Liver Cleanse

In this day and age our livers are over burdened with toxins, either from the foods we choose to eat to the environment we live in, leading to all sorts of health issues.  Anytime we overeat or eat processed or fried foods, and, anytime we are exposed to environmental pollutants or stress, the liver becomes overworked and overloaded. When the liver is taxed, it cant process toxins and fat in an efficient way. There are many foods that can help cleanse the liver naturally by stimulating the natural ability to clean toxic waste from the body. A change in diet is always the best first step. It's healthful to know the foods that will target the task of cleansing the liver.

List of Foods that Cleanse the Liver

 In addition to taking a liver-cleansing supplement (from the Global Healing Center), and performing at least two liver and gallbladder cleanses per year, eating the following foods is the best way to keep your liver healthy and functioning the way you need it to. It's a great idea to incorporate these liver cleanse foods into your weekly diet.

1. Garlic

Just a small amount of this pungent white bulb has the ability to activate liver enzymes that helps your body flush out toxins. Garlic also holds high amounts of allicin and selenium, two natural compounds that aid in liver cleansing. It's easy to add to several dishes to incorporate in meals.

2. Grapefruit

High in both vitamin C and antioxidants, grapefruit increase the natural cleansing processes of the liver. A small glass of freshly-squeezed grapefruit juice will help boost production of liver detoxification enzymes that help flush out carcinogens and other toxins. Grapefruit is one of my favorite snacks, and I have one almost daily.

3. Beets and Carrots

Both extremely high in plant-flavonoids and beta-carotene, eating both beets and carrots can help stimulate and improve overall liver function.  They are also great for juicing.  Carrots make a great snack too.

4. Green Tea

This liver-loving beverage is chock-full of plant antioxidants known as catechins, a constituent known to assist the livers overall functions. Green tea is not only delicious, it’s also a great way to improve your overall diet. To make sure it doesn't turn out bitter, add green tea leaves to hot water (cooler than boiling) and let it steep for a few minutes. It will taste bitter if added to boiling water or steeped for too long.

5. Leafy Green Vegetables

One of our most powerful allies in cleansing the liver, leafy greens can be eaten raw, cooked or juiced. Extremely high in plant chlorophylls, greens literally suck up environmental toxins from the blood stream. With their distinct ability to nuetralize heavy metals, chemicals and pesticides, these cleansing foods offer a powerful protective mechanism for the liver.

Try incorporating leafy greens such as bitter gourd, arugula, dandelion greens, spinach, mustard greens and chicory into your diet. This will help increase the creation and flow of bile, the substance that removes waste from the organs and blood.

6. Avocados

This nutrient-dense super-food helps the body produce glutathione, which is necessary for the liver to cleanse harmful toxins. Recent studies indicate improved liver health when avocados are eaten regularly.  Add an extra boost by squeezing fresh lemon on top...this will also help to keep it from browning.

7. Apples

High in pectin, apples hold the chemical constituents needed for the body to cleanse and release toxins from the digestive tract. This, in turn, makes it easier for the liver to handle the toxic load during the cleansing process.  Great for a snack, and juicing to sweeten things up.

8. Olive Oil

Cold-pressed organic oils such as olive, hemp and flax-seed are great for the liver, when used in moderation. They help the body by providing a lipid base that can suck up harmful toxins in the body. In this way, it takes some of the burden off the liver in terms of the toxic overload that many of us suffer from.  Best to Not heat the oil, drizzle on a fresh green salad instead.

9. Cruciferous Vegetables

Eating broccoli and cauliflower will increase the amount of glucosinolate in your system, adding to enzyme production in the liver. These natural enzymes help flush out carcinogens, and other toxins, out of our body which significantly lowers our risk of cancer. Another cheap cruciferous veggie is the daikon, which looks like a is a white carrot.

10. Lemons & Limes

These citrus fruits contain very high amounts of the vitamin C, which aids the body in synthesizing toxic material into substance that can be absorbed by water. Drinking freshly-squeezed lemon or lime juice in the morning helps stimulate the liver.  I have a warm mug of lemon juice every morning. A fantastic way to start your day!

11. Walnuts

Holding high amount of the amino acid arginine, walnuts aid the liver in detoxifying ammonia. Walnuts are also high in glutathione and omega-3 fatty acids which support normal liver cleansing actions. Make sure you chew the nuts well (until they are liquefied) before swallowing.  Raw nuts are most healthy, and should be well soaked and rinsed before consuming.

12. Cabbage

Much like broccoli and cauliflower, eating cabbage helps stimulate the activation of two crucial liver detoxifying enzymes that help flush out toxins. Try eating more kimchi (fermented that will do wonders for your digestion increasing the good bacteria in your gut), coleslaw, cabbage soup and sauerkraut.

13. Turmeric

The liver’s favorite spice. And pretty much an overall power spice, one of the bests out there for overall health. Try adding some of this detoxifying goodness into your next lentil stew or veggie dish for an instant liver pick-me-up. Turmeric helps boost liver detox, by assisting enzymes that actively flush out known dietary carcinogens. You can also have it in teas. Just be careful with not spilling, as it does stain.

Tips For Doing a Liver Cleanse

Other liver cleanse foods not listed above are artichoke, asparagus, kale and brussel sprouts. Eating the foods listed above is a great way to keep your liver functioning properly. However, for the best results, doing a liver cleanse is also a good idea to jump start the process. Doing a liver cleanse at least twice a year will eliminate any foreign substances that may be trapped in your liver.  Another great idea is adding Chlorella to your daily diet. In either pill form or powdered in shakes. It will help eliminate heavy metals from your body. I take a Spirulina/Chrlorella blend tablets every day do to having an amalgam filling, that I hope to have removed some day!

Natural Prescription Alternatives

It's so wonderful to see Dr. Oz bring attention to healthier alternatives to synthetic drugs. 

Click here for Part 1 of Natural Precsription Alternatives.

Click here for Part 2 of Natural Prescription Alternatives.

Dr. Oz reviews the cheapest natural alternatives to the most frequently prescribed medications. To help remedy acid reflux, hypothyroidism, high blood pressure and more without a prescription.  Why aren't these more commonly known? Because natural cures can't be patented, so big drug companies can't profit from it! This is a reason you need to do your own research on natural remedies, because your dr. will not always share these alternatives with you. 

Acid reflux - Apple Cider Vinegar (the best on the market I have found is Braggs natural ACV with mother) Do not drink this on it's own, dilute 1-2 tsp in a glass of water.

Hypothyroidism- L-Tyrosine - to get your thyroid to produce more hormone

Pain- California Poppy - a powerful pain killer...it's non-addictive and legal

High blood pressure- Green unroasted coffee been extract - helps open up blood vessels unlike roasted coffee. Take in capsule form...look out for specialty shops that are considering introducing beverages with it

Supplements for Natural Pain Relief

By Russell H. Greenfield, MD
Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine
UNC Chapel Hill School of Medicine

Pain is one of the most common reasons for a doctor’s visit. Your physician will evaluate you, consider the need for diagnostic tests, and appropriately recommend over-the-counter aids or offer a prescription for pain medication when indicated. Typical pain relievers often have troubling side effects even when effective, but there are a small number of natural medicines that can safely help relieve pain.

Video- http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/supplements-natural-pain-relief

Zyflamend for Back Pain

I often recommend the use of an agent called Zyflamend (New Chapter, Inc) for the relief of uncomplicated lower back pain, most commonly due to inflamed muscles. Zyflamend contains a mixture of ten different anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herbs, including turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale), that work together to quench the fires of inflammation and help relieve pain. I usually prefer single agent remedies, but this product has been the focus of research trials and appears to be safe when used properly. Some of the ingredients could thin your blood slightly, so use caution if you are taking blood-thinning medication or are scheduled for an invasive medical procedure. A typical dose of zyflamend for the management of mild to moderate muscle pain would be 1 softgel twice a day with food for up to 4 weeks.

Butterbur for Migraines

One of my favorite remedies to help prevent migraine headaches is the herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus), which appears to help stabilize irritable blood vessels that may contribute to migraine pain, as well as offer anti-inflammatory actions. In one trial, researchers found that taking 75 mg of butterbur daily over 4 months cut the incidence of migraine headaches nearly in half. In addition, butterbur is an effective agent for the treatment of hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis. It is not unusual for people to develop headaches in association with their seasonal allergies, and butterbur might help in this instance, too. Only buy products that are labeled “PA Free,” meaning they do not contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver. A reasonable adult starting dose for the prevention of migraine headaches would be 75 mg twice a day with meals. Some people may need to increase the dosage to 100 mg twice daily for symptom relief.

Bromelain for Sinus Pain and More

One other agent to keep in mind, especially with spring and summer just around the corner, is bromelain, a complex mixture of enzymes derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus). Bromelain possesses anti-inflammatory actions, helps minimize swelling, and is very effective for promoting the healing of damaged tissues, especially minor bruises. It is also used frequently to help relieve discomfort associated with sinus congestion as seen with hay fever or sinus infections. Some doctors recommend that their patients undergoing nasal surgery take bromelain for a few days to help manage post-operative swelling and discomfort. Be aware that bromelain is another agent that can thin the blood and increase the chances of bleeding. To relieve sinus pain, start taking bromelain at the first sign of symptoms, 200 mg twice a day for 4-6 days.

For mild to moderate discomfort, the remedies just described may offer you effective pain relief without significant side effects. Check with your doctor first to be sure there is no reason you should avoid using these agents.



Dr. Oz and his panel of experts discuss the best and worst medications, therapies and meals to help alleviate chronic pain. View the video here --> http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/web-exclusive-treating-chronic-pain

Gluten/Dairy Free banana muffins

Monkey Muffins – Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Banana Bread Using No Refined Sugar or Oil

Ingredients

DRY MIXTURE:

• 1/2 cups Flour (you can use any combination of flour – I used 1 cup Gluten free all purpose flour (it's all I had left) then added 1/2 cup coconut flour) 
• 1 tsp xanthan gum
• 1/2 cup Ground Flax Meal (I grind mine fresh, which is preferable) this substitutes the oil...as it's baked the flax oil mixes in
• 2 tsp Baking Soda
• 1 tsp Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp Himalayan Salt

WET MIXTURE:

• 3 Ripe Bananas (the riper they are, the better & sweeter they will be)
• 1/3 cup Honey (1/2 cup if you prefer them a little sweeter)
• 1 Cup Almond Milk
• 2 tsp Vanilla Extract (I made my own, which was wonderful)
• 1 Large organic Egg

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS / INGREDIENTS

• Dehydrated ‘Shredded’ Coconut (all natural – no sugar) 
• Chopped Nuts (I added chopped almonds and walnuts to some)
• Chocolate chunks (dairy free is an option...preferably dark)
• Raisins
• Shredded Carrots

Recipe:

1. Pre-Heat Oven to 350 degrees.
2. In medium sized bowl, combine dry ingredients.
3. In small bowl (or Blender), beat wet ingredients until smooth and well pureed.
4. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and whisk together until smooth.
5. Fold in any optional ingredients.
6. Pour mixture into greased (preferably with coconut oil) or papered muffin pans.
7. Garnish with optional toppings before baking.
8. Bake for approximately 15 – 25 minutes until tops brown and toothpick comes out clean. Mine took 25 minutes because of the coconut flour I added that I find tends to take longer to bake.
9. Let muffins cool completely before storing.
10. Store muffins in refrigerator for up to 4-5 days (they will get moist) or in freezer for up to 2 months.

Yield: about 18 Large or 24 Mini Muffins
Preparation & Cooking Time: Approx. 25-35 minutes

 All Ingredients

 Mix all dry ingredients - grind flax and add

 Mix all wet ingredients...bananas look overripe...but they were prefect

 Blend all wet ingredients with an electric mixer

 Dry and wet ingredients

 Blend all ingredients

 Either grease muffin tray or use paper cups...my little helper in the background

 Decide what toppings you want- I added almonds to some, walnuts to others, coconut shavings to a few and left some plain

 Ready to pop in the oven 350

 My little helper ready for a taste...but not quite ready yet...although have a wonderful banana aroma

 I decided to make the remaining batter a little more of a treat and added 2 tsp of raw cacao powder and chopped up dark chocolate

 Wasn't ready after 15 minutes, so I put them in for 5 more, then another 5 more- total 25 minutes until they were done in my oven

 Surprisingly they were still super moist as banana bread should be...even without the oil.  The sweetness was very subtle (which I think was great!) but if you want them sweeter you could drizzle some raw honey on top:)

 The chocolate ones turned out wonderfully...also not too sweet since I used very dark chocolate.

 Nice and gooey and cholatey...as I dove in before they fully cooled. To have them come off the paper cupcake cups, wait until they are fully cooled, and they will peal off effortlessly.

Seasonal allergies relief

Get relief and save money without medications to relieve seasonal allergies!

Spring has started early and with an early bloom comes a long year for seasonal allergy sufferers. I feel very fortunate that I don't suffer from seasonal allergies, but know so many people who do.  If you are one of the millions suffering from springtime allergies already in March, wouldn't you like to enjoy the summer allergy-free? A simple solution exists that can help you rid the medications and enjoy the outdoors.

Medication, shmedication!

There's no doubt that our country is over-medicated, not to mention broke from paying for expensive medications. I personally do everything possible to avoid having to take a single synthetic drug, prescription or otherwise.  On top of the overuse, terrible side effects with allergy medications make them a gamble to take. The side effects of a popular prescription allergy drug includes: fatigue, coughing, sneezing, headache, nausea, sleeplessness, sore throat, dizziness and even severe allergic reactions! Wait, isn't the medication supposed to prevent allergies and all of these symptoms? What if you could take something safe and natural with no side effects that you don't need a prescription for and costs well under $20?

Raw apple cider vinegar

With an already seemingly endless list of conditions that benefit from apple cider vinegar (ACV), allergies can be placed right in the mix. Allergies arise due to a histamine response from over-exposure to pollens, dander, dust and so on. Although these may be harmless, the human body's immune response views them as foreign invaders that must be destroyed. People with allergies suffer from a heightened immune reaction to a non-threatening stimulus. ACV works by blocking the histamine reaction and reducing inflammation. Raw, organic ACV can be found in most supermarkets and every health food store. Take a shot of 1:1 mix of ACV and water first thing in the morning and up to 3 times a day. Drinking ACV before going outside can prevent an allergic reaction before it starts. Be careful not to burn the throat by drinking it too fast...dilute dilute!

LOCAL raw honey

Besides being delicious, honey can reduce allergies or get rid of them all together. Everyone who has allergies generally knows what it is that sets them off. In the case of pollen allergies, one can likely identify which flower or tree gives them the worst symptoms. Most of the time these are plants that pollinate through wind and insects. By consuming a few spoonfuls of local honey from a plant source known to be problematic, one can build up a tolerance to the pollen and reduce the overall immune response to it, hence curing their allergies. Local farmers markets usually have a beekeeper's local honey for sale and may be labeled with different plant sources for the honey. Purchase honey that comes from the plant causing allergies. If they don't have it, try buying honey from the most local source, as this will most likely contain some pollen from many different plants in the area, further building up a tolerance.

If you can't stand the taste of ACV (like me!), add some honey to it to dull it down and sweeten it up, and make it bearable to drink. These two natural remedies can help an allergy sufferer once again enjoy the outdoors without a box of tissues.

Here are some allergy survival strategies that Dr. Oz has found to be extremely helpful to allergy sufferers:

Stay Cool

Cool eye compresses may improve appearance and reduce unwanted eye allergy symptoms.

Be a Star

Wear big sunglasses to block pollen entry into your eyes/eyelids, especially on windy days.

Rinse Wisely

Wash your eyelids gently when you wash your face each morning. Shampoo your hair in the evening if you have been out on high-pollen days (or after being outdoors) to remove and wash away unwanted seasonal pollens and molds. This will stop them from landing on your pillow and bed sheets during the night. 

Wear a Hat

Get a sombrero! Wear a wide-brimmed hat to prevent pollens from landing on top of your head.  

Say No to Hair Gel

Don’t use hair gel and similar hair-care products that can act as “pollen magnets” during the height of allergy season. 

Avoid the Pollen Problem 

Consider exercising indoors on very high-pollen days. Higher levels of pollens are usually found on warm, dry and windy days.

Plan Ahead and Know Your Pollen Count 

Go to www.aaaai.org/nab for accurate pollen and mold levels in your area. Pollen levels are typically higher on warm, sunny, dry and windy days, and lower on cooler, moist, wet and “windless” days. 

Mask It

Wear a pollen mask, use gloves, and avoid touching your eyes and face. This can really help during gardening and/or lawn mowing. 

Don’t Line Dry

Never line dry clothing outdoors on high-pollen days, as it will adhere to your linens, towels, etc. 

Avoid Certain Plants and Flowers 

They may be pretty, but it’s better to keep your distance. Many flowers will drive up your allergy symptoms, especially if you really inhale their aroma up close. Avoid the following: Daisies, chrysanthemum, amaranthus, dahlia, sunflower, black-eyed Susan, zinnia, privet and lilac. 

Try an Allergy-Friendly Garden 

Plant gladiolus, periwinkle, begonia, bougainvillea, iris and orchid. These plants won’t aggravate your allergies. 

Start Your Allergy Treatment Early 

See an allergist for simple, fast, reliable allergy tests so you can get relief.  

Get Shot

Allergy injections are the only immune system treatment that can actually prevent the progression of your allergies, and provide long-term relief in 85% or more of properly selected allergy sufferers.

Medications Work 

Effective and safe choices for relief include: OTC nasal saline sprays/rinses, prescription nasal steroid and antihistamines, oral antihistamines, leukotriene blockers, and allergy eye drops.

Clean the Air 

At home or when driving, keep windows closed and set the air conditioner on “re-circulate” to keep out the pollens. Clean filters in air conditioners frequently during allergy season to get the best efficiency. 

Avoid Window Fans 

This is a rather good way to bring in unwanted pollens/mold spores. If you don’t want that, skip window fans. 

Avoid Cross-Reactions 

As many as 1 in 3 seasonal allergy sufferers may experience “oral allergy syndrome” (tingling of the mouth or itchy throat) after ingesting certain foods (apples, pears, carrots, celery, peaches, cherries, as well as almonds and hazelnuts). If you have seasonal tree pollen allergies, this is due to a cross-reaction between the proteins in these foods and the pollens. Melons, tomatoes and oranges may cross-react with grass pollens. If you are sensitive to weed pollens watch out for melon, chamomile tea, and banana.  

Enjoy the great outdoors this season with these simple, practical and proven ways to stay allergy-free! 

Click here for Allergy Season Survival Strategies, Pt 1
Click here for Allergy Season Survival Strategies. Pt 2

Candida 101

Pat Robinson posted a very informative article about Candida on Heal Thyself, that I'd like to share.  Before really getting into health and learning everything I could, I would hear the word candida brought up a lot and didn't have a clue what it was, or the role it played in keeping your body healthy, so I find this article very helpful...followed by links to even more healthfy information:)

Candida (Yeast) is a late sign of impaired gut health.

Candida is associated with craving simple carbs (white foods--pasta, bread, rice, and all sugars) which feed the yeast. Candida develops for many reasons. Basically, it is a 'helper' attempting to create balance in the gut, generally due to antibiotics, preservatives, heavy metal toxins and sterile foods.

We can make candida obsolete and unnecessary by rebalancing gut microbials. Antibiotics for mother or baby during pregnancy and birth are the most common sources of microbial imbalance leading to candida in children (and mother). The mother's exposures to mercury through (silver) amalgam fillings and vaccinations herself, and HER mother's mercury toxin exposures are other variables leading to candida overgrowth.

Our foods have "preservatives", which means chemicals that retard microbial and bacterial growth in the food product. Live foods have enzymes and microbials and spoil. If a food doesn't spoil at room temperature within a week, it has preservatives, essentially.

Our gut, which is 70-80% of our immune system has 500-1000 different types of microbials. Preservatives and sterile "pasteurized" foods provide anti-microbials and offer no microbials to recolonize the gut's supply. Without
balanced gut microbials the immune system is impaired.

So, that all sounds scary. But, there are many easy and delicious ways to rebalance the gut microbials and add beneficial bacteria and yeasts in our foods. We'll talk a lot about whole food probiotics and various ways to offer
them to our family. The absolute easiest and most beneficial is water kefir, in my experience.

Water kefir is a colony of beneficial microbials which help to resupply and recolonize the gut microbials. Water kefir is as easy to make as lemonade and tastes similar. Sorta like lemon cider. You only need 1 teaspoon to receive HUGE microbial benefits. I just add it to juice of any type and it is not noticeable in flavor. It can be added to any smoothie or other drink, or salad dressings also. Heat kills the probiotics.

Here are instructions for making water kefir, including photos and YouTube video:
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/group/sharingstartercultures/forum/topics/water-kef\
ir-quest

"Cultures for Health" sells the water kefir grains for about $15 for a lifetime supply. http://www.culturesforhealth.com/splash.php

They reproduce easily and we just share them with friends all the time. You can ask on our Sharing Cultures forum on Heal Thyself. There are many mamas willing to share probiotic starters. If you live near someone with kefir grains, you could get the starter locally. That was how I originally received my kefir grains.
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/group/sharingstartercultures/forum/topics/water-kef\
ir-quest

Preservatives in foods, pasteurized foods and antimicrobial products are three other huge issues!

Oh, and antibiotics...

The more you 'kill off' the more 'die-off' toxins which must be excreted. The skin (mucus membranes) are a detox pathway.

Basically, our detox system is like a funnel. You can dump a lot of toxins into the blo...od stream with cleanses/detox, but there is a maximum bandwidth with which it can exit. Nutrient deficiencies can make detoxification less effective.

So, the yeast just returns. Often yeast exists to sequester excess heavy metals, such as mercury out of blood circulation. Do you have/had any mercury (silver amalgams) in your mouth?

I'd focus on gut healing: http://heal-thyself.ning.c om/profiles/blogs/overwhel med-where-to-start

More about Candida and cautions about "Cleanses":
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/profiles/blogs/candida-101
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/forum/topic...s/need-help-with-candida
http://heal-thyself.ning.com/profiles/blogs/cleanses-1

I believe we can excrete the toxins safely and gradually by supporting our natural detoxification pathways with whole food nutrients and rebalancing the gut microbials. Avoiding toxins and immune assaults helps to make candida obsolete naturally so it doesn't keep returning again and again and again...

~for topical relief, consider coconut oil, kefir, yogurt, ACV, baking soda, Epsom salt baths, lavender essential oil. (each separately)

These are not curative, just suppressive of the symptoms (manifestation of gut imbalance).

Add bone broths, vit A, Vit D, vit C; stop any "cleanses" currently. Increase Omega 3, decrease Omega 6 fatty acids significantly. Avoid alcohol. Decrease stress.

Need Help With Candida

Non-Dairy Kefir and the candida diet. 

Kombucha- Candida- Mercury Issues

"Yeast" Intolerance

Water Kefir vs. Kombucha

Whole Foods Heal
REAL kefir grains vs. kefir starter 

"Cleanses" - Heal Thyself!

Whole Food Probiotics 101

Where do I begin..?

14 Steps for Healthy Guts 

Grapefruit

Health Benefits of Grapefruit 

There's nothing like a super juicy grapefruit to quench and satisfy you. I eat one daily, either for breakfast or snack. 


Health benefits of grapefruit are enormous and incomparable. A glass of chilled grapefruit juice, especially in winter, will help you to get vitamin C. Grapefruit secures a high place amongst various citrus fruits. It's full with the benefits of nutrients, vitamins, potassium, lycopene and refrigerant. Along with these, it also contains calcium, sugar and phosphorous. It is termed as an excellent appetizer.

It is high in fiber and low in calorie. It contains bioflavonoid and other plant chemicals that protects against the serious disease of cancer, tumor and heart diseases. Grape fruit increases the metabolic rate, lower the insulin levels and thus, gives you a feeling of completeness and contentment. It assists human body to fight against various diseases like fatigue, fever, malaria, diabetes, constipation, indigestion, urinary problems, acidity and many more.

Health benefits of grapefruit, which is known as a powerful drug-poison eliminator, are many. It works as a natural antiseptic for external wounds. It works as a liver tonic for the human body. It contains high water content which helps in changing the complexion of the skin along with increasing the metabolism. The pulp of grapefruit supplies healthy bulk to our body which aids bowel action. It also helps to quench the thirst and thus, reduces the burning sensation that arises during fever. Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that intake of grapefruit reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Benefits in Assorted Diseases:

• Appetite Loss: Grapefruit works as an excellent appetizer as compared to any other drug. It is said that smell of the grapefruit reduces the feeling of hunger. This is the reason why people include grapefruit in their weight loss programs. High fiber contained by this fruit can satisfy hunger and thus, avoids any overeating temptation.
• Fever: The pulp or the juice of grapefruit provides assistance to the patient to recover easily from the fever. It reduces burning sensation that occurs during high temperature. It also cures several cases of cold and phenomena. Grapefruit juice, if combined with water, can quench the thirst.
• Fatigue: Grapefruit is beneficial in the treatment of fatigue. It helps you to dispel your fatigue and general tiredness caused due to the routine work. It can bring about a refreshing feeling in you when you drink equal amount of grapefruit juice and lemon juice.
• Influenza: Grapefruit is a valuable remedy for influenza as it helps to minimize acidity from the system. The bitter properties arising from an essence called 'maringin' in grapefruit tones up the system and the digestive swathe.
• Malaria: The juice or the fruit itself consists of valuable and natural 'quinine' which are advantageous for the treatment of malaria. The quinine can be easily extracted from the fruits by boiling a quarter of grapefruit and spraining the pulp.
• Acidity: The fresh grapefruit juice has alkaline reaction after digestion. The citric acid of the fruit is tarnished in the human body and thus, increases the effect of the alkalinity reaction after digestion. The juice extracted from the grapefruit is beneficial in preventing the acid formation and many other diseases that arise due to the presence of acidity in the body.
• Indigestion: Grapefruit is useful for solving the problem of indigestion. It is very light as compared to other food articles and thus, acts immediately on indigestion by easing the heat and irritation caused in the stomach. It improves the flow of digestive juices, thereby improving the digestive systems.
• Insomnia: A simple glass of grapefruit juice, if drunk before going to bed, can promote healthy and sweet sleep and thus, alleviates insomnia.
• Diabetes: A diabetic patient can safely eat a grapefruit. The consumption of this fruit can reduce the starches from the body. If a patient is diabetic, intake of grapefruit can facilitate you to fight with this health issue.
• Constipation: A glass full of fresh squeezed grapefruit in the morning is the best remedy to control the constipation. They result best in stimulating the colon and other parts of the body.
• Flatulence: 10 to 20 drops of grapefruit seeds in the juice, taken before the meals and three times a day, work as an appropriate pro-biotic and digestive enzyme.
• Urinary Disorders: Grapefruit juice is quite rich in potassium and vitamin C and thus, works as the best medicine in the case of scanty urination caused due to the liver, kidney or heart problems.

Consumption of Grapefruit is Better than Any Other Medicine
Grapefruit is a natural medicine that aids you to fight against various diseases. This fruit is easily available in any season. It is completely natural and much better than consuming any other drugs. It makes human body capable enough to fight with your cholesterol problems, thus in turn minimizes the various diseases caused due to cholesterol. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry shows that consumption of grapefruit can reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol, as well as triglycerides.

Prevent Chronic Disease

Just a few minutes of daily exercise alters DNA to help prevent chronic disease

Make workouts fun!  It doesn't need to be running in place on a treadmill...jump rope, dance, take a walk outside, play with little kids...get your body moving every day!

Many people think the genes they inherited at birth are static and predetermine their fate for the remainder of their life. Extensive research into the science of epigenetics is providing startling evidence that this thought process is grossly outdated, and our individual DNA is dynamic and continually influenced by multiple lifestyle factors including diet, environment, stress and physical activity.

Researchers publishing the result of a study in the journal Cell Metabolism provide evidence that that when healthy but inactive men and women exercise for a matter of minutes, it produces a rather immediate change to their DNA. While we cannot change our core DNA code, exercise does influence the DNA molecules within our muscles. Scientists have found that DNA is chemically and structurally altered or expressed in very important ways that affect a myriad of metabolic processes that protect us from chronic disease.

The scientists found that DNA modifications signal precise genetic reprogramming in muscles that determine overall muscle strength as well as structural and metabolic benefits derived from physical activity. Study leader, Dr. Juleen Zierath noted "Our muscles are really plastic ... muscle adapts to what you do. If you don't use it, you lose it, and this is one of the mechanisms that allows that to happen."

Short bursts of moderate intensity exercise positively influences DNA expression

Epigenetic modifications involve the addition or deletion of chemical markers on the DNA strand that change rapidly based on environmental influences such as the nutritional composition of your last meal, pollutants in the environment or the intensity of an exercise workout. Researchers found that DNA within skeletal muscle examined after a short burst of exercise bore fewer chemical markers (specifically methyl groups) than it did before exercise.

The study team specifically determined that the DNA modifications occurred in stretches of DNA that are involved in expressing genes known to be important for muscular adaptation to exercise. This research clearly provides more evidence that our genetic constitution is continually evolving in an effort to protect us, and is positively influenced by short, moderately intense bursts of physical activity. These alterations allow us to adapt quickly to the changing environment that surrounds us.

Dr. Zierath concluded "Exercise is medicine ... and it seems the means to alter our genome for better health may be only a jog away." The finding of this study may explain recent research showing that the best form of exercise works our musculature in short bursts of moderate to full intensity (as measured by attaining maximum heart rate for your age range) for several minutes in duration, followed by a rest period and then another energy burst. Combining this evidence with an organic whole food diet will positively influence your genes toward optimal health.

You won't only look better, but you will feel better, stay healthy and in result live a much more productive life.

ADHD - no drugs

Recover from ADD, ADHD, and depression without drugs

Chances are you've been prescribed antidepressants or know someone who has. According to the Centers for Disease Control, eleven percent of Americans over the age of 12 take antidepressants. Between 1996 and 2005 alone, the number of people taking antidepressants doubled to 27 million.

Concurrent with this pharmaceutical boom, we have also seen the rise of the ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) diagnosis. According to the National Institute of Mental health, 3 to 5 percent of kids have ADHD, but some experts believe that figure could be as high as 10 percent. Yet there are no lab tests to confirm ADHD in children or adults. Instead, doctors rely on the patient's response to questions, the family's description of behavior problems and a school assessment. Once a diagnosis has been made and the patient is put on ADHD medication, the medications usually have troubling side effects. Those may include headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, toxic psychosis and even death, among others.

Many individuals are reporting that diagnoses for depression and ADHD - along with their attendant pharmaceutical treatments - are being handed out like candy. "I don't think you can make a diagnosis of depression in a 10-minute doctor visit, you just can't," said Dr. James Parker, a child psychiatrist at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle. Frank Barnhill, M.D. is a family physician and author of "Mistaken for ADHD". He writes, "Insurance companies often try to squeeze the last penny of profit out of medical care and push doctors even harder to provide that care in less time and for lower costs."

Kerri Kasem knows this experience personally. The radio host was battling depression in her early 20s when she sought medical attention for it. "I'd get really high highs and really low lows," she says. "The doctors wanted to put me on drugs. I walked into an office and 20 minutes later, with him asking me just a couple questions, he told me I had ADD and he gave me Ritalin. He didn't ask me if I had any food allergies or 'What's your diet like?' There was not one question about my health."

Trusting his advice, she began taking Ritalin, but "at the end of one week, I was so sick that I gave him back his drugs... I felt ill." Kasem decided to have her blood tested and learned she had some pressing nutritional issues. "I was very low on iron, I didn't have enough vitamin D. I had all these deficiencies. So I started taking supplements. I got off the sugar completely and that included all the pastas and breads. All of a sudden, my brain started working a little better."

She started taking supplements for the brain and noticed a marked improvement in her ability to focus. "My head was like a calculator; I was quick on my feet. I never had that before." This prompted her to research possible food allergies, and she discovered that she was allergic to gluten. After eliminating gluten, her thinking became even clearer. These changes proved to be a professional game changer for her too. "I can do radio!" she realized. "I wanted to do talk radio more than anything. It was something I wanted to do but I never thought I could." With her new focus, Kasem began interning at radio stations and taking classes. She's now been doing radio since 1997, and you can hear her on the K-pod and Sixx Sense. She is a wellness advocate who promotes natural approaches to disease such as juicing, and eating a plant-based diet. Kasem reflects, "There's always another option, despite what the doctors say."

The first thing I would do to address an ailment is change the diet. Take out sugar, gluten (that your body turns into sugar), and uptake highly nutrition dense vegetables and fruit.  It should always be the first step!