Natural Solutions for Altitude Sickness

We just returned from our wonderful annual jaunt up into the mountains here in Colorado, just a few hours from where we live. We go to Lake City every year for a little R&R. While we were there, we encountered several other vacationers who suffered from altitude sickness, which is not surprising since Lake City has an altitude of over 8,500 feet.

These vacationers were from Florida, and suffered the usual symptoms of altitude sickness, including shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, a little nausea, and general tiredness. These symptoms make for a less-than-pleasant vacation. Luckily, we always carry some natural supplements that help with these symptoms, including Coenzyme Q10 and blue-green algae, and our new friends were able to enjoy the rest of their vacation without further trouble.

What Causes Altitude Sickness?
The obvious causes of altitude sickness, especially for people accustomed to living in lower altitudes, is the "thin air," or lack of oxygen at higher altitudes. The thin air causes the body to get less oxygen. To make up for this lack, the body compensates by increasing the heart rate and respiration, which helps to a certain extent, but not totally. The lack of oxygen to different parts of the body then causes symptoms like dizziness, headache, sluggishness, and so forth.

Natural Methods for Preventing Altitude Sickness
Taking certain measures while at high altitudes can prevent symptoms. Here are a few that we have found work really well.

- Take CoEnzyme Q10: Coenzyme Q10 plays an important part in cellular energy production, and has been shown to help cells use the available oxygen more efficiently.

- Increase High-Chlorophyll Foods: Foods high in chlorophyll, such as blue-green algae or leafy greens, increases the body's level of hemoglobin as well as increasing the transport of oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

- Eat Small Meals Frequently: Digestion takes a lot of energy, which can worsen symptoms. Eating small frequent meals high in complex carbohydrates can prevent feelings of tiredness and nausea.

To prevent altitude sickness, you start following these guidelines a few days before you go into the high country. In addition, you can also try breathing deeply to increase oxygen intake, moving more slowly, and sipping rather than gulping large quantities of water. If all else fails, descend to a lower altitude for a few days until your body adjusts before returning to the higher altitude.

Order blue-green algae and coenzyme Q10 online at wholesale prices.

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Photo credit: Yosemite National Park, California