Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Garlic is an anti-bacterial and anti-viral medicinal herb, which contains a number of essential nutrients that make it powerful enough to treat a number of diseases. Unfortunately it stinks. This is why many people turn to garlic extract supplements for high blood pressure treatment, as well as for general overall health. Most research shows that garlic extracts in supplements have no less an effect than the natural equivalent. It’s all just a matter of taste
However, a recent study has cast doubts over garlic’s ability, whether fresh or as a supplement, as a high cholesterol treatment. The study involved 192 adults aged about 50 on average with moderately elevated levels of LDL cholesterol, the bad kind that contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease. Some were given daily doses of fresh garlic, others were given supplements, while the rest were given placebos. After 6 months, cholesterol levels in all three groups was largely unaffected.
Though the study did not investigate high blood pressure, there is still reason for sufferers of hypertension to be worried if the results of this study are true. Garlic extract is thought to act as an antioxidant and lower high blood pressure by reducing the number of LDL’s in the blood. If garlic doesn’t actually do this, then perhaps it doesn’t really reduce high blood pressure?
Firstly, the study conducted has not been accepted widely among the medical community. It is still though that garlic extract could be beneficial to people with extremely high blood pressure. Secondly, even if it were, there are still a couple of other ways that garlic extract is known to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.
So How does Garlic Treat High Blood Pressure?
There are two main ways, besides the disputed antioxidant properties, that garlic extract is known to help in the treatment of high blood pressure.
1. Stops Blood Clots: It is common for people with high cholesterol levels to also experience blood platlets, the “debris” of the blood, stick together to form clots in the bloodstream. Not only does this lead to high blood pressure, it also increases the risk of stroke. Garlic extract is thought to stop this platlet build up, and so lower blood pressure.
2. Prevents Plaque Buil-up: Cholesterol, especially the “bad” kind (LDL’s), tend to stick to the inside of blood vessels in people with elevated cholesterol levels. This build up, called plaque, leads to high blood pressure and the associated risks. A clinical trial conducted in the University of California showed that patients suffering from high blood pressure showed a reduction in coronary plaque build-up by more than 50% and improved HDL cholesterol levels after taking 1200 mg of garlic extract per day.
3. Improves Peripheral Circulation: Garlic extract also lowers blood pressure by improving the peripheral circulation and plasma lipid concentration in the blood. As a result it helps “thin” the blood and reduces the growth of smooth muscle cells that decrease blood flow through the vessels causing high blood pressure. In a clinical trial by the Universities of Mississippi and Turkey high blood pressure patients showed a reduction of 9 mmHg in blood pressure and 5 mmHg in diastolic blood pressure after taking garlic extract.
It appears that there is more study supporting the virtues of garlic extract than its ineffectiveness. Even if recent research seems to downplay garlic’s effectiveness in lowering cholesterol, there is nothing simlar to contradict the research that shows garlic’s role in lowering blood pressure. In addition, numerous studies have confirmed the safety of garlic extract in high blood pressure treatment. So what is there to lose in trying garlic extract to lower your blood pressure?
Author Bio:
Mitamins team
bd@mitamins.net
Targeted: High Blood Pressure; Safety: Avoid Vitamins Overdose, Supplement Drug Interactions; Quality: Freshly Made with Brand Ingredients.
vitamin support for high blood pressure treatment
Anxiety Attack Symtoms
Anxiety is a natural part of our self protection mechanism. It is necessary to let us know when to be on guard or alert to a pending threat to our safety and well being. In prehistoric times our ancestors relied on anxiety to let them know when things of importance needed tending to. Suppose a tiger is lurking in the general vicinity of their cave and they felt no anxiety. Well the consequences could be disastrous. Suppose the game had all been hunted out and none could be found. the anxiety of this situation is what would prompt them to take the initiative to pick up camp and move on.
For modern peoples anxiety is still a necessary component of or thought process but very rarely does it come to play in life threatening situations as it once did for our ancestors. The wiring, so to speak is still in place though and for many it can be a problem. What is the difference between a little and a lot? That depends. For a crane operator on a large construction site it would be desirable for him to be anxious about a three ton bucket of concrete he is maneuvering over a group of his work mates and they in turn would expect his anxiety. But for someone waiting at home for the news paper the same level of anxiety is unacceptable.
Anxiety is still misunderstood by many. If you fell and cut your head no one would have trouble understanding your predicament but if you are suffering from an anxiety disorder people can't see it and can have trouble understanding the gravity of your situation. Anxiety can be temporary brought on by any one of a number of things. A divorce, a pending dentist appointment, job interview etc. Everyone feels it. Its when it interrupts your day to day life and makes simple things that should be easy to accomplish difficult or impossible to do that it becomes a problem. For permanent sufferers of high levels of anxiety whether in attacks or otherwise life and be unbearable.
Several treatments for anxiety are available now. In the past it was different. For many the treatments available was alcohol or suicide, or confinement to a jail or mental institution. The first thing for the anxiety sufferer is to recognize he or she has a problem that needs addressing. Then to take the steps necessary to begin a treatment plan. For many, councelling has been a great help. Self help groups are available almost anywhere now and talking to others with the same predicament can be a relief in itself. Just knowing your not alone has helped many. Private counseling alone or in conjunction with a counseling group can also only be of help.
Medication is the next step for the severe anxiety sufferer. Medicines in the past often had undesirable side effects and there also was a degree of social stigma attached to the use of this type of medication. Things have changed in both ares today. Now there is medication available that can stop the cycle of anxiety attacks and allow for a time of intervention. For some, medication my become a permanent part of their lives. For others it may be temporary but it is there for those who really need it and for many it has been a life saver. When you suffer from anxiety, not only you suffer but your loved ones around you suffer. Your husband or wife and your children or extended family. Talking openly with them can be a help in your treatment.
Article by Sven Ullmann, who runs Deserved Health - information on health for you and your family. Read more about anxiety attack symptoms. Get our health newsletter.
Ways to Distinguish Sinusitis
Due to the fast way of life today, getting sick is out of the question. Sinusitis is more common than hypertension and arthritis. Common sinus infection symptoms include facial pain, headache and fever. Sinusitis usually results from infections on the upper respiratory tract. It is caused by the inflammation of the mucosal of one or more lining of the sinuses.
Sinus infection can be classified in two ways: based on the time span and the type of inflammation. Sinus infections based on time span are acute sinusitis, subacute sinusitis and chronic sinusitis. Infectious and noninfectious are the types of inflammation.
Almost all sinus infection symptoms start with a common cold, which is caused by a virus. Colds do not necessarily cause the symptoms of sinusitis but they contribute to the inflammation of the sinuses. The inflammation also adds to symptoms that eventually develop into acute sinusitis. Flu and allergy attack sometimes also precedes acute sinusitis. It is considered as an acute sinus infection if it is less than 30 days duration.
The symptoms of acute sinusitis include cloudy, discolored nasal drainage, nasal stuffiness, sore throat and cough. Headaches when leaning forward is also a symptom of sinusitis.
The difference between the symptoms of sinusitis to those of colds and allergies, is that sinusitis is more often accompanied by facial pain, thick yellow or green mucus, post-natal drip and typically lasts longer than 7 to 10 days of a common cold.
Subacute sinus infection is the next stage of sinus infection and this already has a time span of over a month but less than three months.
Chronic sinus infection is diagnosed if the infection is greater than 3 months. It is the result of too many cases of acute sinusitis, which causes the bacteria to grow continuously. Chronic sinusitis may not totally involve an infection but chronic inflammation, a buildup of mucus, and sinus pressure and pain.
To diagnose a chronic sinusitis, laboratory tests need to be done. Blood tests to rule out other conditions associated with sinusitis, cultures (special blood tests) to detect bacterial or fungal infection and biopsy to determine the health of the cells lining the nasal cavity are just a few of these tests.
Sinus infection has a lot of variations, and it is up to you to determine just what kind it is. So once you started to have any of these symptoms, try to consult with a physician immediately to avoid any further complications. Getting sick is just not an option because of the very high cost of living today. So stay healthy!
Please visit Sinus infection problems for your what is sinusitis and more information on this article.
