Should Salvia Divinorum Get A Legal Status in the Medical Field?

Feb 28, 2012 by Guest

Dubbed as an important medicinal plant, salvia divinorum has captured the attention of many due to its potential health benefits. However, since it is a psychoactive herb – can alter one’s conscious significantly – the use of the herb is still prohibited in many countries including the US albeit the studies stating that it is non addictive, non-habit forming, and generally safe for human consumption. Some countries just can’t risk legalizing the use and sell of Salvia due to the possibility of abuse. However, some believed that salvia divinorum, noting its medicinal advantages, should be regulated just like tobacco and alcohol and not totally prohibit possession of one.

In my point-of-view, it would be better if they treat salvia as any other regulated drugs. One can only obtain it if they have a prescription from the doctor. Also, the herb should only be prescribed to people who can really benefit from its use. Those who abuse the use of the herb should be the only ones penalized.

The salvia herb extract shows great promise in the field of medicine. But the strong opposition of many to make its use legal can impede scientific research which can be the key in proving the medical usefulness of the herb. Today, several countries have enacted laws prohibiting sale and/or possession of this herb. Violating these laws would mean serious penalties. However, there are also some countries that allow sale and possession of Salvia but prohibit its importation.

In conclusion, the legality of salvia divinorum should be largely based on scientific researches, whether it is really a useful medicinal herb that can offer tremendous health benefits or otherwise.

Getting Enough Sleep Is Just As Important As Exercise and Diet

Feb 22, 2012 by Guest

Everyone deserves a break from every day work, including a good night’s sleep. People love sleeping, and there is no doubt about that. In the olden days, sleep was surrounded by myths and oftentimes, ignored by doctors when discussing about the total health and wellness of a person. At present, the importance of a good sleep is being studied by scientists and researchers all around the world. Experts say when people get less than 6-7 hours of sleep every night, they increase their risk of developing several diseases.

Here is a rundown of the benefits of getting sufficient sleep.

1. It keeps the heart healthy. Strokes and heart attacks usually strike during the early hours in the morning, and lack of sleep has been associated with worsening cholesterol level and blood pressure. By having 7-9 hours of sleep each night, you can have a healthier heart.
2. Sleep could help prevent cancer. According to research, people who have late night shifts at work have a higher risk of developing colon and breast cancer due to the differing levels of melatonin.
3. If you want to reduce stress, sleep well. When your sleep is deficient, the blood pressure increases and stress hormones are produced.
4. Sleep also reduces inflammation in the body.
5. When you enjoy a good night’s sleep, you become more alert. This is because your body feels energized and refreshed. You can start the day right by doing all the things that must be accomplished at work or inside the house.
6. Sleep is a great memory booster. Memory consolidation occurs when people sleep. The body is resting but the brain is processing the memories of your day by connecting the events, placing sensory inputs and feelings.
7. Losing weight is linked with enough sleep. People who sleep less than the recommended hours per night tend to be overweight or obese. This is because the lack of sleep disturbs the balance of hormones in the body affecting the appetite.
8. Taking naps makes you smarter. Studies show that napping improves memory, mood and cognitive function.
9. Sleeping also helps reduce the risk of having depression. Since sleep affects many chemicals in the body including serotonin, it can prevent depression. Make sure to get seven to nine hours of sleep at night.
10. Sleep repairs the body. Stress, harmful environmental factors and many others damage your body. Sleep is the time when the body repairs these damages. Cells produce protein during sleep and this nutrient are important for cell repair and growth.

indeed, sleeping is just as important as diet and exercise. If you want to feel energized all-day long and reduce the risk of acquiring certain illnesses, then be sure to target at least 6-8 hours of sleep every day.

Are Vitamin Supplements Really Necessary?

Feb 8, 2012 by Guest

When we talk about health and fitness, one of the most popular items associated with these are dietary or vitamin supplements. Many people who like to attain wellness but do not have time to work out usually purchase dietary supplements to make up for anything they lack.

Multivitamins have been around for a long time already, and they have been sold in several forms to cater to the needs and preferences of the consumers. Also, a string of controversies has pestered the vitamin supplement industry up until now, fostering an atmosphere of worry and fear among the people.

Vitamin supplements, as the name implies, only enhance the nutrients obtained by the body from eating a well-balanced and healthy meal. If you eat a variety of nutritious foods three times a day every day, then there is no need for you to take dietary supplements. On the other hand, if you have a seemingly monotonous diet and you do not eat healthy, you must take in multivitamins. Take a look at the following concerns registered by multivitamin users all around the world.

Poor dietary choices can be indirectly promoted by vitamin supplements. Companies manufacturing multivitamins and other dietary supplements claim that you need to consume their products because the modern diet usually contain highly-processed foods that no longer provide the body with enough nutrients. If you take a multivitamin pill, does this mean that your deficiencies will be corrected? Of course, nothing beats real fruits, vegetables and whole grains when it comes to supplying the body with the needed vitamins and minerals.

Overdosing is a high possibility. Many people are enticed by the multiple benefits they can get from taking vitamin supplements. And when people want to get more vitamins or minerals, they tend to double the dosage of their intake, which is a dangerous move.

Missing out other important nutrients can also happen. When you avoid eating vegetables, fruits, lean meats, and whole grains and opt to just pop a vitamin pill into your mouth instead, there is a huge chance that you will miss out several necessary nutrients that only real foods can provide.

Vitamin supplements can be unbalanced. Take some time to inspect the label of your dietary supplement to see what it contains. Some brands of multivitamins contain 100% of the RDA for certain vitamins only such as Vitamins A, B12 and C but they can also contain up to 200% of the RDA for Vitamin D, which can be very dangerous.