Why should people cleanse?
Detoxification and cleansing practices have been promoted by healer in other cultures for centuries because they knew that radiant and sustained health depended on a balanced body. Methods of detoxification were created to cleanse the body, mind and spirit of debris and toxins.
Disease often occurs as a result of an unhealthy lifestyle causing the body to become sluggish, congested, acidic, and polluted. Couple this with the toxic environment we live in. There are pesticides in our foods, increased air pollutants, and political unrest.
This toxicity can compromise digestion, liver health, and gladular function. Constipation, irregularity, allergies, and weight gain and inflammatory conditions are a result. The glandular system becomes sluggish causing a slowed metabolism, hormonal imbalances, and an inability to handle stress. The ability to focus is compromised by the constant juggling of modern day distractions such as cell phones, the internet, e-mail, and increased traffic.
Cleansing removes toxins and pollutants from inside. Through simple cleansing practices you can help combat toxic environmental overload.
Article courtesy of The Herbalist
This substance comes in so many disguised names that it's a real challenge to find any prepared foods that do not contain it. MSG is a neuro-exciter...it litterly excites the brain cells to death...and is linked to many motor- diseases.
There is one way to tell that it's in your food when you realize the sign..."You can't get enough of it and don't know when you've had enough to eat." It is meant to make food "taste good" to the brain...the tendency is to over eat. MSG is also addictive.
~ REACTIONS ~
There are restaurants and foods I now avoid because I recognize that my body has an adverse reaction- headache, skin on my forehead feels like it's being pulled tight, dizziness and the worst reaction...I passed out!
Nowadays I check labels on food and always ask the restaurant if they use MSG.
Eating foods with MSG once in a while won't destroy your health, but the truth is, it's in nearly everything now. So we are at risk of having toxic high levels of it in our systems and that leads to impaired health.
This "product" of course, is good for sales! MSG is a neuro-exciter and can literally destroy brain cells. It's terrible for children and may also be part of the cause of the epidemic of hyper-active children. Check baby food labels. Also, if you have brain trauma, such as a concussion do not eat or drink anything with a neuro-exciter in it...documentation has proven it can cause brain damage.
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TEASER & PLEASER FOODS
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TEASER foods are those that trick you into overeating...the body doesn't know when to stop. Infact, it's hard to really feel full with them at all until one gorges the stomach.
These food overide your appetite regulator. potatoes, macaroni & cheese, chips, candies, ice cream, etc.
Potatoes are pure starch. Pasta is pure starch. (As you know, wheat is bleached and stripped of it's germ and nutrient to make pasta, whilte flour, etc). These can upset the balance of sugar in your body, just naturally by themselves.
One way to eat potatoes in moderation is to slice them, soak them in water for several hours and eat raw with a natural healthy dip.
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PLEASER foods let you know when you've had enough. The body will reject even the idea of eating more of it.Those foods are salad, tomatos, broccoli, etc. in other words...non-starchy and low starch vegies and some nuts and seeds.
It isn't easy to give up the things we've become accustomed to and/or addicted to and have put our trust in...but if you have a desire for increased health and wellness...you must make changes.
MSG is addictive, destroys brain cells and destroys health. If you're not sleeping well, check the ingredients in your foods for MSG.
Here is a link listing MSG's many names: MSG's Names
Macular dengeneration (MD) is the leading cause of blindness in the United States. It is often referred to as age-related macular dengeneration because the incidence increases with age. MD is caused by deterioration of the macula, the central part of the retina. The retina is the innermost layer of the eye containing receptor for vision called rods and cones, and the cacula contains the highest concentration. Early stages of MD can cause visual deficits and advanced stages may result in permanent loss of central vision. MD appears to have a genetic compoenent, but studies have shown that diet and nutritional supplements can play prominent roles in prevention and progression of the disease.
Vitamin D
In recent years we have learned a lot about vitamin D and its protective effects against osteoporosis, cancer, hypertension, psoriasis and autoimmune disease. We now have reason to believe that it can prevent macular degeneration as well. A published study in which 7752 people participated showed those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood had a 40% lower risk of developing MD compared to adults with the lowest levels.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Fats also play a key role in the prevention and progression of macular degeneration. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, is one of the healthy fats found in fish. It is particularly important for healthy eyes because it is a major structural component in the outer membrane of the retina. Studies have found that adults between the ages of 60 and 80 who ate more than two 4oz servings of fish each week had a reduced risk of developing MD.
In addition, another study found that adults 60+ years who had been diagnosed with MD but were eating food rich in omega-3 fats, including fish and nuts, had a protective effect against progression of the disease.
Antioxidants and Carotenoids
Antioxidants, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc, inactivate free radicals that can damage the retina while carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin accumulate in the macula and absorb ultraviolet radiation. So eat your dark leafy greens, fruits, eggs, soybeans, tomatoes, whole grains, and legumes.
Glycemic Index
Sugar is another important consideration in MD, according to researchers at TuftsUniversity. Their study concluded that those who had a higher dietary glycemic index also had a highter risk of MD. In other words sugar, flour and processed foods, can increase risk of macular degeneration while whole grains, vegetables and legumes that rank much lower can reduce risk.
Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the
A stroke, sometimes called a "brain attack," occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted. When a stroke occurs, brain cells in the immediate area begin to die because they stop getting the oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
There are two major kinds of stroke.
The first, called an ischemic stroke, is caused by a blood clot that blocks or plugs a blood vessel or artery in the brain. About 80 percent of all strokes are ischemic. The second, known as a hemorrhagic stroke, is caused by a blood vessel in the brain that breaks and bleeds into the brain. About 20 percent of strokes are hemorrhagic.
What disabilities can result from a stroke?
Although stroke is a disease of the brain, it can affect the entire body. The effects of a stroke range from mild to severe and can include paralysis, problems with thinking, problems with speaking, and emotional problems. Patients may also experience pain or numbness after a stroke.
Because stroke injures the brain, you may not realize that you are having a stroke. To a bystander, someone having a stroke may just look unaware or confused. Stroke victims have the best chance if someone around them recognizes the symptoms and acts quickly.
What are the symptoms of a stroke?
The symptoms of stroke are distinct because they happen quickly:
§ Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
§ Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding speech
§ Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
§ Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
§ Sudden severe headache with no known cause
If you believe someone is having a stroke – if he or she suddenly loses the ability to speak, or move an arm or leg on one side, or experiences facial paralysis on one side – call 911 immediately.
Remember Act F.A.S.T.
F Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred?
T If the person shows any signs of these symptoms, time is important. Call 9-1-1 or get to the hospital fast. Brain cells are dying.
Immediate treatment can save people's lives and enhance their chances for successful recovery. For more information please check out www.stroke.org.
Not so long ago, illness was considered to be something that attacked us from the outside. It was easy to blame our sickness on somebody or something else but, by doing so, we removed our own responsibility for our health. Treating illness meant treating the symptoms not the cause of the symptoms.
Remember, illness acts as a marker or sign, to show us where we are going wrong. Our attitudes, lifestyle, emotions and stress levels all contribute towards the general state of our well being.
Get your health under control and reduce your susceptibility to disease with a holistic plan of nutrition, herbs, supplements, complementary therapies, and stress relief. The following is a list of alternative options available to you:
Ayurveda- Focuses on establishing and maintaining balance of life energies within us, rather than focusing on individual symptoms. For more information go to niam.com.
Chinese Medicine- Looks for signs of disharmony in the external and internal environment of a person in order to understand, treat and prevent illness. Healing techniques include acupuncture, herbs and massage.
Herbal Medicine- Treats symtoms with herbs and teas.
Homeopathy- This discipline considers how a person uniquely responds to a disease. Then tailors a program of herbs, supplements etc. For more information go to homeopathic.org.
Meditation- Involves turning attention inward, breathing deeply and evenly to defuse stress.
Reiki- Originating from Japan, reiki balances the energy that flows through the body. A reiki healer uses 15 hand postions to remove blockages from affected energy channels. Sessions last 60 to 90 minutes. For more information go to reikialliance.org.
Qigong- Like Tai Chi without the set patterns. Qigong involves breathing into the abdomen, rather than more shallowly into the chest, and thus activating the parasympathetic nervous system response. Just 5 minutes a day can have a profound calming and relaxing effect.
Yoga- Postures or poses that focus on breathing, deep relaxation and balance. A great way to unkink lactic acid build up in muscles.
The weather is warm and the living is easy...until burns, bites and motion sickness get the best of you. Keep your hot weather activities healthy with our seasonal wellness suggestions. These remedies are all available at your local health food store. Please check with your doctor before using any treatment options.