Ahh Chooo: MSM Effective for Allergy Symptoms

MSM is a natural mineral made of sulfur that has been shown in studies to relieve arthritis, headaches, back pain, and also contribute to stronger hair and nails.

MSM is known as “Factor N”, for returning cells to normal.

A recent study from the Genesis Center for Integrative Medicine in Graham, Washington has found yet another benefit of MSM — it’s effectiveness for seasonal allergies and hay fever.

MSM sulfur is a white, odorless, water-soluble element found in nature and in foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, seafood and meat. It is especially high in eggs, onions, garlic, asparagus and broccoli. When food is heated, washed, frozen or processed, it becomes depleted of its natural MSM stores — making supplementation beneficial.

Seasonal allergies affect more than 23 million Americans each year. Symptoms can include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, congestion, coughing, itchy throat and fatigue. Side effects of antihistamines include drowsiness, and decongestants may result in insomnia or irritability.

The goal of the MSM study was to evaluate whether a natural mineral can reduce allergy symptoms and to determine if it has any possible side effects.

The study was published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Fifty-five patients with seasonal allergies were given MSM at 2,600 milligrams per day. The MSM use resulted in significantly reducing upper and total respiratory symptoms within 7 days.

Lower respiratory symptoms were substantially improved by the third week. Few side effects were associated with the use of MSM and no patients dropped out of the study from any adverse reactions. In addition, by day 14 the energy levels of participants had increased considerably.

The researchers concluded that MSM supplementation of 2,600 mg/day for 30 days is an effective and “side-effect free” remedy in the reduction of seasonal allergy symptoms. An unforeseen and valuable benefit of MSM was a significant increase in energy. For this reason, it’s best to take MSM early in the day rather than in the afternoon or evening too close to bedtime.

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies.  Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.

Nutrition Breakthroughs makes Joints and More, which contains pure organic MSM for allergy and asthma relief, arthritis and headache relief, increased energy, and stronger hair and nails. For more information, visit the Joints and More page.

Nutrition Breakthroughs also makes Sleep Minerals II, the original calcium and magnesium based sleep remedy.  It’s been shown effective for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for restless leg syndrome, bone strength, menopause insomnia and teenage insomnia.  For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.

The Top 7 Health Benefits of Garlic with Studies

health benefits of garlicIt has been said that all current drugs and medications are simply versions of herbs and foods that can be patented by the drug companies.

These herbs have been freely used throughout history for their healing benefits. The biggest jewel in the crown of all medicinal herbs is garlic.

In earlier days, when antibiotics and other drugs weren’t in existence, the garlic clove stood in the place of the pharmaceutical industry for its large rainbow of potent health benefits.

Recent studies are confirming and substantiating the power of health benefits of garlic. The ingredient in garlic that gives it its medicinal qualities is allicin.  Garlic is also high in sulfur and the vitamins B6, C and B1.

Garlic was once known as “Russian Penicillin” because of its ability to act as a natural antibiotic against bacteria, viruses, fungus and colds, as well as its ability to strengthen the body to prevent overall disease.

1. Garlic Prevents the Common Cold – “Advances in Therapy” Journal

This study included 146 people who received either a placebo or an allicin-containing garlic supplement for 12 weeks. The participants recorded any common cold symptoms and infections in a daily diary. At the end of the study, there were 63% less colds in the garlic group and they recovered much faster when infected – in an average of 1.5 days versus 5 days.

This research also showed that those taking the placebo were much more likely to get more than one cold over the treatment period. The researchers concluded that: “An allicin-containing supplement can prevent attack by the common cold virus.”

2. Garlic Gel for Recurrent Hair Loss – “Indian Journal of Dermatology”

In order to determine the health benefits of garlic for recurrent hair loss, a garlic gel was applied to the scalp.  Researchers divided the participants into two groups. One group used a garlic gel for three months and the other used a placebo. In addition, both groups used a steroid cream on the scalp. The size of the patches and overall state of the hair was recorded each month.

At the end of the study, very good responses were observed in the garlic group. The study showed that the use of a garlic gel significantly added to the therapeutic benefits from the steroid cream and that it’s an effective hair loss remedy.

3. Heavy Metals in the Body Detoxified by Garlic – “Basic Clinical Toxicology” Journal

Workers at a car battery industry with chronic lead poisoning were used in this study. The workers were split into two groups: One that received allicin from garlic three times a day and the other group received the drug d-penicillamine.

At the end of the four week study, the symptoms of lead poisoning were examined. The researchers reported significant improvement in the garlic group including less irritability, fewer headaches, better tendon reflexes and lower blood pressure. None of these benefits were seen in the d-penicillamine group.

4. Dietary Garlic Prevents Hip Arthritis – “Musculoskeletal Disorders” Journal

1,000 healthy female twins participated in this study. The team of researchers recorded the details of the diets of the twins and compared these with x-ray images that showed the degree of osteoarthritis development in the hips, spine and knees.

Their discovery was that a high intake of vegetables and fruits, particularly those high in sulfur such as garlic and onions, resulted in lower signs of the beginnings of osteoarthritis in the hip.

Dr Frances Williams, lead author of the study from King’s College London, said: “…These findings may point the way towards future treatments and prevention of hip osteoarthritis.”

5. Aged Garlic Extract Lowers Blood Pressure – “Maturitas” (the European Menopause Journal)

This study followed 50 patients over a 12 week treatment period. The patients were being treated with medication for high blood pressure, but it remained high and uncontrolled. The results showed that an aged garlic extract was effective in lowering blood pressure for patients with uncontrolled hypertension.

6. Garlic Enhances Exercise Tolerance – “Indian Journal of Physiology”

In a study of 30 patients with heart disease, treadmill tests were to examine their exercise capacity.  After the initial test, they were given garlic oil capsules daily for six weeks. When the test was repeated, it was shown that the garlic had greatly improved their heart rate at peak exercise and had also reduced the work load on the heart. This gave the patients better exercise tolerance and ability.

7. Garlic Lowers Risk of Lung Cancer by 44% – “Cancer Prevention Research”

In this 7-year long study, researchers at a medical center in China interviewed 1,424 lung cancer patients and also 4,543 healthy people. They were asked questions about their diet, smoking and how often they ate garlic. Raw garlic consumption of 2 times or more per week was found to be associated with a 44% prevention of lung cancer. For those in the study who smoked, the risk of lung cancer was still reduced by about 30% for those who ate the raw garlic.

How to Take Garlic

Some tasty ways to receive the benefits of garlic include adding it to homemade salsa, guacamole, salad dressings, pasta sauce, in mashed potatoes, and mixed with butter and then spread on bread. It can also be added to vegetable smoothies and hot vegetable dishes.

If raw garlic causes any stomach upset, there are many garlic supplements available that contain good amounts of allicin.

This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of nutrition articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains and stronger hair and nails.