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Nutrition and Hormonal Balance

  Good Morning,  Nutrition and Hormonal Balance As an acupuncturist in the area of fertility, I realize tha...

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Monday, June 3, 2013

Teeth Brushing Risks Most People Don't Know About

Brushing your teeth is important, but most people don't realize is there

is something just as critical when it comes to having clean, healthy teeth.

Find out the "other key" most people completely dismiss -

and the healthy alternative everyone should know about...

Doesn't it make sense to take control of keeping your teeth clean and breath fresh with the same focus you put on other aspects of your body?.

It doesn’t take much thought to realize how everything you consume, healthy or otherwise, must pass through your mouth to get absorbed by your body.

So, it should not be a total surprise that using a toothbrush twice a day is important to reduce tooth decay…

The bottom line… using a toothbrush regularly is one way to help reduce plaque and tooth decay.

And I’ll help you discover what I believe is the total dental solution.

Let’s take a closer look at some crucial wakeup messages your teeth could be ‘telling’ you…

Toothbrush and Dental Floss:
Signals Your Teeth Could Be Warning You About

Your teeth have plenty to ‘say’. The problem is many folks just don’t ‘listen’.

In My Opinion, It All Starts with What You Eat

Your diet can make or break the cleanliness of your teeth and mouth…

If you’ve been a visitor to my site or a subscriber to my Newsletter, you know how I constantly stress the importance of eating a wholesome diet of unprocessed, low-sugar, and primarily organic foods.

Well, when you think about it… all food comes into contact with your teeth before it moves on to be absorbed into your system. So, eating a healthy diet is key to a clean mouth… it all starts there.

And when it comes to oral care, there’s a virtual war going on.

A clean mouth and teeth start with your diet.

In fact, there’s plenty of evidence showing fluoride to be highly toxic. Ever wonder why fluoride-containing products carry warning labels like…“Do not swallow”?

Despite what you’ve been led to believe by conventional health and dental agencies, fluoride is NOT an essential nutrient and in my opinion, it does NOT prevent tooth decay.

Here is a recent finding showing more evidence exposing the fluoride myth…
From Langmuir (Dec 2010) – A study conducted at Saarland University (Saarbrucken, Germany) examined the effects of fluoride on a synthetic counterpart of tooth enamel and challenged the effectiveness of fluoridation on your tooth enamel when potential protective fluoride layers created on your teeth are so thin and narrow.

Plus, there are plenty of studies showing the dangers of ingesting fluoride, both from dental products and fluoridated water, including potential…
Increased lead absorption
Hyperactivity and/or lethargy
Brain damage and lower IQ
Dementia
Lowered thyroid function
Genetic damage and cell death
Immune system disruption
Bone fractures and arthritis
Bone cancer (osteosarcoma)
Increased tumor and cancer rates
Fertility abnormalities

With all this said, I realize it’s not easy to find fluoride-free toothpaste and mouthwash. But that’s what I’m here for… I’m ready to help you find the best solution possible to help clean your teeth and freshen your breath.

But before we jump into the solution I recommend, let’s take a closer look at one of the most important functions in oral hygiene… brushing your teeth.

My Checklist for the Ultimate Oral Care Dental Kit
With all the misconceptions out there about what makes up a good dental kit to help keep your mouth and your teeth clean, I had my team put together a checklist to help you weed through all the misinformation and find what I believe works best.



Here’s what I believe are the key elements of a good oral care kit…

Fluoride-free Toothpaste – Fluoride-free toothpaste is hard to come by.
Fluoride and Alcohol-free Mouthwash – In my opinion, one of the biggest risks with most conventional mouthwashes is the fact that they are loaded up with alcohol. You already know some of the inherent risks with fluoride… alcohol is another culprit lurking in many mouthwashes that I believe you need to avoid.
Natural Breath Spray – Though not a total necessity for oral care, having the convenience of a natural breath spray (free from alcohol) while on the go is a major plus to keeping your breath fresh and your mouth feeling clean.
Fluoride-free Dental Floss – Many floss packages come with a fluoride coating. In my opinion, you should avoid this like the plague and instead look for floss with natural essential oils for optimal cleaning between your teeth. I also recommend floss waxed with 100% vegetable waxes (as opposed to beeswax) to help it glide more easily between your teeth.
BPA-free Toothbrush – It’s vitally important to find a toothbrush with soft nylon bristles and is BPA-free. Why BPA-free? BPA is a plasticizer and while the FDA has not recognized a health risk, issues have been raised as to potential ill-effects to your health if absorbed into your body.

So, this is my basic checklist for a dental care kit… not an easy task to find many of these components. But that’s exactly what I’ll help you do. My team has come up with a phenomenal dental kit that meets or exceeds my challenging checklist.

Let’s take a deeper dive into the extraordinary Mercola Natural Dental Kit and discover why it’s something I strongly recommend to give your mouth a boost.

But please remember, without a wholesome diet of unprocessed, low-sugar, organic foods, I believe that your mouth and teeth won’t be as clean as they can be.

12 Superstar Ingredients for a Natural and Effective Toothpaste

One thing I’ve quickly learned when searching for high-quality solutions, is there may not always be something available that meets my demanding criteria.

And such was the case with toothpaste. I was determined to go beyond even my own checklist on this one, to bring you the best of the best natural toothpastes. So, what did I do?

My first step was to find a manufacturer willing to work with my staff and I in creating a unique toothpaste formula… an all-natural formula I could feel good about recommending to you.

The end result was I found a manufacturer willing to work with us to create this amazing toothpaste. Here are the natural teeth-cleansing ingredients of the Mercola Natural Toothpaste you can only find on my site…
Calcium carbonate – Mild abrasive for cleaning your teeth.
Xylitol – Enhances flavor. More details on this amazing ingredient coming up.
Organic Aloe Vera Juice – Helps to cleanse the teeth and gums while soothing your entire mouth.
Sodium Bicarbonate (baking soda) – Promotes whitening and helps freshen your breath.
Essential Oil Blend – Made from natural peppermint, eucalyptus, cardamom, and anise for breath freshening.
Natural Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (SLL) – Multi-purpose ingredient produced from coconut oil and food-grade all-natural lactic acid. It creates foaming action. This is not the same as risky SLS (more on this coming up).
Organic Tapioca Starch – Used traditionally in the West Indies as a basis for oral vitality.
Carageenan – Natural red seaweed extract used to help thicken the toothpaste.
Stevia Leaf Extract – A sugar free sweetener that actually helps clean teeth.
Licorice Root Extract – Helps to freshen your breath.
Tea Tree Oil –Promotes clean teeth.
Tulsi Oil – Holy Basil prevents occasional bad breath and cleans your teeth.

So, not only is Mercola Natural Toothpaste fluoride-free, it’s also loaded with natural ingredients to promote brilliant white teeth and fresh breath.

Prior to going into the other components of the Mercola Natural Dental Kit, some of the toothpaste ingredients (listed above) merit a little more detail.

First of all here’s…
Why Tulsi is a Key Ingredient in Natural Toothpaste
If you’re a regular visitor to my site, you’re aware of the powerful benefits associated with Tulsi.

So, why did I include Tulsi in the Mercola Natural Toothpaste formula?

Because Tulsi oil potentially helps prevent occasional bad breath… just another plus when it comes to this amazing toothpaste.
Why I Chose Xylitol
One critical ingredient found in both the Mercola Natural Toothpaste and the Mercola Natural Mouthwash formulas is xylitol.


Xylitol adds to the flavor of the toothpaste and mouthwash.

Xylitol is not toxic… unlike fluoride.

Plus, because xylitol is a low glycemic sweetener, it is slowly absorbed and is metabolized independently of insulin. Therefore, xylitol may be suitable for diabetics as well as the general population. If you’re diabetic, always check with your health care professional prior to using any sweetener.

Including xylitol in both my natural toothpaste and mouthwash was a decision that should help enhance the cleanliness of most everyone’s teeth and mouth. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Dispelling SLL Misconceptions
Another ingredient that may raise some eyebrows because of its assumed closeness to a harsh chemical and irritant called sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), is sodium lauroyl lactylate (SLL).

Many people might confuse the two surfactants as being one and the same. However, nothing could be further from the truth.

Here’s a handy chart that should clear up some of this misconceptions, and further shows why SLL is a highly beneficial natural ingredient in Mercola Natural Toothpaste…

The lemon detox diet - a recipe that really works

Ever since Beyonce Knowles was associated with the Lemon Detox diet, there has been a surge of interest in this particular program. Also known as the Master Cleanse, this detox diet has been around for almost 50 years and has seen variations on its recipe and program. It's effectivity in breaking down built up toxins in the body while contributing to short term weight loss has made it a popular option for a spring detox.

Reviewing the Master Cleanse
The Lemonade Detox diet first became effective, strangely, when its creator, Stanley Burroughs, recommended it for the healing of stomach ulcers. In his book "The Master Cleanser", he goes on to share how he first came to test the Master Cleanse diet on a patient who was suffering from ulcer for three years. Left with no other recourse, the patient approached Stanley who recommended that he undertake the cleanse. After eleven days, the patient was totally healed to the amazement of the doctors. Many other cases followed with same consistent and astounding results corrected within ten days. Of particular note also was that those undergoing the Master Cleanse also experienced a reduction in weight.

If there have been doubts as to the veracity of Stanley Burrough's claim of the Lemon Detox diet's effectivity, there have been testimonies over the years of its efficacy. Of recent vintage is Tom Woloshyn's work, "The Master Cleanse Experience", published by Ulysses Press in 2009. This book briefly mentions Woloshyn's experience in advising clients who has undergone the Master Cleanse program and provides among other insights health benefits which include better sleep, positive outlook, clarity of mind and freedom from addictions. He, thus, advocates keeping a journal to monitor developments as well as a reference for future use when undergoing the program for the second or many more times over.

The Master Cleanse operates on the principle that, for disease to be addressed, cleansing must be undertaken. Simplifying and correcting disorders through this process is actually a way of correcting every disease. Developments in nutrition and science have clearly identified improper diet, negative mental attitudes and inadequate exercise as the factors that create the conditions to produce toxin build up over time. That is why the Master Cleanse is not an end to itself. It is actually just the tip of a long chain of healthy decisions of those who wish to undertake it. Observing a healthy diet, regular exercise as well as stress reduction is essential in maintaining the gains that the Master Cleanse Detox diet can offer.

Surrendering to the process
Undergoing a detox diet is just like preparing for a marathon. It is necessary to keep sight of your goals or you stand to be cast in the wayside, a victim of your doubts. Tom Woloshyn offers this delightful insight when encouraging first timers who wish to undertake the Master Cleanse, fully knowing its side effects firsthand. Defining the outcome after having identified where you are, and what you want to achieve is the next step to achieving the goal you have set for yourself.

According to Woloshyn, some people prepare themselves before undergoing the detox by going on a vegetarian diet. It's less stressful on the body and makes the transition to the Master Cleanse easier. For those who regularly take coffee or soda drinks, a gradual reduction in intake are recommended as well as taking pantothenic acid (vitamin B-5) to help prevent the onset of headaches brought about by caffeine withdrawal.

People who have undergone organ transplants as well as those on immune suppressant drugs cannot take the fast. Woloshyn warns that the cleanse stimulates the immune system while effectively inhibiting the results of the drugs, this combination will most likely lead to the organ transplant being rejected by the body.

How to do the Master Cleanse
The Lemon Detox diet is a cleansing program and encourages only the intake of lemonade made from the following ingredients: lemons, pure maple syrup, cayenne pepper and water for a minimum of ten days only.

To create the mixture, mix the ingredients in the amount instructed by Burroughs and drink a minimum of at least six to twelve glasses of the concoction daily through out the day. Drink the lemonade whenever hunger pangs strike.

A laxative must be taken in the morning and then in the evening. Using a salt water flush instead of a morning laxative can also be availed of instead. However, be sure to observe at least three bowel movements in a day. This will ensure that the waste accumulated in the intestinal walls is totally removed.

Always enjoy the Master Cleanse lemonade drink fresh and do not subject it to microwave as doing so will minimize its effectiveness. For each successful day, the psychological need to eat is slowly overcome full, providing confidence and a sense of control that motivates the person undergoing the diet.

Breaking the Master Cleanse is just as critical as starting it. On day one coming off the fast, immediately after the end of the master cleanse, slowly introduce orange juice into the diet. Day two will see the introduction of vegetable soups and broths. Day three observe a diet of fruits and vegetables. Be careful not to overeat or eat too soon and drink plenty of water. Slowly ease your self to a normal diet and avoid meat, fish, milk and eggs.

After undergoing the Master Cleanse, it is advisable to eat wisely. The gains derived from the Master Cleanse diet will surely be a powerful foundation to change old habits and start a life free from disease.

The lemonade recipe
The original recipe by Stanley Burroughs produced fantastic results for almost 50 years. However, some have been promoting alterations of the original recipe. The problem with this arrangement is that they are done without understanding why the original ingredients work. Since the Master Cleanse is essentially a juice fast, adding shakes, cayenne pepper capsules or protein powder in an attempt to improve its efficacy is self defeating because it reduces the efficacy of the diet.

The purpose of the program is to give the digestive tract a ten day vacation, so adding things to be digested does not contribute to the objective of the diet. Stanley Burroughs in fact discourages the intake of supplements and vitamins during the program because it interferes with the body's elimination system. Furthermore, the natural sources of vitamins and minerals already found in lemon and the maple syrup already provide for the body's needs during the detox program.

Other alterations include mistakes in the ratio of water through modification of the original recipe and dilution. This modification defeats the purpose of the minimum 6 drinks a day because it is more than the amount of water required. It is best to remember that variations on the process and especially in the recipe will not produce the results that originally worked for the many that faithfully followed the original Master Cleanse program and lemonade recipe.

This is the classic single serve recipe provided in Stanley Burrough's book:

2 (tbs). of lemon or lime

2 (tbs). of genuine maple syrup

1/10 tsp cayenne pepper

10 oz. water (hot or cold as preferred)

For those who cannot enjoy their lemonade, Tom offers this alternative:

1. Mix equal parts of lemon juice and maple syrup as a concentrate in a dark container. Keep this mixture cool.

2. Make enough concentrate for as long as you are incapable of making the fresh lemonade juice.

3. Every time you want a glass of lemonade, measure 4 tbs. of this mixture in a glass.

4. Add water and cayenne pepper, stir and drink. The maple syrup preserves the lemon juice and prevents oxidation of the vitamin C and enzymes.

Tom Woloshyn fondly recalled Stanley Burrough's remarks. He was said to have repeated many times over a phrase most technical people use when instructing frustrated customers, "When all else fails, follow the instructions." In order to ensure success and experience the benefits of the Master Cleanse Detox diet, it is essential to understand how to do the program properly. Faithfully following what has been prescribed is the first step in this direction.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035854_lemons_detox_recipe.html#ixzz2V7pdh7Uz

09 Ayurvedic herbs that significantly slow down aging

Herbal anti-aging treatment is now being accepted by scientific communities with Ayurvedic treatment being the most well-known. Ayurvedic treatments concentrate on three areas of a person - Vata, Kapha and Pitta. According to Ayurvedic treatment experts, maintaining a perfect balance among these three aspects is the secret to staying young-looking and healthy.

One very effective ayurvedic treatment
One very effective Ayurvedic treatment is called Rasayana. Its two major faculties are what experts call Kutipravesika and Vatatapika. These may be very strange sounding names, but they can be understood easily with a simple explanation. For instance, Kutipravesika's unique methodology is its requirement that the person being treated should stay in a small shelter that has only one door. There are holes around the shelter for air to pass through, but these holes are all very tiny.

The goal and the herbs
The goal of Ayurvedic treatments is not only to bring about the slowing down of the aging process but also to make the body work at its best and bring vitality and peace to individuals. The 12 types of herbs used in the treatment are the following:

Amla or emblica officianalis

This herb is specifically given special attention in the literature Charaka Samhita. This herb is full of natural vitamin C and therefore has the capacity to rejuvenate bodily systems.

The ginger family

The herbs of the ginger family are rich in anti-oxidative ingredients, ingredients that increase blood flow to the peripheries and ingredients that reduce inflammation at the cellular level.

Turmeric rhizomes

These substances in the form of curcumin, curcuminoids and tetrahydrocurcuminoids possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Galanga (also called chinese ginger)

Galanga contains gingerols, diarylheptanoids and essential oils. Diarylheptanoids are anti-arthritic. Pure Galanga extracts have the ability to fight oxidants, absorb UV radiation and inhibit tyrosinase.

Frankincense, boswellia

This herb also fights arthritis. Pure compounds from this herb are very much used in many anti-aging formulations.

The clove family

These herbs are used to relieve pain such as toothache and muscle pains. It is because they contain anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.

Vitis
The anti-aging abilities of Vitis are attributed to the grape family members' antioxidant properties. Procyanidins are concentrated in the seeds while resveratrol is concentrated in grapes' skin.

Rosemary

The rosmarinic acid, carnosic acid, amyrenones, rocciferone, seco-hinokiol, oleanoic acid, carnosol and diterpenes ursolic acid contained in the rosemary herb exhibit strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and tyrosinase-controlling properties.

Licorice

This herb contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It has also been found to protect the skin from the harmful UV rays. Licorice's active ingredients include liquiritins, glabridins, glabrol, glycyrrhetinic acid, and glycyrrhizin.

Neem

This herb is already recognized for its ability to control bacteria and insects. Found to have hypoglycemic, anti-malarial and wound-healing properties, neem is also known to have powerful free radical inhibiting and antioxidant properties.

Andrographis

Research suggests that the herb andrographis has a strong potential to control skin aging. This substance is taken from the Andrographis herb.

Pomegranate

This herb has punicalagins, punicalins, gallagic acid and ellagic acid. Although some of these substances are not yet used commercially, all of them have been found to be effective in neutralizing oxidants and free radicals.