|
|
Health & Nutrition Information:
|
Karen: Posted on Monday, April 22, 2013 11:34 AM
Services at Holistic
Alternatives, LLC By Karen DeVault, RN,
BCHHP, CCWFN
Do you desire better
physical and emotional health? Are you aware there is a
connection between your emotions and your physical health? According to the
U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health,
"....a new field has emerged which is starting to combine the latest in
the neurosciences with the latest in immunology to provide the scientific basis
for understanding relationships between the emotions and
disease...." http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/emotions/frontiers.html
The definition of holistic is,
"relating to or concerned with complete systems rather than with the
analysis of, treatment of, or dissection into parts <holistic medicine
attempts to treat both the mind and the body>."
Nutritional Therapy: Explore wholesome nutrition with Standard Process and the
benefits it can have on your health. Given the proper nutrition, your body has
an amazing ability to heal itself. Disease begins at the cellular level before
you are even aware of the changes taking place inside your body. A symptom is a
signal from the body that tells you something is wrong. It can take many
years for a disease to manifest symptoms. Don't wait until you have symptoms or
a diagnosed disease before you begin to address the health of your body through
the intake of proper nutrition. In order to be healthy we must consider the
body's nutritional status and deal with the root issue. We must get toxins out
of the cells and put good nutrition into the cells. Long-standing
nutritional deficiencies have become commonplace because we don't eat the foods
that are high in vitamins, minerals, enzymes, phytonutrients, etc.
Standard Process, Inc. produces supplements from
whole foods, botanicals, organ and tissue extracts, (including protomorphogens,
which are the blue prints of a cell). These whole food concentrates are created
from a low-temperature, high vacuum process to ensure the preservation of the
ingredients’ nutrients including very important enzymes, which are responsible
for metabolic reactions, from the digestion of food to the synthesis of
DNA. Their products address health at the cellular level. Without
specific nutrients in specific quality and quantities, cell function may be impaired.
The longer this goes unaddressed, the more impaired the cell becomes, which can
then lead to physical symptoms. Medication may halt unwanted symptoms, but
what’s being done to address your underlying issue?
When choosing supplements, quality is far more
important than quantity, and a true whole food supplement contains all the necessary components that isolated vitamins (made from whole food sources) do not contain. Don't be fooled by labels!! Just because a product lists healthy whole food ingredients, does not mean that the nutrients in their supplements have been left IN the food source! It is easy to tell...what does the product say about Vitamin C, or Vitamin A for example? Does it list Vitamin C as Ascorbic Acid? Does it list Vitamin A as Beta Carotene? Then these two components of the whole food have been extracted (isolated) from the food. While you may think you are "eating" the food listed on the label, you are actually only getting the part of the vitamin they used from the food source itself.
When we consume large doses of isolated vitamins, our
bodies can actually be harmed instead of helped. In contrast, when a vitamin is left in its whole food form, it is far more effective than a large dose of an
isolated vitamin. Why? Because of all the other important factors that give that vitamin its function. Standard Process concentrates foods
for use in supplements, which supplies a multitude of components that work
synergistically to provide optimal nutrition for good health.
For starters, please read my article "Are Your Vitamins Feeding You or Cheating You?"
These supplements also provide glandular therapy
with the use of glandular extracts. This type of therapy provides essential
nutrients to glandular tissues that have compromised function. These
nutrients are critical to recovery and healing. These products are like none
other on the market today.
I will do an evaluation which will provide me with information that will help me determine appropriate supplementation for your body's nutritional requirements. I will also discuss healthy food choices and ways you can reduce the stressors in your life (some of which may be unknown to you)...which brings me to some of my other services...
Essential Oils: In addition to Nutritional Therapy, I also use Young
Living Essential Oils (YLEO) for emotional and physical health. Essential oils
(EO's) have been used for centuries, as evidenced by Old Testament scriptures.
Their applications are numerous and because of the very nature of the hundreds
of chemical constituents found in a therapeutic grade EO, they can be very
beneficial for physical and emotional health.
EO's have a bioelectrical frequency that is several
times greater than the frequency of herbs, food and even the human body. Clinical
research has shown that EO's can quickly raise the frequency of the human body,
which can help combat disease and promote health. Within just 20 minutes
of application, EO's have been shown to affect the internal cells of the body
and then are metabolized like other nutrients. I received certified training from the Center for
Aromatherapy and Research Education in 2010. I offer Raindrop and Emotional
Release Techniques, using EO’s.
There are many versions of Raindrop, but the same oils are always
applied, though not always in the same sequence. Most of the oils used in
this technique are high in phenolic content to ward off potentially damaging
viruses and bacteria while cleansing cell receptor sites to enhance
intra-cellular communication and improve overall bodily function. Some raindrop
oils contain a variety of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes to assist in deleting
misinformation in the DNA and in reprogramming correct information in cellular
memory to restore and maintain physical and emotional wellness. The oils used
in Raindrop must be high quality therapeutic grade as found in YLEO’s. This is
a massage type technique which takes an hour.
An Emotional Release Technique is administered and guided by someone
who has experience with and knowledge of essential oils. A combination of
essential oils is used. The oils are chosen based on their cleansing and
detoxifying abilities, as well as their energy frequencies and known ability to
release negative emotions. When emotions are dislodged from cellular
memory, we experience an “emotional release”.
This process allows us to move forward in a positive and productive
way. People release in different ways. While some may experience peace,
others may release with crying, anger, sadness, or pain. When a negative
emotion is felt, we should not dismiss it but rather allow it so it can be
processed and eliminated. The body holds emotional patterns, even when we are
not consciously aware of them. Many times our body “releases” at the
subconscious level and we may not even be aware we are letting go, however we
may find we respond differently to situations that used to create stress. Since
physical problems can have an emotional component, our physical health can
improve as these emotions are released. After a session, clients often report
feeling relaxed, peaceful, and centered. It is not uncommon to have continued
releases during the week following an Emotional Release session. This is
not a massage type technique. It takes up to 2 hours.
Please contact me through email: www.holistic.alternatives@yahoo.com or by phone: 563-340-5999 to schedule an appointment. Please read through my policy. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Monday, April 22, 2013 10:34 AM
Can Essential Oils Cause Allergic Reactions? by Karen DeVault RN, BCHHP, CCWFN
Have you ever heard someone say they are allergic to essential oils? I have, and I always probe deeper and question what that means. An allergy involves the immune system and it reacts when certain compounds enter the body. These are called nitrogen compounds and they include proteins, peptides and amino acids.
Essential oils are obtained through a process called steam distillation, and these allergy-producing nitrogen compounds do not pass through the distillation process.
Some essential oil blends can contain one or more fatty oil, calledcarrier oils such as olive, walnut, almond, grape seed etc. Since they are cold pressed and not distilled, they can contain small amounts of proteins. If an essential oil blend contains a carrier oil that a person has an allergy to, then there is the potential of an allergic response. However, it would not be from the essential oils in that blend, but rather the carrier oil.
There are certain essential oils that are not, by definition, true essential oils because they have not gone through the distillation process, yet we call them essential oils. Among these are citrus oils and absolutes. Since these oils can contain traces of nitrogen compounds, a person could potentially have an allergic reaction to any one of them. According to Dr. David Stewart, PhD., “Allergic sensitivities are due to the body developing antibodies in response to certain nitrogenous molecules. No one has ever found antibodies in humans from essential oils, so if one has a reaction to an essential oil, it is something else. Not an allergy.” So if it's not an allergy then what is it?
Detox Reactions: As for sensitivities to essential oils that produce “allergic-like” symptoms such as a rash where the oil was applied, nausea or headaches, this can be due to a detox reaction. Our skin is our largest organ of detoxification so a rash is not uncommon. Remember, essential oils pull toxins from our cells and if a rash develops, guess what? It’s doing its job! Continued use of essential oils will lesson this reaction, whereas a true allergic reaction would get worse with continued use. This is the difference. A detox reaction is actually a good thing. We want to rid the body of toxic substances. Sometimes we might be uncomfortable for a while in order to clear our system, however, it is best to keep the rate of detox down to levels that can be safely flushed out through the kidneys and colon. Be sure to increase the consumption of water.
Emotional Sensitivities: In some cases, a person can have an emotional response to an essential oil as if it was an allergen or toxin, but in reality it is neither. Sometimes a person may feel like vomiting or passing out when certain oils are smelled or applied. This is an emotional response. Essential oils can tap into the part of the brain where we store emotions and traumas. Healing in these cases is a process that is different for everyone, but when healing happens the sensitivities disappear. Applying essential oils for emotional purposes can assist in revealing and releasing buried traumas or feelings that underlie such a malady. This is, in my opinion, the most fascinating use for essential oils.
Adulterated Oils: This is a type of sensitivity that may be blamed on essential oils, but in reality has to do with perfume or food grade oils, not those used for medicinal purposes. Here’s why. True therapeutic grade oils are grown organically, harvested at the right time and in the right ways, distilled gently at minimum temperatures and pressures, and bottled without anything added or removed. The vast majority of essential oils sold in retail stores or other places are perfume or food grade oils. From the hundreds of naturally occurring compounds, only a few are responsible for the aroma or taste of an oil. In order for an essential oil to help with healing, it must contain all its naturally occurring compounds in proper balance. This is where the power of proper distillation comes into play. In my opinion these adulterated, impure oils add to the body’s toxic load.Food and fragrance grade oils are always incomplete in their composition. Furthermore they are usually diluted with petrochemicals to increase volume and profitability. So you can see how a person can have an allergic reaction to an impure, adulterated product. The reactions are due to the chemicals that are added to the oil, not the essential oil compounds of that particular product.
To learn more about essential oils in greater detail, purchase Dr. Stewart’s book, The Chemistry of Essential Oils Made Simple. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Saturday, December 29, 2012 12:55 PM
Yeast / Parasite Spit Test
Place a glass of water next to your bed before you
retire. Upon awakening and before you swallow, work up some spit and spit twice into the glass. Let the glass sit for about ten minutes then look in the glass. If the water becomes cloudy, stringy, or it has the appearance of spider webs, this is an indication of yeast. We can never completely get rid of yeast, but what we aim to do is "recolonize" yeast with good, quality probiotics and the consumption of fermented foods. I would also recommend adding Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic capsules (my preference is Standard Process, Inc. One capsule is a whole garlic clove, organically grown), along with some anti fungal Young Living Essential Oils to your daily dietary routine.
If there is brown sediment in the
bottom of the glass, this is indicative of parasites. Please note: A person can have parasites without seeing a brown sediment. If you suspect you have parasites (there are other symptoms to be aware of), or if you've ever been out of the country, then it would be advised to do a parasite cleanse. I recommend doing a parasite cleanse at least twice/year. Some people do them at the beginning of every season. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 11:01 AM
By Karen DeVault RN, BCHHP,
CCWFN
 With all the evidence that links a healthy diet
to a healthy body, one would have to wonder why more people don’t choose to eat
what their bodies require. With the ever-growing need for better
nutrition, there is a way to feed our bodies the nutrients our cells are
craving in order to benefit from proper function, defense against disease, and
mere survival. According to Paul Bergner, Clinical Director of the Rocky
Mountain Center for Botanical Studies in Boulder Colorado, the serious
depletion of nutrients in our country’s food supply is “leading our entire
nation down the road to malnutrition and disease.”
While that may not come as a surprise, maybe
this will: even if we could get all the nutrition from our diets, only about
9%-11% of the population eats the recommended five to nine servings of
protective fruits and vegetables required per day! Be honest. Does this
percentage include you?
Dr. Joel Robbins from the Health and Wellness
Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma summarizes three reasons for using food supplements
in his practice: first he said the average person takes a long time to change
their dietary habits to a more nutritious lifestyle; therefore in the meantime they
should supplement their diet. Second, he said that due to the
digestive problems created from an unhealthy diet-related lifestyle, the full
assimilation of nutrients is hindered; therefore their body needs extra
nutrition to make up for the deficiency of nutrients. Finally, he said
the body has a limit to what it can assimilate in a day, so if for instance
there is a vitamin A deficiency, a person can’t possibly eat enough of its food
source in a day to make up for that long-standing deficiency. Supplements
can bridge the gap between what you actually eat and what you should
eat.
It can take a long time for a symptom to occur
that’s directly related to the depletion of vitamin and mineral stores in the
body. By the time symptoms are present, the body is so depleted that even if a
person ate a perfect diet, it would not contain enough nutrients to meet the
needs of the current state plus have enough nutrition to make up for the
long-standing deficiency needs. Whole food supplements in their concentrated
form, can give the body the required nutrients for cellular health so that the
body can begin to get the nourishment it needs to heal and repair in addition
to having what it needs for daily function. It can take several months or even
years in some conditions to improve severe or multiple deficiencies.
Not all supplements are created equal.
Whole food supplements are made from foods and a reliable product is one that
hasn’t lost its nutrient value or all of the other parts of a vitamin’s complex
during the manufacturing process. Synthetic and crystalline vitamins are
very different from whole food products and part of the confusion sets in when
people try to figure out how many milligrams of a particular vitamin is in a
whole food supplement. According to Judith DeCava, M.S., LNC, “A minute
amount of a vitamin in its whole food form is more effective
nutritionally than a large amount of a vitamin fraction.” Potency then, is not
related to how many milligrams it contains, but rather how “whole” the nutrient
is.
Foods in nature (and subsequent whole food
supplements), are not high in “milligrams”, so anytime we see high milligrams,
it has to be an isolated fragment or a synthetic product. Simply said, a whole-food
supplement is “dried food” with only the water and fiber removed, and these
products should be processed below 112 degrees F in order to preserve the live
enzymes naturally found in its original state. These supplements have a
limited shelf life. They contain all of the nutrients that can meet the requirements of our cells. Be careful though. A product may carry the label “whole foods” or even list several
foods in the ingredients, but that does not mean it was manufactured in such a
way that the product is a true representation of whole food complex nutrition,
as nutrient content may have been lost during the processing of the product. Another critical point is to know how the ingredients were grown, including the soil in which it was grown.
On the flip side of whole-food supplements, are
man-made vitamins. These are known as synthetic vitamins derived from chemicals.
They do not come from food, nor do they function like food. They came about by
the food industry in an effort to put “nutrients” (I use that term lightly
because chemical vitamins are not nutrients), back into food that was lost during processing. Isolated and synthetic vitamins are generally
manufactured by pharmaceutical companies and can be produced in high
concentrations. Because they are incomplete, the body will seek out and
pull from its reserves the missing co-factors in an attempt to utilize the
isolated part of the vitamin. This process is quite stressful on the
body. When these types of vitamins are taken in large quantities or over
long periods of time, they can be harmful or even hazardous to our health.
Crystalline vitamins are fractionated vitamins
made by treating natural foods with high-powered chemicals, solvents and
heat. This process destroys almost all of the co-factors, which includes
enzymes, antioxidants, trace elements and other unknown factors. You miss
the major ingredients as it contains only a part (thus the term, fractionated)
of the real thing. A vitamin outside of its food source is not natural and
does not work like the food itself. Since it is an isolated or
fractionated part, it works somewhat the same as a synthetic vitamin in that it
can create deficiencies or other problems…the very thing people are trying to avoid
by taking the product in the first place!
According to Dr. Royal Lee, vitamins that are
isolated or synthesized in the laboratory are not natural. They act like a drug,
they can be toxic, and they can cause an imbalance in body chemistry.
Natural vitamins are foods, and they only work as nutrition when still
contained in the whole complex with all of the other synergists found in
nature.
|
|
|
Karen: Posted on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 12:27 PM
GREEN SMOOTHIE RECIPES!
Raw honey can be used instead of Stevia if you like. If you use Stevia, I recommend Sweet Leaf brand. Use organic produce. Use purified water (not tap water). Choose fresh or frozen over canned. I also recommend using a high powered blender like a Vita Mix, or Ninja, in order to break open the seeds of the berries. The Ninja can be purchased at Wal-Mart. The Vita Mix can be purchased at www.vitamix.com _______________________________________________________________________ SPINACH RECIPES:
Berry Greens
1 large banana, ripe 1 cup blueberries, frozen 1/2 cup strawberries, frozen 5 oz spinach, fresh 1 1/2 cups pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Tropical Greens 1 large banana, ripe and peeled 3/4 cup pineapple, fresh or frozen 8 oz spinach, fresh 1 cup mango, fresh or frozen 4 ice cubes 1 packet of stevia 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana and pineapple closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Creamy Tropical Green Smoothie 1 large banana, ripe and peeled 1/4 avocado flesh 6 oz spinach, fresh 3/4 cup pineapple, frozen 3/4 cup mango, frozen 4 ice cubes 1 tablespoon coconut milk powder 1 packet of stevia (optional) 1 1/2 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana and avocado closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-3
Purple Chocolate This smoothie is very yummy! It is purple, but it tastes like chocolate. 1 large banana, ripe and peeled 5-8 oz spinach, fresh 2 dates, pitted 1 cup blueberries, frozen 1 tablespoon cacao, powdered 5 ice cubes 1 1/2 cups water Pour the water in first. Then blend the banana, spinach, and dates with the water. Add the remaining ingredients and blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Spinach Green Smoothie 1 large banana, ripe 1 cup mangoes, frozen 1/2 cup strawberries, frozen 5 oz spinach, fresh 1 1/2 cups pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Spinach Fig Smoothie
4 figs, tops removed and quartered 1 frozen banana 3/4 cup blueberries, frozen 5 oz spinach, fresh 1/2 tsp stevia 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the figs closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
__________________________________________________________________________ ARUGULA GREEN SMOOTHIES RECIPES:
Mixed Berry Arugula Smoothie 1 banana, peeled 1 loose handful of fresh Arugula 1/2 small head of Romaine lettuce 1 orange, peeled and seeded 3/4 cup mango, frozen 3/4 cup blueberries, frozen 1/2 cup raspberries, frozen 1/2 tsp stevia (optional) 1 1/2 cups water Blend all of the ingredients together until smooth. Makes 3-4 cups of smoothie.
Peachy Arugula Smoothie: 1 banana, peeled 1 orange, peeled and seeded 1 loose handful of arugula 2-5 ounces spinach 1 cup peaches, frozen 1/2 cup mango, frozen 1/2 tsp stevia (optional) 2 cups water Blend all of the non-frozen ingredients together until smooth. Then add the frozen ingredients and blend again. Enjoy! Makes 3-4 cups of smoothie.
_________________________________________________________________________
COLLARD GREENS RECIPES:
Collard Berries 1 large banana, ripe 2 cups collard greens, fresh 1 cup blueberries, frozen 1/4 cup strawberries, frozen 1 packet of stevia 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Tropical Collards
1 large banana, ripe and peeled 3/4 cup pineapple, fresh or frozen 2 cups collards, fresh 1 cup mango, frozen 4 ice cubes 1 packet of stevia 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana and pineapple closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Collard Green Smoothie
1 large banana, ripe 1 1/2 cups collard greens, packed 3/4 cup pineapple, fresh or frozen 1 kiwi, peeled 1/4-1/2 teaspoon stevia 3/4 cup blueberries, frozen 3 ice cubes 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the fresh fruit and greens closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Kiwi-Collards Berry Smoothie
1 large banana, ripe 1-2 cups collard greens, fresh 1 kiwi, peeled 3/4 cup blueberries, frozen 3/4 cup mangoes, frozen 1 packet of stevia 1 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2
Collard Fresh Berry Smoothie 1 large banana, ripe 1-2 cups collard greens, fresh 1 cup strawberries, fresh 3/4 cup mangos, frozen 3 ice cubes 1 packet of stevia 1 1/2 cup pure water Pour water in first. Then place the banana closest to the blade with the rest of the ingredients on top. Blend until smooth. Serves 1-2 |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Thursday, November 08, 2012 8:38 PM
by Karen
DeVault, RN, BCHHP, CCWFN
Much of our subconscious mind is responsible for what we
believe about ourselves. This can come from generations of family patterns that
set this belief system in place. These family
patterns are accountable for the majority of beliefs we have about ourselves,
and others. Thus, in order to experience freedom from negative or
self-destructive beliefs, we need to understand powerful bits of information
stored deeply within us.
Dysfunction
becomes apparent in subconscious patterns that produce unhealthy results. Are
your family's unconscious requirements (expectations) for measuring up and
being accepted complicating your life and influencing your belief that perhaps is
making your life unpleasant? When we begin to piece together the events of our
past with greater understanding, we then become empowered to create a new
reality.
Some of us
find that emotions make us feel vulnerable and/or weak, so as a means to
protect ourselves, we tend to avoid the things that cause us to feel insecure
or powerless. Suppressing emotions can become the only way we handle them
because dealing with them can seem over-whelming. For some, even the mere
thought of it can instill fear and anxiety. We often hide our negative feelings
and hope they will go away rather than accepting and exploring them. As a
result, it becomes difficult to effectively communicate what's going on inside
us. We need to be willing to confront the emotions that may exist as a result
of what's been passed down to us through our family history. If we want to
change our behavior or beliefs, knowledge about our history becomes perhaps the
most important data we need. In order to create something new, we need to
understand there is much more to our conscious thoughts and behaviors, and there
is a deeper layer to the reasons why we think and behave the way we do.
Everything
we experience in life is recorded in the cells of our body and mind. It becomes
like the hard drive of a computer. It contains all the facets of our
perceptions and we filter our experiences through these perceptions that we've
stored. When we decide that we are unworthy because of negative filters, this
begins a cycle of repetition and we begin to see all circumstances through this
tainted lens, even to the point of blocking out other views of reality that may
exist simultaneously.
Until we are
willing to identify and change our "hard drive" which has stored all
of our misperceptions, our reality will forever be influenced by our family's
habits. Over time however, we will develop coping mechanisms, but instead of
them being progressive and healthy, they will be more like a Band-Aid over a
gushing wound. While these coping strategies may cover up some of the evidence
of destruction, there will still be evidence of damage.
Emotions are
clues to our core beliefs, and we should be willing to pay attention to them.
They can provide us with information about self-perception, as they are always
a reflection of what’s on the inside. Unfortunately
for most of us, we have been taught by our parents to ignore our feelings
because often times they make those around us uncomfortable, particularly those
who don't know how to deal with their own emotions. It can bring about a
perpetual state of an unhealthy exchange between us, and others, and can
therefore create relationships based on lies and a false sense of security.
After all, we can't possibly feel secure when we aren't valued for being the
person we were created to be, and instead are forced (by our emotions and
negative filter) to become someone we were never meant to be.
Fear is an
emotion that will create a need in us to want to master our environment,
including our relationships with others, our children and even ourselves.
Operating from a spirit of fear will cause us to slip further and further away
from experiencing the joy and connection that comes when we are able to love and
trust others, as well as ourselves.
Incorporating
the use of Young Living Essential Oils on a regular basis can have a positive
impact on our mind and emotions. Read my article Emotional Release with
Essential Oils |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, October 05, 2012 11:18 AM
How Colon
Hydrotherapy Can Benefit You
by Karen DeVault, RN, BCHHP, CCWFN
I would like to introduce
you to Colon Hydrotherapy if you are not already familiar with it, but first
I’d like to take you through some fundamentals.
You probably don’t give
much thought to your colon unless you experience chronic constipation,
diarrhea, or other digestive conditions. According to the National Cancer
Institute, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in America.
The colon is also called
the large intestine. The ileum, which is the last part of the small intestines,
connects to the cecum, which is first part of the colon. This is in the lower
right abdomen. The rest of the colon is divided into four parts: the ascending
colon, which travels up the right side of the abdomen; the transverse
colon, which runs across the top portion of abdomen; the descending
colon, which travels down the left side of the abdomen; and the sigmoid
colon, which is a short curving of the colon just before the rectum.
Muscles line the colon
walls, which squeeze the waste along through wavelike movements called
peristalsis, until it is eliminated. It is considered one of the “organs of
detoxification” in that it eliminates toxins from the body. Think about
this…if you experience constipation, what happens to the toxins that remain
inside your colon?
Approximately 90% of our
nutrients are absorbed in the small intestines, therefore food is not further
“broken down” in the large intestine, but rather, the large intestine is mainly
responsible for the re-absorption of water. Some vitamins that are made by the
bacteria that inhabit this area are also absorbed here. It compacts and stores
waste material until it is eliminated.
The concept of cleansing
the colon for health purposes dates back to ancient Egypt where it was used as
a means of cleansing toxins from the body in order to fight off infection or
fever. Today, the benefits of colon hydrotherapy are numerous, with its
most significant or well-known benefit being the removal of old, toxic waste
and that’s the condition I will mainly focus on here.
Most people are told one
bowel movement per day is adequate and even normal, but this is not so. If you
eat three meals and evacuate once, what happens to the waste from the other two
meals? If this continues for years and years, what kind of internal
environment have you been creating? Think about breast fed infants. They
eliminate every time they eat. What happens as we age, and why do our bowel habits
change? I believe part of the problem is the processed, refined, canned,
cooked, microwaved, dead foods we eat! A person with a healthy colon, who has
healthy eating habits, and is properly hydrated, will have 2-3 bowel movements
daily, shortly after eating each meal. Elimination should be easy and complete.
There should not be an offensive odor and it should break apart with toilet
flushing, and the stool should be brown in color. It should not be a
light, pasty color, but if it is please give my office a call so I can assist
you with this issue.
Anti-depressants and other
medications can also cause constipation because they can slow down or in other
ways disrupt the digestive system.
Without adequate
elimination it’s quite possible to have years of waste build-up! Not a pleasant
thought, is it? When we don’t drink enough water or consume enough raw
fruits and vegetables, we will experience constipation. It’s the simple law of
“cause and effect”. As debris builds up on the colon walls, it not only results
in improper and incomplete elimination but it also reduces the absorption of
certain vitamins, and can give way to a condition known as dysbiosis,
which is an imbalance in the microorganisms that live in the colon. This
build up of waste can cause several problems within the body that will not only
affect the digestive system, but other systems as well, including the liver and
lymphatic (immune) systems. Consider for a moment that the predominant
factor in immune function is our intestinal tract, and a balanced colony of
beneficial microorganisms gives way to a healthy immune system! Think back to
the Egyptians as noted above.
If you take laxatives
regularly, it can cause the muscles of your colon to weaken to the point where
they will not function properly without the stimulation of the laxative. When
the colon muscle loses elasticity from chronic constipation and/or the over-use
of laxatives, it can cause the colon to lose its natural shape. After a series
of colon hydrotherapy sessions the colon can begin to function properly as it
helps to improve the muscle tone and shape of the large intestine.
You must also make
adjustments in your lifestyle because unless you stop putting in the elements
that are creating this condition in the first place, it will continue to be a
battle for you. At the very least, get regular hydrotherapy sessions and forego
the laxatives.
The amount of waste that
can be flushed from the body during a series of treatments can be quite
significant, oftentimes causing a reduction in weight and belly size, which of
course is different for everyone. With regular sessions, you may notice an
improvement in your skin and an increase in energy.
Colon Hydrotherapy is a
procedure that should only be administered by a professional Hydrotherapist who
has undergone specialized training. Special equipment is used to
introduce pure, filtered and temperature controlled water into the colon
through a tube that is inserted into the rectum. This gentle and
pressure-regulated infusion of water softens and loosens hardened waste,
resulting in evacuation through natural peristalsis. All of the waste is
eliminated through the tube and is emptied into a closed system. So relax, you
will not be rushing to the bathroom after every infusion of water.
Thankfully, the residents of the Quad Cities no longer
have to travel a long distance to receive the benefits of colon hydrotherapy.
Joan Fiame at Realm Wellness Spa offers this procedure as one of her spa
services. She will answer any questions or concerns you may have, and her
professional manner and expertise will put you at ease. Her Wellness Spa
is located at 150 16 ½ St. in Rock Island, IL. Her website is www.realmspaqca.com There are some
contraindications to receiving colon hydrotherapy, so please call Joan for
details @ 309-786-9355.
Remember...All health
begins in the gut (digestive tract), and creating a healthy colon is a great first step to wellness! |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Tuesday, July 24, 2012 12:48 PM
Essential Oils and MRSA; Can They Help? By Karen DeVault, RN, BCHHP
Methicillin Resistant staphylococcus Aureus, commonly known
as MRSA was first detected in the ‘60’s, only a few years after a new form of
penicillin, known as Methicillin, was introduced. Staphylococcus aureus is a common and relatively
harmless inhabitant found on the skin or in the nasal passages in people,
however the MRSA form of staphylococcus is not so harmless. Once contracted, a person can have MRSA
for life, and it can be fatal.
MRSA
originated in hospitals and it is where it is principally found today, however
it can now be found in other parts of our community, including gymnasiums and
playgrounds. The two types are classified as such: HA-MRSA is acquired in
hospitals, while CA-MRSA is acquired in communities. According
to Michelle Moore, a Microbiologist and Scientist, “MRSA is much more resistant to the following
antibiotics: Methicillin,
Oxacillin, Penicillin, and Amoxicillin - these are all in the penicillin
antibiotic family Cephalosporins - these
antibiotics are an another class of Penicillin-like antibiotics Vancomycin - some strains of
MRSA (VISA and VRSA) are now becoming resistant to Vancomycin, one of the best
last resort antibiotics. Vancomycin has traditionally been used for serious and
life-threatening infections that are not responsive to more common antibiotics. Unfortunately,
MRSA is constantly becoming more resistant to more antibiotics, and it may be a
matter of time before antibiotics can no longer be relied upon.”
MRSA Statistics According to the
Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in the year 2005, MRSA was responsible
for an estimated 94,000 invasive life-threatening infections and close to
19,000 deaths (more than AIDS). Hospitals in
England have seen a 548% increase in MRSA related deaths from 2003 to
2004”
Dr. David Stewart, PhD, who is the Director of the Center of
Aromatherapy and Research Education, and author of the books, The Chemistry
of Essential Oils Made Simple, and Healing Oils of the Bible, says a
powerful and effective way to combat MRSA may be found in nature, through the
use of therapeutic-grade essential oils, (those produced by Young Living
Essential Oils). According to
David, these essential oils are effective antimicrobial agents with powerful
antibacterial properties, without side effects. They, unlike their
pharmaceutical counterparts, are incapable of producing resistant strains of
bacteria. Here’s why: Essential oils are extremely complex, comprised
of hundreds of naturally occurring
chemical constituents that circulate throughout a plant, keeping the plant healthy in
many ways. In contrast, man-made medicine is created with laboratory precision,
always producing the same identical drug with every batch. A drug usually consists of only one or two active ingredients. It is easy, therefore, for bacteria to
become resistant when exposed to the same, exact drug over and over because the
bacteria eventually figure out the drug’s properties, and “break the code” so to
speak, which is how they develop resistance.
Therapeutic-grade essential oils are never identical duplicates like man-made
medicines, because nature has so many variables. Since plants adjust to their
environment, their oils are different from morning to evening, season-to-season,
and year-to-year. Each batch of essential oil from a
lavender plant for example, can be different depending on the time of day of
harvest, amount of rainfall it was subject to, soil and climate variations,
etc. If you compare the same
species grown in different parts of the world, you will get even greater
variations of essential oils. Dr.
Stewart likens essential oils to fine wines. Even from the same vineyard, no
two years produce exactly the same wines.
Simply said, bacteria will never “figure out” or become
resistant to an essential oil because of the ever changing but naturally
occurring chemical constituents found in essential oils. Even if bacteria did
figure out the constituents of an oil in a given year, it would have to figure
it out all over again with the next year’s crop.
So what oils will give you the most protection against this super-bug? According to Dr. Stewart, "Seventy-eight of the 91 single oils tested showed measurable inhibitory activity against MRSA. The top ranking oils, in descending order of effectiveness, were Lemongrass (Cymbopogen flexuosus), Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora), Mountain Savory (Satureja montana), Cinnamon Bark (Cinnamomum verum), and Melissa (Melissa officinalis). The most effective single oil, Lemongrass, completely inhibited all MRSA growth on the test plate. Fifty-two of the 64 blends tested showed measurable inhibitory activity against MRSA. The top three ranking oils, in descending order of effectiveness, were R.C., Motivation, and Longevity. The most effective blend, R.C., also completely inhibited all MRSA growth on the test plate."
Young Living produces high quality therapeutic, or as some
professionals call them, “medicinal-grade” essential oils. Do not expect to use
a non-therapeutic grade EO and get these kind of results because
non-therapeutic grade oils have either been diluted with an odorless, colorless
solvent, or they have not been grown, gathered, distilled and bottled in order
to obtain all the qualities that give it the true therapeutic benefit. Any
company can say they produce therapeutic grade essential oils, but most of
their claims and labels are misleading and do not fulfill the standards they
claim. To understand what constitutes a true therapeutic grade EO, I invite
you to read the following article at,
http://www.youngliving.com/en_US/company/therapeutic-grade.html.
Oils can be ordered directly from my Young Living web site at: www.youngliving.org/devault |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, May 11, 2012 4:56 PM
Emotional Release with Essential Oils
By Karen DeVault, RN, BCHHP
Do you: Feel stuck emotionally or spiritually? Have unexplained pain?
Have you ever experienced emotional trauma? Is it possible that you have no recollection of
past traumas? Do you have emotional triggers?
When we
have traumatic experiences or emotions that we are not mature enough to handle
or ready or able to process, our body subconsciously stores them in cellular
memory to process later. These emotions are considered toxic and can be stored
anywhere in our bodies, until we recognize and release them. There are
all types of emotional traumas, some may be severe, some not so severe and some
we may have no memory of, yet we live them out in our daily lives by the way we
think, react, and view others, our world and ourselves. As long as they stay in
our body they have the ability to negatively affect our physical, emotional,
and spiritual health.
Traumas are stored in
the portion of our brain called the amygdala, which is located deep within the
brain and is part of the limbic system called the “seat of emotions”. The
amygdala is involved in the processing of emotions such as fear, anger and
pleasure. Traumas are stored here much like a computer’s hard drive and the
amygdala is responsible for determining what memories are stored and where they
are stored. It responds only to
the sense of smell, so aromatherapy and essential oils are a valuable tool that
can access this “memory center” to release traumas and emotions that may have
been stored for years, even since we were children. Essential oils hold
vibrational frequencies that can shift emotional patterns. Smelling the oil
releases the pattern from the limbic system, thus providing direct access to
the body’s cellular memory.
If you think about it
maybe you can identify a time when you smelled something that brought you back
to a memory. This is because you tapped into the part of the brain that stored
that memory.
A facilitated
Emotional Release is a technique that is administered and guided by someone who
has experience with and knowledge of essential oils. A combination of essential
oils is used. The oils are chosen based on their cleansing and
detoxifying abilities, as well as their energy frequencies and known ability to
release negative emotions. When emotions are dislodged from cellular
memory, we experience an “emotional release”. This process allows us
to move forward in a positive and productive way. People release in
different ways. While some may experience peace, others may release with
crying, anger, sadness, or pain. When a negative emotion is felt, we should not
dismiss it but rather allow it so it can be processed and eliminated. The body
holds emotional patterns, even when we are not consciously aware of them. Many
times our body “releases” at the subconscious level and we may not even be
aware we are letting go, however we may find we respond differently to
situations that used to create stress. Since physical problems can have an emotional component, our
physical health can improve as these emotions are released. After a session,
clients often report feeling relaxed, peaceful, and centered. It is not
uncommon to have continued releases during the week following an Emotional
Release session.
Young Living Essential
Oils are therapeutic grade oils that
have been properly distilled to retain the hundreds of chemical constituents
naturally found in plants’ essential oils, and it is these chemical compounds
that give the oils the ability to release traumas and emotions. Simply
breathing the oil directly from the bottle can have a profound affect on our
emotions.
To use the analogy of an onion, there are
many “layers” to traumas and
emotions, much like the layers of an onion. As we release, there is always more
under that layer. The more we incorporate these oils into our personal care,
the more we will benefit both emotionally and physically.
Due
to an increased interest, I will soon be offering a variety of classes at my
office where I will teach the basics of essential oils, their proper use, and
how you can learn to do your own emotional clearing.
If
you would like to experience a facilitated Emotional Release, please contact me
to schedule an appointment. A session typically takes two hours. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Sunday, February 05, 2012 5:58 PM
In 2010,
the retail value sales of Vitamin D alone reached $591 million worldwide.
According to the Nutrition Business Journal, retail sales of nutritional supplements
was a whopping $9.4 billion in 2009.
It’s
obvious that people love vitamins! More and more people are taking their health
into their own hands hoping to stave off doctor bills and prescription costs,
but do they know exactly what these vitamins are or even more important, what
they are not?
Simply
put, vitamins either come from food or chemicals.
The word
synthetic means, “pertaining to compounds formed through a chemical
process by human agency, as opposed to those of natural origin.” The word isolates
means, “to set or place apart; detach or separate so as to be alone.” Most of
the retail vitamins sold today are synthetic, isolated vitamins. Then
there are crystalline vitamins, which may come from a food source,
however the process of extraction to create this isolated group involves
the use of substances such as chemicals, solvents and high levels of
heat. Become familiar then with the processing techniques that your
vitamin company uses to manufacture their products.
Be
careful that labels such as “natural”, “pure”, “organic”, or even “vitamin
complex” do not fool you. You’d be surprised how many “natural” vitamins
never even break down. The word “organic” simply means that it contains a
carbon molecule, which could be a synthetic substance. The word “pure” can be a
product that is the pure essence of a chemical, and the term “vitamin
complex” could be any product containing a minute quantity of the
co-factors found in a particular food source. The co-factors (enzymes,
antioxidants, trace minerals and other factors) are what gives the vitamin its
function. Vitamins in nature are never isolated, rather they are in a
complex that contain these co-factors. While a synthetic version of a vitamin
can have the same molecular structure of its natural counterpart, they contain
none of the co-factors and worse, they are chemically produced therefore they
do not feed the body. Also, vitamins in food are never found in high
doses, rather they are in much smaller quantities but because of their complex
nature, their function is far superior to that of the isolated
version.
I know
you will agree with me that to be healthy you must consume food not chemicals,
so then let me ask, why should your vitamins be any different? Would you
be surprised if I told you that isolated vitamins can actually create
nutritional deficiencies instead of correcting them? This is because your body
has to pull from its reserves the rest of that vitamin’s complex (the
co-factors) in order for the vitamin to be used. Over time then, you can become
deficient in that particular vitamin. Also, synthetic vitamins act more like a
drug than a nutrient as they "force" the body to react, which is of
no surprise since they're chemicals. These chemicals are toxic to our bodies,
and while our bodies were amazingly created, they certainly do not have the
ability to turn a chemical into a nutrient. In contrast, when we take a
whole food product that has been properly manufactured, it contains living
elements that actually feed the body, which enables the body to make any
necessary changes. Since the FDA does not require expiration dates on vitamins,
many companies don’t include them, yet when you shop for perishable items isn’t
the expiration date the first thing you look for?
If you
are currently taking a "whole food" product, here are some things to
consider. Where does the company obtain their food and how was it grown? Does
it come from GMO seeds? When is the food harvested? The time of
harvest is crucial for nutrient content. Consider how the soil is cared
for because the food is only as healthy as the soil in which it is
grown. If they claim it's organic, is it “certified” organic? How do
they manufacture their product? Is it subjected to high heat? Do they
list preservatives, additives, sugars, artificial sweeteners, or
fillers on the label? Are isolated vitamins added because some of the
natural vitamins were destroyed during the manufacturing process? Keep in mind
that vitamin companies are not regulated so they can make whatever claims they
want. It's up to you, the consumer, to be well informed.
Karen |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Wednesday, January 04, 2012 10:34 PM
Essential Oils; God’s Gift
Through Nature By
Karen DeVault RN, BCHHP
I would like to introduce
you to the amazing world of essential oils. When it comes to using these gifts from nature, it pays to
have some knowledge and understanding about the product you choose.
So what are Essential Oils
(EO) and what do they do? EO’s are considered the “life blood” of a plant. They are the volatile liquids, extracted
through the process of distillation from flowers, seeds, leaves, stems, bark or
roots of shrubs, bushes, herbs or trees. They are the regenerating, oxygenating
and immune defense properties of a plant. Without EO’s, a plant dies.
Due to their small molecular
size, they have the ability to quickly penetrate the skin upon application then
circulate in the body and surround the cells in 20 minutes. EO’s are oxygenating
molecules and they help transport nutrients to starving cells. They clean cell receptor
sites, which can increase cell-to-cell communication and paves the way to
healing.
EO’s are powerful
antioxidants, acting as free radical scavengers. Due to their chemical constituents, they have the ability to
detoxify the body. Their chemical compounds give them the ability to kill
bacteria, viruses, airborne pathogens, fungus, & parasites. They are also
anti-tumoral and antiseptic.
As we become sick, it has
been shown that our body’s frequency (measurable rate of electrical energy)
decreases, yet EO’s have been shown to raise the body’s frequency, which is yet
another way they help to combat disease. EO’s have the highest frequency of any
known substance on the planet.
As if that’s not enough, I
believe one of the most fascinating benefits of EO’s is their ability to promote
emotional health and wellness. Due to their ability to cross the blood brain
barrier they can affect the limbic system of the brain, which is known as the
“seat of emotions”. By merely smelling
an opened bottle of an EO, tiny molecules are picked up by the olfactory system
and carried into the portion of the brain called the amygdala, our emotional
“filing cabinet”. They are well
known for their unique ability to release emotional traumas, which may have
been stored in cellular memory for years.
Unfortunately,
not all EO’s are created equally. Just like anything else, there are quality,
pure products as well as adulterated, impure products. Don’t be misled by words
like “100 % pure”, or even “organic” when it comes to an essential oil because
in order for an oil to meet the therapeutic grade standards, there is a lot to
consider. It starts with the seeds
and ends with proper bottling. A therapeutic
grade oil is one that is grown, gathered, distilled, bottled and labeled
properly to retain its natural healing properties. The quality of the seed, soil,
climate, and the time of harvest are crucial elements. A low temperature, low-pressure
distillation process will ensure that the plant compounds remain uncompromised
during the extraction process. Then the oil is accurately analyzed in the lab
to determine its quality before being bottled. These quality oils contain
hundreds of chemical constituents and it is these constituents that give the oil
its healing properties. For example Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), requires 24 hours of distillation in order
for all the active constituents and properties to be released. However 18-22 of the primary
constituents will be missing if it is distilled less than 22 hours. Surprisingly,
most distilling operations throughout the world distill Cypress for only 1 hour
15 minutes.
A
lot of companies are only concerned with the aromatic components of an oil,
which by number are far fewer than what is found in a therapeutic grade oil. An all too common practice is to dilute
a decent grade oil up to 90-95% with an odorless, colorless solvent (typically
an inexpensive petrochemical) so that what was once a pound of good oil becomes
ten or twenty pounds of diluted oil. These solvents contaminate the oils and
can create toxic reactions in the body. Sadly, these oils are then marketed as
“genuine” or “100% pure”. These
oils should not be considered suitable for use in healing applications.
I
exclusively use Young Living Essential Oils for my personal and professional
use. For safety reasons,
especially for beginners, I highly recommend the assistance of a reference guidebook.
|
|
|
Posted on Thursday, September 01, 2011 11:18 PM
For those who are interested in raw milk, copy and paste the link below and download the ePaper.
http://livingfood.us/iShop/rawmilk2.htm
“This resource guide will save you many hours of trying to find an economical source of safe raw milk. Plus, it will give you the best educational links on the internet.” GET THIS GIFT FOR YOUR FAMILY OR FRIEND !NEWEST product in the Living Food iShop! Just $7UPDATED AND EXPANDED in JULY 2011A Complete Raw Milk Resource GuideFinding Your Safe Local Raw Milk… and other real food, too! By Mr. Augie (David M. Augenstein, MS, PE) April 2011 ($7.00)
Covers all 50 states! This instantly downloadable ePaper will help you find dairies in your area quickly. This is like a web page—so you get all live links directly to dairies and groups in your state and area.
- Get connected in your area to safe raw milk.
- Find out it you can find a closer, safer and more economical source for your raw milk.
- Learn the health benefits of raw milk
- Learn about the safety and quality issues that help you select the dairy right for you.
- NOW Includes 50 raw milk recipes
In most states, you will find several groups that can give you more options. There are Alliance for Raw Milk Facebook groups in every state also! |
|
|
Posted on Friday, June 24, 2011 11:40 AM
1. What is
the history of Standard Process? Standard
Process was founded in 1929 by Dr. Royal Lee, when he identified health
problems related to malnutrition, due in part to processing foods with heat and
pressure. Dr. Lee felt that to be truly healthy, we had to eat foods as they
were intended–fresh and whole–not heated or adulterated.
2. What is
meant by whole foods? Foods in
their natural state contain a complex variety of nutrients that work
synergistically to provide nutrition to the body. Many of these nutrients may
be inactivated or destroyed by modern, industrial processing (heat, pressure,
exposure). Standard Process uses state-of-the-art equipment to remove only
fiber and water, at low temperatures, which preserves the nutritional integrity
of the foods used. Whole food contains hundreds, if not thousands, of
nutrients, many that have not even been identified yet. Ingredients in whole
foods help the body digest and absorb the nutrients within the food. Through
this process, unnecessary materials are excreted, preventing a potentially
toxic buildup of nutrients.
3. What are
some of the benefits of whole food supplementation? Whole food
supplements provide the body with a complete range of nutrients to support
normal growth, regeneration, and repair. They allow the body to pick and choose
what combination of nutrients it needs most, instead of the practitioner trying
to identify and choose one or more isolated nutrients.
4. Does
Standard Process sell other product lines? Standard Process sells two other product lines marketed as
human products–the core Standard Process line with over 160 products, and an
Australian herbal line, called MediHerb®, with over 130 products.
(Standard Process, Inc) |
|
|
Posted on Friday, June 24, 2011 11:38 AM
1. Why is
nutrition important? Each cell
has a specific function (or functions) to perform. Each cell is made up of a
collection of organelles and other structures working together to perform this
function. Very simply, specific nutrients, used as fuel are required in
specific quality and quantities for the cell to work efficiently. If the proper
amount or quality of nutrition is not available, cell function may be impaired.
If unaddressed, cell function will become more impaired, which can lead to
physical symptoms. Drugs can be given to address symptoms, however, they may
not restore cell function. Proper nutrition is needed to help support,
maintain, and restore cell health and function. Nutritional support provides
the building blocks that are critical to maintenance, regeneration, and repair.
2. What is
glandular therapy? Glandular
therapy incorporates the feeding of glandular tissues to animals with
compromised glandular function. It has been found that animals consuming
specific glands (e.g. adrenal gland) are provided select, vital nutrients that
target the particular function of that same gland in a compromised patient.
This is based on the concept that glandular tissue provides essential nutrients
for proper functioning of that gland.
3. Is
glandular therapy effective? Consuming
glandular tissue was once a common practice in our society, and it is still
common in many other cultures. Today, most of our food does not contain
glandular tissues, which has led to nutritional deficiencies. Adding glandular
tissue to the diet can provide nutrients critical to recovery, healing, and
return to normal function.
4. I
recommend premium diet foods. Aren't they 100% complete and balanced? Most commercial foods are processed at high pressures and
temperatures (up to 500°F). Many valuable nutrients, including vitamins,
enzymes, proteins, phytonutrients, co-enzymes, are inactivated at temperatures
above 120°F. Whole food supplementation can bridge this nutritional gap.
(Standard Process, Inc) |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, June 03, 2011 10:35 AM
An acidic pH can occur from, an acid forming diet,
emotional stress, toxic overload, and/or immune reactions or any process that
deprives the cells of oxygen and other nutrients. The body will try to
compensate for acidic pH by using alkaline minerals. If the diet does not
contain enough minerals to compensate, a build up of acids in the cells will
occur. An acidic balance will: decrease the body's
ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production
in the cells, decrease it's ability to repair damaged cells, decrease it's
ability to detoxify heavy metals, make tumor cells thrive, and make it more
susceptible to fatigue and illness. A blood pH of 6.9, which is only
slightly acidic, can induce coma and death. The reason acidosis is more common in our society
is mostly due to the typical American diet, which is far too high in acid
producing animal products like meat, eggs and dairy, and far too low in
alkaline producing foods like fresh vegetables. Additionally, we eat acid
producing processed foods like white flour and sugar and drink acid producing
beverages like coffee and soft drinks. We use too many drugs, which are
acid forming; and we use artificial chemical sweetners like NutraSweet, Spoonful,
Sweet 'N Low, Equal, or Aspartame, which are poison and extremely acid
forming. One of the best things we can do to correct an overly acid body
is to clean up the diet and lifestyle. To maintain health, the diet should consist of 60%
alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore health, the
diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods. Generally, alkaline forming foods include: most
fruits, green vegetables, peas, beans, lentils, spices, herbs and seasonings,
and seeds and nuts. Generally, acid forming foods include: meat, fish,
poultry, eggs, grains, and legumes. Shifting Your pH Toward Alkaline... This chart is for those trying to
"adjust" their body pH. The pH scale is from 0 to 14, with
numbers below 7 acidic ( low on oxygen ) and numbers above 7 alkaline. An
acidic body is a sickness magnet. What you eat and drink will impact
where your body's pH level falls. Balance is Key !!!
This chart is intended only as a general guide to alkalizing
and acidifying foods.
...ALKALINE FOODS...
ALKALIZING
VEGETABLES Alfalfa Barley Grass Beet Greens Beets Broccoli Cabbage Carrot Cauliflower Celery Chard Greens Chlorella Collard Greens Cucumber Dandelions Dulce Edible Flowers Eggplant Fermented Veggies Garlic Green Beans Green Peas Kale Kohlrabi Lettuce Mushrooms Mustard Greens Nightshade Veggies Onions Parsnips (high glycemic) Peas Peppers Pumpkin Radishes Rutabaga Sea Veggies Spinach, green Spirulina Sprouts Sweet Potatoes Tomatoes Watercress Wheat Grass Wild Greens
ALKALIZING
ORIENTAL VEGETABLES Daikon Dandelion Root Kombu Maitake Nori Reishi Shitake Umeboshi Wakame
ALKALIZING
FRUITS Apple Apricot Avocado Banana (high glycemic) Berries Blackberries Cantaloupe Cherries, sour Coconut, fresh Currants Dates, dried Figs, dried Grapes Grapefruit Honeydew Melon Lemon Lime Muskmelons Nectarine Orange Peach Pear Pineapple Raisins Raspberries Rhubarb Strawberries Tangerine Tomato Tropical Fruits Umeboshi Plums Watermelon
ALKALIZING
PROTEIN Almonds Chestnuts Millet Tempeh (fermented) Tofu (fermented) Whey Protein Powder
ALKALIZING
SWEETENERS Stevia
ALKALIZING
SPICES & SEASONINGS Chili Pepper Cinnamon Curry Ginger Herbs (all) Miso Mustard Sea Salt Tamari
ALKALIZING
OTHER Alkaline Antioxidant
Water Apple Cider Vinegar Bee Pollen Fresh Fruit Juice Green Juices Lecithin Granules Mineral Water Molasses, blackstrap Probiotic Cultures Soured Dairy Products Veggie Juices
ALKALIZING
MINERALS Calcium: pH 12 Cesium: pH 14 Magnesium: pH 9 Potassium: pH 14 Sodium: pH 14
Although it might seem
that citrus fruits would have an acidifying effect on the body, the citric
acid they contain actually has an alkalinizing effect in the system.
Note that a food's acid
or alkaline forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH
of the food itself. For example, lemons are very acidic, however the end
products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so,
lemons are alkaline forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline
before digestion, but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like
nearly all animal products, meat is very acid forming.
ACIDIFYING
VEGETABLES Corn Lentils Olives Winter Squash
ACIDIFYING
FRUITS Blueberries Canned or Glazed Fruits Cranberries Currants **Plums - see notation below **Prunes - see notation below
ACIDIFYING
GRAINS, GRAIN PRODUCTS Amaranth Barley Bran, oat Bran, wheat Bread Corn Cornstarch Crackers, soda Flour, wheat Flour, white Hemp Seed Flour Kamut Macaroni Noodles Oatmeal Oats (rolled) Quinoa Rice (all) Rice Cakes Rye Spaghetti Spelt Wheat Germ Wheat
ACIDIFYING
BEANS & LEGUMES Almond Milk Black Beans Chick Peas Green Peas Kidney Beans Lentils Pinto Beans Red Beans Rice Milk Soy Beans Soy Milk White Beans
ACIDIFYING
DAIRY Butter Cheese Cheese, Processed Ice Cream Ice Milk
ACIDIFYING
NUTS & BUTTERS Cashews Legumes Peanut Butter Peanuts Pecans Tahini Walnuts
ACIDIFYING
ANIMAL PROTEIN Bacon Beef Carp Clams Cod Corned Beef Fish Haddock Lamb Lobster Mussels Organ Meats Oyster Pike Pork Rabbit Salmon Sardines Sausage Scallops Shellfish Shrimp Tuna Turkey Veal Venison
ACIDIFYING
FATS & OILS Avacado Oil Butter Canola Oil Corn Oil Flax Oil Hemp Seed Oil Lard Olive Oil Safflower Oil Sesame Oil Sunflower Oil
ACIDIFYING
SWEETENERS Carob Corn Syrup Sugar
ACIDIFYING
ALCOHOL Beer Hard Liquor Spirits Wine
ACIDIFYING
OTHER FOODS Catsup Cocoa Coffee Mustard Pepper Soft Drinks Vinegar
ACIDIFYING
DRUGS & CHEMICALS Aspirin Chemicals Drugs, Medicinal Drugs, Psychedelic Herbicides Pesticides Tobacco
ACIDIFYING
JUNK FOOD Beer: pH 2.5 Coca-Cola: pH 2 Coffee: pH 4
** These foods leave an
alkaline ash but have an acidifying effect on the body.
NOW FOR THE UNKNOWN: There are several
versions of the Acidic and Alkaline Food chart to be found in different books
and on the Internet. The following foods are sometimes attributed to
the Acidic side of the chart and sometimes to the Alkaline side.
Remember, you don't need to adhere strictly to the Alkaline side of the
chart, just make sure a good percentage of the foods you eat come from that
side. Brazil Nuts Brussel Sprouts Buckwheat Cashews Chicken Corn Cottage Cheese Eggs Flax Seeds Green Tea Herbal Tea Honey Kombucha Lima Beans
Maple Syrup Milk Nuts Organic Milk
(unpasteurized) Potatoes, white Pumpkin Seeds Quinoa Sauerkraut Soy Products Sprouted Seeds Squashes Sunflower Seeds Tomatoes Yogurt
* These statements have
not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease; research is ongoing. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2011 9:47 PM
Can People Be Allergic to
Essential Oils? An
allergy is the body’s immune response to proteins, peptides and amino acids,
which are all nitrogen compounds, none of which are found in essential oils. Some
blends contain fatty oils like almond oil, which a person can have an allergic
reaction to because fatty oils are cold-pressed and can contain small amounts
of proteins. So read your labels. What may appear to be an allergic reaction to
a blend of essential oils may in fact be due to the carrier oil in that blend.
Citrus
oils are not, by definition, a true essential oil, because these oils are cold
pressed from the rind. While they
are referred to as “essential oils”, they aren’t because by definition, an
essential oil must be steamed distilled, not expressed.
Other
oils that are extracted by solvents are also not considered “essential oils”.
These would be oils such as onycha, jasmine and neroli. These oils are called
“absolutes” and a person can have an allergic reaction to these because they
have not passed through a distillation process and can contain traces of
proteins, peptides or amino acids.
True
essential oils, those that go through a proper distillation process do not contain
the compounds necessary to trigger an allergic reaction. Our bodies form antibodies
in the presence of an allergen like those mentioned here. No
one has ever found antibodies in the body to essential oils. If you, or someone
you know, develops a reaction to an essential oil, it is something else. Not an
allergy. Due to the fact that therapeutic grade essential oils can create a
detoxifying affect on the body, it is likely that a reaction to the oil is a
detoxifying reaction, a cleansing, which is made evident through the skin in
the form of a rash, or through the lungs in the form of breathing difficulties.
Use with caution on people who exhibit these signs, and my advice is to have
them increase their water consumption to 10 glasses of filtered water/day and
eat a high fiber diet to get their bowels moving. The health of the liver must be addressed but not in the form of a liver "cleanse". |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Thursday, June 02, 2011 9:26 PM
What ARE
Essential Oils and What Do They Do? Essential oils are the “life
blood” of the plant. They are the regenerating, oxygenating, and immune defense
properties of plants. *They quickly penetrate the
skin because of their small molecular size and they can affect every cell in
the body within 20 minutes of application, and then be metabolized like other
nutrients. *Since they contain oxygen
molecules, they help transport nutrients to starving cells. Disease begins when
there is a lack of oxygen for proper nutrient assimilation. *They are powerful
antioxidants, acting as free radical scavengers. *They detoxify the cells and
blood in the body. *They are a known substance
that has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier, which enables them to be
effective when treating conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and others. *They have been shown to
kill bacteria, viruses, airborne pathogens, fungus, & parasites. They are
also anti tumoral and antiseptic. *They help promote emotional
and physical healing. |
|
|
Posted on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 9:51 AM
Cancer Advancements that Need to Become Mainstream Knowledge: an excerpt from Dr. Mercola
In the last 30 years the global cancer burden has doubled, and is estimated to nearly triple by 2030. We must begin to take cancer prevention seriously. Three cancer advancements in particular merit special mention. These advancements have not yet been accepted by conventional medicine, and they must be.
Number 1: Radically Reduce Your Sugar Intake—Normalizing your insulin levels is one of the most powerful physical actions you can take to lower your risk of cancer. Unfortunately, very few oncologists appreciate or apply this knowledge today. The Cancer Centers of America is one of the few exceptions, where strict dietary measures are included in their cancer treatment program. Chronic insulin resistance will cause major damage in your body. The most recognized of these is diabetes, but that is far from the only one. As Ron Rosedale, M.D. said in one of my most popular articles, Insulin and Its Metabolic Effects: "It doesn't matter what disease you are talking about, whether you are talking about a common cold or cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis or cancer, the root is always going to be at the molecular and cellular level, and I will tell you that insulin is going to have its hand in it, if not totally control it."
The good news is that controlling your insulin levels is relatively straightforward. First, limit your intake of processed foods, grains and sugars/fructose as much as possible to prevent your insulin levels from becoming elevated in the first place.
Number 2: Vitamin D—There's overwhelming evidence pointing to the fact that vitamin D deficiency plays a crucial role in cancer development. Researchers within this field have estimated that about 30 percent of cancer deaths could be prevented each year simply by optimizing the vitamin D levels in the general population. Countless people around the world have an increased risk of cancer because their vitamin D levels are too low due to utter lack of sun exposure... On a personal level, you can decrease your risk of cancer by MORE THAN HALF simply by optimizing your vitamin D levels with sun exposure. And if you are being treated for cancer it is likely that higher blood levels—probably around 80-90 ng/ml—would be beneficial. The health benefits of optimizing your levels, either by safe sun exposure (ideally), a safe tanning bed, or oral supplementation as a last resort, simply cannot be overstated. In terms of protecting against cancer, vitamin D has been found to offer protection in a number of ways, including: - Regulating genetic expression
- Increasing the self-destruction of mutated cells (which, if allowed to replicate, could lead to cancer)
- Reducing the spread and reproduction of cancer cells
- Causing cells to become differentiated (cancer cells often lack differentiation)
- Reducing the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones, which is a step in the transition of dormant tumors turning cancerous
Number 3: Exercise—If you are like most people, when you think of reducing your risk of cancer, exercise doesn't immediately come to mind. However, there is some fairly compelling evidence that exercise can slash your risk of cancer. One of the primary ways exercise lowers your risk for cancer is by reducing elevated insulin levels, which creates a low sugar environment that discourages the growth and spread of cancer cells. Controlling your insulin levels and optimizing your vitamin D level are two of the most powerful steps you can take to reduce your cancer risk. For example, physically active adults experience about half the incidence of colon cancer as their sedentary counterparts, and women who exercise regularly can reduce their breast cancer risk by 20 to 30 percent compared to those who are inactive. Additionally, exercise improves the circulation of immune cells in your blood. Your immune system is your first line of defense against everything from minor illnesses like a cold right up to devastating, life-threatening diseases like cancer. The trick about exercise, though, is understanding how to use it as a precise tool. This ensures you are getting enough to achieve the benefit, not too much to cause injury, and the right variety to balance your entire physical structure and maintain strength and flexibility, and aerobic and anaerobic fitness levels. This is why it is helpful to view exercise like a drug that needs to be carefully prescribed to achieve its maximum benefit. It's important to include a large variety of techniques in your exercise routine, such as strength training, aerobics, core-building activities, and stretching. Most important of all, however, is to make sure you include high-intensity, burst-type exercise, such as Peak 8. Peak 8 are exercises performed once or twice a week, in which you raise your heart rate up to your anaerobic threshold for 20 to 30 seconds, and then you recover for 90 seconds. Additionally it is likely that integrating exercise with intermittent fasting will greatly catalyze the potential of exercise to reduce your risk of cancer and stimulate widespread healing and rejuvenation.
Additional Anti-Cancer StrategiesAdditional lifestyle guidelines that will help protect you against cancer include: - Get appropriate amounts of animal-based omega-3 fats.
- Eat according to your nutritional type. The potent anti-cancer effects of this principle are very much underappreciated. When we treat cancer patients in our clinic this is one of the most powerful anti-cancer strategies we have.
- Eat as many vegetables as you are comfortable with. Ideally, they should be fresh and organic. Cruciferous vegetables in particular have been identified as having potent anti-cancer properties. Remember that carb nutritional types may need up to 300 percent more vegetables than protein nutritional types.
- Have a tool to permanently erase the neurological short-circuiting that can activate cancer genes. Even the CDC states that 85 percent of disease is caused by emotions. It is likely that this factor may be more important than all the other physical ones listed here, so make sure this is addressed. My particular favorite tool for this purpose, as you may know, is the Emotional Freedom Technique.
- Maintain an ideal body weight.
- Get enough high-quality sleep.
- Reduce your exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides, household chemical cleaners, synthetic air fresheners and air pollution.
- Reduce your use of cell phones and other wireless technologies, and implement as many safety strategies as possible if/when you cannot avoid their use.
- Boil, poach or steam your foods, rather than frying or charbroiling them.
|
|
|
Karen: Posted on Monday, May 16, 2011 4:52 PM
What is a Raindrop
Technique?
Raindrop Technique is an application of therapeutic-grade
essential oils to the feet using Vita Flex, which is a technique that activates
neuro pathways, delivering the benefits of the oils to the electrical systems that Vita Flex stimulates. Then the oils are dripped along the spine like
raindrops, followed by a massage-type technique unique to Raindrop. The purpose of Raindrop is to provide structural
and electrical alignment to the body in a relaxing and invigorating manner
through the power of essential oils. It stimulates the entire body at a
cellular level, as these oils have the ability to surround every cell in the
body within 20 minutes of application. This technique also aids the body in the
removal of toxins, where ever they may be.
There are many versions of Raindrop, but the same oils are
always applied, though not always in the same sequence. Most of the oils used in this technique
are high in phenolic content to ward off potentially damaging viruses and
bacteria while cleansing cell receptor sites to enhance intra-cellular
communication and improve overall bodily function. Some raindrop oils contain a
variety of monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes to assist in deleting misinformation
in the DNA and in reprogramming correct information in cellular memory to
restore and maintain physical and emotional wellness. The oils used in Raindrop
must be high quality therapeutic grade as found in Young Living Essential Oils.
Nine oils are used, along with a massage oil that contains a blend of essential
oils.
Raindrop Technique can help reduce pain, inflammation, improve circulation, improve immune function, relieve stress, and facilitate the release of pent-up negative emotions.
VALOR (Balancing
Blend) Contains oils of
spruce, rosewood, blue tansy, and frankincense in an almond oil base. Gentle
and soothing, it helps balance bodily energy system and stimulate spinal
realignment. Affects the limbic system in a way to improve one’s self-image,
enhancing ones feelings of confidence, courage, and self-esteem.
OREGANO (Origanum Vulgare) One of the most
powerful antimicrobial essential oils. Research at Weber State University
demonstrated a 99% kill rate against in vitro colonies of Streptococcus
pneumoniae. High in phenolpropanoids, which cleanse cellular receptor sites.
THYME (Thymus Vulgaris) Antiseptic, immune
enhancing, supportive of body’s natural defenses. Thyme has been used to combat
the bacteria that causes anthrax. High in phenolpropanoids.
BASIL (Ocimum basilicum) Can be relaxing to
both voluntary muscles and to the involuntary muscles as well. Voluntary
muscles include all of the motor muscles of the arms, legs, back, abdomen, neck
and face. Mentally energizing and invigorating. Used for tension headaches. Can
improve senses of taste and smell.
WINTERGREEN or
BIRCH (Gaultheria procumbens or Betula alleghaniensis) Supports joints
and skeletal structure. Composition of both of these oils are more than 80%
methyl salicylate (a phenolic ester) which has a cortisone-like effect in that
it may stimulate the body’s own production of natural cortisone which has none
of the untoward side-effect of synthetic cortisone. Also has analgesic
properties inasmuch as its chemical structure is similar to that of aspirin.
MARJORAM (Origanum majorana) Relaxing to the
involuntary muscles and to the voluntary muscles as well. Involuntary muscles
include the heart, diaphragm, digestive tract, and reproductive organs.
Soothing to nerves. Used for migraines. Antiseptic and antimicrobial.
CYPRESS (Cupressus sempervirens) Antimicrobial.
Supportive of the circulatory and lymphatic systems. Stimulates the body’s
natural white corpuscle production. 76% monoterpenes and 14% sesquiterpenes
which may assist in restoring proper cellular programming to restore health and
maintain wellness.
PEPPERMINT
(Mentha piperita) Support digestive
system, respiratory system, and nervous system. Has been used for headaches.
Research has shown that inhaling peppermint improves concentration and mental
retention. Cleansing to the liver. A synergistic oil that supports and improves
the beneficial actions of other oils used in conjunction. AROMA SEIZE
(MUSCLE RELAXING BLEND) (Contains oils of basil, marjoram, lavender,
peppermint and cypress) Calming, relaxing and relieves tension. Relaxes
muscles, including tight muscles and muscle spasms. May relieve headaches.
ORTHO EASE
(Soothing Massage Blend) (a massage base oil of wheat germ, grape seed,
almond, olive and vitamin E. Contains essential oils of wintergreen, jumiper,
marjoram, red thyme, vetiver, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemongrass). Used in
European hospitals, formulated to soothe muscle aches and minor swelling. Contains
natural antioxidants.
Source: CARE |
|
|
Adapted by doctorjames: Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2011 10:19 PM
Synthetic vitamins are man made. They are concentrated chemical ingredients. Most companies get their “vitamins” or chemicals from a left over process of some other company’s manufacturing process. Essentially, they are buying the byproduct of what would have gone to waste, but the company found a buyer for it, instead of having to pay for it to go to the dump! This happens with fluoride that is found in our tap water…it is a waste product that they would have to pay dearly to get rid of…instead, municipalities started buying it up from these companies even though it is in the wrong form for us to receive any benefit from it! It is unfortunately very toxic and wreaks havoc on our thyroids. The whole fluoride concept was introduced because of some people in Texas having better teeth. They studied the land and found it was high in certain things, and one of them being fluoride. So what happens, we jump to conclusions and begin putting it in everything. The problem is we are not using it in the form that it’s found in when it’s in the ground. They are two different compounds! Why we do this…I don’t know, but it does cause serious problems.
Getting back to synthetic, man made, or isolated vitamins that are supposed to be good for us. When man thinks he is smart enough to reproduce nature, we always run into problems! This is why we can overdose on Vitamin A in its synthetic form. It actually becomes poisonous. The reason synthetic vitamins become toxic is because they are not “alive” so to speak. They are not composed of everything they should be. If it were found in nature, it wouldn’t be just ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). It would be a Vitamin C complex. This vitamin is packed full of minerals, enzymes, and co-factors that make it what it is. You see, man has figured out yet another way to fool us, by stripping vitamin C of all its parts but then it no longer works like it is supposed to! Take a watch for example…if you take out parts of the watch that are essential for its function, the watch won’t work…even though you put the most expensive battery you could find in it! It doesn’t have function and that is what is important…so don't buy vitamins that don’t function! Would you really buy a watch that looks nice but doesn’t keep time?
I am sure you have all met the person that starts taking this vitamin or that vitamin and says their energy has already increased! And you think, WOW! Maybe I should try it. You try it, maybe you get energy, maybe you don’t, but here is the kicker…sooner or later it wears off! This is the crux of vitamins in their synthetic form. They are all about quantity because companies can market that. As Americans, we love numbers and we buy things because of numbers! We always buy the one that has the most “stuff” in it. And that isn’t even enough. Instead of taking it the way it is recommended, we take 4, 6, or 8 a day! A lot of people have the mentality, “if one is good, then 2 must be better!”
Here is what you have to understand. RDA’s are only there as a guide to determine what we need only to prevent a condition. Take the RDA for vitamin C for example. The recommended amount is that which prevents scurvy! In fact, when scurvy was rampant they found they could treat this with a very minimal amount of lime zest or juice…not even the whole lime! I guarantee you there aren’t a lot of milligrams or grams of vitamin C in a lime, or an orange for that matter. You see, when it is in whole form it is about quality, not quantity! It has everything in that lime to make it function. In fact, some of the hormones in our bodies are used on one part per million or billion…a infinitely small amount! So, do we really need to worry about milligrams of this or that? If you are worried then they have marketed correctly! I am here to tell you that these synthetic “vitamins” are not health producing. They actually cause what is known as a rebound effect. They go into the body and act like a vacuum because they don’t have everything they need to perform their function. So, when ascorbic acid goes in, it needs to rob and steal other parts from your body to make it function again. When you keep putting these vitamins into your body, eventually you deplete it of necessary minerals, enzymes and co-factors and you feel worse than when you started on the vitamins!
Whole food vitamins are different. They are actually food bound up into a pill form. They do not have much for quantity (as compared to an RDA listing) in them, but they do have the most important part…THE FUNCTION! They are composed of everything they need to function in the body. They build the body up instead of vacuuming it or depleting it. People on whole food vitamins just get more and more healthy without a rebound effect! Take carrot root for example, which is in most of the supplements I carry, it is composed of over 200 nutrients! That is more than what is usually printed on the side of any vitamin container, but they don’t take time to print every one of these nutrients that make up carrot root on the side of the container. The container isn’t big enough!! Every time a new vitamin or nutrient is discovered, we find it’s in carrot root.
My point is that in whole food form, supplements contain millions if not billions of molecules that go a long way to improve our health. This is by far better than some synthetic multi-vitamin at some store that has 40 man made chemicals in it! What would you rather have, a product with 40 highly potent chemicals, or a product with millions of “nutrients” that are aimed to feed your cells?
We will never know all the molecules in a fruit, vegetable, leaf, plant, bark, stem, root, etc. The important thing to understand is that we don’t need to know! We know they are good for us and that is all that matters! You read the hype everyday…blueberries are good for this, spinach is good for this, yogurt is good for this, acai is good for this, walnuts are good for this and while I agree, we shouldn’t just concentrate on certain foods. We should eat a variety of wholesome food because it is good for us. You can get all kinds of fruits and vegetables everyday by making a smoothie. This will go along way to improve your health. Chances are it contains what your body needs because it is in whole food form. You can get a great smoothie maker at www.vitamix.com and a great juicer at omjuicers.com.
The moral of the story is don’t settle for any vitamin unless it is in its whole form. A vitamin is a synthetically derived chemical whereas a supplement is a whole food nutrient. These are two very different things. Don’t ever confuse synthetic vitamins with whole food supplements. An easy rule of thumb to remember is that a synthetic vitamin will deplete you whereas a whole food supplement will build you up because the supplement is composed of whole molecules, not just bits and pieces. By the way, antioxidants are found in every fruit and vegetable. They are never found alone in nature, just like the complex of vitamins. They are found in food!
What needs to really happen is a lifestyle change where we begin to eat whole foods again! Good old raw, whole foods. You may remember gardening as youngsters and eating pea pods, carrots, cucumbers, and tomatoes straight from the garden only pausing to wipe them off with your shirt! This is what we need to get back to. Let the food be the way to health! As Thomas Edison once said, “The Doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.” doctorjames |
|
|
Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 7:55 PM
1. Standard Process:
www.standardprocess.com
2. Young Living Essential Oils:
www.youngliving.org ...visit my website to order oils@ www.youngliving.org/devault
3. Chlorella and Spirulinal; Superfoods for Health:
http://www.chlorellafactor.com/
4. Dakota Beef Company:
http://www.dakotaorganic.com/
5. Aspartame Toxicity Information Center:
http://www.holisticmed.com/aspartame/
6. Aspartame Kills:
http://www.aspartamekills.com/lydon.htm
7. Global College of Natural Medicine:
http://www.gcnm.com/
8. Nature's Variety (Raw Diet for Dogs and Cats):
http://www.naturesvariety.com/
9. Organic Therapies:
http://www.organictherapies.info/index.html
10. Thyroid Health:
http://www.stopthethyroidmadness.com/
11. Nutrient Reference:
www.nutrientreference.com
12. Natural News:
www.naturalnews.com
13. Health Alert:
www.healthalert.com
14. Dr. Mercola:
www.mercola.com
15. Acid/ Alkaline Food Chart:
http://www.thewolfeclinic.com/pdf/Alkaline_Food_Chart.pdf
16. Flouride information:
http://www.holisticmed.com/fluoride/ |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 4:30 PM
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 3:41 PM
Are you sacrificing your health in exchange for the convenience of a microwave oven? Of course if these ovens were really harmful, our government would never allow them to be on the market would they? Or would they?
Like radio waves or light waves that occupy a part of the electromagnetic spectrum of power (energy), microwaves are also a form of electromagnetic energy. They are very short waves of this energy that travel at the speed of light, which is 186,282 miles per second!
In every microwave there is a magnetron, a tube in which the electrons are affected by magnetic and electric fields. These produce micro wavelength radiation at about 2450 MGz or 2.45 GHz. All wave energy changes polarity from positive to negative with each cycle of the wave and these changes happen millions of times every second in a microwave. The "agitation" of positive and negative polarities creates molecular friction which heats up the food. This friction changes the molecules in food. Unfortunately, it also causes substantial damage to the surrounding molecules, often tearing them apart or deforming them. This deformation is known as "structural isomerism" and the change in the molecular structure of the food is by the process of radiation.
Microwave energy from the sun and other stars is direct current based, while artificially produced microwaves, like those in the ovens, are produced from alternating current which forces a billion or more polarity reversals per second in every food molecule they hit. Microwaved food contains both molecules and energies not present in food cooked in the way humans have been cooking food since the discovery of fire. This was noted in Comparative Study of Food Prepared Conventionally and in The Microwave Oven, published by Raum & Zelt in 1992.
Microwaving baby formula changes certain amino acids into neurotoxins (poisonous to the nervous system), and nephrotoxins (poisonous to the kidneys). Dr. Lita Lee; reported in the December 9, 1989 lancetIn Oklahoma, in 1991, a nurse warmed blood in a microwave that was needed for a transfusion. It killed the patient which then resulted in a law suit.
Dr. Hans Ulrich Hertel was a food scientist for many years with one of the major Swiss food companies that does business on a global scale. He was fired from his job for questioning certain processing procedures that denatured the food.
An article appeared in issue 19 of the Journal Franz Weber that stated the consumption of food cooked in microwave ovens had cancerous effects on the blood. The research paper itself followed the article. He was the first scientist to conceive of and carry out a quality clinical study on the effects microwaved nutrients have on the blood and physiology of the human body. His study was done along with Dr. Bernard H. Blanc of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the University Institute for Biochemistry.
Microwave foods also creates new compounds called radiolytic compounds which are unknown fusions not found in nature. They are created by molecular decay as a direct result of radiation.The weakening of cell membranes by microwaves creates impaired cells which then become easy prey for viruses, fungi and other microorganisms.
According to Dr. Lita Lee (book: Health Effects of Microwave Radiation - Microwave Ovens), changes are observed in the blood chemistries and the rates of certain diseases among consumers of microwaved foods.
Here is a sample of these changes:
*Lymphatic disorders were observed, leading to decreased ability to prevent certain types of cancers. *An increased rate of cancer cell formation was observed in the blood. *Increased rates of stomach and intestinal cancers were observed. *Higher rates of digestive disorders and a gradual breakdown of the systems of elimination were observed.
According to Russian researches, there is a 60-90% decrease in food value in all food tested due to a marked acceleration of structural degradation. Some of these changes involved a decrease in bio-availability of vitamin B complexes, vitamin C, vitamin E, and essential minerals. Our bodies cannot afford such destruction of these important vitamins and minerals!
The following is a conclusion based on research from the Swiss, Russian and German scientific clinical studies:
*Continually eating food processed from a microwave oven causes long term brain damage by "shorting out" electrical impulses in the brain *The human body cannot metabolize (break down) the unknown by-products created in microwaved food *Male and female hormone production is shut down and/or altered by continually eating microwaved food. *The effects of microwaved food by-products are residual (long term) within the human body. *Minerals, vitamins and nutrients of all microwaved food are reduced or altered so that the human body gets little or no benefit, or the body absorbs altered compounds that cannot be broken down. *The minerals in vegetables are altered into cancerous free radicals when cooked in microwave ovens. *Microwaved foods cause stomach and intestinal cancerous growths. This may help explain, at least in part, the rapidly increased rate of colon cancer in the US. *The prolonged eating of microwaved foods causes cancerous cells to increase in human blood. *Continual ingestion of microwaved food causes immune system deficiencies through lymph gland and blood serum alterations. *Eating microwaved food causes loss of memory, concentration, emotional instability and a decrease of intelligence.
Russian experiments showed that a human did not even need to ingest the material substance of the microwaved food substances in order for it to have a negative effect upon the welfare of humans. Even exposure to the energy field itself was sufficient to cause such adverse side effects that the use of these ovens were banned in the Soviet Union in 1976.
(above material reference: GCNM)
"Microwave ovens are in 84 percent of America's homes, and industry spokespeople claim they are completely safe. Industry standards are enforced by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which allows some leakage of microwaves from these ovens (which the industry calls negligible). A body of evidence suggests that the leaching of toxic chemicals from plastics, adhesives, inks and browning trays may be occurring in the superheating within a microwave oven. Some of these chemicals may mimic hormones, thereby causing hormonal imbalances.
FDA tests done in 1988 found that the microwaveable "heat-susceptor" packaging used to brown such foods as pizzas and waffles can release chemicals into the food in as few as three minutes of cooking. Les Borodinsky, an FDA chemist who worked on the study, noted that the "functional barrier" packaging of these microwaveable products did not seem to effectively prevent chemical leaching. This worries some experts, who note that traces of carcinogens have been found in microwaveable packaging. The industry doesn't deny some chemicals migrate, but says there is no health hazard, and points to studies that have affirmed the technology's safety. Critics complain that many of the studies were financed by the industry itself."The Environmental Magazine, Sept-Oct., 2004 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Are you willing to pay the price for this modern "convenience"? To me, it seems more like a convenient way to fast-track to disease. You're worth the time it takes to prepare your food the "conventional" way.... in the oven, toaster oven, convection oven or on top of the stove.... even for the purpose of reheating your foods or simply boiling water.
|
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 3:34 PM
Have you ever been confused by labels? How do you know that what you're eating is really healthy? Of course my motto is to buy organic whenever possible, but what about the difference between whole grain and multi grain for example? Is there a difference? Or grass fed beef vs. grain fed beef? Is there a benefit to one over the other? Do you even consider or care where your seafood comes from, whether wild caught or farm raised? If you're on a tight budget, which most of us are, how can you save some money when shopping for organic produce? Well read on and hopefully this will clear up any confusion.
Produce "The Dirty Dozen": There are 12 fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide count (or 12 fruits and vegetables you should buy organic) - peaches, apples, bell peppers, celery, nectarines, strawberries, cherries, kale, lettuce, grapes, carrots and pears.
The "Clean 15": There are 15 fruits and vegetables that have a low pesticide count (or 15 fruits and vegetables that are OK to buy non-organic) - Onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, mango, asparagus, peas, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, papaya, watermelon, broccoli, tomato, sweet potatoes.
Why Should You Care About Pesticides? The growing consensus among scientists is that small doses of pesticides and other chemicals can cause lasting damage to human health, especially during fetal development and early childhood. Scientists now know enough about the long-term consequences of ingesting these powerful chemicals to advise that we minimize our consumption of pesticides. Of course, I recommend doing all we can to eliminate these chemicals as it pertains to our food and in that case, it requires eating organically grown foods.
Will Washing and Peeling Help? Nearly all the studies used to create these lists assume that people rinse or peel fresh produce. Rinsing reduces but does not eliminate pesticides. Peeling helps, but valuable nutrients often go down the drain with the skin. The best approach: eat a varied diet, rinse all produce and buy organic when possible.
Poultry/Eggs Free range or free roaming, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture means producers must demonstrate to the Agency that the poultry has been allowed access to the outside.
What is organic chicken? Organic chicken is chicken that has only been fed organic grains, which means that no pesticides or chemicals were used on the farm to grow the grain in the last three years. The chicken must also never have been given antibiotics, drugs, or hormones to accelerate growth, though they will be given medicine should they fall ill. Also, the chicken must be given free range with access to outdoors and be treated properly.
Beef
Grass-Fed Beef: The definition of grass fed beef generally means beef from cattle that have eaten only grass or forage throughout their lives, however some producers do call their beef grass-fed but then actually finish the animals on grain for the last 90 to 160 days before slaughter.
Grass-Finished Beef: A more specific definition is Grass Finished Beef. Finishing is just another word for the time that cattle are normally fattened for the last few months before processing. Typically, feed lots finish cattle for 90 to 160 days on grain, usually corn, whereas, grass finished cattle are fattened on grass only, until the day that they are processed.
Grass finishing compared to grain finishing: When considering the definition of grass fed beef, most beef animals have probably eaten grass at some point in their lives, but the important thing is that they're "finished", or fattened on grass, rather than grain, for the 90 to 160 days before slaughter.
During those few months of grain finishing the levels of important nutrients like conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and omega 3 decrease dramatically in the beef animal's tissues. It is in the finishing process that those levels and ratios drastically decline because of the grain feeding, and that is why it's so important to make sure that the beef you eat is not only grass fed, but grass finished.
Seafood From both a nutritional and environmental impact perspective, farmed fish are far inferior to their wild counterparts:
Despite being much fattier, farmed fish provide less usable beneficial omega 3 fats than wild fish.
Due to the feedlot conditions of aquafarming, farm-raised fish are doused with antibiotics and exposed to more concentrated pesticides than their wild kin. Farmed salmon, in addition, are given a salmon-colored dye in their feed, without which, their flesh would be an unappetizing grey color.
Aquafarming also raises a number of environmental concerns, the most important of which may be its negative impact on wild salmon. It has now been established that sea lice from farms kill up to 95 percent of juvenile wild salmon that migrate past them.
The only downside to wild caught salmon is the price, often times up to $10 more expensive than farm-raised per pound...but, isn't your health worth it?
Snack Foods Whole grain versus multi grain: Whole grain products contain all the parts of the grain: the germ, which is rich in essential fatty acids and B-vitamins; the endosperm, which is mostly starch; and the bran, which, of course, is high in fiber. In products made with refined grains, on the other hand, most of the germ and bran have been removed, leaving the starchy endosperm, which is the least nutritious part of the grain.
With foods like oatmeal, bulgur wheat, brown rice, popcorn, or quinoa, you're always getting the whole grain-and these are all great foods to include in your diet. It gets trickier with foods like breads, crackers, pasta, and tortillas, where the grains have been milled into flour. Then, it can be a little harder to tell whether you're dealing with whole grains or not.
It doesn't make it any easier that manufacturers go out of their way to make their products look and sound healthy, even when they aren't. They use molasses or food coloring to mimic the darker color of whole-grains. They add ingredients that create a dense, chewy texture. They use virtuous-sounding words like "stone-ground," "100 percent wheat," or "multi-grain." None of these things are a reliable indicator of whole grains.
"Multi-grain" bread, for example, could be made out of several types of refined grains. Or, more likely, it's made with lots of refined white flour and small amounts of other whole grains.
(source: CBS News report)
Some additional points to consider are: Non-organic beef and chicken are fed growth hormones to make them grow bigger and faster, hence more profit. They are also given antibiotics to prevent or treat infections as a lot of these cattle are in large confined feed lots. Chickens are in deplorable housing conditions. The grain they are fed has not only been sprayed with who knows how many different pesticides, herbicides and fungicides, but it is highly likely that the grain itself is from Genetically Modified Seeds. We have no idea the ramifications these seeds will have on our health. GMO seeds are best to be avoided!! Grain can also be tainted with antibiotics as an easy way to treat the animals. Non-organic produce can also be from Genetically Modified Seeds. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 3:32 PM
The Food & Drug Administration requires that all food products include nutritional facts on their labels. This includes amounts of calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins etc. The FDA also requires that all ingredients found in that product to be listed in order of greatest to smallest amount. It is especially important to pay attention to this section of the label to know exactly what you are putting in your body.
Food companies have come up with discreet ways to insert ingredients into their products by calling it by a different, less common name. For example, a food may claim to have “No Trans Fats,” yet if you look on the ingredient list, you will see the words “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated.” This is code for TRANS FATS. This same phenomenon also pertains to sugar.
Most people know that eating large amounts of sugar is hard on the body. However, what many might not realize is that products that often claim to be “Sugar Free,” actually still contain sugar or sugar substitutes. This list contains common names that sugar can be disguised as in the food you eat.
-SUGAR BY ALL ITS ALIASES-
Sugar by any other name will taste as sweet: Barley Malt Beet Sugar
Brown Sugar – Sucrose crystals coated with molasses Buttered syrup
Cane Juice crystals
Cane Sugar
Caramel Carob syrup
Corn Syrup
Corn Syrup solids
Date Sugar
Diastatic malt
Dextrin Dextran
Dextrose – Obtained from starch, corn sugar, corn syrup (liquid dextrose), grape sugar
DiastaseEthyl maltol
Fructose – Fruit sugar. Found in fruits, molasses and honey. It’s 11⁄2 times as sweet as sucrose, but provides the same number of calories. Absorbed more slowly than sucrose, so blood sugar doesn’t rise as quickly.
Fruit Juice Concentrate – May mean fruit stripped of all nutrients, flavors, and colors to leave only refined fructose.
Galactose
Glucose – All sugars get converted to glucose in the blood. Found in fruits, some vegetables, honey and corn syrup.
Glucose solids
Golden Sugar
Golden syrup
Grape sugarHoney – Made of mostly fructose, honey is more a concentrated carbohydrate than sucrose.
High-Fructose corn Syrup
Honey
Invert Sugar – A combination of sucrose, glucose and fructose.
Lactose – Milk sugar, a combination of glucose and fructose.
Malt syrup
Malto-Dextrin
Maltose – Formed by the breakdown of starches.
Mannitol -A sugar alcohol absorbed more slowly than sucrose.
Molasses
Polydextrose
Raw Sugar
Refiner's syrup
Sorbitol – Sugar alcohol in fruits and berries. Provides the same number of calories as sucrose but is only 60% as sweet.
Sorghum syrup
Starch – Found in potatoes, grains, and breads.
Sucrose – Known as table sugar, white sugar, granulated sugar, powdered or confectioner’s sugar.
Sugar
Turbinado
Xylitol – A sweetener found in plants and used as a substitute for sugar; it is called a nutritive sweetener because it provides calories, just like sugar.
Yellow Sugar
Important fact: *White Blood Cells are adversely affected by excessive sugar consumption |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 10:36 PM
 Click on the photo to enlarge. |
|
|
Karen: Posted on Wednesday, May 04, 2011 9:32 PM
There are a vast number of live bacteria that live in each of us and they are essential for good health. There are several thousand billion in each person (more than all the cells in the body) divided into over 400 species, most of them living in the digestive tract. The word probiotic, means "for life".
In order to keep this simple, I'll just say that there are principally two"families" of beneficial bacteria called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria . To a large extent, these benefical bacteria keep the bad bacteria under control.
The Lactobacillus strains are specific to the small intestine. These bacteria help reduce levels of harmful bacteria and yeasts and are also responsible for producing lactase, the enzyme responsible for the digestion of milk. L. acidophilus is also responsible for the production of B vitamins (niacin-B3, folic acid, pyridoxine-B6) during the digestive process. It has antifungal properties, helps reduce blood cholesterol levels, aids digestion and enhances the absorption of nutrients.Bifidobacterium strains are specific to the large intestine. Bifidobacterium bifidum is the predominant organism in the intestinal flora. It aids in the manufacture and synthesis of B-complex vitamins and vitamin K. B.bifidum improves digestion, which helps in preventing digestive disorders such as constipation and gas, as well as food allergies, to name a few. They produce lactic and other acids which makes the environment INhospitable to harmful bacteria. There are other forms of beneficial, or friendly bacteria that are considered "nonresident bacteria" because they perform a job as they pass through. These are primarily found in yogurt products and other fermented foods, but not all commercially produced varieties of yogurt contain live cultures and they often contain high fructose corn syrup which is contraindicated for establishing beneficial bacteria.
Probiotics are known to help with: *chronic bowel problems, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, colitis and Crohn's disease *constipation and gas *reducing cholesterol *acne, & skin related problems, *allergies- by lessening the response in the gut to allergenic foods *arthritis (see below) *recurrent vaginal or bladder infections (thrush or cystitis) *cases of diarrhea, especially when brought on by bacterial infections, therefore probiotics are an exotic traveler's best friend!*softening stool and regulating bowel movements *enhancing the immune system *lactose intolerance *promotes anti-tumor and anti-cancer activity
Here are some things that inhibit or destroy friendly bacteria: *sugar and highly processed foods *antibiotics *steroids *birth control pills *chlorine and fluoride in tap water *environmental pollutants *mental and physical stress *chemotherapy/radiation therapy *tobacco *alcohol *aging- with age comes a decrease in the quantity of benefical bacteria
*interesting fact* 4 million people die annually from diarrhea related infections, caused by poor sanitary conditions |
|
|
|
|
