Alpha Lipoic Acid Supplements: Universal Antioxidants in a Bottle

Antioxidants are naturally found in and produced by our body. But health experts insist that women over 40 grab a bottle of alpha lipoic acid supplement. Here's the reason why.

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Alphalipoic acid is a vitamin-like chemical many experts consider as a potent antioxidant. A chemical produced and found in our body -- which essentially shows how great our body can be -- alphalipoic acid functions to break down the food we eat and convert it into something we, women over 40, need to be at our best: Energy. While it is primarily used for the management of diabetes, alpha lipoic acid supplements have been known to prevent certain types of cell damage in our body and recycles vitamin levels like vitamin C and vitamin E, therefore, making them serviceable again. But what makes ALA truly unique is that it is more effective in warding off free radicals than other antioxidants, working efficiently and fighting free radicals in both the watery and fatty parts of the cells.

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Anti Aging

Though alphalipoic acid is produced by the body, it only acts as an antioxidant when there is an excess of it. The body produces too little ALA, really not enough to fend off free radicals caused by the natural oxidation process in our body, environmental or external toxins, and other conditions like stress. And both internal and external attacks made to our cells can really overwhelm our whole body, making our natural free-radical defense system weak and unable to do its job. Free radicals moves and reproduces quickly, damaging and injuring the DNA, which creates the perfect hub for the seed of a disease to grow. And what is worse is that free radicals are industrious, they don’t only damage one molecule but it can actually set off a whole chain reaction.

You need to help your body fend off free radicals by taking alpha lipoic acid supplements. But why this antioxidant when you have so many to choose from? According to the UC Berkley Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements, alphalipoic acid is one of, if not, the most versatile antioxidants, which makes the process of deactivating various types of cell-damaging free radicals in our system relatively easy for our body.

Clinical studies show that ALA prevents cell and nerve damage caused by free-radical attacks. In fact, alphalipoic acid is used and approved in Germany to treat diabetes and its nerve-related symptoms, significantly reducing the numbness, burning, tingling sensation, and pain experienced in the arms and legs. Other uses of alphalipoic acid include the treatment and management of chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss, eye-related disorders like glaucoma and cataracts, and diseases of the blood vessels and the heart.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Recommended Dosage

ALA comes in tablets and capsules, in 50 to 300 milligrams. The recommended dose is 50 to 100 milligrams a day. For the treatment of type 2 diabetes, including, but not limited to, the treatment and management of symptoms, such as the burning pain and numbness in the arms and legs, the recommended dosage of ALA is 300 to 600 milligrams a day.

The effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid decreases with a meal. It is generally recommended that you take alpha lipoic acid supplements on an empty stomach, or at least an hour before or two hours after mealtime.

Side Effects

Alphalipoic acid is safe for most people. One possible side effects of ALA is a rash, especially when you take it by mouth. Expecting and breast-feeding moms, diabetics, thiamine deficient (or those who drink excessive amount of alcohol), and those with thyroid disease should consult with their doctors first before taking alpha lipoic acid supplements.

Interactions

ALA, which essentially has the same structure as biotin, has been shown to compete with the latter in terms of being transported across layers of cells.

If you are under medications for cancer or diabetes such as Amaryl, Micronase, DiaBeta, insulin, Actos, Avandia, Glucotrol, Diabinese, or Orinase, you may want to observe the effects of alpha lipoic acid to the efficacy of your meds.

Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg Supplements

When it comes to alpha lipoic acid, less is more. While there may be brands that offer alpha lipoic acid over 500 milligrams per tab, you may want to make sure that you stick to lower doses if you’re not being treated for diabetes or diabetic neuropathy. When taken as a general antioxidant support, you may want to look for alpha lipoic acid supplements offering 50 to 100 milligrams of alpha lipoic acids per tab.

Swanson Ultra Double-Strength R-Fraction Alpha Lipoic Acid

Supplement Facts

R-Fraction Alpha Lipoic Acid: 100 mg

Other ingredients: Rice flour, soybean oil, gelatin, and may contain one or both of the following: magnesium stearate, silica.

One of the most effective alpha lipoic acid supplements under the Swanson Health Products name, Swanson Ultra Double-Strength contains a stabilized form of R-ALA, a natural isomer that is said to be at least 3 times more effective than standard alpha lipoic acid. Compared to conventional ALA brands that contain a racemic (or 50-50) blend of synthetic ALA and R-LA, Swanson’s R-Fraction Alpha Lipoic Acid contains 100% pure R-ALA isomer, the natural, biologically-active form of ALA responsible for bringing in most of what alpha lipoic acid can do for our body.

Studies exploring the benefits of isolating the R-isomer, or the R-alpha lipoic acid, have shown that the antioxidant is highly effective in preventing neurodegenerative diseases by working against oxidative damage caused by reactive oxygen species. R-ALA has been also proven effective to recycle glutathione, which is considered as the body’s most important antioxidant, according to Alison Palkhivala of WebMD.com.

Source Naturals Alpha Lipoic Acid

Supplement Facts

Alpha Lipoic Acid: 100 mg

Other ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin (capsule), colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.

Source Naturals Alpha Lipoic Acid contains 100 milligrams of water- and fat-soluble alpha lipoic acids, which is perfect for women over 40 since they need their antioxidants to work more efficiently to combat free radicals. Water- and fat-soluble antioxidants work their way through the watery and fatty parts of the cell, protecting both layers from free-radical damage.

Source Naturals Alpha Lipoic Acid 100mg is suitable for vegetarians as it is free from traces of yeast, dairy, egg, and gluten. It doesn’t contain soy, wheat, salt, sugar, starch, preservatives, fragrance, or flavoring.

Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid

Supplement Facts

Alpha Lipoic Acid: 100 mg

Other ingredients: Rice flour, gelatin, water, magnesium stearate

Essentially functioning like the rest of the conventional ALA brands, Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid contains 100 milligrams of alpha lipoic acid needed to produce enough energy for the body to perform its normal functions. But what’s great about Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid is that the tabs are reasonably sized and coated for easy swallowing, which many women over 50 appreciate.

Natrol Alpha Lipoic Acid doesn’t contain yeast, wheat, corn, milk, egg, soy, glutens, artificial colors or flavors, added sugar, or preservatives. Only $7.99 (60 capsules) at Amazon.com

Phosphatidyl Serine: Supplement to Looking, Feeling, and Thinking Young

Phosphatidyl serine offers women over 40 things beyond imaginable: From looking young to feeling young to even thinking young. But how true can the claims be?

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You eat well, or at least try to. You listen to relaxing music, do your best to manage stress, get plenty of exercise, make time to make love, and rest when your body tells you that it wants to. Women over 40 know that such is the secret to good health. But let’s be honest: Not everything ends up as we have planned them: We live our lives on the edge of falling into stress, rush to fast food joints so we can grab something to eat, missed workouts, feel too tired for sack sessions, and, yes, we even get too little sleep these days. But we are always reminded that we, women over 40, shouldn’t beat ourselves up when we fall short of our goals; but neither should we be naïve of the consequences of our actions: heart disease, stroke, cancer, and osteoporosis.

We all have heard of it: Countless studies confirming the fact that disease can be managed and even prevented altogether just by sticking to a lifetime of healthy habits. But as we all know it, we can’t always be at our best. Good thing there are supplements for women over 40 that serve as an excellent backup system.

The Latest in Supplements for Women Over 40

Phosphatidylserine (or phosphatidyl Serine). Ring a bell? Don’t worry if it doesn’t. There are millions of women over 40 who haven’t heard of it either. In fact, I once remember someone saying that if she can’t spell it, she probably doesn’t need it. But experts who specialize in anti aging vitamins and supplements know that women over 40 just can’t afford to miss phosphatidyl serine. Though it really sounds like some shampoo ingredients you hardly care about, phosphatidylserine is actually brimming with promise. If there are over 30,000 published research papers supporting the power of phosphatidyl serine, then we think it also deserves your attention.

Why do you need it: Aging, stress, and the quality of one’s diet are just some of the factors that have been known to inhibit the body’s ability to produce adequate phosphatidylserine. Stress and aging essentially increase the body’s demand for phosphatidyl serine and hungrily deplete it at the same time. While our diet is expected to supply the rest of the nutrients that we need to function at our best, low-cholesterol and low-fat diet does undersupply our body as much as 250 mg of phosphatidyl serine every day.

What are its anti aging effects: Recommended by Dr. N.V. Perricone in his New York Times Bestseller Perricone Promise: Look Younger, Live Longer in Three Easy Steps, phosphatidylserine is a natural anti aging supplement clinically proven to sharpen mental performance, renew brain cells, rebuild and strengthen collagen protein, fortify blood vessels to improve blood circulation throughout the body, treat inflammations and edema, and help build a stronger immune system. Sounds like a total anti aging package? We think so, and so does everyone else who has supported the benefits of phosphatidyl serine in their study -- from Alternative Medicine Review (http://www.altmedrev.com/) to the most widely read and highly cited peer-viewed neurology journal, Neurology.

Dosing: Phosphatidyl serine comes in tablets and capsules, in 100 to 500 milligrams. The recommended dose is 100 milligrams a day. As a dietary supplement, women over 40 may take up to three 100 milligram capsule of phosphatidylserine a day.

Possible side effects: Phosphatidyl serine is possibly safe for most people, according to WebMD.com. However, using phosphatidylserine can cause side effects like stomach upset and even insomnia, and in particular when taken at doses over 300 mg.

Phosphatidyl serine is a natural supplement that can be taken by everyone, from grade schoolers to women over 50. But it is important that expecting and breast-feeding moms should consult with their doctors before taking phosphatidylserine.

Interactions: Talk to your doctor about your plans of taking phosphatidyl serine, especially if you are taking any of the following medications: Drying medications (Anticholinergic drugs), Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors like Exelon, Aricept, Cognex, and Reminyl,  and other various medications used for Alzheimer’s disease, and glaucoma.

Phosphatidyl serine Supplements

Source Naturals Phosphatidyl Serine Matrix™

Supplement Facts

Sharp-PS® PhosphatidylSerine Matrix™ Yielding: 500 mg

Phosphatidylserine: 100 mg

Their proprietary blend of phosphatidylcholine, glycolipids, and soybean oil contains 100mg of phosphatidylserine and 500 mg of Sharp-PS® PhosphatidylSerine Matrix™ Yielding. One of the most popular and well-reviewed phosphatidyl serine supplements, Source Naturals also uses a 400 mg of proprietary blend containing phosphatidylcholine, glycolipids, and soybean oil. Both phosphatidylcholine and glycolipids are carbohydrate containing lipids that play important roles in the signal transduction processes between cell membranes and tissues.

Then formulated with Leci-PS, Source Naturals now use Sharp-PS, a formula enriched with omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids known to prevent many diseases. Research shows that both omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a crucial role in skin and hair growth, maintaining bone health, regulating metabolism, development, and most importantly in brain function, making a must in the diet of women over 40. The healthy balance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that can be found in Source Naturals make it the perfect phosphatidylserine supplement for American women whose diet favors omega-6, which is known to promote inflammation.

Vegetarians and vegans should also take note that Source Naturals Phosphatidyl Serine Matrix™ also contains gelatin, which can be sourced from beef or pork. Other ingredients include water and glycerin.

NatureStar® Memory Support Complex

Supplement Facts

Phosphatidylcholine: 35mg

Phosphatidylserine: 20mg

DHA: 100mg

EPA: 10mg

Other ingredients: Gelatin, Lecithin, Glycerin, Water

Formulated to be one of the most comprehensive blends of phospholipids and other neurotransmitter enhancing nutrients, NatureStar® Memory Support Complex contains phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, DHA, and EPA. Containing less than the recommended daily value of phosphatidylserine (each tab contains only 20 mg), NatureStar® contains 100 mg of DHA and 10 mg of EPA, two of the primary polyunsaturated fatty acids essential in preventing neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, and in maintaining a healthy heart. When compared to the daily doses EPA and DHA are found to be effective, which is 220 mg and 200 mg, respectively, the polyunsaturated fatty acids content of NatureStar falls below what were deemed to be the recommended doses.

Jarrow PS+100

Supplement Facts

Phosphatidylserine: 100mg

Phosphatidic Acid: 100 mg

Other ingredients: Calcium phosphate, cellulose, silicon dioxide, magnesium stearate (vegetable source) and gamma tocopherol. Capsule consists of gelatin.

Formulated with Cogni-PS®, Jarrow PS+100 claims to use a concentrated and more stabilized form of phosphatidylserine derived from soy phospholipids. Phosphatidic acid is now one of the emerging key phospholipids being studied because of its role in many biological processes, particularly in cell-to-cell communication affecting one’s cognition. The Cogni-PS® formula of Jarrow is essentially derived from soy phosphatidic acid, a substance that has been linked to improve mood and better response to physical, mental, and emotional stressor.

A study conducted on the effects of soy lecithin phosphatidic acid and phosphatidylserine complex (PAS) on psychological responses and mental stress reported that in order to be effective, each of those who participated in the research has to take 400 mg of PAS every day. While the suggested usage, as printed in the label, is to take up to 3 tabs per day, the amount of phosphatidylserine that your body will be absorbing per day still lags behind what has been found to be the effective dose of this essential supplement.

Human Allergies to Pet: How to Reduce Your Allergy Symptoms

We have welcomed the season by opening up a whole new world of practical home remedies for women over 40 who wish to stay healthy throughout the season. In one of our articles, a whole page devoted for home remedies for allergies, we have mentioned about how challenging it is for pet owners who are allergic to their, say, dog or cat to part from their beloved furry friends even if their allergist strongly recommends it. For these pet owners, their pets mean the world to them. In fact, their pets are their world.

There are at least 7.7 million pet owners in the U.S. alone. And at least 15 percent of this population is allergic to their pets. If you are one of these pet owners who feel that they have to choose between loosing their pets and feeling sick all 365 days of the year, then read on to learn about what the experts of Drs.FosterSmith have to say about this often discussed topic in the waiting room.

Human Allergies to Dogs

Veterinary and Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith 

While we spend a lot of time discussing pets' allergies, we often forget to mention peoples' allergies to pets. There are thousands of people who suffer from allergies to animals. Some of the most heartbreaking cases we see are people who dearly love a dog or cat and then develop a severe allergy to her and must decide between keeping her and suffering daily, or placing the dog in a new home. Fortunately, there are several options for pet owners that have allergies to

Who gets pet allergies?

Pet allergies can strike anyone at any age in their life. Most people that suffer from pet allergies often have other mild or moderate allergies to pollens or molds. There is believed to be a strong genetic correlation in contracting allergies. In other words, if your parents have allergies, then you are likely to have them also. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, allergies to dogs or cats occur in approximately 15% of the population.

What part of the animal are people allergic to?

People that are allergic to animals are often allergic to the dander (dead skin that is continually shed), the saliva, or the urine. Because dogs and cats are the most common pets, they top the list of animals that people are the most allergic to. However, people can also be allergic to birds, hamsters, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs, and the larger animals such as horses, goats, and cows. As people that suffer from allergies can tell you, there are often certain types of animals that they are more allergic to than others. In addition, there may be certain animals within a given species that they are more allergic to than others. This appears particularly true with cats.

What are the symptoms?

People with multiple allergies are well aware that when their allergies are acting up, they will suffer from itchy eyes, runny nose, asthma symptoms, red itchy skin or a rash. Often, people that are unaware that they have allergies, especially children, will suffer from some of these symptoms and may have a greatly increased incidence of 'colds' and asthma symptoms. If the person is separated from the animal for several days to weeks many of these symptoms will subside only to reoccur when they come into contact with the animal again.

Are there any hypoallergenic dogs?

There are no hypoallergenic dogs, nor are there any dogs that do not shed. All dogs shed, though some dogs have a much denser hair coat than others and shed a larger quantity of hair than those with a thin hair coat. But since the dander and not the hair is the problem, shedding is not that important in allergy control. Some breeds, in general, appear to have less dander and these include Poodles, Terriers and Schnauzers. As we mentioned earlier, many people are allergic to certain types or individual animals and not others.

People with pet allergies might want to consider getting a reptile or fish as a pet.

How can a person reduce allergic symptoms to a pet?

If you or a member of your family is part of the 15% of our population allergic to pets, there are things you can do to help keep allergic reactions under control and make your home a much more comfortable place to live. Even if you do not have allergies, these tips are helpful if you have guests in your home that are allergic to animals.

We spend from one third to one half of our time in our bedrooms. By keeping the animals out of the bedrooms at all times, we can greatly reduce the symptoms of pet allergies.

• Install a good "HEPA" air cleaner.
• Close the ducts to the bedrooms and use electric heaters.
• Clean and vacuum regularly.
• Bathe your pet weekly.
• Do not allow your pet on the furniture.
• Do not allow your pet in your car. (Or use car seat covers when your pet is in the car.)
• Brush your pet daily and use an allergy-reducing spray such as Allerpet.
• Keep your pet's skin healthy by feeding a good multivitamin and a fatty acid supplement. Encourage the pet to spend more time outdoors.
• Wash your hands after handling the pet, his toys, bed, etc.
• See your physician and discuss possible immunotherapy or medications.

Summary

Telling an allergic pet owner to just not have a pet or to get rid of their own pet is not a realistic option the majority of the time. The same holds true for telling people that are allergic to animals to just avoid them. Animals and pets are a very integral part of our lives and it is impossible to avoid contact with them. By adopting some good management strategies, we can help allergic pet owners keep their pets. At the same time, even if we do not have allergies ourselves, with a little empathy and consideration on our part, we can make life much easier for our friends and relatives who suffer from allergies to our pets.

© 2010 Foster & Smith, Inc.

Reprinted as a courtesy and with permission from PetEducation.com (http://www.PetEducation.com)

On-line store at http://www.DrsFosterSmith.com

Free pet supply catalog: 1-800-323-4208

Great News for Women Over 40: With Age Comes Better Sex

There are so many things that we, women over 40, can be truly thankful for (here are some of the things that we are truly loving these days). If you are still waking up every morning with that sigh and gloomier-than-usual attitude, don't worry because what we are about to share with you will definitely make you wish that it's bed time already.

As You Age, Better Health Means Better Sex

By Amanda Gardner

HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, March 9 (HealthDay News) -- Better health translates into better sex lives, with healthy people more likely to engage in sex (and good sex at that) and to express an interest in sex, new research finds.

This association held firm into middle-age and later life as well, according to the study by University of Chicago researchers.

The authors of the study, published in the March 10 issue of BMJ, also created a novel measure called "sexually active life expectancy." According to this new measure, men aged 55 could expect another 15 years of sex while women of the same age could expect 10.6 more active years.

Overall, however, more men reported a satisfying sex life than women, a chasm that widened as people aged.

The findings shine light on a little discussed topic.

"The really important thing about this study is just that it was done," said Dr. Eva Ritvo, vice chair of psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "People don't look at sexual activity in a scientific way very often but it's so very fundamental to our existence. The focus has always been on illness, but health is about well-being, looking at sexual functioning as an important part of well-being."

Dr. Margaret E. Wierman, professor of medicine at the University of Colorado Denver, said the new study "points out that, over time, as a society women and men are becoming more comfortable talking about sex. Having a good sex life is critical to their overall quality of life."

But the fact that men are doing better than women is something that needs attention, Ritvo stated. "Why should men be having better sex than women? Viagra came out for men. Where's the female equivalent? For whatever reason women are not as satisfied as men and that needs to be addressed," she said.

The study authors looked at two different samples of people, one involving over 3,000 adults aged 25 to 74, and another with more than 3,000 adults aged 57 to 85. An equal number of men and women were in each group.

Men were more likely to report positive experiences with sex than women. This gender gap was most noticeable among 75-to-85-year olds, with 38.9 percent of men, compared to 16.8 percent of women, reporting being sexually active. Almost 71 percent of men in this age group reported a good sex life, versus only half of the women.

And more men today are reporting an interest in sex than in 2000.

"This probably is related to new medications in therapy, so now men who before never could even think about having sex can have sex," Weirman said.

Also, she added, "as people age, the unhealthy men die off so these are the healthiest men in that cohort."

Study lead author Dr. Stacy Tessler Lindau, director of the University of Chicago's Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine, said the "major reason why the picture looks better for men than women is that women tend to outlive their marriages and relationships, so there are more women in the adult population without partners. But if you look at women who have partners, the proportion who say they're sexually active is about the same as men who have a partner."

On the other hand, men's sex lives do seem to suffer more from poorer health.

"At age 55, men have, on average, 15 years of sexually active life expectancy and women about 11 years," Lindau explained. "Men who are in excellent or good health gain an additional five to seven years. What this says is that men benefit more from good health. Men in poor health lose more years of sexually active life expectancy than do women."

People with partners were more likely to be having sex and more men than women reported having partners, especially in later life, the study found.

More information

The U.S. National Institute on Aging has more on sexuality during later life.

SOURCES: Stacy Tessler Lindau, M.D., director, Program in Integrative Sexual Medicine, University of Chicago; Eva Ritvo, M.D., vice chair of psychiatry, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, and co-author, The Beauty Prescription; Margaret E. Wierman, M.D., professor of medicine, University of Colorado Denver; March 10, 2010, BMJ

Last Updated: March 09, 2010

Copyright © 2010 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Practical and Expert-recommended Flu Home Remedies to Banish Flu Symptoms

Can’t afford to get sick these days? If you are one of the million of women over 40 who need to lie down and rest because of these pesky and almost persistent flu bugs, it is rather comforting to know that there are things that you can do to help your body as it wins its war against the flu bug. There are countless flu home remedies that have been used for generations to treat flu symptoms, making the fact of “just lying down” less aggravating that it is supposed to be.

But before we get to the details of flu home remedies, just a quick reminder: Flu is something that you shouldn’t take too lightly, especially when you are down in bed for more than three days. Call your doctor if your flu symptoms have turned for the worst after taking flu medications. Not quite sure if you have flu? A fever of over 102 degrees and widespread body aches are two good indicators.

Flu Symptom: Stuffy Nose

If you just want get over your labored breathing, you may want to mix a saline solution to make you a decongestant nasal spray for good night sleep. But don’t just take your friend’s word for it; research shows that saline nasal irrigation or decongestant nasal spray is one of, if not, the most effective flu home remedies to de-clog stuffed nose. Saline solutions works to thin mucus, add moisture, decrease postnatal drip, and kill bacteria and viruses so you can just feel and breathe better.

What you need

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

8 ounces of water

Bulb syringe

Instruction

Mix baking soda and salt. Dissolve it in 8 ounces of warm water.

Use the bulb syringe so you can easily squirt, or introduce, the formula into your nose. Hold one nostril while you squirt the mixture into the other. Let the formula drip; gently blow your nose to help clear your nose. Introduce the formula at least twice in each nostril.

For Women Who Want It Fast

4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist

What to expect: For instant relief, 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist is one of the few ENT specialist-recommended flu home remedies that can help clear clogged nasal passages. Alcohol-free and non-habit forming, the 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist can be used to complement your other flu medications for faster relief from flu symptoms.

Buy 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist at Amazon.com

Specially formulated to work well for wide range of nasal and sinus discomfort, the 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist provides soothing moisture to help ease irritated nasal passages caused by allergies, colds, seasonal allergens, dry air, and even overuse of decongestant sprays.

Ingredients: Benzalkonium Chloride, Boric Acid, Eucalyptol, Menthol, Glycerin, Polysorbate 80, Water

Why we recommend it: The only nasal spray that features menthol and eucalyptus, we love 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist simply because it provides quick relief, a good value for your dollar, and just really better than plain saline solution.

Flu Symptom: Pain and Body Aches

Need to rest but the pain just won’t let you? There are definitely easier ways to get to sleep easier than just lying around and trying to ignore the pain. Here are undeniably practical and “feel good” ways to help ease your pain:

Take a warm bath. To help soothe your aching muscles, simply melt your ways and pains away by dipping into a warm, relaxing bathe. Close the door in your way in to create your very own relaxing, personal sauna. Why it will make you better: Warm bath are known to moisten and thin the mucus clogging your sinuses while helping to open up your airways.

Use heat compress. If your head is throbbing that it feels like it is being unmercifully hammered, you can easily ease the pain by just reaching to a warm, slightly moist, not wet, compress and gently applying it to your sinuses and cheeks. Prefer a more convenient hot compress? We love using moist heat for water-less and, indeed, dry hot compress for instant relief. Only make sure that the heating pad is comfortable enough for two to three minutes of application.

Make your very own aromatic steam. For women who are just too tired for some tub-time, you may want to do some quick steam session over a bowlful of hot water and freshly chopped ginger. Simply drape a towel over your head to enjoy the maximum benefit of the steam. Another great alternative to the freshly chopped ginger is, simply one of our all-time favorite flu home remedies, Vicks VapoRub®. Simply drop a teaspoon or two of the ointment and stay in the steam until you get relief.

Stay hydrated. Though all you just want to do is lie in your bed and sleep, you may want to get up to a grab at least 8 glasses of water to prevent dehydration. Drinking water or freshly squeezed juices keeps your respiratory system healthy and also encourages productive cough (more on this on our last article on flu home remedies) so you can clear out and release mucus that may lead to respiratory infection. But which is better? Hot liquid or the cold ones? Research shows that hot liquids like chicken soup are far superior to a pitcher of cold water. If you have been on your bed for a day, chances are you are missing your java. Strive to stay away from caffeinated drinks or alcoholic beverages while your body recovers.

Rest. If your fever goes over 102, it is one way of telling you that it is working hard to combat viral infection. So give it some encouragement and do what it has long asked: Stay in bed and rest. To help ease muscle pain, pop OTC medications like ibuprofen or aspirin. Do not ask your hubby for acetaminophen, these tabs are meant to suppress fever, which is your body’s natural reaction when it is fighting flu bugs. Again, only take these flu medications when necessary or when your doctor advised you to.

Flu Symptom: Cough

When it comes to cough, all experts agree that not all coughs should be, ehem, controlled and suppressed. Yes, a dry cough, or, what we’d love to call as unproductive cough, may be something that won’t help and can only make you feel worst, but do you know that there is a cough type that doctors would love to hear from you? Productive coughs, or those that can help clear out mucus, are, in fact, encouraged by experts simply because letting those mucus out prevents respiratory infections.

For dry coughs, reach for OTC cough syrup. To help you put your throat at ease, OTC cough reliefs can be your best allies to calm that cough that came with the flu. What are your choices then? Experts recommend two tablespoons of expectorant or cough suppressant. If you have asthma or other lung infection, you may want to see your doctor for what will work in your case. Cough suppressants are known to interact with a number of lung diseases; self-medicating is something that you shouldn’t practice, no matter how many of your friends tell you that it is just a flu.

Have suck cough drops. For an irritated throat, you may want to chew on a suck cough drop or hard candy for the much needed moisture and relief. Tickle your throat with sugar-free cough drops or, for a natural take on dry throat, a teaspoon of honey to calm your dry throat with a bit of sweetness.

Chicken soup: No matter how old women get, women still remember how their mother lovingly prepare a bowl of hot chicken soup when the pesky flu bugs get them down. Now there are more reasons why women over 40 just need to remember their mom’s recipe for chicken soup; research shows that a hot bowl of chicken soup is actually an excellent mucus stimulant, making it the perfect, tasty liquid that you need to encourage productive coughs. The secret is not really on the chicken broth but on the pungent spices that gives the soup its distinct flavor. Ask your hubby to throw in more pepper, hot curry powder, and, of course, garlic while stirring the pot.

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For instant relief from dry, irritated nasal passages, 4 Way Nasal Spray Saline Moisturizing Mist.

This Month on Miss Vanderbilt

The weatherman says, “It’s going to be a damp spring.” Well, too much for anticipating the warm weather.

After months of actually suffering from the stiff, cold weather, we are giving you more reasons why you need to stay strong and stay tough. This March, as the ground springs to its beautiful hues and colors, the weather prediction couldn’t get any gloomy. Unfortunately, it’s not going to be the brightest spring for the rest of us, so women over 40 need to amp up their defenses; but for those sick days, you need time-proven and natural remedies that will beat the bugs and get you going the very next day.




So for the whole spring season, we are dedicating Miss Vanderbilt to home remedies. Now, you may start to think of icky green potions, dried leaves, and even pungent soups when you hear natural remedies. But are natural and home remedies that unique from what traditional medicine? Doctors and experts don’t think so. Home remedies are actually a set of time-proven and expert-recommended health advices that will not only cure and treat common health problems that you can expect to plague you this March. Home remedies are not designed to replace your doctor’s advice and prescription; instead, they are meant to help you get into your health’s best shape. Home remedies can help you save on healthcare money by keeping you healthy and keeping your health defenses strong and sturdy.

Home remedies are practical advices, and not something that you should be afraid of and even doubt. Our inspiration for this season is to provide you, women over 40, with practical health advisory manual, something that you can always look back to whenever that bug got into your schedule. These home remedies will become one of our main features in Miss Vanderbilt, something that is permanent.

So what can you expect this season? Aside from occasional rains and thunderstorms, you can count on us to tackle almost all common illnesses and provide practical and expert-recommended solutions that you can really rely on. From that unbelievably late acne that you can’t believe is back (blame your hormones, ladies) to how to tackle that eyestrain, we have prepared ourselves to give you exactly what you need to keep you healthy and strong throughout the season.

So read on and strive to be healthy the whole season. Enjoy and love life!

Home Remedies for Allergies: 16 Ways to Feel Better

The (almost) warm weather of the spring brings the much needed welcome after the dead of the winter. The gift of spring means different things to many people; but for the people in the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology, the sudden yet expected rise in temperature brings one unanticipated consequence: More allergies to most of us.

Ah, yes, there are so many changes that the spring season can bring. Aside from the usual spring pollen, this year’s spring season brings one thing that most experts didn’t see: The lengthening of the pollen season for most trees and plants. The more encouraging the environment is for the pollen season, the more plants and trees will be producing and giving off heavier pollen load. And the more pollen released to the air, the greater the number of people who will be at risk of actually developing allergies to said pollens. And for people who have long been suffering from common allergies and hay fever, this is certainly not the news they are expecting.

Spring Forecast

In Serena Gordon's article for HealthDay, Dr. Renato Ariano expresses his concern on the effect the temperature on people’s health, and especially those who are actually susceptible to developing certain types of allergies. In their 30-year study of the relationship of the lengthening of the pollen season and the trend in the number of people who have grown sensitive to the major pollens found in their locality, using skin prick testing, Dr. Ariano and the rest of his team has recorded a constant increase in the number of people who have sensitized to three out of five major pollens that were monitored in the study.

And the data only confirmed what most experts have long suspected: With the pollen levels increasing in terms of volume and the pollen season lengthening, more people are expected to have their medications for allergies earlier and longer than the usual. For more information on the pollen levels and concentration in your area, check out the National Allergy Bureau Pollen & Mold Levels database.

Treating Allergies

Whether it’s from spring pollen or the summer’s smog, one thing is for sure: Symptoms of allergies are really difficult to differentiate from symptoms caused by other illness or disorder like cold and even food intolerance. This is why your doctor wouldn’t just give you a quick diagnosis when you said that you are probably allergic from falling leaves; allergies may be something that may not look too serious, but reliable doctors know that allergies are not really something that should be taken too lightly. This is why it is important for us to remember that when it comes to treating allergies, our very first step is not to administer whatever medication you think can ease the symptoms but to head straight to a board-certified allergist. For an all-of-a-sudden or unexpected allergy, most doctors will hand you a prescription for no-drowse antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids for some fast relief and allergy injections that can protect you from a specific allergen so you don’t have to suffer from it all throughout the season.

Home Remedies for Allergies

No matter how bad the spring’s forecast is or if you live in one of the worst cities for those who suffer from allergies, there are ways that you can still have a good night’s rest or get to work without being too grouchy. Here are tips to help you feel better so you can face whatever challenge the season can blow your way:

Rinse your eyes. If your eyes are bothering you and starting to feel itchy, instead of running to the nearest drugstore to buy for allergy medicine, you may want to head to the bathroom and wash your eyes with clean, cool water for an instant relief. Sure it may not be as effective as your trusted antihistamine, but we simply favor this technique with the rest of safe home remedies simply because it is easy, fast, and just don’t require popping something into our mouth.

Wash your hair. After a day’s work or enjoying the first breath of fresh air after the long, cruel winter months, you may want to wash your hair immediately after you come inside to eliminate so you can rinse away whatever pollen you have brought with you. A combo of sweat and hair products acts like a magnet to pollen and dust, making your hair a big, lumpy house for allergens that makes you and your family the frontliners this allergy seasons.

Avoid the culprit. Nothing can put you in harm’s way than yourself; if you have allergies because of smog or your cat and can’t stay away from these main sources of your worries, no allergy shots can really save you. When it comes to allergies, you need to take all practical measures possible. Say, you are allergic to cats, but you love and own one. Being away from their furry friend, even for a day, is a seemingly impossible task for every pet owner - and even to those with allergies. And for women over 40, you know that having a pet is beneficial for your overall health. So what does an allergic pet owner need to do? There are steps that you can follow so you can reduce your allergic symptoms, but not totally be free from it, such as shopping for and using a quality HEPA air cleaner. If you are visiting a friend who owns one, make sure that you make your visit as short as possible and that you avoid being too cuddly with her pet.

Saline solution to remove irritants. If you are having a hard time dealing with what you feel got stuck up there, you may use a saline solution to help ease the nose’s passages from irritants. Aside from de-clogging, a gentle saline solution also helps to wash away the very inflammatory cells that triggered your symptoms in the first place.

Enjoy a full bath. Sure there are plenty of things that you need to face other than taking a bath, but immediately facing the shower head right after you stepped inside can help you prevent a one whole day of being at bed and sick by washing away all the pollen residues that your body has collected outside. Plus, we’re sure you would love the idea of having a warm, relaxing bath after all the digging you have done in your garden.

Do wear eye protection. Fashion magazines declare sunglass as an all-time spring DO. So make sure that you are wearing one when you face the world this season. Women over 40 need not only have the perfect of sunglasses for fashion’s sake but to actually help protect the sensitive skin around their eyes from the sun’s harmful rays, which, by the way, will be bright this season. When it comes to home remedies, a pair of sunglasses is the only protection that your eyes need to be shielded from airborne allergens. And if the weatherman says that it is going to be windy outside, opt to wear for something that has side shields. Better that than goggles, right?

Beware of what the air may bring. Morning and afternoon smog should be enough reasons why you should be wary of what the air around you can actually do to your health. Air pollution should not only concern Mother Earth but so should you, especially if you have been suffering from allergies from some time. In fact, air pollution should not only worry those who have been battling from airborne allergens. Study shows that smog does actually induce allergies among those who don’t have it. But you don’t always have to stay indoors in order to protect yourself. If you enjoy running outdoors or have to run an errand, putting on surgical mask can temporarily guard you against pollutants that can harm your health. Smoggy days, on the other hand, are the perfect excuse to just lounge around the sofa.

Put up a “No Smoking” sign, and we are talking about within your home’s premises. Tobacco, as we all know, is one of the leading irritants when it comes to respiratory allergies; another reason why you should just put down that putt.

Pull the blinds down. If you have been working indoors all winter long, you may want to stay inside longer, especially this pollen season. And to keep everything outside outside, you may want to pull the blinds down. Sure it may block the gorgeous view outside but better this that put your health on the on the line. For those with pollen allergies, this strategy is really a must as fresh air for them is nonexistent. If you feel like you are not doing much, you may want to shop for air purifiers to help you eliminate all possible pollens that you may have brought with you inside after being outside. Though this may absorb any allergen you have inside, air purifiers are also known to just stir up the dust. So make it a regular habit to clean up air purifiers and other items that accumulate dust.

Clean your cleaner, and in particular the vacuum that sips every possible allergen from your home. The next time that you are trying to justify for recycling your vacuum filter, think that recycling your filter also means pumping back all the allergens that you have painstakingly filtered off your home. And yes, it is only in this case that recycling is never healthy. If you have a vacuum that blows back dusts while it cleans, you may want to do something about it. One of the best ways to make sure that everything that is vacuums stays inside is by simply installing a filter on the vacuum’s exhaust port, that is, if you have a canister type. If you have been tinkering on replacing your vacuum and you have the cash to do it, we recommend that you invest on an industrial-strength cleaner that can give you the clean and protection from allergens that you have been wishing for. 

Women Over 40 Ask

All About Hypoallergenic Vacuum Cleaners

We are sure you are more familiar with vacuum cleaners that use HEPA filters than these so-called hypoallergenic vacuum cleaners. But are they really different? Not really too different. You see, hypoallergenic vacuum cleaners are essentially designed to remove particles from furniture, carpet, flooring, and most importantly air through suction, therefore, creating a non-allergic state. Hypoallergenic vacuums boast of three specs that make their clean better than others: Filter, energy efficient engine, and, of course, the bag. And the most popular hypoallergenic vacuum cleaners have one thing that makes them stand out among the rest: True HEPA filters.

True HEPA Filters

High efficiency particulate air filters, better known as HEPA filters, are essentially deigned to trap at least 99.97 percent of all particles of up to .30 microns in size not only from items you run them into but most importantly from the air. If you are shopping for a new vacuum cleaner and looking for these types, you may need to double check the details. Absolute or try HEPA filters are produced with exclusive serial numbers and their MERV ratings, or Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. Ever wonder what the HEPA 4 or 5 means in your filter? The MERV rating, based on a 1 to 16 scale, essentially corresponds to the air filter’s efficiency. The higher their MERV rating is, the more efficient the filter is in removing particles both from, say, the floor and air. Most air filters that you can see in the market today have HEPA 4 or 5, and based on the MERV scale, this essentially indicates that these items rest at the lower end of the efficiency spectrum. Does this mean that these filters failed to pass the test? Not really. Receiving 1 to 5 MERV rating is essentially a standard among typical fiberglass or polyester throwaway panels and even those washable filters. A 65 to 95 percent air filter efficiency rating is only necessary in commercial buildings and hospital HVAC systems and not for residential use.

HEPA Type Filters

These HEPA-like filters are produced to function in a lot ways similar to HEPA filter and may actually look so much like them. But when it comes to air filtering efficiency, HEPA type filters don’t even come close: Capturing only 85 percent of the particles, HEPA like filters can only remove particles of 1 micron in size and even below. And since it is less efficient, HEPA type filters, of course, cost less than true or absoluter HEPA filters.

Do I Really Need to Buy True HEPA Filters

If you have been suffering from respiratory allergies and other health problems, HEPA filters essentially reduce or eliminate small particles and other types of allergens that can cause, induce, or aggravate your symptoms, leaving a healthier, cleaner, and breathable air for your home.

Purchasing HEPA filter is considered by many homeowners as an investment. If you are on a budget, it is definitely easier for you to just settle down with these cheap HEPA type filters since true HEPA filters are not really easy on the wallet. Decide if you really need to have a true HEPA filter working for you, and if removing all these dusts and microscopic particles is really worth investing.

Do not clean dry. Cleaning, and specifically dusting, should be one of the regulars in your schedule. If you are suffering from respiratory allergies, you may want to dust more than once a week. But be careful with what you use or how you dust; if you have been dusting around with feather duster, chances are you are just aggravating your allergy symptoms. Instead of spreading the dust around, we recommend cleaning with a damp cloth so you can contain all the allergens in just one wipe. Loving your dusting spray? Experts recommend putting back the lid to these cans as they may actually give off odors that can make your symptoms worst.

If dusting makes your allergies worst, then, don’t dust at all. Ask someone to do it for you. Have your hubby to do all the dirty work for you; this not only doubles as a bonding activity but, if done properly, you and your hubby may actually end up doing the cleaning - in the tub - together.

Invest in a good dehumidifier. Humid areas are like a tempting open ground for dust mites, which, by the way, are the culprit in the dust you are so allergic from. To maintain a healthy, breathable air in your home, experts recommend shopping for a dehumidifier or an air condition, which actually works equally well. Another reason why you should invest in a good dehumidifier is because it prevents molds from sprouting in almost every imaginable area in your home. When you are on the shower or kitchen, switching the exhaust fan on helps keep humidity at its lowest.

Have other use for the fireplace. Thinking of converting your fireplace into a mini entertainment center? Then, the spring serves the perfect opportunity to just forget about wood chopping and just welcome that new home entertainment that you have been eyeing. If you have been burning treated wood winter long, chances are your allergies have also been up during the winter months. Heavily treated woods not work to aggravate your allergies but actually put your family’s health at risk of inducing respiratory allergies and even diseases.

Leave the mowing to the others. Spring time is the time for some sprucing and trimming. As you start to see how Mother Earth regains her momentum and welcomes the world with some color, you may want to give the task of trimming and mowing grasses to others. It is during the pollen season, which is, by the way, longer this time, that you may want to ask someone, or, just anyone, to do the mowing and clearing. To know the best time for you to schedule this task, check the pollination season in your area with the National Allergy Bureau Pollen & Mold Levels database.

Keep your pet clean. It is, indeed, difficult for any pet owner to be apart from their beloved furry friend – even those who are allergic to fur. And if you are one of those who have been asked to choose between their pet and a chance to be allergy-free for all season, here’s a little trick: Bathe your pet as often as possible. Research shows that bathing your pet with warm water, even without soap, can substantially reduce the allergen found in the animal’s fur. These allergens, which is secreted by their sweat glands and produced with their saliva, is water soluble and can be easily rinsed off even without the help of your pet’s soap.

Call ahead if you are travelling. Planning your vacation next month? You may want to call the front desk ahead than you plan to so you can make sure that your stay will be as comfortable as possible. Ask for a room that will be easy on your health; specifically request that you be not given a slot on lower level since most rooms in this area have been flooded by guests, making it the perfect haven for molds to grow and multiply. If you are still on the lookout for a hotel, you may want to narrow your choices with those that do not allow pets as even the most sophisticated of machines cannot remove virtually all dander that may have been left by the traveler’s cat or dog.