by Annmarie Kostyk
Chocolate is good for your heart! Surprised? Among its many healthy attributes, chocolate is rich in flavonoids, just like apples, cranberries, peanuts, onions, tea and red wine. Dr. Carl Keen’s research at the University of California Davis says that the best way to get benefits from the heart enhancing effects of chocolate are to consume cocoa powder and a moderate amount of dark chocolate. Dark chocolate gives the highest amount of chocolate solids in a bar and possesses the lowest percentage of both fat and sugar. Dark chocolate is a natural heart protector.
In comparing dark chocolate with red wine, both full of rich phenols for your heart, Dr. Andrew Waterhouse finds that one and a half ounces of dark chocolate is the equivalent of phenols found in a glass of red wine. You get similar results from cocoa powder which contains 75 percent the amount of phenols found in red wine. Chocolate protects the development of heart disease by oxidizing LDLs (bad cholesterol) which protects them from damaging artery walls and helps reduce the chance of heart disease.
Dr. Joe Vinson, a chemistry professor at the University of Scranton says that one cup of black tea is the equivalent of antioxidants to one dark chocolate bar. Pennsylvania State’s nutrition department shows that even after elimination of other foods rich in flavonoids such as tea, coffee, onions, apples, wine, beans, soy, and apple and grape juices, both cocoa powder and dark chocolate has a significant effect on the LDL levels.
Don’t forget about the cocoa when you incorporate this incredible food into your diet. Studies are further supported by The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment in Bilthoven, Amsterdam. The research studies how cocoa affected the mortality of 1,000 elderly Dutch male subjects. The men who consume the highest amount of cocoa had a 50 percent less chance risk of cardiovascular diseased than those consuming less cocoa. Researchers at Cornell University found that the highest antioxidant levels are in the hot chocolate. It is almost two times stronger than the red wine, two to three times stronger than green tea, and four to five times stronger than black tea. Avoid the extra sugar and calories found in hot chocolate by using skim or soy milk for regular milk and using an artificial sweetener. Another option is to use water and flavorings such as cloves, vanilla and a spot of honey the way the ancients liked to drink theirs. Cocoa can be consumed either hot or cold, but hot chocolate releases more antioxidants than cold chocolate.
Chocolate reduces blood pressure too! Dr. Dirk Taubert and his colleagues of the University Hospital of Cologne in Germany finds that dark chocolate consumption reduced the average systolic blood pressure by -2.9 and diastolic blood pressure by -1.9. There are no changes in the participants’ body weight, plasma levels or glucose. Hypertension declines from 86 percent to 68 percent. The participants in the white chocolate group have no changes in either the systolic or diastolic reading. The conclusion of this study shows that eating about 30 calories a day of dark chocolate can lower blood pressure without any side effects. How fantastic is that? Dark chocolate and cocoa can lessen your chance of cardiovascular disease through lower LDLs, bad cholesterol, bring more flavanols into your diet and lower your blood pressure.
Even though chocolate has a high fat content and most of that fat comes from saturated fat, chocolate is still good for your heart in healthy people with a balanced diet. It doesn’t raise cholesterol levels, actually helps decrease bad cholesterol and keeps those arteries running clear by thinning the blood. Cocoa and chocolate have the same life saving properties as an aspirin a day. To keep your diet balanced, the University of Michigan Integrative Medicine Department recommends up to seven ounces of dark chocolate per week averaging one ounce per day. Don’t forget, you can also get your servings from pure, unsweetened cocoa powder. So eat up! Dark chocolate and cocoa are considered a great addition to a balanced diet to help your heart.
Want to get 72% or 88% pure chocolate and help save endangered species at the same time? Make your next chocolate purchase from Endangered Species Chocolates. You’ll feel good about eating it on soooo many levels!
November 17th, 2008
This is a quick view of sweeteners for those of you who want to enhance the taste of your green drinks, while remaining healthy. I’m not even going to talk about artificial sweeteners, such as saccharine and Aspartame. These are highly toxic chemicals and should never EVER be considered as a sweetener. In fact, you should never ingest any of these toxic chemicals for any reason. You’d be better off with ANY of the sweeteners listed below.
Sugar, Evaporated Cane Juice, Unprocessed Sugar, Maple Syrup, Molasses
Sucrose sugar, which is made from sugar cane and sugar beets is 50% fructose and 50% glucose. The glucose is a simple sugar that gets processed quickly by the body into energy. Thus the energy spike when you eat sugar. If your blood-sugar metabolism is normal, then your body processes half of the sugar (the glucose) into energy quickly, while the other half (the fructose) is probably stored as fat. Sugar is high on the glycemic index, so it’s not good for diabetics and should not be eaten in excess.
When it comes to sucrose sugar, I prefer the least amount of processing, which means the evaporated cane juice (pure cane sugar) and maple syrup are the best. Molasses is basically cane juice that is cooked down into a dark syrup and unprocessed sugar is actually semi-processed sugar. You can also find pure sugarcane sugar in block form and grind it or cut it into chunks for your various needs.
Fructose, Corn Syrup
Fructose is the sugar that comes from corn (high fructose corn syrup) and many types of fruit. When we eat fructose, the liver and digestive system converts some of it into energy, but store much of it as fat. In fact, fructose is practically all carbs, so it can lead to weight gain quite easily. It is low on the glycemic index, so it does not cause blood sugar spikes, but that’s offset (for diabetics) by the growing evidence that it enhances the body’s resistance to insulin, thus increasing risk of diabetes. So the truth about fructose is that it comes from corn and it has the same nutrients as sugar (practically none) and it’s stored as fat when sugar is burned as energy. Sugar gets burned first. Then fructose.
Xylitol
A derivative of birch wood, Xylitol is not actually a sugar, but a sugar alcohol. Its chemical properties are different than sugar, which makes it safe for diabetics and less harmful on the teeth and on the waistline. It was discovered in Germany in the 1970s and is studied for its use as a sugar substitute.
Sweet as Stevia…er, uh, Honey
Honey is a combination of glucose and fructose, but it has more fructose than sugar, so while the sucrose gets converted into energy, the fructose is most likely stored as fat. What makes honey a terrific alternative as a sweetener is that it also contains nutrients–mostly in the form of minerals. Of course, that’s only if you get real honey that has not been made from corn syrup. Oh, and also if you get honey from other countries because most American honey is now bereft of nutrients due to migrational bee-keeping practices that have weakened our bees to the point that many hives have been abandoned. Honey also tastes great and is sweeter than sugar. But while I use honey quite often, I also have no problem using sucrose sugar in moderation to sweeten my green drinks from time to time.
Stevia
Let’s face it. Stevia tastes like…well…artificial sweetener. It has a bitter, almost chemical taste on the back of your tongue and it’s often over-used. Since stevia is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, it’s very easy to over do it…and I honestly have never tasted a green drink formulation that uses stevia that I like. If you’ve tried stevia and you like it…you’re in great shape. Stevia has no negative health effects and is not a sugar, so it’s ok for diabetics. Personally, I’d rather go without sweetener than put stevia in my food. Now, I know that many companies claim to have solved the stevia after-taste problem, but I have yet to try one that delivers on the promise.
Agave Nectar
Lately, agave nectar has been getting a lot of attention. It has a low glycemic index, so it’s great for diebetics. It is easy to use, being much like honey in consistency, but “thinner”–and it tastes great. It is being used quite often in protein bars, drinks, and sauces, because it dissolves easily and goes well with these foods. Much like honey in its chemistry, it’s made up of mostly fructose and some glucose. From a health perspective, it’s much like honey, but has the added advantage of being low on the glycemic index.
Brown Rice Syrup & Barley Malt Syrup
Brown rice syrup, which is often made with barley malt syrup, a series of sugars, with very little glucose, which means it does not spike the blood sugar and is low on the glycemic index. It can be used as a time-release source of energy, because the combination of Maltose and carbohydrates burn off at different rates–usually giving energy for hours, if you remain active. It has a bit of protein and is made much like the process of honey–by adding enzymes to the starchy sugars.
Summary
If you are interested in fast energy for a workout or if you are active and plan to burn up that energy…then you should just use sugar in some kind of natural or raw form (provided you’re not diabetic). If you’re interested in a longer-lasting form of energy, then go for brown rice syrup. If you like sweet things and want to get as much of it as possible…and want to know what you should use to minimize your health risks, then I suggest a variety of all of these, with a focus on the non-sugar alternatives (Xylitol and stevia). The truth is, excess is more dangerous to your health than any of these sugars when eaten in moderation.
October 25th, 2008
UPDATED May 11, 2008
There are so many products on the market claiming health benefits, immune system boosting and antioxidant prowess that it’s difficult to know how to make sense of it all. Here’s a no-nonsense summary of Best Practices for building an arsenal of healthy herbal and supplemental products. It’s not a complete list, by any means, and it does not cover food, but it’s a good foundation for any health-oriented kitchen.
Berry Juice: Find yourself a quality antioxidant-rich berry juice that contains juices from dark purple and red berries, as well as carotenoids from orange veggies. One good product is “Berry Young Juice” from the Young Living group. These types of juices are excellent for restoring antioxidant power to your immune system to fight free radicals, slow aging signs, and increase immunity to viruses and other pathogens.
Green Drink: To compliment the antioxidant juice, add a healthy green drink that combines a number of green substances and superfoods. Some of the best include spirulina, chlorella, seaweed (kelp), spinach powder, olive leaf, and kale. Many of these beverages also contain bee pollen and probiotic cultures and should be kept in the refrigerator after opening. The green drink will add protein, balanced carbohydrates, and mineral nutrients to your diet even if you don’t get them from your food — and you will require fewer vitamins and minerals as a result.
Vitamins & Supplements: The basics that work for just about everybody include plenty of vitamins C and E. A good liquid B-complex is also a staple, as many Americans are B deficient. Get about 10-15 minutes of unblocked sunshine every day for the best source of D vitamins. These will help you stave off colds and fight cancer. One of the most important supplements to add to your health cabinet is a high-quality CoQ-10. Don’t bother getting the crummy stuff ad Walmart or the local drugstore…you’ll be wasting your money. Do your health a favor and invest in a high-quality brand. I use Q-Gel from Tishcon Corporation of Japan. They are on the top of the CoQ-10 game with their products.
Water: A good source of clean, filtered water is essential. If possible, add liquid oxygen or activated carbon to your water for better molecular absorption in the body. Enhanced water can help hydrate your body, clear your intestines and rid your organs of toxins. Another thing to consider in the wate department is a good alkaline water, which keeps your pH more alkaline, which helps to prevent disease. You can find alkalizing water filters or water with alkaline added, such as with calcium, potassium, and cesium.
Fatty Acids & Anti-inflammatories: Keep a healthy supply of fish oils and the spices tumeric, cayenne and garlic oil. These will help with all sorts of joint and back pain, reduce risk of heart disease, and help normalize blood pressure. Always use hemp oil and/or flaxseed oil for salads, baked potatoes and steamed veggies. Alternate these for best results, because each of these, besides being anti-inflammatory, has its own special properties. Garlic is antifungal, cayenne helps fight cancer, and fish oils provide omega-3 fatty acids.
Extracts & Essential Oils: Some of the most important super-supplements to keep on hand include olive leaf extract, cordyceps mushroom powder or extract, and picnoginol (or pine bark extract). These are all super immune boosters. Pine bark extract also provide antioxidants and mushrooms help with brain function and so much more. To these top choices, you can add St. John’s wort for antiviral and antibacterial uses (good for stopping itchy throat), dandelion extract (good all-around health tonic), and liquid Echanacea (immune booster and helps fight colds and infection). Some essential oils to have on hand include tea tree oil (antifungal, antibacterial, antidepressant, grounding), lavendar oil (antifungal, antiviral, anti-stress, fever reducer), and oregano oil for fighting fungus and bacteria (great for skin fungus).
With these basics in your alternative medicine cabinet, you’ll be well nourished with a minimum of confusion and excess bottles in your cupboard.
Bottle photo by http://flickr.com/people/strph/
May 11th, 2008
If you’ve been keeping an eye on the latest buzz in the natural health world, you’ve certainly heard about the new super-juice coming from Hawaii, Tahiti and other tropical regions. Like many natural products that have received a lot of attention for their health benefits (and claims), Noni has been the subject of a lot of controversy, including a series of FDA warnings regarding health claims made about the juice.
So what’s the truth about the juice? Noni comes from a tropical fruit common to Hawaii and has been used for centuries by native populations on the islands. It is rich in carbohydrates, calcium, vitamin C, and sodium. It is full of polysaccharides, which are known to have antibacterial, anti-tumor and anticancer effects. They also stimulate the immune system. Noni also has a compound, known as skopoletin, which studies show is an antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antihistamine. It also helps regulate blood pressure and is a calmative substance, good for combating stress and aiding sleep. Noni is a dark purple fruit and all fruit of this color is known to have high quantities of flavonoid antioxidants. Noni is no exception. These antioxidants are excellent for combating free radicals and boosting cellular health.
Does that sound too good to be true? Of course not. Blueberries are every bit as wonderful and maybe more so. There’s nothing all that special about Noni juice, except that it’s new to the market. Noni is just another great fruit of the dark purple variety with some special qualities of its own.
Are people making false claims about it? Well, yes, probably. When anything catches fire like Noni has, some people just want to get rich by selling it. In the fever of money grubbing and promoting, they will often make exaggerated claims. The FDA is particularly fond of hammering companies that step over the line with natural nutritional products. Don’t worry that most pharmaceutical drugs cause horrific side effects and often don’t cure the problems they are promoted to cure. That’s part of our accepted health care system. But make claims that a fruit or plant may have curative powers and the FDA is all over you for making false claims. If you say that apple juice can cure digestive problems or help restore liver health…and if you say that on the apple juice literature you use to sell the juice, then the FDA will make you put apple juice through standard drug tests like any pharmaceutical drug.
The bottom line? Noni juice is healthy and provides some great vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. But don’t be taken in by exaggerated claims, exorbitant prices, or money-making schemes. Any berry juice made with dark purple berries will offer as much or more than Noni juice, so pay accordingly and drink to your health (financial and otherwise).
Noni fruit photo byhttp://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User_talk:Marshman
March 9th, 2007
Did you know that inflammation is a major factor in numerous medical conditions and could very well be the primary cause of coronary disease? This natural body process is designed to protect tissues (especially skin and ligaments) from certain kinds of injury. But when inflammation is excessive, it can lead to a variety of problems, including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cardiovascular disease
- Prostate disorders
- Many types of cancer, including colon cancer
- Certain respertory problems
- Arthritis
- Back pain
- Some types of tumors
Traditionally, inflammation is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and Ibuprofin, but have some unfortunate side-effects, including erectile disfunction (caused by the inhibition of nitric oxide, an inflammatory substance essential for erection) and decreased immune response. As usual, you’re better off using natural treatments to reduce inflammation. Thankfully, nature has provided quite a few plants and herbs for us to try:
- Omega-3 fatty acids are among the best anti-inflammatory substances, especially those found in oily fish. The omega-3 fatty acids produce resolvins (a type of fat) that have powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
- White Willow bark extract is what aspirin originally came from. Taking the pure, herbal form has the same effects effects as taking aspirin, but without the chemical processing agents and additives. Aspirin is an effective anti-inflammatory and helps prolong the effects of other herbal remedies. It also has antisceptic and antispasmotic properties and helps reduce fever.
- Lobelia extract is used for all types of inflammation, especially those associated with the broncules, such as coughs and asthma. It has mild sedative qualities (relaxes broncules).
- Black walnut hull or extract is also an anti-inflammatory agent and helps purify the blood. It is commonly used in natural colon cleanse products due to its laxative and anti-parasitic qualities.
- Tumeric is one of nature’s best anti-inflammatory herbs. It works both topically and internally and has been found to fight cancer cells. It also has antidepressant qualities and helps the liver and gallbladder produce bile, which aids digestions. If you are suffering from gallstones, you should first cleanse the gallbladder of stones before using tumeric.
There are many other anti-inflammatory herbs besides these. You can look into wild yam oil, milk thistle, ginger oil and vitamin C to name a few of the more noteworthy possibilities. With all these choices for anti-inflammatory herbs and remedies, nature has made it pretty easy for us to keep inflammation under control.
Fish photo by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jewgienij_Bal
December 9th, 2006
Canadian Law allows up to 2g of Trans fat per serving to be labeled as Zero Trans Fat
Do you ever wonder who creates these food laws and how they get written up? They end up being so confusing that most consumers would never be able to figure them out. One law refers to the second condition in paragraph 3 of another law, which applies when a third law is not in effect…it’s a nightmare of double-speak that appears to be designed with confusion as its principal goal.
Take the Canadian regulations on declarations of Trans fat. It is now law in Canada that food packagers list the Trans fats contained in a product under the Fats heading in the nutritional value table on their labels.
Good idea, you say? Well it would be if the definition of zero were obvious (last I checked, zero meant nothing or zilch). But it turns out that labels can claim zero Trans fat if:
- the product contains less than 1/2 gram of Trans fat per serving, or…
- the sum of Trans fats and all other saturated fats combined is 2 grams or less.
Wait a minute! What’s that second option all about? It means that if there are no saturated fats in the product, then the product can have up to 2 grams of Trans fat and still qualify as a “zero trans fat” food.
Now lets look at the real world and how this works out. A “serving size” of butter or margarine is generally one tablespoon, which is 14 grams. If margarine makers substitute all of their saturated fats for Trans fat, then they can have up to 2 grams of Trans fat per serving, or 2g in every 14g of margarine. That makes the product as much as 14% Trans fat…a far cry from zero in anyone’s book.
A serving of Ritz crackers is five crackers. That’s 16 grams, or a potential of 12.5% Trans fat in their “zero trans fat” product.
It’s clear that when laws are drawn up to protect consumers, the lawmakers are adept at turning any good idea into a benefit for the large food and drug manufacturers. The bottom line? Don’t trust the labels. If you see a product with partially hydrogenated oils, do your arteries a favor…steer clear.
December 8th, 2006
Losing weight does not have to be a struggle. Nature provides all kinds of herbs and foods that help you feel full, increase energy and metabolism, and process fats and sugars more efficiently. Here is a list of some of the best herbal supplements that you can add to a weight control program. Mix and match for best results, depending on your needs.
- Fucus Extract is a type of seaweed that is especially good for weight loss. First, its high fiber and bulk help with a feeling of fullness and decreased appetite, while it’s iodine content stimulates the Thyroid and, consequently, increases metabolism.
- Artichoke Extract helps reduce cholesterol while supporting the blood and liver by reducing blood fat. It aids the digestive system by increasing bile production and is high bulking to help reduce appetite.
- Garlic extract is known to purify the blood and liver while regulating cholesterol (increasing the good and decreasing the bad). It also thins the blood, which helps to increase metabolism and extend the life of other supplements.
- Omega-3 supplements with flaxseed oil help control cholesterol and remove bad cholesterol from the body.
- Mushroom cordyceps help increase energy, while decreasing blood pressure, cholesterol and plaque. They have many other healthy attributes not related to weight control.
- B-Complex vitamins, especially B2, which helps metabolize fat and carbohydrates and B3, which lowers cholesterol.
- Spirulina is a superfood that gives your body so much nourishment that it craves less food. It is rich in digestible protein, vitamins and minerals, including trace minerals. This is a food that actually helps you lose weight.
- Dandelion extract is another weight reducing food that you can eat as much as you like. Its nutritional value (high in calcium, potassium, iron, beta-carotene, and vitamins C and E) helps feed your body to reduce hunger sensations while enhancing your immune system. It also helps in digestion and reduces blood pressure.
- Probiotics replace the healthy flora in your digestive system, so that foods are digested more completely, and waste is eliminated more quickly and efficiently.
- Olive leaf extract helps metabolize fat, extends the life of vitamins C and E, lowers blood sugar, regulates blood pressure, and increases circulation.
- Green tea extract is known to increase metabolism and help burn energy. It also lowers cholesterol levels and aids in digestion. Many report that it reduces hunger.
- Guar gum is a natural appetite suppressant due to its high bulking properties when mixed with water. It also helps with elimination.
- Unha de gato from the Amazon region is a circulation and metabolism enhancer used for years in South America for dieters. It also provides energy and suppresses the appetite.
- Guarana, which is also from the Amazon, specifically Brazil, is a natural stimulant that includes caffeine and other substances to suppress the appetite and increase energy and metabolism. This one is effective if used in small amounts along with other supplements.
There you have it, a sampling of natures arsenal for helping control and maintain healthy weight by decreasing appetite, increasing energy and metabolism, improving blood and liver health, reducing fats, sugars and cholesterol from the blood and body, improving digestion and helping with elimination. By adding one or more of these to your healthy diet and exercise program, you are practically guaranteed to feel better, lose weight and keep it under control.
Dandelion photo by BenHur: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:BenHur
December 3rd, 2006
Coca-Cola introduces a natural “high” while Pepsi hopes to get your “calm” dollars
Following a trend in consumer health consciousness, extracts from natural ingredients are finding their way into mainstream beverage products by the Coca-Cola Company and PepsiCo. Both companies, however, are refraining from calling their products “natural” or from even using the names of the plant sources of their “healthy” ingredients. Are they responding to customer cries for healthier products, or are they just after those dollars lost to the energy drink makers?
What’s your best guess?
The Coca-Cola Company will introduce a product made with green tea extract, called Enviga, that they claim helps burn calories. What it most certainly does is boost your energy, metabolism and heart rate. By combining green tea extract with caffeine and sugar, company scientists claim that the drink helps increase metabolism and burn energy faster–most likely, the energy that comes directly from the sugar content of the beverage. Will it make you thin? Unlikely. Is it better for you than Coke? Probably.
Rather than add yet another energy drink to the market, PepsiCo hopes to cash in on the “calm” market, offering their new beverage to stress-concerned adults. The beverage, called NutriSoda, contains an ingredient derived from Ashwaganda, an Ayurvedic herb used for centuries in India for calming the nervous system, increasing male libido (are they cashing in on the Viagra market too?), and reducing cholesterol. The processed Ashwaganda is being called Essentra, and may find its way into other foods and beverages before too long.
Is this a sign of a more healthy future, where big processed food manufacturers are crafting products according to public demands? Or are these just gimmicks for cashing in on big money markets with pseudo health products?
As natural health finds its way into the mainstream, these are the questions we will undoubtedly continue to ask ourselves. Here’s another: How much should good health cost?
November 22nd, 2006
Remember Willard Water? Back in 1980, Dr. Willard appeared on 60 Minutes, demonstrating his special Catalyst Activated Water (CAW), which, he said, was water that had been altered on a molecular level (through a natural process) to be more absorbent…in lay terms…wetter water.
His water was said to be more effective in quenching thirst, fighting dehydration, treating burns, and is just better water in most applications. But as much as Willard may want to get a lock on the activated water market, the fact is, nature has been altering the molecular structure of water since the beginning of our planet. And the secret of manually “activating” water by adding a natural catalyst has been around for thousands of years. The main substance used in enhanced water is activated carbon.
Yes carbon. Like the carbon from burnt wood. In fact, wood carbon is one of the many carbons commonly used to activate water for purification and enhancement. Another common carbon source is lignite, which is a carbon that comes from fossilized plant and animal matter. This is said to be one of the worst carbon sources due to its high ash content and relatively low “surface area” of the molecules. The best carbon sources for water activation come from coal and coconut shells.
The idea is that the carbon adds particles to the water that increase the surface area of the molecules, thereby adding more absorptive powers. This means that the water can bring into the body more minerals and other elements, giving you a cleaner water and a more potent source of nutrients.
Carbon Activated Water (CAW) is used by most large livestock producers for healthier animals and it has been found to stimulate the growth of plants. Seems our feed animals get better treatment than we do. So far, only a handful of municipalities in the United States have started using CAW for water treatment. But you can find carbon sources for your own water enhancement. Just look around on the Internet…and be prepared to buy enough for a large herd.
Water photo by http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benutzer:W.J.Pilsak
October 30th, 2006
The number of Americans suffering from thyroid imbalance is reaching epidemic proportions. An estimated 15 million individuals are living with this imbalance, but the number is probably much higher. The most common imbalance is Hypothyroidism, which is an under-active thyroid. Symptoms include low energy, sensitivity to cold, slow digestion and elimination, weight gain, slow heartbeat, and even depression.
Sound like you?
Maybe you should pamper your thyroid a bit. The first step is to stop drinking caffeinated beverages. The caffeine causes your adrenal gland to secrete adrenaline, which increases blood sugar levels and therefore energy. But this has negative effects on the thyroid. With the increased energy, the thyroid re-regulates the metabolism and, if repeated every day (from your daily pot of coffee?) then the thyroid goes into hibernation. Take Panax ginseng to help counter this. Ginseng is reported to mitigate the effects of caffeine and stress on the system, including the adrenal gland and thyroid.
Another way to support the thyroid is with sea kelp. Kelp is rich in natural iodine, which supports your thyroid. Another excellent source of natural iodine is in walnuts.
The thyroid is the regulator of metabolism, which is like the gas pedal of the car. No matter what kind of fuel you put into the car, it won’t go well if the throttle is broken. Use kelp, ginseng, and walnuts to help it out…and go easy on the caffeine.
walnut photo by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Fir0002
Kelp phot by http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Lyzzy
October 13th, 2006
Colds are caused primarily by inhaled germs and bacteria. These airborne molecules first come into contact with the tissues in your throat, which is why most colds begin with minor itching or soreness in the throat. From there, the bacteria grows and descends to your chest and lungs…or rises up to the mucus membranes in your nasal cavities. By then the game is over. You lose.
If you eradicate the bacteria when it first attempts to take hold in your throat, you can avoid colds before they start. Here is a recipe for an antiseptic, antibacterial throat spray. Keep it handy at all times and spray the back of your throat the minute you begin to feel itching or irritation. Continue applications every few hours until the sensation disappears. You may also want to spray before you go to sleep.
Natural Antiseptic Throat Spray
1 fluid ounce St. John’s Wort
½ fluid ounce liquid Echinacea extract
20 drops Grapefruit Seed Extract
5 drops tea tree oil
Combine all these ingredients into a 2-ounce tincture bottle with a pump spray top. Shake well before using. If you can’t find a pump spray top, then use an eye dropper to apply four or five drops onto the back of your throat and use your tongue to spread the solution around.
October 7th, 2006
Researchers have found that papaya pulp not only tastes good, but has curative powers for minor wounds like blisters, burns and bee stings. The powerful papain enzymes in the fruit have antisceptic properties while helping break down poisons in bee stings and bug bites. For burns, the pulp also cleans the burned area and hydrates the wounded skin tissue, which speeds healing and minimizes blistering and scarring. Doctors in Africa and Indonesia have been using papaya with success in cleaning and dressing open wounds.
Putting the fruit into your mouth isn’t so bad either. Papaya is rich in beta carotine, a powerful antioxidant, vitamins, and enzymes to help with digestion.
October 3rd, 2006
- Everyone has gallstones! They are essentially hardened bile caused by too much cholesterol in the diet. They obstruct the normal production of bile in the liver and gallbladder, which results in impaired digestion, reduced ability to process fats and proteins, poor elimination, and poor blood health. They generally go unnoticed until they present a major problem. But the “minor” problems they cause include low energy, allergies, low immunity, weight gain, IBS, and other bowel problems.
- One of the best detoxifying foods is raw garlic, which is high in methionine (helpful for cleansing) and selenium (an excellent antioxidant).
- Combine a salad of alfalfa (loaded with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes and helps remove toxins from the liver), milk thistle leaves (you can eat the fresh leaves, an excellent liver tonic and antioxidant), spinach (a source of lipoic acid, known for its chelation properties), broccoli, and tomatoes. Use olive oil, minced garlic, apple cider vinegar, salt and pepper as a dressing. Your liver will love you for it.
- Lipoic acid is one of natures great antioxidants. But what’s more, studies show that it helps chelate (bind to and remove) certain heavy metals from the liver, including copper and iron and improves the body’s metabolism of glucose to the cells by activating insulin receptors, good news for Diabetes Mellitus Type 2 patients.
- EDTA is recognized by many medical professionals as the best chelation around. It is available as a dietary supplement and is found to remove heavy metals from the body with no side effects and without the high cost of normal chelation. Many doctors are reluctant to accept it because it poses a challenge to conventional wisdom on chelation.
September 23rd, 2006
Research indicates that masturbation may be the single best preventative medicine for prostate disorders, such as infection and prostatitis, which can lead to prostate cancer. Not only will masturbation NOT make you go blind, it serves as the best and cleanest way to cleanse the prostate of toxins. Frequent ejaculation is known to enhance prostate health, since the prostate empties itself of fluids (including toxins) upon ejaculation. But ejaculation through sexual intercourse exposes the prostate to bacteria. Studies show that in terms of bacteria, the mouth is the “dirtiest” of the three main cavities. The anus is the second cleanest and the vagina is the cleanest. But all of these contain bacteria that can enter the urethra and infect the prostate. Only masturbation provides bacteria free cleansing of the prostate—and an excellent “do it yourself” preventative treatment.
September 22nd, 2006
With all the noise about the immune system and its importance to our health and longevity, it can be difficult to boil things down to the best practices, therapies and supplements for giving our immunity a bump and keeping it healthy. So I’ve compiled this little list of best practices to make it easier. Remember that these are just a few of the most noteworthy practices and supplements I’ve come across in my studies and that these should probably be done in concert to assist the immune system on various levels.
Immune system support has a few main components: Insuring proper nutrition, assisting the thymus, restoring proper homone levels, stimulating blood health (especially the production of T-cell and B-cells), and combating damage to cells from excess oxidation. So here are some great ways to do those things:
- Increase the antioxidants in your diet by taking vitamins C and E and by eating plenty of deeply colored berries, fruits and vegetables.
- Supplement your diet with one or more superfoods, such as pure, unsweetened cocao; spirulina with chlorella; and bee pollen with royal jelly.
- Take DHEA supplements to restore hormone depletion from excess cortisol (caused by stress, and stimulants like caffeine).
- Take one or more of these herbal remedies: Echinacea/goldenseal; olive leaf extract; Panax ginseng; astragalus; mistletoe extract.
Well, that really boils it down to the essentials, doesn’t it? That’s what I’m here for.
Next topic.
September 19th, 2006
Margarine producers would love for you to think that the butter vs. margarine debate is still alive and well. But the debate was over some time ago. The discovery of trans fatty acids in margarine (which coat your arteries with fat deposits) delivered the final blow. Even if you once thought it was worth eating a semi-plastic hydrogenated oil (and all the poinsonous yellow dye added to it to mask its normally dark color) in order to save a whopping 3 grams of fat per tablespoon over butter, it should now be clear that since 2 of those 5 grams of fat in margarine are trans fats (responsible for all kinds of horrible stoppages in the body), you’re better off just getting the flavor and fat of butter.
But the margarine chemists have now come out with “zero-trans-fat margarine.” What up with that? Should we go back to eating soft plastic? Well, not if you consider how they achieve the zero mark for their labels. In short, they dilute the hydrogenated oil with water or liquid oil, thus reducing the amount of trans fats per tablespoon. If you were to dilute your butter with olive oil in the same way, you could reduce its percentage of saturated fat per tablespoon too. And keep the taste.
But here. Let’s just remove ourselves from this debate with the following all-natural, great tasting butter substitute. Ok, it doesn’t taste exactly like butter, but give it a chance. You might actually prefer it to butter after you get over your butter withdrawal.
Flaxseed Butter Substitute
1/2 cup flaxseed oil
1/8 cup brewer’s yeast flakes
1/4 cup lecithin granules
1/2 teaspoon honey
Mix the yeast in a spice grinder or coffee grinder until it turns to a powder, then stir it into the flaxseed oil and lecithin. Mix in honey. Use as a spread, just like butter. It works especially well on steemed veggies (cabbage, mmmm!). Store in the refrigerator.
NOTE: If you don’t like the taste of flaxseed oil, experiment with walnut and sesame oils — perhaps mixed with olive oil.
September 17th, 2006
Scientific studies into the causes of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) remain inconclusive as to a neurological origin for the disorder. Although allergic reactions to environmental and food toxins continue to warrant study in their connection with ADD and other behavioral and cognitive disorders in children (and adults for that matter), there is still some mystery as to why some children exhibit ADHD symptoms and others do not. We remain with no conclusive evidence that food allergies or heavy metal poisoning actually cause ADHD.
Many researchers conclude, therefore, that ADHD is not a neurological disorder, but a psychological one, stemming from dysfunction in a primary environment, such as school, home, or church. Hyperactivity can be diagnosed as a coping mechanism for certain children to deal with fear or anxiety caused by their environments. Sometimes the dysfunction is clear, such as in the case of violence or substance abuse. In other cases, children may be magnifying a specific fear or anxiety that parents may not be fully aware of.
In any case, one of the brain’s mechanisms for coping with stress is to slow down, thus “shutting out” the stressful input. The brain enters the low, theta wave ranges. These slow brainwave patterns mirror brainwave frequencies of ADHD children. Some experts see hyperactivity and ADHD in children as a cry for “peace” and recommend quality time, sanctuary and even therapy in the place of medications, like Ritalin.
September 13th, 2006
Did you know that drinking excess caffeine can cause your adrenal glands to over-produce and wear themselves out? Excessive caffeine intake causes the adrenal glands to react much like they do with chronic stress – by producing adrenalin. If you don’t give your adrenal glands a break, you’re likely to require more and more coffee to get the same energy effects. In other words, you are in a state of adrenal depletion.
Studies now show that intake of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) can help balance out the adrenal over production. DHEA assists in proper cardiovascular, immune system, and nervous system functioning and it counter-balances the hormone imbalance caused by excess cortisol in the system.
September 8th, 2006
