Stress & Overwhelm

Are You Suffering From 21st Century Syndrome?

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With Adrenal Fatigue you can feel tired even after a good sleep and not really feel awake until 10am
With Adrenal Fatigue you can feel tired even after a good sleep and not really feel awake until 10am

Adrenal Fatigue? “What’s that” I hear you ask.

Adrenal fatigue, sometimes called the ‘21st Century Stress Syndrome’ occurs when your adrenal glands cannot meet the hormone demands of your life and is a problem that is becoming more frequently recognized.

If you are living a high-stress lifestyle, eating lots of chemical laden foods, need to drink lots of coffee or cola to keep you going, and getting way too little sleep than the chances are that you are suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Unfortunately for us, our lifestyle has changed but our bodies haven’t – they still operate as if they are living in the stone age. We can no longer live a simple, relaxed lifestyle and instead we all live a life under constant stress. (Anyone who is able to live a relaxed life these days is not going to be reading this on a computer!) Sometimes, we become so used to the full-on lifestyle that we stop even realizing that it is actually pretty stressful. Sometimes we don’t even realize that so many different components from worry, anxiety or grief, to the air we breathe, the toxic homes we live in, the foods we eat, or the exercise routine we do, are all mounting up stress on our body each and every minute of each and every day.

Our adrenal glands are responsible for the production of a host of hormones including adrenalin (epinephrine), DHEA, progesterone and testosterone, and cortisol. Adrenals play an important role in the stress response as they release adrenaline and cortisol which initiate the ‘fight or flight’ response and help us deal with acute stress.

Cortisol is the hormone particularly important for keeping our bodies balanced and it plays a big part in regulating the immune system, blood sugar levels and blood pressure. It is also very important in helping us deal with stress. When the levels of cortisol rise too high the immune system becomes weak and susceptible to cancer and infection; if the levels are too low it becomes overactive and then autoimmune disease develops.

When an acute stress is ongoing the adrenals become overworked and unable to match the demand for continued hormone production. When they just can’t take any more they fail and you get what was called a ‘nervous breakdown’ in the past but we now call Adrenal Fatigue.

Our problem is that in an ever-stressed fast-paced life our bodies are pumping out cortisol all the time. When we maintain that lifestyle, with long work hours, sleep deprivation, poor diet, smoking, high intake of caffeine, low relaxation, lots of allergies, we overload our adrenal glands until they can’t take any more. Then the next stress simply becomes the straw to break the camel’s back and we fall apart.

SOME OF THE PROBLEMS EXPREIENCED WITH ADRENAL FATIGUE:

  • Generally tired but wired: You feel really tired until about mid-morning, then again in the middle of the afternoon when you feel like a snooze. Tired again in the evening until about 11pm when you get a ‘second wind’ and then are wide awake until late
  • You perspire a lot even with little activity
  • Dark circles under your eyes
  • Low blood sugar
  • General lack of energy and muscle weakness
  • Cravings for foods high in salt, sweets and carbs, fats
  • Difficulty handling alcohol; difficulty with potassium rich or high carb foods unless combined with fats and protein
  • Low blood pressure, lightheadedness on standing up, dizziness or heart palpitations
  • Low libido
  • Increased PMS or menopausal symptoms
  • Chronic infections
  • Increased allergies
  • Mild depression, lots of sighing
  • Startle easily
  • Less ability to handle stress
  • Low back pain, knee pain and weakness
  • Dry unhealthy skin

SOME ILLNESSES CAUSED BY ADRENAL STRESS ARE:

  • Blood sugar balance and diabetes – cortisol causes elevated blood sugar levels and leads to insulin resistance
  • Weight gain and obesity – cortisol mobilizes triglycerides into fat cells and changes appetite with a craving for high kilojoule foods
  • Immune system suppression – a higher susceptibility to all diseases
  • Gastrointestinal problems like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), colitis, ulcers, indigestion
  • Cardiovascular disease from blood vessel damage
  • Fertility problems – erectile dysfunction and disrupted ovulation and menstrual cycles

Even though adrenal fatigue is very common in these days of stressful living many doctors don’t pick it up easily. It is one of those things that is often just not diagnosed because doctors are only taught to recognize excess, not inadequate levels of cortisol in their training.

Eating a nice clean diet of largely organic whole foods, with an emphasis on lots of vegetables is just one way you can start to turn around adrenal stress
Eating a nice clean diet of largely organic whole foods, with an emphasis on lots of vegetables is just one way you can start to turn around adrenal stress

HOW YOU CAN START TO NURTURE YOUR ADRENALS

If you really want to turn around Adrenal Fatigue then you really do have to reduce the stressors in your life, and first up you need to recognize and acknowledge what the stressors actually are. This might mean changing your job or aspects of it, organizing some child care, changing your diet, your activity, your sleep behaviour, recreation, or the people you mix with. It is also vital to address the associated emotional or psychological issues. Sometimes changing your outlook can make a big difference.

But even introducing certain stress reducing measures would help. You could try these:

  • Minimize stress – this almost goes without saying
  • Laugh more – even join a laughing club if you need to
  • Eat a nice clean diet of largely organic whole foods, with an emphasis on lots of vegetables. Include nuts, seeds legumes and whole grains. Eat regular meals. Chew your food well.
  • Avoid junk foods and sugar
  • Get rid of coffee and cola. If you need some caffeine drink green tea. If you can’t remove coffee totally have one quality coffee on the weekend. Peppermint, dandelion or rooibosteas are all good choices. Tulsi Tea (Holy Basil) is awesome for adrenal fatigue because it helps bring cortisol levels back to normal.
  • Do something fun every day
  • Get negative people out of your life
  • Get some exercise – Yoga, Qi Gong or T’ai Chi are all great de-stressors
  • Meditation and relaxation exercises
  • Get good sleep – seven to eight hours a night, get to bed before midnight as that’s when your body heals itself the most, take a rest (lying down) during work breaks

Take supplements –

  • 3,000-5,000 mg Vitamin C each day, Vitamin B complex high in B6 and pantothenic acid, Vitamin E
  • Calcium and magnesium
  • Licorice root extract

Homeopathy, Flower Essences and EFT are all very effective at relieving stress and healing some of the emotional issues. Homeopathy can also redress the hormone imbalances in your body.

With adrenal fatigue having such a huge impact on many of our body functions as well as our quality of life it is worth finding out if you have adrenal fatigue so you can begin to redress it. Contact your Natural Therapy practitioner for more information.

But don’t expect a quick fix as it can take anywhere from 6 months to up to two years to reverse adrenal fatigue.

It can take anywhere from 6 months to up to two years to get back your zing after adrenal fatigue
It can take anywhere from 6 months to up to two years to get back your zing after adrenal fatigue

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/019339_adrenal_fatigue_chronic_stress.html#ixzz2Q3g07WMc

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/111609p38.shtml

http://www.adrenalfatigue.org/what-is-adrenal-fatigue

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/fact+sheets/hormones/adrenal+fatigue,11579?gclid=COHVrPHLv7YCFcpbpQodOgsA_w

http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2011/08/do-you-have-adrenal-fatigue/

Meditation & Mindfulness, Spiritual Growth, Stress & Overwhelm

Combat Stress In Your Life With Meditation

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The pace of life has increased exponentially over the last few years and we are all living with increasingly rising stress levels
The pace of life has increased exponentially over the last few years and we are all living with increasingly rising stress levels

“We are fragmented into so many different aspects. We don´t know who we really are, or what aspects of ourselves we should identify with or believe in. So many contradictory voices, dictates, and feelings fight for control over our inner lives that we find ourselves scattered everywhere, in all directions, leaving nobody at home.
Meditation, then, is bringing the mind home.”
― Sogyal Rinpoche

Stress plays a major part in the development of many illnesses. It is known to affect many body functions including the reproductive system, cause eczema and psoriasis, cause dry mouth or ulcers and musculoskeletal pain as well as affecting the immune system as a whole.

The pace of life has increased exponentially over the last few years. As we all take on more and more in our lives and the influx of information bombards us faster and faster, we live with increasingly rising stress levels – whether their cause or focus is on our work, our family , finances, or the health of ourselves, our parents as they age, our family or our beautiful planet, or any of the myriad of commitments we all have in our life. Some may even be stressing about whether they are allowing enough “download” time to counter the stress they have. Almost all of us, including children, are affected to some degree.

DE- STRESS

One of the ways that I often suggest to clients to offload the effects of this stress in their life is to adopt the practice of meditation. Some say they have tried it but just can’t maintain focus. But for others the idea is somewhat daunting and many dismiss the idea out-of-hand. Introducing something new requires planning, and for them to allocate scarce time seems to only escalate their problem. For others it is all just a bit ”woo-woo” and uncomfortable.

But the fact remains that meditation is a wonderful way to de-stress, and it does not have to be difficult, or to require big chunks of your time, or to actively involve “chakras”. You do not need to join a class, it is entirely portable. And it does not have to include burning incense, crystals, difficult yoga poses or the need to “get it right”.

There are many different ways that the benefits of meditation can be obtained and it’s simply a matter of finding the one that fits you and your life, and then making that a regular part of your day.

There is a misconception that in order to meditate you need to completely shut down your mind. But for most people the mind chatter just keeps on intruding, constantly pulling them out of that calm, quiet, thought-free place we all seek.

The truth is that in order to be able to meditate in that way takes many, many years of practice. For the majority thoughts wander in and out, and it’s ok. The key is to accept that your thoughts will wander, and to simply consciously pull them back again whenever they do, by focusing once more on the meditative technique that you are using.

The thing is, meditation does not have to be a big major undertaking. Sure there are yogis who can sit and meditate all day. But there are also others who do it throughout their day in bursts of a few minutes. And many more who allocate a set amount of “me-time” when they are able to do their practice, and re-group.

MINDFULNESS

The enlightened Buddist monk Thich Nhat Hanh advocates doing walking meditations, which offer you the opportunity to transform an everyday practice into a healing and nourishing way to develop mindfulness, awaken your consciousness and to bring some peace into a life all too often over-run with stress. Basically they are meditation in action. You become mindful of the action of walking and try to keep your mind focused on the experience of walking and breathing. This makes it a lot easier for “monkey minds” to deal with as it gives the flighty mind something on which to concentrate. You can hear him explain it here and watch him demonstrate this form of meditation to a group of followers. It is a good form of meditation for women, who often benefit from active meditation as it is more yang, or masculine. I learnt the practice of this powerful technique from this wonderful Walking Meditation Kit – comprising book, DVD and CD which you can buy from Amazon. Meditation Oasis has clear detailed instructions for doing a walking meditation to get you started right here.

If you find you prefer active meditation Osho offers a number of  dynamic meditations you may like to try.

Many people prefer a guided meditation as they find having a voice directing the practice helps them to maintain their focus. Here is a simple ten minute relaxation meditation that I came across recently. I like it for its simplicity, her gentle, soothing voice and because it incorporates conscious muscle relaxation – perfect for releasing stress. I believe this is one you could even do at your desk if things start to get on top of you at work.

If you are having difficulty actually relaxing any muscles in these meditations one tip is to tighten each muscle momentarily. This allows you to relax the muscle on release. Use this technique until you are able to relax the muscles at will.

BREATHE

One of the simplest ways to start meditating is to practice consciously watching your breath, often called mindfulness . It comes out of Buddhist tradition but is not ‘religious’ in itself. It is all about ‘being present’ and allows for your mind to do its own thing while you develop, over time, the ability to detach from the thought. That sounds complicated, but in fact it is very simple. Here are two variations of a calming and simple meditation that focuses on the breath, again from Meditation Oasis. Breathing Meditation is one of the simplest forms of meditation and yet is also one of the most powerful. You may discover you never need to look any further!

Of course there are many different types of meditation that can be used to fulfill all sorts of purposes. Many have heard of Transcendental Meditation which derives from Hinduism. Zazen meditation involves just sitting for long periods. Kundalini is gaining in popularity and focuses on the rising stream of energy that exists in humans. Guided visualizations can be a very powerful way to opening your awareness. I use these in my Women’s Circles often with wonderful results. They involve concentration on an image or imagined environment or experience. Another form of meditation that I have found particularly powerful is the practice of Qi Gong, a Taoist meditation technique. Of course there are others as well and you may like to investigate some once you have established a regular meditation practice in your life.

I am a big fan of not taking on big loads – maybe it is the inner sloth, who knows. But if there is an easier pathway then I am always willing to give that option a go. And one way that always makes things a little easier to achieve is to break tasks down into their smallest bites and to then tackle those one at a time. If the prospect of meditation seems a bit daunting to you then start small. Start out by adopting a five minute breathing meditation, or if that is too much make it three minutes. Or start by doing a quick body relaxation every day at your desk or before the kids come home from school, or before going to bed at night. Or maybe even do it for a few minutes a few times through the day.

Soon you will find that it is easy to meditate.

“Meditation is the dissolution of thoughts in Eternal awareness or Pure consciousness without objectification, knowing without thinking, merging finitude in infinity.”
― Voltaire

This is how I picture myself meditating...but it is far more likely I will be sitting in my car catching a few brief moments to centre my breathing before plunging back into the chaos of life
This is how I picture myself meditating…but it is far more likely I will be sitting in my car catching a few brief moments to centre my breathing before plunging back into the chaos of life

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

Source articles:

http://www.iam-u.org/index.php/8-basic-kinds-of-meditation-and-why-you-should-meditate-on-your-heart http://www.wildmind.org/walking/overview

Uncategorized

How Come So Many No Longer Eat Gluten?

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The numbers of people who have stopped eating foods made from grains that contain gluten is rapidly rising
The numbers of people who have stopped eating foods made from grains that contain gluten is rapidly rising

 

Are you Sensitive to the ‘G’ Word?

How many people do you know that have stopped eating gluten? Maybe you have done this yourself.

Increasingly, when people first come in to see me they say that they have taken themselves off gluten, or sometimes that they did so in the past but are now eating gluten once more. Some saw improvement in their symptoms, others not.

The incidence of Coeliac disease is on the rise. But in addition to those diagnosed with celiac disease there are many more with a gluten sensitivity, an inability to digest the protein gluten found in some grains. One study done by the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota showed that intolerance of wheat gluten is four times more common today that it was in the 1950’s. The way for the gluten sensitive to stop the effects on their body of the undigested gluten is, as with Coeliac disease, to avoid eating the foods.

Gluten sensitivity causes inflammation and an autoimmune response where the immune system starts to attack the body. The New England Journal of Medicine lists thirty-five diseases caused by gluten sensitivity including ADHD and depression and in these days of rising concern about the incidence of disease caused by inappropriate diet it is significant that gluten sensitivity increases your risk for Type 1 Diabetes, obesity, gastrointestinal cancers, brain disorders, autism and thyroid disease. Unfortunately, your risk of developing these diseases increases dramatically when there is a delay in proper diagnosis.

Modern wheat is different to old wheat varieties, as the proportion of gluten in wheat has increased enormously due to hybridization in modern wheat grains. Also, prior to the 19th Century wheat was always mixed with other grains, legumes or nuts when it was milled – pure refined white flour has only been around for about 200 years.

The modern Western diet is extremely grain heavy and so the consumption of gluten has also increased significantly. Many people may have developed their sensitivity to gluten because of overexposure. Gluten is added purposefully to products because it increases the hunger signals in the body and so you want to eat more of that product. I have heard, although haven’t verified, that up to ten times the amount of naturally occurring gluten is added to fluffy, white packaged bread.

When foods are in their natural state the components work synergistically, they balance each other and work together. But when one component is added or removed it becomes more difficult for the body to metabolise the food properly. This is why you are constantly encouraged to eat ‘Whole Foods’ – they are balanced.

 

DO YOU HAVE A GLUTEN SENSITIVITY?

Here are some signs that might indicate that you do.

  • The most obvious ones to look for are gastrointestinal and include bloating, wind, cramping, queasiness and nausea, constipation or diarrhea or both of them alternating.
  • Headaches and migraines can be caused by gluten
  • Connective tissue (tendons, ligaments) or muscle aches and pains
  • Dizziness, balance problems, tingling or numbness in your fingers and toes, or pain or weakness in the extremities.
  • Sudden mood shifts, chronic irritability, depression
  • Tiredness and fatigue, either chronic or occurring after every meal, chronic  fatigue syndrome (CFS)
  • Weight loss and weight gain
  • Eczema
  • Infertility, irregular menstrual cycles and miscarriage
  • Symptoms get worse with emotional trauma and stress

The difficulty is that these symptoms are common to lots of diseases which makes it difficult to definitely attribute them to gluten sensitivity. You don’t actually need to be diagnosed with any specific disease (like CFS or Fibromyalgia) or a gluten sensitivity to test out the possibility that your symptoms are due to gluten in your diet. If you are experiencing these symptoms it is worth investigating whether gluten is behind them.

 

DISCOVER IF YOU ARE SENSITIVE TO GLUTEN

If you are trying to work out if gluten is your enemy it is really important to do things systematically. Write down every symptom that you experience. Don’t dismiss any because you make assumptions about them – such as the aches and pains are because you sit too much. Include everything and don’t try and explain them.

Then go onto a gluten free diet for a couple of months. This can be harder than it seems because it doesn’t simply mean eating gluten free bread. Gluten is found hidden in many, many foods and it could well be worth consulting a Natural Medicine practitioner who has experience with food sensitivities to guide and support you through the process.

After you have been off gluten for a couple of months check out how many of the symptoms on your list you still experience. If a number of them have improved it might be worth sticking to the GF diet for a longer time. You may find that only a few have gone but if they are symptoms that cause you significant hardship or annoyance it will be worth keeping gluten free.

If you are sensitive to gluten, it is likely that after you have been gluten free for a while you will once more show the symptoms you had before going gluten free if you eat foods with gluten again.

Foods made from wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut (Khorasan), oats and triticale flours all contain gluten
Foods made from wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut (Khorasan), oats and triticale flours all contain gluten

GLUTEN GRAINS

 

Wheat is only one of the grains with gluten – others are barley, rye, spelt, kamut (Khorasan), oats and triticale. Other grains including buckwheat, millet, amaranth, rice, and quinoa are gluten free and you can use them freely.

If you decide that you can’t possibly go gluten free then it’s quite likely you are gluten intolerant. The foods that we are addicted to are usually ones that we have a problem with, as a chemical reaction occurs in our brain when we eat them causing us to crave them even more.

Do you suspect you may be gluten sensitive?

 

Would you some great Gluten Free (and Dairy-Free)  recipes? You’ll find lots of links to great recipes pinned here on my pinterest page.

 

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

Source articles:

http://www.worldhealth.net/news/gluten_allergy_now_four_times_more_commo

http://www.naturalnews.com/038170_gluten_sensitivity_symptoms_intolerance.html

http://www.glutenfreenetwork.com/faqs/symptoms-treatments/gluten-intolerance-symptoms-how-do-you-know-if-gluten-is-making-you-sick

http://www.bmj.com/content/345/bmj.e7982

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/07/23/why-is-wheat-gluten-disorder-on-the-rise.aspx

 

Uncategorized

Drink Warm Lemon/Lime Water To Kickstart Your Day

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lemon lime water

 

While most people know that it is really important to keep themselves hydrated but most don’t realise they can take that one step further for better health simply by drinking lemon water or lime water first thing in the morning.

Tomorrow, March 22, is World Water Day and while it is about water co-operation practices, what better day is there to start to improve our own personal hydration practices?

 

HOW POOR HYDRATION AFFECTS YOUR BODY

The way you begin each day is really important as it sets up whether you either increase or reduce your resistance to disease. Starting out each day being properly hydrated obviously stops dehydration, but it also has many other health benefits. These include kick-starting your digestion and toxin elimation for the day  and helping prevent adrenal fatigue. Adrenal fatigue is becoming far more common in these times of high stress living.

Adequate water intake is essential for the proper elimination of toxins from your body. When you’re dehydrated it becomes really difficult for your body to eliminate waste products which leads to a toxic buildup. You start to feel stressed, to get constipated, to develop arthritis, get outbreaks on your skin and many more problems.

In addition your body stores more fat when you’re dehydrated due to added stress on the kidneys and liver so they do not perform at their best.

 

A SIMPLE WAY TO BOOST YOUR HEALTH

One very simple practice to boost your intake of water that can be surprisingly helpful comes from Yogic or Ayurvedic practice, where it was used to stimulate the digestion and eliminate the toxic slime, called ama, that builds up in the gastro-intestinal tract.

It is the simple practice of drinking a mug of warm water with lemon or lime squeezed into it first thing in the morning. This helps to activate your body’s detoxifying process and also its natural cleansing processes.

 

Lemons and limes are one of natures great gifts and including them in your morning routine has huge health benefits
Lemons and limes are one of natures great gifts and including them in your morning routine has huge health benefits

 

7 REASONS TO DRINK LEMON WATER

1. Helps your liver eliminate toxins

Your liver loves warm lemon/lime water because it purifies and stimulates your digestion and toxin elimination by liquefying bile and inhibiting excess bile flow. The liver is able to produce more enzymes from lemon/lime water than from any other food to promote better digestion.

Your liver works very hard and is crucial to the function of many other body processes – a little lemon/lime support and nurture leads to a healthy and happy liver.

2. Helps digestion

Warm lemon/lime water increases the acidity of your digestive system as it’s very similar to saliva and the digestive juices in the stomach which break down food. It improves your body’s ability to absorb nutrients. An extra benefit of this process is to help with reducing hunger, great for weight loss.

3. Helps elimination of toxic wastes

Warm lemon/lime water helps your bowels to eliminate naturally and easily, reducing constipation. It also helps dilute accumulated the uric acid which causes arthritis or gout when it builds up in the body.

By supporting the liver in its detoxifying role it helps prevent acne.

It gently flushes your kidneys and cleanses your lymphatic system, another channel for the elimination of toxic waste products.

4. Balances pH

Lemon/lime water has an alkylizing effect in the body. Yes, even though they taste acidic they have an incredibly alkaline effect inside your body once they are metabolized! Even drinking lemon water just before any meal will help your body maintain a higher pH than if you didn’t drink it.

When your body has a higher internal pH, that is, it’s more alkaline, it’s far more resistant to most major (and minor) diseases which thrive in an acidic environment. Cancer cells for example breed better in an acidic environment.

5. Protects your cardiovascular and nervous systems

Lemons and limes are high in potassium which is a mineral that works alongside sodium and is vital for the smooth working of the nervous system and brain. Low potassium levels can lead to depression, anxiety, forgetfulness and brain fogginess as well as muscle cramps and heart arrhythmias. Potassium is crucial for heart health and can help prevent stroke.

6. Boosts your immune system

Lemons and limes contain good ratios of calcium and magnesium in plentiful quantities. These minerals work together to prevent many health problems. One lemon has 30.7mg of the antioxidant Vitamin C which is great for fighting off colds and chest infections. Lemons and limes have very high levels of the antioxidant Hesperidin which is anti-inflammatory and believed to have anti-cancer activity.

7. Helps weight loss

Lemons are high in pectin fibre which helps fight hunger cravings. By cleaning out toxins and internal waste they help speed up weight loss, and in addition promote quick bursts of energy. Because the effect works proportionally, the more you drink the more weight loss should speed up. If you replace your other drinks with lemon water you also have the advantage of a zero kilojoule drink.

 

HOW TO TAKE LEMON WATER

Take lemon water first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, before eating or drinking anything else. Squeeze half a lemon or lime into half a glass of warm water, stir it and drink. The water will turn cloudy when you add the lemon or lime. It’s good to then wait between half to one hour before you eat to get the best results.

  • Don’t use bottled lemon or lime juice – use fresh fruit.
  • Make sure the water you use is pure – filtered or spring water
  • Make sure the water is warm – don’t use cold water as it is very hard on the digestion, slowing it down. Don’t use hot water either as it will kill the enzymes in freshly squeezed juice
  • Don’t add sugar or other sweeteners

If you want even more from your lemon/lime water you could really spice up your metabolism by simply adding a pinch of ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground ginger. The cinnamon is a great addition if you have any issues with blood sugars.

 

This is such an easy habit to adopt, it’s cheap, easy and certain to build your health. Try it out for a month and see how it can radically change how you start your day.

Which of the benefits that warm lemon/lime water offers would be the one to get you started on drinking it daily? Tell me in the comments below. Or is you already know and love lemon water what benefits have you noticed?

Warm lemon water to boost your health all day long
Warm lemon water to boost your health all day long

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/033383_lemon_juice_digestion.html#ixzz2IZ0L8XRo

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4769/Why-You-Should-Drink-Warm-Water-Lemon.html

http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/fitness/weight-loss/weight-loss-myths-will-drinking-lemon-water-help-you-lose-weight.html

http://factslist.net/2013/01/why-you-should-drink-lemon-water-in-the-morning/

http://www.livestrong.com/article/519038-potassium-and-the-nervous-system/

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/potassium-000320.htm

http://nutritionistheprescription.wordpress.com/2012/03/24/start-your-day-with-lemon-or-lime-water/

 

Sleep

Sure-fire Strategies to Stop The After-lunch ‘Sleepies’

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Are you someone who finds that come mid afternoon it is all you can do to keep your eyes open? Well you most certainly are not alone as millions of others share your dilemma. But before you reach for that can of energy drink or cup of coffee to help you see out the day, it is possible to keep energy levels relatively stable throughout the day so you don’t end up simply staring off into space after lunch, and here are some ways to help you avoid getting that energy crash in the first place – there is bound to be one that works for you!

after lunch sleepies

Why You Crash

There are a number of reasons why you might be experiencing the afternoon slump just as there are a number of techniques you can do to snap yourself out of it when your eyelids start to drop. But if you want a significant change in energy fluctuations you need to make permanent changes to whatever it is that is acting as a trigger for your energy lows.

There are lots of ailments that can cause you to feel tired after lunch, such as allergies, insulin resistance, celiac disease or low blood sugar. But your tiredness may be due to something as simple as eating a big lunch. Digestion requires quite a lot of energy and as your stomach loads up with food extra blood rushes into your intestines from all over your body to help with the extra work. This leaves the rest of your body, including your brain somewhat deprived, with the result that you start to feel exhausted. Eat a big breakfast and opt for a smaller, light lunch.

Better Lunch Choices

There are many lunch choices that can lie behind afternoon ‘sleepies’. Avoiding meat at lunch may be a wise choice when it comes to fighting fatigue as meat is one of the hardest foods to digest. It takes two hours to digest meat compared with only thirty minutes to digest fruit. Eating a meatless lunch will place a lot less stress on your digestive system and keep that blood flowing to the brain and lungs.

Don’t forget to chew your lunch really well as saliva is loaded with enzymes that start off the digestion process. The more broken down by saliva that the food is when it reaches your stomach, the easier it will for your body to continue the process through the gut, and the less likely it will be for you to feel tired.

Gluten Intolerance

An intolerance to gluten, the protein found in some grains, can cause after-lunch fatigue in anyone suffering from coeliac disease after they have eaten foods containing gluten at lunch. But many people who have a gluten intolerance without actually having coeliac disease also benefit from removing gluten from their diet. It may be worth having this checked out if you suspect gluten intolerance is behind your tiredness.

Another reason for many people experiencing low energy level between one and four hours after eating is hypoglyceamia. Eating a lunch high in refined carbohydrates causes the blood sugars to rise rapidly, or spike, and this is followed a few hours later with a crash in blood sugars that results in fatigue, often with dizziness or shakiness. The onset will often be faster if you exercise as well. A lunch of vegetables and protein is a much better choice than refined carbohydrates. Low GI food alternatives you could look at include most fruits and vegetables, lentils, beans, hummus, quinoa, nuts and seeds. You can find a list of the GI Index rating of lots of foods here

Insulin resistance

Another sugar related cause of fatigue after eating may be insulin resistance. When excess sugar or carbohydrates are eaten the body produces more insulin, but over time your cells start to resist the insulin which leads to all sorts of health conditions, including fatigue.

Caffeine

One cause of afternoon tiredness that is often overlooked is caffeine. Drinking two or three cups of coffee in the morning may get you going during the morning but you pay for it later. As well as the short-lived burst of energy that caffeine provides to you, it also contributes to dehydration, a leading cause of fatigue. Think of coffee as ‘credit-card’ food (eat now, pay later) Studies show that a single cup of coffee is sufficient to keep long-haul truck drivers more alert so replace that second coffee with a large glass of water. And more importantly, don’t use caffeine as an afternoon pick-up. If you find you absolutely must have some caffeine drink green tea instead. As well as the mild dose of caffeine it contains you will receive all the other wonderful benefits green tea has to offer. Tulsi tea is another great afternoon energizer especially if adrenal fatigue is playing a part. Don’t forget that caffeine is like any drug and your body will develop a caffeine tolerance, so that where you only needed one cup originally after time you might find you need six or even ten to get the energy burst you need.

Posture

Most people working in an office will sit hunched up over their computer for most of the day and as fatigue hits in the afternoon they tend to slump down over their desk even further. Sitting up straight – shoulders back, eyes forward and lower back arched slightly -and taking some good deep breaths right down into the bottom of the lungs can re-energise you very quickly. Stand up and add a few stretches for even more benefit.

Electro Magnetic Fields

It’s worth remembering that being surrounded by EMF’s (often called electromagnetic radiation) can cause fatigue and these are always high around any electric equipment. EMF’s are especially high where there are wireless devices such as computers, wireless phones, printers, laptops, mobile phones, baby monitors, internet connections etc. so getting away from your desk or taking steps to lesson the effects will help keep you more alert.

Body Clock

If you are living in places where the sun sets during the afternoon in winter it may also be due to your own body clock. As the day starts to get dark about mid-afternoon your body temperature drops and the hormone melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy, is released. Circadian rhythms contribute to how alert you feel so open the curtains to let in the sunlight or else simply turn on more lights if it is dark outside.

Watch your sleep routine. Sleep recharges your body physically and mentally. Get yourself into a regular routine of going to bed and waking up at the same time and stick to it. You need seven to eight hours sleep a night. Studies have shown that ‘Binge Sleeping’ for one or two days a week does not counteract the sleep debt from the other nights of the week. If you don’t get enough sleep fatigue is likely to be the result. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends, for more energy.

Breathe

Studies have shown that deep breathing can relieve general fatigue

 

image: Shawn Rossi
image: Shawn Rossi

Natural Strategies To Adopt

If, in spite of taking measures to address what may be contributing to your tiredness, you still find yourself falling asleep during the after lunch meeting here are some strategies that may help in the moment:

  1. Research shows that the aroma of peppermint is a natural remedy for boosting memory, focus and concentration. It is just as effective whether it is fresh leaves, essential oil or brewed tea. Enjoy a cup of peppermint tea, spray a mist of a few drops of peppermint essential oil in a cup of water about your workspace, or even place a few drops of the oil on a handkerchief to sniff, or keep a pot of mint nearby and crush a couple of leaves during the afternoon
  2. If your tiredness is related to blood sugar imbalance chewing a cinnamon stick might help as it has been shown to have a significant influence on regulating blood sugars
  3. If you are able to get away briefly a quick power nap in your car could be just enough to revive you
  4. Listening to music has been shown to raise endorphin levels which makes you feel happier. Play your favourite music or sing out loud to get you motivated again.
  5. Dehydration causes fatigue so drink some water, or even eat some foods with a high water content like lettuce or watermelon, and combine it with a walk to the water cooler to get away from your desk.
  6. Protein from nuts or yoghurt makes a good snack when you start to slump in the afternoon
  7. Get up and run up the stairs or around the block if you can. It starts the blood pumping and gives the brain a boost.
  8. Meditate – yes seriously, just a five minute meditation at your desk is enough to clear out your head and revive, refresh and recharge you.
  9. Just as animals hibernate when the weather turns cold, getting too cold can make you feel sleepy too, so throw on a jumper or turn up the heating to wake yourself up (this is usually a big help for me!)
  10. And if you are lucky enough to work from home or your workplace is a little more free you could do some exercises or hit the gym, turn the music up really loud, take a short cold shower or do some yoga

What are some of the ways that you manage the mid-afternoon ‘sleepies’?

 

sleepy after lunch

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/034368_aromatherapy_peppermint_memory.html#ixzz2NJuFpNiJ

http://www.thefeelgoodlifestyle.com/10-strategies-to-increase-your-energy-prevent-the-post-lunch-energy-crash.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/507239-how-to-avoid-a-crash-after-lunch/#ixzz2NKEIYJSM

http://www.livestrong.com/article/330805-how-to-avoid-afternoon-fatigue/

http://www.takepart.com/article/2012/06/04/fear-afternoon-energy-crash-no-more-10-tips-to-keep-you-energized

http://greatist.com/happiness/28-scientifically-proven-ways-boost-energy-instantly

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Crazy In The Coconut? Coconut Oil To The Rescue

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The amazing therapeutic benefits of this humble food, particularly the oil, have been recently recognised
The amazing therapeutic benefits of this humble food, particularly the oil, have been recently recognised

Yesterday I needed coconut oil while I was out driving, as my bare shoulder got sunburnt through the car window. A layer of coconut oil, which has an SPF of 4 would have probably been just enough to stop the burn. The smell of coconut oil always brings back the memory of childhood beach holidays for me, but it’s use went out of favour when the ‘slip, slop, slap’ campaign began. It’s only recently come back into favour.

Right now, the biggest buzz word in natural health is coconut, and the amazing therapeutic benefits of this humble food, particularly the oil, have been loudly touted of late.

In fact coconuts are not nuts at all, and unlike nuts they are a relatively low-allergenic food, although in spite of this some people may have an allergy to coconut. The flesh and milk of the fruit are nutrient rich, particularly potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc, so it’s no surprise that coconuts were traditionally considered a good tonic food. In addition to the minerals the extra-virgin coconut oil also has high levels of antioxidants, which help to mop up free radicals in the body and slow down the aging process. Cold-pressed extra-virgin coconut oil has the most therapeutic value and is the one to use.

But, as I mentioned, it is the coconut oil that makes this fruit such a treasure. For years coconuts sat at the top of the ‘bad fats’ list and were shunned because their oil is a saturated fat. But, recently it was recognised that unlike the long-chain saturated fats of animal origin, coconut oil works very differently in the body, and is highly beneficial.

Coconut oil is one of the very few dietary sources of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA) which are absorbed, transported and metabolized in your body very differently from other fats. It is a rich source of lauric acid which stimulates metabolism, helps with energy production and speeds up the rate that your body burns fat. If you are trying to lose a few kilos then make coconut oil your friend – even though you usually gain weight when you consume animal fats and some vegetable fats, it is actually possible to lose weight when you eat coconut oil. Importantly, unlike saturated animal fats it does not have a negative effect on cholesterol and actually protects heart function and cardiac tissue, reducing the risk of heart disease and atherosclerosis.

Studies have shown that coconut is useful to the body in many ways. It can help balance blood sugar levels in diabetics and reduce sugar cravings; improve thyroid function: improve digestive function by reducing or relieving the symptoms of pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, Chrohn’s Disease, ulcerative colitis, malabsorption syndrome and stomach ulcers; reduce or relieve epileptic seizures: reduce prostate enlargement; relieve symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and chronic fatigue syndrome. It is also thought to strengthen the immune system and stop the spread of cancer cells, especially breast and colon.

It has also long been recognised that coconut oil will kill the bacteria that cause throat infections, gum diseases as well as other bacterial infections, and coconut oil pulling can reduce tooth decay and improve oral health. More recently coconut has also been found to be antifungal and can be helpful treating candida and athletes foot.

COOKING

There has always been a problem with many of the oils used for cooking as many oils, including olive oil, are damaged when they are heated even at relatively low temperatures, turning rancid and oxidising, resulting in higher levels of free radicals being produced in your body. Coconut oil has stepped in to fill the much needed role of an oil that is suitable for cooking at high temperatures. It can be heated to 120ْ C before it is damaged so is perfect for frying and baking and in addition it does not turn rancid and oxidize when heated.

Try out these cooking ideas for yourself.

Roll vegetables in a mix of liquefied coconut oil and cumin in equal quantities before baking them for a yummy healthy treat. Or roll cut potatoes (organic) in straight coconut oil and bake for delicious crunchy home-made wedges.

Coconut oil can be used in place of butter in recipes and mixes beautifully with raw cacao. Here is a yummy recipe for Raw Cacao Bliss Balls using coconut oil.

SKIN CARE

Coconut oil has long been revered throughout Asia and the island nations for its wonderful moisturizing effects on the skin. According to nutrition author Christine Cronau, who regards coconut oil as a great youth elixir, coconut oil benefits the skin when it is consumed as well as when it is applied externally. She says that when quality fats like coconut oil are used on the skin they plump up the cells and keep them hydrated. When we remove fat, especially saturated fat from our diet our skin starts to shrivel up. Consuming vegetable oils ages your skin faster than consuming saturated fats like coconut oil and in recent years the trend has been to eat more vegetable oils and fewer saturated fats, so our skin is suffering as a result.

During a recent massage the practitioner told me she was trialing coconut oil as her massage oil base and finding it fantastic to work with. It certainly glided on and my skin felt amazing afterwards. It would make a great whole body moisturizer or add some to your bath for a lovely all-over soft skin.

Recently I tried coconut oil on my hair to tame the ‘natural dry frizz’ and the result was great. I left it on my hair for an hour before washing it and the oil left it silky smooth. You could also rub some between your palms and then just work it through your hair.

It seems that massaging the oil into your scalp is good for dandruff, although luckily I don’t suffer from that.

coconut oil Phu Thinh Co

BUYING AND STORING COCONUT OIL

Look for organic, unrefined, cold pressed coconut oil. Coconut oil needs to be stored in a glass jar, preferably a dark one, to prevent spoiling. At room temperature it is solid, but over 24ْ C it will liquefy. I use one called Oil 4 Life in an amber bottle.

Coconut oil is generally regarded as having no known side effects other than if you are used to a low-fat diet you may get diarrhoea. Start slowly with a small amount.

Although in countries where coconuts are produced they are considered beneficial to pregnant and lactating women, in the West, where low-fat diets rule the day, it is recommended not to introduce coconut oil into your diet at this time unless you have been consuming coconut regularly with no adverse effects.

Although many nutritionists and other health professionals recommend including coconut oil in your diet, it is worth noting that the Heart foundation does not support eating it because it is a saturated fat, in spite of the fact that the fats are of the healthy MCFA type. It seems that the conservative response to the growing popularity has been to either advise not to eat it or else to use it in moderation. But up against this is the positive experience of many coconut oil devotees as well as the positive findings of the studies that have been conducted.

Have you got any ways that you love using coconut oil? Share them in the comments below.

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/036156_Coconut_oil_superfood_healing.html

http://www.thewellnesswarrior.com.au/2012/06/why-coconut-oil-is-amazing/

http://www.wellbeing.com.au/article/features/beauty/Coconut-oil:-Nature%E2%80%99s-best-beauty-secret_1227

http://www.lovingearth.net/products/37/raw-organic-coconut-butter-oil

http://christinecronau.com/

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/food+diet/nutrition/10+facts+about+coconut+oil,18271

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A New Look At Chocolate, The Superfood Vegetable

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Chocolate can be good for if it is the right kind of chocolate
Chocolate can be good for if it is the right kind of chocolate

Have you thought that your favourite vegetable might actually be chocolate? I have to admit it rates high on my list. Chocolate has been recognized as having health benefits for quite a while due to the wonderful antioxidants it contains, in fact more than any other fruit or vegetable. Raw cacao is an excellent source of antioxidants and has an extremely high ORAC score as one of the top antioxidant foods.

With Easter just around the corner I thought I would bring you a bit if happy news this week…Chocolate can be good for you! But only if it is the right kind.

Antioxidants In Chocolate

I’m pretty sure you have heard those media reports about how chocolate is a good source of flavonoids which have antioxidant activity. Well it is absolutely true, in particular epicatechin and resveratrol. But, there is quite a lot of confusion about just what makes good and bad chocolate so here are a few guidelines to help you make your Easter chocolate choices.

Chocolate comes from Theobroma Cacao beans which in their pure form are quite healthy. The name actually means “food of the Gods” and cacao is loaded with wonderful compounds, including magnesium which is a muscle relaxant that helps you feel calmer, and sulphur which helps build strong hair and nails.

Cacao pods
Cacao pods

Cocoa is made by grinding the cacao beans to a powder from which most of the fat is removed. Cocoa butter is the fat component of the seed, and chocolate is the sweet that is made from the roasted seeds. If the sweet is made from seeds that are not roasted then it is ‘raw chocolate’ and like most other vegetables, ‘raw’ chocolate is much healthier than the version made from roasted beans.

Chocolate has a long therapeutic history. Originating in South and Central America it was originally drunk as a bitter drink to bring energy and vitality and bore little resemblance to the sweet, sticky versions that we love today.

Chocolate when consumed in a way that is closer to the traditional ways still provides wonderful benefits. The Kuna people of Panama, for example, consume up to 40 cups of cocoa a week and have less than a ten percent risk of stroke, heart failure, cancer and diabetes. Compare this to the risk of developing these diseases here in Australia and other parts of the Western world where they are the most prevalent of diseases. There are a number of studies that have shown that eating chocolate can decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke significantly, as well as lowering insulin resistance, reducing blood pressure and LDL’s.

However, this benefit only occurs if you eat the right amount – too little or too much leads to no benefit or even to problems. It seems that eating small amounts at frequent intervals gives the best result.

Benefits Of Chocolate

Here are some of the benefits chocolate can offer:

  • Anti-inflammatory action
  • Free radical protection
  • Decreases stress hormones
  • Improves the mood
  • Reduces cortisol levels
  • Heart health
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Help reduce blood clot formation
  • Liver protection
  • Eases PMS
  • May help control appetite & stop cravings
  • Improves insulin resistance
  • Improve gastrointestinal flora
  • Contribute to chelation
  • Reduces the risk of colon cancer
  • Neuroprotective
  • Boost memory and cognitive function & lower Alzheimers rise

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CHOCOLATE?

Most commercial chocolates are highly processed foods, which combine roasted cacao beans with various amounts of sugar, milk, fat and other ingredients. In many the flavonoids are removed because they taste bitter, but they are where the health benefits originate so removing them also drastically reduces the health benefits.

Basically, the higher the percentage of cacao in the chocolate, the more bitter the flavor and the darker the color. A dark chocolate with at least 75% cacao is likely to offer most health benefits as the concentration of antioxidants will not be overwhelmed by the sweeteners and fats. Those Bittersweet chocolates are the way to go.

The sweeter the chocolate the less the health benefit….  

Organic raw cacao is the best way to eat your chocolate if you want all the antioxidants. So search out chocolate products that are both made from this and not heavily sweetened.

Unhealthy Chocolate

When you select your chocolate try and choose ones that avoid these ingredients:

  • Chocolates sweetened with cane sugar, fructose or high fructose corn syrup, and especially artificial sweeteners. Instead look for chocolate sweetened with honey or stevia which are much better choices. Coconut sugar is a low GI option if you do not have any problem with fructose.
  • Genetically engineered cocoa beans (GMO). If the chocolate is certified organic it won’t contain GMO ingredients, but most other chocolate does.
  • The right type of fat in chocolate is OK because it slows down sugar absorption. The best is cocoa butter, which is what occurs in the cacao plant. Coconut oil would be the next best fat. Make sure to avoid soy oil, vegetable oils and trans fats.

And by the way, WHITE chocolate is heavily sweetened and has NONE of the phytonutrients.

WHY WE LOVE CHOCOLATE SO MUCH

Have you wondered why eating some sorts of chocolate can make you feel so good? Cacao also contains the ‘bliss’ chemical anandamide which leads to feelings of excitement and alertness in our body, and improves your mood and reduces depression. Unlike caffeine, Anandamide is not addictive and does not have the side-effects of many drugs.

One compound in chocolate that may be a problem is theobromine which stimulates the central nervous system and dilates blood vessels. It has about 25% of the stimulating power of caffeine, and like caffeine it is a mild diuretic. But in some people theobromine can cause them to feel hyped-up which is then followed by lethargy. In others it causes headaches.

Hot Chocolate

An average cup of coffee contains up to 175milligrams of caffeine which is about what there is in a 50gram piece of dark chocolate. In comparison a cup of hot chocolate has only about 4-5 milligrams of caffeine, substantially lower than coffee. But some scientists believe that chocolate does not actually contain caffeine and that it is the theobromine that causes the caffeine-like responses. Theobromine is also the component that makes chocolate so dangerous for dogs, because they lack the enzymes needed to metabolize it.

I have a new favourite Raw cacao treat. It is Loving Earth’s ‘Organic Single Origin Drinking Chocolate’. It is made from raw cacao and raw chocolate, but it is sweetened, although it is with coconut sugar which is one of the better forms of sugar.

I heard of an awesome idea for this healthy breakfast for Chocoholics the other day from David Wolfe. How about a chocolate smoothie?

Superfood Smoothie

  • Fill your blender with water, coconut water, orange juice or tea (or a mix).
  • Blend in some spirulina powder and gogi berries.
  • If you live anywhere in the world other than Australia or New Zealand add some hemp seed protein powder (incredibly it is still illegal in both those countries) If you live in Australia or NZ you could add some ground flax, chia or pumpkin seeds instead.
  • Add some chocolate (raw cacao powder would be perfect) and some cacao nibs for extra yum.

And there you have it….A SUPERFOOD SMOOTHIE for chocoholics

One thing I used to love before I went Dairy-Free was Chocolate Mousse, so I was delighted when I first found this easy recipe (which is also vegan) that combines a few superfoods on the Australian Permaculture website.

Avocado Chocolate Mousse

  • Scoop the flesh from 2-3 avocados into the blender
  • Add 1 heaped tablespoon of raw cacao, a small handful of cacao nibs (optional) and around ½ cup of coconut palm sugar (or substitute another sweetening agent of your liking.)
  • Add a splash of vanilla essence and pour in enough water to cover the ingredients
  • Blend in short bursts. Some more water may be needed to be added to ensure the mousse draws down and is properly blended.
  • Pour into a bowl or jug (depending on thickness, if it is thicker a bowl is better) and serve

FAIR TRADE CHOCOLATE

In case you are wondering about why you should only ever buy Fair Trade Chocolate take a look at this film from The CNN Freedom Project about the slave trade that exists in the cacao industry.  Fair Trade chocolate isn’t perfect but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

So go ahead and indulge your love of Fair Trade chocolate, in small amounts, with a dark organic variety, preferably with no added sugar. Look for Raw Cacao in the ingredient list, and avoid all those sweet, milky varieties – they are not good at all!

What do you think, will you be adding this superfood to your eating plan?

Go ahead and enjoy some raw organic chocolate
Go ahead and enjoy some raw organic chocolate

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/022610_cacao_chocolate_raw.html

http://www.chocolate.org/health/chocprescribe.html

http://www.livestrong.com/dark-chocolate-health-benefits/

http://www.facts-about-chocolate.com/where-does-chocolate-come-from/

http://www.foodmatters.tv/articles-1/chocolate-can-be-good-for-you-at-the-right-dose

www.thesweetbeet.com/hemp-seeds

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Why Tattoos Are A Health Risk (And How To Rectify The Damage)

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Almost everyone has a tattoo these days, or has at the very least least considered getting one. We hear about the danger tattoos pose from infection and so on, but how many people ever consider the danger presented by toxic substances in the ink itself. Heavy metals, many of which are highly dangerous to humans, are used in many tattoo inks for colour. While we need small amounts of some like iron or zinc, in large quantities or under constant exposure even they are dangerous. Others like mercury, arsenic or cadmium are highly toxic in any amount and can lead to cancer, birth defects and many other health issues. When ink is left under the skin in a tattoos it basically means the body is exposed to these nasty toxins all the time.

This is a great article that was posted by Jess Ainscough on her blog, the Wellness Warrior , which I followed. Unfortunately the blog has now been taken down. Even though I like to write my own articles I think this is one that’s an absolute must to read.

tattoo ink toxins


I’m well aware that this post is probably going to make me pretty unpopular – especially among my tattoo-loving group of friends, but if I’m able to get just a few people to re-think getting inked, I’m doing my job.

Once upon a time I was desperate to get a tattoo. All of my friends started getting them when we were in high school and I thought it was tantrum-worthy unfair that my parents wouldn’t let me join them. I felt so inadequate with my bare lower back. Turns out my folks were right. I still think that the right kind of tattoo can look great, but these days I put my health above the temporary glee of such aesthetics.

This post isn’t about the horror stories associated with dodgy tattoos. I’m not concerned with writing about damage done by unqualified artists, infections, or allergic reactions. I’m more interested in filling you on just what you’re putting into your body when you get a tattoo, and what this does for your health.

Our skin is our largest organ, and anything that you apply to your skin is absorbed straight into your blood stream. So, everything found in a tattoo ends up in your system.


Toxins In Tattoo Ink

Way back in the day, traditional tribal tattoo marks were made using dyes from the natural environment. This is certainly not the case any more. While it’s near impossible to say what’s in all tattoo inks (they are all different, and disclosure of ingredients is not actually enforced), it’s safe to say that most colours of standard tattoo ink are derived from heavy metals.

Mercury = red ink
Lead = yellow, green, white ink
Cadmium = red, orange, yellow ink
Nickel = black ink
Zinc= yellow, white ink
Chromium = green ink
Cobalt = blue ink
Aluminium = green, violet ink
Titanium = white ink
Copper = blue, green ink
Iron = brown, red, black ink
Barium = white ink

Other compounds used as pigments include antimony, arsenic, beryllium, calcium, lithium, selenium, and sulphur.

Tattoo ink manufacturers typically blend the heavy metal pigments and/or use lightening agents (such as lead or titanium) to reduce production costs.

 

Danger Of Heavy Metals 

Heavy Metals bind in our bodies and are incredibly difficult to remove. They cause damage on a cellular level and contribute to cancer, Alzheimer’s, dementia, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, and diseases of the kidneys, circulatory system, and nervous system.

Then there’s the carrier solution, which most likely contains harmful substances such as denatured alcohols, methanol, rubbing alcohol, antifreeze, detergents, or formaldehyde and other highly toxic aldehydes.

 

Avoid Tattoo Ink Toxins

1. Stop getting tattoos.
2. If you’re a tattoo lover, ask to be decorated in high-quality vegan, organic inks and quiz the tattoo artist about the ingredients in the ink. Be adamant that you do not want ink containing heavy metals. Do your research first!
3. Start detoxifying those heavy metals.

I’m working on a more thorough blog post about heavy metal detoxification soon (this is something both my mum and I have had to do), but for now, here are some tips:

+ Add chlorella to your green smoothies.
+ Eat clay every morning.
+ Eat and juice coriander (aka cilantro).
+ Eat chia seeds.
+ Eat aloe vera.
+ Sweat on a daily basis – far infrared saunas are great for this.

So, there you go. I would love to know your thoughts on this topic. Does this info make you think twice about getting a tattoo? Or is your love of ink just too strong? Tell me in the comments below – just please be nice. I’m simply the messenger, so put down that rifle.

Before you go, take a look at my friend and her amazing, beautiful “non-tattooed” body art…

Gorgeous Body Art
Gorgeous Body Art

 

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

 

Healthy Home

Plastic Bombastic – Not Fantastic

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The new school year is here and thousands of children are heading off to school each day with packed lunches
The new school year is here and thousands of children are heading off to school each day with packed lunches

Making school lunches can be a bit of a nightmare. Every mother wants to send their children off to school with a healthy lunch (even if occasionally they succumb to outside pressure and include unhealthy snacks such as potato chips). Lots of children are now known to have reactions to certain foods and many schools impose limitations on the inclusion of certain foods, and of course this limits choices. There is lots of advice and suggestions around about school lunches and it is very easy to find ideas for healthy lunch boxes.

But in addition to what the children actually eat there is also the question of how to package it. With the new school year beginning this week and thousands of children heading off to school each day with lunches packed into plastic boxes and wrapped tightly in plastic cling film now is again the right time to revisit the question of the dangers on the kids health of chemicals leaching out of the plastic and into the food.

The issue is not whether chemicals will leach from the packaging into the food, but how much

Over the last few years the media has widely covered the impact on babies of Bisphenol A, or BPA as it is commonly known, used in the production of babies bottles with the result that there are now BPA-free baby bot

tles available. But not much is said about the danger of other plastics, even though research has made the dangers well known.

Plastics deserve their bad name! There have been numerous studies showing the adverse effects of plastics – in particular PVC, polycarbonate and polystyrene which contain the chemicals DEHP, Bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol, all xeno-oestrogens.

The problem with xeno-oestrogens, such as BPA, is that they alter hormones. They have been linked to breast and testicular cancer, infertility, early puberty, reproductive delays, obesity and diabetes, as well as being found to lower the ability of your immune system to respond to inflammation. BPA has even been found to be linked to behavioural and emotional problems in pre-schoolers. The danger from BPA is even greater for babies and children because they seem to be sensitive to even tiny amounts. Boys in particular are susceptible to the hormone altering effects.

These toxic chemicals not only occur in plastics. They are present across our environment and are found everywhere from the lining of metal food cans, to the detergents in cleaning products, dental sealants and composites, pesticides and even baby bottles.

Let’s break it down a bit

  • Many chemicals found in plastics alter hormones in the body and lead to illness of the reproductive system and other diseases.
  • Harmful chemicals are found in all manner of plastic products and are more likely to be there than not. Some plastics are not so dangerous
  • There is lots of evidence of BPA leaching from the epoxy lining of cans holding food and beverage. Even cans certified “organic” leach BPA.
  • Chemicals leach out of plastics faster when they are in contact with fatty, salty or acidic foods like meat, milk or tomatoes.
  • Chemicals leach out faster when the plastic is heated. NEVER heat food or drinks in plastic, and be very wary of unintentional heating like water bottles left in a warm car.
  • Some plastics are safer than others. The number of the type of plastic will be on the bottom of the container. The ones to avoid are #1 (PET or PETE polyethylene terephthalate), #3 (PVC polyvinyl chloride), #6 (PS polystyrene), #7 (all other types of plastics). Some labeled with #7 are safe and some unsafe but you can’t be sure which it is. One of the unsafe ones is polycarbonate (PC) which is used in baby bottles.

What plastics are safer?

Some safer plastics to use are:

#2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) – a hard plastic used for many food containers as well as some toys,

shopping bags packaging, plus lots more. It is more stable than most other plastics and does not leach out endocrine disrupting chemicals. It is also easy to recycle.

#4 LDPE (low density polyethylene) – a soft plastic used in bags, squeezable bottles, cling films. It is safer but not recyclable, unlike #2

#5 Polypropylene (PP) – used for rigid containers like ice-cream containers, plus many other items. It is thought to be free from known hazards but again, is not recyclable.

These do not give you a huge choice and also need to be balanced up with the damage that non-recyclable plastics do to our environment.

It is really safer and more responsible to avoid using plastic .

Paper bags - an alternative to plastic lunch boxes
Paper bags – an alternative to plastic lunch boxes

Simple ways to make changes

  • Use paper bags for school lunches – safe and recyclable
  • School lunch can be wrapped in greaseproof paper (at your supermarket) or one of the re-useable wraps now available. Look for them at Onya or 4MyEarth
  • Store food in glass, unglazed ceramics and stainless steel which are the safest containers for food storage. .
  • Get a good quality stainless steel drink bottle for you and your children and avoid plastic water bottles or juice boxes
  • Avoid lunch boxes made from PVC (#3) and polycarbonate (#7) as food left sitting in these could be harming your kids
  • Never heat food or liquids in plastic containers (not even if they are made of safer plastics)
  • Take your own containers for take-away foods and avoid having hot food sitting in plastic containers
  • Don’t use cling wrap in the microwave – harmful chemicals leach out
  • If you need to store food and drinks in plastic then choose one of the safer ones
  • Only use plastics if they have a recycling symbol on the bottom so you know it is not harmful, or else you could call the manufacturer to find out what type of plastic it is
  • Glass is the only safe option for baby bottles
  • Don’t store foods like meat, tomato-based meals or cheese wrapped in cling wrap or any plastic.
  • Avoid canned foods wherever you can – look for glass instead.

If you do make the change away from plastic containers and food wraps, not only will you be protecting your family’s health you will also be making a significant contribution towards a cleaner planet, where vast quantities of plastics in landfill and our oceans pose a huge problem.

Vast quantities of plastics in landfill and our oceans pose a huge problem
Vast quantities of plastics pose a huge problem to our health as well as in landfill and our oceans

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

Source articles:

http://www.naturalnews.com/041912_BPA_fetal_exposure_contamination.html#ixzz2dxplBmpG

http://www.buildingbiology.com.au/index.php/Biology/Plastics.html http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/11/16/practical-options-to-store-your-food-without-contaminating-them-with-plastics.aspx

http://welladjustedbabies.com/the-wrap-on-plastic-food-wrap

http://www.emagazine.com/blog/bpa-free

http://www.ecolife.com/blog/food-health/plastic-food-wrap.html

Natural Remedies & Homeopathy, Stress & Overwhelm

Bigger From Dawn To Dusk: Natural Remedies For Bloating

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Does this sound familiar? You wake in the morning feeling great with a nice flat belly, but by the evening your gut is swollen and aching, or at the very least uncomfortable and tight? Is bloating a problem for you? It is for many people. Chances are if you answered ‘yes’ then you’re probably a woman, with about one in three women experiencing abdominal bloating. But,while bloating is more common for women it’s also a problem for many men. For some unlucky people, bloating is a constant and serious problem. However, there are many natural remedies for bloating.

By the evening your gut is swollen and aching
By the evening your gut is swollen and aching

 

CAUSES OF BLOATING

There are many causes of bloating. Sometimes it’s simply the result of overeating. But if it happens regularly it could be due to any of the following:

  • Food allergies
  • Food intolerance
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
  • Constipation
  • Gas-producing foods
  • Swallowing air (aerophagia)
  • Intestinal parasites
  • Menstruation, period pain, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
  • Diverticulosis, Splenic-Flexure Syndrome, partial bowel obstruction
  • Visceral fat

After eating or drinking gases are produced in the colon. Normally they move through the gut where they’re mostly absorbed or they’re passed out of the body. But if the gas gets trapped along the way then discomfort and distension occurs. Sometimes bloating can be so severe that it makes you suddenly look pregnant.

 

STRESS AND BLOATING

A big problem and sometimes the cause of bloating is STRESS. When you’re stressed your gut doesn’t work properly. When your body goes into ‘fight or flight mode’ the digestive system closes down. If you’re living with ongoing stress your body stays in a prolonged state of ‘high alert’, as do all the digestive repercussions.

If you can’t remove the stress from your life then you need to introduce practices to break the stressful state apart. These practices could include yoga, meditation, walking the labyrinth, deep breathing, tai chi, exercise, relaxing music, walking. In fact whatever it is that relaxes and calms you will create the result you want.

Importantly you need to make the commitment to continue the activity on a regular basis.

 

HORMONES AND BLOATING

Bloating can be the result of gynaecological problems and often related to the hormonal cycle. Together with constipation it’s often worse right before periods when hormonal activity is high. HRT can also contribute to bloating in older women.

Isolating the offending cause of bloating can become further complicated when something as seemingly innocuous as calcium supplements may cause bloating in some people. The range of causes can be diverse and a complicated mix from a number of different sources.

 

FOODS AND BLOATING

Foods often cause bloating, with food intolerance probably being the biggest cause. Food intolerance is often very difficult to identify, especially if there;s more than one single food involved. Symptoms don’t always show up immediately after eating the food and may take days to become evident.

Problem Foods For Bloating

Problem foods often come from these groups:

  • Vegetables – Onions and garlic, and brassicas (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale)
  • Dairy foods – milk, cheese, ice-cream, and foods containing milk solids
  • Grains – wheat, corn (including popcorn)
  • Fruits – such as apples, peaches and pears
  • Sweets – hard candy, chewing gum
  • Highly spiced foods
  • Alcohol
  • Carbonated drinks and champagne

Processed foods are high in bloating-promoting ingredients and can lead to bloating. Fructose, one such ingredient, is often added to processed foods.

Fructose intolerance is a problem affecting more and more people. The FODMAP diet can really help those with fructose intolerance. However it needs to be done under the supervision of a practitioner as it varies a little from one individual to another and can be very complicated to put together.

Salt can be a problem, particularly in highly processed foods as it can cause or worsen bloating and water retention. It’s far better to avoid processed foods and to use other seasonings in your cooking.

 

It looks tasty but broccoli, milk and wheat could all be causing your blaoting
It looks tasty but broccoli, milk and wheat could all be causing your blaoting

 

PROBLEM FOODS FOR BLOATING

Gluten, lactose and fructose intolerance are the three most common  causes of bloating in my clients. If you believe one of these is behind your problem eliminate it completely for a week and watch the effect. But these ingredients are often hidden, for instance gluten is present in many medications.

Lactose, sorbitol and wheat as well as vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and onions can cause increased gas production. But the underlying problem is usually that your digestive tract isn’t contracting properly. When this occurs gas gets trapped in the digestive tract and leads to gurgling and bloating.

Avoiding problem foods helps lessen symptoms. But in the long term it’s better to fix the problem at a deeper level and that’s where natural remedies for bloating can help.

 

NATURAL REMEDIES FOR BLOATING

Homeopathy

There are a number of Homeopathic remedies that stimulate the gut so it starts contracting properly and then keeps on working efficiently. Using homeopathy for bloating is a bit like a ‘re-training’ for the gastrointestinal tract.

There are pre-mixed homeopathic remedies for general gut issues. However you’ll get best results under the care of a fully trained  Homeopath who’ll select a remedy to match your specific symptoms. Homeopathic remedies should be selected and taken according to homeopathic prescribing guidelines.

Herbs

Herbs are another natural option that can help bloating. Peppermint is well-known for its soothing effect on the digestive system. However it’s not great for everybody. While it works like a treat for many people about 40% actually experience a worsening of their symptoms and so are better avoiding peppermint altogether. Other mints are also helpful.

Ginger is another good digestive herb that might help you.

Fennel Seeds
Fennel Seeds

Fennel is probably the most effective herbal digestive aid and relieves gas magnificently as well as reducing bloating and cramps. Either chew fennel seeds or drink fennel tea.

Teas are one of the easiest and best ways to take herbs at home. You can make your own herbal teas or buy one ready blended containing fennel. Select a brand that specialises in therapeutic herbal teas.

It is easy to make your own Fennel Tea, simply crush one teaspoon of fennel seeds and add to a cup of water. Bring to the boil, cover and steep for ten to fifteen minutes. Cool and strain. Drink two to three cups each day.

Try the herbal tea out and if you don’t get a positive response try a different herb instead. My favourite digestive tea contains cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, clove, peppercorn and spearmint amongst other ingredients, which are all digestive aids.

Supplements

Taking probiotics, bifidus and acidopholus, can be helpful. They repopulate your gut with ‘good bacteria’. They help redress the imbalance between ‘good’ and ‘bad bacteria’ that often accompanies bloating. Look for a reputable brand from your health food shop, one that is for ‘practitioner dispensing only’ is the better choice.

There can be insufficient enzymes in the small intestine. In this case Digestive Enzymes can be a great help in breaking down the gas-forming foods. They are available over the counter.

Activated charcoal can help to relieve gas and bloating. Take it before and after meals. But don’t use it if you’re taking the contraceptive pill or other medications and don’t use it long term.

Essential Oils

Essential Oils are great for symptoms due to stress. Choose from peppermint, orange, rose, cinnamon and basil oils.  Alternatively buy a stress-relieving or balancing blend from your health food shop.

 

EXERCISE FOR BLOATING

Certain exercises can help when the pain of bloating is really bad.

  • Rolling a soft ball over your abdomen can help move the gas along the digestive tract.
  • Lie on your back and hug one leg to your chest while keeping the other flat on the floor. Hold for the count of 20. Then repeat with the other leg. Doing this at least five times may alleviate symptoms.
  • Five minutes of deep abdominal breathing is one of the best ways to get some relief.  This is a good practice to adopt every day whether you’re bloated or not.

 

YOUR HAPPY GUT CHECK LIST

  1. Maintain a healthy diet, keep regular eating patterns and don’t skip meals. Eat slowly and chew everything well.
  2. Avoid problematic foods from the list above.
  3. Increase your water intake and cut back alcohol which irritates the gut
  4. Replace white wheat bread with different grains such as rye or spelt, or even gluten-free. Broaden the range of grains you consume
  5. Avoid dairy products as many people are actually lactose intolerant
  6. Combat your symptoms with natural remedies
  7. Reduce your stress
  8. Limit sugar intake especially fructose found in fruits and juices

 

 

BLOATING WARNINGS

Persistent chronic bloating can be a symptom of intestinal blockage or more sinister diseases such as ovarian cancer or uterine fibroids. Get checked out by your doctor particularly if you also have unexplained weight loss or gain.

It’s becoming more widely recognised that many serious health problems stem from problems with the gut not functioning well. Keeping your digestive system working happily really is fundamental to maintaining good health.

Natural remedies for bloating are a simple and effective way to get relief

 

Would you love to stay vibrant & healthy beyond your 50’s? Join us to redesign your life and create your personal Wellness Blueprint with the tools you need to upscale your health & wellness in the long term at the Live Life: Love Life: Long Life Wellness Retreat

Bloated green man

Disclaimer.

All information and opinions presented here are for information only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before trying any of the treatment suggested on this site. 

Soulful Wellness: Where Mind, Body, and Spirit Align.