What makes us ungrounded?

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  • A potential alternative to antibiotics

    I am sure you are aware of the current level concern about the rise of antibiotics resistance and the need to find new antibiotics or alternatives.  So I read with interest that a traditional indian herb is being studied by scientists as an alternative to antibiotics. The herb, andrographis, which is known at the "king of the bitters" grows in India and Sri Lanka.  It is thought to be responsible for combatting the Spanish flu epidemic that reached the Indian subcontinent in 1919. Researchers from the University of Southampton in the UK have recruited 20 primary care facilities to participate in a trail, which will be using andrograhpis supplements.  It will be tested as a natural remedy against colds and flu - and treating these commong problems like these with antibiotics is bringing the era of drug-resistant superbugs closer to reality. Its a placebo-controlled study - which means patients could be given the real herb or a fake version -  that will look at the herb's ability to treat acute coughs, sore throats and sinusitis. The study could lead the way for a larger study involving more patients with acute respiratory infections.  

  • What is magnesium effective for?

    In part 1, I introduced what magnesium is used for the body and what foods its found in.  But with magnesium supplements being "trendy" right now, what are they effective for:

    • Constipation. Taking magnesium by mouth is helpful as a laxative for constipation and to prepare the bowel for medical procedures.
    • Indigestion. Taking magnesium by mouth as an antacid reduces symptoms of heartburn. Various magnesium compounds can be used, but magnesium hydroxide seems to work the fastest.
    • Magnesium deficiency. Taking magnesium is helpful for treating and preventing magnesium deficiency. Magnesium deficiency usually occurs when people have liver disorders, heart failure, vomiting or diarrhea, kidney dysfunction, and other conditions.
    • High blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia). Administering magnesium intravenously (by IV) or as a shot is considered the treatment of choice for reducing high blood pressure during pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) and for treating eclampsia, which includes the development of seizures. Research suggests that administering magnesium reduces the risk of seizures.
    If you remember in my introduction I mentioned I took magnesium for PMS, I found it to be effective however medical science considers it "likely to be effective" i.e. it has not been compeletely proven.  I suspect I found it effective because I used to get strong period related cramps and magnesium is a well known muscle relaxant.

  • What does it feel like when you are ungrounded?