Month: April 2025

Common Side-Effects of Supplements used to Manage Inflammation

Inflammation is a normal part of the body’s immune response to pain, injury, or infections. Some studies have found that supplementation with certain vitamins and natural compounds may help prevent or delay inflammation, reducing the development of chronic disease.

These supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated by the body, but some people may experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps, rashes, and stomach upset.

Here are some popular supplements and their possible side effect.

 Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to reduce inflammation and may reduce the risk of developing chronic conditions caused by inflammation, such as heart disease and diabetes. You can get omega-3s by eating foods like fatty fish and flaxseed and taking dietary supplements like fish oil.

Omega-3 fatty acid is generally safe, but possible side effects include heartburn, nausea, and diarrhea. Avoid taking this supplement if you take blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin), as it could worsen bleeding.

Curcumin

Curcumin is an antioxidant compound found in turmeric. It is known for reducing inflammation and fighting infection.

Studies show that curcumin reduces inflammation by blocking processes that lead to inflammation and suppressing markers that signal inflammation, like cytokines. It also enhances compounds that fight off inflammation.

Although curcumin is generally well-tolerated, you may experience side effects like rash, diarrhea, and headaches while using this supplement.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for its ability to reduce and fight off infections caused by bacteria and viruses.

In addition to fighting infections, vitamin C can reduce inflammation by decreasing the levels of protein compounds that promote inflammation, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

Vitamin C supplements are generally safe and well-tolerated by the body, but some people may experience side effects like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramps.

Garlic

Garlic is a root plant used as a spice in most homes. It is popular for its use in managing colds and flu. Garlic may also help reduce inflammation.

Studies show that garlic reduces inflammation by decreasing the levels of inflammatory proteins in the body. It also boosts the immune system, further helping to fight inflammation.

Garlic is generally safe, but some people may avoid it, particularly in the raw form, because it can cause bad breath, body odor, and stomach upset.

Using garlic supplements may also increase the risk of bleeding and should be avoided when taking anticoagulants like Coumadin (warfarin).

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin found in eggs, cheese, yogurt, milk, and beef liver. It is also naturally produced when your skin is exposed to sunlight. The amount of vitamin D found in most foods is small, and sunlight exposure is minimal during winter, so supplementation may be beneficial for getting the recommended intake.

Studies show that vitamin D has strong inflammation-reducing properties and can decrease the risk of diseases linked to chronic inflammation. Vitamin D reduces the levels of inflammatory proteins and boosts proteins that help fight inflammation, like interleukin-10 (IL-10).

Vitamin D supplementation is generally safe when used within the recommended dose. Some side effects include muscle weakness, nausea, and vomiting. Vitamin D can be toxic when consumed in very high doses (blood levels greater than 375 nanomoles per liter), leading to conditions like kidney failure, heart disease, or death.

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a compound found naturally in grapes and blueberries. It has been shown to reduce inflammation, pain, and swelling.

Resveratrol reduces inflammation by decreasing the secretion of inflammatory proteins. Some research suggests that resveratrol might help manage conditions like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. More studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Resveratrol supplements are safe when taken in the recommended amounts. Higher doses may cause side effects, such as stomach upset, nausea, and diarrhea.

Resveratrol may not be safe for people with hormone-sensitive cancers like breast, uterine, and ovarian cancer, as it may worsen these cancers.

That’s all for today. Tomorrow I’ll cover 5 more popular supplements.

Source: msn.com©

14 Inexpensive Ways To Create A Relaxing Hideaway Spot In Your Garden

Having a quiet, peaceful outdoor space can provide a nice respite from busy schedules all year round. If you think you need to spend a lot of money to create a backyard retreat, think again: There are many creative approaches to creating a private space in the garden. Making a relaxing garden hideaway spot can be done very inexpensively, and there are ideas to fit every budget. 

Metal chairs and a table in a garden hideaway. © Jacky Parker Photography/Getty Images

While it’s nice to have a gazebo or patio with a built-in arbor, it may seem daunting to create a private or secluded space in the garden if there’s not already a structure to work with. There are portable gazebos available, but these can often be expensive. Outdoor furniture can also be pricey if purchased new. But thrifty options abound for making your hideaway. You can get furniture at yard sales or thrift shops. Inexpensive fencing materials include rolled willow fencing or upcycled wood pallets.

The main features you want to have in your hideaway can be summarized with an easy-to-remember trio of words: shade, seating, and serenity. This means you want your hideaway to be cool, comfy, and quiet, especially in summer. Trees, hedges, shrubs and other plants offer shade and also help to absorb sound in a noisy neighborhood or near a highway. If you don’t have hedges or trees, annual flowers in containers can also create coolness and shade, act as sound buffers, and help define space.

Use Container Plantings To Define Space

Wooden chairs on deck with flower pots. © Kristin Mitchell/Getty Images

A comfy retreat space can be created very simply with just a couple of chairs and a small table placed in a secluded or shady spot on your patio or deck. If you don’t have a lot of room, placing some container plants near your seating arrangement can define the space and make it feel like you’re surrounded by the garden. Choose colors you enjoy that feel welcoming — your potted annual flowers can complement the colors of your furniture.

A Rustic Retreat Made Of Thrift Shop Finds

Thrift shop furniture in a garden. © Erik Pilgaard Vinther/Shutterstock

If you’re a thrift shop lover, inveterate trash picker, or yard sale maven, you may already know how easy it to find useful things without spending much. Watch for spring and fall clean up, too, when people put out things they’re discarding from their garages, attics, and basements. You might find a comfy old wicker chair that just needs cleaning, a vintage table you can refresh with a coat of paint, an old fire dish, planters, or any number of items to make a funky, yet functional, hideaway space.

Create Shade And Privacy With Rolled Fencing

Backyard seating area with gravel, a willow fence, and wicker chairs. © Gcshutter/Getty Images

Creating privacy for a backyard or garden hideaway need not require an expensive fence installation. Rolled willow or bamboo fencing is available at most larger garden stores. It’s easy to work with to create instant fencing or to add a layer of cover to an open wire fence. This solution not only provides privacy but also helps create shade. You can leave the fencing up year-round and add some climbing vines or roll it up to store during the winter to help the material last a bit longer.

Plant Clumping Grasses For Privacy

Pampas grass in a garden. © Jacky Parker Photography/Getty Images

If you have a lot of space, consider planting tall ornamental grasses to create your hideaway. These clumping perennials offer structure, shade, privacy, and noise absorption in a large yard, eliminating the need to construct fencing or arbors. Another advantage of ornamental grasses is that they help reduce environmental pollutants in soil and groundwater. Choose their locations carefully, as once they’re established, they can be a bit unwieldy to remove. Avoid putting them in flower beds where they have a tendency to crowd out other plants: Give them plenty of room.

There’s more to discover at: House Digest©

Get a jump start on spring by starting seeds at home

As spring creeps closer and closer, gardeners start to get the itch to go outside and start digging in the dirt. While it may still be too early to do that, seed starting is a popular way to kick off the gardening season. 

Benefits of Starting Seeds

Seeds started indoors tend to get better germination rates compared to seeds started outdoors because the seeds are provided with ideal conditions. In addition to better conditions, they also won’t have competition from other plants and there should be fewer insect and disease problems.

Starting seeds to have transplants can also be cheaper than going out and buying them later in the year. There is a lot more variety to choose from when starting from seeds compared to purchasing transplants from the store. 

Supplies for Starting Seeds

Fortunately, starting seeds isn’t difficult. There are just a few things needed to get started: desired seed, a container to start them in, some growing media, water, and light.

Growing Media: Select a seed starting mix, not garden soil, as a growing media. Seed starting mix is sterile and is usually made from milled peat moss, perlite, coconut coir, and vermiculite. This combination provides a light, fine-textured media that is ideal for starting seeds.

Container: There are a variety of different options, from cell flats, plastic pots, peat pots, eggshells, and toilet paper tubes to egg cartons. Whatever choice, make sure it can hold media while allowing excess moisture to drain away, for example, drainage holes.

Lighting: Fluorescent grow lights are often used; however, regular fluorescent bulbs, a desk lamp, or even a windowsill works. If growing on a windowsill, make sure it has good western or southern exposure and isn’t drafty. Supplemental lighting may still need to be provided. 

Seeds: Select preferred seeds and look at the back of the package. It will include growing information, including when the seeds should be sown. Example: X number of weeks before the last frost. 

How to Start Plants from Seed

  1. Prepare the growing media: Pre-moisten media by mixing it with enough water so it holds its shape when you grab a handful but isn’t dripping. Fill the container and make sure there aren’t large air pockets.
  2. Plant the seed: Make an indentation in the media to the recommended depth. Place 2 to 3 seeds inside this indentation and cover. Press the media down to make sure there is good contact with the seeds.
  3. Cover the container: The container can then be covered with plastic to help retain moisture and warmth. Remove the plastic to spray the container if the media dries out. If uncovered, the media will need to be watered more often. Once the seeds begin to germinate, remove the plastic cover.
  4. Keep them warm: If starting seeds in a cool area, it may be a good idea to get a heat mat that is specifically made for starting seeds so that the seeds will properly germinate and prevent disease problems. Once seeds have germinated, turn off or remove the mat.

As the seedlings grow, keep lights three inches above the tallest plant and provide them with 12 to 16 hours of light a day. Using a timer is helpful. Water media as needed, making sure it remains moist. Once the seedlings produce their first true leaves, plan to water them with a weak fertilizer.

As spring arrives, it will finally be time to take them outdoors and place them in the ground. Make sure to slowly harden them off before moving them outside permanently.

Source: extension.illinois.edu©

Breaking News English Lesson: Pope Francis

  

Paragraph 1

Reading

Pope Francis has been laid to rest after a solemn ceremony in Rome. The funeral and procession were attended by more than 250,000 people. Many high-ranking church officials, royalty, heads of state, and foreign dignitaries paid their respects to the pontiff in the magnificent 16th-century St Peter’s Basilica. The Vatican News website called the ceremony “moving, intense, and heartfelt”. Pope Francis passed away on Easter Monday, aged 88, after serving as head of the Catholic Church for 12 years. Francis was the first Pope from South America. A Catholic Church cardinal said the outpouring of affection in the Vatican streets “tells us how much Pope Francis touched minds and hearts”.

 

Vocabulary

    Paragraph 1

Choose the correct answer for each number

      1. laid to rest a. Kings, queens, princes, and princesses.
      2. solemn b. Very beautiful or very good.
      3. royalty c. When a person who has died is buried in the ground.
      4. dignitaries d. Very serious and quiet.
      5. paid their respects e. Important people, like leaders or officials.
      6. magnificent f. Showed they cared about or said goodbye to someone who died.
      7. outpouring g. A lot of feelings shown at once.

Paragraph 2

Reading

Pope Francis was a hugely popular pontiff. He was seen as a man who did his utmost to bring people together. Cardinal Re told mourners that the late Pope had a deep commitment to the plight of migrants and to world peace. Cardinal Re said Francis had constantly urged people to “build bridges, not walls”. Francis was always outspoken in his criticism of war. He continually urged leaders to end conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan and Myanmar. Francis will also be remembered for his calls for greater inclusivity. He gave his conditional blessing of same-sex couples. He also recognized transgender and LGBTQ+ issues, even though this brought criticism from conservatives.

Paragraph 2

Choose the correct answer for each number

      8. pontiff h. A very bad or difficult situation.
      9. utmost i. Another word for the Pope (the head of the Catholic Church).
      10. mourners j. When you promise to do something and work hard at it.
      11. commitment k. Not afraid to say what you think, especially it it is shocking or controversial.
      12. plight l. The best or most you can do.
      13. outspoken m. When everyone is welcome and included.
      14. inclusivity n. People who are very sad because someone has died

Answers:

VOCABULARY (p.4)

  1. c 2. d 3. a 4. e 5. f 6. b 7. g
  2. i 9. l 10. n 11. j 12. h 13. k 14. m

Source: breakingnewsenglish.com©

Related:  Pope Leo XIV chosen as new leader of the Catholic Church – TUTORING YOU

How to Neutralize the Effects of Caffeine

 

Whether you drank too many cups of coffee or downed an energy drink, you may experience jitters, irregular heartbeat, an upset stomach and other caffeine side effects. From drinking water to eating a banana, find out what really works for neutralizing the effects of too much caffeine.

How Much Caffeine Is Safe?

You may know that caffeine is found in coffee, tea, chocolate and soda, but the National Poison Control Center reports that you may be ingesting more caffeine than you realize. Energy drinks, caffeine pills, energy shots and diet pills often have high amounts of caffeine. This stimulant is also added to certain foods, chewing gum, mints, bottled water and even lip balm.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that healthy adults can safely have up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. This is the equivalent of four or five cups of coffee. However, some people are sensitive to caffeine and may experience side effects even when taking a few sips.

Caffeine overdose

A caffeine overdose may occur at around 1,200 milligrams of caffeine, reports the FDA. Dietary supplements with high concentrations of caffeine can be dangerous and are not recommended. Children, teens and pregnant people should avoid taking in more than 200 milligrams of caffeine per day. The same goes for people who are breastfeeding or trying to conceive.

Make sure you carefully check food labels to determine the exact amount of caffeine. For example, the FDA reports that a 12-ounce can of soda has 30 to 40 milligrams of caffeine, while an 8-ounce cup of coffee provides 80 to 100 milligrams. Green tea and black tea contain around 30 to 50 milligrams of caffeine, while energy drinks can have up to 250 milligrams per 8 ounces.

Potential Side Effects of Caffeine

Caffeine is a natural substance that is derived from coffee beans, cocoa beans and tea leaves, but it can also be produced synthetically. The FDA reports that it may have beneficial effects, such as increased alertness and energy, when consumed in moderation.

Caffeine life-cycle

After you ingest caffeine, you will feel the peak effects within 30 to 60 minutes, states the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. The stimulant has a half-life of three to five hours. This is the time it takes for your body to get rid of half the drug. For example, if you drink one cup of coffee with 80 milligrams of caffeine, you may still have 40 milligrams of this substance left in your system after five hours or so.

That’s why it’s recommended not to drink caffeine for at least six hours before bedtime. There are several variables, such as your weight and metabolism, that affect how long the caffeine stays in your system.

Side effects

According to the FDA, common caffeine side effects may include:

  • Jitters, shaky hands
  • Headache
  • Insomnia
  • Anxiety
  • Irritability
  • Fast heart rate
  • Nausea or upset stomach

The National Poison Control Center reports that serious side effects, which may result from a caffeine overdose, often include vomiting, heart palpitations and high blood pressure. Overdosing on caffeine is unlikely to happen, but it may lead to seizures and even death. If you experience severe adverse reactions, seek medical attention immediately.

Counteracting Caffeine Side Effects

If you scour the internet for ways to counteract caffeine’s side effects, you will find lots of anecdotal advice. Eating a banana, exercising and eating fruits rich in vitamin C certainly won’t hurt, but there is no scientific evidence that doing these things will stop the jitters or neutralize the caffeine in your system.

The best thing you can do is to stay hydrated by drinking water and to wait for the caffeine to pass through your system. The University of Washington advises against eating caffeine-containing foods, such as chocolate, during this time frame.

If you have diarrhea, drink an electrolyte replacement beverage. Take a walk to relieve anxiety and jitters. Practicing deep breathing or meditation may help slow down breathing and decrease anxiety until the caffeine has left your system. Figure out how much of this stimulant you can tolerate and keep it under that limit to avoid the negative caffeine side effects.

Source: livestrong.com©

Photo credit: Jill Chen/iStock/Getty Images

 

8 Artificial Dyes to be Phased out of U.S. Food Supply

Your food and candy will look very different in the next two years. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration announced that eight artificial food dyes and colorings will be phased out from America’s food supply by the end of next year.

The agencies will work with food companies to remove the eight artificial dyes found in medications, candy, ice cream, soft drinks, and other products. According to the Food and Drug Administration, these dyes are used to offset color loss due to exposure to light and extreme temperatures. Officials revealed during a news conference on April 22 that they are also used to add color to “colorless” and “fun foods. “

Under the Biden administration, the FDA has already mandated a ban on Red Dye No. 3 found in candy, desserts, and some medications by 2028 and from food by 2027 because it was shown to cause cancer in rats.

Federal officials are taking steps to pull the authorization of Citrus Red No. 2 and Orange B within the coming months. The other six dyes the FDA and HHS seek to eliminate by the end of 2026 include Green No. 3, Red No. 40, Yellow No. 5, Yellow No. 6, Blue No. 1, and Blue No. 2.

The FDA will soon authorize four new natural color additives and partner with the National Institutes of Health to research “how food additives impact children’s health and development.”

While most people are aware of Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40 is linked to neurological disorders. It has already been banned from being sold in public schools in California.

Source: msn.com©

A Guide to Mulching Materials for the Home Garden

 

Mulches for the Home Garden


A mulch is any material which covers the soil surface around and under plants to protect and improve the area. Traditionally, we think of mulch as an organic material such as leaves, straw or common plant remains. Our need for mulch, however, has grown.

Two major reasons for mulching today are to conserve moisture and to create a better planting bed through the addition of organic matter. Additionally, the interest in recycling yard waste back into the landscape has promoted the idea that mulching our planting beds makes sense from a horticultural and environmental standpoint.


Ten Benefits of Using Mulch for the home garden

1) Mulches help control weeds through prevention and slowing of weed seed germination.
2) Mulches regulate soil temperature by providing a layer of insulation over bare soil. How much regulation depends upon the type of mulches and in some cases, its thickness and color. The soil temperature may be
either warmer or colder under mulch compared to bare soil.
3) Mulches assist in retention of soil moisture by reducing evaporation at the surface.
4) Mulches reduce soil erosion. A layer of mulch will lessen the impact and run-off of raindrops.
5) Mulches reduce the spread of disease by protecting above-ground plant parts from being splashed with fungal or bacterial inoculums from the soil. It also protects fruits from contacting the soil surface and in so
doing, reduces the chance of rot.
6) Though generally in small amounts, most mulches will add some essential elements back into the soil.
7) Mulches improve soil tilth. As organic surface mulches decompose, they work down into the soil to increase air space, moisture retention and nutrient holding capacity.

8) Mulches reduce heaving of soils from frost. By loosening the soil structure, mulches lessen the tension between water molecules that form ice in the subsurface. Soil ice increases pressure which tears plant
crowns and roots.
9) Mulches insulate against soil compaction. A cushion of organic materials on the soil surface will reduce the compaction of subsurface soil layers by absorbing the pressure due to traffic.
10) Mulches can improve the appearance of any planting site.

 

Types of mulching material

A mulch is any material which covers the soil surface around and under plants to protect and improve the area. Traditionally, we think of mulch as an organic material such as leaves, straw or common plant remains. Our need for mulch, however, has grown. Two major reasons for mulching today are to conserve moisture and to create a better planting bed through the addition of organic matter. Additionally, the interest in recycling yard waste back into the landscape has promoted the idea that mulching our planting beds makes sense from a horticultural and environmental standpoint.

The following chart gives some mulch materials which may be used in and around the home garden. Each has advantages and disadvantages worth noting. The one you choose should be readily available for a reasonable cost. One should also consider whether the mulch is needed for more than one season. Those which are more durable can be used with perennials and woody ornamentals.

 

A guide to mulching materials

 

 

 

Forests go through a natural process of providing their own mulch. Leaves, evergreen needles and bark layer the forest floor to provide a covering of rich organic materials. This plant debris will decay over time recycling nutrients back into the soil, insulating it from heat and cold, conserving soil moisture and acting as a weed barrier. When we mulch our gardens, we simply follow nature’s practice and receive all the benefits.

 

Source: Missouri Botanical Garden

 Easter Sunday English Lesson

Happy Easter!

In this lesson about Easter Sunday, you are challenged to match some common Easter vocabulary which celebrates the most holy day of the year for Christians.

Paragraph 1

Easter Sunday commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the most important Christian celebration. The date of Easter Sunday changes every year, and that changes the date of all the important holy days that come before Easter. Basically, it falls between late March and late May. Easter is so important because Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead, two days after he died on the cross. Jesus’ dead body was buried in a cave on Good Friday and two days later the stone that covered the cave’s entrance had been moved and Jesus’ body had gone. Various people saw Jesus in the following days, and his followers understood God had raised him from the dead. Historians say this happened sometime between 26 and 36 AD.

Paragraph 1 Match the following phrases from the article.

1. Easter Sunday commemorates   a. from the dead
2 all the important   b. 26 and 36 AD
3. Christians believe that Jesus rose   c. on the cross
4. two days after he died   d. the resurrection of Jesus
5. God had raised   e. holy days
6. sometime between   f. him from the dead

 

Paragraph 2

People celebrate Easter in many ways around the world. It is a very busy time for churches. Many Christians light a special Paschal candle on the evening before Easter. This represents the rising of Christ. There are special songs and hymns which people sing in church. Children like Easter because their parents and grandparents give them chocolate Easter eggs, a sign of new birth. Schoolchildren usually decorate eggs and display them in their school or give them as gifts. Other things associated with Easter are the Easter Bunny and spring flowers like irises. At the Vatican, the Pope blesses thousands of visitors who congregate in St. Peter’s Square. This is known as “Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and to the World”).

 

Paragraph 2 Match the following phrases from the article.

1. Christians light a special   a. with Easter
2 This represents   b. of new birth
3. a sign   c. congregate
4. Schoolchildren usually   d. Paschal candle
5. Other things associated   e. decorate eggs
6. visitors who   f. the rising of Christ

Sources: wikipedia.org/ and assorted sites.

Now go and have a wonderful easter Sunday!

Weed Killers for Gravel That Won’t Hurt People, Pets, or the Planet

Using a weed killer for gravel is often the most effective way to keep driveways and pathways clear of unwanted growth. At first, pulling the occasional dandelion may not seem like a big deal, but when weeds begin to spread in gravel or across the lawn, it can be difficult to keep up—especially if manual removal means digging between rocks. Even with a weed barrier in place, dust and dirt can settle in the gravel over time, creating the perfect environment for weeds to take root. 

With hundreds of popular weed killers available in stores and online, finding one that’s both safe and effective can be a challenge. To help you narrow down your options, we researched effective ingredients and tested several highly rated products. Based on our findings, we selected the Natural Armor All-Natural Weed & Grass Killer as the best overall option for its powerful performance and non-toxic formula.

  1. BEST OVERALL: Natural Armor All-Natural Weed & Grass Killer
     
  2. RUNNER-UP: Natria Grass & Weed Control With Root Kill 
  3. BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Energen Carolina Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
     
  4. BEST FOR GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS: Earth’s Ally Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer
     
  5. BEST POST-EMERGENT: Green Gobbler 20% Vinegar Weed & Grass Killer
     
  6. BEST ORGANIC: Sunday Weed Warrior Herbicide Spot Treatment
     
  7. BEST PET-SAFE: Natural Elements Non-Toxic Weed Killer

Our Top Picks

For us to recommend these products for gravel driveway weed control, they had to meet high standards for performance and ease of use. Each option contains proven ingredients known to kill common weeds and, for pre-emergents, components that prevent weeds from sprouting. These selections offer natural alternatives to harsh chemical formulas and stand out in their categories. 

Source: bobvila.com©