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.

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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

Understanding nutrition is difficult at best because there is so much conflicting information. Understanding nutritional supplements is also difficult because one person will get great results using a specific herb or vitamin and the next person will get not results on the same product. There are so many studies that report on a single nutrient – for example, cinnamon seems to be the most popular supplement for controlling blood sugar. But what about chromium, vanadium and biotin? They still work and are available in blood sugar control formulations?

Our human nature makes us tend to focus on the “one” thing that will make us healthy instead of following a balanced approach. I like to think about how the body actually works and use common sense. For example, are those who are using cinnamon for blood sugar control doing anything else to help manage blood sugar? What about dietary changes such as eating low glycemic index foods and eliminating the wrong kind of fats? What about regular exercise which is proven to be a crucial component of managing blood sugar levels? What about magnesium which most diabetics tend to be deficient in?

The cholesterol craze is another single focus issue that many are concerned about. When you know how the body works, then you can take a balanced approach to managing it. One component of the cholesterol puzzle is what you eat – not only the wrong kind of fats, but too many refined carbohydrates as well. A sign of poor carbohydrate metabolism and a diet too high in refined carbohydrates is high cholesterol combined with high triglycerides. People with this problem tend to either be diabetic or have insulin resistance (meaning compromised blood sugar handling). Low glycemic diets and supplements that help manage blood sugar levels help reduce both cholesterol and triglycerides.

Another part of the cholesterol puzzle is the understanding that the body eliminates cholesterol through the digestive system. The bile which is made by the liver to emulsify fats contains cholesterol which is meant to be carried out of the body with other waste products through the colon. Fiber acts like a sponge and soaks up the cholesterol so that it can be eliminated naturally. If the diet does not contain enough fiber, or if there is a problem with constipation, then the cholesterol is reabsorbed rather than being eliminated.

Liver problems will also contribute to cholesterol problems. The standard American diet and lifestyle tend to be hard on the liver with several common foods such as coffee and chocolate making the bile thick and congealed. If the liver is congested such that the bile does not flow freely, then the cholesterol will not be eliminated. I have seen cholesterol drop 40 points in short periods of time just from cleaning the liver.

Another piece of this cholesterol puzzle is essential fatty acids that are not in the standard diet. These include flax oil and fish oil. These oils reduce the melting point of cholesterol so that it stays liquid and does not harden into arterial plaque. When supplementing these oils, cholesterol will sometimes increase as cholesterol deposits are melted and returned to circulation.

The point of all if this information on cholesterol is that chronic health problems are typically complex and require understanding of what your specific nutritional issues are. The one size fits all approach of prescription drugs will certainly fix the symptom, but will they solve the problem so that it does not happen again? Normally chronic health problems are the result of many years of imbalance in lifestyle (including diet) that finally result in symptoms. If the problem was caused by lifestyle and nutrition, then it is reasonable to assume that adjustments to lifestyle and nutrition will correct the problem given enough time.

Previously by Margaret Durst: Turmeric — The Wonder Herb!

Understanding nutrition is difficult at best because there is so much conflicting information. Understanding nutritional supplements is also difficult because one person will get great results using a specific herb or vitamin and the next person will get not results on the same product. There are so many studies that report on a single nutrient – for example, cinnamon seems to be the most popular supplement for controlling blood sugar. But what about chromium, vanadium and biotin? They still work and are available in blood sugar control formulations?

Our human nature makes us tend to focus on the “one” thing that will make us healthy instead of following a balanced approach. I like to think about how the body actually works and use common sense. For example, are those who are using cinnamon for blood sugar control doing anything else to help manage blood sugar? What about dietary changes such as eating low glycemic index foods and eliminating the wrong kind of fats? What about regular exercise which is proven to be a crucial component of managing blood sugar levels? What about magnesium which most diabetics tend to be deficient in?

The cholesterol craze is another single focus issue that many are concerned about. When you know how the body works, then you can take a balanced approach to managing it. One component of the cholesterol puzzle is what you eat – not only the wrong kind of fats, but too many refined carbohydrates as well. A sign of poor carbohydrate metabolism and a diet too high in refined carbohydrates is high cholesterol combined with high triglycerides. People with this problem tend to either be diabetic or have insulin resistance (meaning compromised blood sugar handling). Low glycemic diets and supplements that help manage blood sugar levels help reduce both cholesterol and triglycerides.

Another part of the cholesterol puzzle is the understanding that the body eliminates cholesterol through the digestive system. The bile which is made by the liver to emulsify fats contains cholesterol which is meant to be carried out of the body with other waste products through the colon. Fiber acts like a sponge and soaks up the cholesterol so that it can be eliminated naturally. If the diet does not contain enough fiber, or if there is a problem with constipation, then the cholesterol is reabsorbed rather than being eliminated.

Liver problems will also contribute to cholesterol problems. The standard American diet and lifestyle tend to be hard on the liver with several common foods such as coffee and chocolate making the bile thick and congealed. If the liver is congested such that the bile does not flow freely, then the cholesterol will not be eliminated. I have seen cholesterol drop 40 points in short periods of time just from cleaning the liver.

Another piece of this cholesterol puzzle is essential fatty acids that are not in the standard diet. These include flax oil and fish oil. These oils reduce the melting point of cholesterol so that it stays liquid and does not harden into arterial plaque. When supplementing these oils, cholesterol will sometimes increase as cholesterol deposits are melted and returned to circulation.

The point of all if this information on cholesterol is that chronic health problems are typically complex and require understanding of what your specific nutritional issues are. The one size fits all approach of prescription drugs will certainly fix the symptom, but will they solve the problem so that it does not happen again? Normally chronic health problems are the result of many years of imbalance in lifestyle (including diet) that finally result in symptoms. If the problem was caused by lifestyle and nutrition, then it is reasonable to assume that adjustments to lifestyle and nutrition will correct the problem given enough time.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Turmeric is a herb and spice used in curries. It has a characteristic deep yellow color and a mildly spicy flavor. It comes from the rhizome of the turmeric plant which is a member of the same species as ginger. You may have heard of it because it has been mentioned by Dr. Oz and in many popular news channels.

Turmeric, like most other culinary herbs, has valuable medicinal properties. Turmeric is used liberally in countries such as India where is valued for strengthening the immune system, relieving inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, improving digestions, killing parasites, dissolving gallstones and alleviating PMS.

Turmeric is a strong antioxidant that is actually more powerful than vitamins C and E. Studies have shown that turmeric is effective in halting cancer in all 3 stages, reducing the number of tumors and protecting the throat, stomach and colon against cancer. In animal studies, turmeric was toxic to cancer cells within thirty minutes.

Another powerful action of turmeric is on the liver. Turmeric stimulates the flow of bile, helping to metabolize fats. It is used to prevent and dissolve gallstones while cleaning out the bacteria associated with inflammation of the gallbladder. Turmeric also inhibits viruses such as hepatitis and HIV.

Turmeric is used throughout the herbal world because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It is sold singly for arthritis pain, for cardiovascular health and for lowering blood sugar. It is also sold in combination with other herbs, particularly for relieving inflammation common in conditions such as arthritis.

Turmeric is now being touted as the anti-inflammatory herb to take to prevent degenerative conditions in the brain and nervous system. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are enhanced when it is combined with other anti-inflammatory herbs such as rosemary, ginger, green teas and boswellia.

One particular turmeric based combination called Zyflamend, which is a proprietary formula from New Chapter, is being used in clinical cancer trials on both prostate cancer and brain cancer because the anti-inflammatory properties that make this combination useful against arthritis pain, also make it useful in preventing the inflammation that can lead to cancer. Note that cancer doesn’t develop overnight; it is a progressive problem that starts with inflammation.

As with any herb, quality is a major issue. If you want to get the benefit of the herbs you take, make sure they come from a quality supplier who does not use herbs that have been fumigated or irradiated upon entry into the United States.

Note to Readers: You may have seen and/or heard information regarding inflammation as “the cause” of all disease. Many have gotten this information and are looking for natural anti-inflammatories. While these natural anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants are very good and are helpful with conditions of aging, consider that there is actually a cause (or multiple causes) of this inflammation. So while you are taking some of these great anti-aging supplements, look for underlying causes and take some action to reduce what is causing inflammation in your body. There are many articles on this blog referencing inflammation and underlying causes.

Previously by Margaret Durst: B-Vitamins — Energy and MuchMore!

Turmeric is a herb and spice used in curries. It has a characteristic deep yellow color and a mildly spicy flavor. It comes from the rhizome of the turmeric plant which is a member of the same species as ginger. You may have heard of it because it has been mentioned by Dr. Oz and in many popular news channels.

Turmeric, like most other culinary herbs, has valuable medicinal properties. Turmeric is used liberally in countries such as India where is valued for strengthening the immune system, relieving inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, improving digestions, killing parasites, dissolving gallstones and alleviating PMS.

Turmeric is a strong antioxidant that is actually more powerful than vitamins C and E. Studies have shown that turmeric is effective in halting cancer in all 3 stages, reducing the number of tumors and protecting the throat, stomach and colon against cancer. In animal studies, turmeric was toxic to cancer cells within thirty minutes.

Another powerful action of turmeric is on the liver. Turmeric stimulates the flow of bile, helping to metabolize fats. It is used to prevent and dissolve gallstones while cleaning out the bacteria associated with inflammation of the gallbladder. Turmeric also inhibits viruses such as hepatitis and HIV.

Turmeric is used throughout the herbal world because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It is sold singly for arthritis pain, for cardiovascular health and for lowering blood sugar. It is also sold in combination with other herbs, particularly for relieving inflammation common in conditions such as arthritis.

Turmeric is now being touted as the anti-inflammatory herb to take to prevent degenerative conditions in the brain and nervous system. Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory properties are enhanced when it is combined with other anti-inflammatory herbs such as rosemary, ginger, green teas and boswellia.

One particular turmeric based combination called Zyflamend, which is a proprietary formula from New Chapter, is being used in clinical cancer trials on both prostate cancer and brain cancer because the anti-inflammatory properties that make this combination useful against arthritis pain, also make it useful in preventing the inflammation that can lead to cancer. Note that cancer doesn’t develop overnight; it is a progressive problem that starts with inflammation.

As with any herb, quality is a major issue. If you want to get the benefit of the herbs you take, make sure they come from a quality supplier who does not use herbs that have been fumigated or irradiated upon entry into the United States.

Note to Readers: You may have seen and/or heard information regarding inflammation as “the cause” of all disease. Many have gotten this information and are looking for natural anti-inflammatories. While these natural anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants are very good and are helpful with conditions of aging, consider that there is actually a cause (or multiple causes) of this inflammation. So while you are taking some of these great anti-aging supplements, look for underlying causes and take some action to reduce what is causing inflammation in your body. There are many articles on this blog referencing inflammation and underlying causes.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Previously by Margaret Durst: Arthritis — Here Are Some NaturalSolutions!

B vitamins are the catalytic spark plugs of the human body. They function as catalysts in many biochemical reactions that are essential to health. As a group, they are named the B complex vitamins because they are found together in nature and are often needed together to perform best.

The best food source of B vitamins is brewer’s yeast. B’s are also found in the germ and bran of cereal grains and also in beans, peas, nuts, liver, eggs and dairy products.

B vitamins are all water soluble and are not stored very well in the body. Deficiencies of the B’s occur fairly easily, particularly if the diet contains substantial amounts of refined and processed food, sugar or alcohol. They are also “burned” up if you are stressed.

B vitamins are also produced by the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. Any digestive upset such as food poisoning, diarrhea, or constipation signifies that B vitamin production is off. Yeast/fungal infections and urinary tract infections are other signs that B vitamin production is off.

The B vitamins are known for promoting proper functioning of the brain and nervous system. They help bring relaxation and energy to those who are stressed out and fatigued. B vitamins are also important to the health of the skin, hair, eyes and liver. B vitamins (taken in the day) are also one of my favorite remedies for insomnia.

The well known B vitamins include B1, or thiamine which is essential for proper digestion and nerve function. Major indicators of deficiency include irritability, depression, apathy, and burning or tingling in the soles of the feet.

B2 is also known as riboflavin. It is important for energy. Symptoms of deficiency include eye problems, bloodshot eyes, cracks in the corners of the mouth, and dermatitis.

B3 is niacin. Niacin helps lower cholesterol and improve blood flow through the capillaries. Extreme redness and roughness of the skin is one of the first signs of niacin deficiency. Other symptoms of deficiency include canker sores, indigestion, weakness, memory loss and anxiety.

B5 is pantothenic acid and is closely associated with the function of the adrenal cortex. Symptoms of deficiency include fatigue, hypoglycemia, and increased allergy symptoms.

B6 is pyridoxine. B6 has a multitude of 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. B6 is also very helpful in women for symptoms of fluctuating hormone levels.

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.

There are several minor B vitamins. These include biotin, choline, PABA, and inositol.

While there are many B vitamins, only certain ones have been deemed essential to human health. Taking food source B vitamins and/or eating whole foods rich in B vitamins will assure complete B supplementation to help fill in the gaps not currently known or understood by our current level of science. Remember that high quality vitamins will work better for you than cheap petro-chemical based synthetics.

Note to readers: This article leaves a lot out because it needs to be a certain length to go in the newspaper. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of the B vitamins. One of the texts I am currently reading compares symptoms of B vitamin deficiency to symptoms of radiation damage when viewed at a cellular level. I also am emphatic about quality of these vitamins. If you have any of the symptoms listed in the article, don’t just go to a big box store and get whatever is on the shelf. These are typically the synthetic petrochemical based ones. Food-based and natural to the body are the kind you are looking for.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Previously by Margaret Durst: Vision — See Better!

Arthritis affects one in 7 people in America. Glucosamine, chondroitins and MSM are the most common natural remedies used 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.

One of the best and cheapest remedies is diet. Some basic arthritis causing/aggravating foods are peanuts, nightshades (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers), soy, wheat, coffee and oranges. Food sensitivities can result in hidden inflammation – as in the kind that is in your joints and causes arthritis over time. Blood type diets are really helpful in identifying foods you should avoid to help your joints hurt less. Diet changes can be as remarkable as any drug or supplement in eliminating joint pain and inflammation throughout the body.

Mineral deficiencies and imbalances contribute to arthritis as does an overly acid body pH. It is easy to test pH with litmus paper strips for urine. Any body that is overly acid will have mineral imbalances that will start coming into balance when pH is balanced.

Some of my favorite arthritis remedies are herbal. I like devils claw and yucca which are anti-inflammatory and cleansing to the joints. The cleansing action is particularly useful in gouty arthritis. Hydrangea is another favorite of mine. It helps break down abnormal calcification. A little hydrangea goes a long way – it is best in combination with other herbs.

Another favorite of mine is boswellia (also known as frankincense). It is excellent as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. I use the essential oil topically for lower back pain – especially after exercise. One of our best selling pain relievers contains boswellia, devils claw and willow bark – customers report that it relieves their chronic pain.

There are other natural anti-inflammatory herbs known as COX-2 inhibitors – in reference to a specific enzyme that causes inflammation in the body. Much research has been done to identify natural COX-2 inhibitors which do not have the side effects of the prescription drugs such as Celebrex and Vioxx. Well known COX-2 inhibiting herbs include ginger, rosemary, turmeric and boswellia – my favorite combination is called Zyflamend.

Another arthritis remedy is Celadrin. It is an ester of a fatty acid that acts as a lubricant, an immune system modulator and an anti-inflammatory. Clinical trials show phenomenal results. It is thought that 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.

The last natural tidbit for those of you with arthritis is to be careful about using NSAID’s. Non-steriodal anti-inflammatories such as aspirin, acetominophen and ibuprofen interrupt the cartilage repair cycle and do not slow progression of arthritis as some of the natural remedies mentioned above do.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Vision problems occur for various reasons. Many times the problem is due to poor diet. A diet of denatured and preservative laden food leads to the free radical damage that is implicated in many conditions affecting the eyes.

A deficiency of just one vitamin can lead to various eye problems that can sometimes be corrected with supplementation of the correct vitamins and minerals. Most of the products for eyes include antioxidants such as vitamin A, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. There are many good eye formulations on the market; however, the buyer has to beware.

One particular combination brought to me by a customer had all of the right ingredients at first glance – but when I read the label closely, it was full of synthetics, dies and the cheaper form of the ingredient that typically does not absorb well. This combination was given to the client by a medical doctor. In my opinion, it was junk.

The problem with this poorly formulated kind of product is that it ends up causing more free radical damage than it mitigates. Another issue I have with these products is that they are not easily assimilated – an underlying cause of some eye problems is poor digestion / assimilation, so you want to make sure that you are actually getting what you think you are. (See last week’s article on digestion.)

Most people will associate carrots with healthy eyes. That is because carrots are full of carotene – the precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for proper eye function. Many people take beta carotene and think they are getting vitamin A – they are only if their body is properly converting it. Problems that would impede this conversion are liver problems, dysbiosis (parasitic and fungal), and hypothyroidism – all very common.

Many people also associate zinc with healthy eyes, particularly prevention of macular degeneration. Zinc is a very important antioxidant that is lost when we consume too much caffeine, sugar or white flour. Zinc also needs good digestion to be absorbed. Antacids and products that reduce stomach acid inhibit the body’s ability to absorb zinc.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are known to support the eyes. They are found naturally in the dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, chard and mustard greens. People who eat plenty of greens are much less likely to develop cataracts than those who do not. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also effective in reducing the risk of macular degeneration.

Bilberry is another product that is useful for vision. Bilberry helps micro-circulation – think about all of the little capillaries that carry blood to your eyes. Bilberry also has 50 times the antioxidant protection of vitamin E and 10 times that of vitamin C. Bilberry is useful for all kinds of conditions of the eye including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma – and it is also useful for varicose veins.

Last, but by no means least, is eyebright – a great herb that strengthens all of the eye’s tissues. My favorite eye formula contains this herb. Eyebright can also be used as an eyewash.

As with all nutritional supplements – quality is key if you want to “see” a difference.

Previously by Margaret Durst: Indigestion — Fix It!

Vision problems occur for various reasons. Many times the problem is due to poor diet. A diet of denatured and preservative laden food leads to the free radical damage that is implicated in many conditions affecting the eyes.

A deficiency of just one vitamin can lead to various eye problems that can sometimes be corrected with supplementation of the correct vitamins and minerals. Most of the products for eyes include antioxidants such as vitamin A, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin. There are many good eye formulations on the market; however, the buyer has to beware.

One particular combination brought to me by a customer had all of the right ingredients at first glance – but when I read the label closely, it was full of synthetics, dies and the cheaper form of the ingredient that typically does not absorb well. This combination was given to the client by a medical doctor. In my opinion, it was junk.

The problem with this poorly formulated kind of product is that it ends up causing more free radical damage than it mitigates. Another issue I have with these products is that they are not easily assimilated – an underlying cause of some eye problems is poor digestion / assimilation, so you want to make sure that you are actually getting what you think you are. (See last week’s article on digestion.)

Most people will associate carrots with healthy eyes. That is because carrots are full of carotene – the precursor to vitamin A. Vitamin A is essential for proper eye function. Many people take beta carotene and think they are getting vitamin A – they are only if their body is properly converting it. Problems that would impede this conversion are liver problems, dysbiosis (parasitic and fungal), and hypothyroidism – all very common.

Many people also associate zinc with healthy eyes, particularly prevention of macular degeneration. Zinc is a very important antioxidant that is lost when we consume too much caffeine, sugar or white flour. Zinc also needs good digestion to be absorbed. Antacids and products that reduce stomach acid inhibit the body’s ability to absorb zinc.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are carotenoids that are known to support the eyes. They are found naturally in the dark leafy greens such as kale, collards, chard and mustard greens. People who eat plenty of greens are much less likely to develop cataracts than those who do not. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also effective in reducing the risk of macular degeneration.

Bilberry is another product that is useful for vision. Bilberry helps micro-circulation – think about all of the little capillaries that carry blood to your eyes. Bilberry also has 50 times the antioxidant protection of vitamin E and 10 times that of vitamin C. Bilberry is useful for all kinds of conditions of the eye including diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma – and it is also useful for varicose veins.

Last, but by no means least, is eyebright – a great herb that strengthens all of the eye’s tissues. My favorite eye formula contains this herb. Eyebright can also be used as an eyewash.

As with all nutritional supplements – quality is key if you want to “see” a difference.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Previously by Margaret Durst: Quercitin — Try This for Allergies and Inflammation

Indigestion – From gas and bloating to acid reflux – if you have it, you want to get rid of it. But don’t fall for something that just gets rid of the symptoms, look to address the underlying cause.

Most indigestion is the result of insufficient enzymes and/or insufficient stomach acid. The most common remedy is some sort of acid blocker that makes proper digestion impossible. Antacids and acid blockers perpetuate the problems of indigestion. They neutralize or block stomach acid, preventing the stomach from digesting food. A vicious cycle is then set up since more acid is needed to digest the food; so, more acid is then produced in the stomach, then more antacid is needed, then the stomach produces more acid, etc.

Good digestion is important. If you are wanting to be healthier, commit to fixing your digestion so that you do not need acid blockers. Many of the symptoms of indigestion will disappear when digestive enzymes are supplemented – especially those with betaine HCL, a mild form of hydrochloric acid (similar to what your stomach naturally produces.)

If enzymes keep you from getting indigestion, then your indigestion was an enzyme deficiency. Levels of enzymes available to digest food decline with age. Supplementing with trace minerals can help increase enzyme levels, but supplementing with enzymes is necessary if you are eating cooked and processed food. Raw food contains lots of enzymes. Cooking and processing food destroys enzymes.

Most acid indigestion is actually caused by not enough stomach acid. Again, this can be a problem of age. Supplementing with enzymes containing betaine HCL will be helpful as will raw apple cider vinegar.

Food sensitivities will also bring on indigestion. The two big offenders are dairy and white flour. Blood types also influence this – types A and AB do not produce as much stomach acid as the other types and will need to supplement with betaine HCL when eating meat. Look at your blood type diet to see if you are eating foods you should avoid.

Other indigestion can be caused by a damaged stomach lining. Inflammation of the stomach lining is generally caused and/or aggravated by poor eating habits such as eating the wrong types of food, eating too fast, drinking too much liquid with meals, eating when upset or anxious, and/or eating too much. Chronic inflammation of the stomach lining can lead to h. Pylori and even ulcers.

You can repair the stomach lining by taking supplements like aloe vera, slippery elm, and deglycerrhized licorice. It may also be helpful to take something to eliminate bacteria or parasites that are compromising the stomach lining. There are many good supplements on the market. I recommend one called Gastro Health.

Remember that your health is directly tied to what you eat and how you digest it. Don’t assume that whatever you put into your mouth is going to be digested and nourish you if your digestive system is not working well. You are what you eat, assimilate and do not eliminate.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst

Previously by Margaret Durst: Organic — What Does This Mean?

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid, or part of the vitamin C family. Bioflavonoids are coloring pigments that are found throughout the plant kingdom. Bioflavonoids are antioxidants and are known for providing protection from environmental stresses.

Quercetin is known for inhibiting allergy and inflammatory responses. Allergy and inflammatory conditions are triggered by contact with allergens that are absorbed into the blood. When allergens meet special immune cells containing histamine, the cell wall of the immune cell becomes leaky and releases histamine into the surrounding blood and tissues. Allergen released histamine produces the familiar allergic symptoms of runny noses, blocked sinuses, itchy eyes, blotchy skin, coughing and wheezing.

Quercetin actually helps to stabilize the cell walls of the immune components that contain histamine. This stabilization helps prevent release of histamine. The allergy symptoms simply will not occur without release of histamine, even though you have inhaled pollen, animal hair, or whatever normally triggers allergy attacks.

Quercetin inhibits some pro-inflammatory enzymes, making it helpful with injury, arthritis, and bursitis. Quercetin is particularly helpful in rheumatoid arthritis since it decreases one of the primary sources of inflammation within the joints. Quercetin is also helpful in preventing eye and nerve damage in diabetics as it decreases tissue irritation.

Quercetin also helps with asthma, which is allergic inflammation involving the lungs.

Quercetin is available in supplement form. Quercetin is usually combined with bromelain or pineapple enzyme since it is barely soluble in water and needs the bromelain to increase absorption. Bromelain has powerful anti-inflammatory properties that act synergistically with quercetin.

Suggested dosage of quercetin for allergy and asthma is 1000 to 2000 mg. per day divided into at least 2 doses.

Since this is cedar season and many are suffering from acute allergy symptoms, I will briefly mention other products that help with allergies.

Homeopathics are a category of products that many are unfamiliar with. They are effective and safe enough for a small child with no drowsiness and no drug interactions. There are many homeopathic formulations available. Some are for general allergy symptoms while others are specific to the allergen, such as tree pollen, pet dander, mold, dust, etc.

Other allergy products include the herb nettle, which inhibits histamine release; special allergy formulated enzymes which help digest allergy causing proteins in the blood; and many combination formulas for the various symptoms of allergies.

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

The Best of Margaret Durst