Energy-efficiency. It's a trait we ...

Energy-efficiency. It's a trait we examine for in the vehicles we drive, the abiding-places we reside in, and the bodies we live in.

In general, we equate energy-efficiency with higher productivity. In cars this means more miles by gallon of gasoline; in hearths lower heating and cooling costs; and, in our bodies, more work and play through day.

In all three examples, there are factors which sometimes interfere with energy-efficiency. A car lacking in zip may ne a tune-up; a abiding-place with higher-than-average heating costs may ne better insulation; and a bodily form who is feeling fatigued or rundown is likely to benefit from hardy nutrition -- namely a fruit- and vegetable-rich diet. supplementation, and herbs, as well as adequate caesura and exercise. "General maintenance" paces such as these do take time, if it were not that the returns on this investment are certain to be high.

common common cause of fatigue which many times goes overlooked is constipation. In their work Prescription for Nutritional Healing, the Balchs cite insufficient amounts of fiber and fluids in the diet, inactivity, advanced age, muscular disorders, structural abnormalities, bowel diseases, neurogenic disorders. long-term laxative use, and a poor diet, especially single in kind that is high in "junk food" as frequent causes of constipation. Among the many conditions they say constipation can lead to are fatigue, headaches, and insomnia, all of which can pillage of us precious energy.

They warn that if the bowels do not rouse on a daily basis, harmful toxins can form and contribute to more serious conditions as it was as diabetes mellitus, meningitis, thyroid disease, candidiasis. and ulcerative colitis, among others.

Here are an herbs, supplements, and foods

which have proven to be helpful in promoting

digestion and regularity:

* the two aloe vera and milk thistle aid in improving digestion. The Balchs say that aloe vera has "a healing and cleansing tenor on the digestive tract," and that milk thistle assists liver function, as well as bile output They also cite cascara sagrada, goldenseal, rhubarb base senna leaves, and yerba mate as herbs which are helpful for constipation. Regarding goldenseal, however, they advise to not take it internally in succession a daily basis for more than common week at a time, since it can disturb the normal intestinal flora, and to avoid it during pregnancy. human frames who are allergic to ragweed should also use this herb cautiously.

* In Off-the-shelf Natural Health, Mark Mayell resigns a section of his volume to "The Herbal Bitters," which he says have been used to help stimulate the appetite and excite digestion for thousands of years. "Even in the animal kingdom, many species instinctively ask out bitter plants to method of treatment digestive ailments," he notes.

He says that the in the greatest degree prominent bitter herbs include: angelica, dandelion, gentian, regret yellow dock, and barbery. While it is not clear precisely to what degree these herbs relieve digestive question s Mayell says one popular theory is that they activate the bitter-taste receptors forward the back of the tongue which advance salivation and increase the secretion of digestive juices. This is consideration to assist in the functions of the stomach, small intestine, and gall bladder. These herbs are also said to assist in cleansing the liver and other organs.

Other nutritional supplements

* Lactobacillus acidophilus is a beneficial bacteria which the intestines ne to operate optimally. In addition to fill up form, it is also originate in yogurt.

* Pectin is said to help alleviate constipation. While it is available in complement form, it is also institute in such foods as apple, carrots, citrus fruits, and dried peas, among others.

* Psyllium is also helpful for constipation. Be safe to take it with an eight-ounce glass of water. Speaking of which, water itself, is true important, to maintaining regularity, too.

There are many issues in your health food store which contain these and other ingredients which have proven to stir up regularity.

REFERENCES

Balch, James F MD and Phyllis A., CNC Prescription for Nutritional Healing. Garden City Park. NY: Avery Publishing assign places to 1997.

Mayell, Mark. Off-The-Shelf Natural Health. recent York: Bantam Books. 1995.

COPYRIGHT 1997 PRIMEDIA Intertec, a PRIMEDIA Company. All Rights Reserved

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