Your Headache Might be Upsetting Your Stomach

Living with frequent headaches is bad enough, but researchers have discovered that people who have headaches more often are also more likely to suffer from stomach troubles. So instead of just a headache, you're likely to have your headache with a side of nausea. Or diarrhea. Or constipation.

If it's not one thing, it's another.

Scientists are still looking into a common mechanism, hoping to come up with a single way to treat both problems. But they're not there yet.

Fortunately, there are many natural things you can do to help relieve your headaches and bellyaches. Scientists believe that increased headaches cause the stomach troubles, so it makes sense to treat your headache pain first.

Many people who suffer from chronic headache have tension headaches. You might be able to find significant relief from relaxation techniques like meditation or from a tension-relieving exercise like yoga.

Natural pain relievers like willow bark, boswellia, and feverfew might provide you with effective relief without the side effects of typical over-the-counter painkillers.

For stomach relief, I can't think of anything better than ginger. Ginger soothes the stomach. I like it best as a tea. It's very warming and provides almost instant relief to stomach issues, especially if you have nausea or gas.

There's nothing worse than dealing with one painful health issue only to have another crop up. It can feel frustrating and overwhelming. If you have headaches accompanied by stomach issues, you're not alone. Give these natural remedies a try and see if they work for you.

Stay well,
Meghan Krohn

An Easy Way to Cut Prostate Cancer Risks in Half

If cutting your prostate cancer risk in half were as easy as drinking a beverage every day, wouldn't you do it?

That's exactly what researchers out of Japan are saying. They compared the tea-drinking habits of 50,000 men over a 14 year period. They found that men who drink the most green tea—5 cups a day or more—have just half the chance of developing prostate cancer as those who drink one or fewer cups a day.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. It also contains compounds that protect cells from mutations, which is how it helps to prevent cancers. Other studies have linked it to heart health and to a lower risk of diabetes.

Now, thanks to this study, we can add prostate health to that list.

Green tea is easy to find at your local grocery store. It only takes 5 minutes to brew up a cup or a whole pot. That's the approach I take. Around lunchtime, I brew a pot of green tea and enjoy it throughout the afternoon. I like to add a little bit of honey to mine, but it's good on its own, too.

Green tea does contain caffeine, but I find it doesn't make me jittery. Still, if you're sensitive to caffeine, you won't want to drink green tea after three or four in the afternoon or it might disrupt your sleep.

Aside from all the heart and prostate benefits, I also like the nice energy boost the tea gives me. Give it a try. It's easy, tasty, and really good for you.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace

Flu Season Gets Off to a Late Start

It's almost March already and the flu season just now seems to be ramping up. Unfortunately, the outbreaks of flu that are occurring are not ones that this year's flu vaccine was designed to prevent.

Fortunately, there are a number of natural ways to protect yourself from the flu without relying on a hit-and-miss vaccine.

First, use your common sense. Wash your hands frequently. In addition to the usual times you wash your hands, also wash them after touching door knobs in public places and wash them when you get home from being out. Keep your hands and fingers away from your face and mouth as much as possible. You usually pick up the flu on your hands, but it has to enter your body through your nose or mouth. If you keep your hands away from your face, you reduce your risk of infection.

The second step is to keep your immune system strong. Get enough sleep each night, drink plenty of water every day, and exercise regularly. This will keep your body strong and ready to fight off the flu.

If you're feeling sick—even with a cold—stay at home if possible. Your immune system will be lower while your fight off whatever you have. That means you'll be more likely to catch the flu if you're exposed to it. It's a good idea to limit your exposure when you're not feeling your best.

I also recommend getting a simple aromatherapy lamp for your home and some eucalyptus essential oil. Eucalyptus helps to kill bacteria and viruses in the air. Using these lamps when someone in your household is sick can help reduce the spread of the sickness among your family.

By following these simple, common-sense steps, you can greatly reduce your chances of getting the flu.

Stay Well,
Meghan Krohn

Your Favorite Music Can Heal Your Mind

If you or a loved one ever suffers a stroke, it's important to know there are many, many things you can do to help speed recovery. New evidence reveals that your favorite music is a very effective healer when it comes to recovering from a stroke.

Scientists studied the effects of different kinds of stimuli on stroke survivors right after the event. All the patients in the study received standard post-stroke therapy. They also had some of the patients listen to their favorite music, some listen to audio books, and some do nothing in addition to regular therapy.

After three months, the people in the group that listened to music were better able to communicate and solve problems. They were also less likely to be depressed or feel confused.

The scientists believe that music works so well because it stimulates so many parts of the brain at once. I also think that your favorite music often has deep ties to important memories—the music may help you to recover those memories better, which can help your memory to work better going forward. That's pure speculation on my part, but it makes sense.

The thing that I think is neat about this study is that it didn't matter the kind of music patients listened to, as long as it was music that meant something to them. Any genre is effective.

In the event that someone you love suffers a stroke, make sure you make their favorite songs available to them while they undergo therapy and recover. It can make a big difference in their quality of life going forward.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace

Dancing Keeps You Sharp in More Ways Than One

I know dancing is about the least favorite pastime of a lot of men. I'm not sure if this is because it makes you feel awkward or if it's because your significant other has dragged you out dancing against your will one too many times.

Still, there are a number of studies out there that show dancing is really good for you… and it's not just the exercise. When you dance regularly you gain balance and strength. You also get to spend time with other people, and developing social connections is good for your mind and body. Finally, learning ballroom dances like the tango help keep dementia at bay and can improve your cognitive function.

In one recent study, researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who took Tango lessons showed improvements in mobility and balance. The dance lessons helped them to learn to balance in different positions and to move in a variety of ways.

In a 2003 study of the effects of ballroom dancing on mental health, the results showed that people who ballroom dance are 63% less likely to develop dementia in any form.

Dance also helps fight depression. It builds a stronger bond between you and your partner. And it gives you the opportunity to meet new people and make friends.

People that dance are in better shape, they are happier with their lives, they have more friends, and their memories work better. I'd be willing to bet they have better sex lives, too.

So keep all that in mind next time your wife, girlfriend or life partner asks you to go dancing… and say yes with a smile!

Stay well,
Heather Robwell

Antibiotics Useless Against Sinus Infection

No doubt you've heard the admonishments not to use antibiotics against viruses like the cold and flu. It turns out that antibiotics also don't stack up very well against sinus infections.

Even though sinus infections are often bacterial in nature, and therefore a candidate for antibiotic treatment, those antibiotics might be a waste of your money.

In Britain, researchers treated sinus infection patients with antibiotics, a steroid nose spray or a placebo. They found that all patients no matter the treatment got better in about the same amount of time. In other words, the prescription treatments had no effect.

Researchers speculate that antibiotics don't effectively reach the bacterial infection to provide relief. Doctors emphasize that sinus infections are another case where antibiotics don't do anything but breed stronger bugs

So what should you do the next time you have a sinus infection?

Treat it at its source. Grapefruit seed extract is an effective natural antibiotic. Instead of taking it orally, mix five to fifteen drops with water. Put the mixture in a nasal spray bottle, and periodically spray some directly into your nose. Rubbing a bit of mentholated ointment beneath the nose can also be helpful.

For the pain, you can take ibuprofen for up to ten days.

These gentler methods of treating a sinus infection can help reduce your symptoms while you recover, and work at least as well as prescription treatments without the higher costs or the side effects.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace

Prevent Diabetes With the Foods You Love

Even in the face of the success of Atkins and the South Beach approach to eating, the mainstream medical industry has clung steadfastly to its beliefs that a low-fat diet is superior to a low-carb diet.

This is really kind of baffling when you consider all the evidence.

Study upon study has shown that people choosing to reduce carbs instead of fat lose weight faster, that they have better blood sugar control and that they are less likely to develop metabolic syndrome, a condition that can lead to diabetes and heart disease.

The issue is still being studied. The latest study supports what we already know—that a lower carb diet is better for you than a low-fat diet.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition looked at the different health effects of a low-fat diet high in carbs, a low carb diet high in fat and protein, and a low carb diet that balanced fat and protein intake with vegetable intake. Specifically they wanted to know how the different approaches affected diabetes risks.

They found that a typical low-fat diet was no better than a typically low carb diet. The low carb diet with an emphasis on vegetables lowered diabetes risks.

So, no surprises here really. A diet high in carbohydrates—especially refined grains—isn't good for you. Vegetables are good for you. Fat is not evil. You can eat steak and eggs and enjoy butter on your vegetables... without feeling guilty.

I know you know this already, but it's always nice to have researchers tell you that your doing the right things for your health.

Stay well,
Danny Wallace

The Top Five Germ Traps You Face Every Day

Germs are everywhere, just lying in wait to make you sick. Some of the germiest places you come in contact every day might surprise you—your toilet isn't even one of them!. Armed with the right knowledge, you can fight back. And that means less time sick on the couch and more time out having fun.

#1 Your Kitchen Sink

According to environmental microbiologists, you sink's drain has a half million bacteria per square inch. From salmonella to e. coli, they're all there living in your sink.

The best way to counter these nasty buggies is wash your kitchen with a mixture of bleach and warm water once or twice a week.

#2 Your Wet Laundry

Most loads of laundry have e. coli in them, even after you've run the cycle. Every time you transfer laundry from the washer to the dryer, you get these same bacteria on your hands.

Take care of this problem, by cycling the laundry as quickly as possible. And wash your hands when you're done.

#3 The Bottom of Your Wife's Purse

If your significant other every sets her purse on the floor while at a restaurant or a moving theater, you can bet the bottom of her bag is teaming with germs.

Treat her to an easy-to-clean leather or vinyl purse and remind her to set it on a chair instead of the floor whenever possible.

#4 Your Bathtub

Every time you shower, you're surrounded by bacteria. Their on the shower curtain, in the drain, and on the tile grout.

Once again, bleach comes to the rescue. Once a week, scrub the tub with a bleach solution. When your done, rinse the tub thoroughly and then use a towel to dry it off. This helps make sure the germs don't survive.

#5 Your Office Telephone

Over time phones become absolutely covered in germs. The fact that they may be your germs is cold comfort.

The solution? Take two seconds during your day to wipe down your phone with a disinfectant cloth.


You're faced with millions of bacteria every day. Some of the most likely to make you sick are easy to wash away. It doesn't take much time, and you'll find yourself sick less often.


Stay well,
Meghan Krohn