When Shauna Darcy first got Ruby, she got her as a service dog to help her cope with her anxiety, depression, and agoraphobia. From the very beginning, Ruby proved to be a wonderful service dog and companion – and it was clear there was no limit to Ruby’s devotion.

Shauna said, “While she was training to be a service dog I noticed that she started picking up on changes in my heart rate and would act funny — for example, paw at me, try to get my attention, get on top of me, etc.”

Choosing to listen to Ruby’s cues, Shauna went to see a doctor and quickly learned that she was experiencing health issues she hadn’t known about, including a rare heart condition called vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ruby had already known something was wrong even before Shauna did, and as a service dog, she quickly switched focus to Shauna’s cardiac issues.

Every day, Ruby helps her with things like monitoring her heart rate and blood pressure, assisting her during panic attacks, as well as retrieving emergency medications. Ruby also carries groceries, picks up dropped items and gets things for Shauna that she can’t reach. Ruby is even trained in deep pressure therapy!

“When I pass out she gets on top of me and applies all her pressure on me and licks my hands and face until I come around,” Shauna said.

Ruby is there for her round the clock – even when Shauna doesn’t realize she needs her.

Last week, when Ruby started alerting her that something was wrong, she had no idea why. Shauna was feeling fine but chose to trust Ruby and call an ambulance – just in case.

“It turns out my heart was going into atrial fibrillation,” she said. “By the time the paramedics came, I was in pain and barely conscious.”

As the paramedics rushed her to the hospital, it dawned on her that Ruby had just saved her life.

While Shauna was in the hospital and the doctors worked to stabilize her, Ruby refused to leave her side. Even while she was unconscious, Ruby lay in her hospital bed, pressed up against her, hoping Shauna could sense she was there and that she would feel safe.

During their hospital stay, lots of people stopped by to meet Ruby. She’s always very popular whenever she and Shauna go – but always sticks close to Shauna’s side, as she loves her so much. And Shauna loves her right back.

Without Ruby, Shauna’s life would be very different. Ruby helps to keep her healthy and safe every day, and Shauna couldn’t be more grateful for Ruby’s love and loyalty.

“I wouldn’t be alive without her,” she said.

Top 5 Health Benefits of Palm Oil

There are a good number of individuals who swear by palm oil use. There are indeed some of the health benefits of palm oil. These benefits include its ability to enhance energy levels, enhance vision, decrease the chances of developing cancer, improve the immune system, help to prevent premature aging, provide protection against heart diseases, and is very good for pregnant women.

Palm oil is a seriously very beneficial type vegetable oil that is extracted from different types of oil palms. The main types that are used in the production of palm oil are specifically the African oil palm or Elaeis guineensis scientifically speaking as well as American oil palm or Elaeis oleifera scientifically speaking. Palm oil is naturally a reddish-orange color due to its rich beta-carotene content. In addition to that, palm oil is also one of the very few naturally saturated vegetable fats, which only means that it is usually utilized to reduce the LDL cholesterol level in a person’s body, which can help decrease the chances of developing a certain cardiovascular disease.

Palm oil is usually used as a cooking oil in certain part of the world such as in the Africa, Southeast Asia, and even certain countries in the South America. It has been becoming more popular in other parts of the world these past recent years because of the health concerns of having excessive trans fats in our diet. For people who have too much bad cholesterol in their body or LDL cholesterol, you can try using palm oil since it is a better health choice. There are some other health benefits closely related to palm oil, which are briefly discussed below.

Health Benefits of Palm Oil

Energy Levels

Beta-carotene is one of the main elements found in palm oil, which is why it has this characteristic orange-red pigment. Beta-carotene is very good for increasing energy levels and enhancing hormonal balance in our body.

Vision

In addition to energy levels, Beta-carotene is so also very essential for enhancing our vision. Plenty of antioxidants can be seen in palm oil, which are the powerful defensive mechanisms of our body. They are the good byproducts of cellular metabolism and can help protect the body from the harmful free radicals. These free radicals are held responsible for a lot of cellular breakdown and alteration, including the harmful damage that can result to vision problems. Using palm oil as a replacement for any other types of oil can help decrease the chances of developing age related eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts.

Cardiovascular Issues

Palm oil has a high concentration of HDL and LDL cholesterol content, but even if one is good (HDL) cholesterol and the other is bad (LDL) cholesterol, it can still make and maintain a healthier equilibrium in our body. High levels of LDL cholesterol can raise your chances of developing atherosclerosis, which can eventually result in strokes and heart attacks. By maintaining a healthy equilibrium of cholesterol both of which you certainly need in our body, you can make it sure that you will have a healthier cardiovascular system.

Prevents Cancer

Tocopherols, which are specific types of vitamin A, is a potent natural antioxidant. Antioxidants, as previously discussed above, are powerful defensive compounds that can help decrease the chances of developing cancer by fight off free radicals. These free radicals can drive healthy cells to alter into cancerous cells, that is the reason why high levels of tocopherol and palm oil are is needed to maintain an overall healthy body.

Pregnant Women

Vitamin deficiencies are some of the most severe health conditions that anyone can face in particular the pregnant women and their unborn children. Vitamin A, E, and D are found in great amount in palm oil, and since our body cannot naturally keep these particular essential vitamins, it is needed to consume them regularly in our diets. Make it a point that pregnant women and their children do not face any vitamin deficiencies is one of the best parts of adding palm oil to your regular diet.