General Health

Stay Healthy in an Emergency with Natural First-Aid

Natural remedies can help you in a pinch. While they are not a substitute for a regular first aid kit, they are a great addition.

Here are some remedies that are helpful to have on hand:

• Calendula homeopathic gel is awesome on burns, cuts and scratches. It relieves pain almost instantly and helps prevent infection.

Make the Most of Your Natural Beauty

Natural beauty starts from the inside out. It comes from taking care of your body as a temple and living in harmony with nature. The first step is to take a look at the lifestyle factors involved in achieving a healthy body and radiant skin. A balanced natural foods diet and a healthy lifestyle are the keys to beauty and vitality. A radiant complexion is in reflection of our body's inner health. Here are some ways you can nourish your body and enhance your beauty.

The Misnomer of Alcohol

In the light of recent studies about the ill health-effects due to drinking alcohol, it is important to take consideration of one’s choices. Studies by the International Agency for Cancer Research link alcohol consumption with an increased risk of cancer – noting repercussions with as little as one drink per day.

Legumes May Lower Your Risk for Diabetes: New Study Reveals

According to a January 2008 article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, there are over 20 million people with diabetes in the U.S., equal to seven percent of the population. A recent study by researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and the Shanghai Cancer Institute, suggests that an increased intake of legumes like peanuts and soybeans could reduce the risk of developing Type-2 diabetes by over 40 percent. This is great news for people who have Type-2 diabetes or are in danger of developing it as legumes are a simple and delicious addition to any diet.

Maintaining Your Ideal Weight with a Vegetarian Diet

A low-fat, vegetarian diet is a great step toward arriving at and maintaining a healthy weight. If your meals are always abundant in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains, it is easy to avoid excess fat.

Keeping Your Heart Healthy

A healthy diet is the best defense against high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and excess body weight; the three main factors contributing to heart disease. In honor of February as Heart-Healthy month, Down To Earth brings you some tips to maintain your heart plus a few recipe ideas.

The following is based on the American Heart Association guide for healthy American Adults:

• Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. Choose 5 or more servings per day.

Get Your Fill of Water

Do you commonly suffer from headaches, joint and muscle pain, or constipation? You might simply need to drink more water.

A study by Cornell University Medical Center's Nutrition Information Center, states that the majority of Americans may be suffering from some degree of dehydration. Minor dehydration can result in dry skin, headaches, and fatigue, while longer-term, more severe dehydration can dangerously affect blood pressure, circulation, digestion, kidney function, and nearly all body processes, according to the study.

Fun in the Sun: Summer Safety Tips

It’s summer time! That means long days at the beach, hikes in the mountains, family get-togethers, outdoor parties and plenty of fun and sun. However, summertime can also mean sunburn, dehydration, and heatstroke if you are not careful. At Down to Earth, we want to arm you with a few simple tips to prevent these concerns so you can make the most of your summer.

Fruits Not Fries

There is little shock in the fact that America has become a “fast food culture.” The abundance of fast food restaurants across the nation is leading many people to clogged arteries and added pounds. So, while fast food restaurants can not be blamed for the whole obese epidemic in the United States today, they certainly can take responsibility for being a big part of the problem.

How to Work a Few Extra Steps Into Your Day

Modern day conveniences have made it easier and more efficient for people to get here and there without having to exert much effort. From cars to elevators and escalators to moving walkways, technology has allowed people the opportunity to cover more ground while physically doing less. But in the world of physical health, less is not more.