Worried About Clotting? Here’s How to Prevent Blood Clots Naturally
Blood clots can happen to anyone, regardless of race, age, or gender, but they are treatable and can be prevented. In addition to pharmaceutical solutions, there are also many natural ways to treat and prevent blood clots.
What Is a Blood Clot?
A blood clot is the name given when cells and protein form a gel-like substance. Blood clotting is the body’s way of preventing you from losing too much blood when you become injured.
When the blood clots too much, or clots that form in veins don’t dissolve or travel elsewhere in the body, they can become a medical emergency. The following symptoms of blood clots are common in conditions like venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism:
- Swelling in one arm or leg
- Pain and tenderness
- Sudden and severe headache
- Chest pain
- Breathing problems
What Raises the Risk of Developing Blood Clots?
A person’s risk factor of developing blood clots is higher if they:
- Have inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lung cancer, and Behcet disease
- Have to go on bed rest associated with illness, pregnancy, or surgery
- Are obese
- Sit for long periods of time
- Take birth control products
- Are over the age of 60
- Have infections like Lyme disease, HIV/AIDs, and hepatitis C
- Are a smoker
- Have a family member with blood clots
How Can Blood Clots Be Prevented or Eliminated Naturally?
You can reduce your clot risk by making changes to your lifestyle. There are also many foods that can prevent blood clots from forming and eliminate existing blood clots.
Lifestyle Changes
Movement, along with certain clothing and habits, can all significantly increase your risk of not developing blood clots. Making the following lifestyle changes can help:
- Getting up and moving around for at least five minutes per hour
- Wearing compression stockings to promote blood flow in the legs
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Starting a regular exercise routine
Dietary Changes
Making certain dietary changes can also help prevent blood clots. These include:
- Avoiding foods that are high in animal and processed fats and eating lean proteins
- Avoiding foods that are high in sugar
- Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet
- Drinking plenty of water each day
There are also many foods that you can incorporate into your diet that have natural anti-clotting properties.
Turmeric’s active ingredient curcumin is both anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning. Add this spice to your meals, take a supplement, mix with hot water to make tea, or consume fresh turmeric root.
Ginger contains salicylate, a natural acid that can eliminate clots and reduce their formation. This spice, which is in the same family as turmeric and cardamom, can be consumed as a root and is also available in powder and supplement form.
Garlic not only adds great taste to food, but is antibiotic and antimicrobial and can also reduce the formation of blood clots.
Vitamin E can reduce clots and is found in supplements but also exists in whole grains, almonds, sunflower oil, and sunflower seeds.
Cinnamon is yet another spice with anti-clotting properties. It can be added to everything from coffee, tea, and hot chocolate to dinner and dessert dishes.
Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain. Along with its anti-inflammatory properties, bromelain also reduces clot formation, breaks down blood clots, and thins the blood..
Purple grapes, both in their natural form and in red wine or juice, contain polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that help make blood platelets more slippery. This prevents blood clots from forming.
Virgin olive oil not only tastes great but contains clot-preventing phenols. Add it to salads or use it in place of butter.
Feverfew comes from daisies. This herb is not only used to combat fever, migraines, and digestive issues but interferes with the activity of blood platelets to prevent clotting.
All of the above foods, herbs, and spices can be very beneficial to your overall health and help you to prevent or eliminate blood clots. However, in order to get maximum benefit, it’s important to consume them in moderation.
As well, if you’re already taking a pharmaceutical blood thinner, it’s best to talk with your doctor before taking the above in supplement form to prevent your blood from thinning too much.
Top-Quality Natural Health Products
If you’re concerned about developing or eliminating blood clots, the good news is that many natural solutions are available.
Forrest Health products are formulated using cutting-edge technology and the best natural ingredients. The result is a wide range of effective options for improving circulation and preventing and eliminating blood clots. Visit us online or call today for more information: (408) 354-4262.
Covid Long-Hauler Recovery: Tips for Coping with Symptoms
The COVID-19 virus can cause a variety of symptoms in those who become infected. The most common symptoms are a chronic cough, fatigue, fever, breathing problems, and a temporary loss of smell. These symptoms, which vary in severity from very mild to life-threatening, develop anywhere from 1 to 14 days after infection. Most people who catch COVID-19 make a full recovery within a few weeks.
However, a significant minority of people who fall ill from COVID-19 go on to experience long-term health deficits. This condition is often called “long COVID,” and those who suffer from it are known as “long haulers.” These people suffer from chronic COVID symptoms even though the virus itself is no longer detectable.
If you suffer from long COVID, it is important to do what you can to protect your health and minimize your symptoms. Later on in this blog, we will explore some tips for doing just that.
Current Research on Long COVID
It is not clear why long COVID develops. There is speculation that COVID-19 might trigger lasting changes to the immune system of certain persons, but more research needs to be done before definitive claims can be made. It is known that persons with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)—which, like COVID-19, are coronaviruses—can also suffer long-term complications affecting the respiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal systems.
- According to one study, 35% of people who become infected with COVID-19 report experiencing symptoms 14-21 days after receiving a positive reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.1
- Another study found that about 10% of COVID-19 victims experience prolonged symptoms at least 3 weeks after infection.2
- Still another study found that around 2% of persons with COVID-19 experience symptoms that last over 12 weeks.3
Because there is still a lot of research that needs to be done on this virus, long COVID remains something of a mystery at the present time. It is not possible to say how long it lasts. Nonetheless, it is clear that persons suffering from COVID-19 long-hauler symptoms can take steps to relieve their suffering.
Common Long COVID Symptoms
People suffering from long COVID can experience one or more of a wide array of symptoms. These symptoms can fluctuate significantly and unpredictably from one day to the next. Many sufferers report that their symptoms typically wax and wane over the course of the day.
The most frequently occurring long COVID symptoms are the following:
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Joint pain
- Fatigue
- Coughing
Other symptoms can arise as well, including but not limited to:
- Headaches
- Muscle pains
- Rapid heartbeat
- Fever (intermittent)
- Loss of taste
- Loss of smell
- Skin rashes
- Sleep disturbances
- Memory lapses
- Anxiety and/or depression
- Difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)
- Hair loss
Long COVID can also cause damage to organ systems of the body. These complications, which are relatively uncommon, can include heart inflammation, scarred lungs, injury to the kidney, and Guillain-Barre syndrome.
Oddly, some long COVID sufferers report that their lingering symptoms are very different from those they experienced during their original infection period. For example, they may begin experiencing chronic headaches only weeks or months after they came down with COVID-19.
Are these complications permanent in nature? It’s impossible to say at the present time. As COVID-19 was unknown prior to late 2019, there is little data on its possible long-term effects.
Who Is at Risk for Long COVID?
One study has found that people who experienced more than 5 of the recognized COVID-19 symptoms during their first week of sickness were more likely to develop long COVID. The study also found that people with at least one of the following characteristics were at increased risk for long COVID:
- Old age
- High BMI (body mass index)
- Female gender
The study was based on 4,182 COVID-19 patients who logged their symptoms in a specialized app.4
Although serious long-term COVID-19 complications are more likely to afflict older persons and those with compromised immune systems, even young, healthy people can experience these chronic issues.
In some cases, serious long-term complications arise in individuals whose initial COVID-19 symptoms were mild in nature. In fact, some reports claim that the majority of people who experience these complications were never hospitalized during their initial COVID illness. For some people, these lingering symptoms go on for literally months.
Treatment Options for Long COVID
What can be done for people suffering from long COVID? Unfortunately, there is no “magic bullet” that can remove the troublesome symptoms associated with this illness. You cannot simply take a pill or a vitamin to free yourself from long COVID. That does not mean nothing can be done for long COVID sufferers, however.
If you are experiencing lingering symptoms of long COVID, here are some suggestions that may improve your condition. Following these tips will not ensure a full recovery, but doing so should bolster your overall health. That is an important part of managing long COVID.
Maintain healthy lifestyle habits – People who are ill have a tendency to neglect their health, which can easily make matters worse for them. If you’re suffering from long COVID, you can’t afford to do this. Try to get a good night’s sleep and avoid stress. Those are good suggestions even for healthy people, but for those with long COVID, they’re especially important to avoid aggravating your symptoms.
Eat right – It’s important to be mindful of what you eat. Because many long COVID victims lose their sense of taste, it’s easy for them to neglect healthy eating habits.
Get some exercise – Try to go for a walk or engage in another type of light exercise. Don’t push yourself too hard—many people with long COVID find it difficult to resume their pre-illness level of activity.
Keep your doctor informed – Long COVID symptoms often come and go without warning. It can be difficult to predict how you’ll be feeling from one day to the next. If you’re having a particularly rough time, don’t hesitate to give your doctor a call.
Take vitamins – Vitamins and other healthy supplements will boost your immune system and give your body the tools needed to battle your ailments. There are several vitamins that are widely believed to provide a measure of protection against COVID-19.
Before taking any new vitamins or supplements, consult with your doctor first.
- Vitamin D – Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recommends vitamin D supplementation as a means of increasing immune function and reducing your vulnerability to infection.5 People who are deficient in this fat-soluble vitamin seem to be more susceptible to COVID-19 and the various symptoms that stem from it. What isn’t clear is whether taking large doses of vitamin D confers extra protection against the effects of COVID-19.
- Vitamin C – Another Fauci-recommended vitamin, vitamin C is known to have wide ranging antioxidant and immune-boosting benefits. This water-soluble vitamin is commonly used by people who want to avoid getting sick during the flu season, as it promotes a healthy immune system. It may help with COVID-19 as well. Fauci recommends taking “a gram or so” of vitamin C.
- Zinc – Zinc is known to reduce the incidence of viral replication, and it is believed to stop COVID-19 from infecting Taking up to 40 mg of a zinc supplement per day is recommended.
Other supplements, such as vitamins A and K, are believed to play a significant role in managing or preventing COVID-19 as well.
You can find a wide assortment of vitamins for COVID 19 recovery at Forrest Health, one of the leading providers of health supplements, herbal remedies, and homeopathic medicines in the United States since 1987. To learn more, please explore our product catalog at ForrestHealth.com.
Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7392393/
- https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3026
- https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/study-identifies-those-most-risk-long-covid
- https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.10.19.20214494v1
- https://www.newsweek.com/amplify/dr-fauci-recommends-these-vitamin-supplements-fight-covid-19
Can Vitamin C Help with Allergies?
Millions of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, and there are a wide range of pharmaceutical products that can soothe allergy symptoms. For those seeking a more natural means of allergy treatment, Vitamin C may be an ideal choice.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur because of overreaction of the immune system. Allergens are a type of irritant and, when these foreign substances enter the body, the immune system responds by releasing histamine into the bloodstream.
Histamines are a chemical made by your immune system, and their job is to help rid your body of foreign invaders like allergens. The way histamines accomplish this is by triggering our body’s natural processes to expel allergens—itching, watery eyes, and sneezing.
The dust, pollen, pet dander, or other irritants that are present during allergy season can trigger histamine production, leading to sneezing, itchy eyes, asthma, a runny nose, and overall misery.
Vitamin C and Allergies
Vitamin C is well known as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and a protector against the free radicals that can damage cells and cause disease. It’s also what helps the body with iron absorption and storage, assists with fighting infections, and is also an immune system booster, but what’s this vitamin’s role in alleviating allergy symptoms?
Well, vitamin C also happens to be a natural antihistamine; it seeks out and destroys histamine molecules in the bloodstream. The resulting reduced amount means fewer tears, sniffles, and itches for allergy sufferers. Our bodies aren’t able to manufacture vitamin C, but, thankfully, there’s more than one way to get it.
What’s the Best Way to Get Vitamin C into Your Body?
By far, the consumption of foods that are rich in Vitamin C is the best way to get it. Citrus fruits, whether consumed in their natural form or poured into a glass of juice, can deliver a daily dose of allergy-busting C. There are also many other fruits and vegetables that contain high amounts, including:
- Kale
- Thyme
- Chili peppers
- Broccoli
- Kiwi
- Parsley
- Sweet yellow peppers
- Blueberries
- Cabbage
- Raspberries
One important thing to be aware of is the fact that Vitamin C is sensitive to air, light, and temperature. If overexposed to these factors, your body won’t be able to absorb the maximum amount from the food you eat. For this reason, it can make sense to take supplements.
How Much Vitamin C Should You Take?
When it comes to this vitamin, it’s all about what your body—or, more specifically, your intestines—can absorb. Studies have revealed that when a person takes 1000mg or more of Vitamin C at one time, their body’s ability to absorb it all will be reduced by more than half.
This is because of tissue saturation; once the tissues become saturated with the vitamin, the body is unable to absorb more. When this happens, any excess amount will be excreted via the urine.
Taking daily doses in excess of 3000 mg can cause side effects including diarrhea, gastrointestinal upset, and an increased production of kidney stones in those with a history of stones of kidney disease, among others.
Dosage and Frequency
So, how much should you take? The body is able to absorb approximately 200 to 500 mg at one time. Therefore, it can be a good idea to split a 1000-mg dose into either two daily doses of 500 mg or four daily doses of 250 mg. This will keep histamine-destroying C in your bloodstream and provide all of its other health benefits, too.
When taking a vitamin C supplement, consider doing so with food or with a healthy fat like avocado; this will help to ensure your body absorbs the maximum amount.
Natural Allergy and Sinus Relief
Forrest Health products contain high-quality and all-natural ingredients that we’ve combined using the latest technology. All of our allergy supplements can provide you with reduced symptoms of seasonal allergies without pharmaceutical ingredients. Look through our website to learn more, or call 408-354-4262.
How to Treat Maskne Naturally
Whether we’re working or shopping, the mask has become a regular part of our routines. Yet, for some, hours of mask-wearing are causing a condition called maskne to occur. The good news is that if you suffer from maskne, it’s able to be treated naturally.
What Is Maskne?
Maskne is a nickname for acne mechanica, which is caused by pressure or friction placed on the skin over long periods. Wearing a mask for hours daily is enough to trigger maskne. Your skin can also become itchy and dry if your mask is tight-fitting.
Maskne also refers to a number of other skin conditions that can develop as a result of wearing masks. These include folliculitis, contact dermatitis, and rosacea flare-ups.
Folliculitis is an infection of the hair follicles resulting in acne-like bumps on the skin, pain, and itchiness. Contact dermatitis, which can appear as a red rash, blisters, or a feeling of irritation, occurs due to allergic reaction to mask material. Finally, those with rosacea can experience flare-ups of the condition, which may appear as redness or pimples.
Why Do Masks Cause Breakouts?
A mask protects you from airborne irritants and viruses, but this characteristic also means that humidity and sweat get trapped between the mask and your skin. If the same mask is worn long enough, bacteria can form under it.
When the mask makes contact with your face via friction, that bacteria can enter your skin, causing inflammation in the hair follicles on the face and, ultimately, resulting in maskne.
Is There Any Way to Prevent Maskne?
It’s completely possible to prevent breakouts and skin irritation from maskne when you implement the following:
Ensuring you always wear a clean face covering is both an easy and effective way to prevent bacteria build-up on the skin. Wash your mask with soap and hot water after each use. Disposables should be thrown out after a single use.
Washing your face after wearing disposable or cloth masks is another simple addition to your skincare routine that’ll reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin. Choose a non-drying, non-irritating gentle cleanser, and wash your face before and after you wear a mask.
Exfoliating your skin at least once weekly will eliminate the dead skin cells and excess sebum that clogs pores and that acne bacteria feed on. It’s a good idea to exfoliate at least once weekly with natural ingredients. Gently massage coconut oil mixed with sea salt, ground oatmeal, or a similar grainy substance into your skin, and then rinse and pat dry to avoid irritation.
Moisturizing with natural ingredients is an important step to take before you put on your mask, because it will create a skin barrier, protecting it from irritation by mask material. Moisturizing also prevents your skin from becoming dry and itchy, which can lead to irritation and invasion by bacteria.
One of the best natural moisturizers is coconut oil, which also contains anti-bacterial lauric acid. Warm a very small amount in your hands and massage gently into your skin.
Avoiding the use of skin-irritating and pore-clogging products like makeup while you’re wearing a mask will prevent bacteria from becoming trapped in your pores. If you’ll be wearing a mask for long periods, it can be a good idea to only wear makeup on areas above your mask, but not underneath it.
How to Treat Maskne Naturally
For those already dealing with maskne, there are several options for natural treatment:
Natural substances are great additions to any skin care routine, as they balance skin’s pH, hydrate, and offer nutrients. Honey is a wonderful skin moisturizer with anti-bacterial properties that makes an ideal facial mask.
Apple cider vinegar works well as an astringent and very gentle exfoliant. Lavender essential oil calms the skin and is also anti-bacterial.
Balancing your gut bacteria with probiotics can do a lot for your overall health and help treat maskne as well. Consume fermented foods like kefir, kim chi, and sauerkraut, or take probiotics in supplement form.
Salicylic acid cleansers, moisturizers, and spot treatments that are free of parabens, dyes, SLS, steroids, and ingredients like benzoyl peroxide can help treat acne prone skin naturally.
Homeopathic remedies can be applied topically to both treat maskne, reduce irritation, and promote the healing of skin.
Forrest Health products combine the highest-quality natural ingredients with cutting-edge technology to offer the most benefit to your overall health. Browse our lines of maskne treatment options and other health supplements here on our website today or call (408) 354-4262.