5 important facts about Candida 🙌

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

Important facts about Candida :

1.Candida is a group of yeast/fungi, comprising of many types. Out of which, 20% of them cause infection in the human population. The most common type is Candida Albicans. Candida typically resides in the human body, mainly in the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract, respiratory tract and the skin. They do not cause any harm when the host’s (human body’s) defence mechanism is resistant enough. Specific health issues, poor nutrition or lifestyle changes can lower the immunity status, leading to this candida infection or Candidiasis.

2. When the host defence mechanism is weak, Candida, proliferates the mucous membrane of the GI tract, respiratory tract, genitourinary tract or the skin. It is usually prevalent, in about 80% of people, causing annoying infections or skin rashes. In about 15% of the cases, Candida can penetrate deeper tissue in the gut mucosa, causing severe health issues like Leaky gut syndrome. To know more about Leaky Gut syndrome, click the link https://healthhappinesshealing.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=3865&action=edit 

On rare occasions, Candida can spread systemically through the bloodstream and lymphatic tissue. Focal Candidiasis can be transmitted to the vital organs like brain, heart, kidney and can cause life-threatening conditions.

3. Different causes of Candidiasis can be:
a.Chronic health issues like diabetes, thyroid issues, cancers, AIDS and STDs.
b. In a weak immune system like in chemotherapy, radiotherapy.
c. High level of stress
d. Sleep deprivation
e. Individuals with drugs like antibiotics, steroid, birth control pills
f. Nutritional deficiency of vitamins, zinc, selenium.
g. Dietary causes like intake of sugary foods, processed food, alcohol, too much gluten (grains intake), lactose intake.
h. Environmental causes like heavy metal poisoning (mercury, lead), pesticides, cleaning agents, petroleum-based solvents.
i. Poor hygiene and wearing tight fitted clothing.

4. The symptoms are organ-specific can be single or multiple depending upon the severity.
a. Oral thrush, frequent sore throat, bleeding gums.
b. Skin rashes.
c. Nail infections.
d. Vulvovaginal candidiasis in females and Balanitis in males.
e. Systemic Candidiasis with a complicated, life-threatening situation in a small number of cases.
f. Gut issues like Leaky Gut syndrome.

5.The most crucial remedy is detoxifying the toxins from the body by making lifestyle changes, and dietary changes. Some of the treatments are:
a. Cleaning the gut from unfavourable foods like cutting down sugar and processed foods, low gluten (grain) intake, low dairy, no alcohol. b.Consuming more alkalizing food to avoid the acidic ph of the stomach.

c. Food preferences like green leafy vegetables like kale, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, arugula.
d.Low sugar fruits like coconut, citrus fruits like lime, lemon, Apple cider vinegar, and herbs and spices like garlic, ginger, oregano, cinnamon, cloves.
c. Supplements like Probiotics and vitamin C.
d. Antifungal drugs like Triazole /Imidazole as prescribed by a Physician.


f. Localized treatments like salt water or hydrogen peroxide mouth rinsing in case of oral thrush. Local application of coconut oil, oregano oil in case of skin infections.

g. Wearing loose fitting clothes preferably cotton in warm, moist weather.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

 

 

 

 

 

Liver care 🙌

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

The liver is the second largest organ in the body and has more than 400 functions. It is the primary organ of filtration, which mainly helps in the metabolism of food and absorb the necessary nutrients. It eliminates the toxins from our body daily and purifies the blood. So, it is an essential organ of detoxification for our body. Some critical functions to highlight:

1.It produces bile which helps the fat to break down during the process of digestion.
2.It helps in the production of haemoglobin from its iron storage ( liver stores iron)
3.It convert excess glucose into glycogen.
4.It cleanses the blood from toxins and poisonous substances.
5.During breakdown of protein, urea and poisonous ammonia is produced. The liver helps to eliminate them through the kidneys.

However, even if we have a powerful detoxifying organ, it gets sick and tired if we do not care enough. If we frequently consume refined, processed food, sugary items. To multiply this load, frequent intake of alcohol, smoking, drugs causes a greater danger. Also not to forget the environmental toxins, pollutants, heavy metals, pesticides from food, toxins from home cleaning products, cosmetics, perfume, the liver is unable to take the load at some points.

Signs of lousy liver functioning:


1.Tiredness
2.Collected fat around the belly.
3.Oily skin
4.Pale yellow fingernails
5.Oily skin, acne
6.Allergies
7.Digestive issues
8.Irregular bowel
9.Brain fog, headache
10 Pain on the right side of the abdomen.

Methods to detoxify the liver:
1.Eliminate the toxic sources as much as possible: We need to cut down the processed, canned, and sugary food. The refined, vegetable oil which is unhealthy fats, should be eliminated from the diet too. It is essential to minimize the use of toxic household cleaning products, cosmetics, perfumes as much as possible. As far as practically feasible, relocating from the polluted area is advisable.

2.Again it is essential to limit smoking, alcohol, drugs as much as possible.


3.Fasting: It is a crucial tool to rest the liver and minimize its load. Fasting accentuates the detoxifying process, stimulate autophagy and strengthen the immune system.


4.Focussing more on whole foods and organic vegetables, fruits given by Mother Nature than the packaged, canned food with preservatives.


5.Drinking lot of water every day will help to flush out toxins. Water added with lemon or a tinge of vinegar is beneficial.
6. Letting out toxic emotions like anger, frustration, resentment, and fear by mindful, spiritual and relaxing techniques.


7.Getting a goodnight sleep helps in the detoxification process.


8. Consuming foods which can restore the microbiome flora like fermented foods, prebiotics and probiotics. Essential foods like cruciferous vegetables, iron-rich food like spinach, beets are all useful.

 Milk thistle

9. Herbs like dandelion, milk thistle, cilantro, thyme, turmeric, garlic and green tea proves beneficial.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

 

Lung cleansing: 8 natural ways 🙌

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

Our lungs are contaminated every day with environmental toxins, pollutants, dust, second-hand smoke, chemicals, microbes (bacteria, viruses) and the list goes on and on. During this corona virus pandemic, the risk is even higher. Such health hazard, often, lead to various chronic and acute lung issues like Asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, COPD, lung cancer. Usually, our lungs can detox and heal themselves once the sources of pollutions are eliminated or significantly reduced. So, nowadays, we often hear about shifting home location towards the outskirts or semi-rural areas rather than staying in urban cities. Whether, we have the option of moving site or not, but we can take necessary steps of detoxifying and cleansing the lungs easy ways and prevent us from chronic respiratory issues and diseases. Lung cleansing can promote healing, normal lung functioning, reduces inflammation of bronchial lining, clear mucus and improves lung circulation.

 

So the simple steps that we can regularly adapt to detox and keep our lungs healthy:

1. Perform deep breathing exercises daily. Though breathing is normal but deep breathing involves diaphragmatic breathing which helps to strengthen the diaphragm and oxygen-carrying capacity of the lungs. Oxygen is nourishing for all cells and all vital processes to carry out smoothly. As we age, diaphragm, which is a muscle, start to become weaker. So, when we perform diaphragmatic breathing, it’s like trying to deep breathe into the belly. In the process, the diaphragm gets contracted, and air fills up. Slowly, as we exhale, the diaphragm relaxes. It creates a back pressure in the alveoli, which in turn improve the lung compliance and help to detox the lungs. Deep breathing also reduces stress significantly. It is essential to do daily 9-10 times of deep breathing exercise. You can get more information on this type of breathing technique from my previous post https://healthhappinesshealing.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=3659&action=edit

2. Another critical factor is to improve air quality at home. It is just not possible to control the external environment, but we can maintain the quality of air in the space we live every day. We need to make sure to change the air filters of the electrical appliances at home regularly. It’s essential to limit the use of air fresheners and scented candles as they contain harsh chemicals which may be harmful. Ensure adequate air ventilation and regular vacuum cleaning to maintain clean airflow at home.

3. Quit smoking: Cigarette smoke contains more than 7000 toxins. Researches have shown a direct link of smoking associated with lung cancer. Smoking also causes chronic inflammation of the bronchial linings and the lungs. So, there is a lot of health hazard associated with smoking rather than any health benefit.

4. Second-hand smoke: Even if you or I do not smoke, but, we are exposed to second-hand smoke, then we carry the same risk of health hazard like smoking a Cigarette. So, it’s essential to stay away from exposure to second-hand smoke. Therefore, always avoid places where you have a risk of inhaling second-hand smoke.

5. Apart from breathing exercise, doing physical activity regularly outside of your home, preferably in a park or open area, to ensure that your cardiovascular system is activated and you can breathe the fresh air every day.

6. Personal care: Having a hot shower, or using a heating pad on the back eases the intercostal muscles of the rib cage and help to soothe during breathing. Getting percussion or vibration on the backside will also accelerate breathing and healing process of the lungs during chronic ailments.

7. Food: Like all organs, lungs also required proper nutrients, vitamins, antioxidants for healing and proper functioning. Adequate nourishment from food rich in vitamin C, D, antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, drinking enough water, exposure to sunlight and limiting the intake of sugar and dairy products, all helps in the proper functioning of the lungs.

8. Some familiar sources which are nourishing and healing for lungs are ginger, green tea, oregano, peppermint leaves, liquorice, and lemon. Measures like eucalyptus oil steam inhalation and castor oil packs found to have a beneficial effect on the lungs.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

 

6 natural ways of Thyroid care 🙌

Hello everyone ! Have a wonderful and safe day 🙋🏻

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The thyroid gland is butterfly-shaped in the neck, which is responsible for metabolism and growth. This gland mainly secretes hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine. It is controlled by the pituitary gland which is called the master gland of the hormonal axis. Thyroid problems are widespread and experienced by millions, but about 60% of such cases remain undiagnosed. Thyroid problems are elevated these days because of high stress in day to day life, unhealthy food habits, sedentary lifestyle, and perhaps increase in top environmental toxins. Though thyroid problems can appear in both men and women, but women are most likely to be affected than men. Although there is no specific cause, the reason can be due to estrogen dominance, a state where the estrogen level is elevated than the progesterone level.

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Thyroid issues can be broad as
#dietary deficiency like iodine deficiency such as in case of goitre  

#autoimmune in origins like hypothyroidism called Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and hyperthyroidism called Graves disease.

#Thyroid nodules.

Symptoms depend on different conditions. Common symptoms for thyroid problems can be:
tiredness,
fast heartbeats,
fatigue,
weightloss (hyperthyroid) or weight gain (hypothyroid),
irritability,
anxiety,
heat intolerance and 
irregular menstrual cycle.
The association of thyroid issues with irregularity or imbalance in women reproductive hormones have been quite relevant. There is a significant association of thyroid issues with conditions like uterine fibroid, endometriosis, menstrual irregularities, premenstrual symptoms (PMS), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and difficulty in menopause.

According to modern medicine, depending upon the thyroid hormone levels in the blood, physical examination, ultrasound and physical symptoms, the diagnosis is confirmed. Drugs are given as a substitute for thyroid hormones in case hypothyroidism.

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But in general, the thyroid gland can be maintained healthily by changing our food habits and lifestyle. 6 natural ways are: 
1.Food: Apple, coconut, yoghurt, beans, spinach, onions, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, mango, olive oil, garlic, mushroom, nuts, sea fishes like sardines and salmon, using natural rock salt in meals.

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2. Avoiding junk food and soya products.

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3. Daily yoga and meditation are beneficial;

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4. The message of the gland with pure cold-pressed walnut oil or red onion (antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties) can help significantly to reduce inflammation around the organ.
5. Vitamin D, Selenium and magnesium supplementation are helpful.

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6. Detoxifying: our body is highly equipped with organs (liver, kidneys, skin, lungs) to eliminate toxins. We do not require expensive therapies or sessions or any special diet for detoxification. We, need to stick to a clean diet, plenty of fluids, proper sleep, no excess processed food, sugar and alcohol to enhance the natural detoxification process.

Thanks for reading.

Blessings and much love to all 💐

Post: Detoxification: 4 realities.

Once we step out of our house, we are exposed to a host of environmental pollutants, allergens, hazardous chemicals, processed food, heavy metals, pesticides and so on. All of them have a hazardous effect on our body.

Medical experts do not really urge the need for detoxification as our body has a natural ability to eliminate toxins and waste. Skin, liver, kidneys, bowels and lungs naturally eliminate toxins.
But then, why do we keep hearing about detoxification methods which often catch our attention ?

4 realities ;

  1. Detoxification is quite necessary when your body’s natural mechanism is disturbed. Sedentary lifestyle, poor eating habits, overeating, too much of alcohol, smoking may contribute. Some occupational hazard (regular exposer to heavy metals like lead, arsenic) and people with digestive disorders may require to detoxify.

2. The concept of a detox diet may sound appealing but is quite a misconception. Detox diet which may include specific food with detoxifying properties, laxatives, liquids don’t really identify or remove specific toxins. There is no scientific evidence of any diet which can eliminate specific toxins.
The human body itself is equipped with an efficient detoxifying system. The detox diet can at best facilitate the natural system.

3. Change in lifestyle is an important tool to optimize our body’s natural ability of detoxification. Cutting down sugar, processed food, reduce intake of alcohol, reduce salt intake and maintaining an active life (to boost metabolism) are very essential. Having adequate sleep daily is helpful to remove toxic waste (beta-amyloid) from the brain. Sleeping about 6-7 hours of quality sleep ensures good health.

4.Drinking lots of water, staying hydrated throughout the day help remove toxins, waste through urine, sweat and also breathing. Antioxidant-rich diets composed of fresh fruits and vegetables help to eliminate the excess free radicals and fight the body’s oxidative process. Food rich in prebiotics like banana, tomatoes, garlic, oats, asparagus help in increasing the good bacteria in gut called probiotics. A healthy gut is necessary for effective body’s natural detoxification.

Leading a well-disciplined life is quite effective for the body’s natural mechanism of detoxification. Adopting methods like a detox diet, going to spas, sauna bath, sweating therapy, fasting methods can be individual choices.