaches You’ll Want to Use Over and Over
5 Habits You Thought Were Healthy, But Actually Aren’t
1. Stretching before a workout Most people stretch before hitting the weights, trail or court thinking that it will reduce their chance of injury and boost performance. There is actually no evidence that long pre-exercise stretching can reduce the likelihood of injury. In fact, excessive pre-exercise stretching may cause a reduction in muscle force and power. “For optimal … [Read more...] about 5 Habits You Thought Were Healthy, But Actually Aren’t
8 Steps to a Healthier Pregnancy
Get relief As the months march along, pregnancy can start to feel more like a burden than a wondrous event in the making. Morning sickness is just the beginning. When the new you is someone with heartburn, stretch marks, back pain, swollen feet, and varicose veins, you may even begin to wonder whether this was such a good idea. Every pregnant woman can use some sound ideas, … [Read more...] about 8 Steps to a Healthier Pregnancy
5 Proven Ways to Quit Smoking
The benefits of quitting smoking Quitting gives your health an immediate boost. Within 8 hours, levels of toxic carbon monoxide gas in your bloodstream drop to normal. Within a day, your heart attack risk begins to drop. Over your first smoke-free year, your circulation will improve, your senses of taste and smell will sharpen, and you'll have fewer lung infections, cough less … [Read more...] about 5 Proven Ways to Quit Smoking
17 Tricks Guaranteed to Boost Your Energy
besthealthmag.ca Take small sips of coffee throughout the day Did you down a triple shot of espresso this morning just to get yourself moving? You may be actually driving yourself deeper into a low-energy rut. Research from Harvard Medical School finds that frequent low doses of caffeine—the amount in 1/4 cup of coffee—taken throughout the day were more effective at keeping … [Read more...] about 17 Tricks Guaranteed to Boost Your Energy
Twitchy Eyes, Jumpy Legs: Bizarre Health Quirks Explained
The eye twitch If you’ve ever experienced an involuntary eye twitch, you know it can be quite annoying—but is it a sign of an underlying health problem? Probably not, says optometrist Mira Acs. “I frequently have patients tell me that their eye has been twitching,” she says. “Most of the time these painless, harmless, unpredictable twitches are an annoyance and nothing … [Read more...] about Twitchy Eyes, Jumpy Legs: Bizarre Health Quirks Explained
7 Ways to Stay Healthy on the Cheap
1. Take a hike Follow a local hiking trail for a fun and free fitness activity. Want to see serious results? “Add sprint intervals” says Sara Celik, a naturopathic doctor and fitness trainer. “Go on a hike with friends and at random intervals yell out ‘Challenge!’ This is the signal for everyone to sprint for 45 seconds. Continue this throughout the hike,” says Celik. … [Read more...] about 7 Ways to Stay Healthy on the Cheap
Natural Home Remedies for Calluses and Corns That Could Save You a Pedicure
When your body tries to defend itself from injury, it sometimes creates strange armor. The outermost layer of skin piles up a thick fortress of dead cells whenever it’s rubbed too much or too often. That’s what happens when an ill-fitting shoe keeps rubbing the same toe, or a metal-handled rake puts friction on the inside of your thumb. The epidermis gradually builds up a … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Calluses and Corns That Could Save You a Pedicure
8 Embarrassing Health Conditions You Should Know More About
Constipation Constipation is a condition in which you can’t move your bowels on a regular schedule, resulting in dry, hard stool that is difficult to pass. Normal bowel habits differ among healthy people. Some people have one or more bowel movements daily, while others may have just two to three a week. You are said to be constipated when your normal pattern slows … [Read more...] about 8 Embarrassing Health Conditions You Should Know More About
5 Habits You Thought Weren’t Healthy But Are
1. Eating dessert every day Indulging your sweet tooth every day may actually help you keep your weight in check by reducing your cravings for the foods you love. Of course, moderation is key. To keep weight down, Vancouver-based dietitian Jessica Begg suggests that 80 percent of your daily calories come from healthy whole foods such as whole grains, fruits, and veggies, lean … [Read more...] about 5 Habits You Thought Weren’t Healthy But Are
After You Quit Smoking: 8 Incredible Things That Happen to Your Body
When you give up smoking, the results in terms of improvements in your health begin almost immediately. If you can focus on these benefits, it will help you stop successfully. 20 minutes after quitting Your blood pressure and pulse rate will fall. The temperature of your hands and feet return to normal. Eight hours after quitting Carbon monoxide in the blood drops to … [Read more...] about After You Quit Smoking: 8 Incredible Things That Happen to Your Body
8 Reasons Everyone Can Benefit From Eating More Fiber
Cut down obesity risk High-fiber foods often require more munching time. This slows down your eating, which allows your brain to register feelings of fullness. Studies show that women who consume more dietary fiber are half as likely to be obese as those who consume less. … [Read more...] about 8 Reasons Everyone Can Benefit From Eating More Fiber
Natural Home Remedies for Bronchitis to Stop That Hacking Cough
Your goal when you have bronchitis: Thin the phlegm in your chest and get it moving, so you can cough it up and out. The most direct approach to your lungs is the air you breathe, so inhalation treatments are a first resort. Think of them as a steam cleaning for your airways. The right food and drink can also help to keep mucus on the move. At the same time, you’ll want to get … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Bronchitis to Stop That Hacking Cough
Natural Home Remedies for Bad Breath to Make it Go Away
Suppose you conduct a “breath test” as you head to an important encounter, and you flunk. Don’t worry—the following fast fixes can help tame your bad breath. If odor-causing bacteria seem to be fond of your gums, tongue and teeth, you’ll want to adopt some daily habits to inhibit these inhabitants. That’s when special rinses, attention to toothpaste and faithful brushing and … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Bad Breath to Make it Go Away
Natural Home Remedies for Belching to Soothe a Bothered Belly
A belch simply means you have accumulated a build-up of air in your stomach, and your body want to get rid of it to reduce the pressure. What goes in must come out. And when it does, the distinctive sound it makes is the belch (a.k.a. burp). What you can do to prevent burping • Avoid carbonated drinks. Ever open a fizzy soda after it’s been shaken? A similarly explosive … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Belching to Soothe a Bothered Belly
Natural Home Remedies for Constipation to Just Get Things Going
If your first instinct when you’re constipated is to reach for the laxatives, chances are you don’t need one. The best way to get “regular” again is to eat more fibre, drink more fluids and exercise. Fix it with fiber • Start off the day with a high-fiber bran cereal. Some brands contain as much as 14 grams of insoluble fiber, the kind that adds bulk to stool. If you’re new … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Constipation to Just Get Things Going
5 Fabulous Health Benefits of Eating Avocados to Make Every Guac Fan Rejoice
Avocados are a superfood Yes, avocados are relatively high in fat and calories (138 calories and 14.1g fat in half a medium-sized avocado). But they're also one of the best foods you can eat, packed with nutrients and heart-healthy compounds. Here are five great reasons to eat them regularly. … [Read more...] about 5 Fabulous Health Benefits of Eating Avocados to Make Every Guac Fan Rejoice
Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion That Your Tummy Will Love
You may have luck with the following comforting cures. However, no matter which teas or chewables you choose, you’ll certainly want to cast a critical eye on the foods you eat—as well as how often you and how much you munch. There’s no free parking in your GI tract. Once it’s in, you pay the price. Well-rooted traditions • Ginger is justifiably famous for setting stomach … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Indigestion That Your Tummy Will Love
Natural Home Remedies for Diarrhea to Just. Make. It. Stop.
Normally, as food goes through your digestive tract, the large intestine soaks up extra water. Sometimes, though, it doesn’t, and you get rid of the fluid in your stool—a bothersome problem we call diarrhea. What you can do for diarrhea • It’s important to keep replacing your body’s supply of water and electrolytes, which include sodium, potassium and chloride. Mix up the … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Diarrhea to Just. Make. It. Stop.
Super Seeds: 7 Types to Eat Daily
Hemp seeds A complete protein, hemp seeds promote healthy hair and skin thanks to omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Plus, they contain phytosterols, which are plant-based compounds that lower cholesterol. … [Read more...] about Super Seeds: 7 Types to Eat Daily
Spend Less on Food! 8 Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Freeze meals Here’s a trick that will save you both time and money: Buy ingredients when the prices are right, cook enough for several dinners and freeze the extra portions, suggests Yoni Freedhoff, a weight loss expert and medical director of the Bariatric Medical Institute in Ottawa. “Stews, chilies and soup all freeze fantastically well,” says Dr. Freedhoff. Grocers tend to … [Read more...] about Spend Less on Food! 8 Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget
Natural Home Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome to Make Them Stop
Of all our body’s mysteries, this is surely among the quirkiest. When you’re otherwise ready for rest, why should your legs keep running? When every fibre of your being says, “Settle down!” why are you gamely kicking your bedmate? Since restless legs syndrome (RLS) seems to be related to mineral imbalances, perhaps the best place to end the night race is with supplements. But … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Restless Legs Syndrome to Make Them Stop
Live Longer and Healthier: 11 Ways to Add Up to 34 Years to Your Life
Being healthy certainly has its perks—for starters, it increases your chances of living a longer life. With a few simple lifestyle changes, you could be one of them. Trisha Macnair, a U.K.-based physician, author and medical journalist, has compiled stats on how many years certain factors can extend your life. Here's what she … [Read more...] about Live Longer and Healthier: 11 Ways to Add Up to 34 Years to Your Life
Why Do Diets Stop Working? The Science of the Weight-Loss Plateau
Q: Three months ago, I decided I wanted to lose 20 pounds. I planned my meals, counted my calories, and did my exercises, and the pounds started coming off. Now I’ve lost 15 pounds—but I seem to have hit a wall, even though I’m doing everything right. What’s going on? A: You have reached what obesity experts call the “weight-loss plateau.” This means that no matter what diet … [Read more...] about Why Do Diets Stop Working? The Science of the Weight-Loss Plateau
Natural Home Remedies for Insomnia So You Can Wake Up Refreshed Again
Before-bed bites • Have a slice of turkey or chicken, or a banana before heading to bed. These foods contain tryptophan, an amino acid that’s used to make serotonin. And serotonin is a brain chemical that helps you sleep. • Carbohydrates help trytophan enter the brain. Try a glass of warm milk (milk contains tryptophan) and a cookie, or warm milk with a spoonful of … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Insomnia So You Can Wake Up Refreshed Again
Natural Home Remedies for Dandruff Your Derm Forgot to Mention
Do your shoulders look as if you just walked in from a snowstorm? Are you blinded by a blizzard every time you comb your hair? Dandruff isn't a serious health problem, but it sure can be embarrassing. To factor out those flakes, use the right shampoo. You can also whip up a homemade scalp rinse that will beat the yeast behind many cases of dandruff and give the dreaded itch the … [Read more...] about Natural Home Remedies for Dandruff Your Derm Forgot to Mention