It’s that time of year where we all start enjoying the weather outside, but did you know that 4 different studies conducted in the 1990’s indicated a higher risk of malignant melanoma among individuals who used the most sunscreen!

Several years ago when I started revealing the dangers of sunscreen many people were surprised. But over the past 5 years more research is starting to come out about the dangers of sunscreen.

Now I’m not telling you never to wear sunscreen!
Sometimes, you should wear sunscreen (more on that later). But first, I want to share with you the benefits of not wearing sunscreen for a portion of the day and also let you know what brands are toxic-free and safe for you and your family, and where you can get them.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) just published their 2012 guide to safe sunscreens. They reviewed over 1800 sunscreens and over 257 brands. They found more than 75% of the sunscreens contained toxic chemicals that can increase your risk of cancer and other health issues.

The Dangers of Conventional Sunscreens
According to research from the EWG: Our review…shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some have toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and disrupt hormones, and several can cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. The FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients. Sunscreens haven’t been regulated since 1978 in the USA, and the SPF factor only tells you how effective a sunscreen is against UVB rays which cause sunburn.

So in review, some ingredients may

• Absorb into the blood
• Release free radicals in sunlight
• Act like estrogen
• Disrupt hormones
• Cause allergic reactions
• Cause skin irritation
• Have no rigorous safety standards

A recent study published in Environmental Science Technology has also shown the common sunscreen ingredients oxybenzone, methoxycinnamate, and PABA are estrogenic chemicals linked to cancer. That’s right, I read the labels on not only my food products, but on anything I’m putting on or near my body, and you should too. If your sunscreen contains any of these chemicals I’d throw it away right now!

List of Unsafe, Toxic Chemicals in Sunscreen

• Para amino benzoic acid
• Octyl salicyclate
• Oxybenzone
• Cinoxate
• Dioxybenzone
• Phenylbenzimidazole
• Homosalate
• Menthyl anthranilate
• Octocrylene
• Methoxycinnamate
• Parabens

Stay away from these chemicals and use the natural sunscreens I recommend at the end of the article.

The Sun Doesn’t Cause Cancer
In truth, the sun is essential for your health. Think about it. Without the sun, most plants couldn’t grow and we would perish from a lack of Vitamin D3.

Of course, you can have too much of a good thing. I don’t recommend letting your skin burn, and this is a common point people miss. Getting a moderate amount of sunshine daily can actually help decrease your risk of certain types of cancers.

The Sun is your best source of Vitamin D3.
When you get approximately 20 minutes of direct sunlight, your body naturally generates enough Vitamin D3 (Calciferol), and you body also knows the right amount to generate without overdose.

Vitamin D3 has been one of the most researched nutrients over the past 5 years and it has been shown to naturally help boost the immune system, help fight cancer and improve mood.

There are two types of sunscreens: non-mineral and mineral.  And some that combine both.

Non-mineral sunscreens penetrate the skin, are potentially disruptive to hormones, are allergenic, and like I mentioned earlier, can release free radicals when they break down. Oxybenzone is the most common ingredient found in sunscreens. Scientists recommend not using sunscreens containing oxybenzone on children because of this hormone disruption.

Mineral sunscreens are ones containing zinc, or titanium.  These do not breakdown in sunlight, are not usually absorbed ( so do not disrupt the body’s hormones), are not allergenic and are more effective at blocking UVA rays than non-minerals.  These sunscreens are a good choice for children and according to EWG have the best safety profiles of the choices in the United States.

What I Use

Kiss My Face SPF 30

What Natural Sunscreens to Buy

The best sunscreen is a hat and a shirt. No chemicals for the skin to absorb, no questions about whether the product works and no bogus claims like “sunblock.” (No conventional product blocks out all rays. Which is why the FDA is trying to ban the term.)

When buying sunscreen I’d first check the EWG database. Here are my top 3 recommended brands of the top natural sunscreens:
1. Kiss My Face SPF 30

2. 100% Pure Hydration Organic Pomegranate

3. Aubrey Organics SPF 30 Children’s Unscented Sensitive Skin

These healthier sunscreens contain Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide as a more natural form of sunblock. However even these ingredients aren’t flawless as you’ll see in the EWG ratings system.

Foods and Supplements that Protect Your Skin
According to the American Cancer Society, oxidative damage can increase your cancer risk,  so I recommend eating a diet high in certain foods which can potentially decrease your risk.

List of the best foods and supplements to protect your skin

• Resveratrol (red wine, blueberries and red grapes)
• Omega-3 fatty acids (salmon and fish oil)
• Astaxathin (salmon and fish oil)
• Catechins (green and white tea)
• Vitamin E (pumpkin seeds, almonds, and asparagus)
• Beta-carotene (carrots and red bell peppers)

For a more extensive list, check out my article on fighting skin cancer with food.

Actions Steps
1. Get 20+ minutes of sunshine daily
2. Cover up with light clothing before you get burnt
3. Wear natural sunscreen if you’re going to stay out for a long period of time
4. Eat a diet high in anti-oxidants to protect your skin
5. If you get burnt, use a mixture of aloe, coconut oil and vitamin E on your skin

So what are your thoughts on Sunscreen and the Sun? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

sources:  http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/
Kunisue T, Chen Z, Buck Louis GM, Sundaram R, Hediger ML, Sun L, Kannan K. Urinary Concentrations of Benzophenone-type UV Filters in U.S. Women and Their Association with Endometriosis.  Environ Sci Tech 2012 Apr 17;46(8):4624-32. Epub 2012 Mar 29.

1. Lemons

The citric acid in lemons (and other citrus fruits) works to neutralize odors, and the lemony smell leaves a pleasant odor after cleaning. This works especially well on food odors.

Uses:

1. Deodorize your dishwasher. Add 1 cup of lemon juice (fresh squeezed is best) to the bottom of your dishwasher and run just the rinse cycle to disinfect and deodorize it.
2. Freshen up your whole kitchen. Fill a pot with water, and add lemon (and/or orange) peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. Simmer on your stove.
3. Deodorize your sink. Put a handful of lemon, lime or orange peel in the sink disposal and run with water.

2. Eucalyptus

The oil from Eucalyptus is an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, which makes it a great deodorizer. It can help freshen up musty places that are often kept closed off like closets. Its fragrance can help you breathe better by opening up your sinuses.

Uses:

1. Freshen a musty closet. Place a few branches in a closet or musty room. Be sure to check it in a few weeks and simply replace it when the fresh scent starts to go away.
2. Polish Furniture. Add 2 Tbsp. of Eucalyptus oil to 1 gallon of water to use as an antiseptic spray, or as an all natural replacement for Pine-sol or Lysol.

3. Vinegar

Vinegar is one of the most versatile liquids around. Apple Cider Vinegar has incredible health properties when consumed, which is why I made it the main ingredient in my Secret Detox Drink. It’s also a great all natural alternative for everyday cleaning around the house. Don’t worry about the strong smell, it completely goes away when it dries.

Uses:

1. Neutralize hard-to-get-rid-of Odors. Add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar to the fabric softener of your washing machine to neutralize bad odors that tend to stick around even after washing.
2. Clean your washer. Every couple of months, run an empty washer load with 1 cup of vinegar to keep it clean and working well.
3. Bathroom cleaner. Combine equal parts white distilled vinegar and water to a spray bottle. Ideal for hard to remove grime in your bathroom or shower.
4. Hair Conditioner. I’ve been known to use a tablespoon of vinegar as a replacement for hair conditioner.
5. Clean a clogged drain. Pour boiling white distilled vinegar down a clogged drain to remove the obstruction.

4. Baking Soda

Baking Soda is an alkaline powder that’s great at neutralizing acid based smells like body odor and the smells that come from aging food.

Uses:

1. Neutralize odors in the fridge. Place an opened box of baking soda in the fridge to neutralize the bad smells created by food starting to go bad.
2. A natural toothpaste. Sprinkle a little on a wet toothbrush and brush as normal. (I typically use approx. half a teaspoon, or a pinch)

Have your own tips for natural deodorizers? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

sources: livestrong, greenlivingtips

Update 5-23-2012:

I had a lot of great feedback and tips from Facebook, so I thought I’d include some of the best ones here.

• Brandie – put orange and lemon rinds in a jar fill with vinegar and let sit for 2 weeks to marinate. Gives you an all purpose cleaner.
• Linda – I use a few drops of peppermint oil in a bowl when there is an unpleasant odor in the house or when I just want a nice smell when I’m having people over.
• I love using lemons to deodorize my garbage disposal. I also use essential oils, Purification and Thieves for cleaning. Thieves will kill mold and it doesn’t come back. I love my Young Living oils!
• Mona – I use lemon juice and eucalyptus as a brown recluse spider deterrent. I spray lemon juice on the underside of furniture and around windows and doors. I put eucalyptus in closets and other places they like to hide.
• Marc – I keep vinegar in my dishwasher rinse aid dispenser. It helps keep off the film that accumluates on your dishes.
• Angelique – Tea tree oil in water with vinegar for all purpose disinfectant and for keeping away bugs add peppermint. Do not use peppermint if nursing, it could lower your supply.
• Laura – Spray straight vodka on stinky upholstery and carpets as a natural “febreze.” it really gets out all the smells.
• Peggy – White distilled vinegar is good for pet urine spots. Even on wood floors. After you clean the area- wash it down with white vinegar. It worked for me so far.
• Heather – Distiller water and a good smelling organic essential oil in a small spray bottle and spray in rooms-nice (I like lavendar)
• RaDonna – 1 quart of H2O2, 10 drops of essential oil of thyme, 10 drops of essential oil of orange, and 1/4 cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle.
• Wally – Texas Red Cedar oil. It keeps bugs away also, and can be used as a flea repellent for animals. Smells great!

No Calorie Diet: Our bodies need fat, plus healthy fats actually help you burn fat. Unfortunately, the zero-calorie trend is one of the most popular, leading people to consume harmful artificial sweeteners in the name of losing weight. Also, diet drinks can actually cause weight gain.

Drugs and pills: We’re all familiar with this one and we know there’s not a magic pill that will make you skinny. Sadly, drugs, like cocaine, are often used as a quick fix for weight-loss. But in the long run they can severely damage your heart and your brain. There are certain supplements that can aid in fat-burning, but they must go along with healthy eating and exercise, and the healthy supplements are whole-food based.

Fad Diets: The Annals of Internal Medicine reviewed 10 of the nation’s most popular weight-loss programs and found that except for Weight Watchers, none of them show proof that they actually work at helping people lose weight and keep it off. About 45 million Americans diet each year, spending $1 billion to 2 billion each year on weight-loss programs. Yet America remains the most obese country on earth. Not eating a balanced diet will not help you lose weight and can actually inhibit any weight-loss.

Skipping Meals: This approach may appear to make sense, but really it’s a harmful and unhealthy way to lose weight. Your metabolism increases after eating, and if you chronically skip meals, your metabolism can slow down and actually lead to weight gain. Starving or skipping meals is extremely ineffective in weight-loss.

Purging: Purposely throwing up is incredibly dangerous to your health. Purging often comes with serious psychological effects on the individual. The act of throwing up is either a symptom of, or leads to bulimia and it can also increase your cravings for unhealthy foods. Purging creates an illusion that the hunger craving has been satisfied by consuming food, but the calories are lost by throwing it up.

Laxatives: Excessive use of laxatives in the form of pills, powders, suppositories and teas in order to lose weight is not a new concept. Continuous use will weaken your digestive system and can cause abdomen related complications.

Smoking: Another popular way to suppress hunger. Smoking sends vague signals to the brain which increase the metabolic rate, and consequently kill hunger. Chronic smokers can skip meals and not feel any effect. However, this method causes long term damage as the body becomes weak and more susceptible to cancers and other infections.

Over-Exercising: If your body is already undernourished, over-exercising can be one of the worst things you can do to lose weight. Sticking to a rigorous exercise regime can rarely be considered a bad thing, but extensive amounts of cardio won’t help you drop the remaining weight. Burst training for 20 minutes, 3-5 times per week is an appropriate amount, along with strength training.

Working out and sticking to a healthy diet should complement one another in order to lose weight in a healthy way. Losing weight requires a lifestyle change, especially if you want it to stay off. It’s hard work, eating healthy and exercising.

You might also be interested in How to Lose 20 lbs. in 30 Days.

Sources: cbs news, annals.org

“Adding a lime to water that’s been treated with a solar disinfectant system can actually remove harmful bacteria from your drink.”

“…Solar disinfection of water combined with citrus could be effective at greatly reducing E. coli levels…” says Kellogg Schwab, PhD, MS, director of the Johns Hopkins University Global Water Program
Good clean drinking water is very important to our overall wellness, and what better way to take control of your health than to make your own. A recent study published by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found that adding limes to water that is being disinfected by the sun speeds up the disinfection process. Not only will you have naturally cleaned water, but it’ll have a twist of lime which boosts your immune system and fight seasonal allergies.

How to disinfect your own water: Fill a glass container with water. Cut up some limes and set it in the sun for 6-10 hrs.

Spinach is native to ancient Persia (Iranian regions). Arab traders carried spinach into India and China. Traders also brought this green leafy vegetable to the Mediterranean regions of Europe and ultimately to the US. Today, there are three primary varieties of spinach available on the market. Typically the most popular is baby spinach, but you could also go for smooth-leaf or savoy (has curly leaves).

Powerful Plant-based Steroids
Spinach contains its own type of vegetable steroids called phytoecdysteroids. These are similar to insect molting hormones and have been proven to dramatically increase glucose metabolism. This keeps blood sugar levels stable and minimizes the requirement for the critical fat-storage hormone insulin. Additionally, phytoecdysteroids increase human muscle tissue growth rates by 20% when applied in a culture medium.

Spinach is filled with blood purifying chlorophyll.
This chlorophyll is quickly metabolized and used to develop new red blood cells and pull out carcinogenic substances from the body. Chlorophyll has magnesium which acts to strengthen the blood-brain barrier and protect the neurological system from environmental toxins. Spinach is really an amazing source of glycoclycerolipids that protect the digestive tract from inflammatory damage. These are the main fatty acids that makeup the cell membranes of light-sensitive organs in chlorophyll containing plants.

Helps Boost Immunity
Spinach is also an important source of copper, zinc and selenium which help boost immunity. Spinach also contains some very newly studied carotenoid anti-oxidants called eposyxanthophylls. The epoxyxanthophylls that have been researched to show remarkable anti-cancer properties include neoxanthin and violaxanthin.

Vision and Brain Function
Spinach is also filled with the powerful carotenoid anti-oxidants lutein and zeaxanthin. These phytonutrients are extremely important for healthy vision & brain function. The carotenoids act to protect chlorophyll from intense UV radiation. Under intense sunlight, chlorophyll can convert into an excited form called triplet chlorophyll along with singlet oxygen molecules which act as potent free radicals. The more carotenoids a plant maintains the greater the degree of survivability it has and the enhanced nutritional bio-availability provides.

Why Buy Organic?
When purchasing spinach be sure to organic, as the non-organic commercial varieties are considered probably the most heavily sprayed edible plants on earth. Also, look to buy it fresh to avoid chemical preservative agents and aluminum found in the cans. It’s also quite simple to grow in areas of mild temperatures, being a garden vegetable.

Sources: wikipedia, whfoods.org, wikipedia, naturalnews.com

Do you want to burn off excess body fat and stay away from dangerous weight loss strategies?

Almost 1.6 million cosmetic surgery procedures were carried out in the U.S. in 2011, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and these included 205,000 liposuction procedures. This practice is growing in popularity as people struggle to maintain a healthy weight, but it is not a simple means of going from size 16 to size 6 overnight. Nothing can substitute for diet and exercise when long-term weight loss and overall health is required.

Is it True that Liposuction Fat Comes Back?
Recent research appeared to show that patients who had undergone liposuction found that the fat reappeared within one year in a different place. Researchers at the University of Colorado studied 32 patients; 14 had liposuction and 18 did not, acting as the control group. Although none of the patients changed their diet or exercise routine, those who had liposuction found that fat returned. However it was not subcutaneous (just under the skin) that returned, but deeper, visceral fat that came back which is associated with heart disease and early death.

Although it appeared that liposuction did not produce lasting results, Dr. Gerald Imber explained that the fat returned after the liposuction procedure because the patients did not make any lifestyle changes. For example if you have fat removed from the hip area but continue to eat and put on weight, the body continues to make and store fat. As liposuction has removed the fat cells on the hips, the fat is simply stored in fat cells elsewhere in the body.

Dangers of Liposuction
Liposuction is a surgical procedure and it carries the same risks as many other medical procedures. Patients should be aware of the seriousness of the consequences, should the procedure go wrong. Most patients only suffer bruising and swelling after liposuction, which heal over time, but there is always the risk of more serious side effects mentally and physically.

Anyone undergoing anaesthesia during surgery is at risk of heart arrhythmia, adverse reaction to the drugs or even brain damage in extreme cases.

I want to be clear that necessary medical procedures for health-related problems are deemed worth taking the risk, but in most cases of liposuction this is not the case.

I recently had a friend who lost over 200 pounds from diet and lifestyle changes. She started burst training daily and ate a diet of mostly superfoods and her body transformed. After losing the weight she decided to have surgery in a few areas to tighten up loose skin. Overall, I admired her approach because rather than jumping to surgery first, she worked hard to get her body healthy.

What is Cellulite?
Many women consider liposuction to improve areas of dimpled skin that are caused by cellulite around the thighs, hips, buttocks and abdomen. It is caused by the uneven texture of fatty deposits beneath the skin and is not serious but it can be unsightly. It is more common in women than men, with about 80% of women having some measure of cellulite, particularly as they age and the skin loses its elasticity.

Diet for Cellulite

According to research published in the Journal of European Academy of Dermatology July 2000 found cellulite can be caused by increased levels of catecholamines due to high stress and raised cortisol levels. Also, reducing body fat thru a healthy diet reduces cellulite.

Losing weight through diet and exercise and using anti-cellulite nutrients such as bromelain, green coffee, african mango and fucoxanthin supplements may all help reduce the effects of cellulite for those who do not wish to resort to liposuction.

Types of Exercise to burn Cellulite
Along with diet, Exercise can be your best ally is getting rid of cellulite. Although long distance cardio can be of some value in burning fat, doing interval training also known as burst training will be 3-9x more effective.

Interval or Burst training is known to increase metabolism and burn calories long after (24-48 hours) your workout is over. It incorporates short intense exercise such as sprinting and then returning to jogging again. Two more effective strategies are weight training and isometric training such as Barre, BarreAmped, and Pilates.

BarreAmped is an effective fitness regime based on Pilates, dance, yoga and deep stretching and is another good way to reduce fat, improve cellulite and tone the body without having to resort to the possible risks and short-term benefits of liposuction.

Look out for the upcoming BurstFit DVD series that combines Burst Cardio and Resistance Training to optimize your bodies ability to burn-fat fast by exercising just 20 minutes a day, for more information visit www.burstfit.com.

Action Steps

If I were trying to get rid of cellulite and burn body fat, here is what I would do…

Exercise
30+ minutes of weight training or BarreAmped 3x a week
15+ minutes of burst training 3x a week

Nutrition
Breakfast: cultured dairy w/ chia seeds (Supplement with green coffee, fucoxanthin, or/and african mango)
Lunch: Spinach salad with Chicken
Snack: Raw cheese and almonds
Dinner: Grass-fed beef or Wild Salmon with double vegetables

Clean water and fresh squeezed lemon is one of the most well tested energy boosters around. Most people in America rely on caffeinated beverages like coffee to get aroused in the morning. These adrenal stimulants produce dirty energy in the form of blood sugar swings and oxidative stress. Water with lemon produces clean energy by hydrating and oxygenating the body to extraordinary energy and mental clarity.

After sleeping through the night the bodily tissues are dehydrated and need clean, pure water to filter out toxins and improve energy production in the cells. Most individuals turn to stimulants like coffee in the morning to give them a jump start. Unfortunately, coffee is a diuretic that depletes your body of water reserves and essential minerals and electrolytes like sodium, potassium, calcium & magnesium.

People feel energized by coffee due to the effects of caffeine on the adrenal glands. Coffee stimulates these organs to pump out instant energy hormones epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. These hormones stimulate the body to breakdown stored sugar and release it into the bloodstream. This process causes abnormal blood sugar that increases oxidative stress, free radical formation and overall tissue damage.

This is called dirty energy because it produces a rampant amount of damage to the body in order to activate energy formation. Clean energy produces cellular energy without an excessive load of oxidative stress.

Food as Bio-electrical Energy

The food and beverages we eat provide electrically charged molecules that initiate energy production in our body. An ion is part of a molecule that carries an electrical charge. Positively charged ions are called “cations,” while negatively charged ions are called “anions.”

Most of the food we put into our bodies comes in a cationic form, while our natural digestive processes (hydrochloric acid, digestive enzymes, saliva) are anionic. Lemon is one of the only anionic foods on the planet. This means that it carries a very strong negative charge and is extremely electrically active.

Fresh lemon helps oxygenate the body and maximizes enzyme function. Lemon is known to stimulate the liver’s natural enzymes. This assists the liver in the process of dumping toxins like uric acid and of liquefying congested bile ducts.

Citric Acid Cleanses the System

Citric acid can also play a very important role in chelating out abnormal calcium stones. It has a unique ability to form soluble complexes with calcium that many have used to eliminate pancreatic stones and kidney stones. This mechanism can also help prevent calcium deposits from building up in the arteries that promote cardiovascular disease.

Clean water with lemon provides the body with hydration, anti-oxidants and electrolytes. Lemon is a rich source of the immune boosting vitamin C. It also has good quantities of electrolytes such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. Lemon is a tremendous source of citrus bioflavonoid anti-oxidant phytonutrients that have been given the label Vitamin P.

Vitamin P consists of the flavonoid glycosides hesperetin and naringenin among others. Studies have shown that vitamin P enhances the anti-oxidant capability of vitamin C. These bioflavonoids also improve capillary permeability and overall blood flow. This is especially important for oxygenating tissues and maintaining normal blood pressure. These anti-oxidants have also been shown to reduce swelling, venous backup and edema.

Upon rising take 1 full lemon and squeeze it into 16-32 oz of fresh clean water and drink. Be sure to eat out the membranous parts of the lemon where the majority of the pectin fiber and citrus bioflavonoids are located. Stevia can be added to form sugar-free lemonade. Apple cider vinegar and various herbs can be used to boost enzymatic and anti-oxidant potential.

Sources: quantumbalancing.com, nutrition-and-you.com, naturalnews.com

About the author:

Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information go to www.exodushc.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals

In 2007, researchers published a groundbreaking article in the Planta Medica journal about a certain enzyme being found to be far more effective than the traditional chemo-agent used in the treatment of cancer. That enzyme was bromelain, and its main natural source is pineapple.

In tests treating cancer in animals, bromelain was found to be more effective than 5-fluoracil (5-FU) when compared to an untreated control group. 5-FU has been used in the treatment of cancer for over 40 years, but its main problem is that it kills or irreversibly damages healthy cells and tissue as well as cancerous ones. Bromelain was not only found to be more effective but was also many times safer than 5-FU.

Natural compounds, such as bromelain have selective cytotoxity and they are able to kill cancerous cells in a self-disassembly process called apoptosis while leaving healthy cells unharmed. No FDA approved cancer-treating drug on the market can yet emulate this process as chemo-toxic agents such as 5-FU do not behave like natural compounds.

What is Bromelain?
Bromelain is a protease enzyme that is found in the stem and fruit of pineapples. This natural extract has been found to speed healing, acts as an anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen and helps dissipate bruising. Applied topically, it aids the healing of cuts, burns, insect bites and other skin problems.

Bromelain has been used for decades to fight inflammation naturally. It is useful for those suffering from arthritis and can speed up healing associated with surgical procedures. It is very useful for treating sporting injuries including sprains and can help counter pain as it acts as an analgesic.

For digestion, bromelain is a powerful aid to breaking down proteins into peptides and amino acids. It can ease the symptoms of ulcerative colitis and helps the general digestive processes. Studies conducted in Japan showed that taking bromelain helped those who had a wheat allergy.

Another powerful use of bromelain is that it fights blood clotting and is nature’s answer to those taking an aspirin a day to lower the risk of heart attack. Bromelain has been shown to stop blood platelets from sticking together or building up along the walls of blood vessels – both known causes of heart attacks or strokes. More information about bromelain as an anti-coagulant can be found on the draxe.com report [here].

The discovery of bromelain’s efficacy in the treatment of cancer may yet make it an even more important natural medicine.

Why Pineapples will Never be Used to Treat Cancer in Mainstream Medicine
It is a sad fact of life that medicine research is ruled by profits. It does not benefit Big Pharma to plough money into developing a natural substance, such as bromelain in pineapples, as the resulting therapy would be non-patentable. Even if the treatment is found to be safe and affordable, these complementary treatments are of no interest to medical giants. Unless the government decides to back research and development into such research, bromelain will never become part of the conventional medical establishment. However, there is nothing to prevent individuals from using freely available open research and reports to discover possible natural cancer treatments such as bromelain so that they can make their own informed decisions about their treatment.

Another reason why eating lots of fresh juicy pineapples will not effectively provide a sufficient dose of treatment is that most of the bromelain is found in the core and stem of the pineapple. These are the parts of the fruit that are the most inedible, so these enzymes are used to make homeopathic supplements of bromelain instead.

Bromelain supplements can be found in many forms, including tablets, capsules, powders and topical creams. Taking between 80 and 320mg a day is considered a safe and effective dose.  My favorite source of Bromelain is found in Wobenzym by Garden of Life. In the meantime, there is no reason not to enjoy a sweet juicy pineapple in your diet alongside a bromelain supplement. Pineapples are packed with other vitamins and nutrients to ensure a wholesome healthy lifestyle.

We don’t just need to lose weight to look good in a swimsuit, we need to lose weight to live and fulfill our God-given missions.  Research shows that obesity doubles your risk of heart failure and triples the risk of breast cancer in women! The average middle age weight gain of 22 lbs increases your risk of a heart attack by 75%. But think about the flip side, If you lose 22 lbs, you decrease your risk of heart attack by 75% and risk of cancer by 50%! (Okinawa Diet 2004, Bradley).

By eating the right Superfoods, you won’t just lose weight, you’ll be changing your life, your legacy, and changing your world!

Here are my top 5 nutrient foods for losing weight. They have also been scientifically proven to help in burning fat and losing weight.

1. African Mango
2. Coconut
3. Green-Fed Dairy
4. Cinnamon
5. Kale

If you want more information on each of these foods, download my free ebook.

Get the ebook: SuperFood Super You: A Superfoods Guide to Weight Loss, Detoxing, Anti-Aging, & Building Muscle.

A report in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine further backs the benefits of raw honey with their opinion:

“The therapeutic potential of uncontaminated, pure, raw honey is grossly underutilized. It is widely available in most communities and although the mechanism of action of several of its properties remains obscure and needs further investigation, the time has now come for conventional medicine to lift the blinds off this ‘traditional remedy’ and give it its due recognition.”

Throughout history honey has been an important food. God used honey to motivate the Israelite people when He told them to, “Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey.” (Exodus 33:3)

What is Honey?
Honey is far more than a natural sweetener. It is a “functional food”, which means it is a natural food with health benefits. It contains natural antioxidants, enzymes and minerals including iron, zinc, potassium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and selenium. Vitamins found in honey include B6, thiamin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid and niacin. In addition, the nutraceuticals contained in honey help neutralize damaging free radical activity.

One tablespoon of honey contains 64 calories, yet it has a healthy glycemic load around 10 for 1 Tbsp, which is a little less than a banana. and does not cause a sugar spike and elevated insulin release like white sugar. Although honey is an affordable food, bees spend thousands of hours collecting pollen from around two million flowers to make one pound of pure honey.

Why Choose Raw Honey?
Research by the Palynology Research Laboratory at Texas A&M University tested 60 honey products from supermarkets and grocery stores and found that 76% contained no trace of pollen. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) maintains that any honey products that have been ultra-filtered, as these have, are not actually honey and therefore the health benefits of honey cannot be assumed.

Commercial honey is often heavily processed and may even have been chemically refined. Excessive heat destroys the natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in honey. Filtering and processing eliminates many of the beneficial phytonutrients including pollen and enzyme-rich propolis. The only way to achieve sparkling clear honey is by heat, so avoid the golden syrup-like honey in favor of opaque organic raw honey.

Raw honey is a concentrated source of natural goodness. Benefits include:
•    A rich taste
•    High nutritional benefits
•    Promotes the growth of good bacteria in the intestine
•    Soothes and heals skin wounds
•    Blocks free radicals
•    Aids sleep
•    Counters pollen allergies
•    Reduces homocysteine levels to maintain a healthy heart

Best of all, honey does not need special storage or refrigeration – use it by the spoonful straight from the jar.

The Health Benefits of Honey

Honey-infused bandages are known to aid healing. Peter Charles Molan at the University of Waikato, New Zealand found that honey reacts with the body’s fluids to make hydrogen peroxide, creating an inhospitable environment for bacteria.

Research studies have already shown that replacing sugar with honey in the diet results in less weight gain and lower blood sugar levels. Switching to honey may even aid in weight loss when compared to diets containing sugar or HFCS.

Honey provides a ready supply of energy in the form of liver glycogen, making it ideal for energetic morning starts and as a pre- and post-exercise energy source. It also boosts the immune system, acting as a preventative against any number of debilitating diseases.

Honey contains many antioxidants including flavonoids to maintain the body’s health balance. Pinostrobin supports enzyme activity while the antioxidant-rich organic acids maintain an optimal slightly acidic pH in the body. Pinocembrin is an antioxidant flavonoid thought to be unique to honey while the amino acids in honey are the body’s building blocks of protein.

Honey promotes restorative sleep as it slowly releases the glycogen needed for essential bodily functions during sleep. Adding honey to milk at bedtime helps the body release melatonin into the brain which is necessary for deep sleep. Melatonin also boosts immunity and helps rebuild tissue during periods of rest. Poor sleep, by comparison, has been shown to be a risk factor for hypertension, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke and arthritis. As honey is a proven sleep aid, it naturally lowers the risk of all these health problems.

Proverbs 25:16 says “Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!” Although honey is one of the healthiest sweeteners, it still should be used in moderation.

Sources:
http://www.worldclassemprise.com/custom.aspx?id=22
http://products.mercola.com/honey/
http://www.mamahealthy.com/sweeteners-spices-ingredients/raw-honey-benefits-organic-honey
http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/honey-nutrition.html
http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/honey-benefits.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/034102_honey_consumer_alert.html
http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://www.marksdailyapple.com/is-honey-a-safer-sweetener/#axzz1pZs2Na8k
http://www.draxe.com/the-top-5-natural-allergy-fighters/
http://www.ajcn.org/search?fulltext=RAW+HONEY&submit=yes&x=11&y=10
http://www.drgrotte.com/honey-medicine.shtml

Excessive fluoride has been linked to stained and mottled teeth along with a variety of chronic and acute health issues. Let’s find out more about this possibly harmful soluble salt.

What is Fluoride?
There are two types of fluoride: calcium fluoride and sodium fluoride. When taken in excess, both types can be harmful to health.
Calcium fluoride is found naturally in underground waters sources. In sufficient concentrations, it can actually weaken bones and teeth rather than protecting them. However, it is less toxic and damaging to health than its counterpart.

Sodium fluoride is much more insidious. Created as a synthetic waste byproduct from the fertilizer, aluminum and nuclear industries, this type of fluoride is added to many public water supplies. Already laden with lead, aluminum and cadmium, sodium fluoride has the ability to combine with other toxic materials and increase their potency. Far from healthy, the side effects of taking fluoride may have far-reaching negative effects on health as you will see, yet until recently it was advocated by both the American Dental Association and the US Public Health Service.

What does Fluoride Affect?
Fluoride, particularly sodium fluoride, has been found to weaken the immune system and can damage the kidneys and liver. Symptoms of sodium fluoride toxicity are similar to fibromyalgia, including fatigue, muscle pain, memory loss and insomnia. It can also cause nausea, diarrhea, sickness, abdominal pain and increased thirst.

Worse still, sodium fluoride acts as a “Trojan horse”, carrying aluminum across the blood brain barrier where it can be responsible for lower IQ and Alzheimer’s disease. Once in the brain, fluoride can calcify the pineal gland which is responsible for the natural production of melatonin. Without sufficient melatonin, the body is deprived of sound sleep and the thyroid will not function correctly.

How to Avoid Fluoride
Even in areas where sodium fluoride has not been added to the water, it may still be part of your daily diet. Fluoride is used as a pesticide and fumigant and is sprayed onto food crops. It is a component of home insecticides and is even added to bottled water, toothpaste and baby foods. Crops watered by fluoride-laden water are even more heavily contaminated, yet as consumers we have no control over what we are buying and consuming.

Some steps towards curbing your fluoride intake can be taken. Drinking purified or distilled water is recommended if you live in an area of fluoridated water, although all minerals are then removed which is not altogether a good thing for your overall health. Consider taking a supplement of Fulvic acid to counter this issue. Installing a water purification or fluoride filtering system to your home is well worth considering. It is worth noting that Brita and Pur water filters do not remove fluoride.

Choose organically grown local produce over commercially grown, sprayed crops. Avoid processed foods such as grape juice products, instant tea and even soymilk as they all contain high levels of sodium fluoride, as do many over-the-counter medications.

How to Detox Your Body of Fluoride
As well as taking in less fluoride, you need to detox your body to eliminate existing fluoride.

Exercise is good, allowing the body to eliminate all types of toxins, including fluoride, from the body in sweat. I’ve put together a workout plan that I personally use (Burst Training Plan)

Tamarind is commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. The pulp, bark and leaves are used to make teas, which have been shown to eliminate fluoride through urine.

Magnesium is a useful supplement as it inhibits the absorption of fluoride into the cells. Boron is known to be an effective way to detox fluoride. It can be added to pure water in small amounts of around 1/32 to ¼ teaspoon per liter.

Iodine has been clinically shown to increase the amount of fluoride in urine, expelling it from the body as calcium fluoride. However, this may be depriving your body of calcium so make sure that you take calcium supplements to counter this problem.

Liver cleanses are very effective for eliminating not only fluoride but also other toxins that congregate in the liver. Take a product that thoroughly cleanses the liver over one to two weeks for maximum effectiveness. Chelation therapies are also recommended for removing heavy metals for the body along with sodium fluoride.

Sources: Natural News, drninafoley.com, wikipedia, alignlife.com, curezone.com

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” -Aristotle

Being fit and living healthy isn’t about gym memberships and health stores. It’s a lifestyle, a mindset and a habit.  Deciding how and what to eat can be a bit overwhelming if you’re just starting your journey towards getting fit and healthy, so I put together a list of 6 foods fit people love and why you should consider adding them to your diet.

1. Cultured Dairy (Amasai, Kefir, or Greek Yogurt)


Why? Improved digestion, Detox, weight loss.

Cultured dairy like Amasai and Kefir are among the greatest of the superfoods. The high levels of probiotics found in cultured dairy don’t just help you detox, they’ve also been proven to improve digestion, reduce inflammation, promote weight loss, and boost immunity (British Medical Journal 2001). Cultured dairy is the highest quality when it’s organic, comes from green-fed cows, is low-temperature processed or raw, and is free of a harmful protein called beta- casein A1.

Recipe: Amasai Berry Smoothie

2. Quinoa

Why?  A tasty alternative to grains, with more protein and fiber.

Quinoa is a grain-like food that has become very popular as a gluten-free alternative to grains. It can be cooked like an oatmeal, used in powder form as a flour or even sprouted to make a gluten free sprouted “grain” bread. What you’re actually eating is the seed of the quinoa plant, which is nutritionally similar to beets and spinach. Quinoa is a great source of protein, and is also a good source of fiber, phosphorus, magnesium and iron.

Recipe:
 Baked Quinoa with Apples

3. Grass-fed Beef

Why? High amounts of Omega-3 and CLA.

Cattle raised naturally on grass, rather than grain–fed cattle, will not have the problems associated with antibiotics, pesticides and hormone residues. This is why those looking to build muscle will find that green-fed beef, raised on pastures free of pesticides and fertilizers, are an essential superfood for body-building needs. High in protein and vitamin B12, beef is a great source of B vitamins and minerals such as zinc, selenium, iron and phosphorous.

Recipe:
 Beyond Organic Powerburgers

4. Guacamole (Avocado, Tomato, onion, cilantro)

Why? Eating healthy fats, can actually help you burn fat.

I recently started a club and I call it the A-Team. If you want to be in, all you have to do is eat an Avocado a day. The Avocado-Team is for those who want to eventually earn the title of centurion. Key nutrients in Avocados help hydrate your cells, keeping your skin soft and young. Avocados are rich in B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin E (which gives your skin moisture), and has 35% more potassium than a banana, which helps hydrate your skin. Also, with high levels of omega-9 fats, Avocados can also help naturally balance hormones.

Recipe:
 Guacamole

5. Berries

Why? One of the best sources for anti-oxidants.

Few superfoods taste as good as fresh berries. Blueberries, raspberries and Indian gooseberries counter the aging process and are packed with health-giving properties. Berries contain powerful compounds called anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants protect your cells against free radical damage caused by oxidation. Packed with vitamin C and collagen for healthy skin and gums, organically grown blueberries have significantly higher concentrations of phenol antioxidants and anthocyanin antioxidants than commercially grown fruits and are best eaten raw.

Recipe:
 Chocolate Covered Berries

6. Green Stuff  (Kale, Wheat Grass, Spinach)

Why? Kale is one of the most nutrient dense foods available.

According to Joel Fuhrman, author of Eat to Live, Kale is King in the vegetable world. Though Kale only has 35 calories per serving it’s packed with Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B6, Lutein, and Beta-carotene. Plus, it delivers 206% of the daily requirements of Vitamin A, 134% of Vitamin C, and 684% of Vitamin K which helps build strong bones, improve vision, and aid in digestion!

Recipe:
 Sauteed Kale Salad

For athletes and body builders, there may be further good news. Natural antioxidants, such as those found in whey protein, provide protection against myoblastic toxicity and muscle damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) during heavy exercise. Recent studies reported by Green Med Info report that “whey protein improved the antioxidant capacity against acute oxidative stress …and may serve as an alternative source of antioxidants for prevention of athletic injuries caused by ROS”.

Where Does Whey Protein Come From?
Whey protein is the globular protein that is a by-product of cheese production. It is one of nature’s simplest foods yet one of the highest sources of protein. You can even make your own whey protein by setting a jar of raw milk on the counter at room temperature for a couple of days and let nature do the rest. The milk naturally changes into curds (which can be pressed to form cheese) and the liquid whey can be strained off.

Whey contains all the soluble ingredients found in milk, such as lactose, minerals and lactalbumin, but without most of the fat, which has been removed with the curds.

For convenience, whey protein is dried and sold in powder form. It is very easily reconstituted by adding water. Some drying processes apply high heat to the whey, similar to the pasteurizing process of milk. The whey is denatured to create a protein gel, but this process can destroy many of the whey minerals and vitamins and it can cause allergies.  That’s why you should always opt for getting your whey from a source that does low temperature processing.

How Whey Protein Builds Muscle
Research shows that taking a supplement of whey protein along with resistance training helps build muscle compared to just exercise. Studies carried out by Laurentian University Ontario concluded “protein supplementation during resistance training, independent of source, increased lean tissue mass and strength over isocaloric placebo and resistance training”.Whey protein is the most efficient way to add protein to the diet without fat or high calories. Whey protein typically contains 80-90% protein compared to lean red meat (20%), chicken (20%), fish (20%), eggs (6-8%) or cheese (10-30%). It provides the body with what it needs to build muscle, strength and to recover quickly after a workout.

Whey protein is fast ingesting so the body can break it down and use it fast. The best way to take whey protein is just before and again just after a workout. After resistance exercise the body needs a quickly assimilated source of protein and uses it to build muscle and recover the energy expended.

How Whey Protein Anti-Oxidants Repair and Build Muscle
Whey protein is also a powerful antioxidant, boosting the immune system – another health advantage. It helps repair muscle fast and allows the body to promote muscle growth safely and naturally.Over time, whey protein increases lean muscle mass, decreases recovery time, makes faster repair to muscle, increases the metabolic rate and reduces any possible muscle breakdown after a workout.Best Way to

Take Whey Protein
Most people prefer whey concentrates in easy-to-mix powder form. They contain about 80% proteins and are the most economical source per gram of protein.Whey isolates are even higher than concentrates in protein content, about 90%, which makes them lower in carbs, fat and lactose. The reason this is not the best form to take whey protein is that it is slightly more expensive, has a cleaner taste but a more watery consistency. What’s more, whey protein isolates are devoid of alkalizing minerals, vitamins and lipids, which are all destroyed in the processing and can make the whey protein isolate overly acidic.

It is worth looking for a product that is organic and hormone free, cold-processed, water soluble and naturally sweetened. Whey protein powder made from unpasteurized milk is rich and creamy, highly digestible with fuller flavor.  My favorite source of whey is cultured dairy like goat’s milk kefir or amasai.

Another excellent source of whey protein are liquid products such as SueroViv, which blends cultured whey with mountain spring water. This not only provides the protein, probiotics and anti-oxidants from whey but also hydrates the body. It is pleasant to drink, flavored with organic juices, honey and essential oils.

Sources: mercola, beyondorganicmarket.com, wikipedia, muscleandstrength

In a recent study by the Institute of Natural Medicine in the University of Toyama investigating the effects of amla on renal dysfunction due to oxidative stress in the aging process, the results were very encouraging. The report found that “amla would be a very useful antioxidant for the prevention of age-related renal disease” as well as decreasing systolic blood pressure, the study concluded, “Amla would ameliorate oxidative stress under aging”. With so many positive attributes, the Indian gooseberry is highly undervalued in our modern-day diet.

What is Indian Gooseberry?
The Indian gooseberry is produced on small deciduous trees and bushes from the Euphorbiaceae family, which are known for producing thorny branches. The fruit of this superfood are small, round and light green with six vertical stripes down each fruit. The taste is strong, rough and sharp and is generally eaten with salt in India, where it is a native species.

Amla, (pronounced aamlaa) is known botanically as Emblica Officinalis. It is low in calories and is made up of over 80% water. It is an unrivalled source of vitamin C, containing 600mg per 100 grams in an easily absorbable form. It also contains protein, fiber, phosphorous, iron, carotene and vitamin B complex, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research. This natural fruit also contains gallic acid, a powerful polyphone.

Medicinal Uses of the Indian Gooseberry
As you have already seen, the Indian gooseberry has a wide range of uses in natural Ayurvedic health practices.

• It is a must for healthy eyes and has been found to be an excellent remedy for conjunctivitis, may improve nearsightedness and the risk of cataracts. It also reduces intraocular tension and pressure, a known cause of glaucoma.
• As an anti-inflammatory, amla can help reduce inflammation in painful arthritic joints. It has been used for centuries to treat fever and the extracts of the gooseberry have been used to counter stress.
• The Indian gooseberry is an excellent tonic for the skin, and a diet high on amla has been credited with reducing facial lines, stimulating hair growth, controlling dandruff and giving a healthy glow to the skin. You may already be benefitting from amla as it is used in many hair tonics, hair treatments, oils and conditioners.
• For those suffering digestive problems, the Indian gooseberry has laxative properties. It relieves gastric problems including burning caused by hyperchlorhydria.
• The Indian gooseberry is good for the complexion by fighting skin diseases and infection. Its antibacterial and astringent qualities support the body’s natural immune system, improving resistance to illness and disease.
• It can act as a sedative, calming and soothing, relaxing muscles and improving sleep quality.
• Amla supports a strong and healthy heart muscle. It is believed to help purify the blood and aid in the growth and replenishment of new tissue. It has been found to improve the function of the heart and the respiratory system including the lungs. As it encourages the production of red blood cells, this in turn produces strong nails and teeth.
• Within the body, amla improves the function of the liver, which is essential for good health.
• It stimulates the cells that produce the hormone insulin. This is particularly beneficial for diabetics as it lowers blood glucose levels naturally and helps keep blood sugar levels in balance, thanks to its chromium content.
•  Amla works on the nerve function and is believed to be a tonic for memory and the brain – something we can all benefit from, as we get older.
• Like many other berry fruits, the Indian gooseberry is a powerful antioxidant and is useful for preventing signs of aging due to oxidative stress. It fights free radicals within the body, which are responsible for oxidative cell damage and may cause cancer.

Taking the superfood Indian gooseberry as a fresh fruit, in juice form or dried is a sure way to benefit from all that this little-known fruit has to offer.

Sources:

http://www.homeremediescures.com/nutrition/amla-fruit.html

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-indian-gooseberry-or-amla.htmlttp://www.fruitsinfo.com/indian-gooseberry-tropical-fruit.php#Indian-Gooseberry-notes

http://agricola.nal.usda.gov/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?DB=local&CNT=25&Search_Arg=Phyllanthus%20emblica&Search_Code=GKEY&STARTDB=AGRIDB

http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf072105s

According to a recent survey by Consumer Lab, Coenzyme Q10 is taken by 53% of the population.

What is Coenzyme Q10?

It may not sound very natural, but CoQ10 is in fact an essential natural nutrient. It is produced by the body and used for everyday functions of life including cellular energy. It is a fat-soluble antioxidant that transports electrons around the body.

CoQ10 is an essential element for daily functions and is required by every single cell in the body. To make energy, tiny organelles called mitochondria take fat and other nutrients and makes useable energy within each cell. This conversion process needs CoQ10, so you can see it is an essential element to daily life.

Although the body has the ability to make CoQ10, also called ubiquinone, production naturally declines as we age.

What is CoQ10 used for?

CoQ10 is not only necessary for producing cellular energy, but also for defending the cells from damage by harmful free radicals. Tests have shown that taking a CoQ10 supplement resulted in up to 95% less damage to cell membranes, thanks to the antioxidant protection of this valuable nutrient.

As a powerful antioxidant, CoQ10 protects the body from damaging oxidative stress. It also recycles vitamin C and vitamin E, further maximizing the antioxidants that are already at work in the body.

Unfortunately, as we age our body produces less CoQ10. The natural ability to convert it into ubiquinol also declines as part of the natural aging process. This decline is very apparent in people over the age of 40 and particularly in those taking statin drugs. Statins are known to reduce an enzyme in the liver, which not only reduces the production of cholesterol, but also lowers the natural production of CoQ10.

A supplement of CoQ10 is therefore essential to restore natural levels to their optimum and to counter the effects of statin drugs.

CoQ10 and Natural Medicine

CoQ10 in natural medicine has been found to be beneficial for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s. It plays an important role in fighting premature aging.

Traditional Medical Uses of CoQ10

The antioxidant protection of CoQ10 has been used in traditional medicine when the heart muscle requires extra protection from oxidative stress damage. It has been used in the treatment of arrhythmia, angina, heart attack, mitral valve prolapse, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, atherosclerosis and congestive heart failure. Other health conditions such as breast cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, infertility, muscular dystrophy, periodontal diseases and stomach ulcers may also find supplements of CoQ10 helpful in both prevention and treatment.

Buy CoQ10 From the Dr. Axe Store

CoQ10 has also been found to give the following benefits:

• Sustains natural energy
• Boosts stamina
• Defends against free radicals
• Reduces the typical signs of aging
• Restores the power of vitamin E
• Supports a healthy cardiovascular system
• Stabilizes blood sugar
• Supports healthy gums
• How to Take CoQ10

CoQ10 is found naturally in our diets in fish, liver, kidney and the germs of whole grain. However, it is found in such low quantities it is an impractical source for our CoQ10 requirements. A top-up in the form of a daily supplement should be taken in capsule form for easy absorption into the blood stream. The minimum recommended dose is 200mg per day. Those on statins or weighing over 200 pounds should consider a higher dose.

Sources: nutrilearn.com, whfoods.org, gardenoflife.com, Washington.edu

While I don’t believe in quick fixes, after extensive research, fucoxanthin looks to great results when it comes to aiding in fat loss.
What is Fucoxanthin?   
Fucoxanthin is a carotenoid that is found in brown seaweed like wakame and hijiki. These seaweeds are often used in Asian foods like miso soup and sushi rolls.

Carotenoids are the pigment found in brightly coloured foods and are crucial to maintaining good health. Fucoxanthin, lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene are all different carotenoids offering different health benefits.Fucoxanthin offers a number of different health benefits including the prevention of cancer, stroke and heart disease along with helping to reduce and control blood sugar and insulin levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Of particular interest is its ability to aid in fat loss.

How Fucoxanthin Helps to Eliminate Fat
Of course the biggest factors involved in successful fat loss are diet and exercise. No matter what kind of supplement you take, calorie control is king in the pursuit of weight loss. Once a consistent, balanced nutrition plan and workout program has been put into place, it’s certainly within your best interests to do whatever it takes to help the process along just a little faster.

It appears that this particular carotenoid is able to help white fat cells behave as brown fat cells. Brown fat burns energy as opposed to storing it, as white fat does.Not only may you burn more fat if you increase the amount of fucoxanthin in your diet, you may burn more visceral fat, the stubborn, very dangerous fat that resides around the organs of the abdomen. Along with posing a very real health concern, abdominal fat is also a real trouble spot for most people. Any help in this area is a huge advantage.

How to Add Fucoxanthin to Your Diet

Fucoxanthin is found naturally in brown seaweed, specifically wakame and hijiki. This seaweed is used in many Japanese dishes to improve the flavor of certain dishes and to wrap rolled sushi. If these particular dishes don’t please your palate, the extract can be taken in dried or capsule form as well.

In it’s dried form, fucoxanthin can be added to other food or even blended with a shake for convenience.

If you opt for the pill form, always be sure to but a recognized, reputable product from a trusted vendor. Fucoxanthin is derived from brown seaweed, which is also high in levels of iodine. I personally recommend FucoThin from Garden of Life. It won’t make you nervous or jittery like some other weight loss supplements, and it’s whole food based, which I always look for in quality supplements. Take one capsule daily for the best results.

In Summary

Remember that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is through a balanced, nutrient dense diet and consistent exercise, but getting a little boost from fucoxanthin may be just what you need.

Sources: livestrong.com1, livestrong.com2, wikipedia, drozshow.biz

In a study published in The Journal of International Medical Research it was found that when one group of people suffering from influenza were given 15ml of elderberry four times per day for five days they recovered faster and suffered from less severe flu symptoms than the placebo group.

In another study out of London led by Retroscreen Virology in 2009, elderberry was also found effective in fighting the flu, this time it was the dreaded Swine flu or H1N1. Again the duration and severity of flu symptoms were reduced.

What is Elderberry?

The elderberry tree has been around for thousands of years. This tree full of mystery, superstition, and magical healing powers has long been the source of many improvements in health. From improving Egyptian beauties complexion to fighting cancer and aids in the healing centers of Israel the health benefits associated with the common elderberry are vast.

This tree native to Europe grows to about twenty-five feet tall while its American counterpart peaks at around ten feet. Both varieties produce flowers, berries, and even a bark used in traditional folk healing. But today elderberry is being noticed by both the medical and scientific fields for its medicinal properties.

Health Benefits of Elderberry

Elderberry has a long, rich history of use for medicinal benefits by numerous cultures. Today science is finding evidence to back these theorized health benefits.

• Immune System Booster
• Improves vision
• Fights infections including influenza, herpes, viral infections, bacterial infections
• Lowers cholesterol
• Improves heart health
• Fights coughs and colds
• Protect against cell damage
• Impedes yeast infections
• Fights hay fever
• Helps with asthma
• Improves complexion
• Improves eczema

Many of these benefits are theorized to be a result of the ability of elderberry to balance and boost the immune system. When a person’s body and immune system are in balance the body is able to use its own natural defenses to fight off infections of any kind and stay healthy.

Today as we eat highly processed foods, live with a daily exposure to pollution of all kinds, experience high stress, and increase our toxin loads the immune system is one of the most compromised body systems.

If we balance the immune system all naturally, many of our other health issues will ‘magically’ disappear.

How Elderberry Works for Optimal Health

Now when it comes to health we’re able to look at science to logically understand the ‘magic’ of this so called “common man’s medicine chest.” What science is revealing is the antioxidant activity of elderberries that make it a must have for the body.

In particular elderberries are rich in the phytochemicals known as flavonoids. The class of flavonoid that elderberry is loaded with is anthocyanins. The elderberry is the most concentrated source of anthocyanins.

These anthocyanins act as a potent immune system booster protecting cells and keeping the body from harm. According to research by Dr. Rechkemmer, president of Germany’s Federal Research Institute for Nutrition and Food, the purple-black pigment of the elderberry containing the anthocyanins promote the production of cytokines.

Cytokines are the body’s protein messengers that keep the immune system healthy, balanced, and strong. These little proteins are essential for the immune system to function properly and protect the body from harm. Cytokines are sent by the body during an immune system response directly to the sight of the trouble.

Elderberry and the Panama Flu Epidemic

During the 1995 Panama flu epidemic the government employed the use of the elderberry to fight the flu. This elderberry juice greatly reduced the time of the flu as well as the severity thus helping to end the epidemic.

It’s not just the flavonoids that researchers think are at work with elderberry. In addition to this important nutrient elderberries contain:

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin C
• Tannins
• Cartenoids
• Amino acids
• Sugar
• Rutin
• Viburnic acid

This rich variety of nutrients help the body to get many of the nutrients it desperately needs to stay healthy.

Using Elderberry to Boost Your Immune System

There are many ways to use elderberries. As they’ve been around for many years there are sure fire ways to prepare your own elderberry concoction or you can buy one from a high quality, reputable supplement company.

Most every part of the elderberry can be used. The flowers, bark, berries, roots, and leaves are all often used to make a health potion. You must be careful to avoid consuming raw berries however as the seeds are toxic and can cause vomiting and nausea.

Elderberry can be made into the following:

14 Ways to Consume Elderberry

• Tea
• Wine
• Juice
• Jelly and jams
• Syrup
• Ointments
• Astringent
• Infusions
• Sprays
• Lozenges
• Pills
• Liquid
• Powder
• Capsules

Depending on your personal preference as well as your health needs any of these elderberry preparations can be either made or bought. Visit your local health food store or online supplement supplier to get elderberry supplements to boost your immune system and improve your health.

Sources: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, herbwisdom.com, blackelderberry.info

Major Causes of Candida

Once conditions are right, candida will thrive and your general health will suffer. There are various causes that trigger or feed a yeast infection including:

Sources: Garlic Central, Natural News, Candidainfo.org, oxfordjournals.org

In the U.S. an estimated 4-6% of the population are seriously affected when the weather turns grey, cloudy and cold. The Cleveland Clinic estimates the figure could be as high as 20% of the population. The condition affects mostly women in their 20s, 30s and 40s but can affect men and adolescents too. Scientists are unsure why some people suffer from winter blues and others are unaffected by it. One theory is that some people have a biological disposition to it or that certain triggers need to be present. Symptoms of SAD include feeling down, losing interest in activities, insomnia and sinking into depression.

The first step to treating any condition is recognising it, so if these symptoms sound like you, here are 7 great ways to beat the winter blues before they seriously take hold.

1    Exercise

Daily exercise is known to be a natural way to counter feeling down. A good workout or hard exercise releases serotonin and endorphins which control our feelings of well-being. Enjoying outdoor exercise can also provide us with fresh air and new sights which are a natural spirit-booster.

2    Increase Your Veggie Intake

Five portions of fruit and vegetables are the very least you should be consuming for overall good health and vitality. A healthy diet high in green leafy veggies, nuts, fruits and natural unprocessed foods will reward you with a healthy, happy body whatever the season.

3    Check Your Fish Oil Levels

Omega-3 has been shown to significantly reduce the symptoms of SAD as it relieves the general symptoms of anxiety. Good sources of this essential oil are anchovies, salmon, mackerel, tuna and other oily fish along with good quality fish oil supplements. The recommended daily dosage is at least 1000mg, so check you are getting sufficient Omega-3 every day.

4    Top up on Raw Dairy Products

Include plenty of raw dairy products that are low in fat and high in natural organic goodness. Include milk, yoghurt, raw cheese, kefir and amasai for strong bones and a healthy immune system.

5    Sleep Well

Poor sleep quality and insomnia are classic signs of depression which can quickly become a downward spiral. Make sure you have a comfortable bed in a room that is the correct temperature. Concentrate on a healthy natural diet to avoid sleep problems which can be caused by caffeine, sugar and highly processed foods.

6    Be a Sunseeker

Those who suffer from winter blues often have low levels of vitamin D, known as “the sunshine vitamin”. Vitamin D is produced naturally when the skin is exposed to sunlight for 10-15 minutes several times a week.  If you live in an area with no opportunity for exposing your body to the sun’s rays, you may want to consider using a light box. Light therapy gives your body the benefits of sunshine even on cloudy winter days.

7    Supplement With Vitamin D

Although getting sufficient vitamin D naturally is always best, those living in northern climates, have darker skin or are over the age of 50 generally need to top up their dietary intake with a supplement, particularly in winter. Taken daily it helps support a healthy immune system to fight colds and flu among other benefits. It also plays a significant role in mood regulation, so adequate vitamin D is essential to banish those winter blues completely.

Additional Sources:
http://alternativemedicinenow.com/natural-treatments-for-seasonal-affective-disorder/
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/seasonal-affective-disorder/DS00195
http://www.livestrong.com/article/15184-natural-prevent-heal-winter-blues/
http://www.cnn.com/2011/HEALTH/01/03/sad.seasonal.affective.disorder/index.html

If you’re like me, you love to eat chocolate! Chocolate lovers rejoiced when the benefits of anti-oxidants found in chocolate and other foods began to be marketed. But in reality, the potential benefits of anti-oxidants in processed chocolate are slim to none.

But unprocessed, dark chocolate is actually great for you. It’s very high in anti-oxidants and flavanols.

Let’s take a look at how anti-oxidants and flavanols work in our bodies.

Anti-oxidants

Free radicals are unbalanced compounds created by cellular processes in the body, especially those that combat environmental toxins. These compounds can run wild, creating damage in the body and interrupting normal physiological functioning.

Anti-oxidants are compounds that are believed to neutralize free radicals and protect the body from such damage. Anti-oxidants include vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals—helpful plant compounds.

Flavonols are one of these antioxidant phytochemicals that may protect us from damage caused by aging and environmental toxins.Flavonols are a type of flavonoid found in chocolate and cocoa.

Flavonols are said to promote heart health and reduce the risk of cancer. Flavonols may also help lower blood pressure and improve blood flow to the brain and heart.They may reduce cholesterol levels and arterial plaque. Some studies suggest that flavonols may reduce stickiness in blood platelets, reducing the risk of stroke, say Cleveland Clinic and University of Alabama doctors.

Chocolate manufacturers have gone hog-wild marketing these health claims for their products, but these assertions warrant another look. Sometimes things that seem too good to be true really are.

Studies on Chocolate

These studies have been conducted with chocolate that contains high levels of flavonols. Unfortunately, the chocolate that most of us eat has been processed in ways that destroys flavonols.

Cocoa is naturally bitter and very strong-tasting (as anyone who’s tried a taste of baker’s chocolate knows!) Chocolate-makers mellow this flavor by processes such as alkalizing, fermenting, roasting and adding milk and/or sugar, all of which can destroy flavonols, alter our ability to use them or negate their health effects with unhealthy additives.

Most studies of the beneficial effects of chocolate are simply observational: they’re not clinical trials.They’ve looked at people who eat chocolate and measure health effects without accounting for other dietary aspects or lifestyle habits. So a person that eats a bit of chocolate every week and is healthy might also be the person that works out three times a day or avoids other processed foods like the plague.

Types of Chocolate

Flavonol is a pigment that gives chocolate its color, that’s why dark chocolate is preferable to other options. White chocolate contains no flavonols at all. Ordinary plain chocolate, says a study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, has only 43% flavonol-containing cocoa. Milk chocolate, says the study researchers, typically contains only 30% cocoa and the average candy bar only 15%.

Milk chocolate is America’s favorite, says University of Alabama doctors. A recent study posted in Nutrition and Metabolism suggests that milk interferes with the absorption of flavonols. This is especially true if the milk is pasteurized.

That’s why I only recommend you eat small amounts of minimally processed dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content. This type of chocolate will contain the most powerful anti-oxidants and the least amount of sugar.

Chocolate is one of my favorite sweet indulgences, so I was happy to learn that Beyond Organic was going to have a Dark Chocolate Bar that will satisfy a sweet tooth and provide some healthy nutrients. The Beyond Organic Chocolate includes probiotics as well as  toasted flax seeds which are high in omega-3 fats and tasty.

Sources: Cleveland Clinic (2010), University of Alabama at Birmingham (2008),  BMJ Group Partnership (2010)

Sleep is one of the most undervalued essential practices in modern society.  In 1910, an average night’s sleep was 9 hours. By 1975, it was down to 7.5 hours. From 2000 to 2002, polls found that it had fallen to 6.9 hours. Today, many people average just 5-6 hours of sleep per night.

At the same time, obesity rates have doubled! Sleep and the neuroendocrine system are intricately entwined. Chronic lack of sleep is thought to be linked to diabetes, hypertension, obesity and memory loss. Lack of sleep increases blood pressure and the risk of heart disease.

A recent study by the University of Chicago found that cutting sleep from 8 hours to 4 hours a night for less than one week produced physiological changes that resembled the effects of advanced aging and early diabetes.

Those changes happened in less than one week!

The study’s participants took 40% longer to regulate their blood-sugar levels after eating and their ability to secrete insulin and respond to it decreased by 30%.

Lack of sleep affects the secretion of thyroid-stimulating hormone and increased levels of the “stress hormone,” cortisol.

The study found that recovery occurred and above-average functioning occurred when the subjects slept more than 8 hours a night.

So how does sleep affect weight?

Sleep affects the release of hormones by the hypothalamic-pituitary axes (HPA) and the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Sleep triggers or inhibits the production or release of various hormones.

Growth hormone is affected by sleep. You can work out for hours, but if you don’t get enough sleep your body is not going to turn fat into muscle.

Lack of sleep raises the level of cortisol which triggers the fight-or-flight response. During stress, our body shuts down normal maintenance. It activates fat storage and releases lots of sugar (for instant energy) into the bloodstream. It depletes the body of nutrients and triggers cravings for simple carbohydrates and sugar. Chronic stress promotes insulin resistance.

Leptin and ghrelin are two very important appetite-controlling hormones that are linked to sleep. Leptin suppresses appetite and ghrelin increases it. When people are subjected to sleep loss, leptin levels fall and ghrelin levels rise. Even when they received plenty of nutrition, people that didn’t get adequate sleep were compelled to eat more. Because leptin levels were low, their brains just didn’t get the message that they were satiated—instead they just kept getting the message: “Hungry! Eat!” When deprived of sleep, study participant’s desire for high-carbohydrate and calorie-dense foods increased by 45%.

A joint study conducted by Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin measured leptin and ghrelin levels, body fat and sleep amounts in 1000 people. They found that those who slept less than 8 hours a night had low leptin levels, high ghrelin levels and higher levels of body fat. The participants that slept the fewest hours a night weighed the most.

Another study, presented at the 2006 American Thoracic Society International Conference, came up with some confounding information. 70,000 middle-aged women were studied for 16 years.

The study found that:

• Women who sleep 5 hours or less weigh more than those that sleep 7 hours.
• Women who sleep 5 hours per night are 32% more likely to experience weight gain of 33 pounds or more and 15% more likely to become obese than those that sleep 7 hours.
• Women that sleep 6 hours a night are 12% more likely to gain 33 pounds or more and 6% more likely to become obese than those that sleep 7 hours.

What was confounding in this particular study is the fact that the women that slept less did not eat more.

“Prior studies have shown that after just a few days of sleep restriction, the hormones that control appetite cause people to become hungrier, so we thought that women who slept less might eat more,” says the study’s leader, Sanjay Patel. “But, in fact, they ate less. That suggests that appetite and diet are not accounting for the weight gain in women who sleep less.”

So even though leptin and ghrelin levels might affect appetite, it is more likely that the hormones that affect the metabolism of glucose and insulin-response are behind weight gain during sleep deprivation.

You can go without food for days, weeks and even months, but going without water for just one day can negatively impact your health.

Health Effects of Going without Water

Water is the most valuable life support product for our health, right up there with oxygen. Water and oxygen are the only two things in life that without for just a short period of time we would die.  Studies have been done that show if a 175 pound man were to lose just 2.5% of water in his body (2 quarts) he will lose 25% of his body’s effectiveness towards survival.

When a person begins to dehydrate more things happen in the body than just being thirsty. The more liquid in the body that is lost, the thicker the blood becomes and the harder the heart muscle must work to pump the blood through the circulatory system.  When a person loses their abilities to reason and think straight because of dehydration it means they will die very soon, unless they drink water to rehydrate. Depending on the circumstances, mainly environment, a person can die within 24 to 28 hours after having no water if they are laboring in the hot dry sun with no water. If a person is sedentary indoors and the elements, such as wind, sun, and heat is not present they may live up to 3 days, tops. So water is VERY important for survival, but water is also very important to your overall health.

Most people think they drink enough liquids throughout the day to keep them hydrated. But if you counted all the beverages besides water that people drink you would see that they are actually dehydrating themselves. Most liquids such as coffee, tea, soda, alcohol, Gatorade, and sugary fruit drinks do not hydrate the body like pure water can. Some people are walking around actually dehydrated and they don’t know it because they don’t feel thirsty. Let’s take a look at 4 of the main reasons you should make sure you’re getting enough water.

1. Fatigue and Tiredness
The first sign of dehydration is the feeling of being tired; some people experience a headache and feel like taking a nap. When the body begins to dehydrate it means the tissues and cells are not getting enough water to make a person feel like doing anything; enzymatic activity slows down and without water the enzymes are unable to produce energy either. In fact a dehydrated person may have no enthusiasm or joy for life.   The good news is once the individual starts to drink some water their energy reserves speed back up and sometimes the headache completely goes away.

2. Constipation and Digestive Problems
If a person is not drinking enough water they do not have enough liquid to help with the elimination process and without eliminating the foods we digest we gain weight, gain toxins, and feel awful.  Being constipated is the beginning to many health problems from allergies to toxic overload syndrome to digestive disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, gas bloating, stomach pain, nausea and loss of appetite in chronic cases.

3. Stomach Ulcers
To protect the stomach from its acidic digestive fluids that is made during the digestion of food, the stomach is coated with a lining of mucous, which are 98% water and 2% sodium bicarbonate.  Sodium bicarbonate helps in the digestive process by neutralizing the acids. When a person is dehydrated the stomach does not have enough liquid available to make the mucous, thus a poor mucous lining protecting a person from the acidic fluids the digestive process makes. This is why some people are more acidic rather than alkaline, and have digestive problems such as acid stomach and heartburn, which eventually without the alkalinity results in an ulcer of the stomach lining.

4. Weight Gain
Many times when we are thirsty we eat food rather than drink water. This can cause unnecessary weight gain, especially for a sedentary person. When your body is dehydrated, just a little bit, sometimes it won’t tell you with a dry throat or mouth, but rather with a feeling of being hungry.  Here’s the thing, if you just ate a sufficient meal not too long ago how can you really need to eat again?

To know if you need water or food, next time you are hungry when you have already ate a meal, drink a couple glasses of pure water. If the hunger pangs subside you’ll know you just needed to feed the body some water. The body needs at least 2 to 3 liters of water a day, and drinking more than that will keep you from feeling hungry. Not only that, but it will also help you eliminate more toxins from your body. Eventually your body will stop telling you it’s hungry because you are maintaining hydration throughout the day.

When you drink enough water throughout the day you are feeding the tissues and cells in your body and that gets the enzymatic system moving, which actually releases fat toxins out of the body! Now isn’t that good news? Rehydrating the body through pure water gets your metabolism running in full balance rather than being slow and sluggish, which is a cause of weight gain.

Do you want to add some vitamins and zest to your water? Then squeeze two or three lemons or limes into each liter of water and drink this nourishing water throughout the day. The great news about this is you probably won’t catch a cold anytime soon! Drink water for your health!

Drink Pure Water

The new beyond organic reign supreme water label shows that it contains only pure spring water from the mountains of Northern Georgia

Some water sources are not clean even though many people drink from them. Well water can be full of toxic inorganic minerals that could be making you sick. Bottled water isn’t necessarily any better, you still need to know where it came from and what is in it. Minerals on rocks build up into a sludgy scum and then you drink it. Tap water in some cities is also very mineral laden and too much minerals will cause arterial problems. Water should be as pure as possible, without minerals and bad bacteria.

Inorganic Minerals that could be lurking in your Water

Minerals and vitamins should come from the purest source, which are organic foods that derive from plants or animals. If you think you might be drinking water that is dirty with inorganic minerals you can have it tested. The safest and easiest thing to do to ensure clean water is to buy a good water filter or softener to put on your faucet that filters out mineral toxins from your water.

Almost 18% ‘usually conceal their teeth in photos’.

1. Brush After Drinking or Eating

The best way, but not always the easiest is to simply brush your teeth after eating or drinking something. This takes a lot of persistence and can even be kind of difficult depending on where you are at the time. Most food does not stain teeth, but if you are a coffee drinker or if you smoke, you can pretty much count on having discolored teeth from staining. If this is the case then having your teeth cleaned every three months may be in order, besides trying some of the natural remedies listed here.

2. Hydrogen Peroxide and Baking Soda

This works great as a natural teeth whitener. Many people confirm to the fact that it does make their teeth look whiter. Mix a small amount of hydrogen peroxide with a small amount of baking soda to make a paste. Brush your teeth as usual, making sure you brush those back teeth too. Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-bacterial agent and works great as a total mouth and gum cleaner and keeps the mouth free of germs.

Baking soda is a gritty substance like sandpaper so be careful that you have enough hydrogen peroxide mixed in with the soda because if you don’t it can very well scrub the enamel right off your teeth and enamel does not grow back. The paste should not be gritty at all, and in fact it should be a runnier paste than a stiff paste.

3. Olive Oil

Can it be true? Olive oil to clean your teeth? Just when you thought you heard it all, along comes olive oil to the rescue as a teeth whitener. Some people are attesting to their teeth becoming whiter by applying olive oil to their teeth after they brush.  There are two ways you can apply it. Add a few drops to your tooth brush and simple brush it on, or add the olive oil to a corner of a clean wash cloth and rub it on. It can’t hurt to try this natural whitening tip. Olive oil is good for you!

4. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

It makes sense that apple cider vinegar would eventually remove stubborn stains on the teeth, especially from coffee and nicotine. It has been proven that it does work but you have to be consistent and it takes a least a month of continuous usage to see results. Some say that using ACV looks like you just got your teeth professionally cleansed.  Be careful, as with all acids, it can remove the enamel on your teeth as well. After brushing with ACV, you will need to brush again with regular toothpaste, preferably a non fluoride paste, or rinse your mouth out really well.

5. Lemon or Orange Peels

There have been reports that lemon and or orange peels will also do the trick of whitening your teeth. Guess you don’t know until you try.  Here again, these food products are very healthy and good for your stomach but the acid content might eventually wear away the enamel on the teeth. So if you use lemon or orange peel always rinse afterwards to be on the safe side. A good oral mouth rinse is hydrogen peroxide because it keeps breath fresh by eliminating bad breath and also is a very good bacterial agent. Use half water and half hydrogen peroxide, swish around in your mouth and leave in for at least a full minute.

6. Strawberries

It has been said that Catherine Zeta Jones whitens her teeth with strawberries. Who would have thought? Tyra Banks tried this teeth whitening trick on her show. She simply mashed up about four or five strawberries and rubbed this yummy mixture all over her teeth. Tyra Banks teeth are already really white from having them bleached so you couldn’t really tell any difference. Some people say this really does work, and if Catherine Zeta Jones rubs her teeth with strawberries, it must be worth giving it a try.  Some people say this works right away. Rinse well afterwards.

Some Natural Whiteners Can Eradicate Enamel

Some teeth whiteners are just not a good idea to use, especially lemon juice.  The acid in the lemon juice does great for bleaching clothes, hair, and getting stains out of furniture, but you wouldn’t want to put lemon juice on your teeth every single day. Eventually the acid creates tiny holes in your teeth and then every kind of staining type food will seep into these tiny holes and remain there. The acid from the lemons is so strong it just eventually wears away the teeth causing cavities.

Can Teeth Whitening Harm Teeth?

Apparently many people are going for the gusto to have whiter teeth and are turning it into an addiction. Here’s what one dentist had to say about teeth whitening strips. “There are people who can never get enough,” says New York City dentist Dr. Irwin Smigel, president of the American Society for Dental Aesthetics. “I’ve had situations where people have needed root canals because they’ve overbleached, where tissues were damaged. You can wear away some of the enamel and your teeth will become translucent and unnatural. They’ll become blue or blue gray.”

Research has shown that teeth whitening products can damage the teeth by removing the enamel. Constant application of whitening strips have been shown to cause erosion of enamel over time and results in tooth sensitivity, especially  with eating hot and cold liquids and foods.

Bottom line is whitening strips should be used in moderation. Teeth bleaching products should only be used under the guidance of your dentist. The best way to whiten teeth is by feeding your body lots of healthy foods for strong bones, teeth and gums and omitting coffee, tea and sugary foods in your diet. If you smoke, stop smoking. And brush and floss your teeth every day!

Sources: curebum.com, msnbc.msn.com, teethwhiteningknowhow.com

Jeffery Kluger from Time Magazine had a wonderful message to say about Steve Jobs.

“But it’s also fair to argue that Jobs was in some ways different from other captains of industry. Henry Ford, Thomas Edison and Bill Gates changed the world too – Gates more than all of them, perhaps, with his second chapter as the world’s greatest philanthropist – and yet the garment rending and candle lighting that has followed Jobs’ death suggests a passion that none of the others stir up.

Perhaps it’s that Gates and the rest that invented what were essentially just products – remarkable things that transformed the way we lived, but merchandise all the same. Jobs’ inventions got inside not just our lives but also our heads and – improbably – our hearts. That, of course, is the way it is with living things.”

Steve Job’s Battle and Perhaps Fatal Decision
Steve had been battling with pancreatic cancer for two decades. Pancreatic cancer is a fast-progressing type of cancer that is quite fatal. This makes twenty years a long time to live for someone who’s battling with this type of cancer, and also shows us that the treatment Job’s was receiving must have been right on the mark. We do know that Steve Jobs chose alternative and natural cancer treatments.

There are two types of pancreatic cancer. The more aggressive form, which is not what Job’s had, attacks cells and enzymatic tissues, which help release toxins from the body. The type of cancer Job’s had was of the hormone producing cells of the pancreas, which has a life expectancy of 3 to 6 months, on average. Steve lived for twenty years with this cancer! It seems that he did not have chemotherapy or radiation treatment at all.

The Hollywood actor Patrick Swayze also had pancreatic cancer and died within 18 months. It is written in reports that he was totally against natural and alternative treatments. He and others like him who have died within months of knowing they had cancer only went for the traditional therapies such as radiation, chemotherapy, pharmaceuticals.

Two years before Steve succumbed to cancer he had to have a liver transplant operation.  Would Steve jobs be alive today had he not elected to have a risky liver transplant, followed by immune suppressant drugs? Maybe we should not be asking that question, but it is hard not to ask and wonder when even conventional oncologists question Job’s decision to have a liver transplant followed by immune suppressant drugs.

Just days after Job’s death, traditional doctors are coming out of the woodwork and have been quoted with saying that the immune-suppressant anti-rejection drugs Steve had to take, after his liver transplant surgery, may have cost him his life.  Even conventional therapy doctors know that cancer patients need immune boosting therapy to build up the body to fight off cancer, not harsh radiation or medications that are going to hold back the natural defenses. If your immune system is not strong enough to attack the cancer it will eventually attack every cell in your system and that is what happened with Steve Jobs.

Why a Liver Transplant?
Some of you may be wondering why Steve Job’s had a Liver transplant. Apparently he had a metastasis in his liver. Liver transplants are dangerous when you don’t have cancer, so then imagine being in a serious stage of pancreatic cancer and having your whole liver removed and then replacing a foreign liver with your old one?  When your immune system is already compromised by a progressive cancer, taking more immune suppressing drugs doesn’t make the prognosis very good.

The media says that Jobs died from complications of cancer, which means that cancer is not what killed him, at least not directly. The complications were that he had to take drugs following the liver transplant so his body would not reject the new liver, and those drugs put his immune system into a deep sleep—he basically had no immunity to fight off his cancer.

Steve Lived for Twenty Years with a Progressive Cancer!
Let’s think about this for a moment. Prominent doctors who treat pancreatic cancers say the prognosis for the type of cancer Job’s had is 3 to 6 months but Steve lived for 20-years! What did Steve do right? To answer this question accurately we need to know what the two major causes of cancer are.

• Toxicity (toxic overload syndrome)
• Nutritional Deficiencies

Toxicity means the body is overloaded with pollutants that are not being allowed to come out. This is why cleansing the organs, particularly the colon, liver and kidneys is a sure-fire way to keep away from toxic cancerous invaders. When toxins are not allowed to come out of the body in the form of elimination, pure water, good diet, cleansing, fasting, and exercise they remain in the body causing the first signs of cancer and disease.

When a person is overload with toxins the first signs and symptoms:

• allergies
• rashes
• suppressed immune system
• inability to fight off colds and infections
• IBS
• gluten intolerance
• boils
• Blood sugar issues
• depression
• mental and emotional disorders

Almost every health issue a person goes to the doctor for are warning signs you are not taking care of your body.  If these health issues are left unattended they continue to spread to other areas of the body, and sometimes cancer develops.

Nutritional deficiencies come about when your diet is lacking in vital nutrients. Throw away the prepackaged, boxed prepared foods and buy whole foods your body can actually utilize and thrive from. Organic is always best for the body because it has the least amount of toxic pollutants. Some of the best foods for your body can be grown right in your own garden. The best and safest way to receive vitamins and minerals the body needs is through whole organic foods.

I think we can reasonably say that Steve Job’s, for the most part, ate a healthy diet and cleansed his body periodically. Plus we know that he did receive excellent alternative care treatments. Twenty years is a long time to battle with cancer but Steve had a great outlook on life and was not in pain or weakened for most of those twenty years.

So what can we learn from this? Eat healthier and take care of yourself in every area of your life. Those areas are physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. Steve Job’s recognized these areas and took action and this is why he lived happily for 20 years with pancreatic cancer.

Cancer Prevention Foods

Cruciferous vegetables and dark leafy greens – cabbage, broccoli, mustard greens, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts, spinach, and collard greens and bok choy. These excellent veggies contain cancer fighting properties that break down potential carcinogenics (toxic agents) lurking in your body. They work by preventing the formation of cancer. You should eat a variety of these veggies every day, raw or lightly steamed with sautéed garlic and a little olive oil.

Berries – raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, and other’s. A study by researchers at The Ohio State University Medical Center has shown that all berries work equally well to prevent cancer from forming and they can even shrink cancerous tumors. These finding have been published in the June issue of the journal Pharmaceutical Research.

Organic Fruits and Veggies – All whole fruits and vegetables are good for you and to ensure you are getting adequate amounts of whole foods into your diet use the color system. Eat five to seven different colors daily of raw or lightly steamed vegetables and fruits

Garlic – Best eaten raw. Supplements do not work as well as the whole herb.  The first cancer studies ever performed on garlic was in the 1950’s where researchers took the valuable active ingredient in garlic known as allicin and injected it into mice with cancer. The mice that were injected with allicin lived for 6-months and those not injected lived only 2-months. Since then numerous studies have proven the effectiveness of garlic in preventing cancer and disease.

Another active ingredient of garlic, allyl sulfur has been shown to be effective in inhibiting or preventing cancer development. A large scale study performed on middle age women from the epidemiological Iowa Women’s Health Center tested out with great results. The women who ate raw garlic regularly had a 35% lower risk of developing colon cancer.

Green Tea – Laboratory studies have shown that the active ingredient in green tea called catechins does inhibit the growth of cancer cells by zapping the dirty scavengers before they can produce cancerous tissue. In the studies of the skin, liver and stomach of mice the catechins in green and black tea decreased tumor size in mice.

To date, the studies on humans using green tea have been just as promising. In one study, 18,000 men were given green tea in their daily diet and then compared to non-tea drinkers. The tea drinkers in the study were about as half likely to develop cancer of the throat and stomach, even though some of them smoked and did not always eat a good diet!

Vitamin D3 – Vitamin D3 is obtained by natural sunlight—it is the only way to absorb Vitamin D into your system efficiently. Contrary to popular belief, lying out in the sun and getting a tan is actually excellent for your health. What is not good is getting sunburn on your skin. Sunburns are prevented by not laying out in the sun for long periods of time.

Dr. Nicholas Gonzalez is a widely known naturopathic doctor who treats pancreatic cancer using natural and alternative treatments. Most of his patients with pancreatic cancer are still alive today after 20-years, and many have gotten completely healed! In conventional medicine this is absolutely unheard of. The typical survival rate for a pancreatic cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment followed by harsh drugs is about 12-18 months, and that is if the cancer is found early enough.

Dr. Gonzalez’s program for treating pancreatic cancer consist of three basic areas that everyone should be applying into their life now, not later when they are diagnosed with cancer or diseases. Staying healthy is really quite simple if you follow these health guidelines.

• Individualized diet based on nutritional (metabolic) typing
• Individualized supplement program, which includes vitamins, minerals, trace elements, and pancreatic enzymes
• Detoxification, which includes coffee enemas and colon cleanses

Thanks to Dr. Gonzales for reaching out to people with cancer and encouraging them about alternative treatments rather than taking harsh drugs and chemotherapy. Dr. Gonzalez is publishing several books, one of which will have over 100 case studies of patients with advanced cancer who fully recovered after dutifully following his natural treatments to cure cancer.

In closing, let’s reflect on a wisdom-filled message that was often quoted by Steve Jobs. Perhaps we can put this wisdom to good use and apply it into our own lives.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”

Sources: mercola.com, cleveland.com, healthcastle.com

CDC and Ambiguous Advertising
Revaccinated? What’s that all about? Apparently the vaccine wears off.  Oddly they revaccinate with the very same strain they used in the previous year.  What’s even more strange about this whole CDC picture of being revaccinated is human antibodies are supposed to last a lifetime. This means, say, if you get the chicken pox as a kid you will not develop the chicken pox again because your body creates antibodies which make you virtually immune to contracting chicken pox ever again!

The vaccine industry advertizes that their flu shot vaccine works exactly the same way, meaning the flu shot creates antibodies against that particular viral strain so you won’t get that type of flu ever again! Wow that is quite a claim. I say claim, because that’s all it is since they are pushing revaccination with the same inoculate strain they used last year. So then what is all of this revaccination hype?
When you contemplate this carefully you’ll realize that none of it really makes too much sense, except for the fact that flu shots aren’t free; they cost $25 per shot, according to Eric R. Esterbrook, pharmacist and owner of Esterbrook Pharmacy.  I think it would be safe to say that what they advertize about the vaccines is ambiguous at best.

Have you ever wondered why they push the flu vaccine on perfectly healthy people? This year they are advising that everybody over the age of six months be vaccinated. Last year and the year before it was only children, elderly and those who are immune compromised. Wow, they must have made a big batch of the flu stuff this year!

Do they really care if we get the flu or not?  Aren’t the flu vaccines just another form of revenue for the ones who push it, such as the researchers, manufacturers, pharmaceutical Industry, FDA and others? I mean, why push the flu shot onto perfectly healthy folks? Go figure.

Should I Get a Flu Shot, I’m Healthy?
The truth is most people who get the flu do not have any complications whatsoever, except for being uncomfortable through the duration of the flu. But a small percentage of people have complications. Deaths from the flu are hyped up and spread throughout the media to cause undue fear in people so they’ll rush down and get vaccinated.  The Vaccination Industry is big business and the more people who run down and get their flu shot, the more revenue.

Last year two young men (two different cases) died from simple tooth infections too.  Sadly, they couldn’t afford to have root canals done on their teeth and the infection killed them. This could have been prevented! These kinds of tragedies happen all the time, but they aren’t doing anything about those people who can’t afford to have medical and dental! This is because when it comes out of their own pocket they do not want to have anything to do with it. You never hear about these kinds of tragic and preventable stories because it makes them look bad. The point is terrible complications can arise from someone having a cavity!

It’s true, a very few amount of people will have complications when they contract the measles and they die; some people have complications when they catch the common cold because it turns into an infection in the lungs and they die.  Wouldn’t it be safe to say then that most people do NOT need to have a flu shot? It would be far better for your health to go ahead and contract the flu and ride it out so your body can then truly build up antibodies against that type of flu!

Study after Study Shows the Flu Shot is a Scam

• A study published in the October 2008 issue of the Archives of Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine found that vaccinating young children against the flu had no impact on flu-related hospitalizations or doctor visits during two recent flu seasons. The researchers concluded that “significant influenza vaccine effectiveness could not be demonstrated for any season, age, or setting” examined.
• A 2008 study published in the Lancet found that influenza vaccination was NOT associated with a reduced risk of pneumonia in older people. This also supports an earlier study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
• Research published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine also confirms that there has been no decrease in deaths from influenza and pneumonia in the elderly, despite the fact that vaccination coverage among the elderly has increased from 15 percent in 1980 to 65 percent now.
• In 2007, researchers with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and the National Institutes of Health published this conclusion in the Lancet Infectious Diseases:
• A large-scale, systematic review of 51 studies, published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2006, found no evidence that the flu vaccine is any more effective than a placebo in children under 2. The studies involved 260,000 children, age 6 to 23 months.

Skip the Shot and Naturally Protect Yourself!
Our bodies are not intended to be given noxious toxins such as what the flu shots are made of.  According to an article on doctor Mercola’s website, vaccines have aluminum, sucrose, animal tissues, MSG, and antifreeze in them. Ugh!

The best way to help YOU from getting sick this winter is to take care of YOU. Treat yourself better than you ever have before. That starts with a healthy eating regime. Get healthy now and stay healthy!

• Eat a wide variety of raw fruits and vegetables (get your seven colors in daily)
• Cleanse your digestive tract (colon cleanse) before the flu season hits
• Include more probiotics in your diet now such as yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut
• Don’t stay up late, de-stress your life and get plenty of sleep
• Amp up your water intake by two extra glasses a day
• Eat an organic apple with the skin on every night before bed (helps with constipation)
• Start juicing today, organic fruits and veggies each morning on an empty stomach (don’t forget to add two or three cloves of natural antibiotic, garlic)
• Get some sunshine on your skin
• Exercise regularly even if its brisk walking a few miles every day (get outside and enjoy the fall weather)
• Don’t let the media hype scare you into getting the flu shot

Be good to yourself! If you happen to get the flu even though you are doing all of these things, your symptoms will be very mild and you will get over it more quickly. You can bet on it! Take care of yourself and let nature take its due course.

Sources: readingeagle.com, naturalnews.com, medhelp.org, mercola.com

Paul Bragg, health pioneer and nutritionists said, “If it is boxed, canned, or processed in any way, don’t eat it”

The Government Loophole
The big manufacturing and processing companies know that if they make the food taste good with additives such as yeast extract and free glutamate, the main ingredient of MSG, then you’ll want more and buy more. The loophole is within a section of the labeling committee that says “what can be posted on food labels”. As in this case, if free glutamate or glutamate acid is less than 78% of an additive, they don’t have to label it as having MSG! Really? This is more than just a loophole—this is misleading and false advertising of their products.

Research by Vanderbilt University has found that although the FDA does not prohibit the use of yeast extract, even when the name is used to disguise the presence of MSG, the quantity of free glutamate it contains poses problems for MSG-sensitive individuals who experience its effects as toxic. Which many people do find that ingesting even small amounts of MSG will make them sick.

So remember this next time you go grocery shopping. Many popular prepared food items at your grocery store will have MSG in them but it will not be listed as an ingredient on the label. Why are we being mislead like this? Well, we’re being misled because the big processing plants want to save money. It’s far cheaper for them to use food additives (chemicals) such as free glutamate and glutamate acid rather than natural spices and herbs to enhance flavors of food. Ugh!

This is why it’s so important to heed the advice of health gurus such as Bill Bragg and myself about the importance of preparing your own meals versus buying processed dinner entrees and snacks. It is much healthier and safer preparing your own meals and snacks using organic, whole foods rather than buying already prepared food items that who knows what could be lurking inside.

Yeast Extract is a Form of MSG
Next time you’re out grocery shopping and reading labels and it says yeast extract it’s really MSG incognito. It also may be called autolyzed yeast, or hydrolyzed yeast, but they all contain some amounts of free glutamates or glutamate acids, which is MSG. Below is just a few of the food items that have MSG in them but DO NOT list it on their labels.

• McKay’s Chicken Style Instant Broth and Seasoning
• Spice Boquet Adobo Seasoning
• Nightlife Foods Tofu Pups
• Simply Organic Spicy Chili
• Hain Pure Foods All Natural Chicken Broth and Vegetable Broth
• Blue Diamond Almond Toppers
• Farm House Parmesan Pasta (General Mills Sales, Inc.)
• Dominique’s New England Clam Chowder
• Newman’s Own Ranch Dressing

According to the Live Strong website yeast extracts are used in most canned and frozen soups to enhance the flavors. It would be far healthier to buy some beef bones or whole organic chicken and prepare your own soups and stews and stay clear of all canned food products. Paul Bragg knew what he was talking about. “If it is canned, boxed or processed in any way, it is bad for your health”!

More Popular Foods that Contain Yeast Extracts

• Most canned meats and fish products
• Frozen hamburger patties
• Brand name turkey’s and chicken’s
• Lunch meats
• Some brands of veggie burgers
• Most sauces and gravies
• Spice and savory mixes
• Salad dressings
• Bouillon cubes and spices

Usually only those meats that are cut and sold right in the butcher shop or grocery store, without packaging, will be free of yeast extracts. It is always best to steer clear of canned fruits and vegetables; you know for sure that buying the whole fruit or vegetable will not have any additives as the canned one would.

Most boxed snack foods such as crackers, pretzels, and cookies contain yeast extracts. You’re better off making your own snacks and bringing them with you. Yeast extracts are also used for cultivating microorganism in most dairy products such as in cheeses, cottage cheese, and yogurts. Yeast extract is extensively used to make cheese taste cheesy. And even though it is MSG in disguise the FDA still calls it a natural favorer as if it is something good for your health.

The bottom line is if most of the food products sold in the groceries stores have MSG lurking inside, then I think it is far safer to stop buying their filthy food. America’s food is dirty and unfit for human consumption, that is to say, if we want to be healthy and fit. I think we need to heed the wise words of our pioneers in health and just say no to canned, boxed, and processed foods of any kind, so we can truly know that we are not eating toxic chemical additives disguised as something good for us in our food! Simply, do NOT eat it!

Sources: naturalnews.com, truthinlabeling.org, livestrong.com, jacklalanne.com

“There are factors in aloe that help the cells regenerate and heal faster,”

Healing Burns
Have you ever looked at the ingredients on sunburn soothing gel and creams? Aloe is almost always a listed ingredient. If it didn’t work to sooth sunburns and other types of skin burns it wouldn’t be a listed ingredient in almost every burn cream out on the market. The thing is the natural whole gel from the plant is going to work so much better than those creams you buy from the grocery store.

So for this very fact it would be a good idea to have your own aloe plants growing in pots in your home. A simple way to use the gel for sunburns just snip a small leaf from the plant and slice it open and there’s the gel, apply it to wherever you are blistering and have a sunburn. Not only will aloe help to keep you from peeling and blistering from minor sunburn but it will soothe your skin immensely. If you want to learn more about sunburn remedies, watch this video.

Healing Wounds – Digestive Tract and Ulcers
In a study published for “Preventative Medicine” on aloe vera juice and its effect on the human gastrointestinal tract, Dr. Jeffrey Bland wrote that aloe vera juice helps digestion, normalizes acid/alkaline balance, lessens yeast formation, encourages digestive bacteria and regularizes bowel processing.

Aloe Vera is so amazing it has been used to soothe and heal stomach ulcers. Apparently it has antibacterial agents and natural healing properties that can restore the stomach lining back to health. Remember though, if you are taking a medication that contradicts healing and is actually causing the ulcer, as some medications do, while you are trying to repair an ulcer it probably will not work.

In a report by BBC Health one of the causes of stomach ulcers is the taking of anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain medications, which can irritate the lining of the stomach and produce an ulcer, hole in the gut. If you truly want to heal yourself you must first go to the root of the problem and stop doing whatever it is that may be harming your body. Then you can let nature go to work through rebuilding of cells and tissues and natural remedies such as Aloe Vera juice.

An article by the “Journal of Environmental Science and Health” states that drinking aloe juice works as a cleanser and detoxifier because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties within this amazing plant. This sounds really promising.

However, not all aloe vera juices are good for the body to drink. The University of Maryland Medical Clinic warns to not drink the juice that contains “aloe latex”, which is a yellow bitter fluid that is a powerful laxative. As we all know, too much of a good thing might just be too much. Scientists say that drinking the juice with aloe latex present causes severe stomach cramping and diarrhea. For this reason it is best to purchase aloe vera juice at your local health food store. Apparently, it is difficult to separate the gel from the latex from the plant yourself unless you know what you are doing.

Hair and Scalp Moisturizer
Aloe makes a wonderful nourishing hair and scalp shampoo and conditioner. And because of its antibacterial and antifungal properties it also helps with most causes of dandruff according to the authors of “Aloe Vera the New Millennium”, Bill C. Coats and Robert Ahola. It appears that the gel has enzymes that actually help to rid the scalp of dead cells and promote regeneration of skin tissue around the hair follicles. Aloe also helps to stop itching which is a symptom of dandruff.

What kind of shampoo do you use? Did you know that some shampoos can cause scalp irritation and itching which leads to dandruff. Most store bought shampoos aren’t that great for the skin and scalp. After reading this information it makes you want to try some aloe vera shampoo, doesn’t it? Especially since we now know that the active properties in aloe gel are known to promote new skin growth and decrease pain and inflammation.

This is good news for some people who have a problem with their shampoos or who have scalp irritation and inflammation. Take a look at the shampoo and conditioners you are now using. One or two of the listed ingredients may be causing the inflammation and dandruff. There are a lot of chemicals in most shampoos that actually cause skin irritation and itching.

Growing Aloe Vera
Growing your own Aloe Vera or buying a plant from the nursery would probably be a good idea for using topically on mild burns and wounds. Interestingly enough there are over 250 species of aloe in the world. All Aloe plants may be grown outdoors where there is no chance of freezing. But they also make beautiful houseplants and are quite easy to take care of. Some species even bloom with beautiful flowers.

If you buy a potted plant have it in a window that gets a good amount of sunshine because aloes love the sun. The pot can be moved outdoors during the summer months. Aloe is very succulent and therefore stores a lot of water within its leaves, but it will need watered at least two or three times a month. In the winter aloe becomes dormant somewhat and during this time you should water the plant very little. That’s all there is to it, except to enjoy your new aloe houseplant.

Sources: nytimes.com, livestrong.com

Among Indian people aged 70 to 79, the rate of Alzheimer’s is less than one-quarter that of the United States.

Alzheimer Studies
There are so many wonderful reasons to add turmeric to your diet. It tastes wonderful in soups, stews and curry dishes and you can even sprinkle it on roast chicken. According to scientists turmeric added to your daily diet will help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer disease by eliminating amyloid plaque buildup in the brain. Not only that but it has shown to improve brain function and performance.

According to Dr. Sally Frautschy of the University of California, her studies show that elderly individuals living in Indian villages appear to have the lowest incidence of Alzheimer’s disease in the world. Her studies show that only 1 percent of elderly Indian men and women get Alzheimer’s.

This is great news but let’s not forget that we should look at all components to good health and not just one spice or herb. For instance, the spice turmeric eaten daily, coupled with eating a diet based on whole foods is preventing brain degeneration in the Indian population. It’s interesting that this study was done on the villagers who do not eat processed foods because they are much too expensive for the villagers to buy. Therefore they only eat whole foods most likely grown right there in India.
Anytime manufacturing/processing of whole food stuffs come into the equation, it will not matter where you live, if processed, dead foods are a major part of your diet, your body will degenerate much quicker, and that includes the brain.
It’s interesting to note that most Asian peasants are healthier than their city counterparts because they eat more whole foods (brown rice vs. white) than those folks who live in the city and can afford to buy processed food items.

Arthritis Studies
According to researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine turmeric may help with different forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and even osteoporosis. During their research they discovered an extract from turmeric called curcuminoid that blocks a protein called NF-KB factor from being activated in the joints. According to the researchers when NF-KB is activated it causes inflammation and degeneration of joint tissue.

The scientists doing the study did conclude that more research needs to be done on the effectiveness of turmeric. They are now looking at the benefits of turmeric for multiple sclerosis and bowel disease.

Research has also shown in numerous studies that eating a diet high in refined flours and sugar will negatively impact our joints tremendously. The saying “you are what you eat” rings very true in this case. Adding Turmeric to your daily diet will help with quieting down inflammation caused from joint diseases and so will eating a good daily, organic, whole foods diet.

Cancer Studies
Scientists believe that the active ingredient in Turmeric, curcumin is responsible for preventing some types of cancer. One study in Texas showed that the antioxidant properties of curcumin can slow and even stop reproduction of cancer cells in myeloma, a deadly form of cancer. Studies are positive and are mounting up with evidence that turmeric extract with curcumin does fight skin and breast cancers.

Doctors at the University of Texas, after following up on previous studies that they had been working on, found that turmeric extract helped stop the spread of breast cancer cells to the lungs! The doctors were very excited about these new studies. The researchers also found that this great tasting yellow spice may also diminish the occurrence of prostate and colon cancers.

Turmeric the Powerful Antioxidant
Curcumin has been shown to be a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants are potent elements found in most raw fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals, which is everything we are exposed to in a given day, such as processed foods, environmental pollution, pharmaceuticals, and exposure to radiation. Free radicals run havoc in our body where they cause cellular damage, and degeneration of the immune system, all of which lead to infections, degenerative organ diseases and cancer.

If we expose ourselves to more free radicals than we expose ourselves to antioxidants, eventually our body will begin to give way to these environmental free radicals in the form of negative health issues. It is very important that every individual and family work at improving their health by doing everything possible to make positive change for themselves according to their circumstances.

You can prevent degenerative disease from happening to you by taking care of your health in all areas of your life. This would include diet, fitness, mental and emotional outlook, and anything you may be negatively exposed to in your environment. It’s up to you. Don’t depend on your doctor for your fitness and well being because he or she cannot do anything for you like what you can for yourself. You are your best friend so be nice to yourself.

Sources: huffingtonpost.com, healthdiaries.com, livestrong.com, nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com

According to a 2009 study at Kingston University, white tea was found to have high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase properties.

White tea originates from China from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Its buds and leaves are allowed to wither in the sun during the plants growth.  They are harvested prematurely and the delicate buds and leaves are processed to prevent oxidation.  They say this preserves the distinct flavor of this aromatic tea. Camellia Sinensis plant is abundant with what is called polyphenols, a phytonutrient which is responsible for the tea’s health benefits.

Improved Cardiovascular Function
White tea has a substance known as Catechins, a group of antioxidants that have been shown to reduce cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, repair vein tissue, and improve overall cardiovascular function.

Immune System Booster
Studies have shown that animals that were given white tea were more resistant to the bacteria Salmonella. Furthermore, the antioxidants that is abundant in white tea helps to booster the immune system in animals and humans.  And there’s more good news: A study conducted by the Pace University in 1984 revealed that white tea may in fact slow down viruses and the growth of bacteria, reducing the incidence of staphylococcus and streptococcus infections, pneumonia, fungus growth, and even dental plaque.

Cancer Prevention
Amazingly, white tea has been shown to work as well as prescription drugs in providing the body with antioxidants and preventing many types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a group of antioxidants present in this tea reduce the growth of cancer cells, and help new ones to grow!
It would seem a good idea to drink this tea often throughout the day. Not a tea-lover? Well, how about adding a teaspoon of raw honey and a squeeze of a lemon or lime to your tea for an added zest?

Reduce Blood Pressure
Chances are that you or someone you know personally has high blood pressure. Well, the good news is studies have proven that white tea can actually thin the blood and drastically improve artery function. Drinking white tea several times a day on a consistent basis can actually lower the pressure of your blood and protect the body against one of its common health enemies, stroke. This only works when you drink the tea every day, a couple of times a day. Bring it to work with you and share the health benefits with your coworkers.

Stronger Bones and Teeth, and Healthier Skin
Numerous studies have shown that regular drinkers of white tea had greater bone density than non drinkers of white tea. If you suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis, better grab yourself some white tea and have a couple of cups a day. White tea has small amounts of fluoride which help to keep the teeth and gums healthy too.

This remarkable tea has also been shown to fight free radicals from sun, stress and poor diet, and reverse some of the signs of aging. According to a study by Kingston University in London, it seems that white tea may be an interesting option for reducing and preventing wrinkles. Out of 21 different compounds tested, white tea was found to contain by far the highest concentration of antioxidants.

Is there anything this tea doesn’t help improve? Well, let’s see here, white tea may also reduce blood sugar and lessen the symptoms of diabetes. This astounding tea has shown to reduce stress and yet increase energy levels. Now who doesn’t want to have more energy throughout the day?

How to Brew White Tea
Boiling hot water can diminish the distinct flavor as well as deplete the nutrients of the tea. Experts all agree that water for white tea should be no hotter than 170-185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius).  For best results bring the water to a roaring boil and then let sit for a couple of minutes and then pour onto the tea leaves.  This should be done for all types of teas.

Because white tea leaves are not as dense and compact as other teas you should use at least two teaspoons of white tea leaves for every cup (8 ounces) of water. The longer you brew the tea for the stronger the flavor and the more nutritional value you will be receiving. Some people recommend steeping the tea for up to 15 minutes.

White tea sounds like the king of teas and the health benefits are awesome! But with any natural health remedy or healing product out there they always work best when we do other things to take care of our body. White tea works well in conjunction with other ways to keep healthy and fit.

For an example: someone who eats a poor diet, is overweight, and leads a sedentary lifestyle will not see the health benefits from white tea as well as someone who already eats a well balanced diet, and who regularly exercises. The fact of the matter is, you have to take care of your body by doing everything you can to protect it from disease and illness.

Provide your body with clean whole foods, pure water, adequate amounts of exercise, and sufficient amounts of sunshine, and lead a stress free lifestyle as much as possible. You are your body’s best friend when it comes to health so treat it well and you will enjoy your life that much more. And of course, incorporating white tea into your diet would be a wonderful idea. Here’s to your health!

Source

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_tea

http://www.whiteteaguide.com/whiteteahealthbenefits.htm

1 in 5 people, or an estimated 50 million Americans sugger from all types of allergies

What’s important to understand is when the body is trying to combat an allergic reaction to something, whether it is something as simple as a skin allergy like eczema or if it is something more complex like a food allergy it is because something is not right within your body therefore it cannot fight off the allergen by its own defenses, hence you get allergy symptoms.

When we take prescribed medications for allergies what happens is they disturb the natural process and PH balance of our body’s immune system so that we will always have to take a drug to alleviate the symptoms from whatever allergy we are suffering from. What’s more is all these allergy drugs and toxic creams do is alleviate/hide the symptoms but the problem gone awry in our body still exists. This is why it is so important that we give our body a break from toxic pharmaceuticals and provide it with the remedies that grow naturally in nature.

Besides watching what we eat, getting plenty of fresh air, and drinking plenty of pure water, there are natural remedies to many of the allergies that afflict us today. There is more good news: Caring for our bodies in the more natural way provides our body with what it needs to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off the allergy we are suffering from.

1. Garlic

What’s so fantastic about garlic? Garlic is a natural antibiotic that wards off infections, viruses and even allergies. Eating or juicing two raw cloves of this powerful antioxidant literally keeps the doctor away! Some people go for the supplements because they don’t want to smell like garlic, but the supplements do not work as well as the real herb does, so don’t be deceived by this. Raw garlic eaten every day will fight off all types of allergies because it boosts your immune system immensely. Garlic is definitely the herb to live for since it truly helps us to breathe better and live healthier lives.

2. Lemons

As most of us know an alkaline body means better balance and immune function. Lemons and limes are excellent immune boosting little fruits and are used for various afflictions, including allergies. Both of these little fruits are loaded with Vitamin C and immune boosting antioxidants. Drinking lemon water throughout the day detoxifies the body and rids it of impurities.

Do not get confused with lemonade and lemon water, however. Lemonade made with refined sugar causes all kinds of skin problems as well as weight gain and low resistance to infections and allergies. Go for the pure lemon water without refined sugar. Healthful Food Tip: Mix the juice of one or two lemons or limes with olive oil to make a wonderful tasting dressing for salads and veggie sandwiches.

3. Raw Local Honey

Raw honey contains bee pollen, which is known to ward off infections, allergies, and boost immunity. If you suffer from seasonal allergies here is something to think about. The bees in your neighborhood are going from flower to flower collecting pollen that you are suffering from. It would make sense then that eating local RAW honey in your neighborhood made from those same flowers will build up your immunity to the pollen allergies where you live.

Getting stung by bees boosts immunity! Naturopaths have been using bee sting therapy with their patients for hundreds of years. According to Chronic Fatigue Treatments website bee sting or venom therapy is used to treat such conditions as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, arthritis, chronic pain, and rheumatic conditions. Some people allow themselves to get stung up to 20 times a day.

Researchers believe the substances melittin and apelin are the two major medicinal properties found in the venom. Melittin is a peptide found in bee venom that can stimulate the pituitary gland to release ACTH, this leads to the production of cortisol. Cortisol is a powerful hormone in our body which controls the immune system and our stress response.

4. Butterbur

In a study, published in the British Medical Journal, a group of Swiss researchers showed how just one tablet of butterbur taken four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever — without the traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs. In a second study, a group of British researchers found that butterbur worked effectively in relieving symptoms of grass allergies. Who needs drugs when you can find what you need naturally in nature?

Butterbur is a big leafy green plant native to Europe and has been used for generations to alleviate migraine headaches, stomach ulcers, coughs, allergies and asthma. It is available in extracts, teas, tablets and capsules. It is always best to use the product in its natural form so taking it as a tea or as an extract is the best way to use Butterbur for allergy symptoms.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar was used by Hippocrates, the father of medicine to treat numerous health conditions. Organic raw apple cider vinegar is used for numerous medicinal purposes such as boosting immunity, controlling weight and caring for the skin and hair; it promotes alkalinity and PH balance of the body, which is one reason why it works great as a natural remedy to ward off all types of allergies.

Organic Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is unfiltered, unheated, unpasteurized and 5% acidity. ACV Contains the amazing Mother of Vinegar which occurs naturally as strand-like enzymes of connected protein molecules. If you take a good look at a jar of apple cider vinegar you will see little floating strands in the cider, this is the living enzymes that work to fight off infection and bring balance back to your body.

The best way to use apple cider vinegar for your allergies is on a consistent basis. Mix 1 tablespoon ACV with 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice and 1/2 tablespoon raw bees honey and drink three times a day. Let it go to work in your body. It may take several weeks before you see any positive results. Be patient as this mixture of natural ingredients begins to balance out your GI tract and build up your natural defenses to fight off all types of allergies.

Sources: chronicfatiguetreatments.com, webmd.com, bragg.com

“One complete night of sleep deprivation is as impairing in simulated driving tests as a legally intoxicating blood-alcohol level.”

That’s scary to think about considering if there are 60 million Americans who are having trouble sleeping and a third of them are driving on our byways and highways at any given time. Research has also shown that chronic sleep deprivation will result in serious health issues. At the American Diabetes Association’s annual meeting in June 2001, Eve Van Cauter, Ph.D., reported that people who regularly do not get enough sleep can become less sensitive to insulin. “This increases their risk for diabetes and high blood pressure – both serious threats to the brain”.For an example, sleep Deprivation can:

• Weaken your immune system
• Cause symptoms of attention deficient disorder (ADD) especially in children
• Impair memory
• Cause hallucinations
• Drastically Impair physical and mental performance
• Increase tumor growth (studies have shown that tumors grow two to three times faster in laboratory animals with sleep deprivation
• Mental disorders and depression’
• Augment heart disease
• Aggravate stomach ulcers
• Age a person prematurely
• Increased risk for diabetes and high blood pressure
• Three times greater chance of dying from any cause

The good news is there are many natural products and safe ways to ensure a good night’s sleep once again! Throw away the sleeping pills and do this instead to help you sleep.

Get Your Daily Magnesium

Studies have shown that being deficient in magnesium can cause sleep disturbances throughout the night as well as insomnia. The best way to get your daily dose of magnesium is through whole foods. Eating foods high in magnesium will relax your nerves and muscles, build and strengthen bones, keep your blood circulating, and help you get good nights sleep.

Foods with the highest amounts of magnesium are: raw pumpkin seeds, steamed spinach and swiss chard, raw sunflower seeds, Chinook salmon, raw sesame seeds, baked or broiled halibut, blackstrap molasses, dried figs, artichokes, buckwheat, oat bran, almonds, cooked black beans and navy beans.

Lack of Exercise and Sleepless Nights

Have you ever had restless leg syndrome while you’re trying to go to sleep? You might toss and turn for hours but your fidgety legs are keeping you awake. People who work behind a desk for most of the day are more prone to have a restless night. The body has to get energy out and if that’s not happening through exercise you will lose sleep over it. Studies have shown that people who exercise consistently have less sleepless nights.

For some people exercising at least four times a week will help them combat insomnia. You want a tired body when going to bed at night, not one that is roaring like a lion at 2am.  Researchers at the Stanford University of Medicine studied the effects of exercise on adults aged fifty-five to seventy-five who were sedentary and troubled by insomnia. They were asked to exercise for twenty to thirty minutes every other day in the afternoon by walking, engaging in low-impact aerobics, and riding a stationary bicycle. The conclusion showed positive results. The time required to fall asleep was reduced by half, and sleep time increased by almost one hour.

Do you have a favorite exercise but can’t seem to find the time? If so, it’s time to find the time and start being more active, it will really help with restlessness at bedtime. The hardest part about starting a new exercise regime is the ambition to get started. Once you get into a schedule you’ll feel so good that you will never want to skip a routine again. Exercise, coupled with increasing magnesium in your diet is sure to bring on positive sleep patterns for you. Don’t forget about brisk walking. Get yourself a buddy and begin a brisk walking routine. Walking every day is surely going to help with those restless legs at night.

Self Expression Releases Emotions and Stress

Does this sound familiar? Many times you go to bed with too much on your mind. You have this and that to take care of and nothing is getting done. Your mind is running in overtime. You feel overwhelmed and stressed out and its bed time. No wonder you can’t fall asleep! All the worrying and emotional stress is bogging you down.  Here’s the best remedy for dealing with an overwhelmed brain. Write!

Every night before bed get your journal out by writing everything off your mind. This really works! Make lists of what needs done and then prioritize. Then if you are emotionally stressed get that out too through self expression. Write, write and write some more! If you’re angry with someone or if you feel resentment over something that happened to you write about it—get it off your chest.

Don’t worry no one has to see your journal, its private between you and God. Self expression releases pent up negative emotions as well as anger. Writing out our thoughts helps us to release our emotions and get them out of our brain so we can actually fall asleep. Plus, it helps us to be more productive the next day because it releases those negativities from our mind that were bogging us down.  Don’t worry, be grateful and you will get a good night’s sleep!

Eat Fish and Sleep Better?

Omega 3 fats are the good fats and are essential to a healthy body. Fish oil is the best way to get your omega 3 fatty acids. Doctors worldwide recommend we eat fish oil daily to ensure a healthy body and to get a good night’s rest. Not all fish have abundance of omega 3’s however, so choosing a fatty fish is the first step. Fish with the most omega 3 fatty acids are salmon, tuna, herring, trout, sardines, and halibut.  Atlantic, Coho, and Sockeye salmon are more abundant in omega 3’s. Eating fish twice a week will ensure you are getting the proper amount of omega fats in your diet.

Bad Diet Can Cause Restlessness and insomnia

What is a bad diet? A bad diet is one that is deficient in raw foods and whole foods but high in refined foods. The worse culprits are refined sugar and flour products. These two foods are the body’s worse enemies. Between the two they can literally wreck havoc within your physical, emotional and mental state causing all kinds of health ailments, not to mention nightmares and restless sleep.

Eating a diet high in refined sugars and carbohydrates will trigger restlessness throughout the night called the “fight or flight” reaction, which causes wakefulness. Keeping blood sugar levels regulated is important in sleeping well at night. Going to bed after eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugars will negatively influence how you feel the next day. You may toss and turn throughout the night, not really going into a deep sleep, and this is why you may feel tired and groggy the next day.  

Foods that help you sleep at night and can be eaten a few hours before bedtime are oatmeal, whole grains (if you are not gluten intolerant), cottage cheese, turkey, chicken, eggs, and nuts, especially almonds.  These foods encourage sleep because they are high in the amino acid tryptophan. Tryptophan is converted to serotonin and melatonin, which are natural sleep-inducing compounds.

Lower Cortisol Levels for a Good Night’s Sleep

The hormone cortisol can deprive you of sleep. Cortisol is secreted during times of stress, danger, and fear. The good news is this hormone can be completely managed by you. Exercise and omega 3 fatty acids both reduce the levels of cortisol in your brain and help you to be tired at bedtime. Remember do not do any strenuous exercise right before going to bed. Walking on the treadmill or stationary bike is about as taxing as you want to get before bedtime.

The bottom line is if you are stressed out or emotionally distraught before going to bed, it will raise the levels of cortisol in your body and you won’t be able to go to sleep or you will wake up in the middle of the night not able to go back to sleep. De-stress yourself through exercise, diet, and self expression and it will help you to sleep soundly through the night.

Sources: www.fi.edu, www.whfoods.com, www.doctormurray.com, bodyecology.com

The drug Adderall® is the new drug of choice prescribed to children and adults that have been diagnosed with attention deficient disorders.  Lawrence Diller M.D,  Author; Clinical Faculty, UCSF, states that one out of six 11-year-old white boys, with medical insurance, currently take a stimulant drug for ADD or ADHD at least during the school week.  “What I do know is that we are the only society currently managing our underperforming and misbehaving children with drugs to this degree”, says Dr. Diller.

Dr. Robert Mendelssohn author of,  How to Raise a Healthy Child…In Spite of Your Doctor had once noted: “No one has ever been able to demonstrate that drugs such as Cylert and Ritalin® (Adderall®) improve the academic performance of the children who take them…. The pupil is drugged to make life easier for his teacher, not to make it better and more productive for the child.”

Does hyperactivity in our children and the inability to focus really mean we need to give them dangerous drugs that could bring on scary side effects? Adderall® has dangerous side effects parents should be aware of before giving it to their children. As parents we should do everything in our power to keep our children off these addicting medications and give them something their body really needs, like a wholesome diet?

Not only does diet play a big role in the emotional and physical health of our children but so does the amount of sleep a child receives each night.  Did you know that children and teens that do not get 8 to 10 hours of sleep each night will show the same symptoms of ADD and ADHD?

Most children today are only lacking in vital minerals that encourage the body to thrive and grow strong and be fit and healthy into adulthood. Before we rush down to fill that prescription let’s take a look at some of the side effects of taking Adderall and other drugs like it.

Negative Side Effects of Adderall

• Weight loss and the inability to gain weight
• Constant thirst
• Difficulty sleeping
• Chronic headaches and or migraines
• High blood pressure
• Emotional instability and mood swings
• Emotional stress
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness and fainting
• Weakness and tiredness
• Spiked heart rate
• Higher risk of infections (breaks down immunity)
• Chest pains
• Slowing of growth in children
• Addictive
• Depression
• Suicidal thoughts

Adderall is just as addicting as any recreational drug found on the streets today. It is being abused by some college students and adults to get high and to help them lose weight.  Adderall is a psycho-stimulant that makes people think they are more aware; they think it gives them more energy; and they think they are able to focus better, but overtime the body needs more and more of the drug to adjust to this need to feel good. It has been shown that anyone who uses the drug for long periods of time may experience serious withdrawals unless the dosage of Adderall is increased. This is when serious addiction sets in. Eventually, Adderall breaks down the body’s immune system, and then the more serious side effects begin to exist such as seizures, heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, and in some cases death.

Do you really want your children taking this drug? The body does not lack drugs such as Adderall, it lacks nutrients! Nutrients that help children and adults with attention deficiencies and hyperactivity.  The truth is, virtually anyone who does not get adequate sleep, adequate diet, and adequate exercise will exhibit symptoms of ADD or ADHD!

What is the Criterion for Diagnosing ADD/ADHD?

What’s real scary about the over prescribed drug Adderall is researchers have reported that many of these children may not meet the criteria for actually having ADD or ADHD. Could your child be targeted with having ADD or ADHD but really only lack certain nutrients, adequate sleep and general physical fitness?

There is not a diagnostic tool or brain scan or DNA test that reveals if a child has ADD/ADHD. Many of the children that are diagnosed with this condition are simply disruptive, inattentive, and hyperactive and some have the inability to focus for long periods of time. Inattention and hyperactive-impulsive behavior are two of the most common symptoms associated with ADHD children.

A 1994 study at Purdue University found that boys diagnosed with ADHD had lower levels of the omega-3 essential fatty acid DHA (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition). Another study in 1997 found that 95 percent of ADHD children tested were deficient in magnesium (Magnesium Research 10, 1997). A 1996 study found that ADHD children had zinc levels that were only 2/3 the level of those without ADHD (Biological Psychiatry 40, 1996).

Natural Health Alternatives for Healing Children with ADD/ADHD

Research has shown there are alternatives to taking dangerous drugs to calm and focus children with ADD. Prescribed medications only camouflage the real problem? The real problem is inadequate amounts of minerals in the body.

We simply need to take our focus off the drugs and on what the child is eating and not eating—we need to take an in depth look at our child’s diet. Did you know that a tablespoon of Black Strap molasses has as much calcium as a glass of milk and would supply your child with the daily iron his or her body needs? And did you know that cola drinks deplete the body of important minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and zinc, which all three actually supply the body with more focus, attention and calmness?

Research has shown (see tables below) that the very same symptoms evident in children with ADD/ADHD are also nutritionally deficient in zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron.

Foods High In Magnesium:

Pumpkin seeds, spinach, swiss chard, salmon, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, halibut, tuna, black beans, and navy beans, and blackstrap molasses, dried figs, artichokes, buckwheat, oat bran, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, navy beans, white beans, and cornmeal.

Foods High In Omega-3:

Omega 3’s found in sardines in oil, fresh salmon and canned salmon with the bones, blackstrap molasses, broccoli, turnip greens, kale, corn bread, corn tortilla, rhubarb, almonds, sesame seeds, white beans, baked beans, brussel sprouts. (Hint: Sesame seeds and almonds can be ground down from whole form to make sesame and almond milk; both of which have more calcium per glass than cow’s pasteurized milk). Additionally, you can use sesame milk and or almond milk in place of cow’s milk in your recipes.

Foods High In Iron:

Black strap molasses, cooked beans and lentils, pumpkin seeds, pork liver, clams, oysters, beef liver, shrimp, sardines, turkey, salmon, tuna, egg yolks, raisins, prunes, and dates.

Foods High In Zinc:

Oysters, beef liver, lima beans, chick peas, split peas, raw cashews, raw pecans, parmesan cheese, ginger root, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, calves liver, shell fish, shrimp, and venison.

Parents can get creative with the nutritious foods above, and if at all possible make sure they are organic and fresh. Always steam vegetables and eat as many raw fruits and veggies as possible.  See how many healthful recipes you can come up with that use the foods above and give your child the head start he or she needs to have a healthy and strong body.

In 1996 the World Health Organization warned that Ritalin over-use had reached dangerous proportions.  And that was over 15 years ago!  And still here we are today, with the help of the FDA still doing the same thing! Today the over-used and over-abused drug for ADD and ADHD is Adderall. We can simply choose not to become involved in this drug-pushing agenda and say no to dangerous drugs and yes to proper diet, exercise, and adequate amounts of sleep. We’re the parents!

Source: http://adderallsideeffects.org/, huffingtonpost.com

Dr. Oz a very popular health guru and one of TV’s most popular medical experts puts apple juice to the test, literally.

What is Arsenic and is it Dangerous?

Minute qualities of arsenic can found in the air we breathe, in the soil we sow in, and in some of the food we eat today. But there is a difference between organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic.  According to the FDA, organic arsenic passes through the body quickly and is essentially harmless. Inorganic arsenic — the type found in pesticides — can be toxic and may pose a cancer risk if consumed at high levels or over a long period of time.

Unfortunately, the Dr. Oz show did not say if the arsenic tested in the apple juice was organic or inorganic—this is something that will come out eventually, but the FDA says because of this the results tested are misleading. Ok, so right now we are still waiting to find out if there is the substance called arsenic threatening our apple juice supplies. Did Dr. Oz call wolf needlessly or should we prepare ourselves for what lies ahead?

By the way, there have been several tests done on the same batch that Dr. Oz tested by Nestle USA and Juicy Juice, which is Gerber Brand and according to both tests they came back showing smaller doses of arsenic levels than what Dr. Oz reported. But still, arsenic in our apple juice? That’s scary!

Arsenic Used in Pesticides

It is frightening to think that much of our food production is sprayed with pesticides that have inorganic high levels of arsenic in them. Pesticides are toxic to the body in many ways—they effect the nervous system, they cause cancer, disrupt hormone balance, and they are dangerous to child’s developing brain. In fact pregnant women are advised to avoid foods with pesticides.

According to an article in USA today apples have the highest amounts of pesticide contaminates says a report published by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), a public health advocacy group. Washing the apples with a “produce wash” is unlikely to help remove pesticides because they’re taken up by the entire plant and reside on more than just the skin, the report says.

According to Dr. Oz China is the world’s largest producer of arsenic. The U.S outlawed arsenic but we don’t know what happens in other countries ‘apple orchards’, says Dr. Oz. Those apples can be sprayed with pesticides that contain inorganic arsenic. So this is what Dr. Oz and the FDA are battling out. So whose right?

Organic Apples vs. Inorganic Apples

The FDA touts that organic apple juice is harmless.  Does this mean too that organic arsenic in the organic apple juice is ok to drink? The truth is there just are not enough studies done on organic arsenic to know what kind of an effect it will have on the body, especially in the long run.  What we do know is that organic apple juice means the apples were not sprayed with potentially dangerous pesticides and therefore the eating of organic apples is the safest way to keep ourselves free from what we don’t know about organic arsenic.

Dr. Oz says there are toxic forms of organic arsenic and that organic arsenic can be harmful to the body. It takes much needed research and time to study what organic arsenic really does to the body and the findings are growing each day and the FDA knows this.  “Our understanding of organic arsenic is evolving”, says Dr. Oz.

It is always best to eat the purest form of food with the least amount of toxins from the beginning of a plants growth to the end of its growth when it becomes an edible fruit or vegetable—that would be eating the organic fruit (apple). We also know that we can juice organically grown apples and make our own apple juice—it is much better for you than the organic options at the grocery store.

For those people who just cannot afford to buy organic apples, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Fruits with the lowest amounts of pesticides are pineapples and mangoes according to Ken Cook of the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Other produce with low amounts of pesticides through the growing process are avocados, asparagus, and onions had no detectable residue on 90% or more of the samples tested.

Apple Juice high in Sugar and Not Good for You

Even if you can even find organic apple juice on your grocers shelf make sure it has no added sugars or preservatives, both of which are not good for you in the long run. Most juices are from concentrate and do not taste that great. Concentrated fruit juices rot your teeth and cause high blood sugar, especially in people who already have blood sugar issues. As stated previously it is always best to drink pure apple juice made from organic apples you prepare right at home.

Organic Apples High in Fiber and Vitamins

An article published by Daily Mail states that scientist have finally proven that organic apples are better for you. Most of us know this already but we want to hear it again! Scientists have said analysis of organic tomatoes, apples and peaches revealed greater concentrations of vitamin C, polyphenols, betacarotene and flavonoids. Furthermore, these higher level of nutrients found in organic apples and other produce give out antioxidant doses, which help protect against heart attacks and cancer causing chemicals.

More good news: The same team of scientists found organic apple puree contained more phenols, flavonoids and vitamin C than conventional versions. This is wonderful news for mothers with small children since apple puree or sauce is a popular food choice for babies and small children.

It is a well known fact eating an organic apple a day helps keep us regular and, since it is organic it is best to keep the skin on and eat the whole thing. Regularity is the key to optimal health.

Is There Really Arsenic in the Apple Juice and How did it Get There?

Yes, according to Dr. Oz there are high levels of arsenic in our apple juice. How did it get there? “American apple juice is made from concentrate, where 60 percent is imported from China,” says Oz. “Other countries may use pesticides that contain arsenic, a heavy metal known to cause cancer.”

Do you think Dr. Oz is fear-mongering like they say, or is this a legitimate complaint that could potentially be harmful to millions of people?

Richard Besser, the health and medical editor for ABC news basically let Dr. Oz know that he cried wolf when there is no wolf. He said that Dr. Oz “yelling fire” in a crowded stadium with 90,000 people present is extremely irresponsible of him.  Irresponsible or not, if by chance there is arsenic in your apple juice, wouldn’t you want to know?

Tim Sullivan a spokesman for Oz’s health show said in an interview: “We don’t think the show is irresponsible. We think the public has a right to know what’s in their foods.”

This is what Oz’s health show is all about, letting people know what’s going on with the food production in the U.S. They simply want to let people know  the position of the show is to make a point that the arsenic levels in the food supply need to be lower!  We don’t think that is asking too much.

Dr. Oz did say to the associated press in a recent interview, “There’s no question in my mind folks can continue drinking apple juice. … There have been no cases at all of kids being harmed by elevated levels of arsenic, and the kinds of numbers we are talking about are not high enough to cause acute injury,” he said.

The bottom line is it does not sound like fear-mongering to us. But this is an important subject that should be out in the open so we as individuals and families can decide for ourselves if we will continue drinking apple juice bought from the store or if we will jump on the band wagon with millions of other health conscience people and buy organic and juice organic. It’s really that simple.

Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-445252/Proof-organic-apples-better-you.html

http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/dr-oz-answers-your-questions-about-arsenic-apple-juice

http://news.yahoo.com/dr-oz-accused-fear-mongering-apple-juice-212559761.html

http://yourlife.usatoday.com/fitness-food/safety/story/2011/06/Apples-top-list-of-produce-contaminated-with-pesticides/48332000/1

According the Huffington Post 1 out of 6 diners eating out in restaurants pay attention to the nutritional information posted on the menus

Choosing Healthier Options No Matter Where You Happen to Be

Following my healthier recommendations when eating out we don’t have to feel guilty anymore about what we eat. Here’s my guide for eating out in different types of restaurants. We’ll go over the best options for nutrition, healthier food shortcuts, and cutting back on calories while eating out. Plus, healthy gluten-free snacks to bring with you when you are away from home.

My first stop takes us to the typical burger joint. The aroma of burgers grilling and french fries being deep fried is hard to resist but eating a burger and fries is some of the worse foods you can put into your body. Unfortunately you’re stuck in this burger place for lunch so here is what you need to do. Resist the temptation and order something that is not going to give you empty calories.  Did you know a typical hamburger with fries and a coke has a whopping 780 calories and ZERO nutritional value?

What to eat at a burger joint

• Grilled (not deep fired) chicken salad with oil and vinegar
• Grilled fish with tomato slices
• Veggie patty (skip the bun and see what you can supplement for the wheat bun at the end of this article)

What not to eat at a burger joint

• Say no to the condiments
• Drink water instead of soda
• leave out the fries
• Omit the bun
• Do not eat deep fried foods of any kind
• Skip the shake

The next stop on my passage to health takes us straight to a Chinese restaurant. Most of us think f-a-t-t-e-n-i-n-g when it comes to eating in a Chinese restaurant but actually, if you choose your foods wisely, Chinese stir-fries can be your healthiest choice as far as eating out is concerned. This is assuming, of course, there is no monosodium glutamate (MSG) added to the food.

What to eat in a Chinese Restaurant

• Brown rice or brown rice noodles
• Stir fried chicken or fish with vegetables
• Sautéed vegetables with brown rice or brown rice noodles

What not to eat in a Chinese Restaurant

• All of the deep fried food, which includes spring rolls
• White rice
• Stir fries in sweet and sour sauces

Next up on our healthy eating out voyage we land in a Mexican Restaurant. Does eating Mexican food always mean fattening and unhealthy? No! Let’s take a look at what his gluten free recommendations are when eating out Mexican style. Good choices are grilled chicken or beef fajitas with corn flour tortillas or corn flour chip nachos with black beans or refried pinto beans.

What to eat in a Mexican Restaurant

• Pinto beans or black beans
• Corn chips or corn tortillas
• Grilled chicken, fish or beef
• Sautéed vegetables
• Guacamole and or avocado slices
• Brown rice
• Salsa

What not to eat in a Mexican Restaurant

• White flour tortilla, tostadas and chips
• Greasy meat dishes
• White rice
• Meat based gravies and or sauces

Salad buffet, come and get it! When most people think salad they think healthy choice, right? But sometimes, depending on what we put on our bed of lettuce it can be anything but healthy. Some salads are just as unhealthy as a fast food burger. So what do I suggest we eat and avoid at the salad bar?

What to eat at a salad bar

• Green leafy lettuce (the greener the better)
• Raw vegetables of any kind
• Boiled egg
• Raw sunflower seeds or other raw nuts
• Grilled chicken or fish
• Cheese (not too much)
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil) and vinegar (don’t feel bad about over indulging on the extra virgin olive oil)

What to avoid at the salad bar

• Salami type sliced meats
• Deep fried chicken and other meats
• Salted, roasted sunflower seeds and other nuts
• Croutons
• Dressings made with sugar and mayo (this is where a lot of the calories are)
• Bacon bits

Packing Your Own Foods to Eat

Now that we know some of the healthier options when eating out, let’s think about what we can bring with us to supplement some of those not so healthy food choices with healthier foods and snacks. I recommend bringing these foods and healthy snacks from home. You can even bring them with you when you eat out.

Olive oil and vinegar dressing: Some restaurants do not have olive oil and vinegar dressing. It’s easy to make your own right at home and put in a small herb jar and carry along with you.  Surprisingly oil and vinegar is not just good on salads, it also makes those boring veggie sandwiches come alive and gives burgers a much-needed kick.  Who needs mayo and ketchup?

Mary’s Gone Crackers: Mary’s Gone Crackers are probably one of the best and easiest snacks to bring from home with you. Instead of eating the wheat buns, or white rice you can eat three or four of these crackers with your salad, or burger, or veggie or chicken stir-fry and leave the table feeling satisfied and you will still have available energy for the rest of the day.

Hummus spread: Hummus on Mary’s Gone Crackers is an excellent snack for in between meals when you don’t have time to eat out or don’t want to eat out. The different varieties you can choose from with these crackers are amazing. Hummus is full of protein and is a good energy snack.

Dried Fruit and nut mix: When creating a fruit and nut mix be sure to use raw nuts of different varieties, such as almonds, walnuts, pecans as well as dried raisins, dates, figs, and prunes that do not have added sugar. It’s healthier to prepare your own fruit and nut mix. Most mixes you buy from the store have lot of added ingredients that are unhealthy.

Raw Veggies: Snacking on fresh veggies is an excellent alternative to chips and fries. If you are eating out raw veggies as a side dish to grilled chicken or fish, or with a veggie or patty compliments the meal really well. Vegetables you can prepare and bring right along with you are carrot and celery sticks, broccoli or cauliflower, cucumber slices, and even a whole tomato with a paring knife. Slice it up right before you are going to use it. Drizzle some of your home prepared olive oil and vinegar and you are set to go.

Are you one of the 1 out of the 6 restaurant diners that pays attention to the nutritional information on the menu? Do you make healthier choices about what you eat when you eat out? If not, I hope these easy health food tips for eating out will help you make your next dining experience a healthier one. Remember: if you eat out frequently it is imperative to your health to choose what you are going to eat wisely.

According to an online article published by Dailymail a single glass of milk can contain a chemical concoction of up to 20 different chemicals, such as antibiotics, growth hormones, and even painkillers!

While most people wake up to what they think is a bone-building, teeth-strengthening glass of milky goodness, it is far from being healthy like the FDA touts it to be.  A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry confirmed that scientists have found that one glass of pasteurized milk bought from the grocery store has traces of anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, antibiotics, and various painkillers — all of which are routinely used to treat disease in animals and humans. Traces of other toxic pharmaceuticals, such as lipid regulators, anti-epileptics, beta-blockers, and various growth hormones (such as ethinylestradiol and estrone) were also discovered during testing.

The University of Jaen, Spain compiled a short list of some of the chemicals that are swimming in our milk and what they are used for. They range from painkillers, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Think about that next time you reach for a glass of milk from the grocery store shelf.

Chemicals Found in Milk

• Niflumic acid -  anti-inflammatory painkiller
• Mefenamic acid – anti-inflammatory
• Flunixin -  anti-inflammatory
• Ibuprofen – painkiller
• Diclofenac – anti-inflammatory
• Ketoprofen -  anti-inflammatory
• Florfenicol –  antibiotic
• 17B-estradiol – sex hormone
• Triclosan – anti-fungal drug
• Pryimethamine – anti-malaria drug
• 17a-ethinylestradiol – steroid hormone

Inspectors Find Illegal Levels of Antibiotics in Dairy Cows

Scientists say the amount of drugs in the milk is minuscule and will not affect humans. But how do we know for sure, that over time, these supposedly small amounts won’t add up to big health problems later on down the road? Would you allow yourself to be injected every day with a syringe full of growth hormones, painkillers and antibiotics, no matter how minuscule it might be? Of course you wouldn’t! This is why we shouldn’t drink this deadly concoction by the glassfuls every day either?

Did you know that U.S Health inspectors routinely find “over the legal amounts” of antibiotics in dairy cows every year? Finally when the FDA stepped in to test the cow’s milk that were known to have had high levels of antibiotics, repeatedly, the dairy industry protested and the FDA backed down from doing more testing. This is what’s going on behind your back on big dairy farms across the country!

How Did the Drugs Get Into the Milk in the First Place?

Good question! Researchers believe some of the drugs such as the antibiotics and growth promoters were administered to the cattle and some of the drugs were deposited into the cattle feed which then got into the milk, and some of the drugs leached into the farms through runoff which contaminated the feed. Once the soil and fertilizer is contaminated with these chemicals through flooding and runoff it becomes a big problem such as what we are seeing today.  But the biggest problem is the farmers themselves. They voluntarily feed the cattle with grains they know to be heavily treated with chemicals, which then gets into the milk production?

Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone and Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society recombinant bovine growth hormone (RBGH) is just one of the synthetic (man-made) hormones that are marketed to dairy farmers to increase milk production in cows. Think about this for a moment. If this particular growth hormone increases milk production in cows than what will it do to the human body over time?

Dr. Epstein, Professor of Environmental and Occupational Medicine at the University of Illinois School of Public Health, and Chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition has this to say about (rBGH) recombinant bovine growth hormone.

• RBGH contains amplified levels of the hormone IGF-1, which promotes cancer tumors in the breast, colon, and prostate
• It contains increased somatic cell counts (SCC’s), which means the milk has more pus, which makes it turn sour more quickly. Are you feeling sick yet?
• Hormone use makes the cows produce low quality milk during times when they should not be giving milk, in other words, during a cows rest period

The cows that are given this growth hormone (rBGH) are routinely getting infections. When they are injected with the recombinant bovine growth hormone they become more susceptible to udder infections which, because of this, the cows are then injected with more antibiotics! It’s a losing battle that is now a persistent problem in our milk and most likely beef supply as well.  This vicious cycle with the dairy and beef farmers in America and other parts of the world is not going to go away anytime soon. This is why you and your family must protect your health now by taking the necessary precautions needed to prevent sickness and disease from the American food supply.

What You Can Do to Protect Your Family?

Stop drinking pasteurized milk from big dairy farmers and drink fresh, raw milk straight from the cow or goat from your local small farmer in your area. As we have mentioned in previous articles, pasteurization kills all of the health benefits that are found in raw milk. Not only is pasteurized milk worthless to the body it now may cause even more health problems because of the toxic chemicals in it, no matter how small these traces may be.

Why Raw Cow or Goat Milk?

Raw milk from grass fed cows, that are allowed to graze is what does a body good. The main benefits found in raw milk are:

• Valuable nutrients that your body cannot receive from pasteurized milk
• Raw fat to help lower cholesterol and keep the veins clean
• Healthy bacteria that helps your body flourish

Keep in mind as you search for raw milk in your area that the milk is only as clean as the cow or goat that produced it. Things to look for when searching for pure, raw milk: Are the cows grass fed? How many cows are on the farm compared to the amount of acreage? Statistics say that each cow should have ½ acre to roam on. This mean there should only be ten cows on five acres of land. Take a look at the animals yourself. It is easy to spot a healthy cow versus a sick one. Look into the cows eyes, are they glossy or clear? Is the cows coat shiny or matted? Take a look at the udders; do they look free of infection? Ask the farmer point blank, if he or she is giving the cattle any medications for disease?

Bottom line for ensuring healthy milk, avoid the dairy department in your local grocery store like the plague. We need to take care of our body’s—we’re not getting any younger.  But we can feel younger! And the best way to take care of our body’s and to feel younger is to feed it with pure foods which on that list are raw goat or cow milk. Study after study has been done on the healthfulness of raw milk versus pasteurized milk. The results are always the same. Raw milk is packed full of valuable nutrients that benefit the body, helping us to feel better, look better, and live a longer more enjoyable life.

A recent study from the Intermountain Medical Center Heart Institute found that fasting can lower a person’s risk for coronary heart disease as well as diabetes and have a positive impact on blood cholesterol levels.

This latest study confirms findings from an earlier one that found fasting to reduce your risk for coronary heart disease. This follow up and expanded study shows fasting is helpful with other factors that contribute to heart disease such as reducing the following:

Fasting Helps to Reduce Coronary Heart Disease Factors

• Triglycerides
• Weight
• Blood sugar levels

And although opinions vary on the health benefits of the fast, the evidence continues to mount in favor of fasting for health benefits. The idea of fasting is nothing new and in fact, dates back centuries. Practiced by many religious faithful, fasting has shown to improve health for years.

Fasting for weight loss

This may seem obvious, but fasting allows your body to burn fat and lose weight due to two main factors.

According to the Intermountain Health Care study, during a fast, your body will begin to respond to the stress of reduced or drastically changed eating by releasing more cholesterol, which your body makes use of to burn fat.

It has also been found that HGH (Human Growth Hormone) levels are elevated during and after a fasting period. This increased HGH level will protect your lean muscle while helping you to lose unwanted fat.

3 Types of Fasting

This is by no means an exhaustive list of ways you can fast, but it covers the range of methods most used by people looking to get healthy,

1. The full fast is as the name says, a full fast in which only liquids are consumed, sometimes only water, for the fasters specified amount of time.
2. A partial fast, is again as the name suggests and can be executed in various ways. With the partial fast you can eat at specified times of the day only, or one time a day, or any variation.
3. A Daniel Fast or juice fast is when you eat only fruits and vegetables and drinking water or fruit juices for the specified fast period. This fast promises some of the best and long lasting results for your health. Many people have lost enormous amounts of weight and turned around their failing health by doing an extended Daniel Fast or juice fast.

How to Fast

As with any lifestyle change, having a plan is key to success in fasting. The more details you can have taken care of before starting, the better chance you have of having a positive fasting experience.

Goal Setting – What do you want to accomplish by fasting? Lose weight, be healthier, feel better, have more energy? Write it down and put it in a place you’ll see frequently during your fast.

Fast Duration – Are you going to fast for a day, week, month, more? Depending on the type of fast you are doing and your goals, set a period of time that will challenge you yet not be overwhelming.

What are you going to eat/drink during the fast? – Other than a full fast, knowing exactly what you’re going to eat and when is very important. Try to purchase as much of the food before starting as possible to avoid the temptation to stop simply due to running out.

High Quality Foods- Stick to eating the healthiest, all natural, organic foods you can find. That means real foods such as fresh, raw and organic fruits, veggies, nuts, and seeds are good to eat during this cleansing time.

Water – It is vital to drink pure water during your fast to assist your body with the detox and cleansing process that will naturally occur when you fast.

Example foods to eat during a fast

• Kale
• Spinach
• Collard Greens
• Carrots
• Granny Smith Apples
• Oranges
• Lemons

Sources: latimes.com, eurekalert.org, intermountainhealthcare.org

With the skin being the body’s largest organ it’s vital to know what you’re putting on it and do so with caution. A recent report by Bionsen, a natural deodorant company, found that in just one day women expose their bodies by means of beauty products to about 515 dangerous chemicals.

And while all this is done in the name of beauty, the adverse side effects of many of these beauty products are not so beautiful. These chemicals found in most women’s beauty products can result in serious health issues. From skin sensitivity and allergic reactions to more serious problems like hormonal imbalances and cancer, the list of side effects and reactions to these chemical ingredients is long and scary. Many of these ingredients can also be found in your household cleaners. Are these the kinds of ingredients you really want to be putting on your body?

Many of these dangerous and toxic chemicals can be absorbed through the skin. If you wouldn’t even consider eating these ingredients, it’s time to re-consider allowing them into your system via the skin.

Top Ten Offenders

As it goes with food so it goes with the numerous beauty products on the market. It’s up to you, the consumer, to read the labels and know what you’re putting onto (and into) your body.

There are about ten ingredients common to beauty and personal care products that have been linked to severe allergic reactions and/or health problems that can be considered quite serious. In fact, 450 of the ingredients that can be found in American made beauty products have been banned by the European Union. That means it’s up to you to protect yourself from toxic ingredients in your beauty and personal care products.

Let’s take a look at these top ten beauty ingredient offenders.

1. Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)

This common ingredient acts as a detergent in many products including car washes, garage floor cleaners, and engine degreasers. As for beauty and personal care products they can be found in cosmetics, toothpastes, hair conditioners and about 90% of all shampoos.

2. Mineral Oil

A common ingredient found in lotions, creams and baby care products this clear, liquid oil doesn’t go bad and is odorless. This by product of gasoline distillation from crude oil presents a number of problems for the body and should be avoided especially in children.

3. Synthetic Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances can have as many as 200 ingredients in them that irritate the body in numerous ways. From migraines to asthma synthetic fragrances can wreak havoc on the body.

4. Phthalates

About one billion pounds of this compound are produced each year. Phthalates can be found in numerous beauty and personal care products as well as other products such as wood finishers, softeners, plastics, hair sprays, lubricants and more. These dangerous chemical compounds have been linked to damage to the liver, heart, kidney, and lungs in animal studies. Look for the abbreviations DEP, DEHP, BBP, DBP, and DMP on labels in order to avoid phthalates.

5. Imidazolidinyl Urea And DMDM Hydantoin

These two preservatives release formaldehyde and are used in the manufacturing of synthetic resins used for adhesives in numerous products such as plywood and molded plastics as well as extensively used in the textile industry to make fabrics permanent press, waterproof, hold their color and create fire retardant fabrics.  Look for the following names for these dangerous, toxic ingredients:

Paraformaldehyde
•Benzylhemiformal
•2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1, 3-diol
•5-bromo-5-nitro-1, 3-dioxane
•Diazolidinyl urea
•Quaternium-15
•DMDM Hydantoin
•Sodium hydroxymethyl
•Glycinate
•Methenamine

Even small amounts of formaldehyde can have detrimental effects on the body and OSHA regulates formaldehyde as a cancer causing substance. It can be commonly found in nail treatments and polishes, moisturizers, eye make up, lip products, shaving products, shampoos and even baby shampoos.

6. Triclosan

Registered by the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide this new to hit the market chemical can be found in everything from soaps and deodorants to lotions and toothpastes. The EPA assesses triclosan as a risk to both humans and the environment. In a study by Peter Vikesland, assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering, triclosan reacts with the chlorine in tap water to form chloroform.

Triclosan accumulates in the body tissues and at toxic levels will cause damage to the liver, kidney, and lungs. And even though it is used to kill bacteria the cure is worse than the problem when it comes to triclosan.

7. DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (monoethanolamine), TEA (triethanolamine)

DEA works as a wetting agent in shampoos, lotions, creams and cosmetics to create a rich lather and consistency. Although alone DEA is harmless when it comes into contact with other common beauty and personal care product ingredients it can become a carcinogen called NDEA or nitrosodiethanolamine. NDEA is absorbed rapidly through the skin and has been shown to be linked to stomach, esophagus, liver, and bladder cancers and have restricted use in Europe.

8. FD and C Color Pigments

Artificial colors are linked to cancers. Not only can these dangerous, toxic chemicals cause serious health problems they are also a danger to the environment. According to Jane Hersley, director of The Feingold Association of America, these artificial and synthetic colors can cause damage to the body “whether we ingest them, breathe them or just come in contact with them on our skin.” Think eye shadows, blushes, lipsticks. Look for these synthetic colors on your beauty product ingredient lists: 

aluminum lakes
•astaxanthin
•azulene
•canthaxanthin
•carmine (because of the synthetic process used to secure the color from the insects)
•sodium copper chlorophyllin (chlorophyll)
•D&C colors (all)
•FD&C colors (all)
•iron oxides
•titanium dioxide
•ultramarine
•zinc oxide

9. Propylene Glycol (PG)

This antifreeze ingredient is no different than the PG used in personal care products. This compound is used to break down proteins and cellular structures – exactly what the skin is made of. It is found in most make ups, hair products, lotions, after shaves, deodorants, mouthwashes and toothpastes.

10. Isopropyl Alcohol

Last but certainly not least is isopropyl alcohol. This solvent and denaturant strips the natural acids of your skin. These natural acids are your first line of defense against viruses, bacteria, fungus and the like.

While not all of the top ten dangerous ingredients listed here may cause an immediate life threatening condition, it’s wise to look carefully at this list and decide for yourself if you really want to add more toxins to the already long list of toxins you’re exposed to everyday through your beauty and personal care products. For me the answer is an unwavering, ‘no.’

Sources: thegloss.com, wen.org.uk

In America 1.5 million people suffer from sensitivity to gluten a group of researchers out of the University of Maryland said in 2003.

Gluten intolerance is 30 times more prevalent than celiac disease. 1 in 7 people are sensitive to gluten but test negative for celiac disease. They suffer many of the same symptoms and are known as Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitive (NCGS). People of European or Anglo-Celtic ancestry are more likely to have gluten intolerance.

Today there’s a lot of talk about gluten. We walk down the grocery store aisles to see numerous food products labeled as ‘gluten free.’  We also see on restaurant menus foods that are also noted as gluten free. It seems that gluten free is the new rage. But just what is all this gluten free about and is it something you too should consider?

Typical Symptoms of a Gluten Allergy

While a gluten allergy can present several of these symptoms are none at all it’s important to know what you’re looking for if you suspect a problem with consuming gluten.

Depending on the individual these symptoms all may be present, some may be present or none at all.

But despite the obvious reasons you may want to steer clear of gluten there are some other reasons for even those without a gluten allergy or sensitivity to eliminate gluten from their diets.

Tennis Great Novak Dokovich Ditches Gluten

Novak Djokovic attributes his success to going gluten free

World renowned tennis great, Novak Dokovich, and his recent claims that going gluten free has contributed to his spectacular success on the court, have added to the public interest in going gluten free.

Dokovich credits much of his tennis success to his decision to eliminate gluten from his diet. He spoke out recently about this decision to go gluten free and how he believes it enables him to be in top physical shape and possess the coveted number two spot in the world in tennis.

And Dokovich isn’t the only athlete going gluten free. A recent article in Bicycle Magazine discussed world famous bicycler Christian Vande Velde and his gluten free diet.

In the article Velde discusses his decision to go gluten free. His rationale was this: gluten

Vande Velde always keeps gluten free snacks close by

produces inflammation which in turn leads to delayed recovery times and impacts stamina and performance. To Velde, a gluten free diet is the same as an inflammation free diet.

This switch to gluten free diets has been working for both of these world class athletes. Will it work for you?

If you suspect you have a problem – big or small – with gluten then you may just want to consider going gluten free. If you’re hesitant to do so then simply decide to try it for a period of time and see how you feel.

Best Gluten Free Foods

Gluten is actually a protein that is found in wheat as well as barley and rye. You can consume foods that normally contain gluten by looking for the gluten free labels. In addition you can alter your diet so that you are eating foods that are naturally gluten free.

The following is a small list of naturally gluten free alternatives:

• Brown Rice
• Sweet Potato
• Quinoa
• Almond Flour
• Coconut Flour
• Chick Pea Flour

Although many of these foods are not considered mainstream you can easily find them at your local health food store or at a reputable online health food store.

In addition eating a diet rich in raw, organic fruits and vegetables is a great way to give your body the nutrients it needs and avoid the detrimental effects of eating a highly refined and processed diet.

If you want to up the ante with your workout, give gluten free a try.

Sources: mayoclinic.com

Round Up weed killer is the most widely used herbicide on the planet. With so many people spraying away it’s important to be certain this potent weed killer is safe for the plants, the animals, the users, and the entire environment. However, the latest research indicates that Round Up is far from safe for anyone or anything that is living.

In this case, Earth Open Source is calling for a closer look at the use of Round Up and other dangerous weed killers containing glyphosate. The reason is that the review of the documentation shows the use of this dangerous and toxic chemical poses a public health threat.

Additionally, the documentation from Earth Open Source reveals that the industry regulators in Europe have known for several years about the health risks associated with glyphosate but turned a blind eye.

Glyphosate was originally introduced by the American company who makes Round Up weed killer, Monsanto in 1976. Monsanto is a giant agriculture biotechnology company who’s come under fire for its use of herbicides as well as GMO seeds.

What the Studies Reveal

Earth Open Source contends the facts that the European industry regulators have known for years is that the main ingredient, glyphosate, causes birth defects in laboratory animals.

Earth Open Source is a group of pro-bono professionals and volunteers who work in the business, genetic engineering, and technology sectors. They studied data on glyphosate from scientific studies from a number of countries including Argentina, Brazil, France, and the United States.

Earth Open Source says that the EPA estimates that the usage of glyphosate is as follows:

• 180 to 185 million pounds of glyphosate used in agriculture industry between 2006 and 2007
• 8  to 11 million pounds of glyphosate used by non-agriculture industry between 2005 and 2007

This is a whole lot of a deadly, dangerous toxin getting into plants, animals, ground water, the air, our food, and much more.

This group also states that Monsanto, who introduced glyphosate and Round Up, knew since 1993 that visceral anomalies, like dilation of the heart, occurred with just small to medium exposure to glyphosate in rabbits. And that since 2002, the European regulators knew of developmental malformations caused by glyphosate in laboratory animals but went ahead and approved its widespread use for ten more years.

This European Commission was to review the documentation about the dangers and risks of glyphosate in 2012 but has since pushed this date back to do the review in 2015.

Earth Open Source’s authors said this about glyphosate,

“Our examination of the evidence leads us to the conclusion that the current approval of glyphosate and Roundup is deeply flawed and unreliable. What is more, we have learned from experts familiar with pesticide assessments and approvals that the case of glyphosate is not unusual.”

This is all serious reason for concern, and even more reason for you to make the personal choice to avoid Round Up as well as any other weed killer that contains glyphosate.

The Studies Support Abandoning the Use of Round Up and Glyphosate

You may wonder at this point what Monsanto’s reaction to these new claims calling for re-evaluation of the safety of Round Up and glyphosate is.

Spokeswoman Janice Pearson said the following,

“Regulatory authorities and independent experts around the world agree that glyphosate does not cause adverse reproductive effects in adult animals or birth defects in offspring of these adults exposed to glyphosate,” she said, “even at doses far higher than relevant environmental or occupational exposures.”

But the studies say something far different. According to a study in France in 2005 the use of Round Up and glyphosate cause the death of placenta cells in humans.

And not all government agencies are falling for Monsanto’s lies about the safety of Round Up and glyphosate. In 1996 New York State’s Attorney General sued Monsanto for its false advertising associated with Round Up.

Monsanto advertised Round Up as “as safe as table salt” and “environmentally friendly.” And while Monsanto admitted no wrong doing it agreed to pay the state $250,000 and discontinue the use of the phrasing.
EPA Reviews Safety of Glyphosate

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reviews the safety and effectiveness of all pesticides on a fifteen year cycle. Currently, glyphosate is under review. The EPA stated the following in a written letter to the Huffington Post,

“EPA will determine if our previous assessments of this chemical need to be revised based on the results of this review. EPA issued a notice to the company [Monsanto] to submit human health and ecotoxicity data in September 2010.”

The EPA said it will also review a “wide range of information and data from other independent researchers” including Earth Open Source.”

The studies that show Round Up and glyphosate pose health threats to all living things continue to mount. You can wait for all the evidence to come in, the EPA estimates 2015 as the date for its conclusion on the safety of glyphosate, or you can opt out of this dangerous, life threatening use of pesticides today. Myself? I won’t wait longer for conclusive evidence, the evidence presented from numerous studies is sufficient for me to recommend to you to stay far away from this dangerous toxin.
Summary:
Round Up is the number one used herbicide in the United States. But before you spray this seemingly innocent compound get the facts on the real health risks Round Up and its main ingredient glyphosate cause.
References:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/24/roundup-scientists-birth-defects_n_883578.html

Gout is a painful, arthritic condition mainly afflicting the big toe. The big toe becomes stiff, inflamed and painful as a result of excess uric acid leading to crystals formed in joints. These high levels of uric acid are called hyperuricemia and the pain comes from the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response to the crystals.

Elevated levels of uric acid also lead to other health problems too.  Some of the most commonly associated health problems from hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid) are the following:

High Uric Acid Levels Lead to Health Issues

• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Kidney disease
• Heart disease

Gout seems to run in families so if your parents had it you’re more likely to one day developing gout. This also predisposes your children to getting gout.

Causes of Gout

Gout is said to be caused by lifestyle and eating choices. Today the staple American diet has shifted to one full of highly processed foods. Many of these highly processed foods contain high fructose corn syrup which is believed to be a leading contributor to gout.

In fact, a recent study showed that men who consumed two or more sugary drinks per day were 85% more likely to develop gout than those men who only consumed less than one sugary beverage a month. This high sugar intake increases the levels of uric acid in the body. High levels of sugar in the body lead to a number of serious health problems including gout.

It’s also been shown that half of all gout sufferers are obese or overweight. And again, a high intake of sugar is shown to lead to obesity.

Another cause of gout is consuming too many high purine foods. These are organ meats, anchovies, herring, asparagus, and even mushrooms.  Eating less high purine foods is one way to try to ward off gout.

Treatment of Gout

There are pharmaceuticals that are used to treat gout but I urge you to use these as a last resort. Some of the pharmaceuticals used to treat gout are NSAIDs, Colchicine, corticosteroids, Corticotropin (adrenocorticotropic hormone),Febuxostat, Aloprim, and Zyloprim.

Not only do many of these drugs not work for gout sufferers the side effects of these toxic pharmaceuticals are not worth the risk. This is especially true when diet and lifestyle changes can end or successfully help to manage gout.

Some of the side effects of these dangerous pharmaceuticals are the following:

Side Effects of Pharmaceuticals Used to Treat Gout

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Rash
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Drowsiness
• Fluid retention
• Shortness of breath
• Kidney failure
• Liver failure

When there are all natural alternatives available to you to fight off gout I suggest you try these methods before you opt for pharmaceuticals and their dangerous side effects.

6 All Natural Ways to Beat Gout

Studies show that many of the dietary items we consume lead to gout as well as other health problems. Changing your diet and lifestyle may be the easy solution to beating gout. One of the first things to do is eliminate certain foods and beverages from your diet to beat gout.

1. Eliminate or reduce sugar intake

As many studies are now illustrating, gout is common in people with excessive sugar intake, especially high fructose corn syrup (HFCS.) It’s wise to read the labels of all your food and drinks. If you find HFCS then eliminate that from your diet. In addition, look for sugar added under the guise of other common names for sugar; look for ‘cose’ at the end of words and these are probably types of sugar you don’t want to be consuming.

2. Eliminate grains

Grains in the body are converted to sugars so again you want to limit or avoid grains altogether. They are also very inflammatory to your body.

3. Limit alcohol consumption

Again, alcohol becomes sugar once ingested so eliminate this completely unless you have a healthy body already. Any substance that will be converted to one or another type of sugar by the body should be avoided at all costs. In order to get your uric acid levels down you must consistently avoid sugar in your diet.

4. Eliminate soda and diet soda

Soda and diet sodas are loaded with sweeteners either natural or artificial. It’s vital to eliminate them from your diet altogether if you want to be gout. Remember the study I mentioned earlier in which just two to three sweet beverages a week increased men’s chance of getting gout by a whopping 85%.

5. Consume cherries and strawberries daily

In order to combat the inflammation try adding fresh, organic cherries and strawberries to your diet. Cherries are rich in anthocyanicns and bioflavonoids both which help to relieve and prevent arthritis. In addition, both are high in antioxidants which will help to fight off free radical damage.

6. Exercise

Since obesity is linked to gout, it’s a good idea to exercise regularly if you’re trying to relieve gout from your life. Include burst training and weight training to maximize your health benefits from exercise. Exercise should be a part of your life no matter if you have gout or not. Burst Training is the best way to get in shape and keep your body healthy. Click here for my burst workout ideas.

As with many health problems there are all natural treatment methods that often involve lifestyle changes that should take place before you opt for pharmaceuticals or other methods.  The same is true for gout. Try these solutions and live an overall healthy lifestyle and you’ll be pain free from gout in no time.

Sources: medscape.com, mercola.com, mercola.com2

The Search for High Quality Supplements Goes On

Next you hit your local health food store. Surely this place will have high quality, health promoting supplements that will propel your health to the next level of good. Sure they may cost a little more but you know taking a high quality supplement is well worth it. However, as you pick up the store’s own signature brand you hesitate and read the label. Now in the back of you head you’re thinking really it’s a waste of time that this supplement must be one of the best, after all it’s a local health food store and they’ve put their name on these supplements. But what you see may just surprise you.

When it comes to supplements many of them are filled with all the wrong ingredients. That is, not only do they have unwanted additives, preservatives, fillers, and even food dyes, the source of the supplement they provide is less than optimal. So read those labels.

What to Avoid in Your Supplements

Now here’s the problem I find with most supplements; many are synthetic or synthetic isolates. That means the vitamin or mineral is only partial and is combined with a chemical. There are two problems here:

2 Problems with Mainstream Supplements

1. You’re only getting ‘part’ of the vitamin or mineral when your body needs the whole thing.
2. You’re adding chemicals into your system. This is something you want to avoid doing in all aspects of your life especially with what you eat or ingest.

When you take a supplement it’s already a second choice to getting this nutrient straight from the source via the food. However, if you choose a low quality supplement you’re taking another step further away from the original, most nutritious source. Really these types of supplements are a sad alternative to the real deal – the food source.

I took a trip to my local health food store, picked up their top selling supplements and here are some of the ingredients I found that you want to avoid.

#1 Common Supplement Ingredient to Avoid

Magnesium stearate (reportedly in 95% of all supplements)

Now you may or may not about this ingredient but I’ve written extensively on it and its role in supplements. (insert link to articles) In brief, magnesium stearate is used in many industries including the supplement industry. In this industry it is used as a lubricant to prevent the particles of the nutrients from slowing the equipment thereby allowing them to operate at maximum speeds.

Magnesium stearate contains many toxins as it is made from hydrogenating cottonseed oil. This type of oil has been found to have the highest concentrations of toxins or pesticide residues as the cotton is one of the most heavily sprayed crops today.

To make matters worse, these hydrogenated oils themselves are dangerous as they have been molecularly altered. There are still no clear implications of long term consumption of these types of oils. In addition, the process of hydrogenation involves a metal catalyst. The impact of using this metal catalyst on the body is still unknown.

According to an article in 1990 in Immunology, magnesium stearates impede the function of the vital T cells. As you probably know, T cells are a vital and integral part of the immune system.

In fact, magnesium stearates are classified as a ‘hazardous material.’ Its described uses include:

• Ammunition
• Paint drier
• Varnish drier
• Binder
• Emulsifier
• Dusting powder

Even without mounds of scientific data, common sense says this is not something you want to be ingesting on a daily basis. What’s more is that these synthetic supplements are hard for the body to digest and absorb so in the end you get very little of the benefits. In other words, you’re wasting your money at best and may be harming your own life at the worst.

Let’s talk about high quality supplements you want to take, not avoid.

What to Look for in Your Supplements

I highly recommend taking whole food supplements. One of the best ways to be certain that you’re taking high quality supplements is to find a reputable supplier and stick with them. Garden of Life is one such supplement provider and why I promote them.

This whole food supplement company creates the highest quality, consistently reliable supplements around. The founder of this company, Jordan Rubin, started with the mission of providing life giving supplements to all. The supplements from the Garden of Life are whole food supplements that the body can absorb and utilize immediately.

Before you swallow those synthetic supplements think twice and ask yourself if you’re helping or hurting your body.

Sources: onibasu.com, mercola.com, gardenoflife.com

Sadly, many people who think they’re eating health simply aren’t. In fact, some foods that most people consider to be healthy are anything but healthy. Often times it’s not the food itself but some of the ingredients are the way it’s prepared. Learn about the ten foods that many consider to be healthy but aren’t always the healthiest choice.

Frozen Yogurt

With the heat waves on in many parts of the country there’s no doubt we all want a cold treat to cool us off now and again. But before you buy that frozen yogurt take a closer look.

When you think of yogurt, live active cultures that are helpful to the body immediately come to mind. But when it comes to frozen yogurt there are most times no live, active cultures. The processing has heated the product first, killing off all live cultures that are beneficial to health.

The other problem with eating frozen yogurt is that people think they can over indulge in this treat because it’s ‘healthy.’ This leads to overeating and an excessive consumption of calories.

When you do want a sweet, cold treat try to limit the amount of frozen yogurt you consume, use healthy toppings such as sliced fruits and buy a product that uses minimal processing and still contains live, active cultures.

Beyond Organic Amasai is a great and much healthier replacement for frozen and any other store bought yogurts

Diet Soda

I can’t remember just how many people I’ve met who are concerned with their health that turn around and order a diet soda mistakenly thinking they’re doing their body good with this drink. Diet sodas, while low in calories, are not only devoid of any nutrition, they also contain artificial sweeteners. Artificial sweeteners are being shown to lead to health problems with ongoing consumption.

One of the biggest health problems with diet sodas and artificial sweeteners is metabolic syndrome which in turn raises your risk for developing diabetes type 2, coronary heart disease and having a stroke.

Instead of choosing a diet soda, opt for fresh brewed tea, seltzer water, or just pure water. Pure water is the healthiest choice of all.

Smoothies

I remember when smoothies first became popular. Everyone thought they were the best kept health secret – and many of the smoothies out there are. However, some of these supposedly healthy smoothies are loaded with a whole lot of what our bodies don’t need namely sugar.

Many of these drinks do contain the healthy fruits and vegetables but also have high amounts of sugar. This will cause blood sugar levels to spike and fall which is related to acquiring type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. Both of these conditions lead to other, more serious health problems.

It’s best to consume smoothies that don’t have fillers such as ice cream or milk and instead opt for smoothies made almost entirely of fruits, veggies, and other all natural ingredients such as sunflower seeds and coconut.

Trail Mixes

These wholesome snacks can be ideal for healthy snacking however, many of these trail mixes contain ingredients that aren’t so healthy. Oftentimes trail mixes add in sugar to coat the fruits and salt to coat the nuts. Too much of either of these are simply not healthy.

Look for trail mixes that don’t add sugar or uses salted nuts. Better yet, make your own with organic, raw nuts and seeds and freshly dehydrated fruits.

No Fat Foods

Hopefully most of you now understand the hype around the no-fat, low-fat eating. There are good fats and there are bad fats so cutting out all fats is simply a bad choice.

It’s important to eat your share of healthy fats while avoiding unhealthy fats. Many of these low-fat, no-fat foods are loaded with artificial flavors and lots of sugar. Again, you want to avoid eating too much sugar which can lead to diabetes type 2.

Granola

When we think of healthy foods, granola is definitely one that comes to mind. But it’s time to reconsider just how healthy that store bought granola really is. While granolas contain a number of healthy ingredients particularly rich in potassium, protein and fiber some mixes contain a high amount of sugar.

Be sure to read the labels when it comes to choosing granola and avoid any with corn syrup or added sugars. Watch out for added sugar in the form of yogurt coated fruits or nuts as well as chocolate chips and the like.

Opt for granolas that use honey or agave nectar as the source of sweetness. Try this Grainless Granola recipe from the Real Food Diet Cookbook

Bran Muffins

When you’re at your local bakery or grocery store baked goods section and you peruse the section of muffins you undoubtedly look upon the bran muffin as the healthy muffin choice. And while bran muffins usually do contain fiber the other added ingredients may not be so healthy.

Many bran muffins are loaded with sugar and bad fats that cancel out the goodness of the fiber. If you really want a bran muffin consider baking them yourself using applesauce and honey as natural, healthy sweeteners.

Energy Bars

Once reserved for only the most serious athletes, energy bars can be seen in the hands of just about everyone today. From our children to ourselves we grab an ‘energy bar’ to ward off hunger or for a quick snack on the go.

The problem with energy bars is that many of them have added sugars and other artificial ingredients. When it comes to these handy, on the go snacks be sure to read the labels of the bars before you make a selection.

Look for only all natural ingredients and no added sugars or artificial ingredients of any kind.

Low Fat Peanut Butter

Again, the low-fat, no-fat craze has led to the creation of a low fat peanut butter when the original version was fine. The fats found naturally in peanut butter (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats) are actually good for you so there’s no need to reduce them.

In fact, the ingredients you should be avoiding in peanut butter are the added sugars and hydrogenated oils. Check labels to be sure your peanut butter doesn’t have these unhealthy ingredients. Try almond butter for a healthy alternative to peanut butter. Most people can’t tell the difference unless they’re real peanut butter connoisseurs.

Veggie Burgers

This vegetarian option to the burger can be delicious and nutritious if it’s the right one. Many of the food manufacturers cashing in on the health food band wagon use many additives and fillers in their veggie burgers rendering the burger unhealthy.

When you look for your veggie burger be sure the vegetables are at the top of the list and the fillers such as yeast extract, cornstarch, and gums are not on the list at all or at the very least at the bottom.

No matter what foods you choose to eat it’s wise to read the labels before you make the purchase. Any food manufacturer can and will advertise that their food product is the healthy choice but it’s up to you to be sure those statements are true. Know what ingredients to look for and which ones to avoid.

Sources: womensday.com

According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) about 250,000 to 350,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis or MS.

Multiple sclerosis or MS is an immune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks itself. In the case of MS, the body attacks the myelin, or fat that surrounds and protects the nerves. During an MS attack, inflammation occurs in random areas of the central nervous system in patches called plaques. The destruction of the myelin occurs next. Once these myelin sheaths are attacked and destroyed the delicate communication process between the nerves, brain, spinal cord and the rest of the body are compromised resulting in decreased or complete loss of function. The name, multiple sclerosis, is for many – multiple, and scars – sclerosis.

People are generally diagnosed with MS between the ages of 20 and 40 although it can exist in many who are currently living with undiagnosed MS. This is because the disease can wax and wane making it very challenging to accurately diagnose. Although the cause is not yet known it is theorized that a viral condition precipitates the onset of MS.

Types of MS

There are four courses of MS. Each one can be mild, moderate or severe. In addition the intensity of the condition can change over time; going into remission only to rear its ugly head again later down the road.

The Four Courses of MS

• Relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS)
• Primary-Progressive MS (PPMS)
• Secondary-Progressive MS (SPMS)
• Progressive-Relapsing MS (PRMS)

Each of these types of MS has different characteristics. RRMS is the most common type of MS and is characterized by acute attacks then full recovery. PPMS has almost complete disability from the beginning with only mild improvements or remissions. SPMS has limited recovery between attacks and continual progression and worsening of symptoms. PRMS shows as complete disability from the onset with acute relapses and no recovery of significance in between attacks.

Symptoms of MS:

Some people with MS react with pain to heat and experience an increase in symptoms when heat is present either from hot outdoor temperatures or exercise induced heat.

Traditional Treatments of MS

Traditional treatments of MS are the use of highly toxic drugs such as steroids. Other commonly used drugs to treat MS are Valium, Klonopin, aspirin, acetaminophen, codeine, Cylert, Symmetrel, and antidepressants.

As with all pharmaceuticals, costs are high, side effects are extreme in some cases, and treatment is for the symptoms and not the actual disease. When it comes to MS, most medications are used to slow the progression of the disease but not cure it. There is currently no cure for MS.

All Natural, Alternative Treatments for MS

It is recommended that MS sufferers eat more fruits and vegetables that are organically grown. They should also avoid highly processed foods and hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. This includes polyunsaturated vegetable oils, margarine, vegetable shortenings, and deep fried foods.

Turmeric and Cinnamon are great anti-inflammatory spices

Turmeric, cinnamon and ginger should be consumed daily along with a CoQ10 supplement at least two to three times per day. In addition take a multi mineral supplement every day.

It’s also highly recommended to use positive visualization and meditation techniques to relieve stress and help ease MS symptoms.

There has been recent speculation that increasing levels of vitamin D if you suffer with MS can be particularly helpful. This is an interesting approach that seems to work by increasing your safe sun exposure. It has been noted that people living in the Northern Hemisphere are much more likely to suffer with MS than those living by or below the equator.

If you or someone you love is living with MS, it’s vital to explore these all natural methods used to effectively relieve troublesome symptoms and provide some relief.

Sources: ninds.nih.gov, drweil.com, nationalmssociety.org

In 2004, as a master’s student in Wisconsin, Mokua undertook an investigation into amasi and its impact on children and diarrhrea. He had noticed growing up in Kenya, that children who regularly consumed this beverage had noticeably less frequent bouts with diarrhea. His mission was to discover what, if anything, in amasi contributed to this occurrence.

Amasi is one of several fermented foods and beverages in South Africa. Fermentation is common with many foods there and essential for all dairy products as these traditional cultures aren’t privy to the conveniences of modern life we are so accustomed to having in our Western world.

Amasi’s taste is described as somewhere in between a taste of cottage cheese and plain yogurt. Some people say about amasi that you either love it or hate it.

Making Traditional Amasi

The way that amasi is created is a traditional and long used one. Cow’s milk is placed into a gourd or other container, a bit of amasi from a prior batch is added, and the combination is left to ferment.

The process of making amasi is similar to making yogurt. As the substance ferments, the whey portion of the milk is drained off, and what remains is a thick, curdled type of beverage called amasi. A commonly consumed beverage in this traditional culture.

The scientific community gives recognition to the fact that high probiotic foods help protect the body against diarrhea and in fact fight it off. This is the theory that Mokua proposed to be the reason why amasi also fights off diarrhea.

Amasi is loaded with several lactic acid bacteria, including lactobacillus. Mokua put his theory to the test with deadly E. coli. He theorized that amasi could kill off E. coli. His results? The amasi did protect itself from E.coli.  These high levels of lactic acid bacteria are why it can ward off bouts of diarrhea effectively.

Top 4 Ways Amasi is Good for Your Gut

Amasi is good for your gut, particularly if you’ve been on antibiotics or have had a problem with something you ate producing stomach issues including diarrhea.
 Along with the benefits that other types of probiotics bring, amasi is good for the following:

1. Immune system function
2. Improved digestion
3. Increase in absorption of nutrients
4. Reduction in inflammation

Although there are different strains of amasi all seem to deliver the same or similar benefits to the consumer of amasi. Each strain is dependent on several factors. One is the amasi that is used to create the next batch of this powerful probiotic. Another is the treatment of the container used to ferment the heavy beverage. For instance some people don’t clean the container in any way in between making batches, others simply wipe it out, and still others use hot water to rinse it out. Each impact what strain of amasi you end up with.

In addition some communities smoke the inside of the gourd and others wash it out with wood ash. There are many ways this process is treated each resulting in a slightly different strain of amasi.

Making Amasi the Beyond Organic way

In hopes of promoting the health benefits of this traditional African food, Beyond Organic, has launched its own version of amasi, called Amasai.

Beyond Organic offers the consumer who doesn’t have the time or knowledge to ferment his or her own dairy products the same opportunity for the robust health benefits of these fermented food products.

One of the benefits of Beyond Organic Amasai is that the cows from which the dairy is derived are essentially grass fed. According to Beyond Organic, their cows are ‘Green Fed.’ This term Green Fed is a term that has been trademarked by Beyond Organic and indicates that their animals are fed a diet that they were naturally designed to eat.

This grass fed diet increases the amounts of Omega-3’s as well as CLA’s in the amasai thereby broadening its vast health benefits. If you’re interested in checking out Beyond Organic’s version of this traditional South African beverage visit their website at (beyondorganicinsider.com)

sources: douglasdale.co.za, wikipedia, traditional-foods.com, beyondorganicinsider.com

Are you feeling tired and irritable? Your energy drink could be to blame. According to a report by the Associated Press, there are some bothersome and also some serious health problems associated with consuming energy drinks on a regular basis.

• Irritability
• High blood pressure
• Heart palpitations
• Seizures
• Stroke

This fastest growing beverage on the American beverage market expected to capture more than $9 billion dollars in sales in 2011 is posing a risk to your health.

Many studies of energy drinks have focused on caffeine and other types of condensed caffeine as the source of the problem. However, one overlooked ingredient is sugar. Some of these widely consumed energy drinks contain much more sugar than the most sugary desert.

The health dangers of a diet high in sugar consumption are high. Diets loaded with sugar lead to obesity, diabetes type 2, high blood pressure, heart problems, and even some cancers as sugar feeds disease.

How to Beat Fatigue

There’s no doubt that many Americans and Westerners alike are craving a pick me up that will really work without putting their health at risk. In fact, the average drinker of an energy drink probably desperately wants to feel better, have more energy, and keep going well into the night. However, their energy drink falls far short of fulfilling these desires.

There are healthy alternatives to downing caffeine and sugar laden energy drinks to get a quick pick me up.

One of the best things you can do to fend off fatigue and keep your energy levels high is to eat healthy on a regular basis, get plenty of sleep, and exercise.
When you live a healthy lifestyle your body will respond with optimal health and vitality that you’ll feel.

If you have one of those days, or if you’re under extra stress or not getting the proper rest for one or another reason (maybe there’s a new baby at home or your workload is a bit heavy right now) there are healthy, all natural items you can consume to boost your energy.

Green Tea for Energy

Green tea has long been revered for its ability to boost your energy on sluggish days. Now research is showing there are even more benefits from green tea and its active ingredient, EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. EGCG is a polyphenol and aids in the production of certain important proteins and alkaloids.

Green tea is also shown to be beneficial for:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Increasing antioxidant activity in the blood
• Reducing incidence of gum disease
• Fighting free radical damage

You can consume EGCGs in traditional green tea or you can find EGCG supplements.

There are also a number of all natural herbs that can help to fight off fatigue and increase your energy levels. These main energy enhancing herbs are:

• Ashwaganda
• Cordycep mushroom
• Ginseng

It’s also vital to eat plenty of fresh, organic veggies to give your body the nutrients it needs for energy production. If you eat enough healthy servings of fresh, raw vegetables on a daily basis your fatigue and tiredness will melt away and be a memory in the past.

Wheat grass is another key component in the fight against fatigue. Wheat grass gives the body a potent boost of key nutrients needed to produce energy in the body. (link to Greens Powder.)

Adding a high quality, wheat grass supplement like Greens Powder is a way to solidify your body’s supply of energy producing nutrients.

Remember, if you’re tired, using energy drinks, particularly on a regular basis is a sure way to lead to an even greater loss of energy and potentially more serious health problems. Opt for the healthy, all natural solutions for energy today and feel the vitality tomorrow.

Sources: disability resource, egcg.asia

In 1987 the government banned the sales of raw milk under the premise of health concerns. However many people don’t think health concerns are the real story for the ban. Many, including Representative Ron Paul, believe the real reason has much more to do with economics than concern for the health of the public.

Ron Paul has initiated legislation that would end the ban of raw milk sales. The sales were banned in 1987 but the enforcement in the form of raids and sting operations for busting farmers selling raw milk didn’t begin until 2006.

Paul believes that Americans have the basic right to choose what we eat and drink. He contends that if we are unable to choose these basic needs for ourselves than our freedom is being compromised. Paul is not alone in his beliefs.

In fact, on May 17, 2011, 450 protestors gathered in Washington D.C. to show their support of raw milk sales and the farmers that produce and sell the raw milk.  In a crowd with many mothers and children, there was also Morgan the cow, trailed in from Maryland feeding the crowd their coveted raw milk.

Proponents of raw milk argue that the health benefits far outweigh any risks. They go on to say that the laws are old and based on science that is forty years out of date.

Health Benefits of Raw Milk

There are many health benefits of raw milk. Some of them stem from what the milk doesn’t have in it. Raw milk from pasture fed cows is devoid of toxins, hormones, antibiotics and many of the other unhealthy chemicals added to the diets (and thus found in the milk) of mainstream cows. These are the cows that are used by big business and forced to overproduce milk.

Many of the health benefits of raw milk come from the high nutritional content of this milk. Raw milk is rich in the following life giving nutrients:

• Protein
• Enzymes
• Minerals
• Good bacteria
• Vitamins
• Good fat
• CLA
• Cholesterol
• Carbohydrate

It’s also been found that countries with the highest milk consumption also have the higher rates of osteoporosis. This is the consumption of processed, pasteurized, and homogenized milk.  Milk, once processed, becomes acidic and leads to leaching of alkaline in the body if the balance becomes off.

Whether or not you want to drink raw milk or believe in the health benefits as do many others is not the real issue. The point here is that the government should not be the ones to decide which foods you can select from to eat.

The government is protecting big business, again, at the expense of the consumer. If you want the choice of what you eat, stand up for the rights of raw milk producers and drinkers everywhere and ask for the ban of raw milk to be lifted.

The government is spending many dollars in tax payer’s money to bust these raw milk ‘dealers.’  As in the case of Amish farmer Dan Allgyer who was investigated and raided at gunpoint on his farm for selling raw milk. Is this where you want your tax dollars to go?

Learn more about Raw Milk and its benefits here

sources: mercola.com, washingtontimes.com

We are all finding ourselves smack in the middle of summer. Months of long, hot, humid days with temperatures sometimes soaring to heated degrees…too many degrees to count. And while you enjoy the passing moments of good ole summertime be sure that you and your loved ones are staying properly hydrated in order to ward off a potential problem from the heat and dehydration.

It’s not just about you and your immediate family either. During the excruciating summer months it’s a good idea to check in on any elderly neighbors or relatives you have too. Many elderly people experience serious health problems and even death during extreme weather periods such as the heat of the summer time. In fact, elderly dehydration is one of the main reasons the elderly are hospitalized each year.

Dehydration 101

There are several types and levels of dehydration. Dehydration is defined as the excessive loss of body fluids in which the body needs more fluids than are being input to function normally.  The body fluids that are lost and desperately needed are either one or the other of the following or a combination of the two:

1. Water loss
2. Electrolyte loss

Electrolytes are substances that become ions in a solution and are able to conduct electricity. They are present in the human body and essential for normal functioning of organs and cells.  There are four main types of electrolytes found in the body. These are the following:

1. Sodium
2. Potassium
3. Chloride
4. Bicarbonate

Sodium is a positive ion on the outside of cells. Too much sodium can cause a type of dehydration called hypernatremia.

Potassium is a positive ion found on the inside of cells. Potassium plays a critical role in regulating the heartbeat and muscle function. A deviation in potassium levels either higher than they should be or lower than the body requires can adversely impact the heart rhythm.

Chloride is a negatively charged ion found outside of the cells in the blood. Chloride aids the body in balancing the fluids. A significant increase or decrease in chloride levels in the body can lead to serious health problems including death.

Bicarbonate ions act as a buffer and help the body to maintain the proper pH levels needed. All of these electrolytes are required at specific levels in the body to help keep the pH balanced and maintain critical functions.

Some parts of the body are more ‘electrically wired’ than others requiring these important ions.  These body parts are as follows:

• Brain
• Nervous system
• Muscles

When it comes to fluid loss, there are three main types of dehydration.

1. Hypotonic or hyponatremic
2. Hypertonic or hypernatremic
3. Isotonic or isonatremic

Hypotonic or hyponatremic is the loss of electrolytes, mostly sodium. Hypertonic or hypernatremic is the loss of water, and finally isotonic or isonatremic is the loss of both water and electrolytes.

Any of these three types of dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild is when the body has lost about 2% of its total fluids; moderate is the body losing 5% of total fluids, and finally severe is when the body has lost 10% of its fluids and is considered an emergency.

Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration

If you want to avoid health problems from dehydration it’s vital to listen to your body and drink water throughout the day. Water is the best way to prevent and beat dehydration, especially during the warm summer months when we are all prone to perspire even more so than usual.

Simply consuming the recommended eight to ten, eight ounce glasses of water on a daily basis is crucial to maintain a healthy body not just in the summer months but throughout the year.

Once you do get dehydrated you can quickly progress into real trouble if you don’t do something about it – fast! Becoming familiar with the signs and symptoms of dehydration is critical to beating dehydration and at the very least avoiding a hospital visit because of dehydration.

There are subtle differences between the signs of dehydration and the signs of hypernatremia. (Remember hypernatremia is characterized by loss of water more than electrolytes.)

Symptoms of Hypernatremia

• Warm, velvety skin
• Dry mucus membranes
• Twitching
• Lethargy
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Rigidity
• Convulsions
• Complaints of extreme thirst

Some of the symptoms of dehydration and of hypernatremia are similar. Let’s look at the symptoms of dehydration now.

Symptoms of Dehydration

• Dry mouth
• Sleepiness
• Thirst
• Decreases urination
• Muscle weakness
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Dizziness

Symptoms of Severe Dehydration

• Extreme thirst
• Irritability
• Confusion
• Extremely dry mouth and mucus membranes
• Sunken eyes
• Lack of sweating
• Lack of tears
• Very little or no urination
• Skin that won’t ‘bounce back’
• Low blood pressure
• Rapid heartbeat
• Fever
• Delirium

It’s vital to understand and be familiar with the signs of both dehydration and hypernatremia. Both are serious problems especially in the following groups of people, particularly during periods of extreme heat:

People at Risk for Dehydration and Hypernatremia

• Children and infants
• Elderly
• Chronically ill
• Endurance athletes
• High altitude dwellers

Simple Steps to Avoid Dehydration

The best way to avoid dehydration, particularly during hot summer months, is to be sure you and your loved ones are drinking plenty of pure water on a daily basis, at least eight to ten, eight ounce glasses full. If you are exerting yourself or out in the heat, drink even more water.

Avoiding dehydration is as simple as drinking enough pure water on a daily basis but so many just don’t do this. When you realize the high price your body will pay from a serious case of dehydration or hypernatremia, you’ll be asking for more water to drink everyday.

Top 10 Hydrating Foods

1. Coconut Water
2. Celery
3. Watermelon
4. Cucumber
5. Kiwi
6. Bell Peppers
7. Citrus Fruit
8. Carrots
9. Cultured Dairy (amasai/kefir/yogurt)
10. Pineapple

Coconut Water for Hydration

In a previous article I made the statement “Coconut water is one of nature’s best hydrating drinks.” It contains many things that contribute to hydration like amino acids, enzymes, growth factors and minerals. The chemical makeup of coconut water is similar to our blood which makes it perfect to help our bodies recover from dehydration.

source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

20% of women have silicone implants removed after just ten years of having them implanted. (FDA)

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a word of caution about silicone implants for women considering them for cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. In a statement issued on June 22, 2011, the FDA warned that these ‘devices’ are not for lifetime use and cited several problems found with silicone implants for the women who have them.

The data the FDA reviewed to reach its conclusions came from the following sources:

• Preliminary safety data from 2 silicone implant manufacturers (Allergan and Mentor)
• Post approval studies
• Adverse events reports
• Comprehensive review and analysis of recent scientific publications on subject

The report issued words of caution about the following when it comes to women and silicone breast implants: The FDA urged women to realize that the silicone breast implants are not lifetime devices. In other words, women should expect to have them removed and/or replaced at some time in their lives. The reports showed that generally speaking, one in five women who have received silicone implants for cosmetic reasons will have to have them replaced within ten years. Half of the women who have had silicone implants for reconstructive purposes will be forced to have them taken out and replaced within that same ten year period.

These are the two main reasons the FDA has issued the warning to women so that they understand the rate of removal and/or replacement of the implants is high. Again, as the FDA stated, the devices are not meant to be used for a lifetime.

The FDA issued the following statement warning women,

“The FDA will continue to monitor and collect safety and performance information on silicone gel-filled breast implants, but it is important that women with breast implants see their health care providers if they experience any symptoms,” Jeffrey Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health.

Women with silicone implants should be aware of any warning signs such as pain or breast changes that could have something to do with their silicone implants. Women who have received breast implants should also keep in close contact with their operating physicians to keep him or her updated on their progress with the silicone implants. If you have silicone implants and have enrolled in any follow up or tracking program it’s vital to stay in contact with that group. This will allow for the long term study of silicone implants to determine any changes or recommendations that need to be made.

Adverse Problems with Silicone Implants Requiring Removal

The main complaints that are associated and reported by women with silicone implants they had removed are the following:

1. Hardening of tissue area around implant
2. Additional surgeries
3. Implant rupture
4. Asymmetry
5. Wrinkling
6. Scarring
7. Pain
8. Infection

If you are considering breast augmentation it’s essential that you know the risks. Getting comfortable with your own body and loving it for exactly how it is has no side effects or risks involved.

Sources: huffington post, FDA

Most of you have heard about the Mediterranean diet and the much praised use of olive oil. Olive oil is a great, healthy oil to use in its raw form, but you must not use it to cook with. More on that later, but first let’s find out what olive oil is and how it is made.

Olive oil is made from the fruit of the olive tree. There are several types of olive oil and the type, in part, determines how the oil was made and what it should be used for in cooking or other genres.

3 Types of Olive Oil

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Virgin Olive Oil
• Ordinary Virgin Olive Oil

Although olive trees have been around for thousands and upon thousands of years. The olive tree only made it to our continent in the 1560’s when it began to be cultivated in Mexico. After that time, a few years later, olive farming spread to California, Peru, Chile, and Argentina.

One of the biggest dangers surrounding olive oil is that it begins to decompose at around 200F. Research also shows that olive oil heated repeatedly or to a very high level can oxidize and become hydrogenated.

An important thing to consider with any oil is its smoke point. The smoke point is the temperature at which the oil actually begins to smoke which is an indication of decomposition.

You’ll want to know the smoke temperature of the various oils so you can select the correct oil for the cooking job at hand.

Coconut Oil for Cooking

Coconut oil is derived from the kernel or meat of the coconut from the coconut palm. Coconut oil has been the primary source of fat for millions of people across the world for thousands of years. This slow to oxidize, therefore resistant to rancidity oil is one of the best oils not just for cooking but for overall body health.

Coconut oil is beneficial in many ways; almost too many to mention. In brief, coconut oil is helpful to the body in the following ways:

• Hair Care
• Skin Care
• Heart Disease Prevention
• Weight Loss Aid (Short and medium fatty acid chains help with weight loss as well as its ability to help balance the thyroid and enzymes in the body.)
• Digestive Aid (The antimicrobial, antifungal, and antibacterial traits of coconut oil fight off bacteria that cause indigestion.)
• Immunity Booster

The main reasons why coconut oil is so healthy is the content of the following components:

• Lauric Acid
• Capric Acid
• Caprylic Acid

These components have vital properties that make coconut oil protect the body by utilizing the following characteristics:

• Antimicrobial
• Antioxidant
• Antifungal
• Antibacterial

This is the coconut oil I keep in my house and use daily

These properties are what aid in fighting fungus and viruses in the body leading to improved health and vitality. In my opinion, cooking with coconut oil is one of the smartest health choices you can make.

There are many oils to choose from today; good, bad, and ugly. It’s important to make an educated decision about what oils you choose to cook with as well as what oils you allow to be in the foods you are eating.

Check your labels and look for high quality oils that are not hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated. It’s vital to select oils that are good for you and not fall into the media hype surrounding the next oil that you should ban from your diet.

Summary:

Every time you turn on the news there’s a story about what type of oil you should avoid and which type you should use. Discover the truth about cooking oils and which ones are the best choice for you and your family.

Sources: organicfacts.net, wikipedia