Should you be worried if your finger or toe nails develop a blue or purple hue? The answer to that question depends upon a number of factors. In this article, we will discuss the potential causes of purple nail beds and offer sound advice to help you prevent or (in some cases) reverse them. Read on to learn more.

Why Your Doctor Examines Your Fingernails

The condition of your fingernails and toenails can provide very important clues to the state of your overall health. This is why doctors examine the nails as part of a routine physical exam.

Healthy nails should be a uniform shade of pink, but some illnesses cause nails to display a different color. For example, purple fingernails or fingernail beds may be an indicator of low hemoglobin levels and corresponding lack of oxygen in your bloodstream.

When you have bluish or purple skin under your nails or around your eyes, lips and gums, you are exhibiting a condition known as cyanosis. This happens when your red blood cell (hemoglobin) count is low. This condition is also known as hypoxemia (or low oxygen).

Purple Nail Beds Can Be A Warning Sign

When you have enough oxygen in your blood, it is bright red in color. Lack of oxygen causes it to become blue or purple. This can also happen when you are exposed to very cold temperatures. When this is the case, the problem is temporary. When you warm up, your circulation should increase and your bluish lips, nails and fingertips should become pink once more.

If you experience ongoing problems with dark colored nail beds, it may be an indication of a serious medical condition. For example, Raynaud’s disease (aka: syndrome or phenomenon) can cause low circulation in the fingers and toes. This causes the skin to whiten and the nail plates to become purplish.

Raynaud’s disease also causes extreme cold sensitivity in peripheral areas. If you have this disease, your fingers, toes, nose, lips and earlobes will feel quite painful when exposed to cold air. Raynaud’s disease may or may not be a cause for concern. If you have it, a proper diagnosis and consultation with your doctor is essential to correct treatment.

Another disease that might cause dark discoloration of the nail bed is melanoma. This is a very serious form of skin cancer that causes melanocytes (pigment cells) to grow abnormally. Usually, this form of cancer manifests as a dark, flat, irregularly shaped mole; however, it is possible (but not probable) for it to grow under a fingernail.

Fortunately, this manifestation of subungual melanoma is quite uncommon; however, there are lots of other conditions which may cause low circulation. Among them are:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Exposure to high altitudes
• Pulmonary embolism
• Chronic bronchitis
• Heart problems
• Emphysema
• Asthma

Poor circulation may also be caused by reactions to some drugs. Among them are:

• Benzodiazepines
• Minocycline
• Narcotics
• Sedatives

Additionally, if you are taking colloidal silver like this as a supplement, you may develop an irreversible condition known as argyria. This is marked by slate blue coloration just above the top of the nail bed. The skin above the “half-moon” at the top of your nails will appear bluish and slightly bruised.

If your problem is caused by a low hemoglobin count, you may be experiencing some other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, fatigue and sleepiness. When your blood is short of oxygen, it takes a toll on your energy levels.

Other Causes Of Nail Discoloration

If you are not experiencing any other symptoms, your problem may be caused by something as simple as bruising. It is possible to injure yourself without realizing it. If only one or two nail beds are showing discoloration, this is probably the case. A bruise under the nail bed must simply grow out. This can take quite a bit of time.

Some types of fungal infection can cause darkening of the nails. If you have had problems with athlete’s foot, a nail bed infection is likely. If the discoloration is accompanied by itching and/or rash, this is very likely.

How Can You Avoid and/or Treat Purple Nail Beds?

Discoloration of the nails can be an indication of injury or of quite a few illnesses and conditions. Luckily, the steps you would take to avoid or treat purple nail beds are also very smart lifestyle habits that will benefit your general health. Here are a few easy ideas.

Avoid Infections & Injuries

Keep your nail clippers, scissors and nail care equipment clean, and don‘t ever share these tools with anyone. Sharing nail care equipment or using tools that have not been properly cleaned can cause a fungal nail infection or a bacterial nail infection.

Keep your toe and fingernails trimmed and clean to avoid snagging and tearing them. Tears can lead to infection.

Avoid injuring your nail beds by wearing work gloves whenever you perform potentially hazardous tasks.

If you do get a bruise under your fingernail, you may be tempted to make a small hole in the nail to drain the pooled blood and relieve pressure; however, this is not a good idea as it could allow bacteria to enter.

It is smarter to simply allow the blood to coagulate and let the nail grow out at its own pace. Soaking your fingers in cold water or applying an ice pack may help with pain. If you are in a great deal of pain, see your doctor.

To relieve pain, you can take over the counter medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and pain reliever medications.

Avoid Low Hemoglobin Count

Improve your diet to avoid iron-deficiency anemia which may cause purple nails and other nail problems. Because hemoglobin mostly consists of iron, adding iron to your diet will help boost your hemoglobin levels. Foods that contain high amounts of iron include:

• Red Meat
• Almonds
• Oysters
• Spinach
• Lentils
• Shrimp
• Tofu
• Liver

Be sure to also eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables for the vitamin C content and general health benefits. Some good choices include citrus fruits, berries and dark green, leafy vegetables. Ideally, your diet should consist of about 50% fresh fruit and veggies.

Folic acid is also important for hemoglobin production. Foods that have a high folic acid content include organ meats, bananas and peanuts.

Take a high-quality multi-vitamin with iron, along with extra vitamin C (500-1000 mg daily) to help your body absorb the iron. Be sure that your multi-vitamin also contains copper, as this is essential for iron absorption. You may try Nature’s Way Alive Max Potency Multi-Vitamin Tablets to assist with hemoglobin production

Understand that you should not overdo iron intake from supplements. The amount found in a standard multi-vitamin supplement is ample in this format; however, you should also eat plenty of foods that are rich in natural iron.

While it is possible to cause liver damage with too much iron in supplement form, it is not possible to do so with natural iron in foods. Taking a multivitamin with a small amount of iron combined with high-iron foods is a great way to ensure you get plenty of iron to maintain well-oxygenated blood flow.

Watch Out For Circulatory System Problems

Establishing a healthy diet greatly benefits your circulatory system. The healthy foods recommended above are all heart healthy and promote good circulation. Other good choices include whole grains and low-fat dairy products.

Exercise also stimulates good circulation. Be sure to get half an hour of light to moderate exercise every day. While it’s most beneficial to get a good aerobic workout two or three times a week, you don’t have to do this daily. Just be sure to get a total of at least 30 minutes of some form of physical activity each day.

Keep Moving!

Walking, cycling, swimming, dancing, playing sports or engaging in any activity you enjoy daily is a great way to improve your circulation, boost your spirits and reap a wealth of health and well-being benefits.

Even on days when you are not able to get a full workout, be sure to get up and walk around occasionally during your workday. If you are stuck at a desk or on a bus, plane or train, extend your legs and point and flex your feet.

Keep a set of light weights at your desk, along with a rubber ball or a tennis ball. Use your weights for a few minutes at a time and squeeze the ball to help boost circulation in your shoulders, arms and hands. You may also use some stress balls on a string for stress relief, hand exercise, and rehabilitation.

Watch Your Weight

Maintaining a healthy weight is essential to maintaining overall good health. Being excessively thin is just as unhealthy as being overweight. When you eat too little and do not maintain a balanced diet, you can become anemic. This causes a dearth of hemoglobin in your system and results in purple nail beds, among many other problems.

When you are overweight or eat an unhealthy diet, you increase your chances of heart disease, high cholesterol levels, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes and general poor health. All of these cause or exacerbate poor circulation.

Consult with your doctor to determine the healthiest weight level for you and strive to stay within five pounds of that weight.

Develop Good Health Habits

Eat a whole foods diet that consists of about 50% fresh produce, 25% whole grains and 25% high quality protein sources.

Drink lots of pure, filtered water. Good hydration is the basis of good health. Fresh, clean water keeps every aspect of your body working smoothly. It flushes out toxins and helps your blood circulate freely in your blood vessels while improving the condition of your joints, muscles, skin, hair, nails and every other part of your body.

Don’t eat processed foods. As a general rule, if it comes in a box or a can, it isn’t good for you. Eat whole, fresh foods as much as possible to improve your circulation and enjoy optimum health.

Don’t drink soft drinks. Sadly, in today’s society many people rely on carbonated soft drinks for hydration. This is a very poor health choice as these beverages are filled with sugar, chemicals, artificial colors and flavors and caffeine. They offer little or no benefits in terms of hydration, and they present your body with tremendous challenges in terms of coping with toxins.

Limit or eliminate alcohol consumption. While some health experts maintain that one drink a day can have health benefits, the negatives far outweigh the positives. Alcohol consumption generally has a negative impact on overall health because it lowers inhibitions and can cause people to make very poor dietary and lifestyle choices.

Alcohol processes as sugar in your system, so it adds a lot of calories and can be very detrimental for people struggling with hypertension and/or diabetes.

Don’t use tobacco products. The nicotine, pesticides and chemicals found in tobacco are extremely hazardous to your health on a number of levels. According to the Mayo Clinic (and a vast array of other health professionals) use of tobacco products sharply increases your risk of cardiovascular disease. When your heart is unhealthy, your circulatory system is unhealthy. As we have seen, low circulation or lack of hemoglobin is the cause of purple nail beds.

When To See Your Doctor

In the absence of more serious symptoms, if your nail discoloration persists for more than a few days, and/or if you are in pain or experiencing distressing symptoms such as shortness of breath, you should see your doctor right away for a complete physical exam to determine the cause of your problem.

If your nail bed discoloration is a symptom of serious illness, it is probably not the first symptom. If you do have a serious condition, you are likely to also be experiencing breathing problems, fatigue or other signs of trouble.

Remember that cyanosis is caused by low oxygen in the blood. This, in turn is caused by poor circulation, which may be a symptom of cardiovascular problems. In the United States, heart disease is one of the leading causes of death, so it is important not to ignore potential warning signs.

Conclusion

While purple nail beds can be a harbinger of serious health problems, this is not always the case. Nail discoloration caused by accidents or by nail infections can be avoided through good hygiene and safe work habits. Darkening of the nails caused by health problems can often be avoided or reversed by following healthy lifestyle habits. Refer to the information presented here to avoid, reverse or treat darkening of the nail beds by boosting your circulation and overall good health.

We tend to neglect our feet so it’s no surprise that both men and women all over the world suffer from calluses, foot problems and especially cracked heels. You may not realize it, but in your lifetime you will walk 1000’s of miles.

Every time you take a step, your weight comes down on your heels, so it stands to reason that if you do not take good care of your feet and heels you are bound to have some serious wear and tear eventually.

Podiatrists call splits or cracks in the heels “fissures”. These are especially troublesome in hot, dry climates and when sandals are worn continuously. Older people are particularly troubled by heel fissures due to problems caring for the feet and many years of natural wear and tear.

Calluses on the heels and cracked heels can be very painful. If the crack is deep enough, your heels may bleed, and sensitive, deep skin structures may experience a great deal of pain. Fortunately, the causes of cracked heels are very controllable.

There are number of different reasons for developing cracked heels. Among them are:

• Skin conditions such as and hydrolysis, psoriasis and eczema
• Some types of medication cause general skin dryness
• A deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids and/or zinc
• Being on your feet for extended periods of time
• Always wearing open back shoes
• Lack of vitamins and minerals
• Wearing unsuitable footwear
• Being overweight
• Having diabetes
• Dry climate

Your daily routine can also contribute to the development of fissures in the heels. If you are on your feet a great deal and don’t provide your feet with protection and proper care, you can expect the skin of your heels to dry, split and crack.

What Can You Do About Cracked Heels?

It is best to start treatment of cracked heels before symptoms begin. If you notice the skin of your heels itching, peeling or flaking you should get started hydrating and caring for your skin properly right away. By doing so you may be able to avoid the development of cracked heels.

If you already have cracked heels, don’t despair. There are many things that you can do to help alleviate this problem. Here is a collection of both organic and inorganic home remedies for you to try.

Soak Your Cracked Feet

Begin by making sure to keep the heels clean so go wash your feet. If you have cracked, bleeding heels, give your feet a nice soak every day. You can purchase a foot spa, or you can simply use a basin. Here are basic instructions for good foot soak:

Use enough warm water to cover your feet to the ankles in a foot spa or basin. Add a tablespoon of salt (this can be plain salt or Epsom salt). If you like, you can add some essential oils such as lavender for aromatherapy and relaxation and/or tea tree oil for its antiseptic and antifungal properties.

Approximately 20 drops of essential oils total should be an effective amount; however, you can adjust this as you wish.

5 Great Soak Recipes

#1 – Lemon Juice or Vinegar: Soaking your feet in pure lemon juice, white vinegar or apple cider vinegar is also a possibility one time weekly. The acidity helps break down dead skin cells, dry feet skin for easier removal. This is also an excellent treatment for athlete’s foot.

#2- Lemon, Rosewater & Glycerin: Lemon juice can be used in combination with other soothing, healing ingredients. You can create a healing foot soak for yourself by combining rosewater, glycerin, salt and lemon juice.

• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of rose water
• 1 teaspoon of pure glycerin

Soak and treat your feet as usual.

#3 – Honey: You can add honey to a foot soak for excellent moisturizing and nourishing properties. Honey has natural antibacterial qualities and is well-known for helping with burn healing and other types of healing. Add half a cup of honey to a basin of comfortably warm water and enjoy a 15 or 20 minutes soak.

There are many other pleasant and effective recipes available for callus fighting foot soaks. If you are just soaking your feet in a basin, you can feel free to experiment with any and all. If you are using an electric foot spa, be sure to check manufacturer’s instructions to make certain all of the ingredients you use are safe for the machine.

#4 – Turmeric and Neem Oil Foot Mask: Neem oil also called margosa with its anti-fungal properties can help prevent cracked heels from becoming infected.

• Mix a few drops of Neem oil with 3 teaspoons of turmeric powder to create a paste.
• Massage the paste into the cracked heels
• Leave the mixture on to soak in for approximately 30 minutes.
• Rinse the paste off using warm water and towel dry.
• Repeat the process daily until you no longer have cracked heels.

#5 – Aloe Vera Gel: You can use this without any other herbs mixed. Just apply aloe vera gel after soaking your cracked feet in lukewarm water. You can also try mixing the gel to the water and soak your cracked feet for a few minutes.

2 Recipes To Exfoliate Dry, Dead Skin

If your heels are not painfully cracked, you can exfoliate with a pumice stone at the end of your soak. Avoid using a blade on your calluses and hard skin on your feet because it is very easy to cut too deep and injure yourself very badly. You can also make scrubs to use as a gentler way of exfoliating dead, dry skin.

#1 – Rice Scrub: You can create an excellent exfoliating scrub using ground rice or rice flour. Simply grind up about 3 tablespoons of rice in your blender and pour it out into a small bowl. Add a little bit of honey and little bit of apple cider vinegar to create a paste. You can also add almond oil like this, olive oil or coconut oil to the scrubb if the cracks on your heels are in need of intensive moisturizing. Apply this paste directly to your dry cracked heels, massage it in and put your feet up for 10-15 minutes to allow it to work on your dry skin. Rinse with cool water.

#2 – Oatmeal Scrub: Another good exfoliating foot mask can be made using ground oatmeal and jojoba oil. Grind up a tablespoon of oatmeal in your blender, pour it into a bowl and add jojoba oil to create a thick paste. Massage this into the damaged skin on your feet, and put your feet up for half an hour. When the time is up, rinse your feet with cool water.

Remember to do these exfoliating treatments at the end of your soak. Follow up with after soak care.

After Soak Care

After soaking your feet, be sure to dry them well with coarse terry toweling and apply a good moisturizer.

There are many good over-the-counter choices in foot moisturizers, heel balms and foot care creams. Look for products that contain a high percentage of synthetic urea. This ingredient is very effective in helping resolve dry skin problems.

Some types of foot balms that are intended especially for calloused, cracked heels include as much as 50% synthetic urea.

Generally speaking, if you establish a good habit of soaking your feet regularly, removing excess dry skin with the pumice stone and moisturizing once or twice a day you should be able to avoid cracked heels or resolve your problem in good time.

Specialized Home Remedy For Cracked Heels

To cure cracked heels fast, there are a number of special treatments you can try. Here is a collection of homemade moisturizers, salves, scrubs and masks you can experiment with. Some formulas are all natural and some contain petroleum products (petroleum jelly and/or paraffin).

Many people believe that petroleum jelly is the ultimate moisturizer for dry, cracked skin. Others are averse to using petroleum products on the skin. If you do not want to use petroleum products, you can substitute a natural oil such as olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil.

Create Your Own Deep Penetrating Foot Cream

Coconut oil is a fabulous all-around beauty treatment, and it makes a very good hard skin softener. You can create your own version of expensive wax based non-aqueous foot cream using coconut oil and a couple of other easily obtained ingredients. Here’s the recipe:

• 100 grams coconut oil
• 3 teaspoons camphor
• 3 tablespoons paraffin wax (melted)

Combine these ingredients well and apply the resulting cream to the dry skin of your feet at bedtime. Put on a pair of cotton socks that you don’t mind ruining and go to bed. You’ll find your hard skin much softer in the morning. It’s best to do this when you can take your time upon arising to soak your feet, use a pumice stone and moisturize.

Try A Paraffin Treatment

If you have very painful, cracked heels you may wish to give yourself a paraffin wax treatment. Paraffin wax is a petroleum product, so you will probably want to avoid using it frequently; however creating a treatment containing paraffin wax, coconut oil or mustard oil is an excellent way to address severe cracked heels. To do this, follow package instructions for melting paraffin wax and add coconut oil or mustard oil to your liking. Generally speaking, 6 drops of oil to a teaspoon of the carrier material (in this case paraffin) is a good ratio. Apply the mixture directly to cracked heels and don a pair of socks at bedtime.

Masks For Your Feet

You can create masks for your feet just as you can for your face, and the recipes are surprisingly similar. Bananas, avocado, strawberries and natural oils all play important roles in creating nourishing heel masks. You can use a mask before or after soaking. If you use it before soaking, be sure to rinse your feet and dry them before applying the mask. If you use your mask after soaking, be sure to follow up with thorough after soak treatment.

Here are 2 Good Recipes:

#1 – Mashed Banana: Use a mashed, ripe banana as a heel mask. This is very easy. Simply mash a very ripe banana and spread the pulp over your cracked heels.
Put your feet up for 10 minutes and allow the mashed banana to dry. Rinse it off with warm water. To give your banana foot mask extra “oomph”, add some ripe avocado. Both banana and avocado have strong moisturizing properties.

#2 – Strawberries, Salt & Oil: A combination of strawberries, salt and almond or olive oil is also a very good way to heal cracked heels. You will need very ripe, soft strawberries to create this mixture.

Crush half a dozen very ripe strawberries with a couple of tablespoons of olive or almond oil. Add a teaspoon of sea salt, epsom salt or table salt. Massage the mixture into to your cracked heels and put your feet up for 15 minutes. Rinse, dry and moisturize as usual.

Natural Moisturizers For Your Feet

Many all-natural oils are excellent moisturizers for your feet and all over. Among them are:

• Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO)
• Coconut oil
• Almond oil
• Sesame oil
• Jojoba oil

These are all very nourishing and healthful oils that make excellent carrier oils for more concentrated and beneficial ingredients such as:

• Argan oil for extra healing
• Tea Tree oil for antiseptic properties
• Vitamin E oil for extra skin nourishment
• Lavender oil for antifungal and soothing properties

No matter what type or combination of oil you choose, be sure to massage it into the skin deeply. Massage stimulates good circulation, and that promotes healthy skin.

Vegetable oil is a good, semi-natural alternative to petroleum jelly. It can make a good overnight moisturizer for your feet; however, realize that it is not entirely natural because commercial vegetable oil is heavily processed. If you want a pure, natural, organic oil for your feet should choose one of the oils listed above.

Home-Made Healing Foot Salves & Ointments

Super concentrated salves can be used for focused attention to the damaged areas on your heels. You may recognize this first recipe as the base for a foot soak. It also makes a nice ointment.

Rosewater, Lemon & Glycerin Ointment

• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon of rosewater
• 1 teaspoon of pure glycerin

Use this mixture undiluted to treat cracked heels overnight. Apply it directly to your dry, cracked heels at bedtime. Be sure to cover with old socks to help the mixture stay in place and prevent damage to your bedding. Take time in the morning to soak your feet, use a pumice stone and moisturize as usual.

One of the best natural home remedies that has proven effective is a mixture of petroleum jelly and lemon juice. This works because the acidity of lemon juice helps break down the dry skin and the petroleum jelly helps soften it. If you don’t want to use petroleum jelly, use a natural oil instead. Apply this mixture directly to heel cracks at bedtime. Cover with socks and care for your feet as directed above upon arising.

How To Use Overnight Treatments & Moisturizers

No matter what type of moisturizer, salve and/or ointment you apply to your feet before bedtime, be sure to put on a pair of socks made of a natural fabrics such as wool or cotton. Understand that the socks will soon become ruined by this treatment, so don’t use socks that you care about.

While some information will advise you to put plastic bags or saran wrap around your feet, this is something you definitely should not do. Wrapping your feet in saran wrap or putting plastic bags over them is an excellent way to give yourself athlete’s foot.

Generally speaking, avoid putting any kind of synthetic material against your skin. Instead, opt for natural fabrics such as wool or cotton that help the moisturizer soak in and allow your skin to breathe.

TIP: Keep a collection of mismatched socks to use with your super-concentrated overnight foot treatments and moisturizers. They will help your treatment stay in place and protect your bedding. You can use them one or two times and then discard them.

Establish Good Health Habits For Healthy Feet

While many people may think of cracked heels as simply being ugly, the fact is they are not only ugly they are dangerous. When cracks in your heels become very deep, they can be excruciatingly painful. Additionally they can become badly infected and cause serious complications.

That’s why it’s so important to stay on top of this problem, ideally before it becomes a problem. Even if your feet are currently perfect and lovely, be sure to develop a good habit of moisturizing them morning and evening. Having a foot soak at least couple of times a week followed by home pedicure is an excellent idea.

Assemble a good collection of pedicure equipment that includes a pumice stone, a massager and nail clippers that are sharp enough to remove excess nails quickly and easily. Avoid cutting calluses on your feet. This can be quite dangerous and cause lots of problems.

Remember that it’s also necessary to eat in a way that nourishes your skin. It’s all good and well to slather moisturizing and nourishing things on your feet; however, if your diet is lacking in omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, iron and calcium you will be fighting an uphill battle. Be sure to eat a properly balanced diet and take a good quality multivitamin every day.

Good personal care habits and a properly balanced diet will surely overcome most cases of cracked heels given time. If your problem is especially painful or persists despite all your good efforts, you should see your podiatrist. A podiatrist can give you a good foot treatment, remove excess dead skin and set you on the right path to excellent foot care.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) keeps track of national trends in body weight for both adults and children.

The CDC’s latest statistics reveal that 34.9 percent (78.6 million) of all Americans are obese, with obesity defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or more.

Perhaps even more alarming is the fact that approximately 17 percent of all American children, two to nineteen years of age, are obese!

The weight gain problem in the United States has gotten so bad that the CDC has developed several intervention programs and the First Lady has taken to the talk shows to promote exercise and healthy eating. The latest lose weight trend as of this writing is the Keto diet, military diet and intermittent fasting.

The best news to come out of this is that losing just 10 pounds will give you a significant improvement in virtually every aspect of your health! Below, you find 11 of the top health benefits to losing those 10 pounds.

#1 – Decrease Your Risk Of a Heart Attack

While carrying excess weight affects your entire body and mind. Being overweight is particularly hard on your cardiovascular system.

Even under the best of circumstances, the heart is by far the hardest working muscle in the body… and extra weight makes it work even harder.

According to Dr. Mehmet Oz, both a cardiac surgeon and the host of the most popular television shows on health, losing just 10 pounds can decrease your chance of having a heart attack or heart diseases by a whopping fifty percent!

Now that’s a stat to put on the refrigerator!

#2 – Lower Your Cholesterol Without Taking Prescription Drugs

If you ask around among your friends, and even within your own family, you will likely find several people who are taking statin drugs like Lipitor, Zocor, and Crestor.

In fact, the CDC says that approximately twenty-eight percent of all American adults now take one of these drugs!

Unfortunately, many people who take these prescription statin drugs develop pain in their joints and muscles after several weeks of being on them.

If your cholesterol is high, you can avoid these side effects and lower your cholesterol naturally by simply losing 10 pounds. Truly, it is as simple as that!

#3 – Lower Your Blood Pressure

According to the Institute For Quality and Efficiency In Health Care (IQWiG), losing about 9 pounds on average dropped systolic blood pressure four and a half points on average and diastolic pressure by three points on average.

This was based on data collected in eight major clinical studies involving 2100 people. Thus, just going for a walk in the park three to four times a week can fix your high blood pressure naturally.

#4 – Your Joints Will Thank You

The stress you put on your joints comes down to basic physics.

According to a Harvard Medical School publication entitled, “Why Weight Matters When It Comes To Joint Pain,” a two hundred pound person will put three hundred pounds of weight force on their knees just walking on level ground!

That’s 1.5 times your body weight!

According to the same publication, the force on the knees as you are walking increases to two to three times your body weight if you are walking on an incline!

As you can see, losing just 10 pounds means you’ll take fifteen pounds of weight off your knees when walking a level path and twenty thirty pounds of weight off your knees if you are hiking up a hill!

#5 – Increase Your Lifespan

There’s a reason life insurance companies often want to know your weight. Lifespan is inversely correlated with how much you weigh, i.e. the less you weigh, the longer you will live on average.

Dr Gary Whitlock and a team of scientist at Oxford University analyzed the data from fifty-seven long-term studies and found that weighing a third more than your optimal weight can shorten your lifespan an average of three years!

Furthermore, severe obesity can shorten your lifespan by an average of ten years, which is the same as that predicted for smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. Weight does matter!

#6 – Reduced Cancer Risk

According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 589,430 people will die from cancer in 2015 alone. A staggering 1,658,370 people will be newly diagnosed with this scary disease in 2015.

Furthermore, the World Cancer Research Fund estimates that about twenty-five percent of all cancers can be attributed to poor diet and obesity.

You can reduce your odds of developing cancer, especially breast cancer if you are a woman, by simply setting your mind to losing 10 pounds!

#7 – Improve Your Sex Life

Overweight men often have trouble maintaining an erection because their blood sugar and blood pressure are too high.

Overweight women have more difficulty reaching clitoral climax for the same reasons. Both sexes are affected by not being in the mood for sex as much.

Of course, losing weight also gives you a more positive body image which can make you feel better about sex too.

#8 – Helps You Detoxify Your Body

As belly fat builds up around your liver and kidneys, these important organs will have an increasingly harder time detoxifying your body. Losing weight reverses this problem.

In fact, this is one of the primary reasons why people start to feel so much better when they lose just a little weight.

#9 – Avoid Sleep Apnea

If you snore at night, you may have a form of sleep apnea. This is when your wind passages get partially blocked while you sleep.

This can be a dangerous condition since you may not be getting enough oxygen!

While your brain is designed to wake you up in a low oxygen state, people do die from sleep apnea and many more suffer the dire consequences of too little sleep and lower quality sleep.

Sleep apnea is more common in over-weight individuals because the extra pounds narrows your wind pipe. This is why losing just 10 pounds is a often a simple cure for sleep apnea.

#10 – Live a Happier Life

Losing just 10 pounds will make you happier in multiple ways. First, of course, when you look in the mirror and people notice your weight loss, you’ll feel better about yourself.

However, there’s a lot more to it than that because surplus body fat interferes with hormone regulation which can cause or exacerbate depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.

#11 – A Journey Of a Thousand Miles Begins With a Single Step

While you probably don’t need to lose 1000 pounds, the wisdom from this ancient Chinese proverb still applies!

The biggest hurdle to losing weight is often just getting started. If you are someone who needs to lose thirty pounds or more, it can seem like an insurmountable task. Whether it is a weight-loss program, engaging to an intense physical activity, sticking to a diet plan, reducing calorie intake, or whatever fat burning routine you’d take, it’s important to get used to doing it.

However, if you take it just one step at a time, starting with the initial weight-loss goals of losing just 10 pounds, eventually lose weight you want to lose becomes much easier!

The bad, harmful bacteria and yeast are responsible for a wealth of bothersome and embarrassing symptoms. From bad breath, severe acne outbursts to candida and other infections of the genital apparatus – infections that are particularly difficult to treat.

There are, of course, numerous creams, lotions and pills that can instantly kill the bad bacteria in our intestinal tract often referred to as – leaky gut syndrome.

But why deal with the potential side effects of these treatments when natural solutions can help get rid of them, and let your body do what it is genetically designed to do?

The result – a clean, beautiful body free of bad bacteria and a smooth, glowing skin that everybody will envy.

Aside from being very embarrassing, candida albicans and yeast overgrowth can also impact your health. For instance, did you know that they can wreak havoc on your immune system, making you more vulnerable to infections such as bacterial vaginosis (vaginal odor) and candidiasis?

If you are concerned about “gut flora” and you want to naturally kill the candida yeast and bad bacteria for improved gut health, here are several useful tips, hints and natural remedies you should consider:

1. Stay Away From Sugar

Bacteria eats sugar to survive. The most obvious way to get rid of the bad bacteria is by simply cutting their “food supply”!

However, this is easier said than done. Sugar is present in almost every food or beverage you can find. Even if you cannot completely eliminate sugar from your diet, you should definitely try to eat less.

Aside from sweets, sodas and other sweetened goodies, it is important to stay away from foods known to break down into sugar once they reach your stomach, such as:

• White pasta
• Rice
• White bread
• Most of the grains available on the market

Reduce your carbohydrate and sugar intake, and your body will certainly thank you for it, later on!

2. Increase Your Intake Of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can benefit your body on so many different levels that you should make them part of your daily diet!

Present in sour fruits, green tea and even coffee and chocolate, antioxidants are naturally occurring compounds. Baking soda, apple cider vinegar and white vinegar can do the same trick.

They are known to keep free radicals at bay, and to prevent their negative health effects (effects that range all the way from cancer to premature aging).

Aside from preventing the oxidation of your healthy body cells, antioxidants will also help your immune system kill all the bad bacteria. Make sure to eat more berries, drink more green tea and even take some antioxidant supplements.

Ideally, you should also try to eat more cruciferous veggies, beans, nuts and seeds, as they are all very rich in amino acids and high-quality fiber.

Combining quality high-fiber foods with antioxidants will result in the number one weapon against candida overgrowth.

3. Try Some Essential Oils

Known for its intense scent and pleasant, soothing taste, oregano is a staple ingredient in everybody’s kitchen!

However, aside from being used to spice up your food, oregano oil is known to have several notable health benefits as well.

One of them is its ability to kill off candida and yeast, due to its natural anti-microbial and antibacterial properties.

Four drops of oregano oil a day should be enough to start the battle with the bad bacteria and yeast – and to win it!

Other essential oils that help cure vaginal yeast infections, candida infections, bladder infections, and more include:

• Coconut oil
• Tea tree oil
• Cinnamon oil
• Thyme oil

4. Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver is known for its intense antibacterial properties.

As a matter of fact, silver is known in the traditional medicine as the “natural antibiotic”. It is great for boosting your immune system and killing off yeast.

One teaspoon, taken three times a day, should be enough to kill most of the yeast and bad bacteria present in your body.

BE CAREFUL… you do not want to kill all of it. A small amount of bad bacteria is actually beneficial for your overall health. It keeps your immune system alert and functional.

5. Take Probiotic Supplements

There is no better way to fight off bad bacteria than with good bacteria. This is where probiotics supplements step in and help you take over the situation!

If you do not have enough good bacteria in your body (which is usually the norm after a long-term antibiotic treatment or after being exposed to fluorinated and chlorinated water), you should certainly take some probiotics supplements and let the beneficial bacteria work their magic on your body.

Not only will the healthy bacteria kill off yeast and candida, but it will also support the correct functioning of your intestine, digestive and immune systems.

You can also include foods rich in probiotics or friendly bacteria in your diet to get rid of fungal infections. Most of them are fermented foods such as:

• Kefir
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut
• Pickles
• Miso
• Kimchi
• Yogurt
• Raw cheese

Related Reading

Ways To Increase Probiotics In Your Diet

6. Be Careful When Taking Antibiotics

One should never take antibiotics whenever they feel like it – ultimately, there is a reason why antibiotics are prescription drugs.

Antibiotics are designed to treat serious bacterial infections that cannot be managed otherwise.

Abusing antibiotics will not only make your body immune to them in the long run (which can be fatal, if you will ever get a severe yeast infection!), but it will also kill your probiotics.

Probiotics require a lot of time to grow and develop, and antibiotics can kill your good bacteria cultures within days.

If you have followed an antibiotic course recently, you should consider taking around 50mg of probiotics on a daily basis (one or two capsules a day, depending on the brand).

7. Take Some Vitamin D

When it comes to Vitamin D, you basically have several options:

• You can either get half an hour of sunshine every day
• Eat more foods that are naturally rich in Vitamin D
• You can opt for a supplement

If you have very sensitive skin or you are allergic to sunlight, then supplements are always a great choice.

Related Reading

More on Ways To Naturally And Efficiently Overcome Vitamin D Deficiency

Aside from keeping your skin, hair and nails healthy, vitamin D is also important for stimulating the natural growth of good bacteria in your digestive tract.

In turn, a healthy gut full of good bacteria will kill off the yeast and the bad bacterial overgrowth.

You can even combine two or three supplements that have the same effect. If your probiotics levels are dangerously low, you can take the Vitamin D supplement in conjunction with the probiotics and the oregano oil.

There are numerous natural and highly potent supplements and products on the market that are specifically designed to boost your probiotics levels and to strengthen your immune system!

For More Info About Natural Ways Get Rid Of Yeast And Bad Bacteria, Watch this video From Dr Josh Axe

Our body has its own “language”, and whenever something is wrong, it makes sure to send us various signals.

Some of these signals are rather obvious, such as pain or fever. Others are very subtle like a slight change in the texture, appearance and color of our fingernails.

The latter often tends to go unnoticed until it is too late.

Fingernails can reveal some of the most dreaded diseases, some of which can be fatal if these health problems are not diagnosed in the beginning stages.

This is why it is crucial to keep an eye on your nails and pay attention to even the slightest change.

Most adults have seen toenail fungus, however, look at the ridge lines, dips, grooves as well as the curves that may occur on fingernails.

Do not forget to check out whether your nails have become thicker or thinner than usual. If your nails have suddenly started to change, touch base with your health care provider.

They may run a series of tests to determine if there is anything to be concerned about.

Having revealed the relation between fingernails and disease, below you will find 15 of the most important warning signs your fingernails may be sending.

1. Redness Around The Nails

If you notice your nail bed has turned red rather than pinkish white as what a healthy fingernail should be, this might indicate a severe heart disease that could lead to congestive heart failure.

Although this is only one of the possible explanations for the sudden color shift, there are tens of other potential culprits behind it.

On the other hand, if you see the redness has extended to the cuticles and sides of your nails, this might indicate Lupus. [source]

It is one of the most common autoimmune diseases that triggers an abnormal immune system response, making your body attack itself.

Fortunately, even if it turns out that Lupus is the cause of that bothersome redness in your nails, you can easily keep this condition under control, with the right treatments.

2. Terry’s Nails

Terry’s Nails is an informal name given to unusually white nails. If you noticed your nails turned white or having white spots for no apparent reason, there are usually two explanations.

One, your nails have started to detach from the nail bed and the blood supply was either partially or completely interrupted (which, one again, might be the sign of a more serious condition). It can be due to lack of folic acid and other important minerals needed by the bloodstream.

Two, you have developed a fungal nail infection.

If you suspect that you might be suffering from this condition, take a look at your fingernail tips to see whether they are reddened or dark.

Aside from the fact that Terry’s Nails can be a very unsightly condition that impacts one’s self-esteem, it can also indicate a series of dangerous conditions:

• Iron-deficiency Anemia
• Diabetes
• Organ failure
• Liver cirrhosis
• Hyperthyroidism

On the other hand, it is not uncommon for cancer patients who have been subjected to extended chemotherapy treatments to develop Terry’s Nails at a certain point.

3. Thick And Overgrown Nails

Have you noticed that your fingernails became a lot thicker than they used to be, or that they grow at a faster pace than they normally do?

This might actually be the direct result of a serious fungal nail infection. This often leads not only to the extreme thickening of the nails, but also to their discoloration.

Some of the most common culprits behind overgrown and thick fingernails include arthritis or psoriasis. However, check with your health care provider for an accurate diagnosis. [source]

4. Nails Detached From The Nail Bed

If your nails have started to detach themselves from the nail plate and this is not the result of trauma or pressure, this might indicate a hormonal imbalance in your body.

As a matter of fact, separated nails are often indicative of hyperthyroidism. This common condition occurs when your thyroid gland is releasing more hormones into your bloodstream than it is supposed to.

If this is the case, then your doctor might recommend several natural treatments to help you manage or even reverse your hyperthyroidism. [source]

5. Dark Vertical Stripes Along The Nail

This is one of the most obvious and dangerous warning signals your fingernails can send, and the medical term for this condition is actually “linear melanochia”.

Unfortunately, many people choose to overlook these dark stripes that emerge along their nails. Why… because it does not cause them any pain.

But this can actually indicate a form of skin cancer that affects only the nail bed, known as “Subungual Melanoma.”

Melanoma is known to be the most aggressive type of skin cancer, and the sooner it is diagnosed, the easier it is to cure it. [source]

6. Blue Nails

If your nails suddenly turned purple or blue, then this may be indicative of hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which is often triggered by an impaired circulation to your peripheral areas (your feet, hands, ears and such).

Most of the time, blue or purple nails do not indicate any serious health challenges. This minor blood circulation problem can be easily reversed with natural remedies.

7. Small Depressions Or Dents On The Surface Of The Nails

Have you noticed some small depressions/dents on your nails, and you do not remember seeing them there before?

If so, then these small dents or nail pitting might indicate reactive arthritis (a serious type of arthritis that is somewhat similar to Lupus to a certain extent, and that occurs when your immune system starts to attack the joints), psoriasis, or eczema.

Statistically speaking, approximately half of the individuals who suffer from psoriasis also have small dents, pitted nails or depressions along their nails, this is why it is highly recommended to see a dermatologist.

8. Discolored Nails

Nails can easily become discolored and they can shift their color from a natural, healthy pink to black, yellow, grey, brown or even green, and it is essential to know what each color stands for.

For instance, if your nails have slowly started to turn green, this might indicate nail psoriasis or a severe fungal nail infection, although it can also indicate jaundice, tuberculosis, sinusitis, lyphoedema or even chronic paronychia, which is an infection that affects your nail fold.

On the other hand, grey nails are usually triggered by various prescription drugs such as antimalaria medications, whereas brown nails may indicate chronic malnutrition or even thyroid disease (either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism).

If you notice that your nails have two distinct colors, however (for instance, they may be half brown and half white). This might indicate liver failure, which is known to trigger changes in the natural melanin production (melanin being the hormone responsible for skin pigmentation).

Almost 50% of those who suffer from kidney failure reported having this nail condition.

9. Spoon Nails

Medically known as “Koilonychia”, this is a condition that occurs when your nails are excessively soft and look scooped out, similar to the shape of a spoon.

There are two health conditions commonly associated with spoon-shaped nails. Hemochromatosis, which is a liver disorder that causes your body to absorb too much iron, and hypothyroidism.

However, spoon nails may also indicate other severe conditions that should not be ignored, ranging all the way from heart disease and anemia to an impaired blood flow to your nails or even a form of Lupus known as “Lupus Erythematosus.” [source]

10. Frail And Brittle Nails

This is by far one of the most common nail conditions. It has happened to almost all of us at least once.

Healthy nails may crumble or to become thin, frail and brittle. This usually indicates a lack of vitamins (typically Vitamin B7). This can be easily resolved by taking a multivitamin supplement.

However, if your nails are still crumbly and brittle after you have taken supplements, you might want to run some in-depth medical tests.

This condition – brittle nails – are also associated with nail psoriasis, thyroid problems or fungal nail infections (usually treated easily with a course of antifungal pills).

In rare cases, lichen planus may be to blame for frail nails. [source]

11. White Stripes On The Nails

As mentioned above, dark-colored stripes or ridges along your nails may indicate a type of nail cancer, but what about the white stripes on the nails?

This nail condition is actually very common amongst children who do not have a balanced and nutritious diet, as it indicates protein deficiencies.

Fortunately, the white stripes tend to disappear quickly, after increasing your intake of fish, nuts, seeds, lean meats and other sources of natural and high-quality protein.

12. Curved Nails

Also known as “nail clubbing”, this is a condition characterized by an unnaturally large nail bed that tends to curve around the tips of the fingers.

Clubbed nails condition is a slow and gradual process that takes place over the course of several years. It is usually triggered by hypoxia (lack of oxygen).

However, nail clubbing has also been associated with other more serious conditions, from IBS and lung disease to liver disease, cardiovascular problems and even autoimmune disorder like AIDS.

This is why it should not be neglected.

13. Loose Nails

Have your nails started to become loose and they detach fairly easily from the nail bed? This often happens when you hit your fingers.

If you have not suffered any injury to the fingers or toes, the chances are that you may be suffering from:

• Psoriasis of the nails
• Fungal nail infections
• Excessive protein level in the blood (known as amyloidosis)
• Hyperthyroidism (which occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive)
• Raynaud disease (which is not half as bad as it sounds – this is actually a medical term commonly used for poor blood circulation)
• Sarcoidosis

However, in rare cases the nails tend to become loose after a severe allergic reactions to antibiotics and other products.

Most of the time the nail tends to re-attach to the nail bed as it starts to grow. Unless your nails become loose and fall, this slight detachment should cause no concern.

14. Blue Nail Base

We discussed what blue or white nails might indicate, but what about white nails accompanied by a blue nail base?

This is often the sign of a lack of nutrients, such as iron deficiency.

Nails become very white and also gives the nail base a blue or, in some cases, even a purple color.

This nail condition might indicate a problem with your liver or your pancreas. At the same time, it is also very common amongst those who suffer from Diabetes in the incipient stage.

It also occurs when your body becomes unable to properly process and metabolize sugars (which is usually the result of an insulin deficiency that is commonly linked to type II diabetes).

15. Yellow Nails

Yellow is often associated with an unpleasant fungal infection, and for a good reason.

If your fingernails or toenails have slowly started to get a yellow hue. You might want to try some anti fungal tablets or topical ointments.

A natural method could use some essential oils – tea tree oil – being the most commonly used one, in this situation.

However, if you have tried various natural treatments for your potential fungal nail infection and none of them actually worked, your yellow nails may not indicate a fungal infection after all.

They may also indicate a serious lung problem, such as the accumulation of fluid around the pleurae (the thin membrane that surrounds your lungs) or emphysema, neither of which should be overlooked.

Some rheumatoid arthritis patients find themselves with yellow fingernails when with  being treated with thiol drugs. [source]

The Bottom Line

To sum it all up, these are 15 of the most common health warnings fingernails are trying to send you.

It is important never to try and diagnose yourself based solely on the aspect of your nails: regardless of how sure you are that you might be suffering from one condition on another.

Only a professional and certified doctor can help you get a precise diagnose, based both on your physical symptoms and your blood tests.

Most of the time, these slight changes in the texture or color of your nails indicate a small vitamin deficiency.

Other times they can also hide potentially life-threatening conditions that can have devastating effects, when not treated correctly.

Salt certainly adds taste and flavor to our foods. At the same time, we also know that the high sodium content present in salt can lead to hypertension which, in turn, can slowly damage our cardiovascular system.

Fortunately, the pink Himalayan salt is a healthier, better and a safer alternative to the traditional, commercially-available table salt (sodium chloride), rock salt, sea salt, or those that came from salt water.

Apart from being very rich in essential trace minerals and trace elements, this Himalayan sea salt can also help:

• Purge toxins
• Balance electrolytes within your body
• Improve blood circulation
• Helps regulate blood sugar levels

Just as the name implies, the pink Himalayan salt is extracted from the Himalayan mountains or salt caves present in Asia – this hand-mined salt is known to be the purest one on Earth.

Widely used in the cosmetic, culinary as well as medical field, the pink Himalayan salt is pure, luxurious and it is accompanied by a plethora of health benefits detailed below:

Pink Himalayan Salt Is Great For Purifying The Indoor Air

If you suffer from seasonal allergies, allergic to pollen and dust, suffer from a chronic respiratory condition, have airborne pathogens easily irritate your lungs, worsen your bronchitis or asthma, then the Himalayan pink salt may help!

Take a small amount of pink salt (rock lamps like this are available online) that acts as a natural air purifier and attracts moisture from the air, along with all the allergens and pathogens.

Improve Your Respiratory Conditions

Aside from trapping the allergens and reducing the overall air moisture levels, the Himalayan pink salt can naturally alleviate some of the most common respiratory conditions, such as asthma.

The pink crystals are known to emit negative ions, which is why this natural salt is indispensable in what is known as “salt therapy”.

Salt therapy has been used for more than two hundred years to improve one’s overall health status.

The unrefined salt use to alleviate respiratory conditions in a healthy, cheap and natural manner, without any adverse reactions.

Salt-rich air kills bacteria and it can alleviate chest congestion, coughs and asthma. It’s even been used in the treatment of cystic fibrosis.

Relieve Muscle Soreness

Have you trained a bit too hard at the gym, and starting to feel the effects of overtraining?

If so, rest assured – a warm salt bath with a pinch of Himalayan pink salt will relax your muscles, relieve soreness and speed up the muscle repair process.

It’s also great for those who suffer from intense muscle cramps.

Himalayan pink salt is very rich in magnesium, iodine and 80 other essential minerals that heal muscles and soft tissues when absorbed through the skin.

Treating Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux is a common problem that occurs in those who have a problem with the pH levels in their stomach.

Aside from being very bothersome, acid reflux can also be quite painful as it triggers the dreaded heartburn.

Fortunately, the Himalayan pink salt can double as a natural and highly efficient antacid that keeps the stomach acid levels within the normal range.

If left untreated, acid reflux can damage your trachea and even increase the risk for cancer.

Improve Digestion

If you suffer from slow digestion or if your body has a hard time processing and absorbing the nutrients you consume, then you can rely on the pink Himalayan rock salt yet again.

Simply replace your classic salt with HPS, and you will quickly notice how gassing, bloating or constipation will no longer be an issue!

In addition to improving your digestion, the pink Himalayan salt can also speed it up, which is great for those who watch their waistline!

Lowers Blood Pressure

This may sound absurd at first, and you might ask yourself:

How can the Himalayan pink salt lower the blood pressure, when it is known that the sodium present in salt crystals have the exact opposite effect?

The reason why the pink Himalayan salt can actually be good for you is that it is absorbed directly into your bloodstream in a faster and more efficient manner than conventional salt.

In turn, this leads to a lower blood pressure and a healthier and improved blood flow!

Clean Arteries

Do you feel an unhealthy diet and lifestyle has lead to the accumulation of cholesterol on the inner walls of your arteries?

Are you afraid of the consequences this might have on your health?

High cholesterol levels have been linked to an increased risk of stroke and heart attack. Consuming pink Himalayan salt on a regular basis, can help improve your overall blood flow as described above, but it can also “scrub” your arteries!

Sleep Better!

The Himalayan pink salt is widely known for its relaxing effects, effects that target your muscles in particular.

However, a small HPS lamp can also purify the air and help you fall asleep faster at night – and stay asleep until morning.

Sleep deprivation increases the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, heart attack as well as heart failure, and you certainly do not want any of those in your life!

Extremely Rich In Minerals

The microscopic analysis of the Himalayan crystal salt reveals that it contains no less than 84 mineral contents… essential for your overall health. This includes calcium and chloride to magnesium, phosphorus, iron to potassium and copper.

All these minerals are essential for:

• Bone health
• Helping prevent arthritis and other joint-related problems
• Preventing cold hands and feet triggered by poor blood flow
• Preventing mental and physical health issues

Strong Detoxification Properties

The Himalayan pink salt is also known for its natural detoxification effects, when used in the form of brine treatments.

As mentioned earlier, when you add this salt to your regular bath, the minerals and other compounds present in it, get quickly absorbed into the skin which, in turn, stimulates the natural osmosis process.

Irrigation Of Sinus

Sinusitis affects millions of individuals. Fortunately, doing regular sinus irrigation with Himalayan pink salt can help clear up sinus congestion and treat a sinus infection.

Salt is known to have strong antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, and irrigation with the Himalayan pink salt will kill the contaminants present in your nasal cavities.

Reduce The Toxicity Of Electromagnetic Frequencies

Last, but not least, it is believed that Himalayan salt lamps have yet another miraculous benefit to the body.

Although this type of salt is commonly used for its health benefits, it seems that the lamp can attract EMFs that are commonly emitted by electronics, such as laptops, TVs and especially smart phones.

Numerous studies have linked high levels of electromagnetic frequencies to various types of cancer.

The Himalayan pink salt lamp can reduce the overall amount of electromagnetic pollution and simply “capture” and store the radiation waves that come from electronics.

Once again, this is possible due to the high production of negative ions that the Himalayan pink salt releases into the atmosphere.

Sources:
mercola.com | globalhealingcenter.com | lifebeginsraw.com | himalayancrystalsalt.com

Among the many cutaneous conditions known to mankind, Terry’s Nails is one that could be a simple sign of aging, or could be indicative of deeper health issues. It’s important to stay on top of such possibilities, so here’s what you need to know about nail abnormalities condition.

Terry’s Nails Symptoms?

In Terrys Nails, the finger or toenails take on a stark white appearance with a dark band generally appearing near the ends of the nails:

The condition was first described by Dr. Richard Terry in 1954, hence the name. He found it in association with patients who also had hepatic cirrhosis. His original description of the ailment was:

“[A] white nail bed showing ground-glass opacity not affected by venous congestion and indistinguishable from the lunula with a 1–2 mm distal band of normal pink.”

This description was later revised in 1984, adding that:

“The distal band width may be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, can be brown in color and the proximal nail bed can be light pink.”

On the surface, it appears to be a simple cosmetic condition. This could be the case in some instances, but Terry’s Nails is also linked with more serious diseases, hence the need to see a physician upon noticing the condition to determine the cause.

How Does Terry’s Nails Develop? Is It Treatable?

As mentioned, Terry’s Nails could just be a sign of aging in some. In instances where it is not, though, it is associated with a number of systemic diseases.

The pathogenesis, or manner in which the condition develops, is not completely understood. One possibility is that vascular changes in the nail bed can cause the appearance to change, but more study is required on this front.

What doctors do know, however, are the myriad associated diseases and how they can affect the body. By knowing the underlying cause, a doctor can then formulate a treatment plan:

Cirrhosis

This was the condition that Dr. Terry first associated with the development of Terry’s nails. Cirrhosis occurs when healthy liver tissue is slowly replaced with scar tissue. This results in the liver becoming incapable of performing its normal functions of:

• Manufacturing blood proteins
• Manufacturing bile to digest food
• Storing excess nutrients and reintroducing them to the bloodstream
• Storing glucose in the form of glycogen
• Ridding the body of substances like alcohol
• Breaking down saturated fat and creating cholesterol

There are three main causes of cirrhosis (liver disease):

• Hepatitis C
• Fatty liver
• Alcohol abuse

Realistically, though, anything that causes damage to the liver can in turn spur on cirrhosis. Heart failure, diseases, bile duct blockages, and more have been implicated in the initial onset of cirrhosis in many patients.

There are other symptoms that will present in addition to Terry’s Nails in an individual with cirrhosis, including a loss of appetite and energy, sudden changes in weight, jaundice, discolored urine and stool, and personality changes, among others.

Cirrhosis, unfortunately, is incurable. There are, however, treatments that can slow its progression and minimize symptoms.

Limiting alcohol is a large factor. Those with hepatitis can take steroids and anti-viral drugs to combat the damage to liver cells. Individuals with autoimmune related cirrhosis must treat the specific disorder to counteract the effects on the liver.

In some cases, doctors will prescribe medication to treat the symptoms. These might be diuretics to remove excess fluid buildup, and could be supplemented with dietary alterations.

Severe cirrhosis might necessitate a liver transplant, which opens up a whole new box of complications and possibilities.

What Your Nails Reveal about Your Health

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Most know of this life-threatening ailment. Insulin resistance in the cells causes sugar levels to build up in the blood, leading to numerous health problems. There is no single cause for type 2 diabetes, rather, a combination of several factors.

Genetics play a large role, with DNA having a great influence over how your body creates and uses insulin. Being overweight can compound a genetic predisposition, causing a greater degree of insulin resistance.

Other factors that could play a part are a breakdown of communication between cells, excess liver glucose, and certain metabolic syndromes.

In additions to Terry’s Nails, other symptoms will be present, most notably:

• Increased hunger and thirst
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Rapid weight loss
• Blurry vision
• Fatigue

Treatments for diabetes center around controlling the condition. Doctors will advise patients to get more exercise, watch what they eat, and may prescribe medications that can counteract the effects of excess sugar in the blood.

Congestive Heart Failure

The heart hasn’t stopped completely, but its ability to pump blood is severely diminished, and the body’s nutrient needs will not be met. This, in turn, causes changes in the kidneys, water retention, and a “congestion” of the body.

This form of heart failure is caused by several separate conditions. Blocked or narrowed arteries can starve the heart of nutrients, diminishing its capacity. Heart attacks too can cause a sudden blockage or damage the heart’s musculature, resulting in reduced performance.

Any condition that causes the heart to work more than it needs to, like thyroid disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure, will have a similar effect. Any one or a combination of these factors can put one at risk for varying degrees of heart failure.

Doctors can use Terry’s Nails as a possible indicator that something is wrong. If it is heart failure, they will notice other symptoms, like congested lungs with a severe backup in fluid and a persistent cough.

Fluid retention will take place in multiple areas of the body, including the ankles, legs, and abdomen. The doctor may notice weight gain in patients as well. Because of the increase in fluid, patients may need to urinate more during the night.

Heart failure will cause irregular heartbeats, and the lack of blood to organs in muscles will cause a sufferer to feel tired, weak, or dizzy.

To treat heart failure, doctors will look at specific symptoms and underlying causes to determine the stage of heart failure and individual might be experiencing. From there, they can recommend appropriate treatments to counteract the problem.

Some basics include not smoking, drinking, or doing drugs. They will advise patients to combat conditions that could be exacerbating heart failure, like a lipid disorder or high blood pressure. Exercise, weight loss, and proper diet will also play a large part in many treatment plans.

Chronic Renal Failure

More commonly known as chronic kidney disease. The kidney gradually loses its ability to filter wasted and fluid from the body, causing a gradual build-up that can lead to other complications.

Because symptoms are often slight to begin with, Terry’s Nails can sometimes tip a physician off that something is amiss, causing them to investigate further. When other symptoms occur, they are generally non-specific, and easy to confuse with another condition:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Fatigue and weakness
• Sleep problems
• Changes in how much you urinate
• Decreased mental sharpness
• Muscle twitches and cramps
• Swelling of feet and ankles
• Persistent itching
• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Because of this, doctors will need to perform additional tests and procedures to determine if kidney failure is indeed the culprit. These could take the form of blood tests, urine tests, or taking a kidney tissue sample for analysis.

There are underlying conditions that can initiate chronic kidney disease, including diabetes, infections, cancers, iron-deficiency anemia and obstructions in certain parts of the body. If one smokes or is obese, the risk of kidney disease increases.

Treatment options will vary depending on the cause of kidney disease, but will also include methods to control the symptoms associated with the condition. A doctor may prescribe medication to treat: iron-deficiency anaemia, cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. They may also recommend dietary changes.

In severe instances, dialysis or a kidney transplant may become the only options, though these are far from ideal solutions.

Peripheral Vascular Disease

This is a condition of the arteries characterized by a build-up of fatty material within the blood vessels. The arteries become blocked, narrowed, and weakened, reducing the supply of blood to parts of the body. In turn, sufferers may experience pain, cold limbs, and other symptoms.

Peripheral Vascular Disease can be treated and even prevented with appropriate lifestyle changes. These include most of what you would expect: controlling blood pressure, eliminating alcohol and smoking from the routine, watching what you eat, and exercising more often.

Other Possible Conditions

There are a few other conditions associated with Terry’s Nails, including peritoneal dialysis, hemodialysis, and HIV. As with all others, you should consult a doctor to discern the true cause.

Don’t Confuse This With…

There are a few other conditions one may confuse for Terry’s Nails. The following are sometimes similar in appearance, but distinct enough for a skilled physician to differentiate.

Lindsay’s Nails

Also known as half-and-half nails, these are characterized by a proximal portion of white nails (transverse leukonychia), and a distal portion that is red, pink, or brown. There will be a stark contrast between the two halves, hence the name. This condition is most often seen in hemodialysis and renal transplant patients.

The exact reasoning behind the condition is unknown, though, like Terry’s Nails, some believe it is caused by vascular changes in the nail plate. This condition is also associated with Crohn’s disease, Kawasaki’s disease, Behcet’s disease, cirrhosis, hyperthyroidism, HIV, and several others.

Onychomycosis

Fungal nail infection more commonly known as nail fungus can cause the nail to turn white, like one would see in Terry’s Nails. However the discoloration in this fungal infection usually occurs on the nail itself and not the underlying nail bed.

Onycholysis

When the nail separates from the nail bed, it can become discolored. This is generally caused by trauma, infection or a host of other conditions. Unlike in Terry’s Nails, the whitened area is more likely to appear near the end of the nail, with the base appearing more normal.

Subungual Melanoma

Also known as nail cancer, subungual melanoma also causes discolored nails. However, this condition is a lot worse as the nail beds ulcerate and bleed. The nail also extends to the adjacent nail fold.

In this day and age, natural products are making a comeback. With the market being flooded with chemical and synthetic products, all natural should be explored as well. This post shares some great information in regards to Witch hazel and the multitude of different uses that are available with it. The range of benefits includes health as well as diverse beauty tips and oily skin care.

Before looking at the uses of witch hazel it’s important to define what witch hazel is.

Witch hazel can be defined as a natural astringent produced from the witch hazel bark and leaves of the witch hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana) which grows naturally in Canada (Nova Scotia) and parts of the US i.e. Texas and Florida.

The witch hazel has been used for many centuries for medicinal purposes by Native Americans.

The witch hazel extract is obtained by steaming the witch hazel twigs. It is important to note that the shrub’s essential oil isn’t sold separately.

This can be attributed to the fact that the witch hazel doesn’t produce a lot of essential oils to warrant commercial production. There are however a number of witch hazel distillates i.e. hydrolats or hydrosols that are available as commercial products. These distillates are however gentler than typical witch hazel extract sold in drug stores. The distillates also contain alcohol.

Witch hazel has very many uses. Some of the most common external uses include treating cold sores, bruises and swelling.

Some of the main ingredients of witch hazel include; gallic acid, tannin, catechins, flavonoids (i.e. kaempferol and quercetin), proanthocyanins, essential oils (i.e. carvacrol, eugenol and hexenol), saponins, bitters and choline. Having defined witch hazel and briefly stated the plant’s main uses and ingredients, let’s shift our focus to looking at witch hazel uses at home in more detail.

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Controlling Spots And Blemishes

This is by far one of the most notable uses of witch hazel. Witch hazel has been proven to reduce pimple inflammation thanks to its astringent properties. According to numerous research studies, using witch hazel daily helps to reduce acne.

This explains why many over the counter acne treatments in the market today contain witch hazel. To control spots and blemishes effectively using acne witch hazel astringent, apply the extract on the affected area and pores using a witch stick, cotton pad or cotton ball. It is however important to seek medical attention before doing this.

Soothing And Healing Diaper Rash

Witch hazel has also been proven to be an effective diaper rash remedy. If your baby has diaper rash, apply witch hazel extract on the affected areas using a cotton ball. Witch hazel soothes and heals diaper rash faster than most diaper rash topical treatments available today. It also protects sensitive skin from further skin irritations.

Eliminate “Eye Bags”

Most people get annoying ”bags” under the eyes which are hard to eliminate. Eye bags usually result in a swollen appearance.

Although eye bags aren’t caused by serious underlying health problems, they are a major cosmetic concern. Witch hazel has been proven to tighten up the skin eliminating eye bags when the extract is rubbed gently below the eyes.

Soothing And Reducing External Hemorrhoids

Witch hazel is also a perfect anti-itch remedy. When combined with petroleum jelly or glycerine and aloe and rubbed on external hemorrhoids, witch hazel reduces itching significantly. Witch hazel also dries up the bleeding that results from hemorrhoids. Use a cotton pad or cotton ball to rub the astringent witch hazel on the affected skin part.

Relieves Varicose Veins Pain And Discomfort

Witch hazel is also a good remedy for varicose vein pain and discomfort. When using witch hazel to relieve varicose veins, soak a cloth in a solution of warm water and witch hazel extract and lay it on the legs i.e. where the varicose veins are visible.

Doing this will instantly reduce swelling and pain. This witch hazel water mix relieves varicose veins pain and discomfort by tightening the veins and blood vessels.

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Soothing Poison Ivy & Poison Oak

This is another notable skin benefit of witch hazel. On top of controlling spots and blemishes, witch hazel also relieves swelling and reduces itching caused by poison ivy and poison oak.

Witch hazel is therefore an important accessory when going for camping, hunting, strolling in the woods etc. Using a spray bottle, apply witch hazel astringent to the itchy skin.

Treating Chicken Pox

A combination of witch hazel and; honey, aloe, lavender among other essential oils creates a spray which is extremely effective in treating chicken pox blisters.

When using witch hazel to treat chicken pox blisters, mix 0.5 cups of distilled witch hazel with; 1 tablespoon of honey, 40 drops of lavender essential oil, 15 drops of lemon essential oil, 5 drops of peppermint essential oil, 15 drops of bergamot essential oil, 0.5 cups of aloe vera gel and one teaspoon of carrot seed oil.

To get the perfect witch hazel aloe vera gel mixture, you should mix the other ingredients before adding distilled witch hazel. The mixture should be poured into a spray bottle and sprayed on the affected areas.

Avoid eye contact. This mixture has been proven to be more potent and better for treating chicken pox than the traditional calamine lotion.

Healing Bruises Faster

Witch hazel is also used to speed up the time required to heal bruises. In case you have those stubborn bruises which take the longest time to heal, you can rub witch hazel solution on the bruises regularly to fasten the healing time.

Preventing And Healing Razor Burn

Witch hazel’s natural anti-inflammatory properties also come in handy when it comes to stopping the formation of itchy bumps common around irritated hair follicles. To prevent and heal razor burn, apply witch hazel a few minutes before and after shaving.

Treating And Soothing Sunburn

Witch hazel is popular for healing damaged skin however, it is also effective for treating skin inflammation as is the case with sunburn. Witch hazel is used for treating and soothing sunburn even in cases where the inflammation isn’t obvious.

Using a spray bottle, apply the witch hazel toner or astringent to the affected part. When used to treat sunburn, witch hazel reduces healing time and prevents skin flaking and peeling.

Treating Dry Skin

Witch hazel is also used by individuals with dry skin to reduce skin flaking and peeling. Applying witch hazel immediately after showering helps to lock in moisture treating dry skin.

Healing And Soothing Skin Cuts And Bruises

You can use witch hazel in soothing skin irritations and other skin condition caused by injuries. Many dermatologists have been on record endorsing witch hazel as the best natural alternative to Neosporin. Applying a dab of witch hazel cleanses cuts protecting them against infection and promoting quick healing.  Its effectiveness can even lighten scars and stretch marks.

Treating Bug Bites

Witch hazel’s anti-inflammatory and anti-itch properties are also used to treat bug bites. Applying a dab of witch hazel on the affected area has been proven to treat insect bites in record time.

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Refreshing “Tired Eyes”

Witch hazel is also used as an effective remedy for refreshing the eyes. It is however important to note that witch hazel solution shouldn’t be used directly on the eyes.

Instead, soak a clean cloth in a solution of cold water and witch hazel extract and then place the cloth over your (closed) eyes. After approximately 10 minutes, any redness and “tiredness” should be gone. This remedy is very effective after crying for a long time.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the above information summaries the main uses of witch hazel plant. It is however important to note that there are many other benefits of witch hazel that aren’t mentioned above. All in all, the above information is adequate enough to highlight the anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, as well as importance of having witch hazel in your home.