Alternative Medicine and Preventing the Common Cold

The following article provides some discussion regarding the common cold and alternative medicine. The article discusses the placebo effect but also lists several micronutrient substances that may potentially be of value in staving off colds.

Mentioned among them is Vitamin C, a substance held by Nobel Laureate, Linus Pauling, to hold promise as a cure for the common cold. Other substances mentioned in the article include: garlic, ginseng, ginger, goldenseal, echinacea, and peppermint.

Here are two of the basic points of the article in distilled form:

1. The discriminate and proper use of some supplemental substances may be safe and may offer health benefits, while an improper or excessive use may be counter-productive, or even dangerous (particularly for individuals with diagnosed medical conditions and/or individuals who are taking prescribed medications).

2. The herbs and vitamins mentioned in the article may hold some effectiveness in the prevention of colds; however, currently, the research that is available is less than conclusive.

Advantages of Aloe

As of late, it seems that Aloe is best known as a treatment for the skin, particularly for burns. However, Aloe, which is related to garlic provides a number of benefits and useful applications. And here are just a few.

1. As a laxative, Aloe can be used to treat constipation.

2. By destroying bacteria and fungi, Aloe can serve as an infection fighter.

3. Aloe has been found, by at least one study, to be a treatment for genital herpes.

4. Aloe has been shown to be a treatment for psoriasis.

5. In animal studies, Aloe juice has demonstrated the ability to lower glucose levels (always a matter of concern for diabetics and pre-diabetics).

Latest Articles on Vitaminstuff

Here are some recent article additions to Vitaminstuff.

Bioflavonoids - Their Benefits and How to Include them in your Diet

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

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Endorphins - the Body's Natural Opiate and Pain Killer

Anaerobic Exercise (including Sprinting, Weight Lifting, and Bodybuiding)

The Basics on Veganism

Eating Meat Comes with a Higher Risk for Developing Cancer

A reuters article appearing on MSNBC.com cites a new study that, for the first time, shows a definite link between meat consumption and certain types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and lung cancer.

The study involved five hundred thousand individuals between the ages of fifty-one and seventy. After an eight-year period, 53,396 individual diagnoses of cancer were made.

In such a large study, focusing on this particular age range, that number may not seem significant. However, the researchers were able to able to find high statistical correlations between meat (particularly red meat) consumption and the incidence of the aforementioned cancers.

To use one example, those individuals whose processed meat consumption placed them in the top twenty percent of meat eaters...had a twenty percent higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and a sixteen percent higher risk for developing lung cancer.

Recent Pages on Vitamin Stuff

Here are some recent articles that have been published on Vitamin Stuff:

Black cohosh may help cut the risk of breast cancer

Bioflavonoids - Their Benefits and How to Include them in your Diet

Is Dan Shen effective for stroke patients?

Alternative Medicine and Treating Erectile Dysfunction>

Pain relieving alternatives to modern medicine

Complimentary and Alternative medicine - Things to Consider

Alternative Medicine Therapy Guidelines for the World