Kidney Infections: Stop the Madness!

If you've ever struggled with kidney infections, you understand what a pain they can be.  Back pain, stomach pain, fever, nausea, physical and mental exhaustion can all be symptoms of a kidney infection.  No fun at all.  It's common that when you have one, whatever issue that caused it might not be addressed and the infections continue to occur.  Stress, lack of water, contamination and other illnesses may leave your body vulnerable to a build-up of the bacteria that causes these infections, which begins a crazy cycle that is miserable!

Stop the Madness!

There are some wonderful herbs and remedies for feeding and healing the kidneys. There's no reason why you can't stop the maddening cycle today!

Prevention
If you find yourself predisposed to kidney problems and infections, here are some things you should consider:

• Always, always, always drink plenty of water.
• Chronic infections often come an overgrowth of candida (from medications, antibiotics, etc.) and Probiotics are vital to restoring that balance.  
• Make cleansing a regular part of your health regimen.
• Take Cranberry & Buchu daily to promote healthy digestion and to feed and maintain a healthy urinary tract.
• If you struggle with repeat infections, Urinary Maintenance might be just what you need to maintain fluid and mineral balance.
• Get plenty of rest! Yes, there's always more to do, but you won't have a choice if you're doubled over in pain.

Remedies

Once the madness has begun, relief is all you care about.  Here are some remedies that have worked really well for us.

• JP-X is the absolute best herbal combination for handling kidney infections.  It is designed to support the detoxifying functions of the body and strengthens kidneys and bladder.
• IF-C is a Chinese combination that nourishes the structural and immune systems by stimulating blood flow and helping to eliminate toxins.  Whatever kind of infection you may be treating, this combination will work to eliminate it.  When combined with the JP-X, this will usually do the trick.
• Cranberry & Buchu is great for prevention, but also if a kidney infection is especially rough, the cranberry builds up the urinary tract to ensure it's proper function.
• Olive Leaf Extract helps protect from and eliminate the unwanted invaders (bacteria) that often cause the infection to begin with. It also promotes great circulatory health and supports the urinary system.

There are so many great herbal alternatives that gently correct damages in the body by nourishing the systems.  If you haven't found relief yet for your urinary and kidney health OR you have another hard to address health issue, we'd love to help you find herbal alternatives!  Give us a call at (405) 634-HERB.

Are You Feeding Your Brain? Supplements for Brain Health

Our brains are often a key to our success in life.  Effectiveness, comprehension, attention to detail can all make or break a job, an event or a relationship.  Thinking clearly is important, but sometimes we don't act like it.  Two of the main areas we can feed our brain is usually where we abuse it the most: Exercise and Sleep. These are usually the first thing to go when we're crunched for time or stressed, but they should be the first place we go to for a boost!  Don't forget brain boosting foods like avocado, blueberries, dark, leafy greens, nuts and fish.

In addition to exercise, sleep, and a diet full of good fats, fresh fruits and vegetables, there are some great herbal supplements that can feed the brain for optimum performance.

Got a big test or important meeting coming up?  Focus Attention combines powerful nutrients that encourage a quiet, balanced mental activity.  This combination also helps protect the body from undesirable side effects of drugs or exposure to toxic chemicals, food additives, pesticides, etc. It's also a great choice for kids having trouble in school!  Mind Maxsupports brain function, memory and concentration with the help of a highly absorbable magnesium l-threonate, along with gotu kola aerial parts, bacopa leaf and ginkgo leaf—herbs well-known to benefit circulation and brain health—for a powerful brain boost.

 Work in a stressful or toxic environment? Brain Protex is designed to give the brain protection against free radical damage. It is especially helpful for those who desire extra support for brain health, nerve function and alertness.   Gaba Plus  supports brain and nerve metabolism, normalizes the nervous system and promotes a great sense of relaxation and peace.  GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is an amino acid that plays a role in neurotransmitter and brain activity. It affects the central nervous system by reducing the number of neurons firing in the brain, thus calming brain activity. This can benefit people with overstimulated nervous systems who find it difficult to relax or who have trouble focusing on one task.

Feeling a little off? Hard to keep your mood swings in check?  Adding some EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids can go a long way in stabilizing your brain function. DHA(Docosahexaenoic acid) is a fatty acid that is absorbed into the fatty perimeter of cells. It is required for brain development and important in maintaining and protecting the neural tissues,  Super Omega-3 or Sunshine Heroes Omega-3 (for kids) contains both EPA and DHA fatty acids, supporting the cardiovascular system, structural system, as well as the skin. The body uses omega-3 fatty acids as one of the primary components of cell membranes.  Through feeding the cells with an adequate ratio of fatty acids, many have seen a relief of symptoms in mild depression or mood disorders. With our western diet, healthy fatty acids should be a large part of everyone's health regimen.