Nutritional Supplements Can Be an Effective Way to Control Your Asthma

By Kim Archer

In the U.S. there are over ten million individuals who are asthma sufferers, and many doctors regard asthma as an epidemic since it so rampant. Exposure to noxious chemicals in the air and environmental pollution are usually held responsible for contributing to this disease. There's an increase in the number of people dying from asthma, mostly because the warning signs are being disregarded.

When an asthma attack is happening, the lung's air passages start to swell and secrete mucus. Quickly they will begin to spasm. As the airways become narrower, it gets more difficult to breathe. The most frequent symptoms of an asthma attack are wheezing, breathlessness, coughing, congestion, fever, pain and dry mouth.

Pretty much anything can cause an attack. The most common cause of an attack are allergic reactions, and other causes include stress, a poor diet, overexertion, or a respiratory infection. A number of attacks are activated by way of exposure to irritants like exhaust fumes, smoke, the smell of gas, or pollen. An attack can also be brought on by certain foods including peanuts, corn, dairy or chocolate. Antibiotics, hormone therapy and tranquilizers are also potential issues.

There are a number of herbal, mineral and vitamin supplements that can be utilized to manage asthma. Vitamin B is the most important of these. Not only can it lower the severity of an attack, it also preserves the biochemical equilibrium in your body.

If you take vitamin A and E together, they can work to protect your lungs against air pollution. You can also take large doses of vitamin C, as it's very effective in combating asthma. Gingko biloba is another good choice, as it will improve your breathing and help with your bronchial reactions, as is odorless garlic, which contains an anti-inflammatory agent that will lessen the probability of an attack.

If you think you might have asthma, see your doctor as quickly as you can to get tested. Until then, eat a diet high in protein with lots of vegetables and fruits and steer clear of known triggers.

Asthma can be very distressing, but there are ways that you can fight back and help to manage it effectively. If your health care provider tells you that you in fact have asthma, ask him any questions that come to mind and get his advice on what you ought to be doing and what to avoid.

It's possible to prevent an asthma attack, so there is no reason for it to keep you from the activities you enjoy. It can generally be contained even if it does slow you down for a period of time. - 30286

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Was The Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Just A Deception That Eventually Hung The Sharper Image?

By Wilma Perkins

You remember the original Ionic Breeze air purifier, don't you? They were all over the TV with infomercials, and made brief appearances at Radio Shacks as well as The Sharper Image's retail stores, if you could find one. Then they were suddenly gone, and it seemed as if The Sharper Image went with them. Search the web and you'll find tons of negative commentary about how The Sharper Image supposedly lied in their claims about the Ionic Breeze. Yet, if you can actually find any reviews written by people that used them, they all have good things to say about the Ionic Breeze. We'll take a look at both sides of the coin and get to the truth of the Ionic Breeze air purifier.

The Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Is Not As Effective As a HEPA Air Purifier

The Sharper Image made no claims that their Ionic Breeze could clean polluted air as effectively as a True HEPA purifier. They avoided that subject, actually, just as all good business people do with stats that don't really benefit their product. It was Consumer Reports who first mentioned the efficiency of the product, saying that it only cleaned 30% of the air pollution. They neglected, however, to take into consideration the fact that the unit was intended to be run 24/7, therefore cleaning the same air repeatedly. No, it would never reach 100%, but then neither does any other air purifier. They're not as efficient as a True HEPA air purifier, but after time, it will get the job done. Ionic purifiers are also much less expensive to maintain, as well as to operate and purchase in the first place. It's also worth mentioning that Consumer Reports compared the ionic air purifier to True HEPA air purifiers, not the more common, and much cheaper HEPA-type air purifiers. HEPA-type purifiers don't have to adhere to any specific rules, but True HEPA machines aren't affordable to all.

The Ionic Breeze Actually Makes The Air Unhealthy

The theory is that ionic air purifiers release a ton of ozone when cleaning the air. But that's just not the case. The best explanation for this misconception is that people don't know the difference between ionic air purifiers and ozone generators, which are somewhat similar, but do use ozone to clean the air. There is no factual data stating that ionic air purifiers put out unsafe amounts of ozone, and Consumer Reports even said that the Ionic Breeze air purifier passes HEPA guidelines in regards to ozone. Actually, the Ionic Breeze silent air purifier passes every HEPA guideline except for efficiency.

Some Say The Ionic Breeze Air Purifier Killed The Sharper Image

The Sharper Image did end up filing for bankruptcy in 2008, but not due to lack of sales. The reason they went under is because The Sharper Image was a publicly traded company, and their reputation had been so badly damaged that the price of their stock plummeted to well under a dollar per share. Even at the time of bankruptcy, the company actually had over $50 million equity, not including liquid cash. They simply couldn't overcome the bad publicity, regardless of the quality of their products.

Have Ionic Air Purifiers Improved Since Then?

Newer ionic air purifiers aren't significantly different from the original as the concept behind was not only simple, but effective, and wouldn't be easy to improve. Simply put, ionic air purifiers effectively, though slowly, clean air pollution just fine, and they do it quite cheaply. The original Ionic Breeze itself might be hard to find, but newer versions of it as well as the Ionic Pro air purifier and various generics are still easily obtainable. - 30286

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Mesothelioma Legal Recourse

By Heidi Wingrain

The most dragging and expensive of all the health related lawsuits is the mesothelioma litigation. Though there are several reasons behind this the most important one is that the disease lies inactive for many years before the symptoms are revealed. The passage of time makes it difficult to decide whether the infection is caused by the negligent attitude of the defendant or from some other source.

Another reason is that many companies try to wash their hands off what their executives did decades ago by arguing that none of their present employees are affected by the deadly disease. In addition, thousands of fraudulent applications for compensation had also been filed by unscrupulous individuals. So the court has to examine threadbare all the claims and counterclaims before arriving at a fair decision. Mesothelioma legal advice is therefore highly essential for the litigants to understand the nuances of the process and bring up a flawless case full of justifiable facts so as to gain the sympathy of the jury.

Many mesothelioma legal firms are there which deal exclusively on mesothelioma compensation. Asbestos, being a naturally occurring highly useful product has been put to use extensively in manufacturing cement, insulation material, ship building etc. But the connection between asbestos and mesothelioma was discovered very late. Asbestos has the capacity to cause other diseases also.

Many unfortunate workers in the asbestos companies and quarries inhaled the air borne fine particles thereby exposing them to the risk of mesothelioma cancer. Unwashed cloths and hair of the workers made the family members also susceptible to the disease. Till strict laws were implemented by the authorities many companies chose to hide the health aspect of asbestos. Many governments have banned the use of certain kinds of asbestos and some have enacted preventive measures. Also the people who contracted the disease through asbestos exposure were given the right to seek compensation from the former employers.

The increase in the number of mesothelioma cases and the heavy amount of compensation involved have developed mesothelioma litigation compensation into a legal business. The claimants can rely up on mesothelioma legal experts to handle the legal process. An expert professional can definitely help the client to earn a handsome compensation within a short period of time. - 30286

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Effective Asthma Herbal Remedies

By Andrew Vargas

All asthma sufferers can commiserate with the feeling of helplessness that can be brought on by an asthma attack. When I continued to struggle with my asthma even after the doctors has tried multiple medications and therapies on me, it was obvious that I needed to start doing my own research and find a method of treatment that would work for me. This is when I discovered asthma herbal remedies.

Anyone who has dealt with asthma for any length of time is familiar with the different medications that are supposed to help. Now, these medications are helpful for some, but others do not get relief or if they get relief, it can come at a great cost. For example, I've had times in my life when my asthma was being treated with three different medications at the same time, a steroid, an inhaler and allergy medication. I can tell you this really messed with my brain. I finally called a stop to the madness when I realized that my memory was failing me. And I mean really failing me. I would be driving down the road and not remember how I got to where I was. That was pretty scary!

Using asthma herbal remedies has been my own little miracle. I feel like the treatments are so gentle and the herbs work with my body, not against it. It has been my experience and the experience of countless others that asthma herbal remedies, if used consistently, can vastly improve your quality of life because asthma will no longer be an uncontrollable factor in your life.

One of the first things I discovered in my research is that there is actually a way to clean your blood with herbs. Now, I'm into cleaning so this really peaked my interest. Many things can be helped and alleviated with cleaning your blood which is like detoxing. Asthma can often be controlled by getting on an herbal regimen that will cleanse your blood. If you think about it, this really makes sense because if your body is busy trying to work with "dirty" blood, it won't be able to fight effectively against the things that trigger your asthma.

There are two types of asthma herbal remedies to try; herbal combinations and single herbs. Herbal combinations, or herb combos as I like to call them, are simply two or more herbs used together. When you make an herb combo simply mix them together and run the herbs through a coffee grinder. This breaks down the herbs enough to fit into a gel capsule. Gel capsules are nice because you won't have to taste the herb or try to mix them in a juice or some type of drink.

Using single herbs has the obvious benefit of being less expensive because you only need to purchase one herb. If you are new to asthma herbal remedies, I suggest you start with one herb such as alfalfa. Alfalfa is great for allergies and because asthma can often be triggered by allergies, this herb goes a long way in relieving asthma. To use alfalfa simply run it through a coffee grinder and put it in gel capsules for easy swallowing. You can also add the alfalfa powder to green smoothies, tea, or any drink you would like.

It really was a relief to use asthma herbal remedies and get off some of the prescription medications I was taking. Obtaining gentle and effective asthma relief truly is a blessing and I can guarantee you won't regret looking into alternative methods of treating your asthma. - 30286

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Medicinal Mushroom Alcohol Extract vs. Hot Water Extract

By Dr. Markho Rafael

For two millennia, medicinal mushrooms have been mainstream in Asia. Now, America is taking notice and interest is rapidly "mushrooming." With the sprouting of this new industry follows issues of ethical quality claims between competing brands.

This information applies to all species of medicinal mushrooms. For practical purposes, this article will focus on the most popular medicinal mushroom species, red reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), over which the most intense battle of conflicting claims is being fought.

The first and perhaps obvious caution is to stay away from cheap mass-produced brands of medicinal mushrooms that may only contain dried and pulverized mushrooms, in which case the medicinal compounds are still inaccessible behind the mushrooms' cell walls.

Then there are the real therapeutic grade red reishi brands, which are produced with much more care. But even here there are big differences between brands. Each claims to be the best, of course, because they want to sell their product. So lets set the facts straight and be independently informed consumers.

Following are the three primary ways of creating reishi extracts. Each method yields different medicinal compounds, all of which are shown in scientific studies to have important properties.

1. Water (Hot) Extraction (polysaccharides, etc.)

2. Alcohol Extraction (triterpenoids, sterols)

3. Fermented (arabinoxylanes, etc.)

The most important hot water extracted compounds are the polysaccharides. Studies have shown them to possess strong anti-tumor properties, help boost immune system and be powerful antioxidants. [1]

The alcohol soluble compounds are mainly triterpenoids, a large group of related compounds. Scientific studies suggest they help stabilize cholesterol, blood pressure and clotting. Most importantly, they are the anti-inflammatory compounds so critical to many of reishi's suggested uses, including arthritis, allergies and asthma. [1]

And then there are the new and unique medicinal compounds that get created when reishi is fermented. These "secondary metabolites" have their own therapeutic properties, different from the first two groups, including anti-tumor, immune support and blood-sugar balance. [2]

Since this article is not intended to elevate any one brand over another, no brand names will be mentioned. Nevertheless, the author does know of two highly reputed brands (American and Japanese) that claim only hot water extracted red reishi is of any value and that alcohol extracts are useless.

They do that, of course, because they wish to sell their products. However, there is no scientific validity to those claims. All three extraction methods listed above yield important medicinal compounds.

When looking for the best reishi extract, find one that uses at least the first two extraction methods in combination: Hot Water and Alcohol Extraction. Even better may be a brand that includes all three methods listed.

An additional point to keep in mind is the form the reishi comes in. Reishi that dissolves completely in a water-based liquid such as coffee probably only contains reishi from hot water extraction. As a substitute for regular coffee, this would be a superb health-choice. However, it will not contain the water-insoluble triterpenoids so valued for their anti-inflammatory properties.

On the other hand, alcohol tinctures can actually contain both water soluble polysaccharides and alcohol soluble triterpenoids. The way you know is that the polysaccharides will fall out of solution because of the alcohol, and will make the tincture cloudy. That's alright though; you just need to shake before you take. Capsules and tablets may be one or the other or both. The only way to know is ask the manufacturer or read their information.

[1] Boh B, Berovic M, Zhang J, Zhi-Bin L. "Ganoderma lucidum and its pharmaceutically active compounds." Biotechnol Annu Rev. 2007;13:265-301.

[2] Tang YJ, Zhang W, Zhong JJ. "Performance analyses of a pH-shift and DOT-shift integrated fed-batch fermentation process for the production of ganoderic acid and Ganoderma polysaccharides by medicinal mushroom Ganoderma lucidum." Bioresour Technol. 2009 Mar;100(5):1852-9. - 30286

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True HEPA Air Purifers Truly Are Superior

By Heath Plunger

You will probably see items that are labeled "True" HEPA if you shop for HEPA air purifiers. So, I'm sure you're wondering, does that mean there's a false one? Of course you would never find a product that boldly proclaimed to be a sub-standard HEPA air purifier, but to be called a True HEPA air purifier, there are some differences. As with any other purchase, it's left to the consumer to figure out the differences and know if they need to look for one or the other. Let's examine True HEPA air purifiers and why some products may not claim this.

True HEPA Air Purifiers Are Different

A True HEPA air purifier, also known as an absolute HEPA air purifier, is different even from other HEPA air purifiers. When companies reference the effectiveness of HEPA air purifiers as stated by government entities such as the EPA and OSHA, they are generally referring to the True type, even if they do not blatantly say so. Although there are other types of air purifiers out there, True HEPA air purifiers are the only ones that are used in sensitive areas such as hospitals and laboratories.

True HEPA Air Purifiers Stop Particles Of DOOM

Of the different specifications that True HEPA air purifiers have to meet, the most important is probably the 97% of all 0.3 micron particles. This stat is incredibly important, and not as technical as it may sound. Of all the different pollutants floating around out there, it's been found that 0.3 micron particles generally are the hardest to filter, even including those that are smaller. They also are the most likely to cause problems in the human body, and have no problem scooting right past our natural defenses. See, 0.3 micron particles are more scary than nerdy, aren't they? If you want an idea of the size we're talking about, compare 0.3 microns to the human hair. Human hair is generally anywhere between 70 and 100 microns thick.

True HEPA Air Purifiers Actually Work Better When Dirty

This part of our discussion is where you will see both the main difference between true HEPA air purifiers and others and also where the terms "Absolute" and "True" become one and the same. Designed to be more effective dirty than when clean, the absolute filtration system's trapped particles will actually increase the power of the true HEPA air purifier's filtration. Very simple in reality, the explanation is that the spaces for the the air to pass becomes smaller as the dirt builds up.

Is There A Way To Tell If A HEPA Air Purifier Is True?

Look for products that actually advertise that they are True HEPA air purifiers. The alternative is the HEPA-type air purifier, which is really just an imitation, and is not held to any particular standard. If you find a purifier that doesn't say either HEPA-type or True HEPA, you can also reference other specifications on the box. Look for one that filters 97% or more of the 0.3 micron particles if you want a True HEPA air purifier. - 30286

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Can One Still Procure An Ionic Air Purifier Somewhere?

By Irene Polaski

Many of us remember The Sharper Image and their stores that were in many major cities. As is normal with store closures, most people that knew of those retail outlets probably think that ionic air purifiers are no longer obtainable. This is not necessarily the case, although ionic air purifiers sold under then name "The Sharper Image" are no longer being manufactured. If you're looking for an ionic air purifier, you have a few options.

Ionic Pro Ionic Air Purifier

The Ionic Pro works much like the Ionic Breeze from Sharper Image did, but is quite a bit cheaper. The maintenance, or lack thereof, is the same. When it starts buzzing lightly, remove the filter element, wipe it off, and replace it. That's really all there is to it. Since it doesn't use a fan, it's more energy efficient and quieter than a HEPA air purifier, although less effective. Still, if you're looking for a cheap way to clean a 500 ft room without having yet another noisemaker in your home, this ionic air purifier might be a good choice for you.

Generic Ionic Air Purifiers

There are also other ionic air purifiers that don't have any branding at all. These are generally available for around a hundred dollars, and can be found in dollar or bargain stores as well as some websites. Be wary of a lack of warranty though as whatever return policy the retailer has may be your only safety net if it doesn't work right. However, these cheap off brands can be considered at least somewhat safe since the tech that they use is pretty simple.

Noisy Ionic Air Purifiers

Generally speaking, an ionic air purifier doesn't use a moving fan. Instead, it will use the motion of the air particles that are magnetically pulled toward the machine to create a very slight breeze. Consumer Reports did not feel that this was enough, however, and only certified one that did use a fan. This might not work for some people, though, since they may be considering an ionic air purifier simply because it is silent, even though it's less effective. The advantage of cheaper, filterless maintenance still stands, though.

Buying A HEPA Air Purifier Instead

Instead of an ionic air purifier, you may want to purchase a HEPA air purifier. The main difference lies in the maintenance and filtration. With a HEPA air purifier, you have a filter element that needs to be thrown away every so often and replaced, sort of like your air conditioner. With an ionic air purifier, you have no filters since the offending pollutants just get stuck to the cleanable bar that can just be wiped off. HEPA air purifiers are widely accepted to be more effective than ionic air purifiers, however. - 30286

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