March 22, 2010
Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest, just behind your breastbone. Heartburn pain is often worse when lying down or bending over. See your physician before trying any of these home remedies.
Wear sweatpants – a tight waistband can cause your stomach to puch acid into your esophogus
Raise your bed with 4″ risers at the head. Don’t sleep with extra pillows that cause you to bend at the waiste.
Apple Cider Vinegar (try Braggs) – Use 1 Tbs. of ACV mixed with 8 oz. of water . The vinegar helps move food quickly into the small intestine before it can back up into the esophogus.
Fruit Pectin – use this soluble fiber to create an acid neutralizing foam that reduces heartburn by up to 64%
Chew Sugarless Gum – chewing sugarless gum for 30 minutes after a meal flushes stomach acid into the stomach and the bicarbonate neutralizes excess digestive juices
March 19, 2010
Breast cancer is scary, and there are lots of tips rout there to stay healthy. Some may work, some may be crazy …. but I will report them here. I am not a doctor and you should consult a doctor before taking your any supplements. Please share your tips and tricks here! I will post new stuff, whenever I see it.
Cabbage – I LOVE cabbage, so this one thrilled me. Those who eat 1 cup of cabbage every other day were 72% less likely to develop breast cancer. Why? Cabbage is rich in indole-3-carbinole, which helps rid the body of cancer promoting estrogen. The glucosinolates in cabbage help stop free radicals from damaging DNA in cells.
Cayenne Pepper – Your body needs 33% less insulin to regulate blood sugar after eating capsaicin – the “hot” stuff in peppers. Keeping insulin levels in check could cut Breast cancer risk in half.
Fiber – the body digests fiber slowly, keeping blood sugar levels low. Make sure you get at least 25 grams of fiber per day.
Flaxseed – the lignans in flaxseeds help the liver break down bad estrogen. 2 Tbs of ground flaxseed per day may cut your risk of breast cancer by 30% +. A German study determined that those who regularly consume lignans had a 64% reduction in breast cancer risk. (consume 1-2 Tbs of ground flaxseed per day)
Pumpkin - the beta carotene in pumpkin (1/2 c. of canned pumpkin = 8,000 mcg of beta carotene) can cut your risk of breast cancer by 50%
Vitamin D – a deficiency in Vitamin D decreases your bodies sensitivity to insulin. Keeping insulin levels in check could cut Breast cancer risk in half.
Around the house:
- Don’t microwave foods in plastic containers with recycle numbers 1,2 or 5. BPA (bisphenol A) – a breast cancer causing chemical – can leach into your foods.
March 10, 2010
YUM! I have been searching for a diet cola that is yummy and doesn’t contain aspartame. I tried Zevia … which was ok. Then I stumbled on Virgil’s. This is the best stuff EVER!
It tastes creamy – almost like a float. It doesn’t contain artificial color! (yay, who wants that anyway?)
Ingredients include Ginseng, Lycium, Astragalus, Fo-Ti Root, Gingko, Rhiodiola, Hibiscus, Amalki, Shatavari, premium Kola Nut from Africa, Clove Bud Oil from India and Vanilla from Madagascar. It even includes, cinnamon, nutmeg, orange and lemon oil, and lime juice.
Give it a try, you won’t be disapointed!
January 25, 2010
What causes Period/Menstrual Cramps? Seriously … once a month, I am doubled over with cramps. Why can’t there be a cure?
Cramps happen when uterine muscles contract. The contractions are caused by the series two prostaglandins. Series two prostaglandins help the uterus to shed the womb lining during menstruation by causing the contraction of the uterine muscles. When too many prostaglandins are produced, the contractions can cause very painful menstrual or period cramps.
The types of fatty acids included in your diet influence the types of prostaglandins made. Animal fat in the diet can increase the production of series two prostaglandins. In contrast, series one and series three prostaglandins (the type that don’t cause uterine contractions) are produced when the diet is higher in linoleic acid (omega 3). Evening primrose oil and starflower oil are rich sources of linoleic acid, which is why they are recommended for women suffering from period cramps and are especially helpful for women with endometriosis. B vitamins are needed to convert linoleic acid (omega 3) to GLA, which is necessary to produce beneficial prostaglandins. The enzyme bromelain from the stem of the pineapple, is also effective in inhibiting the inflammatory prostaglandins. In an extensive five-year study of more than 200 people experiencing inflammation as a result of surgery, traumatic injuries and wounds, 75 percent of the study participants had good to excellent improvement with bromelain; a much higher rate than that afforded by drugs.
January 24, 2010
I am trying to go low carb … or at least low carb, except for the carbs that come from low sugar veggies. I have been craving chips or crackers and I found a package of Parm Crisps at whole foods. They have that crunchy, salty flavor that I have been looking for. Even better they are so easy to make!
Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Line your cookie with parchment paper. Spoon a tablespoon of Parmesan Cheese into a cracker shape. The thinner the better. Repeat until the cookie sheet is full.
Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool.
** If you want to jazz up your Parm crisps you can add any of the following: pepper, rosemary, basil, hot pepper flakes, Italian seasoning
January 22, 2010
My mom had a hysterectomy at 44 to remove a fibroid tumor that was the size of a grapefruit. Fibroids are on my list of “things that I am afraid of” category.
First, I look to my diet … these are the recommendations to help control excess levels of oestrogen. Too much estrogen can encourage the fibroids to grow.
- Phytoestrogens may help reduce excessive endogenous oestrogen by bypassing oestrogen binding – alfalfa, flax, sesame seeds, red clover, soy (fermented form), linseeds, lentils, chickpeas, mung bean sprouts.
- Eat complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber (aka fruit, veggies, wholegrains
- Buy organic foods
- Reduce saturated fat.
- Drink two litres of filtered water daily.
- Avoid additives, preservatives, chemicals, artificial sweeteners.
- Reduce your intake of caffeine and alcohol.
- Avoid sugar.
- Avoid drinking black tea with your meals because black tea can block iron from your food from being absorbed.
- Avoid drinking fizzy soft drinkswith your meals because black tea can block iron from your food from being absorbed.
- Reduce your intake of red meat and dairy products because the arachidonic acid worsens pain and inflammation, increases blood flow, and reduces blood-clotting.
- Include essential fatty acids in your diet – nuts, seeds, some oils (linseed/flaxseed) and oily fish (including mackerel, mullet and salmon).
Next, I look at my vitamin cabinet (yep I have a whole cabinet):
- Zinc is good for hormone balance and tissue repair.
- Calcium and magnesium are effective for muscle spasm, pain and discomfort.
- Vitamin C and bioflavonoids help to strengthen capillaries and minimise bleeding, and also assist in iron uptake.
- Vitamin A deficiency has been found in women with heavy bleeding. One study showed that 92% of women who are prescribed supplemental vitamin A found that their heavy bleeding was either cured or alleviated.
- B vitamins are very important for fibroids. They are needed by the liver to convert excess oestrogen into weaker and less dangerous forms. Other B vitamins such as B6 are important in the natural anti-inflammatory pathways in our bodies. B6 also helps reduce abnormal blood clotting.
- Omega 3 oils help reduce inflammation and pain, and control bleeding during periods.
- DIM as a supplement helps the liver convert oestrogen into a healthier form. The dose is dependent on body weight.
- Also, the herbs are recommended: Horsetail, Ladies Mantle, Shepherd’s Purse, Yarrow, Cransebill, Witch Hazel, Tienchi Ginseng, Beth Root and Golden Seal are astringent herbs that help regulate excess bleeding. Paeonia and Licorice combinations, Chaste Tree and Ladies Mantle can help reduce oestrogen dominance. Calendula, Thuja, Ruta, Damiana and Poke root are herbs that can help contain or reduce the size of fibroids.
Always check with a physician before trying any program, even a natural one.
January 17, 2010
Wow! What a difference having at least 3 Tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) makes! I am not ill, but I can report that after 2 weeks of drinking ACV I have more energy and feel great.
I researched Apple Cider Vinegar and learned that you only want to use Natural ACV with the “mother.” Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar is my fave. It is made by crushing fresh, organically grown apples and allowing them to mature in wooden barrels. This boosts the natural fermentation qualities of the crushed apples, which differs from the refined and distilled vinegars found in supermarkets. When the vinegar is mature, it contains a dark, cloudy, web-like bacterial foam called mother, which becomes visible when the rich brownish liquid is held to the light.
I haven’t tested these, but around the world Natural Apple Cider Vinegar is known to be a cure for a number of health problems that can otherwise require antibiotics and other medications to cure. Check out the list:
- Sinus infections and sore throats
- High cholesterol
- Skin conditions like acne
- Food poisoning
- Allergies
- Muscle fatigue after exercise
- Strengthen the immune system
- Increase stamina
- Increase metabolism which promotes weight loss
- Improve digestion and cure constipation
- Alleviate symptoms of arthritis and gout
- Prevents bladder stones and urinary tract infections
How do I take ACV? In a shot glass.
or with coleslaw using the following recipe (no added sugar):
Mix together:
- 4 cups shredded Cabbage (I buy it already made)
- 2 Tablespoons Safflower Oil
- 2 Tablespoons Cold Ground Flax Seed
- 3 Tablespoons Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar
- Himalayan Sea Salt to Taste
December 29, 2009
A randomized double-blind crossover study showed that safflower oil might help type 2 postmenopausal diabetic women to lose abdominal fat. The study led by Dr. Martha Belury involved 55 obese postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. Most were on antidiabetic, high blood pressure, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
The women did not to change their diets, or exercise patterns during the study. Belury says, “I never would have imagined such a finding. This study is the first to show that such a modest amount of linoleic-acid rich oil may have a profound effect on body composition in women.” The women took a daily dose of 1-2/3 teaspoons of safflower oil.”
Although safflower oil did not lower total body fat, it did reduce abdominal (belly) fat by 2.3 pounds and 4.2 pounds, or an average of 6.3%. It also increased lean muscle mass by an average of 1.4 pounds and 3 pounds. The women’s fasting blood sugar levels were also reduced by 11 and 19 points.
Belury says, “Lowering fasting blood sugar is important for these women. The overall effect in just 16 weeks won’t bring them back to normal, but safflower oil still improved it significantly.” Safflower oil increased adiponectin levels in the subjects – a hormone that helps the body to “burn” dietary fats more efficiently.
See the study here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19535429
* Always ask your doctor before taking any herbs or embarking on any medical treatment
December 14, 2009
Tis the season! With all the bad choices, if you can get sneaky and add veggie or fruit to a meal, you win! Cranberries are the perfect winter treat, and this salad dressing is YUMMY!
- 1/4 cup cranberry sauce (yep, the kind you buy in a can)
- 3 Tbs balsamic viniger
- 1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Whisk the above ingredients until blended and serve over your favorite greens.
Reasons your body will thank you:
- Cranberries can help lower bad LDL cholesterol by up to 14% and boost good HDL cholesterol by 10%
- The polyphenols in cranberries speed the liver’s breakdown of artery clogging triglycerides and inhibit cholesterol oxidation
- The malic acid in cranberries helps flush energy sapping toxins out of your body
