Tuesday, January 22, 2008

10 Easy Steps to True Healthy Living!

We realize just how difficult it is to maintain a good level of health in our society today. We are bombarded with stress (due to the daily responsibilities of life) and toxins (both in our food and our environment) that put a burden on our bodies and our spirits.

It’s difficult to find time to eat responsibly, exercise, rest and recharge in order to nourish our bodies, our spirit, and our soul. But these things must be changed if we want to experience good health. Therefore, we decided to develop the steps that we believe are beneficial to True Healthy Living! Share them with your family and friends! We Do!

Just briefly the 10 steps are:

Step 1. Change our belief system
Step 2. Eat responsibly
Step 3. Drink more water
Step 4. Responsible vitamin and mineral supplementation
Step 5. Exercise
Step 6. Education and prevention
Step 7. Spirituality
Step 8. Sleep
Step 9. Sunshine
Step 10. Fresh air and deep breathing

For more detailed information on these 10 steps and how to implement them into your daily lives click here!


Friday, January 18, 2008

Garlic is Mother Natures Pungent Cure-All-The Odoriferous Herb

I don't know about you, but one of my very favorite aromas is garlic wafting through a kitchen, especially when it's in a great tomato sauce or stir fried with some vegetables. Whether it's in a pan with olive oil or roasting in the oven, the smell of garlic sets my appetite on overdrive!While not everyone shares my predilection for this odoriferous herb, there can be no denying that its appeal extends far beyond its smell or taste. Time and again, garlic has come through as one of the most versatile healing herbs known to humans.

The value of garlic (Allium sativum) has been recognized since ancient Egypt, when slaves went on strike to increase their garlic rations. In the 1950s, the great Albert Schweitzer, M.D., used garlic in his African clinic to treat dysentery, typhus and cholera. During the Second World War, garlic was used as a disinfectant for wounds and as protection against gangrene in injured soldiers. Now, research is showing that it protects against two of the most dreaded diseases of our time: heart disease and cancer.

Some have even argued that since our ancestors ate a diet rich in a variety of plants and herbs now missing in modern diets, we should consider phytonutrient-rich plants such as garlic to be essential nutrients!

I think this is a great idea, and you can easily incorporate into your own personal diet plan just by taking aged garlic supplements.

Garlic Basics:
Garlic is a member of the lily family. Its genus (Allium) also includes onions. When a clove of garlic is crushed or chewed, an odorless sulfur-containing compound, alliin, is transformed to allicin, which gives garlic its characteristic odor. Allicin is the element of garlic that has been most intensively studied and which appears to have the most medicinal value. Allicin naturally breaks down to other compounds, including daily sulfide and ajoene, which are thought to have unique healing effects on the body.

To read the rest of this article click here!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

The Detrimental Effects of SUGAR!

Studies show that here in the United States we consume somewhere between 140 to 170 lbs. of sugar per person each year. We know that sounds outlandish but according to estimates done by the Department of Agriculture it’s true. It’s not only that extra teaspoon of sugar in our coffee, but the amount of sweets, candy, cake, cookies, juices, soft drinks and all the added sugars in processed foods.We could list over a hundred health problems from consuming sugar, but we won’t bore you. (Read… Lick the Sugar Habit … by Dr. Nancy Appleton, for this list) We’ll just hit a few of the high points.

The Immune System:

First and foremost, the consumption of refined sugar suppresses our immune system. Just one serving of sugar from a soft drink, candy bar, cake, cookie, ice cream, etc. can suppress our immune system for several hours. This leaves us vulnerable to many unwanted invaders, like viruses, bacteria, and yeast/fungi. The yeast issue alone is a problem because once yeast has the upper hand, sugar becomes its fuel and yeast proliferates.

So, you see, when eating sugar day after day, week after week, year after year. The immune system is...that’s right…IN TROUBLE!

Refined sugar is also lacking the minerals needed for assimilation in our bodies. So eating sugar will cause the body to deplete its own store of minerals in order to process it. This will lead to other deficiencies and may cause chronic illness.

To learn more about the negative effects of sugar click here!

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Stevia, The Perfect Sweetener, Whoops supplement!

We are all aware that sugar is not our friend. Sugar increases insulin levels and may lead to a myriad of diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, inflammation, premature aging and so on.

Artificial sweeteners such as Aspartame (NutraSweet, Equal) and Splenda come with their own set of debilitating and damaging effects. These chemical substitutes are not the answer for good health or for caloric restriction. Aspartame for example has been linked to brain cancer, emotional disorders, seizures, and birth defects. More than 75% of all non-drug complaints to the FDA are about Aspartame. These side effects are but a small sampling of the 100’s of adverse reactions caused by Aspartame.

Animal research has linked Splenda (succulous) with enlarged liver and kidneys, shrunken thymus glands, reduced growth rate and aborted pregnancies. Available only since 1999, the reports of adverse effects on humans is beginning to evolve, but understand that people having adverse reactions may not make the connection.

Reducing or quitting sugar altogether is beneficial to good health. Yet, we all know how very hard this is to do. In our house, we have consciously reduced sugar to almost nothing. We do however, need a bit of sweetener on occasion, for example to sweeten lemon aid, ice tea, coffee, whole grain cereal, oatmeal etc. We therefore recommend choosing Stevia over sugar or artificial sweeteners.

What is Stevia?

To find out more on Stevia click here!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Omega 3 Fatty Acids…Why are they so Important!

While health experts argue the benefits of some health supplements, the evidence continues to mount in favor of fish oil. Fish and fish oil supplements supply us with the Omega 3 fatty acids that are needed for heart and brain health. Even the American Heart Association strongly endorses the use of fish oil for cardiovascular health. Why? Because those with diets rich in Omega 3 fats are less likely to have high blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms, and are less likely to die from heart attacks or strokes.

Omega 3 fatty acids are also beneficial for brain health. The human brain is more than sixty percent structural fat. But, the type of fat needed for the brain to function properly is Omega 3 fatty acids. According to recent research, decreasing your intake of Omega 6 fats (primarily vegetable oils) along with increasing Omega 3 fatty acids, reduces the risk of depression, aggressive behavior, attention deficit disorder, schizophrenia and lowers your risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Other current studies with Omega 3 fats have shown benefits with regards to cancer, inflammatory diseases, diabetes and other health related conditions.

Of course we all know that there are good fats and bad fats. Any artificially produced fat, called transfats are not good for us and saturated fats should always be kept at a minimum.

But there is a type of fat called EFA’s (Essential Fatty Acids) that are not only good for you but essential for normal growth and development. Furthermore, your body can’t manufacture them, so you must get them from your diet. Essential Fatty Acids are polyunsaturated and are grouped into Omega 6 and Omega 3’s.

For more interesting info. on omegas click here!

Saturday, January 12, 2008

PAIN! Our Bodies Cry for HELP!

On occasion, we’ve all tried NSAIDS (over the counter pain medications) like Tylenol and Motrin. But recent information shows that these drugs can cause damage to the stomach, and increase the risk of renal failure. Prescription drugs like Vioxx and Celebrex come with their own serious health risks as evidenced by the nightly news.

Pain is certainly not the cause of our problems but a symptom that the body is not functioning properly. While we do not consider ourselves experts, we would like to pass on what we have learned from health experts (like Doug Kaufmann, Dr. Jacob Tietelbaum, Dr. Joseph Mercola and others) about the causes and possible remedies for this debilitating symptom.

Infection in the body can and does affect pain. Due to the overuse of antibiotics both via doctor’s prescription and those given to livestock, our bodies can become depleted of good bacteria. This increases the risk of yeast overgrowth. Yeast in the body, coupled with the excessive consumption of sugar (estimated at 150 or more lbs per year) can and does cause inflammation in the body, and subsequently leads to pain.

Eliminating sugar and adding probiotics, while adopting an anti candida diet, and treating for yeast overgrowth with natural anti fungals (exp. garlic, capryllic acid, apple cider vinegar, and olive leaf extract) will assist you in getting yeast under control. For those with a more chronic yeast condition, prescription anti fungals like Nystatin plus Diflucan (which are gut and blood anti fungals respectively) may be considered.

To read more of this article click here!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Coconut Oil ... The Truly Good Fat!

What is the healthiest fat to eat? That would be virgin Coconut oil! It is rich in lauric acid, a proven antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent. This beneficial oil builds the body’s immune system, while attacking bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.

Coconut oil contains no trans fats (unlike vegetable oils, margarines and other shortenings). Even the beloved Olive oil has some trans fat.

Note: Trans-fats should be avoided at all costs, because they lead to heart disease, clogged arteries, and diabetes.

Coconut oil is a saturated fat! But hold on, IT’S HEART HEALTHY! The hype you’ve heard about saturated fat’s connection to modern illness and heart disease is not true!!! Saturated fats make up about 50% of cell membranes, therefore playing a vital role within the body. Look to the excessive use of polyunsaturated fats (vegetable oils derived from soy, corn, safflower or canola) and trans fats when evaluating the increase in modern illness. More on bad fats and saturated vs. polyunsaturated fats in future articles.

Coconut oil is a saturated fat that is of the medium-chain fatty acid variety. Thus making it actually GOOD for YOU. Medium chained fatty acids are absorbed directly for quick energy, and contribute to the health of the immune system. They are not stored in the bodies cells, therefore, are not stored as fat. Coconut oil actually speeds up the body’s metabolism, making it an excellent partner in weight loss.

For more on the benefits of coconut oil click here!

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Detox Diet: A Basic Understanding

Detoxification occurs in our bodies daily. Our internal organs, the colon, liver and intestines, help our bodies eliminate toxic and harmful matter from our bloodstreams and tissues. Often, our systems become overloaded with waste. Todays over processed foods and environmental pollutants can easily overwhelm our delicate systems and cause toxic matter to build up in our bodies.

Detox diets are designed to help your body rid itself of the toxic matter buildup and lose weight. If you feel sluggish, have frequent colds, digestive problems or just aren’t feeling your best, you may have a toxicity issue. A detox diet will help you clean the harmful matter from your body and lose weight.

A detox diet will help your body by increasing stamina and energy, making the digestive process easier, increasing mental clarity and decreasing allergies. Most detox diets don’t involve weird or unhealthy foods, simply fresh and whole foods like fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of fresh fruit, except grapefruit. Enzymes in grapefruit interfere with the proper functioning of enzymes in the liver, so they should not be used during detox diets.

Fresh vegetables are also great on the detox diet. The best vegetables for detoxing are broccoli, garlic, artichokes, beets, cauliflower and red and green vegetables. Avoid corn products, as corn often contains allergens. Rice is also acceptable on a detox diet, and beans, nuts and seeds are great as well.

Drink plenty of water, about 6 to 8 glasses a day to aid the body in flushing out toxins. A hydrated body helps your body organs to function in an optimal fashion.

A simple detox diet plan may just involve staying off meat for a couple of days. For a more detailed plan, consult a professional on what to eat for each meal during the detox period.

Using a detox diet plan can help maximize your health, reduce your weight, and help you feel more energetic and rested. Try a detox diet for a few days. You’ll be surprised how much lighter you’ll feel.

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About the Author: Sandra Kim Leong publishes information on detoxification and cleansing. Her site includes information on colon cleansing, liver cleansing, kidney cleansing, detox diets and juice fasting. Please visit http://www.Detox-Cleansing.com.

Source: www.isnare.com
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Friday, January 04, 2008

Protect Yourself Against The Flu Vaccine!

The vaccine industry insists that their vaccines against the flu serve as the key to a healthy winter. Although there has not been a serious flu epidemic for 38 years, their vaccines are prescribed to millions of people each year. You may wonder why perfectly healthy people are injected with a normally harmless bug whose strains mutate from year to year? Although flu vaccines can never be accurate, encouraged by their employers, millions of employees submit to a flu jab each year, trying to avoid the loss of working days.

Influenza always starts in the Far East, and then spreads to the West in early winter, reaching its peak during February and March. It may come in either of three types, A, B, or C. During the last several years, type A has been the dominant version. What makes vaccination against the flu so unsuccessful is that the strains of the flu virus are different every year and the so-called protection lasts for only six months. So each autumn you require a new vaccination for a different virus. The trouble is, drug companies have no way of knowing in summer which new strain of the flu virus is going to hit the Western Hemisphere during the winter months. The vaccine producers grow the vaccines, consisting of live viruses, in hen’s eggs, which when injected into the body can cause side effects such as redness and soreness at the injection site and a mild form of flu. Very serious complications arise in people who are taking immune-suppressing drugs or who have a heart condition. If you are allergic to eggs, having a flu-shot may also endanger your health.

For the average healthy person, coming down with the flu is not serious at all. On the contrary, it can build up natural immunity even against future encounters with new strains of the flu virus. The very reason why nature creates these new forms of virus every year and spreads them with accurate timing is to ensure continued ecological balance and strong immunity in plants, animals, and humans alike. Anyone prone to repeated infections is likely to have a toxic liver with many hundreds of stones accumulated in the liver and gallbladder. Gallstones, which harbor many types of infectious bacteria and viruses, are a constant source of immune suppression. Cleansing the liver of all gallstones is about the best prevention against any type of infection. People who have cleansed their liver in this way have reported that they never catch a cold or the flu anymore.

To read the rest of this article click here!