Here are just some of the benefits of flax seed oil. For the cardiovascular system, flax seed oil helps to prevent atherosclerosis and abnormal blood clotting. It also helps to lower blood pressure and helps to prevent heart attacks. Flax seed oil helps lower total cholesterol by up to 9 percent and helps to lower LDL cholesterol by as much as 18 percent.

For the hair, flax seed oil can help alleviate hair loss and dandruff while helping the hair look shinier. For the eyes, flax seed oil helps to improve eyesight and color perception.

For the immune system, flax seed oil is used in orthomolecular treatment of AIDS. It alleviates some allergies and inhibits the growth of some cancers. Flax is a key component of Dr. Biudwig’s cancer program.

Flax seed oil helps with certain forms of lupus. It also helps lower the amount of insulin needed by diabetics.

Flax seed helps prevent immune suppression after intense exercise. It increases the body’s production of energy and helps alleviate fatigue after exercise while improving stamina.The particular type of oil in flax seed is anti-inflammatory and helps alleviate pain and inflammation associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

For the brain and nervous system, flax seed oil helps improve symptoms of depression, improves mental function and is beneficial in the treatment of multiple sclerosis.

Flax seed can help alleviate dry skin and some forms of eczema and psoriasis. I recommend adding flax seed oil to any vitamin regimen, especially in the winter, to keep skin from becoming dry and itchy.

Flax seed oil can also help improve the metabolism and absorption of calcium.

Flax seed oil is available in either liquid form or in softgel capsules. Freshness and handling is important. Whether taking capsules or liquid, it is important to taste the oil – you need to break open the softgels and taste them. If the oil tastes rancid, throw it out because it will do more harm than good. Flax seed oil does have an odd taste – it is kind of nutty, but it is good as a salad dressing with apple cider vinegar, or it is good stirred into yogurt.

Whether using flax seed, or flax seed oil, it is important to not cook it. Heat destroys all of the beneficial properties except for the fiber. Also, if using the seed, it must be ground since the seeds do not get broken down in the human system.

Recommended dosage of the oil varies from 1 to 2 tablespoons per day. The recommended seed use is 2 tablespoons of ground seed per day. For those of you on fish oil – rotate flax seed oil into your supplement regimen from time to time – there are good combination products of both fish and flax available.

Myth: Saturated fat clogs the arteries.
Truth: 74 percent of the fats found in artery clogs are unsaturated with 41 percent polyunsaturated.

Myth: Optimal serum cholesterol levels should be less than 180 mg/dl for good health.
Truth: The “all-cause” death rate is higher in those with cholesterol levels lower than 180 mg/dl.

Myth: Animal fats cause cancer and heart disease.
Truth: Animal fats contain many nutrients that protect against cancer and heart disease; elevated rates of cancer and heart disease are associated with consumption of large amounts of refined vegetable oils.

Myth: Heart disease in America is caused by consumption of cholesterol and saturated fat from animal products.
Truth: Heart disease in America increased rapidly from 1920 to 1960. During this time, consumption of animal fats declined, but consumption of hydrogenated and industrially processed vegetable oils increased dramatically.

Studies done during the 1940’s, lumped saturated fats together with trans-fats and hydrogenated oils which has led to the aversion of natural saturated fats which are actually beneficial to health.

The partially hydrogenated fats that are made from vegetable oils actually block utilization of essential fatty acids, causing many health problems. Consumption of hydrogenated fats is associated with serious disease conditions including cancer, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, and immune system dysfunction. Amazingly enough, hydrogenated oils continue to be promoted as beneficial for health. The popularity of margarine and shortening over butter represents a triumph of advertising over common sense.

Research does not support the claim that butter causes chronic high cholesterol values. Margarine, on the other hand, provokes chronic high levels of cholesterol and has been linked to both heart disease and cancer. The new soft margarines or tub spreads, are lower in hydrogenated fats, but are still produced from rancid vegetable oils and contain many additives. High serum cholesterol levels often indicate that the body needs cholesterol to protect itself from high levels of altered fats that contain free radicals.

Saturated fats are a vital part of cell membranes, giving them stiffness and integrity necessary for proper function. They also play an important part in the health of our bones, allowing the fat soluble vitamins to effectively incorporate calcium and other minerals into the skeletal structure. Saturated fats help lower lipoprotein A, a factor that indicates tendency towards heart disease. They protect the liver from alcohol and other toxins while enhancing the immune system.

The moral to this story is to eat natural, eat a balanced diet, and use common sense. Chemical processes tend to alter our food beyond recognition by the cells in our bodies.

Common symptoms of yeast overgrowth include gas and bloating, indigestion or heartburn, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, sugar/carbohydrate cravings, blood sugar swings, food sensitivities, sensitivities to smells, insomnia, prostatitis, PMS, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, headaches, allergies, eczema, rashes, skin tags, weak and pealing fingernails, memory loss, arthritis, eye problems, sinusitis, thick & ropy saliva, coated tongue, and fungal infections such as athletes foot and fingernail/toenail infections.

Getting rid of yeast/fungus is one of the first steps to take in rebalancing the body so it can heal itself. One of the main problems with yeast overgrowth is that it makes everything that is out of balance worse – this goes for headaches, allergies, arthritis, skin conditions, cholesterol, etc. Yeast/fungus limits our ability to digest and use our nutrients. It limits our ability to manufacture B vitamins (look back at my previous article on B vitamin deficiency) and also our ability to convert beta carotene to vitamin A.

When someone has yeast overgrowth, their blood will have small green chunks of fungus in it. Yuck! They will crave carbohydrates and complain of having no energy and they will just not feel well.

Yeast/fungus is so prevalent – it is the first condition I recommend addressing as the body just can’t overcome this kind of imbalance and it will only get worse – no matter how many supplements or medications you take.

Yeast overgrowth is common in children who are hyper, have attention problems, stomach aches, bed wetting, skin rashes, asthma and allergies. This translates to adults with similar problems including the same symptoms children have, but instead of bed wetting, the issue turns into frequent urinary tract infections. Adults will also have more headaches with yeast/fungus. Almost every autoimmune conditions has yeast overgrowth as a component.

The point I am making is that systemic yeast is a big problem. If you have it, work on getting your body back into balance naturally.

Getting rid of yeast overgrowth involves herbal supplements, dietary changes, elimination (if possible) of immunosuppressive drugs and antibiotics, rebalancing and strengthening the immune system, and repopulating the intestines with the appropriate bacterial balance.

Natural products that eliminate yeast are caprylic acid, oregano, grapefruit seed extract, garlic, olive leaf, pau d’arco and cellulase. Most of the natural products are taken in stages. The first stage involves killing the yeast. The second stage involves repopulating the body with appropriate beneficial bacteria by using probiotics.

Both stages need to be supported by an appropriate diet that eliminates foods that feed the yeast. Foods that easily convert to sugar or are high in natural sugar such as fruit, fruit juices, refined grains and products made from refined grains, dairy products, alcohol, and sweets should be eliminated. Other foods that should be eliminated are foods with natural molds such as peanuts and peanut butter, vinegar, and mushrooms. You can search the internet for yeast diets if you want more specifics.

The ease of eliminating yeast overgrowth many times depends on the length of time the body has been out of balance. If yeast overgrowth recurs after such a program, the immune system most likely needs to be supported or an ongoing maintenance program may be necessary.

Green tea is well known for its antioxidant properties that come from a particular polyphenol known as EGCG, or epigallocatechin gallate, which is over 200 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. Recent research spotlights another great property of EGCG – it is thermogenic, meaning that it actually helps burn fat. I love green tea when I am dieting because it also seems to suppress appetite.

Medicinal doses of green tea are known to alleviate the affects of radiation. It protects against long term low level exposure to radiation such as working around X-rays or living near radio or cell phone towers. There are also studies that show that green tea prevents development of thyroid cancer caused by radiation treatment.

There are several health conditions that benefit from drinking green tea. They include the following:

Asthma – a particular chemical found in both green and black tea helps to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes, reducing the severity of asthma and bronchitis. The average cup of tea contains enough of this chemical to affect asthma.

Cancer – green tea seems to block formation of certain cancer causing chemicals and may offer protection against cancers of the pancreas, colon, stomach, lung and small intestine. Green tea also blocks excess estrogen which helps stop estrogen fed cancers such as those of the breast, ovary and uterus.

Cholesterol and blood pressure – green tea lowers both LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. It works on blood pressure through the same mechanism used by ACE inhibitors. It also slows oxidation of LDL cholesterol which helps slow artherosclerosis.

Memory – green tea and specifically, theanine, a component of green tea, enhances memory and learning ability while promoting relaxation. Green tea has been shown as helpful in protecting the brain from free radical damage and it has an inhibitory affect on the amyloid plaque that is associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Green tea also has certain anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. Green tea extract helps ward off the flu by keeping the flu viruses from replicating. Green tea compresses help with herpes like outbreaks such as shingles and fever blisters. Green tea even inhibits the bacteria that forms dental plaque – my son’s favorite toothpaste contains green tea.

To actually get the health benefits of green tea, you will need somewhere between 3 and 10 cups per day, or you can use medicinal grade drops or extracts sold in pill form.

There are a couple of things you need to know if you are a green tea drinker. The first is to let the hot water settle before pouring it over the tea. The best temperature for brewing the tea and preserving the antioxidant properties of the tea is somewhere around 180 degrees Fahrenheit. If your water is too hot, you basically destroy the beneficial components by cooking them to death.

The second item you need to know about green tea is to buy organic. Studies are showing that regular green tea is contaminated with aluminum fluoride from pesticides and fertilizers. This form of fluoride signals your organs, including your liver and your brain to store aluminum, a toxic metal. Fluoride is also a thyroid suppressor. Recent samples of non-organic green tea were also found to contain either DDT or Dursban, both of which have been banned from the United States for some time.

If you want to work on the cause, a good place to start is looking at the diet. Eliminate foods full of unhealthy transfatty acids and hydrogenated oils which tend to increase cholesterol.If both cholesterol and triglycerides are high, there is a good chance that you are insulin resistant or have diabetes – which means you are eating too much sugar or too many refined carbohydrates. A great way to bring both triglycerides and cholesterol down is to balance your diet and take a multi-vitamin for blood sugar control (I recommend one called Gluco Balance) along with a good quality omega 3 oil.

Another area to consider is how cholesterol is eliminated from the body. Bile from the liver carries the cholesterol to the digestive tract where it is eliminated from the body. Constipation or slow transit time through the digestive tract will cause cholesterol to be reabsorbed rather than eliminated. Adding fiber to the diet will absorb the cholesterol, encourage more regular elimination, and lower cholesterol. Oat fiber is advertised as being cholesterol lowering, but other forms of fiber such as psyllium will work as well.

One of the most common factors I find that leads to high cholesterol levels is poor liver or gallbladder function. There are several common foods in the American diet that cause the bile to congeal and not flow to the digestive tract properly. A liver cleanse would be helpful, particularly if it thins the bile so that it flows naturally. I have seen good results with a product called Beta TCP and also with lecithin.

If you really don’t know why your cholesterol is high, but want to do something natural, a good step is to do an herbal cleanse for the whole body. The one I recommend is a 30 day program that includes herbs, fiber and omega 3 oil. Customers have brought cholesterol down 20-40 points using this cleanse.

There are many natural products that will help keep cholesterol levels healthy. Some of the best known are red yeast rice, niacin, lecithin, chlorella and garlic. But there are others such as policosanol. Studies show that policosanol can lower total cholesterol 17 to 20 percent with “bad’ LDL cholesterol reductions of 15 to 25 percent and “good” HDL cholesterol increases of 18 to 20 percent. A companion product to policosanol is phytosterols which has been shown in studies to reduce cholesterol an average of 10 percent in total cholesterol and 13 percent in LDL cholesterol. Both policosanol and phytosterols are often included in cholesterol lowering programs since they enhance the effect of both prescription and nonprescription treatments for lowering cholesterol. Our customers report favorable results using a product called CholestRice – a blend of red yeast rice, Co Q-10, policosanol and phytosterols.

Remember that high cholesterol is a response to an imbalance in the body – fix the imbalance and you will be healthier all over.

For a more in depth article on cholesterol – check out this one. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/08/10/making-sense-of-your-cholesterol-numbers.aspx

Many people are use glucosamine, chondroitins and MSM to manage pain and to supply building materials for joint repair. While these are very helpful, particularly with osteoarthritis, I would like to mention some other natural remedies for arthritis.

Diet changes can be as remarkable as any drug or supplement in eliminating joint pain and inflammation throughout the body. Eliminating foods that trigger inflammation in the body such as white flour, orange juice, coffee, dairy, red meat, white sugar, or nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers) can be very helpful. Most of the foods I mentioned create excess acid in the body which can create not only joint problems, but other problems as well. These include indigestion, allergies, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, etc.

A whole body cleanse is an amazing tool to get rid of excess acid and stored toxins that overload the body – sometimes leading to joint pain. Try one and see if it helps. Note that if you don’t change your diet, the cleanse will not be able to eliminate more than you are putting in on a daily basis – so give the body a chance to heal by changing your diet too.

Omega 3 oils are anti-inflammatory and lubricating to all cells including the joints. A good high quality fish oil can be very helpful for arthritis.

Devils Claw and Yucca have both been used traditionally for arthritic and rheumatic conditions. They are anti-inflammatory and cleansing to the joints. The cleansing action is particularly useful in gouty arthritis.

Celadrin is a fatty acid that acts as a lubricant, an immune system modulator and an anti-inflammatory. Celadrin resets the immune system such that it does not attack and tear down the joints. Several customers have switched to a glucosamine / celadrin formula with very favorable results.

Hyaluronic Acid is used to lubricate and preserve moisture in the joints and it helps get nutrients to cells that don’t possess a blood supply – like your joints. Hyaluronic acid is also great for aging skin and dry eyes. It is available topically, for internal use, and by injection – it is now an ingredient in several joint formulas.

Natural anti-inflammatories, or COX-2 inhibitors, help calm inflammation and joint pain. Prescription drugs such as Celebrex and Vioxx are COX-2 inhibitors – with side effects typical of prescription drugs. Well known natural COX-2 inhibitors include ginger, rosemary, turmeric and boswellia. Zyflamend is a best selling combination with lots of research behind it, but the single herbs are good as well.

Hydrangea is worth mentioning – it is an ingredient that helps break down abnormal calcification. It is also helpful with bone spurs (as is magnesium) and is worth a try if nothing else has worked.

There are many products that will help support joint health naturally. Sometimes it takes a little experimentation to find what will work best for you. Not all arthritis is the same, so when in doubt, ask for advice from someone who has knowledge of how the different products work.

From my standpoint, the real value of regular blood work is a preventive aspect. What if your blood work is “normal” for several years in a row, but steadily moving towards the end of a “normal” range? Wouldn’t you want to know and be able to make some changes so that you do not progress into the “disease” range?

Being able to look at your blood work in this manner could make big differences in your overall health in the long run. Standard blood work can give lots of information about nutritional intake, digestion, mineral balance, immune status, liver function and kidney function. In most cases, health problems do not begin overnight. Regular blood work as a preventive tool tells you what areas to target and if the things you are doing are actually working.

Abnormal blood chemistry usually indicates an underlying functional issue. For example, high triglyceride and cholesterol levels are typically used as markers for cardiovascular risk, but they also can indicate deficiencies of essential fatty acids, blood sugar issues, liver / gallbladder dysfunction, thyroid problems and poor digestive function.

For long-term health, I believe it is much better to solve the underlying health issue rather than just taking a pill to deal with the symptoms. Nutritionally oriented doctors will use narrower blood ranges to help pinpoint deficiencies and / or functional issues that can be addressed with nutrition. Using narrower blood ranges helps identify issues that are not yet “clinical”.

Thyroid problems are a good example of this. It is common to find someone with classic signs of low thyroid and to hear that their lab work is “normal”. A nutritionally oriented practitioner can look at the different ranges of the blood chemistries to determine if the symptoms are the result of nutrient deficiencies, pituitary gland issues and / or interference from substances in drinking water or diet.

The Green House sponsors a group called Health Check two times per year at regular intervals. Health Check is an independent lab that performs health screenings full time. On Tuesday, September 10th, they will be at the Green House in Mason from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. to take blood for laboratory analysis. This service is relatively inexpensive and completely confidential. Call us at 325-347-6040 if you would like more information.

Knowing your numbers and keeping up with them allows you to take control of your health. Remember, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.

I also recommend keeping your body on the more alkaline side since viruses such as the flu will thrive in an acid environment. Most of us do not know what is acid and what is alkaline – so, I will summarize it for you.

Good – or alkalizing includes vegetables and fruits (raw being the most alkaline), raw vegetable juices, kombucha tea, coral calcium, green supplements, enzymes, raw lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar and raw almonds.

Bad – or acid forming foods include sodas (diet sodas are the worst), tea, coffee, chocolate, smoking, and foods made with white flour and/or white sugar. Meat and dairy products are also acid forming. I do not recommend avoiding meat and dairy, but do keep the portions you eat balanced with plenty of vegetables.

Alkalizing really works. It is one of the main tenets of natural health. Alkalizing will help lessen almost any disease condition. It is really simple. If you want to know if you are alkaline or acid, measure the pH of your first morning urine using special pH paper.

Olive leaf is a great herb for its anti-viral properties. I recommend taking one 500 mg olive leaf capsule per day to support the immune system. Dosage can be increased when you feel “flu-like”. Many rely on olive for its immune building properties and take it throughout flu season and never get sick. The form of olive leaf is very important – it must have at least 18% oleuropein content, or it will not be effective. Read the label. Cheaper olive leaf is not the same and is a waste of money.

I also like elderberry for immune support. It is a natural fruit extract that keeps the virus from reproducing. One of my favorite combinations is Elderberry Defense – when taken regularly, it keeps the immune system strong so that colds and flus tend to be shorter in duration and less severe. Some regular users report terrific results with this product.

There are also homeopathic formulas. The biggest benefit of the homeopathic formulas is that they do not interact with prescription medications and are generally safe for all ages. The single best selling flu product in America is a homeopathic called Oscillococcinum. Oscillo speeds recovery from flu symptoms to within 48 hours when taken at first sign of cold or flu – this is backed by clinical trials.

Remember that diseases such as the flu are opportunistic. If the host is full of acid waste and other toxins, then the flu will love their body and thrive. If the host is healthy and alkaline, then the flu will have a hard time and will move on.

Stress and the typical American diet tend to make us good homes for viruses because they make our pH acid and deplete our vitamins and minerals. We are also inundated with chemicals that are bodies cannot break down and eliminate. To stay in balance, alkalize your diet, use herbal cleanses periodically to get rid of excess toxins, and take good high quality supplements that help keep you balanced.

I get lots of questions on how to keep kids healthy. School seems to be a breeding ground for all kinds of coughs, colds and flues. My all time favorite “keep my kid well” remedy is Elderberry Defense. Once we started using it, our son got perfect attendance – he only got a cough or sniffles when we ran out – that was 7 years ago.

There are other natural remedies that work well to boost the immune system. These include colostrum, echinacea, grapefruit seed extract, olive leaf, oregano oil, nucleotides, probiotics, astragalus and mushroom extracts. Pick what works for you.If recurring ear infections are a problem, there are also remedies that work well.

Other questions I get at school time are those on attention issues. I take a fairly natural approach on these – I always ask about diet. For ADD and ADHD, one of the worst things to do is to serve a breakfast that is high in sugar and refined white flour with no protein. The blood sugar swings that result from this kind of food make it almost impossible for a child to behave and learn.

Supplement choices to help brain function should start with a good multi-vitamin and fish oil. I have seen many kids that have done well with a change in breakfast foods plus this kind of basic supplementation. Most just need some really good nutrition. It also helps to cut out the junk food that has too many additives, dyes and preservatives. Sodas and other sweet drinks can be very hard on the brain.

For those that need a little extra help, I like a product called Focus Attention. It works in all ages and comes in both powder and capsule. I also like Kid’s Calm – this is a liquid with everything in it and it works for adults too.

Handling the stress of school can be an issue. There are great homeopathics and flower remedies for kids with anxiety. Sometimes the basic multi-vitamin and fish oil are all that is needed to calm the nervous system down so that the “stress” is manageable. Start the day with a good breakfast. Include something with protein – like sausage, egg or even peanut butter. Think about feeding foods that will last your child until lunch time without huge swings in blood sugar.

The worst breakfast is one that is too high in sugar and refined grains such as corn or white flour. This breakfast creates a blood sugar crash sometime around 10:00 a.m. – which can lead to problems with focusing and behavior.

Other things that can be done to make your child healthier in the school year is to serve as many good healthy dinners as you can – I think fresh vegetables and fruits are very important along with a balance of meat, beans and healthy grains. Limit sweet drinks – especially those made with high fructose corn syrup. And make sure your child gets plenty of sleep. If it is hard to wake your child up and get them going in the morning, make them go to bed earlier. A well rested child will function much better at school than a tired one. (This goes for adults too.)

I hope you and your families all have a great school year.

Foods greatly influence the brain. Poor diets, particularly those with too much sugar, caffeine and junk food are a common cause of depression and irritability. The brain produces serotonin, which is a relaxer, when fed plenty of healthy food. However, the brain will produce stress hormones when we eat the wrong things.

Nutritional supplements can also help regulate our mood. If you are tired or stressed, try a good B complex vitamin, an omega oil supplement with omegas 3, 6, and 9, and magnesium. The first two help feed your brain and nerves so that they can function better and the magnesium helps to relax and calm you.

General irritability can be a sign of liver dysfunction. There are good liver cleansing products that help decongest the liver. One of my favorites is a Chinese formula that helps balance the liver and really helps get rid of that irritability.

Tiredness affects our mood. Tiredness can be a symptom of iron and / or B vitamin deficiency. There are now chelated iron supplements that are not hard on the stomach and are not constipating. Also try a good sublingual B 12 supplement for an energy boost. Most people are deficient in B12 – particularly if they have stomach problems. A sublingual B vitamin is the next best thing to a shot because it goes directly into the bloodstream from the tissues in the mouth.

Tiredness can also result from adrenal fatigue or low thyroid hormone production. There are some great natural products that help balance glandular problems. These range from ginseng to royal jelly to combination products formulated specifically to address a particular gland or glands.

Poor sleep can also make us snappy and irritable. To sleep better, the same things listed above apply.

Mood swings are associated with hormone imbalances brought on by a combination of factors that can be managed with nutritional supplements. The stage of life that you are in determines the products that can be used.

Depression is a major “mood” that many deal with. There are many nutritional supplements that help with depression. The first to start with are a good natural B vitamin, magnesium, and a high quality oil supplement that includes omega’s 3, 6, and 9.

After B vitamins, there are some anti-depressant supplements that work by increasing serotonin in the brain, relieving stress and making sleep more restful. St John’s Wort, SAMe and 5-HTP all increase serotonin levels.

I also like magnolia bark, which reduces cortisol, the stress hormone, and also reduces blood sugar. A favorite magnolia bark supplement is combined with theanine, which is a relaxer that helps with focus.

All of these supplements have quality parameters that make a big difference in effectiveness – in other words, if you want it to work, do not by the cheapest one you can find.

If you find yourself stressed and snappy, eliminate the junk food from your diet, cut both caffeine and sugar and try some supplements to help your brain be less stressed. When your brain is less stressed, it is much easier to be in a good mood.

Hormones are interrelated – they depend on feedback loops to inform the different glands what levels are needed.

Hormones become imbalanced due to poor nutrition, too much stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxicity, etc.

Signs of hormone imbalances are varied and include the following:

- Low blood pressure

- High blood pressure-Headaches

- Poor memory

- Fatigue-Stress

- Anxiousness

- Weight Gain

- Inability to lose weight

- Insomnia

- Heart palpitations

- Hot flashes

– (not just in women)

- Dizziness-Allergies

- Susceptibility to colds and asthma

- Arthritis

- Depression

- Dry skin

- Ringing in the ears

- Salt craving

- Fast or irregular pulse

- Inability to work under pressure

- Inability to relax

By now, I should have listed one or more symptoms that describes almost everybody. I find it almost impossible to pass 30 without some kind of imbalance. I like to recommend tonic formulas that are full of nutrients that are typically missing from our diets to help balance out endocrine function and general hormone production. When all of the hormone producing glands are being “fed”, it is amazing how well we think, feel, and sleep.

You may have hypoglycemia if:-You crave sugar and/or caffeine in between meals.-You eat compulsively when nervous or stressed.-You are irritable before meals.-You get shaky, weak, nauseous or light-headed between meals.

-You wake at night and it is difficult to go back to sleep.
-You have trouble concentrating or have poor memory.
-You become anxious for no apparent reason,
-You are moody and / or depressed.
-You have difficulty making decisions.
-You get dizzy or weak if you stand up too fast.
-You have chronically low blood pressure.
-Your fasting glucose (blood sugar) is below 80.
You may also be low in B vitamins. This is very common with hypoglycemia.
You are low in B vitamins if:
-You have a slow or irregular pulse.
-You have low blood pressure.
-You have irregular heart beat.
-You are worried, anxious and sometimes highly emotional.
-You are sensitive to noises and / or smells.
-You are constantly fatigued.
-You wake up at night an can’t get back to sleep.
-You have weak digestion (gas and bloating).
-You have slow reflexes.
-You may have a tendency towards varicose veins and / or hemorrhoids.
-You have headaches.
-You have itchy skin.
-You are sensitive to insect bites.
-You have no stamina.
-Your muscles feel weak.

While you might not have all of the symptoms on theses 2 lists, if you have a lot of them, it might be worth taking some nutrients that are commonly deficient when these patterns are present. I recommend a multi-vitamin that is actually formulated with extra zinc and B vitamins, along with glandular extracts that support the adrenal and pituitary glands.

For the B vitamin deficiency, you will want to make sure you get a product that has phosphorylated B’s that are easy for the body to use with a high thiamine ratio.

You will also have to manage your diet to get away from high glycemic foods. These include products made with white sugar, white flour, high fructose corn syrup and other highly processed foods. You will need to eat small regular meals that include high quality protein. It will also be helpful to take an omega 3 supplement that contains GLA.

Remember that the right nutrients will help you get back in balance, while the wrong ones will just exacerbate the imbalance.

In the 1890’s, the recipe was given to a Canadian nurse named Rene Caisse by a patient who had gotten it from an Ojibwa medicine man. “Essiac” is Caisse spelled backwards. Over the next eighty years, the formula was used in various forms and various proportions in clinical settings for treating cancer. There were great successes along with many failures, but overall, the formula seemed to work.

Some of the positive results from taking Essiac were: pain relief, increased appetite, improved sleep, feeling of well-being, decreased depression, increased life span and decreased nodular masses. When the treatment worked, the doctors reported that the herbal tea seemed to identify the toxins, break them down and cause them to be discharged.

Since Essiac was used in clinical settings, it was used in conjunction with other treatments of the day – particularly surgery. While in some patients Essiac completely got rid of the cancer, in others it would concentrate it into a single mass that was significantly easier to remove with surgery.

Until 1978, the true proportions to the formula were kept secret by Rene Caisse. She worked with several well known hospitals and universities without ever disclosing the exact formula. Many experiments were run on the individual herbs in the formula – the combination always worked better than any single herb. The form was also examined. It was determined that a tea form was the best.

Most of the herbs in the Essiac formula have cleansing and detoxifying properties, with one of the herbs being soothing and healing. I have always viewed the formula (and other herbal cancer formulas) as cleaners. What I find interesting about the Essiac story is Nurse Caisse’s account of what the herbs did. She believed that cancer results from a glandular deficiency in the body. She believed that when that gland failed, its protective hormone or enzyme was not available to control malignant cancer cells. What she observed was that Essiac seemed to restore this function to the body such that the immune system could then “fight” the cancer and restore health to the body.

Although the gland that Nurse Caisse referred to was never found, her theory lines up with other cancer theories that subscribe the immune dysfunction to pancreatic insufficiency. It is interesting to note that the diabetic cases that took Essiac no longer required insulin after treatment.

Essiac is available today in many forms and formulas. It is best made into a tea. Some formulations are sold in liquid form while others are sold in dry form to be brewed as needed. As with any herbal formulation – quality counts. If it’s cheap, the herbs are probably not of the quality that will give you the results you are seeking. I have also learned to watch high prices – particularly on the internet. Know your supplier if you want herbs that work.

The “natural” perspective tends to view the body as a whole and tries to understand what the body is trying to communicate through the symptoms it presents. Is the symptom relating a deficiency? Some of the simpler deficiency signs are: white spots on the nails are a sign of zinc deficiency; numbness in the extremities, tense head, neck and shoulders and sometimes ringing in the left ear are signs of vitamin B12 deficiency; problems with night vision tend to be vitamin A deficiency.

Or is the symptom related to a ‘condition’ such as a liver or gall bladder problem. Symptoms like this can be varied and sometimes are easy to relate, but not always. For example, symptoms that point to liver or gall bladder problems include pain in the area of the liver or gallbladder, burning feet, dry itchy skin, blurred vision, metallic taste in mouth, pain in the big toe or ball of the foot, and dark circles under the eye.

There are many signs and symptoms, but the real success of natural health comes when you can go beyond the signs of the deficiency or condition and find the reason or reasons it is there. Is it diet? More than likely it is. However some of the more insidious problems relate to exposure to environmental toxins or to heavy metal toxicity from metal dental fillings. Many natural practitioners are having success with degenerative neurological conditions by addressing heavy metal toxicity, particularly lead and mercury. With chronic health problems, it is rarely just one issue.

There are several steps involved when taking a natural health approach to almost any condition. First and foremost, change your diet. However you do that, make sure it is low in sugar and refined grains. There are many good choices. The Paleo Diet is currently popular – and it works. Blood Type diets will work too, as will something like South Beach, or my old standby – Fat Flush.

Add in basic, high-quality nutrients such as a multi-vitamin, an omega 3 oil, a digestive enzyme and a green supplement.

You will also need to restore mineral balance. The right minerals will make almost any condition better. Be sure to include trace minerals. Then restore digestive health. Proper digestion is essential for assimilation of nutrients that make us healthy. What your digestive system needs depends on you, but a digestive enzyme plus a probiotic and the right diet will go a long way towards getting this system in balance.

The next steps vary based on the condition. For example, with toxicity the next step would be to remove the toxin; with hormonal problems, the next step would be to strengthen the glands that produce the hormones; etc.

If you truly want to be healthier, a natural approach may work for you.

Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that inhabit our intestines. The average healthy person has 4-5 pounds of these critters in their intestinal tract.

The word “probiotic” means “for life”. Probiotics have several functions that enhance our lives and are essential to good health. These include synthesizing vitamins B complex and K, enhancing immune function by crowding out yeast and parasites, producing enzymes, helping regulate blood cholesterol, improving digestion and colon function, and helping to prevent certain types of cancer.

Probiotics are important because many things can upset the delicate balance in our intestinal tract. These include use of antibiotics, steroids, oral contraceptives, radiation, chlorinated water, refined sugar, poor diet, poor digestion, constipation, stress, etc.

An imbalance in the intestinal flora is known as dysbiosis. Many people have this – you could be one of them. When dysbiosis occurs, the body becomes overloaded with toxins. Without essential probiotics, partially digested proteins can enter the bloodstream, contributing to allergies, eczema, nervous system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, fibromyalgia, hormone imbalances, joint pain, migraine headaches and a variety of other immune system disorders.

GI tract problems such as leaky bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, spastic colon and irritable bowel syndrome are attributed to loss of probiotics and the overgrowth of detrimental bacteria, yeast or parasites.

Over 60 percent of your immune system is in your gut. When your intestinal tract is balanced with the right kind of bacteria, you naturally feel better, digest your food better and are more resistant to colds, flus, bacteria and parasites.

There are many good probiotic supplements on the market. Many of the companies making the supplements have researched the specific strains that will tend to colonize well. The delivery mechanism on the probiotics is important too.

Enteric and other specific gel coatings will ensure that the product is delivered to the small and large intestines rather than destroyed in the highly acidic environment of the stomach.

Also, probiotics tend to lose potency if they sit on the shelf too long, so check dates and make sure you have a live culture.

One of the best (and most expensive) is Dr. Ohhira’s that contains special strains of lactic acid bacteria that help to normalize pH in the colon. One specific strain contained in this probiotic has been shown to be effective against some of the most potent antibiotic resistant staph bacteria as well as E. coli and H. pylori.

Taking probiotics helps to maintain a healthy balance in the intestinal tract. They are particularly helpful if your digestive system is not working as well as you would like. Probiotics are also useful for certain skin conditions such as teenage acne.

Probiotics are very helpful critters. It is these helpful bacteria that keep us from being overrun with harmful bacteria, yeast, fungus and other parasites.

Note to readers: If you have been following recent posts, this would be my fifth basic. Probiotics are a very important supplement if your diet is not perfect. Happy Fourth of July!

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Acid vs. Alkaline – The balance of acid versus alkaline in our bodies is crucial to good health. Our bodies need a pH that is neutral to very slightly acid. However, most of the foods we eat tend to make our bodies very acid. If our pH gets too acid, then our bodies have to work to restore balance.

Our body manages the acid load by excreting it through normal channels of elimination, and by buffering the acid with minerals borrowed from our bones. When the body accumulates so much acid that the normal methods no longer work, our body then stores the acid waste in our tissues, joints, muscles and arteries.

Some of the symptoms of an overly acid pH include joint pains, low energy, muscular pain, osteoporosis, hormone imbalance, sinusitis, flu, colds, allergies, kidney and bladder weakness, and digestive problems such as indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, and diarrhea.

Foods that are acid forming include meat, dairy, sugar, refined wheat, coffee, sodas, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners.

Foods that offset the acid – or alkaline foods are fruits (raw) and non-starchy vegetables. Oddly enough, lemon and lime juice are alkaline forming – meaning that even though they are mild acids, they metabolize as alkaline and help balance an acid pH. Most good quality nutritional supplements are alkaline too – this includes minerals, herbs, enzymes and probiotics.

To neutralize the effect of the acid forming foods, we need to eat with plenty of alkalizing foods – mainly fruits and non-starchy vegetables. You can also help balance your body by taking appropriate herbs and enzymes. One of my favorite alkalizing supplements is coral calcium. Alkaline water is another great tool for managing pH.

Every health condition I know is worsened by an over acid pH. And conversely, every health condition is helped by a balanced pH.

pH can be measured with pH tape or strips that are available at most health food stores. The best way to measure your acidity / alkalinity is to test your urine first thing in the morning. Ideal range for urine pH is 6.4 to 7.0.

There are many tricks and tips for managing pH – here are some basic ones:

Eat 2 servings of alkalizing foods for every 1 serving of acid forming foods. If you are following this article, doing the math in your head, thinking that you would have to eat 15-20 servings of fruits and vegetables for balance; you might want to consider cutting back on some of the acid forming foods in your diet in addition to adding some fruits and vegetables. If balancing your diet does not get you in the range consider adding some coral calcium. If that does not work, consider a whole-body cleanse. If you need more help, work with a nutritionally oriented practitioner to get your body in balance.

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Zip, zest, and zeal are signs of health. If you feel that you are lacking these on a regular basis, you may be depressed. Many people do not believe in depression; however, it is one of the most common health problems in the United States affecting an estimated 17 million Americans each year.

Depression is a whole-body condition that affects the body, nervous system, moods, thoughts and behavior. It affects the way you eat and sleep, the way you feel about yourself and the way you react to and think about the people and things around you.

Symptoms of depression include chronic fatigue, sleep disturbances, changes in appetite, difficulty concentrating or making decisions, headaches, backaches, digestive disorders, restlessness, irritability, quickness to anger, loss of interest or pleasure in hobbies, work or social life, and feelings of worthlessness or inadequacy.

The brain and nervous system are run by chemicals known as neurotransmitters. These regulate our behavior. The neurotransmitters most commonly associated with mood are dopamine, serotonin and norepinephrine. Serotonin eases tension while dopamine and norepinephrine aid in alertness and quick thinking.

Foods greatly influence our brain. Poor diet is a common cause of depression. Foods that impair formation of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine include wheat (both white flour and whole grain), diet sodas and other products containing aspartame, foods high in saturated fats, all forms of sugar, alcohol, caffeine and highly processed foods.

To get the zip, zest and zeal back into your life, avoid the foods mentioned above and eat a diet with plenty of lean protein, fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and whole grains. Nutrients necessary for making neurotransmitters include B vitamins, essential fatty acids, vitamin D, and minerals such as zinc, selenium and magnesium. These nutrients actually help to restore balance to the brain and nervous system and are a good basic supplement program for mild depression.

Exercise is very beneficial in increasing utilization of serotonin by the brain. Research has shown significant benefits from brisk walking for 20 minutes per day. While more exercise will help with weight loss, specific research on brain chemicals found that the best form of exercise was brisk walking and the 20 minute time frame was sufficient.

Hormonal imbalances can have much to do with brain function. Women and men of all ages can experience depression as a result of changing hormones. The dietary recommendations above help to restore balance not only to the brain, but to the endocrine system as well.

While there are many causes of depression, these recommendations will help restore balance to the body such that the physiological reasons are not as apt to come into play.

If you still find yourself stressed or need a little more zip and zing, there are also many good supplements specific to the symptoms of mild depression. These include St. John’s Wort, Rhodiola, Theanine, SAM-e, 5-HTP, and various stress or mood formulations.

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Green Supplements are one of the basic four supplements that I recommend for everyone. (For more on this, see last week’s article.) Now you probably do not want to take another pill, but if you aren’t eating as many servings of fruits and vegetables as you should, then a supplement that makes up for that is a good idea.

I like to backtrack a little when I address the need for a supplement. So, here goes. The main reason to take supplements is to supplement your diet with something that isn’t there so that you stay healthy. Almost everyone agrees that if we all ate what we should and didn’t eat the things we shouldn’t, then we would all be in pretty good shape.

One of the main differences in cultures that have excellent health records versus those that don’t is the number of servings of fruits and vegetables eaten in a day. But it doesn’t stop at just numbers; it also is about the quality of the fruits and vegetables eaten. Let’s face it; the average American frozen or canned vegetable with pasteurized fruit juice counting as a fruit is not the quality that will supply vitamins and minerals necessary for good health.

So supplements make sense. Most of the “green” supplements contain what I call superfoods – spirulina, chlorella and/or blue green algae. Green cleans – especially these super concentrated greens. They help purify the liver, colon and blood – eliminating toxins from food additives, pesticides, fertilizers and drugs.

There are quite a few studies on these algae based supplements. These include beneficial effects on LDL cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides, blood pressure, immunity and chronic fatigue. I recommend them for trace minerals, energy and general health.

Some of our best selling multi-vitamins include a good amount of these greens in their ingredients. These supplements contain ‘whole food’ nutritional complexes that make sense to the body – so they are very ‘usable’. We give out samples of these vitamins – at least 90% of the time, the customer likes them enough to come back and buy them with a high level of repeat business. This tells me that people can tell that they work for them and make them feel better.

I take greens every day to keep my antioxidant levels high – which translates to better health on lots of levels – from cholesterol, blood pressure, energy and more. They also make my skin look better – more color and more vibrant.

There are lots of good supplements out there – I am always concerned about quality. The ingredients need to be high quality to ensure that the right nutrition is there. I rotate to different supplements – right now, I am taking Super Algae, I have been trying a new one green powder. I like Quantum Greens Mix, Liquid Chlorophyll – especially the one from Wachters, Chlorella and Perfect Food.

There are lots of good choices on the market. Try adding one to your diet for 30 days and see how you feel.

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Just the basics of nutrition are a concern to many. I find that some very basic nutritional supplements help almost everybody.

A good multivitamin is the first basic. What makes a multivitamin good is the quality of the contents along with the technology used to encapsulate or tablet the contents.

The better vitamins do not have pharmaceutical glaze, artificial coloring, several kinds of cellulose, nor do they contain synthetic vitamins such as synthetic E or dl-alpha tocopherol. Read your labels.

A good multivitamin will have the basic pharmaceutical grade A, B, C, D, and E vitamins in good ratios along with essential trace minerals such as selenium, iodine, copper, manganese and zinc – all in the most easily assimilated form. They should be either with or without iron depending on your needs.

A good multivitamin will not cause nausea or constipation – both of which are signs of low quality synthetic vitamins and / or unusable forms of the essential minerals. Another sign of a low quality vitamin is if the first ingredient is calcium carbonate – this automatically limits absorption to 10 percent which is actually a blessing because if it’s that cheap, you don’t need the petroleum based synthetic vitamins in it.

My favorite multivitamins are those tailored to specific body needs. For example, there are vitamins formulated specifically for those with high blood sugar or insulin resistance. There are multiple vitamins for those who have low blood sugar. There are multiples for men that address their specific health issues and multiples specifically for women. Some of the women’s multivitamins are formulated specifically to help with issues of menopause. Multiple vitamins are also formulated for cardiovascular issues, vision health and better hair, skin, and nails.

The second basic is omega 3 oil. These oils are essential to our health, yet they are not consistently in our diet. An omega 3 supplement will help with dry skin and dry eyes. It will help reduce inflammation throughout the body. Omega 3’s help brain and nerve function and also promote cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

There are many kinds of omega 3 oils. The best ones do not have a fishy aftertaste. There are super concentrated omega 3 oils for better brain and nerve function and for cardiovascular health. There are omega 3 oils specifically for children. My favorite omega 3 oil is a blend which includes borage oil which is important for hormonal health.

The third basic is a digestive enzyme. Enzymes run many of our body processes, yet we find ourselves without enough enzymes for various metabolic functions since most of the food we eat is cooked. Taking a digestive enzyme supplement helps us digest our food, saving our valuable enzyme making ability for metabolic processes. I prefer enzymes with betaine HCL which is a mild hydrochloric acid that is necessary to sterilize our food and break down protein. Those with sensitive stomach linings can take an enzyme without betaine.

The fourth basic is a green supplement – there are many different ones from liquid chlorophyll to super blue green algae. These support the body by cleaning, alkalizing, adding trace minerals, and functioning as antioxidants.

These basics help compensate for the deficiencies in the average American diet. Try them for 90 days and see if you can tell the difference.

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SAMe is a biological compound that is found in every cell in the human body. It is important because it plays a key role in methylation which is a process that activates more than a hundred different processes in the body – from preserving joint health, protecting against heart disease, and producing neurotransmitters such as serotonin.

The average adult makes about 6 to 8 grams of SAMe per day. Most of this is made in the liver where it works to detoxify the body of poisons such as drugs, alcohol, heavy metals, pesticides and solvents. Numerous research studies have found that raising the level of SAMe in the body helps to reduce the age related biological processes that result in diseases such as depression, osteoarthritis and liver disorders.

Research has shown that SAMe stimulates cartilage to grow which is a component in reversing osteoarthritis. Cartilage is the spongy cushion between the bone and the joint which gradually deteriorates in osteoarthritis. Also SAMe has been shown to reverse damage in the synovial fluid in the joints caused by factors common in rheumatoid arthritis.

SAMe compares favorably to the pain relieving action of NSAID’s such as aspirin and Tylenol which are commonly used to relieve the pain associated arthritis. However, with SAMe, there are no side effects and the SAMe actually helps the liver.

The liver benefits greatly by the presence of SAMe. SAMe significantly reduces elevated bilirubin levels. It also helps to protect liver cells and preserve liver function in hepatitis C patients. SAMe inhibits alcohol induced liver damage, prevents and sometimes cures cirrhosis and helps prevent and cure fatty liver.

SAMe is also effective in alleviating all forms of depression. Studies have indicated that SAMe is roughly 15 percent more effective for the treatment of depression than traditional pharmaceuticals.

SAMe helps alleviate fibromyalgia – specifically in reducing the number of trigger points, reducing fatigue, reducing morning stiffness and improving mood.

SAMe is available as a supplement – usually in 200 mg tablets. It should be enteric coated so that it is not destroyed by the acid environment of the stomach. As with any supplement, the form is important. SAMe is expensive because of the processes needed to make sure that it is in what you buy. The cheaper versions tend to be the wrong form, or they were not manufactured correctly, and they do not perform as well. Do not be taken in by the cheaper brands if you want this supplement to work. If it does not say “S,S form” on the label, do not waste your money. For maximum benefit of SAMe, buy a reputable brand and take it with B vitamins.

Note that there are some contraindications for SAMe – these include bi-polar disorder, manic/depressive, and Parkinsons. If you have any of these, do not take SAM-e without medical supervision.

Processed food is everywhere. In some ways, we are fortunate to be living in a time when we can process and preserve our food so that our supermarkets are always full and we always have plenty of choice in what we have to eat; but in other ways, we are deprived of “real” food that is naturally tasty and full of nutrients that are good for us.

Food processing is a business that has become more and more sophisticated over time. Our food can be processed so that it can have a long shelf life, be easy to prepare and have the right taste and texture. The downside of this is the chemicals that are used.

Did you know that there are over 15,000 chemicals used in food processing that do not have to be listed on the label? Now you may be asking if this is bad. The short answer is yes. These chemicals along with some of the additives that are actually on the labels are unnatural which means toxic to the body. With continuous exposure over a long period of time, they suppress your immune system which makes it more susceptible to disease; they cause free radical damage, making you age more quickly; and they make the pH of your body more acid which makes you more prone to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, allergies, arthritis, etc.

Let’s talk about the chemicals. Did you know that by the time a child is 5 years old, he/she has consumed 7.5 pounds of chemical food additives? The alarming part of this fact is that the human body was not meant to handle this type of chemical. Think about the pounds of chemicals you have consumed in your lifetime. If the 7.5 pounds per 5 years ratio holds, that means I have consumed over 80 pounds of chemicals in my life. The worst thing about these chemicals is that it is very hard for the body to eliminate them, so they tend to stick around particularly in fatty tissue.

One of the saddest things I see is that we have forgotten what real food tastes like. I was raised without mixes and highly processed foods – other than white bread, a few canned vegetables and occasional breakfast cereal. I still cook from scratch and am very picky about food that is too processed. I hate food that tastes like chemicals. If you think about it, there are many foods that taste like chemicals, not like food.

I think we can all be healthier if we look at the food we eat and try to step back up the processing chain and opt for foods that are less processed than what we would normally eat. For example, try a really good natural bread without all the dough conditioners and processing that is in normal commercial bread – better yet, make your own from scratch. Choose fresh vegetables instead of canned or frozen. For cereal, try oatmeal (old fashioned) rather than instant – or make your own granola. Eliminate mixes – especially anything with MSG. Eat raw fruit – preferably organic rather than drinking juice or eating fruit rollups.

Read labels. Even though there are many chemicals that are not listed, the ones that are tell a good part of the story. If it has names you have to work to pronounce, hydrogenated oils, artificial colors, artificial flavors, high fructose corn syrup and / or aspartame, avoid it. And do regular cleanses. You can also take enzymes, trace minerals, and milk thistle to help your body eliminate the chemicals naturally. Your body will thank you.

The Best of Margaret Durst

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Royal Jelly is an old folk remedy that is often overlooked. It is also known as bee’s milk, and is a concentrated super food that is a powerful anti-aging tonic. Royal Jelly contains many essential nutrients for humans. These include B vitamins, vitamins A, C, D, E and K, 12 important minerals, 18 amino acids, collagen, and lecithin.

Royal Jelly is the milky fluid made of digested pollen and honey nectar that is mixed with a chemical secreted from a gland in the nurser bee’s head. This fluid is fed to the Queen Bees and is believed to be responsible for her stamina and longevity. (Queen Bees live 4 to 5 years compared to worker bees that live about 40 days.)

Health benefits of Royal Jelly are many. It is used not only for longevity, but for cardiovascular health, healing of the digestive tract, building the immune system, preventing cancer, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, alleviating rheumatoid arthritis, and restoring skin health.

Research has shown that Royal Jelly lowers total cholesterol levels by 14% and lowers triglyceride levels by approximately 10%. Royal Jelly has also been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis and to reduce fibrinogen levels, thereby helping to prevent abnormal blood clotting and strokes.

In the digestive tract, Royal Jelly is used to promote healthy tissue, to heal ulcers, and to protect the liver.

For the immune system, Royal Jelly stimulates the production of antibodies and suppresses Gram-Positive types of bacteria such as staphylococcus and streptococcus. It also helps prevent many forms of cancer, specifically leukemia and sarcomas. Royal Jelly enhances the function of the lymph nodes and stimulates the production of lymphocytes.

Because Royal Jelly is a concentrated source of Pantothenic acid, or Vitamin B5, it is used to nourish the adrenal glands, and therefore for energy. Royal Jelly strengthens the adrenal glands, helping to protect them from the stress of our busy lifestyles and our diets that include sugar, chocolate, caffeine and sodas which all deplete the adrenal glands.

Interestingly, Royal Jelly is also used to support women during the change of life. Our adrenal glands were intended to be our hormonal backup system after the change; however, some of us have so much stress in our lives that the adrenals cannot function normally. Royal Jelly helps to nourish and rebuild the adrenal glands so that they can perform as intended.

Royal Jelly can also help with allergies if the allergies are associated with adrenal stress. However, people with severe allergies should use Royal Jelly only cautiously as it may provoke severe reactions.

Royal Jelly is another natural way to bee healthy.

After last week’s article on cleansing, I thought it would be a good time to bring up parasites – the thought of which makes most of us queasy. In spite of that, they are an often overlooked cause of certain health problems today.

Parasites are actually very common in nature and more common in humans than we would like to think. Approximately one half of the population of the world carries at least one form of parasite. If you add yeast/fungus (another form of parasite) to that, it includes almost the entire world population.

Having good hygiene does not exempt us from parasites. In fact, our diet of refined foods tends to weaken our immune systems and make us more susceptible to parasitic infection. Remember, parasites are scavengers and poor diets (lots of white sugar and white flour products) give these critters plenty to scavenge.

Parasites are not just found in our intestinal tracts. They can infest any body part such as the lungs, the liver, the muscles and joints, the brain, the blood, the skin and even the eyes.

It is very easy to come into contact with parasites. Contaminated water, undercooked meats, improperly washed fruits and vegetables are just some of the common sources of parasitic infections. Transmission from pets, insect or spider bites, or other people is also common.

Symptoms of parasitic infection can include chronic digestive problems, gas, constipation, diarrhea, skin rashes, stomach pains, and or fatigue. Parasitic infections may contribute to a variety of major diseases including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, arthritis, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Parasites can be very difficult to detect in conventional laboratory analysis. Of over 1000 species of parasites that could infect humans, only 40 to 50 have tests available to detect them. Medical testing procedures for parasites are not always accurate due to poor laboratory technique, not enough different stool samples, use of the wrong test, or not catching the parasite in a phase that is easily detected.

Over the years, many people have come into the store after having been to one or more medical doctors and their skin rash, or digestive issue, or whatever has not gone away with whatever they are prescribed. These problems, more often than not, resolve with a simple parasite cleanse that has no harmful side effects. Wow!

There are many good herbal products available that rid the body of parasites. Different formulas are used depending on the type of parasitic infection. Common herbs used include black walnut, artemisia or wormwood, cloves, garlic, oregano, grapefruit seed extract and olive leaf. Parasites are not affected by these herbs during certain stages of their life cycle, so it is helpful to repeat dosage after a 10 to 14 day break.

In my grandmother’s time, “spring tonics” were common. These “tonics” typically included herbs to rid the body of parasites or worms. Although these have fallen out of fashion, nature has not changed and parasites still find good homes in humans. People with pets and livestock routinely treat their animals for parasites but do not think about treating themselves.

Remember that parasites are part of nature and they can infect any living creature not just animals.

Spring Cleaning. Now is the time. If you would like to be healthier or would like to lose weight, a cleanse would be a fabulous place to start. Cleansing helps the body get rid of harmful toxins so that it runs more effectively and efficiently.

Cleansing is the antidote for the American diet. A clean body has more energy; it sleeps better, thinks more clearly, digests and assimilates food efficiently, looks better and has fewer health problems. A cleanse is also a good way to jump start a diet.

The standard American diet is full of processed and refined foods plus fast foods that tend to overwhelm our bodies and clog not just our arteries, but our livers, colons, lymph systems and kidneys as well. Over the long run this results in clogged tissues, suffocated cells, and loss of energy. Both over-consumption and reduced eliminative function will cause congestive disorders such as frequent colds and flu’s, arthritis, gout, allergies, cardiovascular disease, and more.

There are many different forms of cleansing. One of my favorites is an herbal cleanse that cleans all channels of elimination – kidneys, liver, lymph, blood, skin, colon and lungs. What is nice about this kind of cleanse is that it is relatively user friendly and it contains herbs that not only clean the body, but rebuild and strengthen it as well.

Herbal cleanses need to be taken with fiber and omega 3 oils. The fiber acts like both, a broom and a sponge and helps sweep out your insides. The omega 3 oils help soften and lubricate your insides to make them easier to clean.

People who do this kind of cleanse talk about how good they feel during and after the cleanse and how it helps eliminate certain health problems from constipation, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gall bladder attacks, joint pain, low energy, and more.

The herbal cleanse I recommend is a 30 day program and it is very thorough; however, depending on your history, you may want to follow it with a candida cleanse (almost everyone needs this), a parasite cleanse, a liver cleanse, or a heavy metal cleanse. These additional cleanses can really help eliminate chronic health problems. If you really want to be healthier, thorough cleansing is a great first step.

If you have never done a cleanse before, there are gentler cleanses that should be done before attempting the 30 day program. These “first step” cleanses are also good for those that are very sensitive, or have reactive digestive tracts.

A body that hasn’t been cleaned is kind of like a house that hasn’t been cleaned. Stuff builds up over time. It is a good habit to cleanse the body at regular intervals – at least once per year. Cleansing gets rid of toxic waste so that it won’t accumulate and slow you down. Try it so you can have a “spring” in your step.

Serotonin is the brain chemical that makes us feel happy and content. It also helps us sleep soundly at night. When we eat a wholesome meal, the body is notified through the release of serotonin that we are well fed, helping us feel content and satisfied. A lack of serotonin causes depression, anxiety, insomnia and food cravings. From a nutritional standpoint, a lack of serotonin is frequently a result of food reactions.

Reactions to certain common foods decrease our levels of serotonin and make us crave sugar and other refined carbohydrates. When we have food sensitivities or food reactions, the picture of contentment is upset and the well orchestrated symphony of chemical reactions in our bodies begins to break down.

As we eat reactive foods, they enter our system as macromolecules that the body doesn’t recognize, triggering an inflammatory response which results in swelling and bloating. Then the body releases endorphins which give a feeling of relief along with a “high”. When the endorphins wear off, we crash and feel the need to eat this reactive food again so that you can get the endorphin release again.

To complicate matters, our adrenal hormones rush to the rescue to help the body cope with the allergic reaction, but also contribute to the initial high and the ultimate crash. Eventually, the levels of serotonin become depleted because the white blood cells that help to transport serotonin are busy with the inflammatory reactions in the body.

If you are a “carbohydrate craver”, it will seem virtually impossible to break the cycle. Get some animal protein back in your diet. Tryptophan is the amino acid required for natural production of serotonin. Beef, poultry, eggs and milk (if you are not allergic to them) are all good sources of tryptophan. Also, get outdoors. The natural sunlight increases serotonin levels as will moderate exercise such as brisk walking.

Next, begin to identify food allergens in your diet and eliminate them. The most reactive seven foods are wheat, milk, sugar, soy, peanuts, corn, and eggs.

One easy way to identify food reactions is by taking your pulse rate before and after you eat. Adrenal hormones cause your heart rate to increase. If your pulse is elevated after you eat, chances are that you ate a reactive food.

Food reactions harm the metabolism more than any other single dietary factor. They slow the metabolic rate. They increase the hormones that cause weight gain. They create hypoglycemia. They depress energy. They also contribute to inflammation and illness.

Supplements that will help increase your serotonin levels along with your mood and your energy levels are a good balanced B-complex vitamin with at least 20 milligrams of B-6, along with 100-200 micrograms of selenium and 200-400 mg of magnesium.

Another helpful supplement that increases serotonin levels is 5-HTP. It is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan and the precursor to serotonin. 5-HTP is best taken in small doses throughout the day as it is not stored in the body. My favorite serotonin enhancing supplement is St. John’s Wort – but it has to be fairly high quality to get good results.

Take this information on food reactions seriously. Staying away from those foods you react to is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to be healthy and happy.

Previously by Margaret Durst: Homocysteine — More Than Just a Heart Health Indicator!

Serotonin is the brain chemical that makes us feel happy and content. It also helps us sleep soundly at night. When we eat a wholesome meal, the body is notified through the release of serotonin that we are well fed, helping us feel content and satisfied. A lack of serotonin causes depression, anxiety, insomnia and food cravings. From a nutritional standpoint, a lack of serotonin is frequently a result of food reactions.

Reactions to certain common foods decrease our levels of serotonin and make us crave sugar and other refined carbohydrates. When we have food sensitivities or food reactions, the picture of contentment is upset and the well orchestrated symphony of chemical reactions in our bodies begins to break down.

As we eat reactive foods, they enter our system as macromolecules that the body doesn’t recognize, triggering an inflammatory response which results in swelling and bloating. Then the body releases endorphins which give a feeling of relief along with a “high”. When the endorphins wear off, we crash and feel the need to eat this reactive food again so that you can get the endorphin release again.

To complicate matters, our adrenal hormones rush to the rescue to help the body cope with the allergic reaction, but also contribute to the initial high and the ultimate crash. Eventually, the levels of serotonin become depleted because the white blood cells that help to transport serotonin are busy with the inflammatory reactions in the body.

If you are a “carbohydrate craver”, it will seem virtually impossible to break the cycle. Get some animal protein back in your diet. Tryptophan is the amino acid required for natural production of serotonin. Beef, poultry, eggs and milk (if you are not allergic to them) are all good sources of tryptophan. Also, get outdoors. The natural sunlight increases serotonin levels as will moderate exercise such as brisk walking.

Next, begin to identify food allergens in your diet and eliminate them. The most reactive seven foods are wheat, milk, sugar, soy, peanuts, corn, and eggs.

One easy way to identify food reactions is by taking your pulse rate before and after you eat. Adrenal hormones cause your heart rate to increase. If your pulse is elevated after you eat, chances are that you ate a reactive food.

Food reactions harm the metabolism more than any other single dietary factor. They slow the metabolic rate. They increase the hormones that cause weight gain. They create hypoglycemia. They depress energy. They also contribute to inflammation and illness.

Supplements that will help increase your serotonin levels along with your mood and your energy levels are a good balanced B-complex vitamin with at least 20 milligrams of B-6, along with 100-200 micrograms of selenium and 200-400 mg of magnesium.

Another helpful supplement that increases serotonin levels is 5-HTP. It is a metabolite of the amino acid tryptophan and the precursor to serotonin. 5-HTP is best taken in small doses throughout the day as it is not stored in the body. My favorite serotonin enhancing supplement is St. John’s Wort – but it has to be fairly high quality to get good results.

Take this information on food reactions seriously. Staying away from those foods you react to is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to be healthy and happy.

Margaret Durst owns The Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason, Texas.

The Best of Margaret Durst

Homocysteine is an important indicator of cardiovascular health. High levels of homocysteine in the blood have been liked to increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and venous blood clots even among people with normal cholesterol levels. Abnormal homocysteine levels contribute to atherosclerosis by damaging the cells lining the inside of the arteries which leads to the formation of plaque. Homocysteine also results in accelerated production of collagen, which causes the plaque to increase in size.

Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that is naturally synthesized in the body. It is normally broken down into useful components. If certain enzymes and cofactors are not present in the body, homocysteine cannot be properly metabolized. The absence of these substances may be due to genetic defects, but more commonly are related to dietary deficiencies in specific B vitamins such as B-6, B-12, and folic acid.

There are many studies that show a clear association between elevated homocysteine levels and both heart attack and stroke. There are also several studies that show a correlation between normal homocysteine levels and consumption of folic acid and vitamin B-6. One particular study followed 101 men with vascular disease for 4 years. All participants were given supplementary doses of folic acid, B-6 and B-12. Ultrasound examinations of their carotid arteries found a decrease in the amount of plaque in their arteries, with the greatest effect in those whose homocysteine levels had been the highest before the treatment began.

Excess homocysteine is indicated in conditions other than coronary artery disease. These include osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type II diabetes.

For those of you who have been following my recent articles relating to neurological health, homocysteine is key predictor for things like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Homocysteine levels can be tested thru routine blood work – if you have not had yours tested, it is worth doing so at least once so you know if it is something you need to keep an eye on – or not.

Supplementation of folic acid, B-6, and B-12 does seem to be effective at improving the homocysteine pathway in the body. Here is a brief review of the benefits of these supplements:

B6 has many functions. It is especially important in the function of the central nervous system. Symptoms of deficiency include tremors, skin diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, motion sickness, tendency towards fainting and arteriosclerosis.

Folic acid is B9. It is very closely linked to B12 or cobalamin. Both are important to energy and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Symptoms of deficiency include anemia, fatigue, general weakness, nerve problems and difficulty with muscular coordination.

If you have elevated homocysteine, you may be deficient in some key nutrients that will not only help your homocysteine levels, but your neurological system as well. There are combination supplements available at your local health food store.

Note: If you are supplementing and expecting results, do not buy the cheapest supplement you can find. Buy quality and correct form. There is a difference.

Previously by Margaret Durst: Amino Acids — Building Blocks for Neurotransmitters

Homocysteine is an important indicator of cardiovascular health. High levels of homocysteine in the blood have been liked to increased risk of coronary artery disease, stroke, and venous blood clots even among people with normal cholesterol levels. Abnormal homocysteine levels contribute to atherosclerosis by damaging the cells lining the inside of the arteries which leads to the formation of plaque. Homocysteine also results in accelerated production of collagen, which causes the plaque to increase in size.

Homocysteine is a sulfur containing amino acid that is naturally synthesized in the body. It is normally broken down into useful components. If certain enzymes and cofactors are not present in the body, homocysteine cannot be properly metabolized. The absence of these substances may be due to genetic defects, but more commonly are related to dietary deficiencies in specific B vitamins such as B-6, B-12, and folic acid.

There are many studies that show a clear association between elevated homocysteine levels and both heart attack and stroke. There are also several studies that show a correlation between normal homocysteine levels and consumption of folic acid and vitamin B-6. One particular study followed 101 men with vascular disease for 4 years. All participants were given supplementary doses of folic acid, B-6 and B-12. Ultrasound examinations of their carotid arteries found a decrease in the amount of plaque in their arteries, with the greatest effect in those whose homocysteine levels had been the highest before the treatment began.

Excess homocysteine is indicated in conditions other than coronary artery disease. These include osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and type II diabetes.

For those of you who have been following my recent articles relating to neurological health, homocysteine is key predictor for things like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Homocysteine levels can be tested thru routine blood work – if you have not had yours tested, it is worth doing so at least once so you know if it is something you need to keep an eye on – or not.

Supplementation of folic acid, B-6, and B-12 does seem to be effective at improving the homocysteine pathway in the body. Here is a brief review of the benefits of these supplements:

B6 has many functions. It is especially important in the function of the central nervous system. Symptoms of deficiency include tremors, skin diseases, carpal tunnel syndrome, motion sickness, tendency towards fainting and arteriosclerosis.

Folic acid is B9. It is very closely linked to B12 or cobalamin. Both are important to energy and an overall feeling of wellbeing. Symptoms of deficiency include anemia, fatigue, general weakness, nerve problems and difficulty with muscular coordination.

If you have elevated homocysteine, you may be deficient in some key nutrients that will not only help your homocysteine levels, but your neurological system as well. There are combination supplements available at your local health food store.

Note: If you are supplementing and expecting results, do not buy the cheapest supplement you can find. Buy quality and correct form. There is a difference.

Margaret Durst owns The Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason, Texas.

The Best of Margaret Durst

Taurine, tryptophan and tyrosine are three amino acids that begin with the letter ‘T’. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are classified as essential if they cannot be made by the body on its own and must be acquired through the diet. They are classified as non-essential if the body can make them. However, we can become deficient in the non-essential amino acids if we do not take in the nutrients necessary to make them.

Taurine is a non-essential amino acid. Zinc and vitamin B6 are some of the building blocks for taurine and both zinc and vitamin B6 are common deficiencies. Taurine is known to help stabilize cell membranes in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart. It is also a component of the bile produced by the liver and is important in preventing gallstones and for keeping cholesterol soluble.

Stress, alcohol consumption and vegetarian diets will cause taurine deficiencies. Taurine is useful as an anti-convulsant and is often used clinically to treat epilepsy. Taurine is also used to prevent potassium loss from the heart muscle, helping to prevent cardiac arrhythmias. Food sources of taurine include eggs, fish, meat and dairy products.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that was banned from the supplement market until recently. Tryptophan is necessary for the production of vitamin B3 and is also used by the brain to produce serotonin. Tryptophan helps control hyperactivity, alleviates stress, is good for the heart, aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and enhances the release of growth hormone. It is also good for migraine headaches if they are caused by serotonin deficiency. Food sources of tryptophan include brown rice, cottage cheese, peanuts, and soy protein.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is the precursor to several hormones including the thyroid hormone thyroxin and the pituitary hormone norepinephrin.

Tyrosine is commonly used to treat depression because it is the precursor to norepinephrin and dopamine which are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Tyrosine also acts as a mild antioxidant, suppresses the appetite and helps to reduce body fat. Tyrosine enables weight loss if hypothyroidism is part of the weight issue because tyrosine helps to form active thyroid hormones and stimulates the release of growth hormone which helps increase muscle mass. Tyrosine also aids in the production of melanin (skin pigment). Symptoms of tyrosine deficiency can also include low blood pressure, low body temperature and restless leg syndrome. Food sources of tyrosine include almonds, avodacos, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

Amino acid supplements can be very helpful. A common issue I see in amino acid deficiencies is either insufficient protein intake or impaired protein digestion. In order to digest and assimilate protein, stomach acid is necessary. Those taking acid blockers need to supplement a digestive enzyme containing protease to help digest essential nutrients.

Previously by Margaret Durst: Fix It or Suppress It — Your Choice!

Taurine, tryptophan and tyrosine are three amino acids that begin with the letter ‘T’. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. They are classified as essential if they cannot be made by the body on its own and must be acquired through the diet. They are classified as non-essential if the body can make them. However, we can become deficient in the non-essential amino acids if we do not take in the nutrients necessary to make them.

Taurine is a non-essential amino acid. Zinc and vitamin B6 are some of the building blocks for taurine and both zinc and vitamin B6 are common deficiencies. Taurine is known to help stabilize cell membranes in electrically active tissues such as the brain and heart. It is also a component of the bile produced by the liver and is important in preventing gallstones and for keeping cholesterol soluble.

Stress, alcohol consumption and vegetarian diets will cause taurine deficiencies. Taurine is useful as an anti-convulsant and is often used clinically to treat epilepsy. Taurine is also used to prevent potassium loss from the heart muscle, helping to prevent cardiac arrhythmias. Food sources of taurine include eggs, fish, meat and dairy products.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid that was banned from the supplement market until recently. Tryptophan is necessary for the production of vitamin B3 and is also used by the brain to produce serotonin. Tryptophan helps control hyperactivity, alleviates stress, is good for the heart, aids in weight control by reducing appetite, and enhances the release of growth hormone. It is also good for migraine headaches if they are caused by serotonin deficiency. Food sources of tryptophan include brown rice, cottage cheese, peanuts, and soy protein.

Tyrosine is a non-essential amino acid that is the precursor to several hormones including the thyroid hormone thyroxin and the pituitary hormone norepinephrin.

Tyrosine is commonly used to treat depression because it is the precursor to norepinephrin and dopamine which are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Tyrosine also acts as a mild antioxidant, suppresses the appetite and helps to reduce body fat. Tyrosine enables weight loss if hypothyroidism is part of the weight issue because tyrosine helps to form active thyroid hormones and stimulates the release of growth hormone which helps increase muscle mass. Tyrosine also aids in the production of melanin (skin pigment). Symptoms of tyrosine deficiency can also include low blood pressure, low body temperature and restless leg syndrome. Food sources of tyrosine include almonds, avodacos, bananas, lima beans, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds.

Amino acid supplements can be very helpful. A common issue I see in amino acid deficiencies is either insufficient protein intake or impaired protein digestion. In order to digest and assimilate protein, stomach acid is necessary. Those taking acid blockers need to supplement a digestive enzyme containing protease to help digest essential nutrients.

Margaret Durst owns The Green House, a vitamin, herb and health food store in Mason, Texas.

The Best of Margaret Durst