Bad Stomach Problems and Nightmares

Think there's a correlation?

Whether you think it's fact or myth, some people claim that sleeping on a full stomach can cause nightmares.

http://thenaturalprescriptions.com/Wordpress/how-to-stop-nightmares/

Personally, I've experienced this every now and then. Not because of a full stomach but because of high acid levels on my stomach. I'm no doctor, but I'm guessing that the acid is what triggers the nightmares indirectly. Acid = pain which then translates somehow into your subconscious and manifests itself as a dream.

This would make sense since sleeping with a full stomach also causes acid reflux. This article explains how a full stomach causes acid reflux and indigestion.

Probiotics - Getting the good bacteria in

Here's a counter-intuitive thought: Keep the bad bacteria out by getting the good bacteria in. All of us have most likely taken more than our fair share of those nasty, expensive antibiotics. They cure the illness you're complaining about, but introduce their fair share of side effects that mostly affect your stomach (eg. indigestion, flatulence, diarrhea). What's worse is that antibiotics kill all the bacteria in our body - including the good ones.

Probiotics is a way of refreshing your supply of good stomach microorganisms. They help boost your immune system, prevent infections, cure diarrhea, etc. Studies say that they can even lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

The best thing about Probiotics is that they are safe. We actually have this in our body already. They can also be obtained through more natural means - such as eating yogurt or drinking yogurt milk (Yakult!!!). This makes integrating probiotics into your lifestyle an easy task.

You can read more about Probiotics here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probiotic

~ Fit Factory

Some Sunlight a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

In my never ending quest for health and fitness, I tend to overlook the more obvious, simple ways to achieve wellness. So it came to me as a shock when one of the doctors I visited one weekend suddenly posed this very practical suggestion - "Have you ever considered soaking up sunlight?" Hopefully, this fit factorY blog article can "shed some light"on the topic (pun intended).

Now why didn't I think of that? I can think of 2 reasons. One - I am used to living in a complicated world where nothing is ever quite simple and two - because of the bad rep the sun has gained from all those dermatologists warning about skin cancer.

Why get sunlight anyway? Sunlight is one of the best places to get your daily dose of Vitamin D. You need Vitamin D for Calcium. You need calcium for your bones and teeth. A lack in Vitamin D also leads to other illnesses. Studies also say that sunlight also helps in the fight against breast cancer. And because the sun gives you some happy hormones, it can also treat seasonal depression, and can be a good pick-me-up :)

Take note, however, that sunlight alone cannot give you enough Vitamin D. You need to take some supplements as well.

How much sunlight do you need? My doctor says 15 minutes will suffice, and I've confirmed this duration from two other articles talking about sunlight therapy and the best time and duration to stay under the sun.

Speaking of which, when is the best time to soak up some sun? According to several articles, before noon and after 3 pm. My doctor also recommends the 6 to 7 am sun. The most practical tip to follow: Soak up the sun when your shadow is much taller than you are - this is when the sun is not at its harshest.

This is where the controversy lies, however. Doctors who espouse the sunlight therapy state that you should not have any sunscreen lotion on so you can get the most out of the sun. Dermatologists would probably shriek at the mere thought of going under the sun without the lotion.

In the end, it's up to you to choose what to believe. Personally, I think 10 minutes of sun a day during the less harsh times of the day isn't such a bad idea.

Chinese Herbal Tea

If you are sick and tired of antibiotics, antihistamines, antacids, and all these over-the-counter drugs, you might want to try giving Chinese herbal teas a chance. I'm not talking about herbal teas that are sold inside boxes in your local drug store. I'm talking about a nifty idea called prescription herbal teas. Just like a conventional medical clinic, you go see a doctor, tell him what ails you, and the doctor writes a list of ingredients to put in your tea. The prescription is then given to a pharmacist, who grabs dried herbs, barks, and other strange-looking things (beetles and bees included), and bunches them up inside a plastic container.

It's then off to the kitchen with you. Throw all the dried ingredients in a saucepan, pour several cups of water (quantity will depend on the doctor), and heat it for a certain duration (will also depend on the doctor). The eventual result is this sometimes murky, sometimes clear, dark brown to black substance that you must chug down... satisfied smile at the end not required... and not quite possible, in my opinion.

This stuff can be real nasty. It's bitter, sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, all at the same time. The smell can be quite overpowering as well. I recommend a candy or two beside you so you can suck on them after your drink. I also recommend that you recite a mantra, "I need this drink", inside your head over and over for your psychological wellness.

Needless to say, this stuff may be able to help you if you've gone astray from those pesky tablets and capsules. It can cure anything from insomnia to common colds. Some forms of this Chinese herbal tea can be used as vitamins to stimulate growth or your appetite.

Side effects? It may cause a few stomach problems, but they are only temporary. If you can get past the taste, then you should consider it.

~ Fit FactorY

Colostrum Capsules

I've been taking Colostrum capsules as my vitamins for 2 years now. Colostrum comes from the breast milk of mammal mothers; in my case, I'm drinking Colostrum from cows. I'm very interested to know how they actually manufacture these capsules - if they have some sort of factory where all the fit mammal mothers are lined up, or something. Anyway, on to the health aspect:

What are the health benefits?
We all know the health benefits of breast milk - a stronger immune system, most especially. This is why mothers are urged to provide breast milk to their children until a year. Colostrum capsules boast the same health benefits.

Side effects?
Some people complain of gastro-related side effects from taking these vitamins. I personally experienced this too during the first month of taking it. The effects I experienced were nothing grave, just a bit of flatulence and slightly looser bowel (nothing that will make you go to the bathroom in the middle of the day). By the second month, however, my body got used to the routine already and it has actually contributed to my having a regular morning routine.

Best time to take them?
Colostrum capsules should be taken 45 minutes before breakfast, when your stomach is empty. Drink 1 full glass of water with your capsule.

How many should you take?
Personally, I only take 1 a day. My brother took 2 to 3 before, but ended up having an increase of triglyceride in his blood. Now, we're not 100% sure that it was caused by the increase in Colostrum dosage, but the doctor he consulted with seemed to believe it. He also lowered his dosage back to 1 a day, and his blood test results returned fine months later. I guess the old adage, "anything in excess is not good" holds true even for vitamins.

For more info about Colostrum, go to this link:

http://www.colostrumresearch.org/

Their FAQs section is very helpful as well.

Oil Pulling - Panacea?

I came across this email article talking about a revolutionary health routine called "Oil Pulling". The routine is a simple one. Just wake up a half hour earlier, then get a tablespoon full of sunflower oil, olive oil, or coconut oil, place it in your mouth, then swish it around your mouth for a good 20 or so minutes. Note that you should just swish it, and not gurgle it. You should also mix it in with your saliva. The best way to do this is to push your tongue against the back of your lower set of teeth. This produces the saliva without the risk of swallowing the oil (yuck).

Ideally, oil pulling will remove your body of those harmful toxins. The process boasts of tons of benefits - from curing acne, to removing post nasal drip, headaches, and stomach ailments, to even curing Eczema.

I've been on this oil pulling process for a month now. I swear by the fact that it helps my post nasal drip. After swishing, all the phlegm really comes out. However, I cannot yet ascertain if it really does help in other areas. I still get pimples, for one thing. And my stomach still has its usual complaints. The headaches still come.

Right now, I am not fully convinced that it is a Panacea, but at the very least, it has helped considerably with my morning nose allergies.

How about you? What are your experiences with oil pulling?

About the Fit FactorY Blog

Hi everyone! This is my first post to my blog. I've been wanting to do this for quite a while now, but only had the time to set everything up today.

Fit FactorY is a blog about fitness and wellness primarily for the Generation Y.

I am just your ordinary Gen Y girl. Ideally, my job is an 8 to 5 one, but there are OT's to be had, so I end up going home much later, giving me little time and energy to cook myself a good, healthy meal.

None the less, I am on a quest for good health tips, vitamins, recipes, etc. that I can fit into my hectic lifestyle.

I've actually tried several vitamins, medicine, and health routines over the years, from oil pulling to drinking Colostrum capsules to trying out herbal medicine made from dried up barks and other queer things. I plan to talk about all these things in the posts to come.

Hope you guys have a good read!