Urban Zen: Meditation In Bigger Cities

 

Urban Zen: Meditation In Bigger Cities

Meditation in the big city can sometimes be a daunting task! More and more
cities are creating more spaces for relaxing, keeping your cool and de-stressing
in a city setting. The practice of urban zen helps us temporarily let the
physical world go so that we can begin to see ourselves as we truly are -
spiritually enlightened beings.

Big cities are creating more outdoor and public spaces for relaxing, recreation and refreshing your spirit with nature! Find a bench, grassy knoll or special place in your city where you can reconnect with sky, nature or sea (if possible).

Meditation is a time-honored technique that can take you into infinite
dimensions of consciousness. It is a simple effort that becomes effortless as we
do it more and more. One major principle to meditation is the ability to
completely quiet your mind. Quieting the mind comes as a result of meditating
over a long period of time, but any time you are looking within, you are
meditating. Meditation helps us live a healthier, less stressful life. The
physical and psychological benefits are wonderful and many people meditate only
for those reasons.

There are many meditation methods. Some are passive -- such as observing the
breath. Others are active -- in the sense that you actually do something like
repeating a word or mantra. The meditations that you will find here will help
you develop on many levels. No matter what style or form you follow, meditation
should always be gentle. Do not force anything. Allow your efforts to flow
naturally and effortlessly.

These meditation can be done anywhere and do not require anything but yourself!

Letting Go. Fold your hands gently in your lap and close your eyes. Take a few
deep breaths. Then just sit. If you have never meditated before, you will
probably feel as if your mind is full of thoughts. Don't try to stop the
thoughts, just watch them. Imagine that you are on the bank of a river and that
your thoughts are the river going by. Don't try to stop the river, just watch
it. Within a week, you will see the river begin to slow down. You may become
impatient, or even bored. That's okay. If you find yourself complaining, just
watch the thoughts pass by. Do this for 5 to 10 minutes. You may find that you
fall asleep because you are so relaxed. That's good because, in many ways, you
have begun to let go. Continue at this pace and each day allow just a little
more time for yourself to meditate. Doing this allows you to relax and forget
about time.

Progressive Relaxation is just that. A slow transition from a tense, immobile
state to a calmer more supple mind and body. This is a way of releasing tension
in the muscles. There are many variations of Progressive Relaxation. Here is one
of them:

Begin by laying on your back in a comfortable position.

Take a series of deep slow breaths and then focus your awareness on different
parts of the body in turn, becoming aware of any muscular tension and releasing
it.

One way to do this is to first tense a muscle deliberately and then relax it.

You can start with the top of the body, tensing and relaxing the muscles of the
upper face, then moving on to the jaw, neck, chest, front of the arms, abdomen,
thighs, lower legs, feet, and toes.

Then do the same down the back of the body. Finally, lie still with the eyes
closed, concentrating on your breath. Allow the whole body to relax into the
ground. Feel the floor underneath you, supporting you. Feel the earth supporting
the floor. Feel yourself now deeply rooted and grounded into the earth beneath
you.

Enjoying this deep feeling of peace and freedom from muscular tension.

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Remedies for Heat Exhaustion

 

Remedies for Heat Exhaustion

The summer heat can sneak up on you and not only zap your energy, while you are outdoors, but it can cause dehydration, sunburn and actual exhaustion! Children under four, people over 65, and those who are obese, already ill, or taking medications can especially be affected very easily. prolonged exposure to heat and insufficient body fluid can result in heat exhaustion. Its symptoms can include heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness headache and nausea or vomiting. Here are the best remedies for heat exhaustion:

1. Carry water with you and sip it throughout the day. Dehydration can set in and we don't even realize it until we begin to feel thirsty!

2. Pace yourself when working outdoors, exercising or just having fun. Those who participate in regular exercise over time, allowing their bodies to adjust to hot conditions, may better tolerate exercise on hot days.

3. Replace salts and minerals with electolytes such as Gatoraide or other power drinks that have potassium. Avoid drinks with large amounts of sugar. Dehydration can stress the heart and impair the kidneys' ability to maintain the correct level of fluids and balance of electrolyte. Electrolytes are charged elements�like potassium, sodium, phosporous and chloride�essential for the normal function of every cell in the body.

4. Wear lightweight clothing the lighter the colored clothing (white,being ideal) the more sunlight is reflected away from you. Darker colors absorb the light and heat.

5. Seek air conditioning, cool breezes under the shade and/or take cool showers in order to bring down your body temperature.

6. Sunburn can happen very easily if you are not careful. Dilute one part Tea Tree Oil with ten parts of olive oil or coconut oil and spread freely over the affected areas. This is soothing and pain-relieving and to reduce blistering and peeling. People have also applied tea tree oil full strength to sunburn.

7. Use common sense Schedule your outdoor activities to avoid the hottest parts of the day, and use a buddy system if necessary to keep watch on those at high risk.

8. If you feel dizzy and/or stop sweating, quit all activity and get out of the sun fast. Drink cool, not cold water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in it. The vinegar helps to replace electrolytes and minerals like sports drinks do.

9. In ancient Egypt, China and the Far East, watermelon juice and its seeds were traditionally offered to thirsty travelers, and they are still important today in times of drought or water pollution. This flavorful fruit is one of the best remedies for dehydration and summer heat symptoms, which include thirst without desire to drink, band-like headache, nausea, low appetite, heavy, weighted body sensation, low motivation, sluggish digestion, increased body temperature, sticky sweat, surging pulse, and red tongue with thick white or yellow coating. Watermelon cools and cleanses the system, clearing summerheat and acts as a natural diuretic.

10. Take a cool bath. Run a cool bath and relax in the water for 15-20 minutes. Try to submerge as much of your body as possible.

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Music Therapy: Summer Playlist

 

Music Therapy: Summer Playlist

Music has always played a major part in my life. Ever since those early days of piano lessons with Mrs. Uri or playing trumpet in classical and jazz bands. I always remember the holidays or special occasions when my mom, Andrena, would regale us with wonderful pieces of music such as Malaguena or her own special version of Silver Bells. I have had the pleasure of singing in small and large choral groups from All-state to my own singing quartet group, Free and Easy, as well as, being a charter member of the infamous gospel choir, The Voices of Unity. Music continues to give me life changing moments and memories and I am forever grateful for this art and therapy.

So on my walk back from the beach today, I thought it would be a wonderful gift to share the songs of summer that make up my consciousness. These melodies cross several eras, yet they ring true for me as the seasonal mind set and the amazing way summer can be expressed in song. I call this list:

Andrew's Summer Consciousness Play List

1. Summer Breeze, The Isley Brothers
2. On The Beach, Chris Rea
3. The Second Summer Of Love, Danny Wilson
4. Beach Baby, First Class
5. Someone Somewhere (In Summertime), Simple Minds
6. Staying Out For The Summer, Dodgy
7. Wake Up Boo!, The Boo Radleys
8. Walking On Sunshine, Katrina & The Waves
9. This Summer, Squeeze
10.Here Comes The Summer, The Undertones
11. Sunny Afternoon, The Kinks
12. In The Summertime, Mungo Jerry
13. Up, Up And Away, The Fifth Dimension
14. Green Grass (1990 Digital Remaster), Gary Lewis & The Playboys
15. Turn Down Day, The Cyrkle
16. 98.6, Keith
17. Daydream, The Lovin Spoonful
18. Stoned Soul Picnic, The Fifth Dimension
19. The 59th St. Bridge Song (Feelin' Groovy), The Hit Crew
20. Lazy Day, Spanky & Our Gang

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Nutrition for Breast Health

 

Nutrition for Breast Health

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women. It is the number one cause of cancer death in Hispanic women and the second most common cause of cancer death in white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, and American Indian/Alaska Native women.

One out of eight American women who live to be 85 years of age will develop breast cancer, a risk that was one out of 14 in 1960.

Food used as a preventative to dis-ease and as an essential part of medicine has been established for over 4000 years by physicians of natural medicine. Food is a major determinant of health that is directly under our control. We cannot always control pollution, hereditary factors, noise, environment, and the social and emotional behaviors of others, but we can certainly choose what and what not to eat.

Food is so important to human existence, and because it is utilized many times each day, it has a major affect on the body. However, most people do not realize the power of foods.

Water, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are the basic building blocks of a good diet. By choosing the healthiest forms of each of these nutrients, and eating them in the proper balance, you enable your body to function at its optimal level.

Eating The Proper Fats

Reducing fat in the diet is an important component of breast health. Foods with a high proportion of calories from fat should be eliminated or limited in the diet; these include red meat high in fat content, poultry with skin, dark poultry meat, fried foods, butter, margarine, cheese, milk (except skim milk), junk foods, and most processed foods. Vegetable oils should also be restricted.

Good fats can help reduce the risk of cancer. The good fats include Borage oil, evening primerose oil, (which both contain GLA - gamma linolenic acid) flax oil, (which is rich in ALA - alpha linolenic acid) shark oil and olive oil. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil, which have been associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer is ideal. A new study finds that derivatives from two omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) significantly inhibited cell adhesion (15 to 30%) and migration (about 50%) and induced apoptosis (about 40%) in breast cancer cells


Controlling Estrogen Levels

Environmental estrogens are found in pesticides, plastics, and PCB's (chemical pollutants in the water, air, and soil). These forms of estrogen are thought to have a major influence on the excessive amounts of estrogen that are being found in both men and women. Poor diet, with too much refined carbohydrate and saturated animal fat and too little fiber is also responsible.

Eat more high fiber foods (except wheat bran) to prevent excess re-uptake of estrogen by the bowel. Organic food reduces your exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Too much fat tissue increases your body's ability to convert male hormones into estrogen. Stress also plays a major role in your liver and digestive system removing excess estrogen.

Symptoms in women: puffiness and bloating, water retention, rapid weight gain, breast tenderness, heavy bleeding, mood swings (anxiety, depression, weepiness), sleep problems, migraines, flushed face, low libido, foggy thinking, and high levels of copper in the system. Later, endometriosis, fibroids, gall bladder problems, poor blood sugar control, and hypothyroid conditions may arise.

Symptoms in men: hair loss, headaches, bloating, weight gain, prostate enlargement, irritability, and breast enlargement.

Solutions: low fat high fiber diet, live yogurt (encourage excretion of estrogen), eating cabbage-family veggies (cabbage, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and califlowier) increases the rate at which the liver converts estrogen into a water-soluble form that can be excreted, increase protein intake to improve estrogen metabolism in the liver, vitamin B6 reduces the effects of excess estrogen, more exercise, less stress, and lose weight. These cruciferous vegetables contain anti-cancer and detoxing abilities as well as Indole-3-carbinol, which may have anti-carcinogenic effects.

Fight Free Radicals

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms. that have at least one unpaired electron, which makes them highly reactive. Free radicals promote beneficial oxidation that produces energy and kills bacterial invaders. However, in excess, they produce harmful oxidation or ?oxidative stress? that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. [2]. These free radicals cause inflammation.

In human beings, free radicals are the natural by-products of many processes within and among cells. Free radicals are created by exposure to various environmental factors, cigarette and tobacco smoke, air pollution, alcohol, drugs, radiation from televisions and computers, chemicals and a busy, stressful life.

These factors stimulate molecules in the body called transcription factors. The transcription factor is any protein required to initiate or regulate transcription; including both gene regulatory proteins as well as the general transcription factors. These chemical messengers signal DNA to start producing protein, which gives direction to the cells in our body. Transcription factors in the body are harmless, until they are activated by free radicals. Free radicals cause the transcription molecules to migrate to the center of the nucleus. Several transcription factors become pro-inflammatory due to free radicals and therefore accelerate the aging process.

NF-kB transcription factor complex is one of the cellular sensors, which responds to oxidative stress and regulates gene expression. NF-kB can increase the activity of genes responsible for inflammation. DNA binding activities of two other transcription factors, AP-1 and Sp-1 are seen as inflammatory agents when activated by free radicals. [3].

Other inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and fibrinogen show that these blood indicators of inflammation are strong predictive factors for determining who will suffer a heart attack. [4,5]. Seemingly unrelated diseases have a common link. People who have multiple degenerative disorders often exhibit excess levels of inflammatory markers in their blood. A growing consensus among scientists is that common disorders such as atherosclerosis, colon cancer, and Alzheimer's disease are all caused in part by a chronic inflammatory syndrome.

Antioxidants Are Necessary

More and more evidence is accumulating that indicates antioxidants improve long-term health by deferring or mitigating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Exercise-related research indicates that antioxidants such as vitamin E and selenium limit exercise-induced muscle damage; this, in turn, is believed to improve exercise recovery and possibly improve muscle growth potential. Of course, as vitamins C and E and selenium are among the most effective antioxidants, they and others are part of most multivitamin/mineral packs. However, here are some additional antioxidants you may want to consider taking, with the baseline supplementary daily intake.

Research suggests that combining antioxidants is more effective than consuming high doses of just one or two antioxidants. Fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in a wide variety of antioxidants; the essential antioxidants may be better preserved in these foods. Herbal supplements like milk thistle, rosemary, ginkgo biloba, bilberry, butcher's broom and horse chestnut have high levels of potent antioxidants, although their effects on exercise have not yet been studied in humans.

Black and Green Tea

For years, studies have indicated that the antioxidants in green tea offer protection against diseases, including cancer, and even fight dental cavities. One of the most beneficial of these antioxidants is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). According to the University of California Wellness Letter, Mar 2002, regular black tea is turning out to be just as healthful as green tea. The evidence for tea's health effects comes mainly from lab studies, though some human studies point to possible benefits in preventing heart disease and cancer. EGCG, inhibited an enzyme that cancer cells need in order to grow. The cancer cells that couldn't grow big enough to divide self-destructed. It would take about 4-10 cups of green tea a day to get the blood levels of EGCG that inhibited cancer in the study. Black tea also contains EGCG, but at lower concentrations.

Sugar and Inflammation

One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CRP) is a key factor of inflammation. In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight. [7, 8, 9, 10]

When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet.

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels. [11].

The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances. Being overwieght increases inflammation because adipose cells, particularly those around the midsection, make large amounts of IL-6 and CRP. As blood sugar levels increase, so do IL-6 and CRP. Both overweight and high blood sugar levels increase the risk of heart disease, very likely because of the undercurrent of inflammation. [10].

The best way to deal with cravings is to very carefully control blood sugar and insulin by staying away from the simple carbohydrates and eating more protein. In a few days, blood sugar will stabilize and cravings will go away. Good (complexed) carbohydrates, which are low on the glycemic index include: apples, apsaragus, beans, broccoli, blackberries, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupe, citrus fruits, green beans, honeydew melon, kiwi, leafy greens, peaches, pears, plums, raspberries, spinach, strawberries.

Bad (simple) carbohydrates, which are high on the glycemic index include: bananas, breads, carrots, cereals processed with added sugar, corn, French fries, French toast, fruit juices, mangos, pancakes, papaya, pasta, peas, popcorn, white potatoes, white rice, sugar, waffles.

Dietary fats also influence inflammation. Most omega-6 fats, found in margarine and corn and safflower oils, are the basic building blocks of arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2, two of several key inflammation-causing substances in the body. In contrast, omega-3 fats, found in fish, fish oils, and vegetables, have an inflammation-suppressing effect. [11]

Balance the Body's pH

It is important to keep the body as pH balanced as possible. Most people's diets tend to be more on the acidic side. Therefore, eating more alkaline forming foods (plant based) helps to maintain proper pH balance. Eat foods such as non citrus fruits and plenty of vegetables, some dairy such as cottage cheese and yogurt, organic skinless chicken, turkey or grass feed, lean beef and fish. Buy dried beans such as garbanzo beans and black beans, consider whole grains such as brown rice and oats, as well as a handful of healthy fats in nuts and seeds.

Add Healthy Seasonings

There are very beneficial herbs containing antioxidant, antimicrobal, and antifungal properties. Consider cinammon, ginger, curry powder, turmeric, onions, garlic and stevia.

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Recipes: Refreshing Basil Ice Cream

 

Recipes: Refreshing Basil Ice Cream

This wonderful ice cream shows basil's versatility. A very flavorful, yet still sweet treat, this frozen dessert is perfect after a summer meal or anytime you want a delightful and different twist on nature's essence. Using fresh and dried basil, this wonderful ice cream shows basil's versatility. The addition of fresh berries makes a very colorful presentation.

Prep Time: 4 hours - Cook Time: 20 minutes - Total Time: 4 hours, 20 minutes

-Yield: Makes about 1 1/2 quarts

Ingredients:
•2 cups whole milk
•1/2 cup plus 1/2 cup sugar
•1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaves
•2 teaspoons dried basil
•1/8 teaspoon salt
•4 large egg yolks
•2 cups whipping cream
•1 teaspoon vanilla

Preparation:

Combine the milk, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the fresh basil, dried basil, and salt in a medium, heavy saucepan. Scald the milk mixture over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let steep for 1 hour.

Strain the milk mixture through a fine-mesh sleeve. Return the milk to a clean, medium, heavy saucepan. Scald the milk once again over medium-high heat, stirring often, for 5 minutes.

While the milk is scalding, whisk together the egg yolks in a medium mixing bowl. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar and whisk until the eggs are light and fluffy. Whisking constantly, add a small amount of the hot milk to the egg mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining hot milk.

Return the custard mixture to the pan and cook over medium-low heat, stirring often, until the custard is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and place in a bowl of ice water to quickly cool the custard. Let the custard cool, stirring often, for 5 minutes. While the custard is cooling, combine the cream and the vanilla in a medium bowl.

Stir in the custard mixture. Cover with plastic wrap and press the wrap directly onto the surface of the custard. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 4 hours or overnight. The custard may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freeze the chilled custard mixture in an ice-cream maker. Transfer the ice cream to an airtight container and freeze in the freezer for 2 to 4 hours before serving.

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Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis and Hives (Uticaria)

 

Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis and Hives (Uticaria)

Dermatitis encompasses several skin disorders. Any skin inflammation may be considered dermatitis. Substances that irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other chemicals are all culprits. Dermatitis can affect almost any area of the body. Redness, scaling, and thickening of the skin may occur. Pinpointing the cause of the problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

Dermatitis is not an age specific disorder and can appear on any one and can appear anywhere on the body, although as mentioned above, it is most often seen on legs, feet, arms and ears. There are often predispositions to this disorder. It is seen in heredity and can be traced through family history.

Dermatitis is divided into different classifications. Acute and chronic dermatitis are differentiated by a time period as well as symptoms. Acute dermatitis is seen with erythema and edema in papules, vesicles and sometimes large blisters. Chronic dermatitis is seen as lichenification, scaling and fissures. There is a thickening of the dermal layer. Contact dermatitis is another classification, which is skin irritation due to exogenous agents such as water and other fluids, abrasives such as cleaning products, chemicals such as acids and alkalis as well as solvents and detergents.

Urticaria, or hives, is the most frequently appearing dermatologic disorder in the clinic. It appears as raised, circumscribed areas of erythema and edema involving the dermis and epidermis that are very pruritic. Uticaria is an allergic reaction limited to the skin. It often results from: an allergy to certain foods; medications; insect stings or bites. Hives may appear as a symptom of some viral infections such as hepatitis, measles, and mononucleosis. Parasitic infections are common causes of urticaria in tropical climates. Non-infectious diseases are sometimes associated with urticaria, including lupus erythematosus, and hyper- and hypothyroidism. Some women develop urticaria during menstruation. Psychological factors may play a role in the etiology of chronic urticaria.

There is different etiology. One is allergic response from the interaction of antigen and antibody. Most urticaria especially acute urticaria is due to immune response. Second kind is due to histamine release. The third is factors cause blood vessel dilation. Fourth etiology is from irritation of blood vessel and inheritance. Allergic reaction is the most common reason for urticaria. Some biological, chemical and physiological factor can directly stimulate the release of histamine. Emotional stimuli, exercise can stimulate the release of histamine also. Urticaria can also be caused by lack of certain digestive enzymes. Some drugs, emotion, drinking alcohol can induce urticaria in sensitive people due to blood vessel dilation.

Urticaria may be acute (lasting less than 6 wk) or chronic (lasting more than 6 wk). Pathophysiology Urticaria results from the release of histamine, bradykinin, leukotriene C4, prostaglandin D2, and other vasoactive substances from mast cells and basophils in the dermis.

These substances cause extravasation of fluid into the dermis, leading to the urticarial lesion. The intense pruritus of urticaria is a result of histamine released into the dermis. Histamine is the ligand for 2 membrane-bound receptors, the H1 and H2 receptors that are present on many cell types. The activation of the H1 histamine receptors on endothelial and smooth muscle cells leads to increased capillary permeability. The activation of the H2 histamine receptors leads to arteriolar and venule vasodilation. This process is caused by several mechanisms. The type I allergic IgE response is initiated by 26 antigen-mediated IgE immune complexes that bind and cross-link Fc receptors on the surface of mast cells and basophils, thus causing degranulation with histamine release.

Causes include: Food, drugs, infection, insect bite, emotion, physical stimulation can all cause urticaria.

1. Food: Food is often the major causative factor in acute urticaria. Such as seafood, shell fish, chicken, eggs, tomato, strawberry, garlic.

2. Drugs: such as vaccine, aspirin, and insulin.

3. Inhaled particles: pollen, dust, and animal dander.

4. Infection: Bacterial infection such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, UTI, upper respiratory tract infection, prostitis, hepatitis, and parasite ovum.

5. Insect bite: insect sting often causes urticaria. Mite, tic often cause urticaria papulosa.

6. Physical factor: Cold, heat, sunshine, friction and pressure can cause immune or non-immune urticaria.

7. Hereditary: Urticaria patient often has family history of allergies.

Herbal Remedies for Dermatitis

Herbs that are beneficial for dermatitis (if you are not allergic to them) include burdock root, chamomile, cedarwood, dandelion, marigold, red clover, thyme, and verbena.

A study published in the British Medical Journal Lancet showed a significant improvement in eczema when patients took high doses of Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) in capsule form. There have been some reports that EPO can help in cases of atopic dermatitis. It takes a rather large number of these expensive capsules to produce results and it can take at least six months to see any results.

Flaxseed oil taken internally or applied externally often eases symptoms of eczema.

Aloe vera gel and Calendula lotion or cream can sooth irritated skin.

Take 500 milligrams of Black Currant Oil twice a day. Give children under 12 half that dose. This takes six to eight weeks to produce the desired effect.

Burdock Root - Helps to purify blood and restore the liver to aid in a restful sleep. Helps to reduce build up of toxins in the skin resulting in boils and other skin disorders. Helps gallbladder functions and stimulates the immune system.

Chamomile - Chamomile's medicinal properties range from skin inflammations to lightening hair to treating digestive problems. As a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, it improves digestion by relaxing the muscles throughout the gastrointestinal system and it can induce an overall sense of calm and well-being.

Dandelion - is a leading remedy for detoxing the liver. It stimulates the flow of bile, a fluid that aids fat digestion, which is why it's used for liver and gallbladder disorders. Dandelion has scientifically documented potent diuretic properties. It relieves constipation and eases bloating and swelling. Dandelion should be used for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. For it's liver benefits dandelion is helpful for skin disorders.

Red Clover - is an herb suggested for chronic conditions affecting the skin. It is a diuretic, but it's unknown exactly how it works for skin conditions. Use nonfermented red clover which is safe. Red clover contains a substance called genistein, which has anticancer properties.

Thyme Leaf - The pungent oils found in Thyme are an effective anti microbial in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taking Thyme, people often note tasting it on their breath as the oils permeate through the respiratory system to reduce the proliferation of viruses during infections. It also warms the digestion and reduces metabolic congestion, aiding to clear the body of conditions for infection.

Aloe vera looks like a cactus with soft leaves. The fluid contained in the leaves has been used for centuries to treat burns and minor wounds. Today, aloe gel is used frequently as an ingredient in cosmetics, creams, ointments and suntan lotions. A study published in 1996 in Tropical Medicine and International Health found that aloe vera was very effective in the treatment of psoriasis. By the end of the 16-week study, a cream with aloe vera extract caused a significant clearing of psoriasis in 25 of 30 patients, compared to two out of 30 with the placebo. However, a study published in May 2005 in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology found that the effect of commercial aloe vera gel on stable plaque psoriasis was modest and not much better than placebo.

Apple cider vinegar and many different types of vinegar (derived from dates, figs, etc.) have been used by many ancient cultures for medicinal purposes. Apple cider vinegar has been used throughout the years as a disinfectant or soothing agent. The Psoriasis Foundation hears from people who apply apple cider vinegar to their skin as a treatment for psoriasis. People add it to the bath, mix it with a moisturizer, soak fingernails and toenails in it, and apply it directly to the skin with cotton balls or pads.

Capsaicin, a natural ingredient found in cayenne peppers, has been shown in some studies to work on redness, scaling and itching of the skin. Researchers have shown that capsaicin interrupts the action of substance P, (a molecule which affects how the brain recognizes pain and itch sensations) at the nerve ending. In two separate studies with psoriasis patients, 0.025% capsaicin cream used topically was effective in decreasing scaling and redness. The main side effect was a short-lived burning sensation. Several studies indicate that topical capsaicin products can also help reduce joint pain associated with psoriatic arthritis. Capsaicin can cause a severe burning sensation if it comes in contact with the eyes, nasal passages or mucous membranes.

Emu oil is reported to be helpful for dermatitis suffers of all kinds, as this oil has a protective and softening effect on the skin. The exact mechanism by which emu oil works is not known.

Oats and oat extracts have been used for centuries as soothing topical agents. Oat plant derivatives have been used to manage dry, itchy skin conditions. Many bath products include colloidal oatmeal as the active ingredient. You can make your own oatmeal bath. Combine one cup oats, one quarter cup dried milk and two tablespoons apricot kernel oil. Pulverize the oats and dry milk in a food processor or blender. Gradually mix in the oil. Place the mixture in a cotton bag, sock or handkerchief and put in the tub while filling. To release the preparation, squeeze while soaking in the bath.

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The Power of Calcium in Human Body!

 

The Power of Calcium

Calcium is an element founds in bones, shells and limestone, among
other materials. Calcium, along with vitamin D, helps build and
maintain healthy bones and teeth. In addition, calcium:
*helps lower blood pressure and control heartbeat *helps regulate
muscle contractions *plays a role in blood clotting *prevents fatal
bleeding from breaks in the walls of blood vessels *maintains cell
membranes *aids in the absorption of vitamin B12 *activates enzymes
such as lipase, the fat-splitting enzyme

Your bones furnish reserves of calcium to keep plasma constant at all
times.

Dairy products are the preferred sources of calcium. Children need 3
servings a day whereas pre-teens, teens and older adults need four
servings a day. The following foods provide about 400 milligrams of
calcium:

*Sardines with bones -- 3 1/2 ounces *Yogurt, plain low-fat with milk
solids added -- 1 cup *Yogurt, plain nonfat -- 1 cup *Tofu processed
with calcium salts (content of tofu varies widely so consult label)
*Cafe latte -- 12 ounces

300 milligrams of calcium:
*Milk -- 1 cup, any kind *Yogurt -- 1 cup *Cheese -- 1 1/2 to 2
ounces *Part-skim ricotta cheese -- 1/2 cup *Salmon, canned with
bones -- 6 ounces *Collard greens -- 1 cup cooked frozen *Soy milk --
1 cup, varies with brand *Fortified orange juice -- 1 cup

200 milligrams of calcium:
*Cheese -- 1 ounce (cheddar, part skim mozzarella, provolone, process
American or swiss) *Ice cream or ice milk -- 1 cup *Turnip greens or
kale -- 1 cup cooked *Cheese pizza -- one slice

100 milligrams of calcium:
*Cottage cheese -- 3/4 cup low-fat or creamed *Broccoli -- 1 cup
cooked, frozen *Navy or pinto beans -- 1 cup cooked *Taco -- one
small *English muffin -- 1 *Almonds -- 1/3 cup *Figs, dried -- 4
*Frozen yogurt -- 1/2 cup

50 milligrams of calcium:
*Black beans or lima beans -- 1 cup cooked *Clams,canned -- 2 ounces
*Shrimp -- 3 ounces canned or 4 1/2 ounces fresh, steamed *Hamburger
bun -- 1 *Orange -- 1

Most adults need 1,000 milligrams a day; adults over 50 need 1,200
milligrams. Children and adolescents need 1,300 milligrams to build
and grow strong bones and calcium stores. Pregnant and breast-feeding
women need only the amount recommended for their age. Most Americans
do not get enough calcium in their diets, especially women.

When calculating the amount of calcium you get in your diet, keep in
mind that certain dietary factors, lifestyle characteristics, medical
conditions and medications can affect the absorption or excretion of
calcium in your body. For example:

Calcium from foods rich in oxalates (such as spinach, sweet potatoes
and beans) or in phytates (such as whole wheat bran, beans, nuts and
soy isolates) may be absorbed poorly. Protein and sodium in foods
boost the amount of calcium excreted in urine, while phosphorus an
vitamin D reduce the amount excreted in urine. Caffeine reduces the
absorption of calcium. Cigarette smoking may decrease the absorption
o calcium. Diseases such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes, and
medicines such as corticosteroids and glucocorticoids reduce the
absorption of calcium, and increase the amount excreted in urine.
Alcohol in moderation does not appear to adversely affect calcium
availability.

If you are not getting enough calcium in your diet, you should take a
supplement. They do not provide the same overall nutrient benefits as
foods, however. If you do take calcium supplements, follow these
guidelines.

If you take high amounts, be sure to get at least 18 milligrams of
zinc per day, too. Avoid supplemental calcium from sources such as
dolomite, oyster shell and bonemeal, which may be contaminated with
lead or arsenic. Take supplements with meals, and spread the daily
dosage out over several meals instead of taking it all at once. Read
labels carefully; not all supplements contain the same amount of
calcium. Supplements made from calcium carbonate have the most; 40
percent of the pill is the calcium itself. This number drops to 38
percent for pills made with calcium phosphate, to 21 percent for
pills with citrate, and to 13 percent for lactate and 9 percent for
gluconate. So you would have to make many more calcium lactate pills
than calcium carbonate pills to get the same amount of calcium.

A calcium intake of up to 2,500 milligrams is safe for healthy
people.

__,_._,___

Anti-Aging Enemies---

 

Anti-Aging Enemies

1. Sugar: One of the reasons inflammation occurs is from a rapid rise in blood sugar, which causes biochemical changes in the cell. When blood sugar goes up rapidly, sugar can attach itself to collagen in a process called "glycosylation," or the Browning Reaction, increasing inflexible and inflammation. CRP is not found in foods. However, its levels in the body are strongly influenced by diet. The body makes CRP from interleukin-6 (IL-6), a powerful inflammatory chemical. IL-6 is a key cell communication molecule, and it tells the body's immune system to go into asperity, releasing CRP and many other inflammation-causing substances.

2. Simple Carbohydrates: Staying away from sugar and high-glycemic (simple) carbohydrates, which the body rapidly converts to sugar, is one of the best ways to decrease inflammation. C-reactive protein (CPR) is a key factor of inflammation.

In a major study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, people with elevated CRP levels were four and one-half times more likely to have a heart attack. Not only is elevated CRP more accurate than cholesterol in predicting heart attack risk, but high CRP levels have turned up in people with diabetes and pre-diabetes and in people who are overweight.

A recent study by Simin Liu, M.D., Ph.D., of the Harvard Medical School found that women who ate large amounts of high-glycemic (or diabetes promoting) carbohydrates, including potatoes, breakfast cereals, white bread, muffins, and white rice, had very high CRP levels. Women who ate a lot of these foods and were also overweight had the highest and most dangerous CRP levels.

3. Saturated Fats : are found primarily in animal products, including dairy items, such as whole milk, cream, and cheese, and fatty meats like beef, veal, lamb, pork, and ham. The fat marbling you can see in beef and pork is composed of saturated fat. Some vegetable products including coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and vegetable shortening-are also high in saturates.The liver uses saturated fats to manufacture cholesterol. Therefore, excessive dietary intake of saturated fats can significantly raise the blood cholesterol level, especially the level of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), or "bad cholesterol. " Guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), and widely supported by most experts, recommend that the daily intake of saturated fats be kept below 10 percent of total caloric intake. However, for people who have severe problems with high blood cholesterol, even that level may be too high.

4. Excess Sun Exposure : Exposure of up to 20 minutes in the sun is imperative for Vitamin D activation. It is the sun that is so important in cases of Seasonal Affective Disorder . BUT, excess sun exposure without a sunscreen of at least SPF of 15 can damage the skin by starting the inflammation process. Scientists agree that one of the most significant factors contributing to aging is chronic inflammation. [1]. This inflammation process is due to an excess of free radicals which produce harmful oxidation or "oxidative stress" that can damage cell membranes and cell contents. [2]. These free radicals cause inflammation.

5. Hypertension : The main factor in most cases of high blood pressure is an increase in resistance to blood flow. This can occur if the diameter of your arterioles becomes smaller. Your heart has to work harder to pump the same amount of blood, and the pressure at which the blood is pumped increases. Sympathetic tone is constantly too high, arteries are constantly constricted, and blood pressure remains elevated to levels that can eventually damage the heart and arteries, kidneys, and other organs. Because the sympathetic nervous system deals with fear and uses adrenalin and nonadrenalin as its chemical messengers, it is not surprising that anxiety is a factor in essential hypertension.

6. Alcohol : Alcohol stimulates the inflammatory process within the body. Drink only in moderation.

7. Sedentary Lifestyle : To build and maintain muscle strength and bone mass, start (or continue) a regular program of weight-bearing exercise, such as walking or weight training. A cardiovascular workout is imperative in order to maintain wieght and oxygenation of red blood cells. Maintain a healthy weight for your age and sex. (See guidelines for men and women).

8. Smoking : If you smoke, stop. Nothing you can take as a supplement can counter-act the negative effects of smoking on your health and longevity. Stopping the habit can! Tobacco, in the form of cigarettes, is the most addictive drug in the world. Nicotine is one of the strongest stimulants known, and smoking is one of the most efficient drug-delivery systems. Smoking actually puts drugs into the brain more directly than intravenous injection. It is true that one of the "benefits" of smoking is the brief relief of internal tension; unfortunately, within 20 minutes the tension is back stronger than before, demanding another fix. Learn to STOP Smoking NOW!

9. Excessive Stress : Stress can kill you. It is the underlying factor which can undermined any one suffering from an illness, fear, or just plain insecurity. The mind and body altercation brought on by our own self affliction. Anxiety is a vague, uncomfortable feeling of fear, dread or danger from an unknown source. For some it may be a one time episode. Other become constantly anxious about everything. A certain amount of anxiety is normal and helps improve our performance and allows people to avoid dangerous situations.

10. High Cholesterol : Too much cholesterol in the blood is what creates a problem. A risk factor for both heart attack and stroke, high blood cholesterol increases the chance of plaque or blockages developing in arteries. Lowering blood cholesterol can slow or stop the buildup of plaque. While your risk of cardiovascular disease depends on many factors, from genetics to lifestyle habits, keeping your blood cholesterol levels within ideal ranges can greatly lower your risk.

__,_._,___

Dental Care - 6 Tips to Manage Acid Erosion

 

What we eat fuels every cell in our bodies, including our teeth and
gums. Therefore, it is not a shock when dentists tell their patients
that their nutrition is important to their oral health. However, what
does surprise people is that even healthy foods, like some fruits and
most fruit juices contain acids that dissolve away the enamel of their
teeth.

Enamel is the hard surface of your teeth that protects the inner pulp
and nerve. In fact, it is actually the strongest substance in the human
body. When enamel is weakened due to acid, your teeth are more prone to
cavities and decay. Unfortunately, once a tooth begins to lose enamel,
it is not able to be replaced. It is gone. Therefore, in order to ensure
good oral (and overall) health, it is important that people are educated
on how to properly manage acid erosion. Below are six tips to help
manage this problem. 

__,_._,___

Discovering Digestive Health: Top Herbs

 

Good Morning!

Discovering Digestive Health: Top Herbs

Our digestive system is one large system, with a lot of opportunity for things to go wrong along the way! The two major causes of almost every gastrointestinal disorder is diet and stress! Eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and quitting smoking if you smoke, can help protect against practically every digestive disorder as well as, heart disease, osteoporosis and some types of cancer.

Herbal medicine is a wonderful preventative solution. Complications can arise when taking herbal medicine and allopathic drugs your doctor has prescribed. Great caution should be used especially if you are on blood thinners, diuretics or any other heart related medication. Consult your doctor with any questions you may have, before taking additional herbs or supplements. Here are a list of my top 10 favorite herbs for digestive issues:

1. Cardamom, warms up the digestive tract, speed up and increase the thoroughness of digestion, and reduce gas.

2. Cinnamon Cassia: In Ayurveda, this warming spice reduces vata and kapha and is traditionally used in cold formulas, regulates blood sugar and is used for strengthening digestion. Cinnamon is a useful remedy for sluggish digestion. The German Commission E recommends it for loss of appetite, dyspeptic complaints, bloating and flatulence.

3. Fennel Seed: Foeniculum vulgare is a common spice that is traditionally used to improve digestion and absorption without increasing pitta. The seeds are also chewed after meals to freshen the breath and alleviate gas.

4. Flaxseed Oil is an edible oil derived from the seeds of the Flax plant (Linum usitatissimum) and is one of the best plant sources of the Omega-3 fatty acid Alpha-Linolenic Acid available. Naturally occurring constituents in Flaxseed Oil may help to balance the production of prostaglandins and support cardiovascular and bowel health.

5. Ginger Root: In Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda it is used as a general panacea that is especially useful for digestive and respiratory complaints. Also dispels nausea and acts as a diaphoretic. Ginger is a time-tested digestive remedy for stomach upset. European practitioners also use ginger in tea for indigestion. It reduces spasms and increases the secretion of digestive juices, including bile and saliva. Ginger contains ingredients that soothe the gut and aid digestion by increasing peristalsis that moves food through the intestine. Use 1 teaspoon of the chopped root brewed as tea, three times a day.

6. Licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) guards digestive mucous membranes by increasing the production of mucin, a secretion that protects gut linings against stomach acid and other digestive juices. Deglycyrrhizinated licorice root (DGL) removes the glycyrrhizic acid (the ingredient in licorice root associated with the possibility of increasing blood pressure and water retention). The soothing part of the root, however, remains intact in DGL. Use 1 teaspoon of the chopped herb brewed as tea, three times a day, or 1 to 2 chewable wafers of DGL (250 to 500 mg) 15 minutes before meals and one to two hours before bedtime.

7. Parsley Leaf: Natural diuretic, parsley helps eliminate wastes and lessen water retention, which can aid in weight loss. Its high enzyme content improves digestion of proteins and fats and absorption of nutrients. Parsley is a natural breath freshener.

8. Peppermint: is a well-known digestive herb for easing tummy troubles. Enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules work well to prevent dyspepsia. Peppermint oil is a relaxant for the muscles of the intestinal wall. The essential oil can be massaged over the belly to relieve spasms. Take 1 teaspoon the liquid tincture or the dried leaf, brewed as tea, three times a day, or 0.2 to 0.4 ml of an enteric-coated capsule three times a day.

9. Triphala: This formula cleanses the entire GI tract, supporting digestion and gently maintaining regulartity. Considered in Ayurveda to be general panacea for all doshas, it is also used to support weight management, improve the complexion and strengthen the urinary tract.

10. Turmeric: A traditional Indian cooking spice that improves digestion and purifies the blood. Believed to act as a natural antibiotic and antiseptic.

__,_._,___

Dengue - fatal disease, causes and cures

Dengue - fatal disease, causes and cures
How to fight Dengue? Causes and Prevention of Dengue Fever

Dengue fever is a flu kind of illness spread by mosquito bites. Dengue and dengue hemorrhagic fever are caused by any of the dengue family virus. This is also widely known as 'Break bone fever' due to the severe joint pain caused during the attack. Dengue can be diagnosed by blood test. The infected person as such cannot spread the infection but can be a source to spread it.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is often complicated and severe. This rather can be termed as a complication dengue fever. Those bitten by the mosquito can get dengue fever and those already infected once if infected again are prone to higher risk of getting dengue hemorrhagic fever.

Dengue is an infectious disease causing frequent epidemics. There are various factors that contribute like lack of effective mosquito control, lack of public health systems to control the epidemic, the increase usage of plastic items which are the breeding sites of the mosquitoes.

Dengue is spread by the bite of an 'Ades' Mosquito. This mosquito bites the infected person and then bites someone else who is not affected thus transmitting the infection. These mosquitoes are active during the day time and spread the infection during day time. These mosquitoes live among human beings and breed in discarded tyres, flower pots, water stores etc.

Kaiser Quotes health insurance for individual quotes

Dengue fever starts suddenly accompanied by headache, severe joint pain ,rashes, nausea and lack of appetite. The illness can last up to 10 days and the complete recovery could take about four to six weeks. Widely the dengue infections result in relatively mild illness however in some cases it may lead to the dengue hemorrhagic fever. In the complicated stage the blood vessels start to leak and cause bleeding through mouth, nose and gums. This is most prevalent among children and young adults. This stage requires close medical attention.


Treatment for Dengue and Dengue Hemorrhagic fever

As far as the treatment is concerned there is no specific course, However the affected person is treated with Paracetamol to bring down the fever. The person is usually adviced to drink lots of fluids. The infected person should be isolated until recovery from the rest of the family to prevent further infections.

Although there is no vaccine to prevent this epidemic certain preventive measures as specified below can be taken to control the epidemic.

Preventive Measures to control Dengue Fever
Use mosquito repellents.
discard all unwanted items getting gathered around the living area to avoid the breeding of mosquitoes.
Keep the water stores clean and closed.
keep yourself well covered when outside.
Take prompt medical advice once fever starts.

TIP- Seasonal Diet, Body and Skin Care

The usefull information on Seasonal care and tips and technics to maintain a healthy body and a healthy skin.

Skin care depends on various other factors of the body condition. Fruits and vegetables are having abundant sources of vitamins and minerals to keep your body fit and healthy.

A good skin can be achieved by ensuring that all natural elements required for it are given accordingly. Sunlight, water, fruits, milk and many other such things provide lot of value to skin
     Get rid of unwanted hair: Because the amount of body hair varies considerably from woman to woman and there is a wide range that is considered normal, someone may think she has excessive hair but not be considered hirsute
     Treatment for eyes : Home remedies for puffed eyes and dark circles. Treat your eyes for a rejuvenated and refreshing appearance
     Summer Care - Beat the heat with fruit juices: Juices of grapes, watermelon, banana, jack fruit, lemon and pineapple are essential during summer.
     Summer Care - How to avoid Heat exhaustion: Avoid Heat Exhaustion by consuming lot of water and eating more fruits and vegetables.

     Tips to treat tired eyes: Most computer users suffer from the problem of tired eyes, dark circles and headaches. Follow these ten tips to avoid them.

Outlawing of Airbnb ironically highlights hotel health hazards, human herding

Do you prefer to sleep on a bed not slept-in by thousands of people before you?
Does your body thrive better where no disinfectant chemicals have been heavily applied?
Does being surrounded by hundreds of televisions (including the one right behind your head on the other side of the wall in the next room) throw off your electromagnetic field?
Do you choose not to stomach the GMO and processed foods at "complimentary" breakfasts at hotels?
Are aware it is less stressful and healthier you to enjoy the friendliness and care of an individual who has made their home a healthy sanctuary?

Thus, traveler, have you begun successfully and healthfully using Airbnb for your travel accommodations?
If so, you're likely to be up the creek now that the regulatory government is involved.

Why? Because Airbnb has now been officially made "illegal" in New York.

Through a law that was supposed to "protect against landlords running illegal hotels from their property" (read: protect existing hotel hegemony despite the above health and ecology hazards), an Airbnb host in New York City has been fined $2,400 for using the Airbnb website, as it was designed.

"Down with creative individual solutions!"
Airbnb came to the host's defense, but the host lost the court case anyway.

Airbnb, in a statement, said the ruling is a concern for those who want to occasionally rent out their own homes: "It is time to fix this law and protect hosts who occasionally rent out their own homes. Eighty-seven percent of Airbnb hosts in New York list just a home they live in--they are average New Yorkers trying to make ends meet, not illegal hotels that should be subject to the 2010 law."

Instead, the "rules" (tyrannical dictates?) will now make it even harder to travel, to find a homely, personal place to sleep among people who trust other people, and to avoid:
Mega-corporation provided "breakfasts"
Industrial, flame-retardant coated rugs
VOCs in paints
Chemical waste-products masquerading as fragrant soaps
Intake of allergens and toxins from cheap rubber and vinyl shower curtains
Off-gassing window curtains
Conventional cotton sheets which come from cotton crops, which is the most intensely insecticided crop grown in the world
The hustle-bustle of the human act of traveling to visit a city having been turned into a rigid business operation, where you are just a room number
Using Airbnb, you can screen the potential home you would stay in for your exact specifications, moral stances, sensitivities, social and environmental preferences with a willing local where you are visiting, and get to know your unique host before you arrive.

Even if you simply choose not to support in the mega-hotel institutions that host pharmaceutical, biotech, western medical conferences, and yet not stay in a run-down dirty motel either, you are born having that innate freedom and right. Nevertheless the "law" appears to infringe on your freedom of mobility.

Source :-OverInternet News

Recipes: Prepare Dandelion Root Tea

 

Good Morning!

Recipes: Prepare Dandelion Root Tea

Here is how you prepare dandelion root tea:

Boil a quart of water in a pot Reduce the heat.

Add 2 tbsp. of cleaned and chopped fresh dandelion roots to the water.

Let the water simmer for thirty minutes, keeping it covered during this time.
Then, remove the pot from the heat source.

Following this, add two tbsp. of freshly picked and chopped dandelion leaves.
Let the leaves steep into the liquid for twenty
minutes. After which, the liquid can be strained.

You will benefit by drinking two cups of the herbal dandelion tea every day.

Food Combinations

 

Good Morning!

Food Combinations

The purpose of food combining is a simple, scientifically based system of selecting foods, from among different types, which are compatible. This facilitates easy and efficient digestion and ensures after-meal comfort.

The digestive system is responsible for receiving food, breaking it down into nutrients, absorbing the nutrients into the bloodstream, and eliminating the undigestible parts of food from the body. The chemical part of digestion is accomplished by a series of
juices and their enzymes. The juices alternate between alkalis and acids, and their character is determined by the requirement of the enzymes they contain. These enzymes remain active in suitable media of well defined acid-alkaline ranges and are destroyed in unsuitable media.

For instance, the salivary amylase (ptyalin) or starch-splitting enzyme of the mouth is active only in an alkaline media and is destroyed by a mild acid. The gastric enzyme, pepsin, which initiates protein digestion, is active only in the acid medium and is destroyed by alkalis.

A noteworthy feature of the digestive secretions is that the body suits its fluid and enzymes to the character of the food eaten. There are, however, severe limitations in this process. It is possible to suit the juices to a particular food, however, complex it may be, but not to a variety of foodstaken together. It is the combining of many varieties and incompatible foods at a meal that causes 90 per cent of digestive disorders.

The goal is in eating similar foods at one time in order to accomplish the most complete digestion.

The most important rule for combining foods is to avoid mixing protein and carbohydrate concentrated foods.

Although every food contains some protein, those regarded as protein concentrated foods demand the longest digestive time. They are held in the stomach for some hours until the gastric juices has performed its task.

This may vary from two-and-a-half to six hours, depending upon the complexity of the protein in the food. If a protein food is mixed with starch-concentrated or sugar-concentrated foods, it will usually result in fermentation. This may lead to indigestion and gas in the stomach.

Animal-food proteins, such as meats, fish and cheese, require very high concentration of hydrochloric acid. Their gastric digestion will be greatly inhibited by carbohydrate fermentation in the stomach. This will produce more gas and increased discomfort.

Eating meat, potatoes, bread and sweets should, therefore, be especially avoided.

BEST SUGGESTIONS

#1. Protein foods are best digested when eaten with fresh vegetables (different vegetables can be eaten together).

Primary protein foods such as nuts, seeds and soybeans also combine very well with acid fruits like oranges, pineapples, grapefruit and lemons, and fairly well with sub-acid fruits, like grapes, pears, apples, berries, apricots and peaches. These vegetables and fruits are rich natural sources of vitamin C which helps protein digestion.

#2. Avoid mixing proteins and fats at the same meal.

Fat in foods inhibits the secretion of gastric juice through the small wall. When fat-concentrated foods are taken with protein foods, gastric catabolism will decrease by the degree of liquid concentration in the stomach. Fat will remain undigested in the stomach until gastric juices complete their work on the complex protein molecule.

Although all primary protein foods contain high concentration of fat, such lipids will be held in suspension, awaiting catabolism in the intestine, without impeding gastric action. Free fats like oil, butter, and milk tend to coat the gastric mucosa, thereby inhibiting its effort to secrete gastric juice. Fat surrounding fried foods is also regarded as free fat and it interferes with gastric catabolism.

#3. Avoid mixing carbohydrates and acid fruits in the same meal.

The starch-splitting enzyme ptyalin in the saliva plays an important role as the food is chewed. It converts the complex starch molecules into simple sugars. Ptyalin requires a neutral or slightly alkaline medium for proper functioning and this is the normal condition of the saliva in the mouth. However, when acid foods are taken, theaction of ptyalin is halted. It is, therefore, necessary to avoid acid fruits in the same meal as sweet fruits or starches. Tomatoes should not be eaten with starches especially potatoes or bread.

Refined sugar products are also acidic, both in the mouth and in the blood stream.
The acidifying of the saliva by sucrose is one of the main causes of tooth
decay. It can also cause severe damage to the digestion. Food combining is designed to facilitate easier digestion.

MEALS
An important point to remember about meals is that the smaller the number of courses they consist of, the better it will be. They should approximate to a one-course meal as much as possible. Simple meals in every way are more conducive to health, than more elaborate ones, no matter how well they may be combined.

A meal consisting of proteins, carbohydrates and fats may remain in the stomach for six to seven hours before the stomach is emptied. If carbohydrates are eaten without proteins, they remain in the stomach for a relatively short period. A fruit meal remains in the stomach for even shorter time.

It is advisable to eat these different foods at different meals -- a fruit meal, a starch meal and a protein meal. The ideal practice is a fruit meal for breakfast, a starch meal with salad and non-starchy vegetables for lunch, and a protein meal with a salad and non-starchy vegetables for dinner.

Proteins: Nuts, seeds, soybeans, cheese, eggs, poultry* meat*, fish*, yogurt.

Fats: Oils, olive, butter, margarine.Starches: Whole cereals, peas, beans, lentils.

Vegetables: Leafy green vegetables, sprouted seeds, cabbage cauliflower,broccoli, green peas, celery, tomatoes, onions.

Clinical Nutrients for Osteoporosis

 

Good Evening!

Clinical Nutrients for Osteoporosis
by Tori Hudson, ND

Numerous modifiable and non-modifiable factors influence the risk of developing
osteoporosis. This article provides the practitioner with an understanding of
supplementary clinical nutrients and their effect on bone loss and fractures.
Lifestyle modifications and nutrient supplementation may be able to reduce the
risk of osteoporosis and the associated debilitating fractures. For women who
have already been diagnosed with osteoporosis, these nutritional factors can
serve as an adjunct to conventional therapies to slow bone loss and, more
importantly, decrease the risk of fractures.

NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTATION

Calcium
Adequate calcium intake has an established role in maintaining bone health,
primarily in very young women and the elderly. However, calcium is only modestly
effective for slowing the loss of bone mineral density in peri- and early
postmenopausal women. Calcium supplementation also appears to have an important
role in improving the efficacy of pharmaceutical agents used to treat bone loss
and osteoporosis.

Prior to the Women's Health Initiative study, there was no clear evidence that
higher calcium intake decreased fracture risk.1 A meta-analysis of prospective
cohort studies and clinical trials found that higher calcium intake and calcium
supplementation were not associated with a lower incidence of hip fractures.2 In
a 2004 meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials, supplementation with
500-2,000 mg per day of calcium had only a modest benefit on bone density in
postmenopausal women: the difference in the amount of bone loss between calcium
and placebo was 2.05% for the total body, 1.66% for the lumbar spine, and 1.64%
for the hip.3 Two trials within this meta-analysis suggested a modest and
nonsignificant benefit with calcium supplementation and the risk of nonvertebral
fractures. In the Women's Health Initiative, which enrolled more than 36,000
postmenopausal women, supplementation with 1,000 mg per day of calcium and 400
IU per day of vitamin D decreased the risk of hip fractures nonsignificantly by
12%, when compared with placebo. However, when the analysis was restricted to
women who took the tablets at least 80% of the time, calcium plus vitamin D
significantly decreased hip fractures by 29% compared with placebo.4

Other calcium studies also showed a beneficial effect on bone loss. In
postmenopausal women, calcium supplementation has been shown to decrease bone
loss by as much as 50% at nonvertebral sites. The effects were greatest in women
whose baseline calcium intake was low, in older women, and in women with
established osteoporosis.5 In a study by Elders et al,6 a significant decrease
in vertebral bone loss was observed with supplementation of 1,000 to 2,000 mg
per day of calcium for 1 year. Bone loss was also less in the calcium group than
in the control group after 2 years, but the difference was no longer
statistically significant.

Dietary calcium is essential throughout a woman's life, and requirements
increase with advancing age, in part due to reduced calcium absorption and
decreased renal calcium conservation. However, calcium supplementation by itself
is not effective in preventing the accelerated bone loss that occurs in the
first few years after menopause. Ten years postmenopausally, calcium
supplementation again becomes effective in reducing age-related bone loss.7
While consuming an adequate amount of calcium is important, it is too often
overemphasized, supplemented at excessive doses, and is only one of many
nutritional and lifestyle factors that play a role in promoting bone health.

Vitamin D
Vitamin D enhances intestinal calcium absorption, thereby contributing to a
favorable calcium balance in the body. Increased calcium absorption also reduces
parathyroid-hormone-mediated bone resorption. In the United States, most infants
and young children have adequate vitamin D consumption from fortified milk.
During adolescence, however, the consumption of dairy products drops off, and
inadequate vitamin D intake is more likely to adversely affect calcium
absorption.

Several large randomized controlled trials have found that the combination of
calcium and vitamin D had no significant effect on fracture risk.1,8,5

However, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials in elderly
postmenopausal women found that a dose of 700 – 800 IU per day of vitamin D was
associated with significant reductions in the risk of hip and nonvertebral
fractures.9 Especially in older women, vitamin D in combination with calcium
supplementation reduced the rate of postmenopausal bone loss.10 Vitamin D has
also been shown to improve muscle strength11 and balance12, thereby reducing the
risk of falling.13

Magnesium
Magnesium is a cofactor for alkaline phosphatase, which plays a role in bone
mineralization. Low magnesium status is common in women with osteoporosis, and
magnesium deficiency is associated with abnormal bone mineral crystals.14 Some
women with reduced bone mineral density do not have an increased fracture rate,
possibly because their bone mineral crystals are of high quality, due in part to
high levels of magnesium. In a group of postmenopausal women, supplementation
with 250-750 mg per day of magnesium for 6 months, followed by 250 mg per day
for 6-18 months, resulted in an increase in bone density in 71% of women. This
increase was noteworthy, because it occurred without calcium supplementation.15

Strontium
Strontium is a non-radioactive earth element physically and chemically similar
to calcium. Strontium ranelate is the specific strontium salt used in clinical
trials for osteoporosis, but this form of strontium is not available in the U.S.
Strontium in large doses stimulates bone formation and reduces bone resorption.
In a phase 2 clinical trial, 2 g per day of oral strontium ranelate (containing
680 mg per day of elemental strontium) for three years was shown to reduce the
risk of vertebral fractures and to increase bone mineral density in 1,649
postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.16

In the first year, there was a 49% reduction in the incidence of vertebral
fractures in the strontium ranelate group and 41% reduction at the end of three
years. After adjusting for artifact effect on imaging, a 6.8% increase in bone
mineral density was seen at the lumbar spine after 3 years of strontium
supplementation.. There was also an 8.3% increase at the femoral neck, but there
was insufficient data to adjust it for an artifact effect, and therefore it is
not clear as to how accurate this is.
In a two year trial 353 postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and a history of
at least one vertebral fracture received a placebo or one of three different
doses of strontium: 170 mg per day, 340 mg per day or 680 mg per day.17 A small
increase in lumbar bone mineral density was seen with each dose of strontium,
but the difference compared with placebo was statistically significant only for
the highest dose. The incidence of new vertebral fractures was lowest (38.8%)
with the lowest dose of strontium, vs. 54.7%, 56.7% and 42.0% in the placebo,
340 mg per day and 680 mg per day groups, respectively.

Strontium chloride is the most common form of strontium used in U.S.
supplements. This form of strontium has not been the subject of published
research. Due to potential adverse effects of higher doses of strontium,
including rickets, bone mineralization defects, and interference with vitamin D
metabolism, it may be prudent to use low doses until more research is conducted.

Zinc
Zinc is essential for the formation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and it
enhances the biochemical action of vitamin D. Zinc is also is necessary for the
synthesis of various proteins found in bone. Low zinc levels have been found in
the serum and bone of elderly people with osteoporosis.18

Copper
A deficiency of copper is known to produce abnormal bone development in growing
children, and may be a contributing cause of osteoporosis. In vitro studies have
shown that copper supplementation inhibits bone resorption.19,20 In a
double-blind trial, supplementation with 3 mg per day of copper for 2 years
significantly decreased bone loss in postmenopausal women.21

Manganese
A deficiency of manganese may be one of the lesser known but more important
nutritional factors related to osteoporosis. Manganese deficiency causes a
reduction in calcium deposition in bone. Manganese also stimulates
mucopolysaccharide production, which provides a framework for the calcification
process.22

Zinc, Copper, and Manganese
In a double-blind study of postmenopausal women, the combination of zinc,
copper, manganese, and calcium appeared to be more effective than calcium alone
for preventing bone loss in postmenopausal women.23

Boron
Boron supplementation reduces urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium and
increases serum levels of 17beta-estradiol and testosterone in postmenopausal
women.24 These observations suggest that boron supplementation could help
prevent bone loss.

Silicon
During bone growth and the early phases of bone calcification, silicon has an
essential role in the formation of cross-links between collagen and
proteoglycans. In animals, silicon-deficient diets have produced abnormal skull
development and growth retardation,25 and supplemental silicon partially
prevented trabecular bone loss in ovariectomized rats.26

Other Nutritional Factors

Folic Acid and Vitamin B12
Accelerated bone loss in menopausal women may in part be due to increased levels
of homocysteine, a breakdown product of methionine. Homocysteine has the
potential to promote osteoporosis if it is not eliminated adequately. In a
prospective study, women with high homocysteine levels had almost twice the risk
of nonvertebral osteoporotic fractures as did women with low homocysteine
levels. There was no association in that study between homocysteine levels and
bone mineral density at either the femoral neck or the lumbar spine, which
suggests that the reduction in fracture risk was due to an improvement in bone
quality.27 Folic acid promotes the remethylation of homocysteine to methionine,
and supplementing postmenopausal women with this nutrient results in significant
reductions in homocysteine levels. Vitamin B12 has also been shown to reduce
homocysteine levels.28 In a double-blind study of stroke victims with elevated
homocysteine levels, daily supplementation with 5 mg of folic acid plus 1,500
mcg of vitamin B12 for two years reduced hip fracture incidence by 78%, compared
with placebo.29

Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 also plays a role in homocysteine metabolism. In people with the
genetic disorder homocystinuria, vitamin B6 supplementation reverses the
elevated levels of homocysteine.30 Animal studies have shown that vitamin B6
deficiency can prolong fracture healing time,31 impair cartilage growth, cause
defective bone formation,32 and promote osteoporosis.33 Vitamin B6 may also
influence progesterone production and exert a synergistic effect on
estrogen-sensitive tissue. Laboratory evidence of low vitamin B6 status appears
to be common, even among healthy individuals.34

Vitamin C
Vitamin C promotes the formation and cross-linking of some of the structural
proteins in bone. Animal studies have shown that vitamin C deficiency can cause
osteoporosis35 and it has been known for decades that scurvy, a disease caused
by vitamin C deficiency, is also associated with abnormalities of bone.

Vitamin K
Vitamin K is required for the production of the bone protein, osteocalcin.
Osteocalcin draws calcium to bone tissue, enabling calcium crystal formation.
Osteocalcin provides the protein matrix for mineralization and is thought to act
as a regulator of bone mineralization.36 Vitamin K plays a key role in the
formation, remodeling, and repair of bone by attracting calcium to the site of
this protein matrix.37 A low dietary intake of vitamin K seems to increase the
risk of osteoporotic hip fractures in women, according to data from the Nurses'
Health Study.38

There are various forms of vitamin K, but the human trials have been done on
vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) and menaquinone-4, (MK4, a form of vitamin K2).

In a double-blind study, 452 men and women (ages 60-80 years) received a
multiple vitamin/mineral supplement that provided 600 mg per day of calcium and
400 IU per day of vitamin D, plus either 500 mcg per day of vitamin K1 or no
vitamin K1.39 Bone mineral density (determined by dual-energy x-ray
absorptiometry) and bone turnover were measured at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months.
There were no differences in bone mineral density at the femoral neck, lumbar
spine, or total body, between the two treatment groups, indicating that vitamin
K1 did not enhance the effects of calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients in
this patient population. In the double-blind ECKO trial,40 a daily 5-mg
supplement of vitamin K1 for 2 to 4 years did not protect against age-related
decline in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women with osteopenia, but
significantly fewer women in the vitamin K group than in the placebo group had
fractures.

Epidemiological evidence has shown associations between low dietary intake of
vitamin K and increased bone loss in elderly men and women. A 2006 meta-analysis
of 13 randomized controlled trials41 that gave vitamin K1 or menaquinone-4 (a
form of vitamin K2) supplements for longer than 6 months reported data on bone
loss and fracture rates. All but one study showed a reduction in bone loss with
supplemental vitamin K. All 7 of the 13 studies that reported fracture data were
in Japanese individuals and used menaquinone-4. Most of these trials used a high
dose, 45 mg/day.

While the recommended dietary intake of vitamin K is 90-120 mcg per day, the
optimal dose and form of vitamin K supplementation to achieve a protective
effect on bone loss and fracture reduction is not known. The majority of studies
used menaquinone-4 at doses approximately 400-fold higher than dietary
recommendations for vitamin K1. An additional issue is that these studies have
been conducted almost exclusively in Japanese postmenopausal women. This
population group may have unique dietary, environmental, and/or genetic factors,
so it is not clear whether the findings from these studies can be generalized to
other populations. In contrast to the 7 positive Japanese studies, a
double-blind trial in 381 postmenoapusal women received either phylloquinone 1
mg/day, MK4 45 mg/day or placebo for 12 months.42 No effect of phylloquinone or
MK4 on the bone density of the lumbar spine or proximal femur was observed.

Two long-term trials have previously been done evaluating the effect of vitamin
K1 supplementation on bone loss. In one study using 1 mg per day of vitamin K1
plus calcium and vitamin D for 3 years in postmenopausal women ages 50-60
years,43 bone loss was reduced at the femoral neck but there was no beneficial
effect on spine bone density. In a second study,44 200 mcg per day of vitamin K1
plus calcium and vitamin D given for two years to non-osteoporotic women aged 60
years or older resulted in a modest increase in bone mineral density of the
radius, but not the femoral neck.

Menaquinone-7 (a form of vitamin K2), which is derived from natto (fermented
soybeans) has been found in animal studies to be more potent and more
bioavailable, and to have a longer half-life, than menaquinone-4. In a study of
Japanese postmenopausal women, a significant inverse association was found
between natto consumption and the incidence of hip fractures.45

Conclusion

The most effective approach to osteoporosis is prevention. The risk of
developing osteoporosis may be reduced by optimizing peak bone mass in the
younger years and by minimizing subsequent bone loss in elderly women. In order
to maximize peak bone mass (even in the context of hereditary and other
non-modifiable risk factors), lifestyle habits, proper nutrition with a whole
foods diet, moderate exercise, and avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol
consumption should begin during childhood and adolescence and continue
throughout life. The physician is encouraged to maintain a key interest in
dietary habits that promote optimal bone health, and include nutritional
supplementation that may favorably alter patients' risk and provide optimal bone
strength, bone architecture, and bone density with reduced risk for fractures
later in life.

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Recipes: Crescent Moon Cookies

 

Good Morning!

Recipes: Crescent Moon Cookies

These cookied can be made to celebrate the Crescent moon!
Yet another one of my mother's specialties, these delicious cookies are always a favorite around Christmas time. It is impossible to stop at just one of these absolutely yummy almond crescent cookies. Infused with vanilla and lightly dusted with sugar, these beautiful cookies are crunchy on the outside and soft, buttery and crumbly on the inside.

Ingredients:

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2/3 cups granulated sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
1 cup ground almonds (almond meal)
1/4 cup confectioner's sugar for dusting

Directions:

1.Place the butter and the sugar together in a large mixing bowl and use a electric hand beater to mix until light and fluffy for about 5 minutes. Add vanilla extract and mix well.

2.Add the flour and almonds. Mix thoroughly.

3.Line baking sheet with baking paper. Preheat the oven to 350F

4.The dough will be slightly crumbly. Take generous tablespoons of the dough and roll into a small ball, about 1" in diameter. Shape into a crescent shape. Place onto baking sheet about 1" apart. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a light golden brown. Remove from oven and dust with confectioner's sugar. Allow to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Re-dust with sugar.

5.Repeat with remaining dough.

6.Store in an airtight container.

Make about 24 cookies

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