GMO Right to Know!

Fortify the Body with Fulvic Acid and Powerful Herbs!

An initiative is currently underway in the U.S. to join most of the rest of the world in labeling food products containing GMO's (genetically modified organisms). Almost daily research is revealing just how damaging GMO's are to our health, the environment and livelihoods of the average farmer (many farms today are owned by corporations who squeeze small farmers out of business routinely in multiple ways utilizing GMO crops). It's time for us to start arming ourselves with knowledge and take a stand against those who would rob us of our health (through contaminated food) and our wealth (the money we spend when the food makes us sick). This video gives a quick lesson on GMO's and the current proposition initiative in California. If California succeeds in passing this key legislation it is likely the rest of the country will follow suit for the betterment of our health.

If you do any research on the subject you will find scare tactics from corporate entities that stand to profit from our fear but rest assured that food prices that have already sky-rocketed will not rise one thin dime more because of labeling practices. Besides, GMO foods were promised by the corporations to lower food prices. I don't know if you have been grocery shopping lately but they don't seem to be coming down to me; just going up! Watch the video and support our brave friends in California through donations, words of encouragement or by spreading this message and others like it to your friends and family so that the awakening in our society continues!

Treating Constipation: Nutrition

Constipation is a very real and daily preoccupation for some. The pain and general discomfort is unfortunate and because of this many seek to chemically remedy their situation only to exacerbate the problem. How then, can a person pull themselves from this seemingly unending daily cycle? There are three specific techniques to utilize on the daily basis (note the emphasis which is mine) for long term, lasting relief. Proper nutrition, stress relief and detoxification are essential for great intestinal health. This article will focus on nutrition.

Powerful, Natural Intestinal and GI Tract Cleansing and Fortification!

Proper Nutrition

We in the western world have a fast food problem leading us down a road of epidemic health concerns. Obesity, hypertension, malnutrition (more on this later) and of course constipation are just a few of the outcomes of constantly pulling around to the drive-thru window. Before we go any further in this discussion the need to explain what fast food is arises so we can all be on the same page. We have our usual suspects of course. Those places labeling themselves as “fast food” or the new catch phrase “quick service” restaurants (in an attempt to confusion and befuddle people who are on to them) are obvious but there are other types of fast food. Please consider that just about anything you can microwave as a meal or snack from your grocers freezer or shelf  is “fast food”. We don’t traditionally think of restaurants that you sit down and order from a menu without numbers as being fast food but they most certainly can be. Fast food isn’t about how quickly you get your food. It’s about how processed the food is and it is these highly processed foods (to include junk food) that wreak havoc on our digestive health and then our health overall. 

When it comes to proper nutrition a great place to start is with fruits and vegetables. Obvious, right? Fruits and veggies should comprise at least 60% of the diet especially if you are prone to constipation. Not only are fruits and vegetables nutrient rich but they are easily digested which is extremely important where constipation issues are concerned. 20% of the diet should come from complex carbohydrates (whole grains, cereals), 15% from proteins and 5% from fats (quality fats like Omega 3 and Omega 6 found in legumes and nuts). Here is an interesting fact. Adding 20g (just under an ounce) of bran to the daily diet will increase fecal weight by 127% and reduce food transit time in the digestive tract by 40%! Food transit time is a great indicator for how well the digestive tract is functioning.

There are many people who now avoid carbs like the plague but without complex carbs, where the majority of our fiber comes from, we risk chronic constipation. Our bodies were built with some level of balance in mind not extremes. The extreme of avoiding all carbs will only cause issues. It is agreed that all simple carbs should be avoided when possible (highly refined sugars and highly refined flour products) but complex ones should be embraced. Extremes in any form will ultimately lead to suffering. 

Malnutrition was mentioned earlier because not many people know or realize just how malnourished we are as a society. We think we have plenty of food but we do not. What we have is plenty of “stuff” designed to look and taste like food and can be highly addictive (a subject for another article most likely). The truth is most of what we consider food today is void of the most basic nutrition and as such is extremely difficult to eliminate from our bodies. The “stuff “ we eat turns into a sort of gelatinous goo which coats the intestines preventing the uptake of nutrients when we do get something wholesome into our stomachs. The result is constipation. The result is malnourishment. The result is degenerative disease. The result then becomes premature death. After all, it has been noted by ancient physicians and new that death begins in the belly. 

Not So Fun Fact: It is estimated that 90% of all acid reflux issues are due to slow digestion predicated by poor elimination of waste in the colon (i.e. constipation).

Cleanse Naturally with Powerful Herbs that are Gentle and  Therapeutic!

Constipation and Your Health: The Beginning of the End Part II

Our modern lifestyles have helped to usher many new and wondrous things into our lives but also some downright devastating ventures. How and what we eat, how we handle stress, and the excessive amounts of drugs, pharmaceutical and otherwise, damages our health through constipation.

Highly processed foods have become a main stay in the average American diet. Highly processed foods (bleached and enriched bread products, junk food, refined sugar, etc.) not only tend to be void of nutrition but also notoriously difficult to eliminate from the system with any kind of efficiency. Highly processed food (if you can call it food) which is not easily eliminated causes a log jam (no pun intended) in the intestines that becomes increasingly worse with each passing day. The lack of soluble and insoluble fiber in our diets only serves to compound the problem.

Stress is known as a silent killer that affects the cardiovascular system but what is often not known is how stress affects our digestion. We know that stress can create ulcers in the stomach but did you know it can lead to other gastrointestinal issues like constipation? In extreme cases stress can cause peristalsis to become extremely weak. Peristalsis describes the involuntary contractions of the colon which helps eliminate waste. Weak peristalsis makes the colon dysfunctional and constipation ensues. Also, highly stressed people tend to be enzyme deficient leading to poor digestion setting them up for constipation.

As previously mentioned Americans spend approximately $700 million annually on laxatives. While occasional use may be fine chronic laxative use can cause more harm than good. Laxatives stimulate contractions in the intestines by affecting the nerves. These stimulations are abnormal and can lead to a slow paralysis of those nerves making constipation a lifelong issue. In addition, common medications like antibiotics tend to disrupt natural intestinal flora (the balance between good bacteria and harmful bacteria). A buildup of toxic material in the intestines is a result causing constipation. Other drug types that cause constipation as a side effect are anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, antacids, antidepressants, antihypertensive drugs and diuretics.

The treatments for constipation will be discussed in the next post.

Cleanse Naturally with Powerful Herbs that are Gentle and  Therapeutic!

Constipation and Your Health: The Beginning of the End Part I

It is estimated that 80% of Americans suffer from constipation at some point in their lives. Among those a great number of people suffer from the condition chronically going several days a week without a bowel movement. Upwards of $700 million annually is spent on laxatives whether they be over-the-counter or prescribed. Despite the vast amounts of money spent constipation is often overlooked as the significant detriment to our health that it is.

There are two components to constipation that makes it so damaging: malnourishment and toxin elimination. Believe it or not America is one of the most malnourished countries on the face of the earth for several reasons which we will cover shortly. Sure we have plenty to eat but often what we eat leads to constipation. Once we are constipated the intestines can no longer efficiently absorb the nutrients from the foods we eat. We end up satisfying our appetites but failing to benefit from it. Not only do the intestines have a difficult time with absorption of nutrients but the ability to eliminate toxins from the body also becomes negatively impacted. Without proper elimination toxins remain in the body wreaking havoc on our systems by disrupting vital processes or distracting and exhausting the immune system. Chronic sufferers begin a slow descent into other poor health conditions such as hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, etc., etc. because the list goes on. The truth of the matter is that our health literally begins where our foods journey through the body ends: the colon and intestines.

This post series will cover the causes of constipation, treatments, and recommendations for overcoming constipation.

Cleanse Naturally with Powerful Herbs that are Gentle and  Therapeutic!

One Tiny Gland, One Big Problem - Prostate Health Part 4

Powerful Essential Fatty Acids to Reduce Inflammation and Support the Body

A sure bet about the average western diet is that it is woefully devoid of most of the nutrients we need to sustain a healthy lifestyle. The lack of nutrients deteriorates our body and causes organ and glandular failure including failure of the prostate. Due to the inadequacies of our diets supplementation becomes very important. To follow is a list of important nutrients to supplement your diet with if you want to maintain the condition of your prostate or begin to reverse negative prostate conditions.

• Vitamin C – A major component of the prostate gland Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps to boost immune function in the prostate

• Vitamin E – Vitamin E is also an important antioxidant that helps to stabilize prostate tissue

• Zinc – Zinc helps to metabolize (form) new prostate tissue should it become damaged or worn. Zinc also helps to sterilize the prostate

*Vitamin C and E along with Zinc are found in high abundance in healthy prostates. These three nutrients specifically also help to increase the amount of seminal fluid produced by the prostate gland

• Magnesium – a magnesium deficiency in the body leads to organ and glandular failure. The western diet is notably void of magnesium and should be considered as a part of a healthy organ and prostate regimen

• B Vitamins – Not only are B Vitamins awesome sources of energy but they also help to metabolize proteins into amino acids that can be utilized as building blocks to repair or regenerate damaged, worn, or lost tissue

• Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) – Also known as Omega’s (Omega 3, Omega 6, Omega 9, etc.) these fatty acids are found in abundance in healthy prostate glands considering the prostate is a fatty glandular organ. EFA’s have been shown to reduce blood clotting associated with cancer in the prostate to prevent the spreading of the tumor. Again, western diets tend to be void of Omega 3’s in particular (we usually get plenty of the other Omega’s) so supplementation becomes imperative

• Saw Palmetto – Saw Palmetto has been proven to reduce prostate swelling, reduces testosterone conversion (important for healthy prostates), and increase blood flow through the prostate bringing rich oxygen levels to the gland preventing or reducing infections and cancers. Saw palmetto berry has been shown to be 3 times more effective than Proscar (a leading prescription prostate drug)

The fifth and final article relating to prostate health will cover some additional therapies and recommendations to conclude this overarching series.

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Powerful Essential Fatty Acids to Reduce Inflammation and Support the Body

One Tiny Gland, One Big Problem - Prostate Health Part 3

Advanced Omega 3 Support

When it comes to maintaining proper prostate health our dietary habits are extremely important. Care must be taken to avoid harmful contaminants such as heavy metals and pesticides for example. Since the prostate is a gland that is considered “fatty” these contaminants tend to migrate and store themselves in this vital organ robbing it of nutrients and preventing proper glandular functions. The following are a few keys for the proper maintenance of the prostate gland and could prove beneficial for the reversal of adverse prostate conditions.

• Reduce fat consumption to no more than 15% of total calories. Fats derived from animals or hydrogenated oils often contain the contaminants listed above in addition to fungicides, herbicides and antibiotics none of which could be considered healthy for the prostate at all.
• Increase the consumption of organic fruits and vegetables either raw or lightly cooked. These incorporated fruits and veggies should be about 50-85% of your total diet daily. Eating this way will decrease inflammation in the body and keep the prostate from being overburdened with the contaminants that conventionally grown produce are saddled with.
• Drink plenty of water. Water not only hydrates the body but is also a powerful solvent that flushes our organs and tissues helping to remove toxins from our body.
• Reduce meat consumption especially red meat. Western cultures tend to eat red meat excessively which leads to highly acidic bodies (also known as acidosis). Acidosis is a key contributor to inflammation and opens the door to disease conditions throughout the body including the prostate. In addition, non-organic red meat contains many of the toxins aforementioned in this article.
• Decrease alcohol consumption and refined sugar consumption. Cancer feeds on sugar and prostate cancer is no exception. Sugar that has been refined and alcohol, which metabolizes into sugar, is acidifying and is a pure fuel source for cancers. A lower incidence of cancer has been associated with cultures that have a limited intake of refined sugars.

Keep your dietary habits fresh and non-toxic to optimize your health and the health of your loved ones. In the next installment of this series dietary supplements to foster great prostate health will be discussed.

Advanced Omega 3 Support

One Tiny Gland, One Big Problem - Prostate Health Part 2

Advanced Omega 3 Support
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The prostate is considered to be the gate way into a male’s body via the sex organs and, as such, serves as the first line of defense to prevent long term damage by pathogens. With such an important function the necessity to maintain a healthy prostate becomes that much clearer. In order to facilitate great prostate health we must discuss the specific risk factors associated with poor prostate health so as to encourage a proper lifestyle.

Recurring prostate infections are a sure sign of potential long term problems in the future. Due to the routine life encounters of most men we tend to be exposed to environmental toxins and nutritional deficiencies that leave the prostate depleted and vulnerable. One of the most important minerals found in the prostate is zinc which is found in abundance in the fluid of the prostate gland. Zinc is well known for its anti-pathogen powers and is one of the most important nutrients to supplement for great prostate health forestalling recurring infections.

Animal fats, especially from non-organic sources, are a major vector for contamination and toxicity. The diet of the average American male is very high in animal fat from non-organic sources. These fats generally contain residual environmental toxins such as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides not to mention the excess hormones and antibiotics that find their way into the flesh and fats of the animal. In addition, cows and bulls (red meat) are feed grain diets instead of grass. Since bulls and cows are naturally vegetarian feeding them grains causes free radical production resulting in inflammatory responses. These inflammatory substances get trapped in the fats of the animal which we consume. These substances are either captured by cholesterol in our body or migrate to fatty tissues and organs, such as the prostate, where they do significant damage over time. Also, for some of the same reasons listed above, a high intake of dairy will produce the same risks to the prostate.

Individuals with a history of venereal diseases are also at risk of poor prostate health. Unmanaged, poorly managed or constant exposure to venereal diseases drains the resources of the body and more specifically the prostate gland. Steps should be taken to mitigate, correct or eliminate exposure to these diseases.

Finally, the use of testosterone, especially in the treatment for impotence, has been linked to an increased risk of prostate cancer. It is recommended that men use transdermal DHEA and androstenedione since these substances can be converted by the body into testosterone with fewer side effects.

If you find that you or someone you know fit into the above risk factor criteria or is currently suffering from prostatitis do not be dismayed. Nutritional and dietary therapies can prove extremely beneficial and will be discussed in the next article.

Advanced Omega 3 Support
http://thoughtfulhealth.mysiselpro.com/v1/Products/nutritionals/supraomega3.aspx

One Tiny Gland, One Big Problem - Prostate Health Part 1

Advanced Omega 3 Support

Prostate health is a matter of great importance these days with more and more men suffering from prostate issues and more and more women having to help take care of them. It used to be that most men did not have to worry about prostate health until well into their 50’s. Now, adverse prostate conditions are occurring in men as young as 20 years old. In the United States alone 165,000 men suffer from prostate cancer annually with 35,000 of them passing away because of it. So now is the time to really start paying attention to what is happening to our bodies and deal with prostate health issues head on or do what is necessary to avoid them all together.

Symptoms of prostate trouble can show up at any time. Weak or interrupted urine flow is often one of the first symptoms experienced. This troubling sign is more than a mere inconvenience. It disallows for full bladder relief which causes a person to make several trips to the bathroom. It is not uncommon for some men to have to get out of bed several times a night in order to use the rest room. A disturbing fact of frequent night time bathroom use is that it totally disrupts the sleep cycle adding to the body’s inability to heal or repair itself while compounding the prostate issue. Other signs of prostate trouble are continuous pain in the lower back, pelvis and/or the upper thighs.

Next week we will take a look at some specific risk factors and unhealthy habits that lead to chronic prostate problems.

Advanced Omega 3 Support

Eating the King's Food

Powerful Antioxidant Support

Chronic illness and inflammation is rampant in our society. We spend a lot of money on highly processed foods and fast foods to fill our collective stomachs all to the detriment of our collective health. Insurance premiums have sky-rocketed along with the cost of hospital stays and prescription drug prices have followed suit just the same. It would seem that we are destined to have a medical model that is doomed to failure. What is needed is a more common sense approach to addressing chronic illness before it begins. If we can head our illnesses off "at the pass" we could avoid continued failed health. I would like to share with you something that I have found that is a significant first step in taking back our health.

The Book of Daniel gives us an ancient clue that is well researched and time tested. Chapter 1 reads in part:

"8 But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way."

It continues,

"11 Daniel then said to the guard whom the chief official had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food, and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” 14 So he agreed to this and tested them for ten days. 15 At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. 16 So the guard took away their choice food and the wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead."

The "royal food" was the "King's food" (as it reads in other versions of the bible). What made up the King's food? King Nebuchadnezzar ate sumptuously by the standard of the day. Because he was king he had the resources to afford meat and much wine. The average citizen of Babylon could hardly afford to eat the way the king did but we can (and do) in our daily lives. We consume more meat today as a society than in any other time period. Many chronic and inflammatory conditions (e.g. gout, high cholesterol, atherosclerosis) can be laid right at the feet of increased meat consumption especially red meat.

Daniel asked to be tested so he might prove that a diet consisting of vegetables and water would be superior to the royal food eaten. Note that it only took 10 days to see a noticeable difference. That is a testament to just how resilient our bodies can be if we give it a chance and provide it the tools necessary for healing. When Daniel made his observations he was a young servant along with his fellow colleagues. Surely if the young ones benefit from a wholesome diet and also perish with a diet that is less than stellar, as illustrated in the passage, how much more important would it be for us older folks?

Let us strive together to reduce the burden on our bodies by reducing the amount of meat we consume. Vegetarianism is not necessarily the goal here but surely we can learn from this ancient text much about how we should eat. We, too, like Daniel should resolve to not defile our bodies.

Provide your heart and energy production the spark it needs!