Total Health Breakthroughs: Free Natural Health Newsletter and Alternative Health Articles

Pycnogenol is an extract derived from the bark of the French maritime pine tree. Many lab studies have shown that it has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. One study included 100 Slovakian adults with mild knee arthritis who were randomly assigned to take either 150 milligrams of pine bark extract or a placebo every day.

What’s Causing Your Pain?

When I say the word “inflammation,” it’s likely to evoke thoughts of painful joints and muscles, swelling, and a loss of mobility. But did you know that recent research shows that chronic inflammation in your body can lead to serious diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and Alzheimer’s disease, to name just a few?

The amount of inflammation in your body varies and is dependent on a number of factors including your activity level, the amount of sleep you get, the degree of stress in your life, and even the foods you eat. What you have to realize is that these factors are cumulative — meaning they build up over time. And the more that any or all of these factors get out of whack, the higher the risk for disease.

Early in life, these levels can be so low that you might not even be aware that you have any inflammation in your body. That’s because our bodies do a fairly decent job of controlling the inflammation — at least for a while. Then one day you wake up and you’re in your 40s and something is just not right. That’s when the fear begins to set in, and you think to yourself, What did I do wrong? or, What can I do now to help myself?

The first step is to get your C-reactive protein (CRP) levels tested. CRP is produced by the liver, and it rises when there is systemic inflammation in the body. Ask your doctor about this test (you may have to demand having it done). All it requires is a blood sample that will be evaluated by your doctor. And because diet can play a large role in how much or how little inflammation you have, you may want these levels looked at by a registered dietician who can help you formulate an appropriate eating plan.

Long before the medical establishment decided to get on board, I was hearing about glucosamine from vets. It helps dogs and people with the pain and stiffness of arthritis. Since almost all dogs eventually suffer from arthritis, and larger dogs frequently suffer with a painful joint condition called hip dysplasia, the use of glucosamine sulfate [...]

The vast majority of headaches are related to emotional stress, toxicity (just ask anyone who has experienced a hangover!), and/or structural (and body usage) issues. They may be painful and annoying, but most headaches are not emergencies that require immediate medical attention.*
With that said, here is a plan of action you can safely apply in [...]

“Oh that pain in my ______,” (you fill in the blank).
I hear it all the time from people suffering from everything from lower back pain to carpal tunnel syndrome. They tell me about how bad their pain is and how they’ve “tried everything”.
Well, the fact is, they haven’t tried everything. And if you are suffering [...]

Surgeries are not appropriate for many back conditions and don’t always work to resolve back pain. Medications are expensive and have many possible side effects! But there are effective lifestyle measures that can help you whisk away your pains. Incorporating these 3 simple steps into your daily routine will not only help low back pain go away, but will increase performance in daily tasks that once upon a time caused the pain.

Instead of drugs, how would you like to know about a way to sooth inflamed joints that has “side effects” such as reducing your risk of heart attack and cancer? I have two words for you: fish oil.

Normal wear and tear on our joints gets the better of most of us over time. Joint pain happens.

Each year millions of people struggle with lower back pain. Unfortunately, many of them suffer unnecessarily.