Diamond Author
I used to require caffeine every morning before I was awake enough to do anything else. I knew better than trying to drive without it, I was sure I'd get into an accident. I'm not alone in that, many people feel the need of this "pick-me-up" drug. There actually are some benefits to caffeine, when it is used properly.
Boosts Some Medications: If you read the ingredients in some bottles of aspirin, you will notice that there is caffeine in the product as well. This is because mixing the two boosts the power of the medication. There may be other instances where this is true as well.
Clears the Mind: It's not your imagination, that cup of coffee or glass of soda pop can help clear your mind. It triggers the fight or flight response, which can give your mind the boost it needs. It will also help you wake up in the morning.
Energy: Are you a fan of energy drinks/bars? If you read the ingredients list, you will see it listed prominently. This, too can be chalked up to the fight or flight response.
Weight Loss: This substance causes your metabolism to go into overdrive, meaning that even simply breathing will burn more calories. Not all weight loss products contain it, but most do.
These pluses come with some minuses. It's always best to look at both sides of a product of this nature before deciding if it is right for you. If you find that the drawbacks aren't eclipsed by the benefits, you may want to avoid it.
Blurred Vision: If you do a lot of close up work, such as using a microscope, you may find it hard to focus your eyes. This is also true of caffeine withdrawal...one symptom includes visual difficulties.
Chest Pain: While current studies indicate that it isn't a cause of heart problems, those who have heart problems may have chest pains after consuming it. Ask your doctor if it is safe for you to use products containing it.
High Blood Pressure: This product will raise blood pressure, even if you are perfectly healthy in that department. If you have high blood pressure, you may want to avoid it as much as possible.
Jittery Feelings: This is sort of related to the energy issue. If enough is ingested, you may feel jittery; unable to sit still or focus on what you are doing. There is a fine line between enough caffeine to focus and so much you can't do so. This can also extend to include physical shaking, particularly of the hands.
Nutritional Difficulties: Do you take your daily vitamins with your coffee? If so, you are losing sixty percent of the nutritional value. One reason is the diuretic effect; they are excreted before your body has a chance to use them.
If you do decide to stop using caffeine, it is best to taper off slowly. Abrupt cessation can cause a lot of pain. Severe headaches, blurred vision, irritability and even sleeplessness can be a result. If you are unsure how to come off of the substance safely, visit your doctor. He or she can help you figure out the best plan to stop using it and resolve the reasons you were using it in the first place.
About this Author
My eBook, the Complete Guide to Complementary Remedies has information from all of my mini books, plus much more. Topics include:
Blood pressure: Page Eleven
Depression: Page Fourteen
Kidney stones: Page Fifty-Six
Herbs and weight loss: Page One Hundred Two
Interaction list: Page One Hundred Fifteen
Our site has information on many topics and my five eBooks about herbal remedies. You can also download my free report, the Top Ten Herbs. It details ten popular herbs, their uses, side effects, precautions and drug interactions. If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me: mary@healing-home-remedies.com
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