Webber Naturals looks into what to do when you catch a cold. 

Without fail, I tend to get a cold about twice a year (although last year was particularly awful, with two back to back colds in the summer on top of my usual two - boo!). However, usually, my first cold shows up sometime in the spring (which, unfortunately, means in the not too distant future); I usually don’t encounter the next one until the fall. My bi-annual cold starts off with a sore throat (that feels a little something like what I imagine swallowing razor blades would feel like), followed by the “sniffles” (to put it politely…) and ends with a booming cough. Not the most fun experience. Which is why I can appreciate the question: “What can I do to help me get through my cold with a little less suffering?”

Best solution: call in sick and take some time to get better. SELF magazine provides some tips on how to take care of yourself when you’re home sick from the office. Hopefully, you’ll be feeling better in no time!

You can also try Webber Naturals’ Cold-A-Tak when you feel that cold coming on!

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Can Taking Webber Naturals' Vitamin D Prevent Type 1 Diabetes?

New research is exploring how the sunshine vitamin could help prevent diabetes!

Finding a cure for diabetes, or any disease for that matter, would be exciting news and an extremely important medical advancement. But I have to agree that prevention is much "better than a cure," as the CBC News article writes.

Dr. Shane Taback, pediatric endocrinologist, says, "In many ways prevention would be much better than cure as it spares people from having to go through the disease itself."

Studies have shown that the further you get away from the equator, the less vitamin D is naturally absorbed from the sunlight and the higher the incidences of diabetes. For example, in Finland the number of insulin dependent people suffering from Type 1 diabetes has doubled within the last 25 years. Dr. Taback and international researchers think vitamin D could be the game changer.

Read the article and watch the video at CBC Health News, Type 1 diabetes prevention 'better than cure.'

Research discovered the insulin to treat diabetes. Our fingers are crossed that this new research will soon be preventing diabetes! In the meantime, need some vitamin D? Webber Naturals has got you covered!

Image source: CBC Health News

Webber Naturals' expert Dr. Stephanie Rubino shares even more tips and techniques to treat your migraine headaches without the drugs.

We've already seen how diet and nutrition can affect migraines. We've got a few more ideas to help you deal with your headaches...

If migraines are a regular occurance for you, it's easy to get desperate for relief. Not only are they painful, they are also extremely disruptive. Luckily there are plenty of natural ways available to us that can help ease the symptoms and reduce the recurrence of migraines...

Botanical Medicines

Ginger and Feverfew

Feverfew has a long history of use as a headache remedy. It is commonly prescribed for the prevention and treatment of migraine headaches due to feverfew’s anti-inflammatory effects. Ginger is commonly used to treat various conditions including motion and morning sickness, upset stomach, and loss of appetite. A recent study suggests that a combination of ginger and feverfew may reduce migraine pain. Participants of the study were randomly assigned to receive either an herbal preparation containing feverfew and ginger, or placebo. The researchers found that two hours after administering treatment, 63% of patients receiving feverfew and ginger reported pain relief, while this occurred for only 39% from the placebo group. In addition, 32% of the feverfew/ginger patients were reportedly migraine-free by the second hour, while only 16% of the placebo patients were migraine-free. The researchers concluded that an herbal combination of feverfew and ginger may be safe and effective for migraines.

Butterbur, peppermint , chamomile, and valerian are also recommended for migraine headaches. Speak to your health care provider to find out which botanical medicines would be safe for you to use.

Exercise

We’ve long been told about the benefits of exercise and the list continues to grow. A new study suggests that regular exercise may be just as effective as relaxation therapy and prescription drugs for migraine prevention. Researchers randomly assigned 91 adults with migraines to one of three groups - exercise (40 minutes three times per week), relaxation therapy, or prescription drug. The researchers found that all three treatments reduced the frequency of migraines, yet there was no significant difference in results between the groups. The authors concluded exercise may be an option for the prophylactic treatment of migraine in patients who do not benefit from or do not want to take daily medication. Consider an exercise routine that combines cardiovascular exercise, strength training and stretching.

Need Immediate Relief?

Faced with the onset of a migraine and unsure of what to do? Here are some suggestions to help reduce the pain and associated symptoms of a migraine headache:

- Take a bath or shower.

- Lie down to rest in a dark room.

- Apply a cold compress on the back of your neck and/or forehead and put your feet in a container of warm water.

- Stay hydrated by drinking water or diluted juices.

- Eat if you have gone a long period of time without any food.

- Go for a massage or have someone massage your face, head, neck, shoulders and feet.

- Inhaling essential oils such as peppermint and lavender may provide relief.

- Avoid sources of stress. Cancel activities that you promised to participate and give your body the time to rest.

It can take some time to discover the triggers of your migraines and the treatments that may be effective for you. As you can see, nutrition, botanical medicines, nutrients, lifestyle factors and other treatments such as acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy may offer some solutions. Either one treatment may be effective, or a combination of different therapies might be best. It is important to speak to your health care provider to find out how to approach your overall health.

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References (including Treating Migraines Naturally Part 1 )

Sándor PS, Di Clemente L, Coppola G, Saenger U, Fumal A, Magis D, Seidel L, Agosti RM, Schoenen J Efficacy of coenzyme Q10 in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized controlled trial. Neurology. 2005 Feb 22;64(4):713-5.

Schoenen J, Jacquy J, Lenaerts M. Effectiveness of high-dose riboflavin in migraine prophylaxis. A randomized controlled trial. Neurology 1998;50:466–470.

Cady RK, Goldstein J, Nett R, et al. A Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study of Sublingual Feverfew and Ginger (LipiGesic(TM) M) in the Treatment of Migraine. Headache. 2011 Jul-Aug;51(7):1078-86.

Varkey E, Cider A, Carlsson J, et al. Exercise as migraine prophylaxis: A randomized study using relaxation and topiramate as controls. Cephalalgia. 2011 Oct;31(14):1428-38.

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