Tag Archives: natural sleep aid

6 Dairy Free Alternatives: Udderly Creamy, Tasty and Nutritious

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dairy free alternatives6 Dairy Free Alternatives: Udderly Creamy, Tasty and Nutritious

If you think creamy indulgence is reserved only for dairy products, think again!

We’ve rounded up the top 6 dairy free alternatives that are not only rich in nutrition but also deliver an irresistibly creamy texture that will leave you moo-tivated to try them.

You will also enjoy seeing the many research-supported health benefits of these foods.  Drum-roll please!  Here they are:

1. Cashews – The “Cash-cow” of Creaminess: These versatile nuts blend into a cream that is perfect for creating luscious non-dairy sauces, soups and desserts. From cashew milk to cashew sour cream, to cashew-based cheesecakes, you’ll be amazed at how they mimic the creaminess of traditional dairy products.

Plus, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, cashews have been associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease due to their heart-friendly healthy fats. Cashews are also rich in essential minerals like copper and magnesium, which play a vital role in supporting bone health.

2. Avocado – The Creamy Green Machine:  Avocado is the green machine that can give dairy a run for its money. Besides being irresistibly creamy, avocados are packed with nutrients. The creamy, buttery consistency of avocados makes them perfect for smoothies, dips, and even creamy pasta sauces. Blend them into smoothies, spread them on a sandwich, or whip up some avocado chocolate mousse.

A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlighted that avocados’ special type of plant fats may improve brain health and thinking skills in older adults. These green gems also offer a good dose of potassium, which is essential for maintaining a healthy heart and good blood pressure.

3. Almonds – The Creamy Nutritional Powerhouses:  Almonds can be ground into a smooth butter, perfect for spreading on crackers, adding to smoothies, or baking gluten-free breads and cakes.  Almonds boast an impressive amount of plant-based protein and fiber, making them an excellent option for creamy non-dairy milk and creamy almond-based desserts.

A research study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that incorporating almonds into the diet improved vitamin E levels, a potent nutrient that helps protect all cells in the body from damage.

4. Coconut – The Tropical Creaminess:  Coconut-based products, like coconut milk and coconut yogurt, have a smooth texture that’s second to none. And research suggests that the plant-based fats found in coconut have antimicrobial properties, helping to fight off harmful bacteria and viruses in the body.  It’s not just delicious but is also good for keeping you in top-notch shape.

5. Sunflower Seeds – The Sunny Side of Creaminess: When ground and mixed with water, these seeds create a creamy texture similar to dairy. Pour it on your cereal, blend it into smoothies, or use it as a base for sauces. These little gems can also be transformed into sunflower seed butter, a smooth and nutty spread.

In one study of over 6,000 people, those that ate sunflower seeds and other seeds had 30% less inflammation.  In other research, women with type 2 diabetes who ate one ounce of sunflower seeds daily were found to have a 5 percent reduction in blood pressure.

6. Butternut Squash – This squash is the golden ticket to creamy soups and sauces without dairy. Try some roasted and pureed butternut squash in your pasta sauces, creamy dips, and even your morning coffee. Studies have shown that butternut squash is a rich source of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, C, and potassium, which can help boost your immune system and keep your muscles and bones healthy.

Carotenoids are potent plant chemicals found in orange fruits and vegetables. Beta-carotene is one of them and it is found abundantly in butternut squash.  This nutrient strengthens eye and vision health and can help prevent eye conditions of all types.  Sweet potatoes and pumpkins also have high levels of beta-carotene.

So there you have it, a delightful lineup of dairy free alternatives that are rich in nutrition and have a creamy texture that gives dairy some mighty opponents.  From cashews’ cash-cow creaminess to avocado’s green magic and almonds’ nutritional might, there’s a creamy non-dairy delight for every palate.

Nutrition Breakthroughs is pleased to share this natural health news with you.  The company makes the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, for joint relief, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

The Best Vitamins For Improving Eyesight Naturally

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improving eyesight naturallyGreetings to you,

Would you like to have healthier eyes and improved vision? In the video below you will discover some of the best vitamins and supplements for improving eyesight naturally.

Alongside vitamins beneficial for eye health, nature offers an abundance of other remedies and nutrient-rich foods that contribute to sharper vision.  One such remedy is the ancient practice of eye exercises.

These exercises help strengthen eye muscles and improve focus. Simple techniques like palming, where you cover your eyes with your palms and relax, or shifting focus from near to far objects can help reduce eye strain and enhance visual acuity. Also, applying warm compresses to your eyes can soothe dryness and alleviate eye fatigue, promoting overall eye health.

One food that’s famous for enhancing eye health is carrots. Rich in beta-carotene, carrots are known for their role in promoting healthy eyesight. Beta-carotene is converted into vitamin A in the body, which is essential for good vision. Other orange-colored fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes and apricots also contain high levels of beta-carotene and can be beneficial for eye health

Eggs are also a nutrient-dense food that offers many benefits for eye health. They are a good source of lutein and zeaxanthin, two substances that accumulate in the retina and help protect against age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Additionally, eggs contain vitamin E, which has antioxidant properties and contributes to overall eye health.

Magnesium is a mineral that is used in over 300 actions in the body, and one of them is supporting eye health.  More details on magnesium benefits for the eyes can be found in the video below.

Enjoy the video on the best vitamins for improving eyesight naturally and may your vision only get better and better!

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and also Joints and More, for joint relief, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

The Best Nuts for Sleep

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best nuts for sleepGreetings to you,

We’ve made this short and informative two-minute video for you on the best nuts to eat for good sleep.  Take a peek at it below.

There are certain nuts that contain high amounts of both magnesium and melatonin.  One study on magnesium found that it “brought about statistically significant increases in sleep time and a significant reduction in early morning awakenings.”

Regarding nuts specifically, studies in the Nutrition Journal (2005) and Nutrients Journal (2017) found that nuts contain good amounts of many components that are known to enhance a deep, restful sleep.

This video was created by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II. Feel free to share the video with anyone who would like to enjoy a better night’s sleep.  And sleep well!

 

 

 

 

What is Cilantro? The Top 8 Health Benefits of Cilantro!

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cilantro benefitsGreetings to you,

Cilantro is an amazing herb with fantastic health benefits.

According to Medical News Today, cilantro fights pain and inflammation, enhances skin health and has anti-fungal and anti-cancer properties

Per Dr. Josh Axe, this plant removes heavy metals from the body, cleanses the urinary tract, settles digestive upset, and acts as a calming sedative. Cilantro has been found effective for calming anxiety and improving sleep due to its unique qualities.

Watch the video below to find out more about cilantro benefits and how it can be used in many types of dishes and foods.

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

Valerie H. of Santa Clarita, California says: “I had such severe menopause insomnia that it took me hours to fall asleep even though I was extremely tired. My legs also had crawling and tingling feelings at night. I got the Sleep Minerals and after about a week, it started to work really well. I fall asleep now within 20 minutes and no more restless legs.”

Here’s to your good health and great sleep.

 

The Best Teas for Sleep, Stress and Anxiety

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best teasThe Best Teas for Sleep, Stress and Anxiety

Greetings to you,

Can making and drinking a cup of tea help to reduce stress and increase relaxation?

A study from the City University of London found that drinking a cup of tea does indeed help with relaxation, not only from the action of drinking it, but also from the calming ritual of heating the water or using a kettle.

The ritual of slowing down to make the tea is one of its greatest calming benefits.  One of the main ingredients in the best teas is L-theanine, a non-protein amino acid that increases the levels of calming chemicals in the brain.

Many health benefits can be obtained from drinking herbal teas.  Some of their medicinal effects include soothing stress, easing nausea, helping with menopausal or menstrual symptoms, relaxing muscles, and calming an upset stomach.

Take a peek at the video below to discover some of the most time-proven best teas. This video was created for you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.

Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals — I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”

Here’s to your good sleep and a balanced point of view by drinking the best calming teas and taking some absorbable calcium and magnesium.

The Top 7 Nutrition Facts and Myths

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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.

The Top 8 Sleep Tips for Insomnia

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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?

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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.

Video: Sleep Remedies for Insomnia – Best Minerals to Take

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Greetings to you,

This brief video is an entertaining overview of the best minerals for creating a deeper, longer, more relaxing sleep.  In this article, we will go into more detail about each one.  There are four minerals that are researched and particularly proven to be good sleep remedies.

Calcium: This mineral is directly related to our cycles of sleep. In one study published in the European Neurology Journal, researchers found that calcium levels in the body are higher during some of the deepest levels of sleep, such as the rapid eye movement (REM) phase.

Adelle Davis is one of the earliest nutritionists to base her dietary recommendations on scientific research studies. Davis writes about the roles of calcium in her book “Let’s Eat Right to Keep Fit.” She suggests natural sleep remedies for insomnia and says: “A calcium deficiency often shows itself by insomnia, another form of an inability to relax. The harm done by sleeping tablets, to say nothing of the thousands of dollars spent on them, could largely be avoided if the calcium intake were adequate.”

Magnesium: In magnesium deficiency, chronic insomnia is one of the main, central symptoms. Sleep is usually agitated with frequent nighttime awakenings. On the other hand, a high magnesium diet has been found to be associated with deeper, less interrupted sleep. This was proven in a study done by James Penland at the Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota.

James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes that: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”

Zinc: A study in a scientific journal found evidence indicating that zinc may be involved in the regulation of sleep. Their research concludes that the amount of sleep varies according to the amount of zinc in the blood, while orally administered zinc increases the amount and the quality of sleep in mice and humans.

Another study on zinc points in the direction that people taking extra calcium should also increase their zinc intake in order to prevent calcium from blocking zinc absorption into the body. The richest dietary sources of zinc are oysters, liver and beef, followed by nuts, popcorn, poultry and lamb.

Potassium: One recent study from the Journal “Sleep” researched the effects of potassium supplements on sleep quality.  After one week of taking potassium supplements, there were significant improvements in the quality of sleep and less waking up during the night.

A deficiency of potassium can interfere with restful sleep due to the potential for stiff muscles or muscle spasms in the night. The blood needs to maintain a good balance between potassium and sodium (salt).  Potassium is found abundantly in fresh vegetables and fruits, so these are a good focus as opposed to eating a lot of processed or packaged foods containing high sodium.

One popular supplement containing many of these minerals is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says, “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference. I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours. This has been a great improvement.”

Make good use of minerals in foods and supplements to ensure getting a great night’s sleep.  To learn more, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.

How to Sleep with a Snoring Spouse: Short Video

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snoring spouseGreetings to you,

If you’ve ever had to sleep with a snoring spouse, you’ll appreciate the practical and workable tips in this short video.

It covers the best positions for the snorer to sleep in, tips for them to sleep better, and some things that their mate can do.

Enjoy the video below and put it to good use as needed.

Here’s to your good health and great sleep,

Jobee Knight
Nutrition Breakthroughs
Maker of Sleep Minerals II