Side Effects: Antidepressants for Sleep vs Natural Sleep Aids

antidepressants vs natural sleep aidsGreetings to you,

The video below describes the pros and cons between antidepressant drugs for sleep and natural sleep aids.

Its interesting to note that the journal “Sleep” reported that prescriptions for sleeping drugs have decreased by 54%, but that antidepressants for sleep have increased by a surprising 146%.

While most people would prefer to take a natural, non-addictive remedy without uncomfortable side-effects, there is a scarcity of effective natural options, as well as a lack of education and information available to people outside of their doctors offices.

Have a look at the 3-minute video below to learn more about the science behind natural sleep aids that work, as well as some of the side effects of antidepressants.

This video was created by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.

Alex R. of Ramseur, North Carolina says: “Sleep Minerals II.has been a blessing for me. It has given me the opportunity to withdraw from a highly addictive sleep medication over time, and has allowed me to sleep while going through this most difficult ordeal. What’s great about it is it doesn’t lose its effectiveness, which is something that happens with medications. I am most thankful for this product.”.

Sleep well!

 

 

 

What’s Best for Healthy Sleep? Vitamins, Minerals or Melatonin?

healthy sleepGreetings to you,

Do you ever have sleeplessness or insomnia? Or do you have a friend or family member who does?  In the video below you will discover how to obtain healthy sleep with the most effective natural sleep aids and foods.

Sometimes it can be a challenge for people who want to sleep better. There are many types of sleep remedies on the market including vitamins, minerals, melatonin, teas, herbs and liquids. How does a person select what’s best for them?

Take three minutes to watch this video and discover the natural remedies and foods that have stood the test of time and been the focus of many research studies on the subject of better sleep.

Here’s to your great sleep!

This video on healthy sleep was created for you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains and more energy.

The Top 7 Nutrition Facts and Myths

nutrition factsGreetings to you,

The video below reveals the “Top Seven Nutrition Facts and Myths”.  Here you’ll discover some simple, basic guidelines for having great health.

For example, Which food contains most all of the vitamins and minerals?

How important is calorie counting to achieving an ideal weight?

Is there one perfect diet for everyone?

Take two minutes to see this video and find out these answers and more!

Created for you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, and more energy.

Walking Benefits for Health and Fun!

walking benefitsHello to you,

In the video below, you will discover how an enjoyable walk can increase the “happy chemicals” in the brain, help to burn calories, relieve pain, strengthen the joints, boost immune function, and much more!

Enjoy your walks and share the video with the people you care the most about.

Created for you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, and more energy.

The Top 8 Sleep Tips for Insomnia


sleep tipsGreetings to you,

The two-minute video below reveals the top eight sleep tips for insomnia. Learn the best, most proven ways to enjoy better sleep.

These sleep tips are for anyone who has trouble falling asleep or staying asleep during the night. If this describes you or someone you care about, take a peek at this entertaining video and share it with others.

Here’s to your good sleep and great health!

This video was created by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains and more energy.

What is Homeopathy and How Does It Work?

homeopathy

By D. Woodliffe   

The term ‘homoeopathy’ refers to a range of natural, alternative, or complementary forms of medicine.

Since way back in the 1700s, homoeopathy has been used to treat ailments from A to Z, from asthma to yeast overgrowth. In general, homoeopaths believe that the right treatments can harness our natural ability to overcome illness without drugs and their side effects.

Stay tuned as we explore some of the different types of illnesses or conditions that may benefit from homoeopathy, alongside some natural remedies, as well as answers to some commonly asked questions.

What is homoeopathy & how does it work?

Homoeopathic medicine is a form of natural therapy. It has two major principles: ‘like cures like’ and ‘the law of minimum dose’.

  • Like cures like: This is the theory that a substance that causes similar symptoms in healthy people can help treat someone who is suffering from these symptoms.
  • The law of minimum dose: This is the idea that the more diluted the remedy is, or the lower the dose of the healing substance in it, the more potent it is. Very diluted amounts of the remedy trigger a healing response.

Homoeopaths believe that they can use these principles and practices to help stimulate the body to heal itself. While the remedies are well known for being made from plants and herbs, they can also be crafted from minerals or animal sources.

When consulting with a homoeopath, they will likely evaluate you as any practicing doctor would. The difference is they may also assess more aspects of your life, alongside the physical complaints. They do this to ensure they get a complete picture of your overall health to prescribe a tailored treatment plan.

What common ailments might homoeopathy treat?

It is believed that homoeopathy can treat all the same illnesses and diseases as conventional medicine. However, as most homoeopaths aim to treat the person and not the disease, the solution and recommended treatment will vary from person to person.

It’s a good practice to consult with your general doctor before attempting any new homoeopathic treatments as you’ll want to make sure it won’t impact any conventional medication you are taking.

The following are some general homeopathic remedies for certain conditions.

Hayfever

Many believe that homoeopathic remedies offer an effective solution to managing hayfever symptoms. From runny noses to eye irritation, some commonly recommended remedies include:

  • Allium Cepam (onion)
  • Sabadilla
  • Euphrasia
  • Nux Vomica
  • Pulsatilla

Hayfever can worsen if you live in a rural or pollen-rich area, so visiting a local practitioner may help as they might have some remedies based on the locational environment.

Acid reflux

Acid reflux and heartburn can cause unpleasant sensations in the chest and stomach. While most of us have experienced this movement of stomach acid from time to time after eating a heavy meal, some suffer from chronic heartburn. Homoeopathic treatments often include:

  • Iris Versicolor
  • Robinia
  • Arsenicum album
  • Natrum Phos
  • Nux Vomica

Thyroid conditions

An underactive thyroid can have a large impact on our health and wellness. It basically means the thyroid is not producing enough hormones to help manage a person’s metabolic rate and this can cause tiredness and weight gain. Homoeopathic treatments often include:

  • Calcarea Carbonia
  • Sepia Officinalis
  • Graphites
  • Nux Vomica
  • Lycopodium Clavatum

Diabetes

Diabetes is a blood sugar condition where the body either attacks the cells that produce insulin in the pancreas, or the body does not generate enough insulin to begin with. The latter is the most common form of diabetes and there are homeopathic remedies that may be able to help:

  • Gymnema
  • Conium
  • Hemlock
  • Phosphoric Acid
  • Calendula

Any remedies should be taken in combination with healthy eating and regular exercise for the most effective results. It’s important to note that there is no homeopathic substitute for insulin and there are few human studies on the effectiveness, so consult your doctor for advice.

Healthy Diet and Exercise

Eating healthy foods and doing regular exercise such as walking and stretching, should accompany any homeopathic treatment program.  This is vital for general overall improved health and when taking any kind of remedy or medicine.

Healthy foods include whole, single foods such as vegetables, fruits, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, yams, potatoes, and healthy oils like olive and coconut oil. Especially leafy greens, salmon and other fish.

Highly processed foods to avoid are chips, cookies, candy, ice cream, fast foods and processed meats.

What is Reflexology?

Commonly associated with homoeopathy, reflexology is another form of natural treatment with a similar holistic approach.  It takes the entirety of the person’s symptoms and their lifestyle habits into account.

Reflexology works by applying pressure to specific points located in the feet, hands, or ears with the belief that each point is connected to a wider system in the body. It’s a form of traditional Chinese medicine and is often used in conjunction with homoeopathy to restore energy flow throughout the body.

Can you make your own homoeopathic remedies?

Most homoeopaths do not recommend that you attempt to make remedies at home, as some compounds can be dangerous without proper handling and dilution. Not only that, but the dilution process itself is highly methodical and precise. It’s also hard to determine what might work best for your ailment, so it’s always worth contacting a professional before attempting treatment.

If you have worked with a homeopathic doctor or completed a similar homoeopathic treatment cycle before, there are safe and easy to use homoeopathic remedies available online or in your local health food store.

Just remember, if you think you have a health condition or illness that you need relief from, you should always visit your homeopathic health provider and general doctor in the first instance for an initial diagnosis.

Homoeopathy offers gentle, natural solutions and has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years.

This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, and more energy.

Is Eating Organic Food Really Worth It?

 

organic foodMany people may have wondered whether organic foods are really worth the trouble to find, buy and eat.

When we speak about organic food, we refer to a set of agricultural practices followed in the entire process to produce the food including growing, harvesting, processing, and storage.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has set the USDA Organic Standards and organic producers must comply with them to label their food products as USDA organic. In essence, this means that the following are not used in organic foods.

  • No synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or herbicides (pesticides control pests, fertilizers supply plant nutrients, and herbicides control unwanted plants)
  • No use of antibiotics
  • No use of growth hormones or other stimulants
  • No genetically modified substances (ingredients in which genetic materials are altered)

The difference between organic and non-organic foods

Though visually there is very little or no difference between organic and non-organic foods, organic foods offer better safety profiles (a lower likelihood of adverse effects in the body), with superior nutritional values compared to non-organic ones.

The most prevalent differences between organic and non-organic foods are that foods produced through conventional methods have higher levels of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that may lead to some unfavorable effects on the human body.  These include hormonal imbalances, neurological problems and a weakened immune response. Whereas, organic foods either do not contain these materials or have very small amounts.

Why organic food is better for you

Organic food offers many benefits ranging from health perspectives to environmental concerns. Organic farming practices improve the soil health and its fertility on a long-term basis. Biodiversity is a word that means “a variety of life in a place including animals, plants, and various microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.” The methods used in organic farming help maintain ecological balance and biodiversity by encouraging wildlife.

Organic foods provide various health benefits since they have lower levels of toxic chemicals such as pesticides and higher levels of certain nutrients like vitamins and minerals. Multiple studies have concluded that organic food items provide significantly greater levels of phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and vitamin C compared to regular varieties of the same foods.

A 2010 review published in the Alternative Medicine Review concluded that foods and vegetables grown organically show greater antioxidant activity.  Antioxidants are compounds that can prevent cell-damaging chemical reactions caused by oxygen molecules.

Organic foods also help inhibit the activity of toxic compounds such as pesticide residues. Scientists have also found clear health benefits of organic dairy products in reducing allergic dermatitis in their review (1).

Animal protein and dairy products: conventional vs organic

In conventionally produced animal proteins and dairy products such as meats, poultry, fish, eggs, and milk, producers routinely use different types of antibiotics and growth hormones to speed up the entire process of production so that they can meet the large-scale market demands.

On the other hand, organic animal proteins and dairy products are produced through organic methods with no antibiotics or growth hormones and thus, these organic products provide better safety and health benefits than their conventional counterparts.

Organic animal foods are sourced from those animals that have access to outdoors and pasture feeding and grow in more healthy living conditions. Therefore, these organic foods contain higher levels of natural nutrients that are more beneficial for humans than non-organic foods.

Conventional meat vs grass-fed meat vs organic meat

Conventional meat – Steroid hormones such as estrogen are often given to animals to increase the production of meat. Though the hormone levels are somewhat low, extra steroids may increase the susceptibility of harm in certain people, especially in pregnant women and elderly people.

In addition, antibiotics may also be used in conventional farming to accelerate growth in livestock. Using antibiotics may enhance the risk of developing drug-resistant bacteria in livestock and may be transmitted to humans through meats. Drug-resistant bacteria are those bacteria that become resistant to drugs such as antibiotics, making it difficult to treat infections caused by them.

Grass-fed meat – Grass-fed meats come from animals that ate mostly grass particularly for at least four months during the grazing season. Grass-fed meats are technically organic meats and considered more nutritious with lower levels of fat and higher levels of antioxidants, especially omega 3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids are a group of fat molecules that are considered good fats and offer many health benefits in the human body.

Organic meat – Organic meats are derived from animals that are grown according to the USDA organic livestock regulations. Organic meats come from animals that are not given growth hormones and antibiotics.

A review of 67 studies published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed organic meats have higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids than conventional meats and the levels of saturated fats are lower than the conventional ones (2).

Why organic foods may be more expensive and which ones to buy inexpensively

In general, organic foods may cost a bit more than their regular counterparts that are grown conventionally. This is mainly because of the labor-intensive agricultural practices organic food producers use to follow to produce their organic products.

Farmers must use physical, biological, and mechanical methods instead of pesticides to control pests, weeds, and diseases when growing organic crops. When it comes to dairy products and meats, animals that are raised organically are not given any growth hormones or steroids that can increase the production, resulting in less production and higher charges accordingly because farmers don’t have as much to sell.

There are many organic foods that can be purchased inexpensively. Some examples of inexpensive organic foods would include dry beans, tea, frozen fruit, frozen vegetables, potatoes, spices and soups. In addition, buying the store-brand or generic brand of organic products is often a great way to save money and get all the organic food benefits.

Understanding the dirty dozen and clean fifteen foods

Everyone wants to use their budget wisely when it comes to buying organic foods. Fruits and vegetables are always among the most popular organic lines because of their nutritional values.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a US-based nonprofit organization, releases an annual assessment list of twelve foods containing the most pesticides called “the dirty dozen foods”, and fifteen foods containing the least pesticides called “the clean fifteen foods”.

For the “dirty dozen” foods containing the most pesticides, it’s a good choice to buy the organic versions of these in order to avoid any harmful effects.

According to the EWG’s shopper’s guide to pesticides in produce, here is the full list of the dirty dozen foods for 2021

  1. Strawberries
  2. Spinach
  3. Kale, collard, and mustard greens
  4. Nectarines
  5. Apples
  6. Grapes
  7. Cherries
  8. Peaches
  9. Pears
  10. Bell and hot peppers
  11. Celery
  12. Tomatoes

And here is the full list of the clean fifteen foods for 2021

  1. Avocados
  2. Sweet corn
  3. Pineapple
  4. Onions
  5. Papaya
  6. Sweet peas (frozen)
  7. Eggplant
  8. Asparagus
  9. Broccoli
  10. Cabbage
  11. Kiwi
  12. Cauliflower
  13. Mushrooms
  14. Honeydew melon
  15. Cantaloupe

Summary of Organic Food Benefits

Whether we consider the nutritional values of organic foods or not, avoiding pesticide and antibiotic exposure is important since they may lead to various health issues. Organic foods are the only choice to lessen the exposure to these.

Therefore, with the growing concern over toxic chemical compounds in food products, in addition to the higher nutritional quality of organic foods, these foods are truly better for protecting and enhancing one’s health. Yes, organic food is better for you.

References:

  1. Crinnion, Walter J. “Organic Foods Contain Higher Levels of Certain Nutrients, Lower Levels of Pesticides, and May Provide Health Benefits for the Consumer.” Alternative Medicine Review: A Journal of Clinical Therapeutic, vol. 15, no. 1, 1 Apr. 2010, pp. 4–12, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20359265/.
  2. Średnicka-Tober, Dominika, et al. “Composition Differences between Organic and Conventional Meat: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.” British Journal of Nutrition, vol. 115, no. 6, 16 Feb. 2016, pp. 994–1011, 1017/s0007114515005073.
  3. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/03/22/organic-101-what-usda-organic-label-means‌
  4. https://www.ewg.org/foodnews/

The Top 7 Foods for Beautiful Skin

Hello from Jobee at Nutrition Breakthroughs,

Today’s video (below) will reveal the top 7 foods for glorious, glowing skin at any age.

High quality proteins from organic, grass-fed and wild-caught sea sources will provide the building blocks for healthy skin.

Drinking plenty of fresh, filtered water hydrates the skin and smooths wrinkles and lines.

Healthy fats such as avocado, salmon and nuts provide moisture and healing properties.

Raw vegetables and leafy greens can turn back the clock for our skin, as well as many other areas of our health.

Enjoy the video!

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More

True Story #1: How Nutrition Breakthroughs Started

nutrition breakthroughsGreetings to you,

This is Jobee Knight from Nutrition Breakthroughs. Thanks for being a reader of the natural health discoveries I share.  Today I have a different story to share with you.

It’s the true story of how Nutrition Breakthroughs started.  Let me know what you think of it!

My journey into the natural health field began a couple of decades ago when I was the public relations director for a computer software company.

I was always writing press releases about our latest software version and what a “breakthrough” it was and how fantastic its great new features were.

I had always been interested in nutrition and had experienced great benefits from eating good foods and taking natural supplements.  It was amazing to me that a supplement could have such beneficial effects.

I decided I would create a website called “Nutrition Breakthroughs”, similar to all the computer “breakthroughs” I had been writing about.

Nutrition Breakthroughs would have easy to understand articles about natural remedies that worked and actually helped people to improve their health.

It would also provide natural supplements that would be so effective, people would not need to turn to drugs for relief and would heal naturally.

So I bought my first computer on credit, bought an easy website designer on the internet, put up the website, and Nutrition Breakthroughs was born!

So far, it has lived up to it’s original vision with its natural health articles and effective supplements for better sleep and pain-free joints.

So now it’s your turn! I would love to hear from you. Is there something you have always wanted to do in your life to improve your career or your health, but haven’t known which steps to take to bring it into reality?

Send me an email at info@nutritionbreakthroughs.com. I check this inbox myself and I may not reply to each message, but I do read each one.  It helps me to provide good information that is of interest.

Here’s to your good health, good sleep and long life.

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II and Joints and More

4 Great Health Tips and ‘Joints and More’ Now on Amazon

health tipsGreetings to you,

It’s Jobee at Nutrition Breakthroughs. Hope you and your family are staying healthy and doing good.

Today I’m happy to announce that our newest product ‘Joints and More‘ is available on Amazon. It helps with joint pain, stiffness, allergies, increasing energy and more. See some reviews for it below.

In the mean time, here are four select tips for increasing your good health and well-being:

1. Choose healthy foods and increase vegetables and fruits that you enjoy. Eat healthy, preferably organic proteins such as grass-fed meat, wild Alaskan salmon and organic eggs.

2. Take a walk each day or a couple of short walks. This supports virtually every organ and system in your body to stay strong. Walking is also proven to help good sleep and remedy insomnia.

3. Take supplements that suit you. Some options are fish oil for reducing inflammation and supporting the eyes and brain. Another one is MSM to remedy joint pain, stiffness and aches, and also ease allergies and increase energy.

4. To reduce stress, take breaks to do artistic or creative things that you enjoy. When communicating with others, express things in a positive, upbeat way.

And now, a drum roll for the new product announcement. Our newest product “Joints and More” with pure MSM is now available on Amazon.

Here are a couple of reviews for it:

R. Boulos of Houston, TX. says: “I’ve been taking the Joints and More supplement and it’s helping a great deal. After taking it twice a day, I notice that when I wake up in the morning the joint pain I was having in my front and back shoulders is almost gone.”

C. Drozdowski says: “After about a month of starting to take Joints and More my hair began growing like crazy. I figured if my hair was growing that fast, then maybe my nails would also. So I took my fake nails off and for the first time in my entire nail-biting life I have MY OWN nails! They are getting stronger with each passing week.”

To your good health,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs