“Pomegranate is a fruit of paradise. There is one seed from Paradise in every pomegranate growing on the earth.”
Autumn has firmly established itself in Melbourne. Along with the welcome rain and cool weather comes an abundance of Autumnal produce. Mushrooms, mandarins, apples and pears in all their autumnal glory and alongside them, the luscious pomegranate. This week I was delighted to see the first beautiful, generous pomegranates in my greengrocers shop.
Originally hailing from Persia where it has been used medicinally for thousands of years, growth of the pomegranate spread through the Middle East, Asia, the Mediteranean and today is now widely grown across the globe including here in Australia.
Throughout history the pomegranate has been regarded as a symbol of most of the fundamental beliefs and desires of humanity, with almost every part of the fruit having significance. According to Greek mythology the pomagranate even played a role in the change of season, which was said to occur because Persephone ate a pomegranate seed, dooming her to return to the underworld (or winter) for one third of the year. In Ancient Egypt the pomegranate was regarded as a symbol of prosperity and ambition and in China and many other places, of fertility.
It is very easy to understand the magic of the pomegranate given the glossy, glowing skin and the rich generous colour of the distinctive ruby red seeds when the fruit breaks open.
HEALTH BENFITS OF POMEGRANATE
Fruits and vegetables that are brightly coloured tend to be high in antioxidants. These help your body by clearing up excess oxidants, or free radicals, which if left to run wild in your body cause inflammation and lead to disease. The ORAC score of pomegranates highlights them as one of the ‘richest sources of free-radical scavenging antioxidants’. This makes them a powerful tool to prevent those diseases with a strong inflammatory basis like arthritis, heart disease and cancer.
Pomegranates are rich sources of antioxidant phytonutrients, including flavonoids and polyphenols, which protect against free radicals. They also contain a wide range of other nutrients including most of the B Vitamins (including folate), zinc, magnesium, and iron, amongst others. But they are particularly high in Vitamin C, potassium, and pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5).
Pomegranate seeds are used effectively against heart disease, high blood pressure, inflammation and some cancers, including prostate cancer.
Studies have shown that pomegranate juice may protect against some cancers as well as modify heart disease risk factors. This study showed drinking pomegranate juicefor two weeks lowers reduced systolic blood pressure. And this 2006 study found that drinking a 225ml glass of pomegranate juice every day significantly slowed the progress of prostate cancer in men with recurring prostate cancer.
Ayurvedic medicine employs the healing power of the bark and rind of the pomegranate fruit to treat a wide range of disorders including diarrhoea, dysentery and intestinal parasites. The seeds are used as a heart or throat tonic. The astringent qualities of the fruit are considered useful for stopping nosebleeds or bleeding gums.
HOW TO USE POMEGRANATE
With pomegranates now in the shops it is time to reap their benefits. Using them fresh has some health benefits over using the stored juice.
Juice
The benefits of pomegranates are so high that you don’t need much to do you good. Even a 30-50ml shot of juice is sufficient to have significant benefits. Rather than using the juice as a beverage it might be wiser to consider it as a herbal treatment and take a smaller amount. Just 50ml a day will sustain healthy heart benefits.
You can’t really overdose on the juice but many people drink more juice than they need. The problem with drinking lots of fruit juice is the high sugar content. Even if it contains no added sugar it is still high in the natural sugar fructose. Fructose causes digestive problems for many, as well as big rises in their insulin levels. Because the fruit is high in fibre the sugars are released more slowly, but nonetheless may cause problems.
While the fruits are in season eat the fresh seeds rather than drinking pomegranate juice. Otherwise drink smaller quantities of the juice, even if it is unsweetened.
Seeds
If you can obtain fresh pomegranates this Autumn the seeds make a tasty tart addition to many dishes. Salads, smoothies, desserts, marinades, martinis are just some dishes that benefit from added pomegranate.
Pomegranate seed oil is made by cold pressing the seeds and is extremely nutritious and rich. Pomegranate oil is often added to skin care products for its wonderfully regenerative qualities.
Clears dandruff and flaky skin debris from the scalp
Anti-pruritic, therefore soothes and fights bacteria, inflammation and itchiness
Contains vitamin C which is necessary for good health and growth of hair
Balances the pH of the scalp
With so much goodness how could you resist the glorious pomegranate? Why not get some today and enjoy all the pomegranate benefits?
“I peel a pomegranate and say to myself, Weren’t it good if one could see the seeds of people hearts. Tears come when the juice splashes in my eyes.” ~ Sohrab Sepehri
Disclaimer
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
After enjoying a wonderful meal there’s nothing worse than sitting back and minutes or even hours later suffering the discomfort of indigestion.
Acid reflux or heartburn, nausea, vomiting, burping and belching, stomach uneasiness or burning pain, flatulence (gas), abdominal pain, bloating, growling stomach are all symptoms of indigestion. All cause the sufferer much discomfort or embarrassment.
Even seemingly unrelated symptoms such as dry coughing, sour or bitter tastes, hoarseness and wheezing can be related to acid reflux.
Indigestion is very common and most people suffer from it at least occasionally. With so many lifestyle triggers leading to indigestion this is not surprising.
TREATING INDIGESTION
Drugs prescribed for indigestion are on the increase. Most people use over the counter antacids to find relief but this is one of the worst ways to treat indigestion.
Antacids give temporary relief but also have side effects such as diarrhea or constipation. Other drugs prescribed fall into two groups, H2 blockers (eg. Zantac) and Proton pump inhibitors, PPI’s (eg. Nexium).
The problem with these drugs is they reduce the amount of acid in your stomach which may seem beneficial. However, often the problem behind indigestion is that your stomach is producing insufficient stomach acid, not excess. When you don’t have enough stomach acid you can’t digest food properly and digestive problems occur.
The drugs can easily mask imbalances and lead to more serious problems. They may cause many side effects. For example, they may lower your vitamin B12 levels, cause nausea or vomiting, headache, bruising, constipation or diarrhea, increase the risk of fractures and the risk of infections. Plus, once you’ve started you need to keep taking them because they cause a rebound effect. This is where indigestion symptoms return even worse than previously if you stop taking the drug.
Chronic heartburn and indigestion are serious problems and can be part of an underlying illness. Consult your health care practitioner if symptoms persist.
CAUSES OF INDIGESTION
Acid reflux occurs when the valve between the stomach and oesophagus (LES) doesn’t close properly, allowing small amounts of stomach acid to spill over into the oesophagus.
Bloating or gas may be due to the fermentation of some trigger foods or foods that are difficult to digest. It can be due to swallowing air during eating. It may also be a symptom of a disorder such as Coeliac Disease.
There are many Lifestyle triggers for indigestion including:
Being overweight
Drinking too much alcohol
Smoking
Stress and anxiety
Medications including aspirin, thyroid meds or oral contraceptives
Eating trigger foods and drinks
Eating too fast
High-fat foods
Pregnancy
Some common trigger foods:
Fatty meats
Deep fried foods
Chocolate
Peppermint
Alcohol in excess
Coffee
Cola
Stress often lies behind indigestion. Keeping a record of your moods and the times when you feel stressed, rushed, anxious, worried, overworked or even uneasy can help identify emotional triggers. Once you work out which situations trigger the problem, activities such as meditation, yoga, qi gong, tai chi or relaxation exercises can really help reduce associated stress levels and the symptoms of indigestion.
REDUCE INDIGESTION
While prevention is ideal it’s not always possible.
But there are lifestyle changes you can make that help reduce symptoms:
Avoid putting pressure on the stomach, avoid tight clothes.
Avoid carbonated drinks.
Eat small meals – five to six a day, and eat them slowly
Eat fibre, 40g a day
Avoid spicy foods
Drink tea and coffee in moderation, including decaffeinated,
Avoid alcohol
Avoid ice cold food and drinks which can deactivate digestive enzymes
Avoid cocoa and foods containing it
Avoid eating in the three hours before you go to bed
Undertake practices to relieve stress
Stop smoking, avoid tobacco
Lose weight
Reduce processed and sweet foods
Eat foods like kefir, sauerkraut and miso which contain probiotics to restore the natural balance and function of your gut. Or take a probiotic supplement containing Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. Not only do they restore the bowel flora, but they also help your digestion. Taking Spirulina increases healthy bacteria in your digestive tract.
Vitamin D is important for stomach health. If you are not getting adequate sunshine or normally wear sunscreen, increase your Vitamin D intake. Source it from cod liver oil which is also rich in omega 3, or take a supplement.
You can help increase your natural production of stomach acid, hydrochloric acid, by including Himalayan salt in your diet. This ensures your body gets enough chloride to make sufficient hydrochloric acid, plus it provides 83 trace minerals that are needed by your body in order to function well.
One way to identify food triggers that may be causing digestive problems is to keep a food diary over a few weeks.
NATURAL INDIGESTION RELIEF
Homeopathy Remedies for Indigestion
There are a number of Homeopathic remedies that stop the symptoms of heartburn and indigestion when selected and taken in accordance with homeopathic prescribing guidelines.
Ipecacuahna is one of the most commonly used homeopathic remedies for acute nausea and vomiting which is not relieved by vomiting. Surprisingly the tongue appears very clean. Symptoms get worse from warmth but improve a little in fresh air.
Nux-vomica is great for acute nausea especially when the result of overeating, drinking alcohol or coffee, or digestive problems which are made worse by therapeutic or recreational drugs. It’s often accompanied by constipation, flatulence or heartburn. Symptoms are made better by warmth and warm applications.
Pulsatilla can be helpful if indigestion is the result of eating pork or rich fatty foods. Symptoms include bloating and sometimes a headache. They do not feel thirsty and find some relief from cool, fresh air.
Carbo-veg gives relief from bloating with lots of offensive gas, which is sometimes released by drinking carbonated drinks.
Natrum phos is an important homeopathic remedy for indigestion with sour belching, sour tasting vomit and a yellow colour on the tongue. Good for those who get indigestion from eating fats. You can take Natrum phos as either a Homeopathic preparation or as a Cell Salt (Schuessler’s Tissue Salts).
Take Homeopathic preparations in the 6th potency, or the 30th potency if you are familiar with Homeopathic prescribing guidelines.
These are only a few of the hundreds of different Homeopahic remedies that help indigestion and give fast effective relief. If you are not familiar with the intricacies of Homeopathic prescribing consult a practitioner.
Herbs for Indigestion
There are many wonderful herbs that aid your digestion.
Gingertea can give immediate relief for heartburn or indigestion. It can also help reduce bloating. Shred fresh ginger root and pour boiling water over. Allow to steep for ten minutes, strain and drink.
Fenugreek seeds coat the lining of your stomach to relieve symptoms. Add one to two teaspoons to your food or eat separately.
Licoriceroot can be an effective treatment for reflux. It stimulates the production of digestive secretions that help reduce reflux. Take one or two tablets before meals or bed, or take as a tea to stimulate saliva and prevent symptoms. Make certain it is deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) particularly if you suffer from hypertension.
Bitter herbs.Herbs such as dandelion root, caraway, fennel, yellowdock, blessed thistle and gentian, found in Swedish Bitters, are bitter herbs that promote better digestion. These herbs encourage gastric secretions including saliva, hydrochloric (stomach) acid and digestive enzymes. They can treat or even prevent reflux. Take bitters just before eating to get digestive juices flowing.
Holy Basil or Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine to treat many disorders including stomach disorders, nausea and stress. Sipping a cup of Tulsi tea could help combat indigestion by reducing stomach symptoms as well as addressing the stress behind them.
Peppermint. Many people find peppermint tea an excellent digestive soother. However, for nearly half the population it has the opposite effect, causing heartburn. If this applies to you try chamomile tea instead. Peppermint relaxes smooth muscle of your digestive tract to ease cramps, gas and nausea. It can soothe bowel disruption caused by nervousness, overeating or diet changes.
Charcoal.If you suffer from excessive flatulence taking activated charcoal in the hour or two after eating can reduce gas. Be careful about taking it too much as it can interfere with the absorption of nutrients.
Slippery Elm Powder taken before meals helps heal irritated digestive tracts. It is mucilaginous and becomes gel-like when in contact with water to coat, protect and soothe the digestive tract. It comes as a powder to add to drinks or in capsules.
Apple Cider Vinegar. Many people swear by apple cider vinegar. One tablespoon of ACV and one tablespoon of honey in a glass of pure water before meals can ease heartburn.
Lemons. Eating lemon or lemon juice in a glass of warm water before a meal can prevent heartburn. Lemon stimulates bile production to help break down fats and improve digestion.
What’s your favourite kitchen cure to sort out your digestive problems? Share in the Leave a Reply box below.
Disclaimer
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
One essential trace element that not many people ever think about is iodine. Iodine is essential to many of the functions of your body, but many Australians are deficient in iodine. And not just Australians. In fact, it’s thought that up to 40% of the world population is getting insufficient iodine.
Iodine can be found throughout the organs of your body. Highest concentrations occur in the thyroid gland. It is also found in the ovaries, skin, saliva, breasts and gastric glands although it can be detected in every organ and tissue.
In the thyroid gland, iodine along with the minerals zinc and selenium is essential for the production of thyroid hormones, particularly thyroxin. These thyroid hormones directly control the body’s metabolic processes, which in turn have significant influence on many of the body’s organs and processes including heart rate and blood pressure.
When iodine levels are too low the thyroid cannot produce sufficient levels of hormones and you start to experience a range of symptoms such as lethargy, sleepiness, depression, intolerance to cold, dry skin, slow digestion, goiter, weight gain and slower mental faculties.
Health Benefits of Iodine
Iodine has many health benefits. It helps prevent the storage of excess calories as fat, assists in the removal of toxins and aids in the utilisation of other minerals. It strengthens the immune system and maintains healthy tissues throughout the body.
Iodine deficiency has been linked to goiter, hypothyroidism, obesity, cognitive impairment, heart disease, psychiatric disorders and cancer. It also causes impaired mental and physical development.
Addressing iodine deficiencies has been found to very effective in the treatment of goiter, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, fibrocystic breasts, hypertension, obesity and diabetes.
Food Sources Of Iodine
It became apparent that more and more people were suffering from an iodine deficiency. So, in an attempt to address the growing problem selected foods were fortified with iodine, including basics like bread and milk. Since 2009 iodine has been added to bread, and prepackaged bread is required to list iodised salt as an ingredient.
Although iodine it is a fairly rare mineral it is present in a number of foods. The best sources are marine plants such as spirulina, seaweed like kelp, nori, dulse or kombu and shellfish. Make sure that any produce from the sea is harvested from uncominated waters.
While iodine is found in abundance in the sea it is not as prevalent in soil, and due to modern farming practices most soils contain extremely low levels of iodine, along with many other minerals vital for good health. This transfers to low levels of iodine in crop foods. Unfortunately, the amount of iodine found in foods is dependent on the amount there is in the soil
Baked potatoes are a great source of iodine. Some other vegetarian sources are eggs, milk, garlic, lima beans, swiss chard, sesame seeds, soybeans, turnip greens and spinach.
Before the 1970’s milk was one food that supplied most iodine to the diet. However, since the 1990’s the iodine present in milk has dropped to about half due to dairy processing changes.
Iodised salt has long provided many with their daily iodine. But with increased awareness of the relationship between high salt intake and hypertension and growing awareness of the problems with salt in all highly processed foods, consumption of this iodine source has declined significantly.
Himalayan Salt in moderation is a healthier alternative to conventional salt. Half a gram contains 250 micrograms of iodine, 150% of what the body requires each day.
To combat iodine deficiency dried seaweed is the food to head for. Just seven grams supplies 4,500 micrograms of iodine, 3000% of your daily requirement. Rather than having this much at one meal eat smaller quantities more frequently to maintain a regular supply.
Iodine Content of Specific Foods
Food (µg* per 100g)
Iodine content
Oysters
160
Cod
99
Sushi (containing seaweed)
92
Tinned salmon
60
Bread (made with iodised salt)
46
Steamed snapper
40
Prawn
35
Baked turkey breast
34
Navy beans (1/2 cup)
32
Plain yoghurt
31
Baked potato (1/2 medium)
30
Boiled eggs (2)
24
Cheddar cheese
23
Eggs
22
Ice cream
21
Chocolate milk
20
Tuna, canned
18
Canned corn
17
Flavoured yoghurt
16
Regular milk
13
Tinned tuna
10
Strawberries
10
Bread (no iodised salt)
3
Beef, pork, lamb
<1.5
Tap water (level depends on site)
0.5-20.0
Apples, oranges, grapes, bananas
<0.5
* micrograms Source: nutritionaustralia.org
Don’t forget that you may eat substantially less than 100grams of some of these foods. You need to consider just how much iodine there actually is in the food you are eating.
Effects of Low Iodine
Perhaps the most obvious, but least dangerous manifestation of iodine deficiency is goiter, a swelling of the thyroid gland which manifests as a swelling in the neck and around the larynx. Treating goiter with iodine during the first five years usually ensures that the thyroid doesn’t suffer permanent damage.
It’s well known that micronutrient deficiencies affect the development of intelligence and iodine deficiency can certainly do this. Inadequate iodine has a significant effect on cognitive function, affecting memory.
Although iodine is a major requirement for thyroid health, it also has other important functions including boosting the immune system, by increasing antioxidant activity.
Iodine is widely used to treat fibrocystic breast disease. In studies it’s been shown to shrink cancer cells when injected directly into the cells. It is essential in the prevention of thyroid cancer.
Iodine assists with flushing out chemical toxins including fluoride, lead and mercury.
Deficiency in children not only causes lower IQ but also creates issues with learning and concentration. It can be an ongoing issue when intake is too low.
Seaweed snack
Iodine for Reproductive Health
Iodine offers benefits to the reproductive organs. Fertility relies on sufficient levels initially as well as during pregnancy, to prevent miscarriage or stillbirth, and to prevent neurologic and cognitive conditions in the baby. Severe deficiency during pregnancy can lead to the following problems:
Miscarriage during the first trimester, or stillbirth
Gestational hytertension
Birth deformities
Neurological defects in the baby causing irreversible brain damage. These include cretinism, intellectual difficulties, hearing loss and speech difficulties, short stature, deaf mutism, dwarfism
Iodine passes into breast milk in large quantities and nursing mothers need to maintain their iodine intake to prevent iodine deficiency themselves.
Causes of Iodine Deficiency
There are a number of factors that can lead to iodine deficiency including:
Low amounts of iodine in the diet
Selenium deficiency
Pregnancy
Radiation exposure
Smoking tobacco
Alcohol
Oral contraceptives
Signs of Iodine Deficiency
Here are signs that could provide clues you’re not getting enough iodine. If you suffer from these symptoms consult your health care practitioner:
Dry mouth
Dry skin, reduced sweating
Hair loss
Reduced alertness, poor perception, lowered IQ
Fibromyalgia, pain, fibrosis
Scar tissue, nodules
Frustration
Depression
Abnormal weight gain
Reduced fertility
Constipation
Fatigue
Iodine Risks
A word of caution for those living where fluoride is added to the water supply. There have been studies which question the validity of fluoridation of drinking water because there is a link between excess fluoride ingestion and thyroid disease. Thyroid disease increased where water was fluoridated as the fluoride inhibits the action of the iodine.
Iodine supplementation is one place where you can get too much of a good thing. There are potential risks to taking too much iodine. Doses over 2,000mg a day are dangerous especially if you have kidney ailments. Too much can easily lead to subclinical hypothyroidism, which is ironic when you consider that hypothyroidism is often linked to iodine deficiency. Sourcing iodine from foods may be preferable to taking supplements.
Iodine is one supplement where it’s essential to maintain a healthy balance between too little and too much.
Kelp is a rich source of iodine
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 following any of the treatments suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Curcumin, the active ingredient of turmeric, is a very powerful antioxidant
Turmeric has enjoyed a revered status in India and China for thousands of years for its amazing healing benefits. In the Pacific the spice was also known and used by the Polynesians who carried it to Hawaii where it is still known as Olena. Recognized in the west as the yellow coloured ingredient in many curries, turmeric has long been used extensively in Asia to treat a wide range of medical conditions due to its strong anti-inflammatory effects.
The main beneficial component of turmeric, or Curcuma longa, is curcumin. Curcumin is a very powerful antioxidant, far more powerful than grape seed or pine bark extract. It can help reduce DNA and cell damage caused by dangerous free radicals in our body.
There are many who believe there’s a strong link between inflammation and chronic illness. Curcumin is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. These make it very effective for fighting heart disease, the pain of osteoarthritis and many other health problems associated with inflammation.
The effect of curcumin is particularly evident inside the colon where the result of its action is a quick turnover of cells. Damaged or mutated cells are destroyed quickly before they have the opportunity to spread through the body.
Turmeric can help prevent breast, prostate, skin and colon cancer. Studies show that it can start a process of self-destruction in the cancer cells, destroying them before they have the chance to spread through the body.
Nine different studies all showed turmeric reduced the size of brain tumours. It also limits the growth of blood vessels in tumours, and can be used to ease the side effects, and boost the effectiveness of chemotherapy.
Support Healthy Bones, Joints and Skeletal System
Turmeric supports healthy joint function and is a wonderfully effective remedy for arthritis, reducing the inflammation that leads to pain without side-effects. Studies show that turmeric is a natural pain-killer.
Maintain a Healthy Digestive system
Curcumin helps improve and balance your digestive system. It increases the flow of bile needed to break down dietary fat, which can relieve many gut and digestion problems.
Prevent Diabetes and Hyperglyceamia
The antioxidant agents in turmeric help reduce insulin resistance and may help prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. If blood sugar levels are already within the normal range turmeric helps maintain them.
Promote Heart Health
Turmeric supports healthy blood and your circulatory system. It reduces the risk of blood clots, and prevents buildup of plaque in the arteries, helping to reduce the risk of stroke and other blood clotting problems. It helps reduce bad cholesterol and improve good cholesterol to maintain levels within the healthy range.
Slow Alzheimers and Support Memory Function
Studies have shown that the curcumin in turmeric can slow the progress of Alzheimer’s, as well as the progression of acquired brain injury.
Reduce the Symptoms of Asthma
Turmeric helps reduce the inflammation associated with asthma as well as reduce the symptoms. A teaspoon of turmeric added to warm milk before bed is a remedy for asthma you can try at home.
Depression
In Traditional Chinese Medicine turmeric is a long-standing treatment for depression.
Promote and Support the Immune System and Boost Immunity
Turmeric is an adaptogen that helps to support your body under stress and support the immune system.
Protect Against Liver Disease
Turmeric is a strong liver detoxifier, helping to remove toxins from the body and supporting and encouraging healthy blood and liver functions.
Help Promote Healthy Skin
While neutralising free radicals that cause skin aging, turmeric also nourishes and cleanses your skin and helps maintain its elasticity.
The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin can help heal cuts, wounds and other skin infections. Simply mix turmeric with water to form a paste and apply to the skin. It helps with restructuring the skin so may prevent scarring. When applied topically it helps the symptoms of psoriasis. It is a natural antiseptic and can also be used to treat burns.
Promote Weight loss
Turmeric helps to metabolise fats and provides a boost for the metabolism.
By reducing the activity of the cells that contribute to many diseases including insulin resistance, turmeric helps reduce the incidence of obesity-related disease and contributes to weight loss.
Slow Multiple Sclerosis
Turmeric slows the progression of Multiple Sclerosis
Other Health Benefits of Turmeric
Turmeric supports overall eye health
It promotes a healthy female reproductive system
Turmeric assists your neurological system with a healthy response to stress
Recently it was reported that curcumin has antimalarial properties.
Research Into the Benefits of Turmeric
There are many studies into the effects of turmeric on a range of different health problems. This study from the University of Texas suggests that turmeric may halt the ability of cancer cells to grow.
Other studies have shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of curcumin are at least equal to those of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. The big difference of course is that turmeric doesn’t have the side-effects of the drugs. Nor does it leave toxic residue in the body.
Benefits of Turmeric for Arthritis
Turmeric shows an excellent ability to reduce inflammation throughout the body and thus positively affect many conditions. But perhaps the most significant impact of turmeric is in relieving symptoms of arthritic diseases, particularly Rheumatoid Arthritis. It is here it has the ability to make a significant difference.
A 2012 study comparing the efficacy of turmeric with the NSAID Voltaren showed curcumin to be more effective in relieving the symptoms of RA, including tenderness and joint swelling. The curcumin had no side effects, unlike the drug.
To gain the therapeutic effect for RA requires relatively high doses. Take it as capsules under the care of your Natural Health Practitioner to ensure you get sufficient turmeric to give you relief.
Make Turmeric Part of Your Wellness
Using unprocessed and organic powdered turmeric spice in your cooking is a simple and effective way to enhance and optimise your health. Even if you only have it sometimes your wellness will benefit.
But it can be difficult to rely on turmeric in food for therapeutic use. You need to take a significant amount every day. When you add the spice to meals it’s important to remember just how much you actually end up ingesting. Adding a teaspoon of turmeric to a dish made for a whole family means you will not be eating very much in the end.
Some of the health benefits of turmeric are lost through the cooking process. If you are in reasonable health adding the spice to food occasionally is beneficial. But if you have a health problem you need a high quality supplement on a regular basis to get enough turmeric to gain the benefit.
Don’t expect too much from turmeric selected from the spice section of your supermarket as it’s processed. Using turmeric therapeutically requires a pure, high-quality product. Buying organic herbs for therapeutic use is a better option.
Powdered Turmeric
If you prefer taking powdered turmeric it’s better to take a measured dose than rely on turmeric in meals. Here are a few guidelines.
Take one teaspoon twice a day (every day) with meals as a preventative for diabetes,
Adding one teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of warm milk before bed can help prevent inflammation. This is a good way to take turmeric as a treatment for asthma, colds or flu and general inflammation.
For arthritis you need take a turmeric supplement in order to get a sufficient quantity to relieve the symptoms.
Taking turmeric in capsule form is an easy way to ensure you are taking enough to treat your health problem. To ascertain the amount you require consult with a qualified Natural Health practitioner.
Turmeric, Nature’s Golden Gift
Turmeric is useful to improve general wellness and is impressive as an alternative natural anti-inflammatory.
But it shines most brightly as an impressive natural treatment for a wide range of specific health issues.
When cells are healthy the body is healthy. Turmeric supports and builds those healthy body cells.
Disclaimer.
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Stress has become such a permanent part of people’s lives that many stressors are now considered a normal part of everyday life or regarded as a necessary evil of modern life.
The world, and our place in it, has developed at an alarming pace. Although we’re still adapting to life on earth, it’s at a much, much slower rate than millions of years ago. Our bodies and our reactions are completely out of synch with our world. Our brains tell us stress is just part of living a modern life, but our bodies tell us the opposite.
Stressors can be physical, such as illness or violence, extreme heat or even noisy neighbours. They can be caused by lifestyle practices, such as work stress, alcohol abuse or poor sleep habits. Or the stressors can be emotional, originating in your mind. These emotional responses can be the most complex and lead to the greatest impact on our health.
Ongoing chronic stress is now considered the number one hurdle to good health
Stress can have many widespread effects on the body. Sometimes anxiety develops as a result of ongoing stress. But the effects of even low-grade stress are significant.
These include:
Blood pressure increases
Muscles tense up
Breathing rate increases
Heart rate increases
Brain waves slow down
Of course these are all signs of the ‘fight-or-flight’ response kicking into action. This is fine in the short term but detrimental to your health when they are ongoing.
When stress is ongoing it leads to widespread problems through the whole body.
Weight Gain – Stress alters the way fat’s distributed in the body, depositing it around the midriff where it poses the most danger to health.
Faster Ageing – A study from the University of California found chronically stressed mothers aged faster. Another study linked prenatal exposure to the mother’s stress to accelerated ageing in the child.
Affects Brain Cells – A Stanford University study found brain cells shrink in the chronically stressed.
Serious Disease – Stress is known to increase free radicals incidence which leads to the development of serious chronic disease.
Recognising Stress
While anxiety is often the effect of stress, not everyone who’s stressed is anxious. People who suffer from stress often appear calm. So it’s important to recognise other body cues that occur when you’re stressed. If you learn to notice and recognise the signs in your body, you can take steps to reverse them.
Do you recognise or experience any of these signs that you are under stress?
Your neck gets tight and stiff and you develop a tension headache at the base of your skull.
Your shoulders and back tighten.
Your chest wall feels constricted. If you cross your arms to compensate it simply further constricts your breathing.
You get a feeling of a tight ball or knot in your belly.
Your jaw clenches, your forehead tightens, as do your lips.
Your fingers feel tight, your hands clench.
People looking at you can easily see your stress as your shoulders hunch, your head bows, your face is clenched and you may even seem to be wearing a defeated air.
You may even experience some more serious problems which include palpitations, stomach upsets, sleep problems, impotence, reduced sex drive, raised blood pressure or a stroke or heart attack.
Perhaps most importantly, stress has been shown to lead to an increase in free radicals throughout your body. Free radicals lead to inflammation and are now seen as the forerunner of serious chronic and autoimmune diseases such as cancer, SLE lupus, other autoimmune disorders, ageing, cataract, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Your De-Stress Tool Kit
While it can be virtually impossible to eliminate many ongoing, underlying stresses from your life, adopting some simple techniques to use in times of increased stress can help you feel better in moments.
When you actively reduce your stress response you also immediately effect the stress hormones released through your body. Having a few tools suitable for crisis control can restore your sense of wellbeing and help you cope in difficult situations.
Being able to reduce stress and anxiety without having to fall back on medications helps build your health in the long term.
Some techniques will work better for you than others so search out those that you find most effective. Try any technique you come across, even the esoteric ones, you can never be certain which will work best for you. Allow them all the benefit of the doubt and give them a fair try. It is likely you will need to combine more than one technique, so be on the watch for any improvement and don’t reject anything if it is only partially helpful, it will still be making some difference.
Learn the technique before you are caught in a difficult situation. Memorise it and practice it – you need to be able to use the skills automatically.
Most important, don’t give up – stress can make you restless and inclined to not stick it out.
There are many ways to manage the symptoms of stress. Acupressure, massage and diet are some of the better known. Flower essences and homeopathic remedies are excellent and very effective. Herbals are available in many forms. But there are also some simple techniques and practices that you can do wherever you happen to be, right in the moment you need help.
Simple Ways to Relieve Stress Naturally
Relax
When your muscles are tense you are often not even aware of it. Relaxing is a very basic and simple technique which will not only help you to release the tension but also bring you awareness of the state of your muscles.
Sit, stand or lie. Tense up one set of muscles in your leg or arms as tight as you can. You can even start with just your toe muscles to be more effective. Then let them go so they are quite limp. The contrast between the two states will show you what ‘relaxed’ actually feels like.
Concentrate on that feeling as you then tense and relax the other muscle groups in your body, your toes, feet, legs, buttocks, back, abdomen, hands, arms right through to your head. Pay particular attention to your jaw and forehead.
Breathe
Before you begin, reassure yourself that consciously controlling your breathing is one of the simplest and most effective ways to control anxiety and stressful feelings, and to diminish the effect of stress on your body.
Find somewhere quiet, clear your mind and start breathing deeply into your abdomen. Place your hand on your belly, you should feel it rise and fall. Breathe slowly and don’t raise your shoulders.
If you struggle, breathe as you count backwards from fifty. Breathe in on ‘fifty’, out on forty-nine and so on. Keeping your mind focused on synchronising your breath with the numbers slows down your breathing and forces you to breathe deeper.
Ninety percent of people breathe inefficiently.
You can read more about the technique of deep breathing, and learn how to make effective breathing a normal, unconscious part of your life here “Breathe Deeply to Reduce Stress”.
Smile
Frowning triggers the release of stress hormones and smiling decreases them. In addition, smiling causes the release of endorphins, the chemicals that make you feel ‘oh-so-good’.
Stretch
Simple but very calming! Do it as slowly and gracefully as you can. There are three coordinated actions involved:
Controlling your breath
Raising your hands and arms
Stretching your whole body from toes to fingertips
Stand. Let your arms, wrist and fingers go limp. Bend your knees slightly, entwine your hands loosely and turn your palms upward.
Slowly breathe in. Raise your hands towards your mouth and start to straighten your legs.
Slowly breathe out, turn your palms outward and stretch your body. Slowly exhale totally, reach your arms up, face your palms to the ceiling. Stand on your toes.
Now reverse the action
Repeat at least five times, slowly. Take a few minutes afterwards to relax and do nothing.
Affirm
Your subconscious is a powerful force. Affirmations tap into your subconscious and are extremely effective if they are worded well and are used routinely.
Given the impact and complexity of emotional stresses, affirmations are a useful tool because your subconscious cannot tell the difference between what is real or what is not, it only ‘knows’ and directs according to what you tell it. If your thoughts are always that you can’t cope or you have no money, that’s what your subconscious believes and will direct accordingly.
The exact words you use form your affirmations are very important and can make or break the effectiveness of the affirmation. It is important that they become a regular part of your day and so the way you integrate them into your life needs to be considered.
Keep your statements in the present tense, as if they already exist. “I want to…” or “I can…” or “I will” relate to what you want to achieve and are not as powerful as “I am” or “I (do)” which relate to a state already in existence.
You will find useful guidelines to creating and using affirmations here.
It can be helpful to consult a practitioner to set up an affirmation technique that really works for you.
Visualise
If you are a visual person imagining a big screen showing a scene that you find calm can be useful.
Close your eyes and choose an image that reflects how you would like to feel, perhaps an idyllic tropical island or a peaceful waterfall.
Next imagine this image on a big screen in your mind.
Keeping your eyes closed examine the image, notice the golden sand, the gentle waves, the island in the distance.
When you see it clearly, step inside. See yourself in the scene as if you are really there. Notice what you are wearing, what you can hear, smell. Feel the sand, the breeze in your hair.
Once you feel you are really in the scene, reach for the ‘controls’ of the screen and turn up the volume and picture. As everything around you becomes brighter and louder and your physical feelings more intense, you become calm and relaxed almost immediately, as if you were really there.
Relax, keeping the calm with you.
Release
One of the most common symptoms of stress is a clenched jaw and clenched teeth. Releasing the jaw is a simple technique to release much of the tension of stress.
First become aware of the tension in your jaw. Clench tighter, then release it.
Lightly press your tongue against the roof of your mouth behind your teeth.
Part your lips slightly and feel your jaw relax.
Repeat several times a day.
Tap
The Emotional Freedom Technique, or tapping, is SO simple and SO effective. Anyone can teach themselves the basic routine and use it to create all types of changes. It can be very effective for creating calm.
It simply involves a routine of tapping on acupressure points in the body, while saying a set of statements. The process lodges any change in thinking within the subconscious. Changes occur with EFT extremely quickly.
Discover the basics of EFT, watch a demonstration and learn how to do the basic technique yourself right here. If you would like to learn more, many EFT practitioners run free information and demonstration sessions.
Eat
If all else fails eating small amounts of DARK chocolate helps calm anxiety. The theobromine in chocolate helps to elevate your mood and the tryptophan in dark chocolate improves your levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that influences mood and contributes to feelings of wellbeing. Many people with anxiety are known to have low levels of serotonin.
Importantly, remember to first try out the techniques when you are feeling ok. Get to know them so you can move straight into doing them whenever you need, without having to think them through. If you struggle to remember what to do it will only add to your stress.
Do you have technique that you find really helps when you are feeling stressed?Leave a reply below and share it with us.
Stress and the inflammation that results are now seen as the forerunner of serious chronic and autoimmune diseases. It’s time to change that right now.
Disclaimer.
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Source articles
Wilson, P. Instant Calm, Penguin, 1995
Hartley, A. Love The Life You Live, Hart Publishing, 2000
There’s an epidemic of food sensitivities surrounding us. Allergies to foods, food intolerances, or even just increased sensitivity have become more and more common right across the population. Food allergies aren’t so common, but food intolerances seem to be increasing at an alarming rate.
FOOD INTOLERANCE CAN BE DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE
Unfortunately for many people, food intolerances are often misdiagnosed or even missed altogether.
Symptoms are often very diverse and can take anywhere up to days after eating to appear. This means often they’re not directly linked to the troublesome food. The delay makes it very difficult to pinpoint exactly what is the causing the problem.
In addition, the person may often be intolerant to more than one food. If it happens to be an ingredient that’s commonly found in many different foods, such as gluten or lactose, it may be near impossible to detect. Simply eliminating one food from the diet doesn’t stop the symptoms as the other problem foods still cause problems. When this happens it’s easy to assume the eliminated food is not the cause, when in fact it may be a PART of the cause.
Common allergy tests don’t detect food intolerances and the sufferer is often given a clean bill of health after testing, but continues to endure the debilitating symptoms.
Lactose intolerance is a condition where the person is unable to digest the sugar in milk (lactose) properly. It’s fairly common with estimates that about 65% of the world’s adult population have the condition to some extent. It’s not a dangerous condition but can be very unpleasant, even ruining the quality of life for the person.
Some people have the condition mildly only experiencing symptoms if they overload on dairy foods. Others have it severely with strong symptoms occurring with even the tiniest amount of dairy foods.
Symptoms include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, stomach bloating, flatulence, and appear anywhere from thirty minutes to a few hours, or rarely, even days after consuming the food.
The severity of symptoms depends on three things:
The amount of lactose consumed
The levels of the lactase enzyme present
The speed of gastric emptying – the faster the gut transit the worse the symptoms.
WHY LACTOSE INTOLERANCE OCCURS
People with lactose intolerance don’t produce enough lactase, an enzyme required for lactose metabolism.
Not everyone with lactase deficiency has lactose intolerance. The deficiency develops over a long period. Although it starts around two years of age most people don’t develop symptoms until adolescence or adulthood. It may also develop as the result of damage to the intestine through illness such as celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, severe diarrhea or chemotherapy.
It’s long been thought that lactose intolerance was entirely due to this enzyme lack in the gut. It’s now thought that low levels of good intestinal bacteria may also be the cause. In many instances low bacteria levels are the result of other problems or illnesses.
EAT RIGHT FOR LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
There are studies that show many of those with low lactase levels actually do absorb lactose in small amounts. These people don’t necessarily need to eliminate lactose entirely or to take extra foods or supplements to balance the gut to improve their symptoms. Rather they just need to cut back on the amount of dairy foods they consume.
For others the only way to get rid of symptoms for good is to adopt a dairy-free eating plan.
Dairy foods include all forms of cow’s milk, cheese, cream, ice-cream, butter, yoghurt, curds, and many foods made from these. It may include the milk products of goats, sheep and camels. It doesn’t include eggs. Here’s a comprehensive list of all dairy foods.
If the gut symptoms are due to an illness such as IBS eliminating dairy foods won’t give significant symptom relief.
Evidence shows that eating yoghurt, probiotics and kefir replaces certain gut bacteria which improves symptoms. This is certainly worthwhile but it doesn’t address the underlying cause of the problem.
LACTOSE FREE FOODS
There are many lactose-free foods now available. While soy milk previously was the standard replacment for milk there are now many others. Now coconut milk often replaces milk in a product. Rice milk, almond milk, oat milk and soy milk are others that are all lactose free.
There are many lactose-free oils to replace butter. Ghee is butter with the lactose skimmed out of it and is often an excellent substitute.
Some fruit sorbets have no added milk.
Read the labels on processed foods and you’ll find many lactose-free alternatives.
Words that indicate the presence of lactose include: Milk, lactose, whey, curds, milk by-products, dry milk solids, non-fat milk powder, milk solids.
Lactose is also used in many prescription medicines, including birth control pills, over the counter medications and health supplements.
Some people can tolerate low-lactose foods made from goats or sheep milk. These foods have less lactose than those from cow’s milk.
Often our bodies know what’s not tolerated and let us know. When I stopped eating dairy I very quickly remembered I hated milk and cheese as a child and had only started eating them as an adult in response to peer pressure.
However, the opposite can just as easily occur. Many people who have strong cravings for creamy dairy foods or milk actually have an intolerance or allergy. If you experience either strong cravings or aversions it’s worth considering your tolerance of that food.
NATURAL WAYS TO REDUCE LACTOSE INTOLERANCE
There are a number of foods and supplements that help reduce unpleasant digestive symptoms caused by eating dairy foods.
Probiotics
Probiotic bacteria useful for lactose intolerance include Lactobacilli, Bifidobacteria and Streptococci. Bifidobacterium longum is very efficient at metabolizing lactose, although all three are capable of producing lactase to improve lactose digestion.
While probiotics are live strains of good bacteria, prebiotics are the nourishment these bacteria needs to stimulate growth. Taking prebiotics as well as probiotic supplements help to significantly build levels of good bacteria. Some foods containg inulin, the most common form of prebiotic, are asparagus, garlic, leek, onion, and artichoke.
Apple Cider Vinegar
ACV can be a very effective way to reduce, even eradicate, lactose intolerance. It helps to balance the body. Try one tablespoon in ½ to one full glass of water every morning. Adding ¼ teaspoon of bicarb soda (baking soda) to the ACV before adding the water seems to help. It takes several weeks to improve symptoms and you must be diligent and not skip a day.
Coconut Oil
Taking 1-2 teaspoons of virgin coconut oil daily may help reduce intolerance. Alternatively, use coconut milk as a milk replacement in many recipes.
Yoghurt
Even though yoghurt is a dairy product, a few spoonfuls of good quality, full fat yoghurt with each meal introduces beneficial bacteria to your gut. Many people with lactose intolerance can digest yoghurt because it contains live bacteria in it to help break down the lactose and improve digestion.
Fermented Products
Sauerkraut and kimchi are foods made from fermented cabbage that contain good bacteria which helps re-populate the gut and regulate the digestive system. Drink the juice of the sauerkraut as well as eating it. Kimchi is quite spicy. It takes a few weeks for the bacteria to build up to sufficient levels to reduce symptoms.
Lactase Enzyme Supplements
Lactase is an enzyme produced in the small intestine that breaks down lactose in the body. When a person doesn’t produce sufficient lactase they experience the symptoms of lactose intolerance.
Lactase supplements are a small pill taken with foods containing lactose. They’re useful as a temporary measure or when you’re eating large quantities of dairy foods, but may not be so good for the long term. Some people become immune to lactase pills over time. Adding the enzymes to milk a few hours before drinking it helps break down the lactose. They’re available from health food stores
Sometimes you may not even be aware you’re eating dairy foods. I once watched a famous chef on TV divulge that the secret ingredient in his amazing clear chicken stock was cow’s milk.
One other problem with lactase supplements is that when the lactase arrives in the gut from another external source the body no longer needs to keep producing any lactase at all. You may very quickly go from producing some (if insufficient amounts) lactase to producing absolutely none.
Hard, aged cheeses have less lactose than soft cheeses.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
If you’re only slightly lactose intolerant all you may need do is cut down the amount of dairy you eat. You may tolerate some dairy foods better than others and if you choose carefully you may feel better in ways you hadn’t really noticed were wrong before.
If your intolerance is a little more severe you could find adding fermented foods, apple cider vinegar or probiotics gives you huge improvements.
High fat milk is digested more easily than low-fat milk.
Hard, aged cheeses have less lactose than soft cheeses.
Butter is low in lactose.
Milk products containing live bacterial cultures are already partially digested and may be tolerated.
Eating good quality yogurt containing live culture 10-15 minutes before eating dairy products may help your symptoms.
To eliminate symptoms eating dairy-free is often the best choice. These days it’s not difficult as there are many alternatives, including soy and coconut. If you’re able to tolerate a little lactose, and most people can, add very small amounts of one of the more easily tolerated dairy foods to remind your gut to keep producing any lactase it can.
For many simply cutting back the amount of dairy products is enough to eliminate the symptoms. Drinking less milk every day, eating yoghurt instead of drinking milk, replacing cows cheese with goat’s cheese are just a few things you could do.
What have you found to be the best way to deal with your lactose intolerance?
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 following any of the treatments suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Kicking the sugar habit is easier said than done. For some people even making the decision to stop eating sugar is beyond thinking.
One of the biggest health pushes of 2013 was to encourage both us and food manufacturers to dramatically cut back the amount of sugar we consume. Suddenly it seemed that the finger was pointed squarely at sugar as the primary culprit behind one after another health problem.
We all know that too much sugar is bad for us. But most of us don’t really know why, or how much too much actually is. But it seems that many of us have now picked up on the message that it could be that ANY sugar is bad for us.
But actually removing sugar and sweet foods from your diet is another matter altogether. Only last week someone told me about their New Year resolutions and breaking their bad habits. “I really need to lose weight” she said “but I don’t think I’m quite ready to say good bye to sugar”. And therein lies the problem that the majority of Australians, and probably most other Westerners face. They love their sweet food and they know just how hard it is to say goodbye to it completely.
Add to this reluctance the fact that sugar is addictive, and the resolve to abstain dissolves.
Break the Sugar Addiction
The decision is not just about deciding to give up sugar. It is also about breaking the physical effects of sugar. As with any other addiction, sugar metabolism sets up a chemical reaction in the brain as well as the body. Within the brain, glucose from metabolised sugars causes a higher release of dopamine and opioids.
Dopamine is often called the ‘feel-good neurotransmitter’. But while it may make you feel good, the release of too much has many health consequences. Many addictive drugs including nicotine, cocaine and methamphetamine also cause increased levels of dopamine to be released in the same way that sugar does. The opioids released by sugar metabolism also make sugar hard to beat by playing a part in the withdrawal symptoms.
How Sugar Affects the Body
One health problem where sugar plays a part is ADHD. Although sugar is not thought to cause ADHD, it does raise levels of dopamine. Increased levels of dopamine have been shown to lead to high activity level and impulsive behaviour in the person. So it seems that when parents notice behavioural changes in their child after eating sugar, they may be seeing the dopamine effect.
During 2013 it was suggested that sugar should be included amongst the big three causes of high cholesterol. The other two being trans fats and stress. It was thought that saturated fat was the main cause of high cholesterol levels but the question is now whether it may be sugar instead. At present this remains a controversial topic.
Sugar and Illness
Here are some of the many illnesses that sugar is known to either cause or where it plays a significant role in aggravating the symptoms of illnesses:
Diabetes
Obesity
Osteoporosis
Mineral depletion which interferes with the absorption of magnesium & calcium
Food allergies
Slows down your immune system
Increases your risk for cancer – as hypothesized by Dr Walberg
Heart disease
Behaviour problems, ADHD
Insulin resistance
Hypoglycaemia
Increased triglycerides
Reduces (HDL) high-density lipoproteins
Poor nutrition
Suppresses your immune system
Causes inflammation within the body
Causes a decline in tissue elasticity and function
Raises dopamine, serotonin and adrenaline levels and release
Leads to an acidic digestive tract
Arthritis
Learning disorders in children
Candida overgrowth
For more from this impressive list of 143 Ways That Sugar Ruins Your Health check out this list from Nancy Appleton.
More Sugar Problems
Over time you become desensitised to sugar. The more you eat, the more effective your body becomes in absorbing it, and the more sugar you absorb the more damage it does. As well as becoming more sensitised to sugar you also become more sensitised to its toxic effects. But fortunately, this sensitisation to sugar can be reduced by taking a sugar holiday so you become less reactive to it. Even just two weeks off sugar can be effective.
Sugar is an expert at masquerading and is excellent at hiding in the foods you are eating. It goes by many names but an easy way to identify many sugars is to read the ingredient panel and take note of any ingredients that end in “ose”. Dextrose, lactose, sucrose, glucose, maltose are all just different forms of sugar. When each of these is metabolised in your body they all end up as the same thing, and all have the same negative effect on your body.
Remember that natural sweeteners, although better for you than white cane sugar because they are not so processed, also all become the same thing in your body, blood sugar or glucose. If you want to cut back the amount of sugar in your blood you cannot just replace one type for the other.
How to Cut Back Sugar
The alternative is NOT to turn to artificial sweeteners. Diet soft drinks, artificially sweetened yoghurts, lo-cal, lo-joule or diet anything are definitely a poor alternative when they contain artificial chemical sweeteners.
The chemicals such as aspartame that are used to sweeten “diet” or low-sugar foods are linked to many health problems.
But there is one sweetening agent now readily available that is a good alternative to sugar, or to any other sweetener, and it is very safe.
That product is STEVIA.
Stevia rebaudiana
Stevia rebaudiuna is a herb that comes from Paraguay in South America, where it has been used for centuries as a sweetener and a health tonic by the Guarani people.
The leaves of Stevia are intensely sweet. This naturally sweet extract is in fact up to an amazing 300 times sweeter than cane sugar, so you only need to use a tiny amount of stevia.
The thing that makes the use of stevia so attractive and exciting is that it does not cause an increase in blood sugar levels, in spite of being so sweet. Stevia allows you to enjoy some sweet foods in your diet without the health or weight issues that are caused by cane sugar.
And stevia can be used in cooking.
Occasionally some people find stevia has a metallic aftertaste, but this seems to be related to the way the plant is processed. The plant leaves have no aftertaste. If you find this a problem try another brand of Stevia or use stevia liquid.
Be careful when you buy your Stevia because it is sometimes mixed with other sweeteners like aspartame. Read the label! Buy only pure Stevia. It’s just as important to read the ingredient panel on foods that are sweetened with Stevia as it is any other to make sure there are no other artificial chemical sweeteners added.
Crushed stevia leaves
Health Benefits of Stevia
Lowers blood pressure
Provides sweetness without elevating blood glucose level
Research shows taking 1000mg a day of stevioside reduced blood sugarlevels after meals by up to 18 percent in people with type 2 diabetes.
Studies conducted at Mahidol University in Thailand showed stevia to have the following actions: Lowers blood pressure; anti-inflammatory; anti-tumour; anti-diarrhoeal; diuretic; immunomodulating
Currently further research is being conducted into the effects of stevia on diabetes.
So why not make the decision today to reduce your sugar and other sweetener intake and give stevia a go.
Have you tried stevia? Have you totally removed sugar and sweet food from your diet? Share your experience in the Leave a Reply section 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 following any of the treatments suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
You may start to wonder if you will ever get well when you feel ghastly but test after test comes back clear.
It is so common to have clients come in and say “I feel just awful but all my tests have come back normal”. Whilst they could have a number of different problems, often they are suffering from yeast overgrowth, or Candida.
This has become so widespread within the community with research suggesting that 90% of the population, men and women, may suffer from it. Many individuals regularly use fungal treatments when obvious symptoms flare up. But they are not addressing the problem at its source in the digestive tract and so the symptoms persist or recur. The yeast overgrowth leads to chronic systemic problems that leave them feeling exhausted with a variety of other seemingly unconnected symptoms, ranging from itchy throat to joint pains, or brain fog.
Candida albicans is a robust form of yeast normally present in our body. It can lead to fungal infections in the digestive tract, as well as the mouth, the vagina and on our skin. The presence of other friendly bacteria, normally keep it in check and hold it to levels that do not create problems for the immune system.
But many people’s gut bacteria are not in balance. When you have sufficient numbers of “good” bacteria they keep the candida bacteria in check. But when the numbers of good bacteria are diminished it allows the candida to grow and multiply rapidly until it overtakes the good bacteria, and causes a variety of chronic health problems in both women and men.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE IS TOO MUCH CANDIDA?
First the candida bacteria damages the lining of your intestines causing them to weaken and allowing toxins to pass through, which are then carried throughout your body. This is known as Leaky Gut. As well as spreading the toxins right through your body it leads to intolerances to many foods that were previously well tolerated such as dairy foods, eggs or gluten.
Next you start to crave sugars and carbohydrates more and more. Candida feeds on sugars both refined and unrefined. Carbohydrates break down in your gut into sugars and so are just as appealing to the candida bacteria as are simple sugars. As the numbers increase so does their need for food and so you seek out more of these types of food.
As the candida matabolises and then dies it creates 79 different toxins. These cause symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea or gas within the digestive system. As the toxins leak out of your gut, enter your bloodstream and are carried around your body they make you feel terrible. You may feel like you have the flu or even that you are drunk. As the numbers of candida increase the quantities of released toxins also increases.
Oral and vaginal thrush, or candidiasis, plus skin affections such as nappy (diaper) rash, are commonly recognized and treated with western medicine. However dysbiosis, where the candida has become so prolific in the intestines that it causes the wide-ranging symptoms throughout the entire body, is more controversial and often rejected by many doctors.
WHAT CAUSES THE PROBLEM?
Dysbiosis is thought to be created by a few things. Taking lots of antibiotics is considered one of the main things that can lead to this situation as many of the “good” bacteria are killed. Candida however is not affected by the antibiotics, and with fewer numbers of other bacteria left to maintain the balance, it is able to flourish and reproduce wildly.
The overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics is most often the cause of the problem, particularly when the person has been on them for long periods to treat problems such as acne or sinus. But there are other medications that can also create the problem. Birth control pills are a perfect example of these medications. Taken for very long periods, often many years without a break, they has a strong bearing on gut bacteria, allowing the proliferation of Candida albicans. Commonly prescribed oral corticosteroids like prednisone, is another.
Other factors that increase susceptibility to dysbiosis are stress, lowered immune function, high-sugar diets, diabetes, and the hormonal changes in pregnancy.
When you remember that the command centre of the immune system is found in the gut it is obviously essential that significant problems in the intestines are addressed and turned around.
COMMON SYMPTOMS OF CANDIDA
The imbalance of intestinal bacteria, or flora, is often called dysbiosis. It leads to many symptoms including:
Nail fungal infections, discolouration of toenails
Skin fungal infections such as tinea, athlete’s foot, ringworm
Strong cravings for sugar and sweets or refined carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cake, cookies etc)
Weight gain
HOW TO KNOW IF YOU DO HAVE CANDIDA
Candida can be measured with a blood test. Many natural health practitioners are able to test in their clinic, or a doctors can order a blood test to test for Candida Anti-bodies, or a stool test to identify candida in your colon. But make sure it is a comprehensive stool test, not a standard one.
HOW TO BEAT CANDIDA
Diet
A good way is to starve the candida out, and to use probiotics to repopulate the gut with the friendly bacteria that then keeps the candida in check. The damage to your intestines causing the leaky gut also needs to be repaired so any chemicals produced by the remaining candida can no longer travel through your body.
To starve the candida requires adhering to a strict diet for at least two months, although it can take longer. Candida flourish in the presence of sugars, refined and unrefined, and anything fermented. Foods such as sweets, soft drinks, most fresh, all dried and all juiced fruit, refined grains including bread, pasta, cakes, cookies, rice, or fermented foods like soy, alcohol and vinegar, create “candida heaven” in your intestines. Removing these from your diet and supplementing with probiotics to help repopulate the gut with “good bacteria” can starve out the candida and help to create balance between all the gut bacteria.
Eliminate all sweets and sugars on the Candida Diet
It can be quite difficult to maintain the diet, especially as our Western diet is based on sugar-rich refined foods. Many people baulk at the diet and give it away before it has killed sufficient candida to reduce their symptoms in the long-term. Although the diet does require commitment, when you consider just how far-reaching the effects of yeast overgrowth are, and the extent of its impact on your entire system, it seems worth the effort. The long term improvement in lifestyle as well as health makes it worth persevering.
Removing any foods that are causing inflammation in your digestive tract, such as dairy foods and gluten, will help your gut to heal and aid your digestion. Healing your gut stops the candida getting out and making its way right through your body. Reducing inflammation improves your overall health, helping to prevent chronic disease later.
Once you finish with the candida diet it is time to be pro-active with your diet. Introduce foods rich in good bacteria such as miso, sauerkraut, kombucha tea and kefir (fermented milk). And don’t go back to eating lots of sweet or processed foods.
Probiotics
You require about 25-100 billion units of probiotics daily to start to balance out the candida by restoring the good bacteria. The variety needs to be Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus bifidus and saccharomyces boulardii (SB). The Lactobacillus varieties maintain the balance of friendly bacteria and the SB variety reduces the candida population by acidifying the contents of the intestine.
Eating yogurt alone will not replace a quality supplement.
Herbals
Echinacea angustifolia boosts the immune system to battle yeast infections.
Garlic (Allium sativum) enhances immunity and research has shown that it reduces Candida albicans. Adding garlic to your diet is very useful in fighting candida.
Goldenseal may be effective for candida-related diarrhea.
Silymarin supports the liver, which may have reduced detoxification ability due to being compromised by the candida-related toxins. It enhances function and offers protection.
There are a number of herbs useful for treating candida and their effectiveness varies. This has led to some saying that different herbs must be used in cycles. In order to ensure you are taking the best antifungal for your needs, you would be better to use them under the care of a Natural Health practitioner.
Fatty Acids
Caprylic acid, a fatty acid has anti-fungal actions. It works by interfering with the cell walls of the fungus. Your body makes small amounts but it is also found in plants, particularly in coconut and palm oils. Although there is no clinical data available as to its effect on candida, it has been found to reduce the ability of the candida to grow and replicate.
Lifestyle
An approach that incorporates change on all levels is far more effective than simply taking probiotics or changing your diet. Altering your lifestyle can make a big difference to the reappearance of yeast overgrowth.
Maintain an exercise program to support and enhance your immune system.
Reduce stress. Taking up meditation, yoga, qi gong or tai chi will help you deal with stress you cannot avoid.
Avoid commercial feminine hygiene products. Also, the perfumes in them can irritate the mucous membranes.
Eat yoghurt which is not sweetened and contains live cultures of acidophilus.
Increase fibre to maintain bowel habits to effectively eliminate toxins in the gut.
Avoid exposure to chemicals in paints, cleaning products, perfumes as chemical sensitivities are very common in those with overgrowth of yeast.
Take up meditation or yogato help you deal with stress you cannot avoid.
Natural Therapies
While western medicine has many strengths, it is natural therapies that shine when it comes to treating chronic illnesses. Two natural therapies are particularly useful in dealing with yeast overgrowth.
Homeopathic remedies can be selected to treat candida overgrowth, quickly reducing the associated symptoms, and at the same time building the immune system. They are also useful for dealing with associated food cravings for sweets. EFT (Emotional Freedom Technoque) is also great for stopping cravings.
Traditional Chinese Medicine combines acupuncture with Chinese herbs to clear the candida and strengthen the immune system.
For my clients I combine Homeopathic remedies with other natural therapies, the candida diet and probiotics. This combination addresses the symptoms and improves their general health, which has been undermined by the overgrowth. It also seems to speed up the process, and help with the symptoms that arise as the candida dies off.
HOW TO PREVENT FURTHER YEAST OVERGROWTH
To prevent yeast overgrowth avoid the use of antibiotics unnecessarily. If you do need to take antibiotics take probioics at the same time, and for about three weeks afterwards to rebuild friendly bacteria numbers. Avoid unnecessary steroid use. Rinse your mouth or nose after using a steroid inhaler or nasal sprays if you do use them. Consider your use of birth control pills, particularly if you use them continuously for long periods. Reduce the amount of sweet, refined carbohydrates and processed fermented foods in your diet.
Be aware that as large numbers of candida die off all at once they release significant toxins into the gut. These can cause a temporary return of symptoms such as bloating, pain or diarrhea, or general ‘flu-like’ symptoms. The symptoms pass as the waste toxins are removed.
Be careful about assuming that you have dysbiosis. Although it is quite common, and is often not diagnosed, the symptoms are similar to those of other conditions and problems. There is also quite a bit of misinformation about candida around and you need to be careful about diagnosing yourself from a book or the internet.
If you think you may have an overgrowth of candida consult with a Natural Health Practitioner. While you can make the necessary changes for yourself, this can be a very complex problem that can have extensive effects on your body, and one that is far better managed holistically by a practitioner. They will construct the best protocol for you and manage any difficulties you encounter along your way to overcoming this disorder and returning to better health.
Disclaimer.
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Consciously living in harmony with the natural world around us supports our body, our emotions and our spirit. Within that consciousness we need to be in harmony with the greater cycles of life. When we align with the passage of time by living with the seasons our energy synchronises with universal and earth energies to bring us balance.
I’ve been luxuriating in the relaxing space between work finishing before Christmas and now, the New Year, doing very little and simply enjoying the summer. This two week period included the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year and the day when the sun sits above the horizon the longest and the night is shortest.
I practice living in sync with the seasons, emotionally as well as in the basics like in what I eat or wear. But slowing down over the Summer Solstice flies in the face of this practice. The energy of Summer Solstice is intense, joyous and one for celebration and partying. Taking it slow isn’t what’s called for, but this year the seasonal energy called for rest and summer reading. I’ve included some great wellness books about aligning with the seasons below for your summer reading.
In the modern world it is in the ancient teachings behind Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that we see the theories of living with the seasons at their strongest. This ancient discipline examines the effects that emotions and foods have on the different organs of our body. It provides guidelines about which organs of the body are most significant in each season and the steps needed to support the appropriate organ and create harmony within.
The diet recommendations of TCM are based on many aspects including the quantities of food eaten, time of day, even your state of mind while you eat.
But living with the seasons requires more, it requires a wholistic approach.
Getting sufficient exercise, sleep, and clean water; reducing stress, anxieties and toxin exposure are equally essential to living a balanced life, in tune with the rhythms of the earth and the seasons.
Align With the Season
The natural way for your body to respond to the seasons is to ‘close down’ over the winter and to ‘open out’ over the summer. During the cold, dark winter months you need and want more sleep, your activities slow and quieten, your body requires external warmth from fire and warm, nourishing foods. Even emotions can close down and it’s not uncommon for depression to surface during the depths of winter, partly due to the lack of sunlight and associated decreased Vitamin D intake.
Living With Summer
During the warmer summer months, when the days are longer, the body requires and benefits from, less nourishment. It doesn’t need extra kilojoules to keep itself warm, you feel more energetic and your natural instinct is to get out, socialise, and be much more active.
Take a moment to think about how much easier it is to go out to a party on a warm, balmy summer night than it is on a cold, dark, rainy winter one, when all you want to do is curl up with a book or movie, or simply sleep. Think of how much easier it is to diet and exercise during the warmer months when your requirement is for lighter foods.
As more and more of us grow our own vegetables and shop at Farmers Markets, we are becoming increasingly aware of which foods are in season at any time and beginning to direct our food choices towards only foods that are in season. Obviously we don’t need watermelon in the winter when it doesn’t grow. Instead, we look for stews made from warming meats and root vegetables in season at that time.
In summer we naturally choose light cooling foods like salads, fruit and cook drinks. We crave light meals like grills instead of stews.
Seasonal Reading Wellness Books
Summer holidays are the time when many catch up on their reading. Here are a few books I love which are useful guides towards living in tune with the seasons.
Eating For The Seasons by Janella Purcell, an Australian Naturopath, Nutritionist and Cook is an appropriately named cookbook. It’s a great book with tips and recipes carefully selected to benefit and support to your body in each of the four seasons.
Another book I love is Ancient Healing For The Modern Woman by Xiaolan Zhao. This book looks at the ‘seasons’ of a woman’s life, rather than the seasons of the year. It offers wonderful ways to naturally remedy problems like PMS, symptoms of pregnancy, menopause, and breast health. It contains many great, simple tips taken from the author’s personal experience of Traditional Chinese Medicine used by her family in China. Zhao is a doctor of both TCM and Western Medicine in Canada and her advice is soundly grounded in both modalities.
If you’d like something more comprehensive you may prefer Healing With Whole Foods by teacher and nutrition researcher Paul Pitchford, a very comprehensive guide to Chinese Medicine. This book also contains lots of information about nutrition and diet, as well as seasonal recipes. There are sections on the Ayurvedic principles of food-combining, treating disease with foods, plus much more. As I say, detailed and comprehensive.
Living In Tune With Summer
Early and Mid Summer
According to TCM, summer is the season of Yang (masculine energy), and during early and mid-summer the heart and small intestine come to the fore. The emotions associated with the heart are joy and playfulness. Mental acuity is also associated with the heart in TCM, so memory, thought processes, emotional well-being and consciousness, as well as sleep also belong to this time.
When the heart is balanced the mind is calm.
Early and mid-summer is a time for celebrating and partying, as well as balancing that with enough rest and sleep.
When the fire element is out of harmony, so too is your experience of joy. You feel either depressed with too little fire, or joyous chaos with too much.
When your fire is unbalanced you experience associated symptoms that include agitation, nervousness, high blood pressure, heartburn, irregular heartbeat and insomnia.
Imbalance of the heart, governed by fire, can lead to confusion, crazy or no laughter, a very red or very pale face, stuttering, verbal diarrhoea, memory loss, mental illness or an aversion to external heat.
Late Summer
In the late summer (the fifth season in TCM) we move into the time of the spleen and stomach. An overworked spleen or stomach is associated with worry and obsessive thoughts. Spleen is associated with damp and problems may kick in if the weather is humid.
The summer season is ruled by fire. Life and energy is at a peak.
During summer rise early and face the sunrise to benefit from the rays.
Harmonise With Summer Energy
The aim during Summer is to let your energy flow ‘out’ to get rid of the heat stored in the body over winter.
During Summer focus on making changes in your life related to joy, growth and spiritual awareness. With the predominant nature of Summer being Yang, which is related to excitement, assertiveness and exuberance, it’s the perfect time to take action for positive change. But keep calm and refrain from anger, don’t let that yang energy run wild.
Rise early to benefit from the rays of the sun and go to bed later. Rest at midday if you need more sleep.
Eat more cooling, hydrating yin foods to balance the fire heat of summer. Include raw foods, salads, seafood, legumes, sprouts especially mung-bean, zucchini, cucumbers, kelp, and fruits like watermelons, apples, limes and lemons. Cooling foods tend towards the green foods like lettuce, cucumbers, watercress. Very few vegetables are warming. Fish and seafoods are cooling but most meats are warming. Be careful not to eat too much raw or cold food though as it may ‘cool’ your digestion too much. As always, you want to achieve balance in all things!
Eat in moderation. Keep your food light and simple. Indigestion, sluggishness and even diarrhoea can easily occur in the summer. Eating lightly is healthier for you and gives you more time to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
Here are a few specific food suggestions for Summer
Drinks
Drink plenty of clean water (water is the opposing element of fire), take cool baths, seek shade. Watermelon juice, an old remedy for dehydration, cools the body and cleanses the system
Mint, chrysanthemum and chamomile are all cooling teas. Green tea is great for summer
Avoid drinks full of sugars and chemicals which don’t actually relieve thirst, but do bring toxins into the body which then have to be cleared out
Foods
Avoid heavy or salty foods, meat, excess grains, dairy, oil and eggs as they will make you feel sluggish during summer.
Eat spicy foods to induce sweat, it helps rid the body of heat
Add pungent and strong flavours to your diet
Eat foods that promote energy and activity. Use hot spices such as fresh (not dried) ginger. Black pepper, cayenne and horseradish will induce a sweat. Cardamon is a useful spice as it clears the digestive system of blockage caused by heat.
Early to Mid-Summer
Bitter yin foods are associated with the heart and small intestine so are good for early and mid-summer. They reduce the heat and drain dampness. Include foods such as celery, dandelion, endive, watercress, quinoa and rye. But be careful not to overdo bitter foods, unless you have lots of fire in you. Asparagus and lettuce are both bitter and sweet.
Avoid cold foods in early summer such as iced drinks and ice-cream because they hold in the sweat and heat.
Late Summer
Later in the summer add the sweet yang flavours of complex carbohydrates, legumes, nuts, oats, rice, peas, peaches, avocado, kiwifruit, cucumber and raw honey. These build and strengthen the spleen and thus the whole body. The spleen is the most important organ of the immune system. They also slow and relax an overactive heart and mind. But don’t have too much!
The Key To Living With The Seasons
If you remember that the human body is simply a microcosm of the universe, the macrocosm, it becomes easier to understand that the same imbalances that occur in the environment are mirrored in the human being. By keeping this relationship with nature in mind we can become more conscious of keeping the rhythms of life in harmony, of living with the seasons.
Disclaimer.
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Source articles:
Purcell, J, Eating For The Seasons, Allen & Unwin, 2011
After the festivities and often overindulgence, of the Holidays it’s common for many people to find themselves suffering the after-effects. After too much rich food, junk food and alcohol, combined with too little sleep and too much stress it can be hard to recover quickly. Quite apart from the immediate discomforts of hangovers, other symptoms such as migraines, joint pain, bloating, and fatigue can appear and persist for some time. Often it’s very difficult for your body to detox if it’s endured an onslaught in December. After too many the indulgences through the Holiday your liver may just need a little TLC.
Instead of treating each individual symptom it’s more efficient to target treatment towards supporting your liver. Taking steps early in the New Year will help reverse the problem so you can get back on track.
The state of your gut partly determines your vitality and overall health. It is directly tied in to your immune system and affects your mood and thinking ability.
Your gut forms part of your immune system and influences your vitality and overall health. It also affects your mood and thinking ability.
A Healthy Liver Is The Key to Health
The liver’s one of the most important organs in your body with many functions. As part of the digestive system, it is the detoxification centre of the body. Everything we ingest must be processed by the liver before it can be used in the body. This includes not just the food we eat, but also any drugs, alcohol, and chemicals we come in contact with.
Your liver also helps clean metabolic waste out of the body. It produces bile to digest fats and remove toxic bilirubin from the blood.
The liver plays a role in the immune system, blood clotting, regulating amino acids, storing iron and glucose, producing plasma proteins as well as toxin removal.
Without a liver we cannot survive, although we can manage with just a part of a liver. It certainly is aptly named as the “live-r”.
Natural Liver Support And Care
Taking time to attend to the needs of your liver over the Holiday period will help you fly through the New Year. There are various natural ways to counteract the after effects of too much celebrating, too little sleep and too much stress and anxiety.
How to Recover From Too Much Celebration
Homeopathic Remedies For Hangover
On New Years Day I always carry some Homeopathic Nux-vomica with me. It’s not for myself, but for anyone I encounter suffering a New Year hangover.
Nux-vomica is toxic in its crude state, but as a Homeopathic preparation it’s an excellent remedy for illness from overindulgence of rich food, alcohol or coffee. In fact it’s often called the “Hangover Remedy”. Taken according to Homeopathic prescribing principles it will bring a quick recovery.
There are other Homeopathic remedies that are excellent for both supporting and cleansing the liver, providing speedy and sustained relief, protection and support.
However they should be selected individually according to the symptoms that are individually expressed by each person. If you find you are susceptible to liver stress consult a trained Homeopath to determine the remedy that’s best for you and your problem.
Herbs For Liver Support
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root provides a gentle cleanse for the liver. It’s also great for any gallbladder problems as it increases bile production. Often used as an appetite stimulant, it improves food metabolism by the liver and helps to remove toxins quickly and efficiently from the body.
Often found in herbal tincture mixes, dandelion root can be taken as capsules (500 to 2000mg daily) or as a ‘tea’ or ‘coffee’ drunk three times a day. Dandelion root even makes a decent latte!
Milk Thistle
Milk thistle (Silybum) seeds are a powerful liver cleanser. Milk thistle was traditionally taken to help protect the liver and is used to relieve the symptoms of over-indulgence of food and drink by fighting oxidation and free radicals.
It’s also useful for rebuilding the liver after it has been damaged because it stimulates liver cell regeneration. It also stimulates the secretion of bile from the liver and gallbladder.
Take it as a tablet before and after you head out for a night partying. Look for an extract containing about 140mg of silymarin. You can take it daily right through the Holiday period and for a while after as an excellent gentle support for your liver.
You will also find silymarin, the active ingredient of milk thistle, in artichoke leaf extract which is another great liver cleanser.
Burdock Root
Burdock root cleanses the liver and aids detoxification. Studies have shown that the powerful antioxidants in burdock help the liver to heal, and protect it from further damage.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a fabulous herb for reducing inflammation. The antioxidants in turmeric are known to be of great benefit in easing joint pain but also improve the health of the liver.
Adding the spice to your cooking is the easiest way to take it. You won’t get enough through your diet to reduce pain symptoms you are already experiencing, but it can act as a support to your body and liver. Take it with black pepper for better absorption.
There are many great quality turmeric formulations now available in tablet or liquid form.
Green Tea And Pomegranate
Enjoy green tea which supports liver function as it is high in catechins.
Pomegranate, seeds or juice, contains the liver detox compound ellagic acid to help liver detoxification.
Food For Liver Support
Protect your liver from further overload stress. Eat organic, even if only some of your food, as it keeps pesticides and chemicals out of your system.
Steer clear of non-green personal care products and cleaning products – the toxins are absorbed through your skin.
Photo courtesy: Shawn Campbell
It’s vital to get straight back into healthy eating practices right after overindulging. Get rid of sugars, cut back on grains and try to eat lighter meals.
Your digestion works best in the morning so eat more earlier in the day and keep your evening meal small.
Certain foods benefit your liver. Onion and garlic activate the liver enzymes that flush out toxins. Beets and carrots, full of beta-carotene, promote increased liver function and make great additions to freshly squeezed juices.
Apples, avocados, walnuts and lemon juice all help flush toxins, although in different ways.
Water – water – water – and more water. Drink filtered, fluoride-free water to flush out the toxins from the liver.
Lemons and limes are one of natures great gifts and including them in your morning routine has huge health benefits
Natural Remedies to Protect the Liver
While you’re actually experiencing digestive symptoms caused by overindulgence there are natural remedies that can help.
Activated charcoal absorbs toxins, helping to protect the liver. Aloe vera is a digestive tonic which also relieves pain. Both are easy to find in your health food store.
Chewing fennel seeds after eating will help your digestion. Or you can take it as fennel seed tea after eating.
There seems to be some truth to the big ‘fry-up’ as a morning after cure. Although freshly squeezed fruit juice would probably be better. You experience hangover symptoms partly because your blood sugar levels are out of balance. By substituting fruit juice for coffee you speed up your body’s metabolism of the alcohol.
Eating high protein foods like eggs helps the body produce serotonin and endorphins, the chemicals which help you feel good.
EFT For Liver Support
EFT(Emotional Freedom Technique) or Tapping, is an effective method that combines ancient Chinese acupressure techniques with modern psychology. Incredibly simple at its basic level it can be done by anyone, anywhere in a couple of minutes.
Simply tapping with two fingers on the ribs on the right side of the body over the liver stimulates liver processes. Watch this short video for a demonstration. (Note that it’s posted backwards and shows her tapping the left side, the wrong side! It must be the RIGHT side)
Massaging your hands and feet daily stimulates a number of acupressure points that help keep your liver strong and healthy. According to EEM practitioner Rose Mattax the most effective point is in the “V” where the big toe meets the second toe on the top of the foot at the base of the metatarsal bridge. Massage this source point of Liver chi several times a day.
Natural Liver Support
Even when you feel terrible or lethargic after heavily overdoing it, keep moving. The twisting postures of yoga are particularly good and a great way to help digestion.
Elimination For Liver Support
Lastly sweating helps get the waste products out of your body once they have been processed by the liver. Exercise or saunas every day promotes the excretion of toxins through the skin and optimizes your detoxification systems. And don’t forget to balance out the fluid loss by drinking lots of water.
What are your natural secrets to overcome holiday overindulgence?
Tell us in the comments below.
Revised January 2018
Disclaimer.
All information and opinions presented here are for information purposes only and are not intended as a substitute for professional advice offered during a consultation. Please consult with your health care provider before following any of the treatment suggested on this site, particularly if you have an ongoing health issue.
Happy Holistic Health 