Add Some Spice to Your Life and Improve Your Health

Spices are used in cuisines all over the world to enhance taste and flavor of the dishes. Since ancient times people utilized seeds, roots, barks, leaves, and other fragrant parts of plants to add flavor to their food and to preserve it. The earliest written records come from the Assyrians who wrote around 2300 BC that the gods drunk sesame seed spiced wine before they created the earth. Spices were also used for medicinal purposes throughout the world. Their antibacterial and carminative properties seem to have been widely known. Phytochemicals in spices are responsible for their specific flavor and aroma, a characteristics that made them attractive in the first place.

In Antiquity and during the Middle Ages spices were treated as luxury goods and were as precious as gold. Because of their rarity, almost magical properties were attributed to them in Europe. They were very often used as aphrodisiacs. Spice trade changed the history of many regions. It was very lucrative, but not without dangers. Great fortunes were made. Trading institutions such as the British India Company or the Royal Dutch Company contributed to the exponential economic growth on the one hand, and to the colonial expansion and exploitation on the other.

Modern science is continuously researching the healing properties of spices. Scientists were able to identify and isolate bio-active ingredients in spices, such as sulfides, thiols, terpenes, aldehydes, and others. It was discovered that some spices can help digestion, improve cardiovascular health as well as the cognitive function. Some compounds found in spices are potent anti-carcinogens. Others are able to relieve inflammation, control blood sugar, and strengthen the immune system. Spices stimulate appetite and have strong anti-bacterial and anti-vermicidal properties. They display very strong antioxidant activity. In fact, they are considered to have more antioxidant compounds than fruits and vegetables.

Medicinal properties of commonly used spices

Allspice derives its name from the fact that is smell like a combination of many spices, especially cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. It is also known as pimento, because the Spaniards mistook it for piper nigrum, or black pepper. Allspice is the only spice that is native to the Western Hemisphere. The evergreen trees grew wildly in the rain forests of South and Central America and are now cultivated in Mexico, Jamaica, and other Central American countries. Allspice is used for its carminative and digestive properties. Like cloves, it also contains eugenol. It has warming, blood vessels diluting properties and can be used as a treatment of arthritis and to sooth sore muscles. However, the essential oil of allspice can irritate the skin.

Anise is a plant from the family Umbelliferae ( also called Apiaceae) and is native to the Eastern Mediterranean and South West Asia. Its essential oils deliver the fragrance and flavor of licorice. Anise was traditionally used to aid digestion. It has strong carminative properties and can also be used as a mild expectorant. It is popularly used in cough medicines and to freshen the breath. It has antiseptic and antispasmodic properties.

Cardamom, known in India as the queen of spices, comes from the ginger family. It a very aromatic, old spice that was native to Southern India since ancient times. Today, cardamom is also cultivated in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Mexico, Guatemala, and Central America. Entire pods and the seeds are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes. Cardamom is well known for its stimulating and carminative properties. It is used to treat variety of digestive problems, including indigestion, constipation, stomach ache, and dysentery. The seeds are traditionally chewed in India after a meal to aid digestion. Cardamom is also used to treat teeth and gum infections, to heal throat infections, and to break kidney and gall stones. The Arabs attributed aphrodisiac properties to it.

Chili is a member of the Capsicum family. Known for its "hot" taste and flavor, chili is rich in vitamin C. The red fruits are rich in beta carotene. The active compound, capsaicin, seems to have a positive effect on the blood levels of cholesterol. It also works as anticoagulant. Both aspects are valuable for people who wish to prevent cardiovascular disease. Capsaisin has thermogenic properties and may increase metabolism. Applied topically, it gives relief from arthritic joint pain.

Cinnamon is a spice derived from the inner bark of a tropical evergreen tree from the Laurel or Lauraceae family native to Sri Lanka. Cinnamon was greatly valued for its carminative properties and was used to treat nausea and flatulence. It is used to treat a number of digestive disorders. Used alone or with other spices it can alleviate diarrhea. It is a warming spice that has been used to treat colds and circulatory problems. It was used traditionally to treat toothache and bad breath. Recent research have demonstrated that cinnamon may considerably reduce blood sugar, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. It is important to know that cinnamon contains volatile oils that can be toxic if it is consumed in large amounts over a long period of time. It is suggested to supplement with Cinnulin PF which is extracted from cinnamon in a process in which the toxins found in whole cinnamon are filtered out.

Cloves are the highly aromatic, unopened flower buds of an evergreen tree native to India and Indonesia that is also cultivated in Zanzibar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Pakistan. Cloves are widely used in Indian and Mexican cuisines, and are one of the flavors associated with Christmas throughout the Western world. Cloves are well known for their carminative properties. They help to increase the secretion of the hydrochloric acid and improve peristalsis. In the Traditional Chinese Medicine they are considered to be a warming spice. Cloves are used in dentistry for their analgesic properties. The active compound eugenol constitutes up to 90 per cent of the essential oil extracted from dried cloves. It has antiseptic and analgesic properties, but can also be toxic when ingested even in small amounts.

Cumin are the seeds of a plant from the carrot family. Its origins are in the Mediterranean, but it is now cultivated in India, China, Indonesia, and Japan. Cumin's history dates back to the Old Testament. It is used in cuisines of Asia and the Middle East, but also in Central and Eastern Europe where it is added to dishes that are considered to be difficult to digest. Cumin is regarded as a good source of iron and manganese. It contains compounds that help with digestion and prevent bloating.

Ginger is the root of the plant Zingiber officinale that was first cultivated throughout Asia and which later spread to West Africa and the Caribbean. The active compound in ginger is called gingerol. Gingerol is a powerful anti-oxidant that has demonstrated cancer fighting properties. It is generally used to prevent motion sickness and nausea. Ginger is used to ease digestive problems and colic. However, it is strictly contraindicated for people with gall stones as it increases the bile secretion. Ginger has anti-inflammatory and blood thinning properties. It can also decrease lipid levels in serum thus helping to prevent cardiovascular disease.

Nutmeg is the seed of the evergreen tree Myristica fragrans native to the Spice Islands (Mollucas) and is now cultivated in the Caribbean. The tree produces two spices - nutmeg and mace. Used in small doses, nutmeg can relieve a number of digestive disorders such as indigestion, flatulence, and diarrhea. It helps to alleviate nausea. The essential oil containing myristicin found application in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, where it is used to produce cough syrup and toothpaste. Myristicin taken in large doses is toxic. It can cause hallucinations, convulsions, nausea, vomiting, and even death. This effects will not be experienced even with the most generous culinary use of the spice.

Pepper or piper nigrum, commonly known as the black pepper, is a flowering vine from the family Piperaceae, native to the monsoon forests of the Malabar coast of Southwest India. For a long time it was called the King of spices and highly valued as such. Like many other spices, pepper has not only been valued in the kitchen as a seasoning, but widely used as medicine. It was used to cure many digestive disorders, but also to treat colds, insects bites, joint pain, lung and liver dysfunction, tooth decay, toothache, and oral abscesses. An alkaloid compound found in pepper called piperine was found to enhance the absorption of selenium, beta carotene, vitamins of the B group, as well as other nutrients. Piperine is often added to nutritional supplements to enhance their bio-availability. Pepper contains small amounts of a mildly carcinogenic compound called safrole. When consumed in large quantities it is known to irritate the intestinal tract.

Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of the saffron crocus, a species of crocus from the iris family of Iridaceae native to West Asia. A saffron crocus bears three stigmas which are dried and used as a spice. Saffron is considered to be the most expensive spice in the world. It takes about 75,000 blossoms to produce one pound of it. Saffron has been used to induce sweat, to suppress spasms, and to promote menstruation. Saffron has been recognized for its carminative and sedative properties. It contains many active compounds, especially carotenoids, including alpha and beta carotenes, zeaxantin, and lycopene. The high content of zeaxantine makes this spice useful in preventing macular degeneration. The most recent studies conducted in Australia and in Italy demonstrated that the vision of patients with macular degeneration improved considerably after ingestion of saffron. Saffron appeared to affect the genes regulating fatty-acid content of the cell membrane, and this makes the vision cells stronger, more resilient, and more resistant to damage. Japanese researchers found that two compounds found in saffron - crocetin and crocin - are able to improve memory and learning skills in laboratory animals. These findings indicate that saffron extract may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders and related memory impairment. Saffron used in high doses may be detrimental to health. It can stimulate uterine contractions and should not be used therapeutically by pregnant women. Moreover, in doses higher than 12 g it may cause a kidney damage, paralysis of the central nervous system, and possibly death.

Star anise is an evergreen plant native to South China and Vietnam. The star shaped fruits are harvested and dried before they can ripen. The dried seedpods have a flavor similar to anise and has been used for centuries in both, cooking and medicine. Like anise, star anise contains anethole. It has been used traditionally as a carminative, to relieve colic, and to promote digestion. It has some stimulating and diuretic properties. In China, where it is an ingredient in the famous Five Spices Powder, star anise is used to relieve gastrointestinal disorders, relieve cough, increase libido, ease birth, increase the milk production in new mothers, and to relieve menopausal problems. Star anise is well known for its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, expectorant, and anti-spasmodic properties. Used externally, it can help relieve back pain and rheumatism. A caution is advised as it can cause dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Star anise contains an active compound called shikimic acid which is used by the pharmaceutical industry to produce the famous antiviral medicine called Tamiflu. The Chinese star anise, Illicium verum, should not be confused with the Japanese star anise, Illicium anisatum, which is highly poisonous and normally used as incense for its purifying aroma.

Turmeric is a perennial plant from the ginger family Zingiberaceae. It is one of the oldest spices native to South East Asia and currently also cultivated in Australia, Peru, and the Caribbean. Turmeric has many uses. It was applied to alleviate digestive problems. Known for its antiseptic and antibiotic qualities, it was used to desinfect and heal infected wounds. Turmeric's active compound curcumin has been subject to extensive research. Studies demonstrated that it has very strong anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-amyloid, and anti-inflammatory activity. Numerous clinical studies are underway to study curcumin's effects on pancreatic cancer, colon cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Combined with piperine, curcumin may prevent the growth and proliferation of breast cancer.

 Conclusion

New studies are being published in medical journals and alternative health publications on regular basis. Many conditions can be improved and prevented by simply adding these natural ingredients to your meals. Add some spice to your life and boost your health and vitality. After all you are what you eat! Remember, however, that some spices are very potent and should be used with caution. They can interfere with some medication. Some phytochemicals in spices have been shown to demonstrate mutagenic, carcinogenic, and allergenic properties. Some spices used in therapeutic doses may disrupt growth and the development of the embryo. Used in moderation, however, spices are beneficial. As with everything else, common sense is essential.

By Dominique Allmon

This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.


Add some spice to your life and improve your health by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Fight Grey Hair with Four Superfoods!

By Tara Smith

Why do some people start seeing gray hairs in high school while others have a bright head of hair well into their golden years?

The answer is a mix of genetics, age and overall health - with a few other factors thrown in.

Here’s what could be causing those silver strands to crop up...

• Hydrogen peroxide buildup. H2O2 is produced naturally in your body, but you become less able to break it down as you age. As it builds up in your cells, it can interfere with melanin, the pigment that colors your hair.
• Vitamin B12 deficiency. Without enough B12, hair becomes dull, brittle and dry. You should know that some drugs may interfere with your absorption of the vitamin - for example, drugs used to treat acid reflux and ulcers, such as Pepcid, Prilosec and Zantac.
• Smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes may damage the hair follicles and slow the production of melanin. Smokers are four times more likely to go gray prematurely.
• Stress. Although there’s no definitive proof that your kids or your demanding job cause gray hairs... stress may be a factor. Some researchers believe it affects your “follicle factories.”

Several illnesses like autoimmune and thyroid disorders are also associated with gray hair.

Nature’s Hair Care

So what can you do? Try these superfoods to chase away the gray - or at least slow down the process.

1. Oysters. They’re rich in copper, which your body needs to produce the melanin that colors your hair.
2. Alfalfa. Alfalfa has something that can keep your hair strong, shiny and rich in color: Silica. If you aren’t too excited about eating alfalfa every day... you can also get your silica from bell peppers, beets and whole grains.
3. Fish, meat and eggs. Animal products like these are the only natural sources of vitamin B12. Plus, the protein and amino acids they contain will improve your hair’s texture and strength.
4. Kefir. If you’re deficient in vitamin B12, kefir can help, too. It’s a fermented drink that contains bacteria and yeast, and these work together to help your body absorb B vitamins.

And if you’re concerned about brittle, dry hair, I recommend a strengthening and thickening hair spray.

About the author:

Tara Smith ARNP NP-C, is a board-certified nurse practitioner. Her medical concentration is on aesthetics, teaching and family practice. Tara is conducting research trials into novel ways of naturally boosting the human growth hormone and working on a new book on anti-aging for women.

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

How to Prevent Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer is a cancer that affects the breast tissues. It usually forms in the ducts that carry milk to the nipples and in the glands that make milk (lobules). This life-threatening disease affects mostly women, but also more and more men. Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in the world.

There are many factors that lead to cancer and any nutritional and lifestyle approach to prevent it must address them all. Anti-cancer nutritional program has three goals:

• strengthen the immune system
• avoid or neutralize carcinogens
• protect DNA and prevent cellular damage

Even with all the advances in both, the diagnostic medicine and the pharmaceutical technology, the mortality rate for breast cancer remains very high. And while the medical establishment still quarrels about the role of food in the disease genealogy and prevention, the nutritionists are aware of the fact that nutrients have been used to cure and prevent disease since thousands of years. And although nutrition cannot be the sole cure for cancer, healthy nutrition, rich in fresh fruit and vegetable, contributes to a stronger immune system and overall well being.

Food compounds that have very high cancer-preventive potential are investigated in laboratory setting of many serious research institutions.

The anti breast-cancer diet should include high doses of vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin, calcium glucarate, omega-3 fatty acids, and the oleic acid. Power foods such as pomegranate, raspberries, cruciferous vegetables rich in the cancer fighting indole-3-carbinole, curcumin found in curry, green tea, soy isoflavones, flax rich in lingans, and medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake and maitake, all contain compounds that may act synergistically to promote breast health. Although the mechanisms of action are not yet fully understood, most of these compounds are very potent antioxidants and appear to promote apoptosis, or programmed cell death thus "exterminating" cancerous cells in the breast tissue. Some of them also reduce inflammation as well as the proliferation of blood vessels to the tumor, and even stop the metastasis or spread of cancerous cells in the body.

These potent foods act in synergy and prevent the DNA damage, inhibit growth and reproduction of cancerous cells in the body and help reduce inflammation. Consuming them on regular bases and adding more fresh fruit and vegetables to your diet, and removing at the same time all foods that contain preservatives, additives, sugar, hydrogenated and saturated fat, and too much salt, should help your body to detoxify, alkalize and maintain proper pH balance. This is important step in cancer prevention as cancers cannot grow in alkaline condition.

Changes in your diet will also help you to lose weight, if you need to, and keep the weight off. Remember that obesity is one of the greatest risk factors for breast cancer and the lowest survival rate after the cancer have been treated.

If you suffer from hypothyroidism, make sure that you bring your thyroid hormones back to normal levels. Hypothyroidism precedes most breast disease. By taking control of this problem as soon as it appears, you will decrease your risk of developing breast cancer.

Learn how to do your own breast self-examination and perform it on a regular basis. A great majority of lumps are detected by the women themselves!

Advanced breast cancer does not respond well to therapy. This is why prevention is more important than ever. Implementing healthy eating habits and understanding how your nutrition affects your body, reducing saturated fat consumption, avoiding alcohol and cigarettes, and exercising at least three to four times a week, is vital and will help you maintain a strong immune system.

And don't forget that a positive outlook is as important as your nutrition for your immune system to stay strong and your body to heal and repair all the damage that happens on cellular level long before any disease can be diagnosed.

By Dominique Allmon

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

How to Prevent Breast Cancer? by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

How to Heal Candida Naturally

Clear fungal infections with foods and nutritional supplements and stay infection free for life

Many people complain about declining health and number of recurrent disparate symptoms for which there seem to be no explanation. The ailments are often dismissed as psychosomatic or treated with antibiotics - a practice that only worsens the overall condition of a patient. A thorough examination, however, may show that a person suffers from candidiasis - a fungal infection caused by number of Candida species, most commonly by Candida albicans. Candidiasis infections range from superficial, such as skin infections which are relatively easy to cure, to poly-systemic mycosis that can be life threatening if not diagnosed and medicated properly.

Candida albicans together with many other microorganisms constitutes the flora which colonizes our internal and external bodily surfaces soon after birth. Our health and well being depend on a balance between various microorganisms, especially the balance between the good and the harmful microorganisms in the intestines. Researchers identified about 400 different species of microflora that can live in the gut. Most of these organisms are transient and occur in small numbers.

In healthy people Candida albicans remains non-invasive. However, when the balance of the intestinal flora is damaged due to poor diet, toxins, use of laxatives, medication with antibiotics, or stress, the balance between the health promoting lacto- and bifidobacteria and the harmful organisms normally present in the intestines, is disturbed. The beneficial organisms die out while pathogens proliferate. With the decrease of the protective friendly flora our system is open to invasion and colonization by harmful opportunistic organisms including Candida albicans. With the increased numbers, the normally harmless microorganisms begin to cause harm in the body.

The resulting imbalance leads to many ailments including

• digestive disorders
• insufficient nutrient absorption
• recurrent infections due to poorly functioning immune system
• inflammation
• hormonal imbalance
• skin ailments and allergies
• mental and emotional disorders

Some conditions, such as hypothyroidism, hypoglycemia, diabetes, intestinal toxicity, and chronic stress, allow candida overgrowth. These conditions have to be addressed if one wants to cure Candida and avoid new Candida infections in the future.

Candida albicans is a single cell dimorphic organism. It can change its morphology from the non-invasive sugar-fermenting yeast to mycelial, rhizoids producing invasive mold. In its invasive form Candida albicans can penetrate the gastrointestinal mucosa, thus breaking the boundary between the digestive tract and the rest of the body. It enters the blood stream and infests other organs of the body. Moreover, it releases antigenic material and toxic by-products of its own metabolism into the body of a host. Researchers identified 79 toxins produced by Candida. The immune system reacts frantically by producing antibodies to all the toxins. This indiscriminate reaction leads to hypersensitivity that characterizes poly-systemic chronic candidiasis. An infected person becomes sensitive to scents and odors, feels dizzy and wakes up in the morning feeling "inebriated".

Diagnosis includes several tests of stool cultures and a blood test, as well as a very reliable organic acid urine test. Once positive diagnosis has been made, a patient is given anti fungal medication. Unfortunately, fungicides are either ineffective or harmful to the liver and many people turn to alternative therapies. A successful healing strategy involves destruction of harmful organisms, detoxification, reconstruction of the mucosa, and restoration of the immune system.

A patient has to follow strict anti-candida diet in order to "starve" Candida. Since yeasts are able to ferment dietary sugar, sugar promotes the growth of yeast and has to be avoided in all its forms (saccharose, glucose, lactose, maltose, and fructose). Refined carbohydrates such as white bread and pasta, should also be eliminated from the diet. Alcohol, vinegar, and stimulants such as coffee and soda should be avoided and replaced with purified water. Patients are advised not to consume any processed foods as they may contain sugar and other substances detrimental to health. Complex carbohydrates, non-starchy vegetables, lean meat and fish should be consumed instead. Foods such as garlic, non-pasteurized lactic acid fermented sauerkraut, virgin coconut oil, foods with high fiber content, and natural, sugar-free organic yogurt with live cultures, are beneficial. Yeast- and lactose-free nutritional supplements should support healthy diet. Supplements are to be taken to destroy the candida overgrowth, repopulate the intestinal tract with beneficial organisms, and to restore gastrointestinal health and the immune system.

Supplements with Candida healing properties:

• Caprylic acid
• Clove oil
• Colloidal silver
• Enzymes, especially Cellulase and Hemicellulase
  
• Mastic gum
• Grapefruit seed extract
• Olive leaf extract
• Oil of oregano
• Propolis
• Pau d'arco
• Tea tree oil applied topically (to heal athlete's foot or nail fungus)
  

Supplements to restore the health of gastrointestinal tract:

• Probiotics
• Digestive enzymes
• Fiber
• Omega-3 essential fatty acids
• Alpha Lipoic Acid
• CoQ 10
• L-Glutamine
• Phosphatidyl choline
• Chromium polynicotinate
• Vanadium sulfate
• Bioflavonids, especially Quercetine
• Betaine HCL

Supplements to support immune system:

• Colostrum
• L-Arginine
• Organic germanium
• Plant sterols
• Probiotics
• Reishi mushroom extract
• Vitamins A, B complex, C, and E

A word about mushrooms 

It is often wrongly assumed, that consumption of mushrooms will worsen candida. This reasoning uses simple generalization and species analogy in which fungus supposedly nourishes fungus. It has to be mentioned that Candida albicans, both as yeast and in its mycelin form, is a different species than mushrooms such as reishi. The popular belief is that by consuming mushrooms one is feeding candida and causing it to grow. It is however forgotten that candida cannot ferment and digest other fungus or mushrooms. It does not feed on mushrooms. It thrives on sugar. And while the Candida overgrowth is a condition that has to be addressed, medicinal mushrooms such as reishi, shiitake, and maitake have been used for centuries to detoxify and strengthen the body and to restore the immune system. Some medicinal mushrooms contain compounds that show amazingly strong anti-fungal activity and can be safely used to curtail the Candida infection.

Candida die off reactions

As I mentioned before, the goal of an Anti-Candida program is to destroy the yeast overgrowth, especially the Candida albicans in its mycelial form. Depending on a person's physical condition and the stage of Candida, one may experience mild to a more severe reactions that are known as the Herxheimer reaction. As the Candida dies rapidly after anti fungal herbs and supplements have been introduced into the system, it releases large amount of toxins. This leads to a toxic overload. The immune system and the detoxification pathways in the body are overwhelmed in already weakened patient. One may experience symptoms such as dizziness, headache, nausea, joint and muscle pain, skin rush. It is important to continue the Anti-Candida program and support the system with a lighter diet, purified water and plenty of rest. It may be necessary to reduce the dose of the anti-fungal one is taking, but one should never be tempted to stop the program. The preliminary symptoms clear as soon as the endotoxins have been cleared from the body.

The anti fungal therapy may seem very complex, but the protocols have to be followed consequently and with determination. It is possible to naturally restore the balance of microorganisms in the body and this takes time. With a little help, the body is able to reactivate its own healing mechanisms. To support the healing process detoxify your environment and avoid contact with harmful chemicals. Moderate physical activity and relaxation will help you stay fit and reduce the stress that is perpetuating your condition. Find an experienced health practitioner and join a support group. Your self-discipline and perseverance will pay off and you will be able to enjoy healthy, symptom-free life again.

By Dominique Allmon

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.


How to Heal Candida Naturally by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Health Benefits of Probiotics

In the past when antibiotics were first introduced into our world, most people had a very vague idea about bacteria in general. Most didn't recognize the extreme importance of the friendly bacteria living in our own bodies. The term "bacteria" was more often than not used to describe something harmful, something that could cause a disease.

Now people are becoming more and more aware of the fact that there are also beneficial bacteria without which life would not be possible. It is actually the friendly, life-sustaining bacteria which live inside our bodies and on our skin that keep our bodies functioning and thriving. Without them we would not be able to exist. They not only keep the bad bacteria in check, but have many other health-sustaining functions.

Our bodies are designed to function best with millions of friendly probiotic bacteria living in our intestinal tract and on our skins. There are more than four hundred different bacteria living in the human gastrointestinal tract. The most common forms of intestinal probiotics are L. acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum.

In the past, we constantly replaced the probiotics in our system by eating organic vegetables grown in soil that was rich in soil-based organisms or by consuming raw milk products. Today we need to supplement as almost all milk products on the market are made of homogenized, pasteurized milk and most vegetable grow in depleted soil.

Our digestive systems especially rely heavily on friendly probiotic bacteria to aid in digestion and assimilation of our food. Hydrocarbons are broken down by probiotic bacteria which means that the food is being split into its most basic elements. This allows almost total absorption through the digestive system. In this way probiotics dramatically increase overall nutrition and enhance rapid cellular growth and development.

Probiotics not only aid digestion, but also help clean the digestive tract and reduce inflammation in the colon. Digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea and constipation are safely relieved by probiotics. The bowel movements become normalized.

Studies have shown that probiotics, especially acidophilus, promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduce the conversion of bile into carcinogens or cancer-causing substances.

Probiotics also stimulate the production of many important enzymes such as the lactose digesting enzyme lactase, and increase the availability of vitamins especially Vitamin B, Vitamin K, and nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, and fatty acids.

The friendly bacteria also stimulate B-Lymphocyte and related anti-body production. They produce huge pools of extra anti-bodies, ready to protect and defend against infection. They not only stimulates the immune system thus helping the organism fight off acute infections but also help alleviate allergies, chronic fatigue syndrome and systemic candida.

Probiotics may also be useful in maintaining urogenital health. Like the intestinal tract, the vagina is a finely balanced ecosystem. The dominant lactobacilli strains normally make the vagina too acidic for harmful microorganisms to survive there. But this finely tuned system can be thrown out of balance by a number of factors, including extreme stress, antibiotics, spermicides, and birth control pills. Probiotic treatment may help restore the equilibrium and alleviate such common female urogenital problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, and urinary tract infections.

There are many probiotic products on the market now and they vary in quality and efficacy. In order to be effective, the bacteria in these supplements must be "alive" and active and able to reach the intestines unaffected by the stomach acid. The supplements must be sugar or glucose free as both, sugar and glucose, actually slow down the growth of lactobacilli. Very few supplements are actually viable.

The best way to deliver the healthy bacteria to the system is to acquire them through cultured foods where they are still actively involved in the fermentation process. Because the probiotics are in a food-based medium, the body can easily recognize and absorb them. Also, the food itself very easy to digest because it has been "predigested" by the friendly bacteria and is therefore an instant source of nutrients and life sustaining energy.

Cultured foods include kefir and yogurt made from organic raw milk, homemade sauerkraut and kimchi, unpasteurized miso paste, traditionally brewed unpasteurized kombucha, unpasteurized vinegars such as apple cider vinegar or coconut vinegar. People on a vegan diet may enjoy coconut or nut and seed based yogurts and cheeses made with controlled ferments.

Many common organically grown leafy green vegetable are also excellent sources of probiotics. The best green supplements for increasing probiotics include spirulina, chlorella, barley and  wheat grass. The advantage of getting these disease-fighting bacteria from green sources is that these foods are also very high in other nutrients such a s the immune system-stimulating vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants. They also help to alkalize and detoxify the body.

Because stress, unhealthy lifestyles, unhealthy acidic diets, and most importantly, over-medication with antibiotics, deplete probiotics naturally occurring in our bodies, it is vital to add probiotics to our diet. Probiotics must be used to re-populate intestines with the healthy bacteria after intensive treatment with antibiotics, radiation or chemotherapy.

And although it is easier to take a capsule or two, enriching the diet with naturally fermented foods is probably more effective and fun.

By Dominique Allmon

Benefits of Probiotics by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.


*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

Aminocare - Dr. Burzynski's Genetic Solution To Aging

I met Dr. Burzynski on the plane to Houston, TX around Thanksgivings in 2007 and I knew right away that he was a quite remarkable human being. He was traveling back from Thailand together with his wife Barbara.

I must admit that I never heard his name before and I was quite amazed when Mrs. Burzynski, who is also a physician, told me about her husband's research field.

When I finally was able to look at his website and try his products, I was more than amazed. And although I am neither a doctor nor a scientist, I share Dr. Burzynski's passion for progress in the cancer research and the anti-aging technology. And I admire his personal "crusade" against the system.

Dr. Burzynski is a world famous oncologist and biochemist who was born and educated in Poland. He is widely recognized for both, his work as a physician and a scientist with more than 250 publications publications in his field which he authored or co-authored. He received numerous awards from many prestigious institutions. In 1977 he established the Burzynski Clinic in Houston, TX, where more than 8,000 patients with terminal cancer have been treated with remarkable success. 

Dr. Burzynski devotes great part of his time to the research of causes and treatments for cancer. In 1967 he pioneered the development and application of biologically active peptides in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. This was the time when he identified naturally occurring peptides in the human body which seemed to control the growth of cancer. He realized that cancer patients were deficient in these very peptides. Later in his life, he named these peptides Antineoplastons for their ability to correct and normalize neoplastic, or cancerous cells. His research was based on the discovery of natural bio-active peptides in the late 1800s by the Polish scientist, Stanislaus Bondzynski who at that time did not realize that the bio-active peptides could stop the growth of tumors.

Using his knowledge and experience in the field of oncology and biochemistry, Dr. Burzynski and his team of researchers conceived Aminocare® - the genetic solution to aging. The goal of this latest work is the prevention of the detrimental effects of aging and extension of longevity. His new approach focuses on genetics.

There are approximately 30,000 genes that are active in the human body. A large number of these genes are responsible for the human growth and development at birth. As we age, the amount of active genes diminishes and we observe the slackening of many bodily functions and processes: our metabolism slows dawn, immune system weakens, we lose energy and observe the evident signs of aging. What happens is the gene silencing process due to methylation, in which the good genes that normally promote growth and regeneration are being "switched off" while at the same time genes that are responsible for degeneration and disease are being "switched on". Aging and finally, death are the results of this natural process.

Dr. Burzynski's research shows that the aging process may be reversed and slowed dawn. He developed formulations containing peptides and amino acid derivatives called antineoplastons. Antineoplastons are believed to function as switches that turn on the inactive tumor suppressor genes as well as other genes that are being switched off due to the aging process. Aminocare® products contain components similar to the antineoplastons. They are the active ingredients that work genetically on a molecular level to reverse the signs of aging.

The Aminocare® line includes three different supplements and two formulations for the skin:

• Aminocare® A10 formulated to support body's own defense mechanisms, regulate normal cell division and protect the body from toxin. Aminocare® contains seven amino acids, a derivative of L-glutamin, and Vitamin B2.
• Aminocare® Brain is a unique formulation of amino acids which are key precursors to proteins, including important enzymes, that work in synergy to regulate cellular pathways in the body. The product also includes unique Curcumin C3 Complex® and BioPerine®. Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory and immune boosting properties. BioPerine® is an active ingredient derived from black pepper berries. In clinical studies BioPerine®  increased bioavailability of nutrients. 
• Aminocare® Skin Cream formulated to restore proper balance in gene expression which is characteristic to young skin and to stimulate natural cell rejuvenation. The cream contains two main active ingredients: the Tahitian tamanu oil known for its anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, and two derivatives of L-glutamine discovered by Dr. Burzynski. The anti-aging effect is more profound as these ingredients work on the genetic level. They work as genetic switches by turning on the genes that have been silenced due to the aging process and turning off the genes that have increased activity during the aging process.
• Aminocare® Skin Lotion with identical content to the cream, but different in its consistency.

Regular supplementation with Aminocare® A10 helps to restore and maintain optimal levels of amino acids and riboflavin. The product delivers energy to the muscles, the brain, and to the central nervous system. It helps to regulate blood sugar and facilitates the detoxification process in the body. It helps to improve metabolism and digestion, activates the immune system and stimulates the release of the human growth hormone.

The Aminocare® products are unique in their composition and action in the body. They represent the result of more than thirty years of research by a devoted scientist, a promising breakthrough in the research of disease prevention, aging and longevity.

By Dominique Allmon ©2009

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

For more information please visit The Burzynski Clinic

To learn more about the Antineoplastons Therapy please click here

Supporting Your Health During Allergy Season

By Keri Marshall, MS, ND

 

For many people, after a long hard winter, the budding of trees and spring flowers is a greatly anticipated time of year. However, for allergy sufferers, it can be an unwelcome time as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes prevail. Being proactive with your health during allergy season can help prevent most symptoms and make springtime a time to be outdoors planting your garden and enjoying some warm sunshine.

During allergy season, the body has a tendency to produce higher levels of histamine. Histamine is a neurotransmitter that is released from mast cells when the body is exhibiting an allergic reaction or immune response. Histamine dilates blood vessels and increases blood vessel permeability. This can lead to visual signs in the body such as localized swelling, warmth, and redness. Histamine also irritates nerve endings that can lead to itching and pain. The bump and redness immediately following a mosquito bite is a good example of this reaction, which can occur seconds after the body is challenged by an allergen. If you are a person whose body “overreacts” to bug bites, then it is likely your body has a tendency towards inflammation and allergy.

You can do several things to support your body in an effort to normalize histamine levels and regulate overall bodily inflammation. Berries such as blueberries, cherries, and raspberries as well as mango contain a good amount of bioflavonoids. These phytochemicals help to stabilize mast cells in the body and decrease overall histamine response, thus reducing inflammation.

The nettle plant is a perennial herb well known for its stinging hairs on the stem and leaf. Nettle leaf has a great number of naturally occurring nutrients, including chlorophyll, protein, ascorbic acid, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K1, potassium, and zinc. These nutrients work together to promote the health of skin, bones and joints as well as encouraging a healthy immune and respiratory system. Nettle leaf also contains flavonoids such as quercitin and rutin that help maintain healthy levels of histamine in the body by increasing histamine efficiency.

Also, try taking a daily dose of vitamin C during allergy season. Research shows that 1 gram a day can help reduce overall histamine levels in the body. There are also a number of foods that tend to increase histamine levels in the body such a0s strawberries, tomato, chocolate, wine, bananas, and shellfish. These foods should be limited or avoided altogether during allergy season.

Lastly, try using a HEPA air filter. It can reduce dust in your home’s main living areas as well as eliminate circulating pollen that enters through open windows. Be sure to keep windowsills wiped down in the bedroom and sweep under the bed. Keep in mind: the bedroom should be the most dust-free room, as this is where you will have the most concentrated period of breathing throughout the day!

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

Article source here

How to Get Rid of Parasites?

Everything you eat, drink, or handle could be inviting unwanted guests to set up home inside your body. It may not be the most pleasant subject, but it's the reality of the world in which we live. Harmful organisms affect billions of people.

It's estimated 90% of the population may have some form of harmful organism lurking in their bodies and not know it! These intruders live in and feed off the host, depriving them of vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids, altering natural pH levels, decreasing energy levels, and creating an acidic environment within the body.

Signs of parasitic infection:

• fatigue
• bloating
• irritability
• poor vision
• bad breath
• itchy rectum
• yellow skin
• poor memory
• sleep problems
• lack of appetite
• intestinal malfunction
• unexplained weight gain

Once a person is infested, it's not too difficult to eliminate the adult organisms. The more difficult part lies in dealing with the complete life cycle of these intruders. Fortunately, there are powerful herbs traditionally used to help the body establish an internal environment that is unfavorable and even hostile to unwanted invaders.

The most effective parasite fighting herbs:

• Organic Black Walnut Hull (From Green Hull) - One of the strongest and most versatile herbs for removing harmful organisms, the kernel and green hull are the most potent parts of the Black Walnut to promote Harmful Organism cleansing of the intestinal tract. The high tannin content of the green hull is primarily responsible for the walnuts beneficial properties. Other constituents such as juglandin, juglone, and juglandic acid are also involved in the purging process. Some research suggests Black Walnut can oxygenate the blood, which also helps create a hostile environment to harmful organisms. The green husk also contains organic iodine, which possesses antimicrobial properties assisting your intestinal tract in the cleansing of harmful organisms.
• Organic Male Fern Root - Researchers have determined that male fern root contains the compounds filicin, filmarone, and oleoresin, which help establish an environment toxic to a broad range of harmful organisms in your body.
• Organic Clove - Clove Bud is considered one of the best herbs for killing eggs from harmful organisms and it also acts as a powerful fungicide.
• Organic Wormwood - References to Wormwood date back to 1600 BC in Egypt. Historically, wormwood has been used as an intestinal cleanser and anti-parasite herb. Wormwood creates an extremely hostile environment for harmful organisms in your intestinal tract and also promotes healthy digestive processes such as increasing liver and gallbladder secretions.
• Organic Fresh Water Diatomaceous Earth (DE) - The razor sharp edges of the diatoms in Diatomaceous Earth discourage colonization of harmful organisms in the intestinal tract. These sharp edges slice tiny holes in the outer shells of harmful organisms, causing them to lose vital fluids and die. This natural substance helps the body fight harmful organisms without chemicals. DE won't harm beneficial Probiotic organisms in the bowel, and ingestion of Diatomaceous Earth is not toxic to mammals.
• Organic Kamala - Kamala has been traditionally used to eliminate intestinal and blood-borne organisms. Kamala is especially useful for eliminating tapeworms & rounnd is known to act quickly and effectively.
• Organic Anamu - Anamu is a flowering plant that grows wild in South America, Mexico, Texas and other similar regions. It has a long history of medicinal use, that includes helping relieve intesintal gas, expels harmful organisms and promote a healthy immune system.
• Organic American Wormseed (Chenopodium) - Derived from the seeds and other aboveground parts of wormseed, Chenopodium is an excellent ingredient for any product used to promote a healthy intestinal environment. Before being popularized by the medical establishment in America during the 19th century, American Wormseed was frequently used by Native Americans to support digestive health. Wormseed is also said to have properties for removing intestinal irritants that cause spasms within the colon wall. Wormseed contains up to 90% ascaridol - an ingredient found to be useful for discouraging intestinal invaders.
 

As worm populations build up over time, many of the health problems caused by these worms become chronic. The worms can cause malnutrition as they rob the body of food - either by reducing appetite, or by preventing food from being absorbed properly once it has been eaten. Children with chronic worm infections and large numbers of worms may become stunted and underweight.

Heavy infections with roundworm can cause bowel obstruction. Intestinal worms - especially hookworm - can contribute to anemia by causing intestinal bleeding and thus loss of blood. The larger the number of worms, the more likely they are to make a person ill. Chronic infections can lead to long-term retardation of mental and physical development and, in very severe infections, even death.

The long-term presence of parasites may contribute to the development of food allergies.

Harmful organisms may be present in food or water and are more and more frequently being identified as causes of food-borne illness in the United States. The illnesses they cause can range from mild discomfort to debilitating illness and possibly even death. A parasitic detox should be performed at least twice a year.

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

*Information courtesy of Diagnose me & GHC website

Vitamin K - An Extraordinary Anti-Aging Nutrient

Learn how vitamin K strengthens bones, protects arteries, and prevents cancer and other degenerative diseases

Unlike many other nutrients, vitamin K did not receive much attention in the past. New research, however, indicates that this vitamin is one of the most amazing anti-aging nutrients available to us. An ongoing scientific research suggests that vitamin K may play a significant role in preventing certain cancers and the Alzheimer's disease.

What is vitamin K?

Vitamin K is a group of fat-soluble vitamins that can be found in nature and made in the body. Phylloquinone, or vitamin K1, is the natural form of vitamin K that is found in plants such as dark green leafy vegetables, alfalfa, and kelp. Menaquinone, or vitamin K2, is the vitamin K produced by the bacteria in our intestines. Menadione, or vitamin K3, is a synthetic compound that has the chemical structure of the natural vitamin K. This form of vitamin K, however, is regarded as toxic because it generates free radicals.

Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 by a Danish researcher Henrik Dam. He noticed that chicken that were fed a fat-free diet were susceptible to hemorrhage. Moreover, blood taken from these birds coagulated very slowly. Intrigued by this observation, he investigated this strange phenomena and found out that a particular substance was necessary for the blood to coagulate. The chickens in his experiment lacked it because that substance was found only in the fatty foods. He named that substance "coagulation vitamin" using the German spelling, hence the name vitamin K. 

Vitamin K is easily destroyed by extreme heat, light, alkaline substances, strong acids, radiation, and oxidizing agents. Some research, however, shows that cooking does not significantly diminish vitamin K content in vegetables.

Vitamin K is absorbed from the upper small intestine with the help of bile salts and pancreatic juices and carried to the liver where it is utilized in the synthesis of prothrombin - a key blood clotting factor in the body. Vitamin K is stored in small doses within the body. The highest concentrations are found in the liver, the pancreas, and in the bones. Any excess of this vitamin is excreted. High intake of vitamin E and calcium interferes with the absorption of vitamin K.

Functions of vitamin K

• The most important and best studied function of vitamin K is it role in the blood clotting process. Vitamin K is required for the synthesis of the coagulating factors, mostly the blood-clotting protein prothrombin.
• Vitamin K protects the heart because it prevents the calcification of the aorta and the heart valves.
• Vitamin K is responsible for bone health. Low serum levels of vitamin K are normally associated with lower bone mineral density and indicate an increased risk of hip fracture. Supplementation with vitamin K may improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Research shows that when vitamin K is taken together with vitamin D3, it can prevent osteoporosis.
• Vitamin K regulates calcium levels in the body. I helps keep calcium in the bones and out of the arteries. Scientists suggest that by regulating calcium, vitamin K may reverse hypertension and reduce the susceptibility to stroke.
• Research shows that vitamin K has the potential to reduce inflammation in the body by inhibiting interleukin-6, a substance that affects the immune system and is responsible for the inflammatory processes in the body.
• According to the latest research conducted in Japan, vitamin K may be involved in blood sugar control. Pancreas has very  high concentrations of vitamin K and researchers discovered that this vitamin has some effects on insulin and glucose concentrations in the body. Laboratory tests showed that insufficient levels of vitamin K in the body interfere with the clearance of glucose causing release of too much insulin. This discovery may be of great importance in diabetes prevention and treatment.
• Studies demonstrated that vitamin K is a powerful antioxidant. It fights free radicals in the liver and protects linoleic acid from oxidation. It may be useful in preventing liver cancer. Research conducted in Germany also shows that vitamin K may prevent prostate cancer.
• Vitamin K supports the brain and the nervous system. Scientists discovered that vitamin K is required for the synthesis of the fats called sphingolipids that are critical in the formation of the myelin sheath - an outer wrapping around the nerves. This discovery may be useful in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Nutritional sources of vitamin K

Most dietary vitamin K come from vegetable especially from dark leafy greens such as kale, chard, and collards, and from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. Blackstrap molasses, fermented soy products, and polyunsaturated oils also contain significant amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is also found in egg yolks, cow liver, fish liver, yogurt, and Swiss cheese.

Deficiency

Deficiency of vitamin K is very rare and is associated with impaired absorption rather than with inadequate diet. Deficiency occurs when the body cannot absorb this vitamin from the intestines or when the intestinal flora has been destroyed by prolonged treatment with antibiotics. People suffering from cystic fibrosis, celiac disease, and cholestasis may become deficient. Symptoms of vitamin K deficiency usually include tendency to bruises, nose bleeding, gastrointestinal bleeding, gum bleeding, and heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding. 

Recommended daily dose

The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for vitamin K is 80 µg per day for adult men and 65 µg per day for adult women. No more than 50 µg per day may be administered to the newborn babies to prevent hemorrhage.

A healthy, balanced diet usually provides 75 - 150 µg of vitamin K in its natural, bio-available form.

Warning

Although there is no known toxicity associated with high doses of the naturally occurring vitamin K1, synthetic forms of this vitamin should be avoided. High intake of vitamin K is not recommended for individuals taking anticoagulant medications such as Warfarin. Their diet should not contain more than 120 µg of this vitamin.

By Dominique Allmon

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.


Vitamin K - An Extraordinary Anti-Aging Nutrient by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://helpyourselftohealth.blogspot.com/.

Rejuvenate With Raw Foods

Over the years we have been introduced to a multitude of diets and anti-aging programs. They all promise spectacular benefits to health. And while some of them make a lot of sense, they may work for some people and bring disappointment to others. People differ in constitution and metabolism, but there probably is no better way to rejuvenate than through the raw food diet. Although there can be no single recipe for all, the raw food diet advocates claim increased vitality and exceptional health. People with Type 2 diabetes were able to reverse their condition in only thirty days after going on a raw food diet.

Raw food diet is considered to be the secret key to longevity. It has the potential to detoxify the body, reverse degenerative processes, and deliver all the nutrients needed to sustain optimal health. Raw foods contain vitamins, minerals, live enzymes, fiber, amino acids, antioxidants, anti-carcinogens, phytosterols, plant hormones, and many other compounds with high healing potential.

Raw food diet usually comprises of 75-100 per cent uncooked, "living", mostly organic foods. The raw food diet is a diet based on unprocessed and uncooked plant foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, sprouted seeds, grains, and beans, nuts, dried fruit, and seaweed. Raw honey and cold pressed, virgin oils are used. Some proponents of this diet also consume raw, unpasteurized, non homogenized milk and cheese. In some cases nutrient rich organic raw eggs are added to the diet.

There are some foods that are better absorbed when cooked or sprouted. These foods include beans, potatoes, egg plants, asparagus, and most of edible mushrooms. (Although it is possible to eat white button mushrooms in their raw state, for instance, one should be aware that these mushrooms contain cancer-causing hydrazides that are normally destroyed by cooking).

Raw foods are considered to be more nutritious as heating food above 118º F is believed to destroy enzymes that normally could assist in digestion and absorption of food. Cooking is also thought to diminish the nutritional value and "life force" of food. The vitamin content of many vitamins diminishes during cooking and minerals are washed away. Researchers agree that cooking destroys over 50 per cent of B vitamins, with as much as 96 per cent of Thiamine (B1), up to 96 per cent folic acid, and up to 72 per cent of biotin being lost. It is estimated that 70-80 per cent of vitamin C is being wasted due to cooking. Protein loses almost half of its bio-availability. Researchers found that cooking alters protein into substances that may disrupt cellular function and accelerate aging and degenerative processes. The nutritional value of fats is lost as they change their molecular structure during the cooking process. Foods that have been baked or burned, particularly these with a high starch content, contain highly carcinogenic compounds called acrylamides.

People on raw food diet report that raw food diet has numerous health benefits such as:

    * increased levels of energy and stamina

    * increased mental alertness

    * strong immune system

    * improved joint health

    * improved skin tone and overall appearance

    * better digestion

    * normalized body pH

    * weight loss

    * reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes

    * reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease

    * decreased risk of many cancers due to better detoxification of the body

There is a lot of fear and misconception about raw food. Many people do not understand how important it is to consume live foods that are not only rich in vitamins, but also in enzymes. When we eat food that is mostly cooked and denatured through the industrial process, our bodies need enzymes to digest it. Properly chewed raw digest itself and delivers vital enzymes that are so necessary to support bodily functions. Cooked fats, for instance, lack the enzyme lipase and have much less biologically active fatty acids. When we consume raw, virgin oils, they begin their digestion with their own lipase in the slightly acidic environment of our stomachs and enter the small intestine in a predigested form. Cooked fats, on the other hand, reach the small intestine in a highly undigested form and require body's own lipase for their digestion. It is very much possible that this altered fat metabolism plays some role in obesity and cholesterol levels in the blood, as the body is constantly depleted of its own lipase and loses the capability to fully metabolize dietary fats.

Transition to raw food

After years of living on a mostly cooked food diet it may not be easy to make the transition to a 100 per cent raw food diet. The transition may be much easier if a person is living in a warm climate or begins the process during the warmer seasons, as the body temperature may drop a bit in the beginning and we crave warming comfort foods. Adding warming spices such as black pepper, chili peppers, and ginger, will keep the blood circulating. Learning about raw foods and joining a support group where like-minded people exchange ideas and experience will help one to experiment and become more creative in the kitchen. It is, however, important to introduce dietary changes gradually. A certified health practitioner should be consulted if there are some health concerns or an existing disease.

To begin, one should gradually add more fresh fruits and vegetables to the menu. Replacing boiled vegetables with a raw salad, snacking on raw carrots or radishes instead of chips, eating an apple instead of doughnut, drinking freshly squeezed fruit or vegetable juice instead of soda, or having a fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast, are just a few ways simple ways to start the transition.

Initially, one may notice changes in digestion. Enzymes and fiber in raw vegetables may speed up the digestion, causing some discomfort. But as the body adjusts to the new diet and the intestines are working to remove old fecal matter, the discomfort disappears and digestion returns to normal. The detoxification organs are working to remove toxins that accumulated in the body over the years. At this stage one should reduce the consumption of animal products and introduce more raw vegetables. People who do not wish to give up meat, should opt for the best, organic quality on the market.

The preparation of raw food is rather simple, although gourmets now create elaborate raw food menus. Preparing a salad or making a juice are rather easy and one can use all the ingredients that are in season. More complex methods involve sprouting and dehydration of foods. As one feels more comfortable with raw foods, it is sensible to introduce new ingredients and new recipes. Nowadays bookstores offer a multitude of raw recipe books. There are also many websites and raw food networks offering valuable advice.

After the initial transition and detoxification process, when the body has regained the ability to absorb nutrients, a person on a raw food diet will notice visible changes in the way he or she looks and feels. As we age, our bodies need support. Energetically charged nutrition rich in vitamins, enzymes, bioflavonoids, and other vital nutrients, helps us heal, regenerate, and reverse aging. It is believed that human cells are designed to live about 120 years. The life extension, however, could only be desirable if we were mentally and physically fit at this age. Raw food diet is probably the best strategy to live a very long and healthy life.

By Dominique Allmon 

For healthy raw food recipes please click here

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.



Rejuvenate with Raw Foods by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Natural Treatments for Radiation Exposure

Even relatively modest doses of radiation can increase the risk that a person will develop thyroid cancer at some point in life. There's a delay between exposure and cancer that can run 10 to 20 years. - Dr. Rigual

Nuclear power plant disasters like the Chernobyl reactor explosion in 1986 or the most recent disaster at the Fukushima nuclear power plant make us aware about the dangers of radioactive exposure.

Radiation is colorless, odorless, tasteless and chemically inert and can only be detected with a Geiger counter. Any amount of radiation is potentially dangerous because of its effect on the living cells. Radiation can disrupt normal chemical processes within the cells and cause abnormal growth or cell death. Cells that are affected by the radiation divide and produce more abnormal cells. This pathological division may eventually lead to cancer.

Our bodies have the amazing capability to heal themselves. When we are exposed to low doses of radiation, healthy cells are able to repair the damage rapidly. Cells that died due to exposure are replaced by the body. If we, however, are exposed to very high doses of radiation, the body may not be able to replace the damaged cells fast enough and tissues or organs may fail to function properly. This is when the radiation sickness sets in.

More than sixty radioactive elements are found in nature, but most people are unaware that they are exposed to radiation on a daily basis. Radiation is present everywhere and there is no way to escape it. 

There are three different types of radiation:

• terrestrial radiation - emitted by the rocks, soil, oceans, and plants. Radioactive elements enter our bodies when we drink water, breath air, or eat foods which contain them. The naturally occurring radioisotopes such as carbon-14, potassium-40, thorium-223, polonium-218, uranium-238 and its decay product radon-222, are the elements that cause exposure to radiation from within our bodies. 
• cosmic radiation - is the results from the interaction of cosmic rays with the upper atmosphere of our planet. Cosmic rays permeate the entire Space and are composed of highly energized, positively charged particles and high energy photons. They approach the earth at the speed that almost equals the speed of light. Most of these particles are blocked by the earth's atmosphere and the magnetic field, but many are able to penetrate and form radioactive isotopes that affect us daily. The exposure grows with the altitude. High mountain peaks and high altitude intercontinental flights receive the highest dose of cosmic radiation. 
• man-made radiation - is the radiation caused by human activities and is found in many areas of our daily lives, often where we do not even expect it: our building materials such as bricks and cement may contain uranium ores and are sources of the deadly radon gas; tobacco products contain radioactive polonium-210 which naturally occurs in tobacco plants; commercial food irradiation; radiation from computers and television screens, cell phones, medical diagnostic technology such as X-rays and CAT scans, and the full body scanners at the airports, contributes to the daily cumulative exposure; nuclear waste and nuclear power plants disasters bring another dimension to our daily lives as fallout is highly radioactive and has immediate cell damaging potential. 

The dangers of radiation are well understood by the medical and the scientific communities. In order to determine the damage caused by radiation, a total dose resulting from repeated exposures to ionizing radiation over a period of time has to be established. Radiation has a cumulative effect which means that even if we were never exposed to a radioactive fallout from a nuclear power plant, the damage results from our exposure to different forms of radiation over longer periods of time. This is the reason why people who, for instance, work at nuclear facilities or who operate x-ray machines have to be constantly monitored.

Since we are naturally exposed to radiation, additional exposure should be limited to an absolutely necessary minimum. Nuclear fallout, however, comes unannounced and carries far more deadlier radiation than any other source, with the exception of an atomic bomb, of course. Cesium-137 and iodine-131 are the radioactive particles that contaminate the environment after a nuclear fallout. As these particles are carried by the winds, they can contaminate vast areas thus affecting people who do not live in the immediate vicinity of a nuclear disaster.

Fortunately, the atomic incidents are rather rare, but since they occurred in the past, we have gathered enough experience in the field of treatment and prevention. Traditionally few very effective supplements and herbs were used to prevent the body from the possible effects of radiation or to "detox" the body after exposure. They offer simple and natural solution and are quite effective and rather inexpensive.

Natural treatments for radiation:

• iodine - is one of the most important natural antidotes to radiation. Our bodies need iodine for the optimally functioning thyroid gland which utilizes it to produce metabolism regulating hormones. Unfortunately, the thyroid cannot tell the difference between the radioactive iodine-131 and the beneficial form of iodine that is normally found in natural sea salt and in sea vegetables. This is most unfortunate as the radioactive iodine attaches itself to iodine receptors in the thyroid causing mutation and cell death and, eventually, cancer. Supplemental iodine, which usually comes in a strongly bound form of potassium iodide, is usually administered to prevent the damage from exposure to the radioactive iodine. The bound forms of iodine, however, are biologically inefficient as the body is able to absorb only about 20 percent of this nutrient. For a better protection nascent iodine is the preferred choice. Nascent iodine supplements deliver iodine in its atomic form which is easily absorbed and utilized by the thyroid gland. It is important to understand that supplemental iodine can only protect against radioactive iodine, but does not protect against other radioactive particles such as cesium and strontium.
• sodium bicarbonate - a substance also known as baking soda, is the best means to minimize the kidney damage caused by the uranium exposure. Oral doses or infusions of sodium bicarbonate help alkalize the urine and render uranium ions less toxic to the kidneys. Sodium bicarbonate binds with uranium and promotes its excretion from the body thus reducing the severity of the damage caused by radiation. Sodium bicarbonate can also be added to bath water for a full body detoxifying effect. The suggested amount is one pound for a low grade exposure and up to five  pounds for an acute radiation exposure. Sodium bicarbonate is also very effective in removing uranium from contaminated surfaces and from the soil.
• sweet water algae - micro-algae such as spirulina and chlorella have been used with great success by the Russian doctors to treat patients after the nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl. Micro-algae are very rich in nutrients and have the capability to bind to toxins and sweep them out of the body. They alkalize and purify the blood and restore its chemistry. The algae also enhance the immune system that is normally compromised by radiation.
• seaweeds - especially kelp, are rich in sodium alginate, a polysaccharide which binds to radioactive strontium and removes it from the body. Sea vegetable are also rich in iodine and help prevent uptake of the radioactive iodine. Other nutrients such as vitamin B 12, iron, sulfur, and zinc, inhibit the absorption of radioactive cobalt, plutonium, sulfur and zinc particles. 
• medicinal mushrooms - mushrooms such as reishi and maitake enhance the immune system after the exposure to radiation and prevent tumors from forming in the body. They also protect the DNA from the damage caused by ionizing radiation. Mushrooms are rich in beta-glucans that are known to protect and restore the skin from the damage caused exposure to radiation. 
• Korean ginseng - is an herb that increases mental and physical endurance. It has the capability to inhibit tumor growth and prevent hemorrhage after exposure to radiation. It prevents the degeneration of bone marrow and stimulates formation of new white blood cells.
• organic sulfur - inhibits the uptake of radioactive sulfur. It also enables transport of oxygen across the cell membranes thus contributing to a fast regeneration of the damaged cells. The mineral has the ability to detoxify heavy metals and neutralize free radicals. It is a building block of many amino-acids that are necessary to restore the damaged body tissues.  
• liquid zeolites - especially the clinoptilolite which can absorb all kinds of toxins and help remove radiation not only from the human or animal bodies, but also from the affected environment. Clinoptilolite was successfully used to clean up the radioactive damage after the Three Mile Island incident and in Chernobyl. Because of their molecular structure and the negative charge, zeolites are able to absorb positively charged mercury, aluminum, cadmium, lead, arsenic, and radioactive ions of uranium and plutonium. Zeolites trap these and other substances like a sponge and carry them out of the body without causing any additional damage to the body.

As I mentioned above, our bodies can heal themselves. A healthy body with a strong immune system is capable of correcting any damage. We can support our bodies with balanced nutrition, regular detoxification, and proper relaxation and stress management. Daily diet should be supplemented with vitamins and antioxidants to protect the body from free radicals that are generated by the radiation.

We cannot escape radiation, but we can protect our genetic substance from the damage caused by it. People working in nuclear power plants, miners, flying personnel, and those who are in daily contact with medical diagnostic technology should take extra care and undergo regular detoxification.

By Dominique Allmon

*This information is for educational purpose only. It is not meant to diagnose or cure a disease.

Natural Treatments for Radiations Exposure by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.