As I focus on nutrition, one of my critical pillars of health (along with rest, movement, and mindfulness), I have been slowly reducing my added sugar intake.

I have always been less concerned about sugar per se and more centered on how it is delivered: Fast delivery (think soda or orange juice) spikes markers of inflammation; slow delivery (my beloved grapes) delivers the sugar more slowly and healthily.

One of the ways I have been better about not adding lots of sugar to things is that my slow reduction has not left me craving more sweetness. I used to add two teaspoons of sugar to my Earl Grey tea; now, I put in a tiny bit of honey, and I am good to go.

1. Honey is a natural antimicrobial

Let’s look at the goodness of honey. Did you know that honey can fight bacteria and fungi? Even as we recognize the variability in effectiveness among honey types, we have evidence of honey’s pathogen-fighting capabilities.

Honey as a medicinal agent dates back to ancient times. Ancient Egyptians frequently used honey as a natural antibiotic and skin protectant. Professor Gene Kritsky, in his book Tears of Re, reports the Egyptian myth that the sun god Ra’s tears fell to earth and transformed into honey bees.

Why does honey have anti-pathogen properties? You may be surprised to learn that it contains hydrogen peroxide. In addition, the high sugar content of honey may inhibit bacterial growth.

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best,” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called.”
― A. A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

Honey has a low pH of approximately 3.5. As a result, the food pulls moisture away from bacteria and causes the microorganism to become dehydrated and die. Honey also has bee defensin, an antimicrobial peptide (AMP).

To use honey as an antibiotic, Healthline.com offers this advice: Apply it directly to the wound or infected area. If possible, opt for raw Manuka honey from New Zealand. The antibacterial substance methylglyoxal (MGO) is only present in certain natural kinds of honey, such as the Manuka type.

I probably wouldn’t go as far as this headline from Scientific American suggests: “You should rub honey on your everywhere.” And one more thing — the honey we use in hospital settings is medical grade; it is sterile and inspected. Don’t treat your wounds with the usual honey that you buy from the local store.

2. Honey contains phytonutrients

Phytonutrients are compounds in plants that help protect the plant from harm. Some phytonutrients keep insects away, while others shield against ultraviolet radiation.

Phytonutrients also contribute to the antioxidant properties of honey and its antimicrobial characteristics. Scientists are investigating whether honey may boost our immune systems or even fight cancer. Let’s not overstate the case: There have been very few clinical studies despite its purported anti-cancer activity.

3. Honey may help with digestion

I have heard that consuming honey can help with gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea. Let’s take a quick look at irritable bowel syndrome. Mouse studies suggest honey is a natural laxative.

But what about human irritable bowel syndrome? There is not much good research. On the other hand, we have limited evidence that honey may help control a bacteria known as Helicobacter pylori.

H. pylori are bacteria that infect the stomach’s lining. These bacteria can lead to peptic ulcer diseases and duodenal (the first part of the small intestine; it connects to the stomach) ulcers. While natural treatments such as Manuka honey may not eradicate the bacteria, they might help maintain them at low levels. My take? I think we have little high-level evidence.

Honey has some risks

Raw honey can carry harmful bacteria, including Clostridium botulinum. This microbe is especially hazardous for babies. You should never give raw honey to an infant less than a year old.

Healthline.com reminds us of some of the symptoms of botulism poisoning in infants:

• constipation
• slow breathing
• drooping eyelids
• no gag reflex
• head control loss
• downward-spreading paralysis
• poor feeding
• lethargy
• a weak cry

In adults, symptoms may include a brief time of vomiting and diarrhea, followed by constipation and more severe symptoms (for example, blurred vision and muscle weakness). Please consult a doctor if you experience these symptoms after eating raw honey.

Oh, the big reason I use honey? My Manuka honey tastes good. It is sweet enough that I use remarkably little of it in my tea. Do you use honey? If yes, why?

The post Honey — 3 Reasons You Might Try It appeared first on Medika Life.

The symptoms listed below are meant to make you aware of how symptoms we often associate with other conditions, like heartburn, can actually be your body trying to warn you about your heart. Aches and pains caused by your heart, but felt in different areas of your body, like your neck and jaw, are called referred pain.

The heart shares a bundle of nerves that service our arms, chest, and upper torso, so if you feel back pain or a sore jaw, this could be your heart sounding an alarm bell, but getting its signals crossed. Of course, it could also simply be exactly what it feels like. A dodgy tooth or a strained back muscle.

That’s why it’s important to learn about all the types of referred pain and consider any symptoms you may be experiencing in the context of your current physical condition. If you’re over forty, overweight, and unfit, then back pain accompanied by, for instance, sweating and shortness of breath should send you straight in to your doctor.

It isn’t just obese and unfit over-40’s that have heart attacks though. Any person, of any age and physical condition can suffer a heart attack for a variety of reasons, so it’s best to educate yourself on the most common early warning signs.

Not only could recognizing these signs save your life, but you could also potentially save someone else’s by seeing their aches and pains for what they really are. A warning.

Shortness of breath

Trouble getting up those stairs? Have you noticed a sudden and rapid decrease in your lung capacity? Do even small exertions leave you feeling out of breath? This symptom, even experienced on its own, requires immediate examination by your doctor. Don’t put it off. Heart-related shortness of breath does not need to be accompanied by chest pain.

Feeling Dizzy

Dizziness or lightheadedness coupled with chest pain and shortness of breath may indicate a decrease in blood volume and a drop in blood pressure, which means a heart attack could be on the way.

Feeling tired and listless

A feeling of fatigue will often accompany one or more of these symptoms, particularly in women. They can experience fatigue a month before having a heart attack. The National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute warn that this sign is especially prominent in women.

Heartburn, nausea, and indigestion

It could be that spicy curry you had for lunch or it could be something far more serious. Gastric symptoms like a queasy stomach, vomiting, or belching can develop when the heart and other areas of the body aren’t receiving enough blood supply. You can interpret this as acid reflux or heartburn, so it’s important to reach out to your doctor, especially if you’re having other heart related symptoms.

Pressure or feeling constricted, tightness

The most common and well know signal of an impending heart attack. These feelings will usually come in waves and will dissipate after a few minutes. The American Heart Association describes this symptom as “uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest”. This symptom can be accompanied by an increased feeling of stress and anxiety. Don’t ignore this symptom. Consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Sweating

Sweating is the body’s mechanism for cooling us down and is totally normal. In some instances, we sweat more, from excessive heat, exercise and in the case of women, the onset of menopause can trigger sweating. A heart attack triggers your nervous system, which in turn activates a “fight or flight” response that puts you in survival mode and could lead to sweating. ‘Cold sweats’ and ‘night sweats’ without the presence of fever should be taken seriously.

Referred Pain

Earlier we described how confused nerves can send out heart-related pain signals to other areas of your body. These can occur in places other than the chest, like the back, shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. Women are more likely to experience pain in the neck, jaw, and back. Again, referred pain should be considered alongside the presence of other symptoms. A useful tip for back pain is the inability to localize the origin, in other words, there isn’t a specific spot you can point at for the pain.

Palpitations or irregular heartbeat

When the heart is starved of blood, it can lead to the sensation of heart palpitations or a racing heart. This is an unmistakable signal from your heart that something is amiss. If you feel like you’re having heart palpitations, make sure you contact your doctor right away, even in the absence of any other symptoms.

The post Eight Early Signs of Heart Trouble You Shouldn’t Ignore appeared first on Medika Life.