Conquer Your Stress Naturally

Unfortunately, stress is an all too common fact of life in our modern world. Busyness, called by some "The Drug of the New Millennium," has everyone, it seems, scurrying about like lab rats. We have become a people who live life at a frantic pace, often failing to provide ourselves the nutrition and lifestyle we need to be physically and emotionally healthy. The result is high levels of stress that that tear down our minds and bodies. The question is not whether we have stress in our lives, but rather how we are going to deal with it.

How can we solve this epidemic of "busyness?" Certainly the answer is not prescription drugs which only tend to make matters worse due to toxic side effects and the very real possibility of addiction. As always, nature has given us ways in which we can use to balance stress levels. Below I list some of the best ways, in my opinion, to effectively deal with stress.

Healthy Diet

Eating healthy can be difficult, at best, especially when your thoughts are totally consumed by daily life. Believe it or not, but eating foods that are organic, healthy, nutritious, and as close to nature as possible will actually help you stay focused and strong while also keeping your immune system peaked. Pre-packaged foods, junk food, unhealthy oils/fats, and sugary foods/drinks can contribute to digestive disorders and sleep disturbances which will make stress symptoms worse. Try to avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks that can cause nervousness and agitation, thus contributing to the stress symptoms. Shop the outside perimeter of your grocery store for the healthiest and freshest foods.

The Importance of B Vitamins

All health issues are directly related to the nutrition we provide, or fail to provide, for our bodies. When it comes to stress, the B Vitamins play a crucial role in the way we manage and prevent its harmful effects. Stress is often a silent enemy that can result in physical and mental illness, and B Vitamins are necessary to bring balance to our nervous system, allowing us to stay calm and avoid chemical imbalances that are both a cause and a result of unchecked stress. Below is a summary of the major B Vitamins and how they can help.

B1 (Thiamine)

Critical to proper operation of the nervous system, B1 is needed for the metabolism of key amino acids at the cellular level, especially in nerve cells. Thiamine helps with mood changes and general fatigue that are often associated with stress. Thiamine cannot be made by the body, but must be derived from dietary sources such as whole grains, peas, beans, fish, and lean meats.

B3 (Niacin)

Niacin is involved in many functions of the nervous system. One of the most important ones is its part in changing a substance known as L-Tryptophan into 5-HTP, and ultimately into a key neurotransmitter called Serotonin. Adequate levels of serotonin are very important at helping us to stay calm and avoid the irritability, anxiety, and depression sometimes linked to stress. B3 is mainly found in plant-based foods such as nuts, whole grains, and leafy green vegetables.

B6 (Pyridoxine)

B6 also affects neurotransmitters that are crucial for neurological health. In addition, B6 works with other B vitamins to neutralize a toxic amino acid called homocysteine that can produce stress-related anxiety and depression. B6 is found in leafy green vegetables, eggs, fish, and nuts.

B9 (Folate)

Also known as folic acid, B9 is vital for feeling energetic, mentally sharp, and helps to stabilize moods as well. The more stress that is in your life, the more you need to seek out B9. Dietary sources include citrus fruits, dark green vegetables, seeds, and whole grains.

B12 (Methylcobalamin)

B12 (Methylcobalamin) is very involved in the overall health of the nervous system, which is the place in the body that is primarily responsible for stress management. B12 produces healthy neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and others, and these chemicals help to keep our bodies balanced. B12 helps to avoid anxiety, mental confusion, and other cognitive problems. B12 can be found in organic and free-range eggs, free-range poultry, cold-water fish, and organic dairy foods.

Lithium Orotate

Most of us have probably heard of lithium. It is a natural mineral salt that we all need for optimal mental and physical health. However, an artificial pharmaceutical form of lithium is typically prescribed for anxiety, bi-polar disorder, and other mental health issues. This form exposes individuals to high amounts of lithium, and is associated with many harmful side effects, especially to the liver. In fact, patients must have their blood levels checked regularly.

Lithium Orotate (first used by Dr. Hans Nieper), on the other hand, is a safe form of lithium that delivers much smaller, non-toxic doses directly to the brain (through the blood brain barrier.) Lithium Orotate is a great stress management tool that boosts the ability of cells, especially in the brain and nervous system, to efficiently transport nutrients in and out of their membranes. Lithium orotate has many applications, one of which is to help lower stress, anxiety, depression, irritability, and mood swings. Its use can benefit everyone by helping to decrease the effects of stress.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

EFAs, the "good" fats such as Omega-3, Omega-6, and others, have gotten a lot of god press lately, and well they should. These critical nutrients have multiple beneficial effects. One of the main ones is enabling proper function of nerve cell membranes. In fact, EFAs play a huge role at the cellular level throughout the body. They can help you to have a healthy nervous system that weathers the effects of stress better and make it easier to keep negative emotions under control such as anger, fear, worry, and irritability. Unfortunately, when we allow such emotions to run free, they release harmful chemicals that only worsen the effects of stress. Some quality sources of EFAs include flax seed oil, hemp seed oil and sea buckthorn. It is usually best to use the natural cold-pressed oil form of EFAs, as it is difficult to get enough of them, especially in the proper balance, in your diet alone.

Exercise

Exercise such as a 45 minute daily walk will do wonders for stress. Breathing in fresh air and allowing as much sunlight on your skin as possibly will not only make you feel better, but will literally help to clear your mind and emotions. It will also aid your body in the production of Vitamin D-3. For those days when the weather does not permit outside exercise, try a using a Wii Fit or a mini-tramp. Jumping for 15-30 minutes is wonderful for the lymph system and will also help to burn calories. Other things to consider would be Yoga, Pilates and dance. Exercise should be brisk enough to bring on a sweat, but for those who have health concerns, just exercising a bit every day is beneficial. Take time for yourself and enjoy a portion of your day that will not only relieve stress, but will also be beneficial to your overall health.

Herbs

Herbs can be used to reduce stress and manage stress symptoms. St John's Wort, valerian, chamomile, ginger, ginseng, borage, licorice, milk thistle, and nettle have all been found to help with managing stress levels in a natural way.

Aromatherapy

One of my favorite ways to manage stress. Certain scents can actually calm the body and relieve the tension and the anxious feelings that are often associated with stress. Essential oils of lavender, chamomile, geranium, rose, neroli, sweet marjoram, and ylang-ylang are among the most common recommended for the management and relief of stress. You can use these oils in massage, added to a warm bath or shower, or a few drops rubbed into the hands or the back of the neck (also a great way to relieve headaches).

Other Stress Relief Suggestions

Stress relief can be as simple as time management skills, getting more sleep (in bed by 10:00 PM every night), or talking over your problems with a close friend, pastor, healthcare practitioner, or family member. However, sometimes stress relief means that you must learn to say "no" and mean it. Realize that it is not healthy or even feasible for you to attend and/or assist with every event, project, and activity that comes your way. If you are already on stress-overload, try to reduce your activitiy schedule as much as possible, or even take a break as you are able.

Dealing with stress in a natural and positive proactive manner is one of the best wellness choices one can make. The habits mentioned above directly combat stress, but they also help the healthy nutrition you put into your body to be more effective stress fighters as well. Follow these guidelines and you will live a longer, healthier life that is victorious over stress.

The Health Promoting Benefits of Flax Seed Oil

Flax Seed Oil has been a popular buzz word in health food circles for several decades now, as the interest in dietary sources of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs), especially omega-3s, has grown. The health benefits of EFAs are numerous, and are a key ingredient in this nutritional oil that truly qualifies as a superfood. In addition to EFAs, flaxseed oil is also an excellent source of fiber, protein, B vitamins, minerals, and other phytonutrients that are necessary for total wellness.

The use of flax as a food and a medicine is not a new concept. It was valued in the days of the Roman Empire for its healing powers. Flax seed and its oil could perhaps be called the first nutritional supplement, long before multi-vitamins came along, and one of the original "health foods." Ancient civilizations may not have understood the science behind it, but the results of eating and topically applying this healthy oil spoke for themselves.

A Word About Fats

Fat has gotten a negative reputation in our culture, and for good reasons. Too much of the wrong kinds of fat, mainly animal and other saturated fats, has been responsible for the epidemic of obesity, heart disease, cancer and other killer diseases that run rampant in modern society. However, there are "good" fats, containing EFAs, that are sorely lacking in the Standard American Diet (SAD). These fats are necessary for repair and healing, and can actually prevent and reverse the damage from such illnesses as those listed above as well as others. This is why foods such as flax seed oil are so popular today, as people become more educated about their nutritional needs.

What Can Flax Seed Oil Do For My Health?

• Flax Seed Oil (FSO) is renowned for its cardiovascular benefits. Omega-3 fatty acids work wonders for arterial health by lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood, and they make platelets (blood cells) less sticky, thus lowering the chance of blood clots and clogged arteries. The result of these factors is that FSO reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart attacks, atherosclerosis, and strokes.


• FSO is also rich in a substance called lignan, which is found in many whole grains. However, the level of lignan in flax is up to 100 times greater than in other grains. Lignans serve many useful purposes, including lowering risk for breast and other hormonally-related cancers, and colon cancer as well. Lignans also boost the immune system by acting as anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal agents.


• FSO also has wonderful anti-inflammatory features. It reduces inflammation throughout the body, a factor that is foundational to many forms of disease. Thus, FSO can help to prevent ant treat autoimmune conditions such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and joint pain. It also reduces inflammation and disease in the liver and kidneys.


• Flax and FSO are great for bowel health too. Due to the combination of high fiber and its anti-inflammatory properties, FSO helps to create an intestinal tract that functions properly by absorbing more nutrients and effectively eliminating toxins. FSO helps with constipation, and the EFAs increase bodily functions at the cellular level both in the intestines and throughout the body.


• FSO provides "good" fats that promote brain growth, especially in fetuses and infants. Pre-natal use of FSO is highly recommended for nourishing your baby's brain and nervous system.


• FSO can also help people lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. In a process known as thermogenesis, specialized fat cells (brown fat) are stimulated by the EFAs in flax seed oil (especially gammo-linolenic acid or GLA) to burn unneeded body fat more efficiently.


• FSO is also very effective at treating and preventing skin and hair conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dandruff. It is beneficial both when consumed and when applied topically. It also helps skin wounds to heal faster, and improves healing of muscle sprains and soreness after vigorous activity. Many people who work out regularly notice a significant improvement in this area when using FSO.

Dr. Johanna Budwig and the Flaxseed/Cottage Cheese (Oil-Protein Diet)

Many people suffering from degenerative disease such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are making the choice to implement Dr. Johanna Budwig's Oil-Protein Diet. Dr. Budwig was a licensed pharmacist, qualified chemist with doctorates in chemistry and physics and was a senior expert for pharmaceuticals and fats in a high government function in Germany. Dr. Budwig devoted her whole life for more than 50 years to the realization of the validity of her research results for sustaining human life in medicine, and in the process bring about a change in the direction of cancer research and therapy.

Over 50 years ago Dr. Budwig lectured about the connection between the "bad" fats such as hydrogenated margarines and illness as well as the importance of essential fatty acids. In a speech delivered By Dr. Budwig on November 2, 1959 in Zurich, Switzerland, she said, "Without these fatty acids, the respiratory enzymes cannot function and the person suffocates, even when he is given oxygen-rich air. A deficiency in these highly unsaturated fatty-acids impairs many vital functions. First of all, it decreases the person's supply of available oxygen. We cannot survive without air and food; nor can we survive without these fatty acids. That has been proven long ago." Certainly, Dr. Budwig understood the connection between diet and health. She understood that with the advent and popularity of hydrogenated and over-processed oils came an increase of several serious diseases. She also realized that the way foods are now processed eliminates almost all of the essential fatty acids. Dr. Budwig then decided to focus her life's work on finding the dietary solution or cure to the list of diseases that affect so many people around the world.

In a nut shell Dr. Budwig recommended using organic, cold-pressed flaxseed oil and low-fat, organic cottage cheese (1:2 ratio ), blended together until emulsified. According to Dr. Budwig, this emulsification makes the flaxseed more water soluble and thus more useable to the body.

Below is the correct diet that Dr. Budwig advocated. There are many variations of the Budwig diet floating around the Internet; however, the diet below is the one that is contained in Dr. Budwig's writings. I urge caution in following a protocol that is different from the one below, unless patient success can be provided. What "should" work and what "does" work can be two entirely separate things! Remember as with any natural health protocol: half-hearted implementation = half-hearted results.

While Dr. Budwig did not recommend the use of supplements, many people following the diet add food-grade supplementation to the protocol with success. I would recommend that one do their "due diligence" when implementing supplements in making sure all supplements are food-grade with no chemicals, toxic binders or excipients added.

The information below is from the FlaxSeed Oil 2 Yahoo Group. To join or learn more about this group go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FlaxSeedOil2/

Appliances needed Before Beginning the Budwig Diet

• Coffee bean grinder to grind the whole brown flaxseeds sold in health food stores or online. Freshly ground seeds are a must.
  
• Immersion hand-held mixer (a stick-shaped mixer) to blend and bond (emulsify) the flaxseed oil [FO] & cottage cheese [CC] together so that they become one food, making the oil water-soluble and more absorbable. It's important to use an electric mixer rather than stirring the two ingredients together.
  
• Vegetable Juicer. A masticating type juicer is said to give a more healthful juice than a centrifugal type. Research Green Star & Omega 8005. However, many have used other less costly juicers with success.

NOTE: I highly suggest that one purchase and read Dr. Budwig's books Flax Oil As A True Aid Against Arthritis, Heart Infarction, Cancer And Other Diseases, The Oil-Protein Diet Cookbook and Cancer The Problem and The Solution either before or in the very beginning of implementing of the FOCC diet. This is necessary for complete explanation and understanding of the whys of the protocol. Being completely informed about what you are doing will most likely help to keep you on-track.

FLAXSEED OIL and COTTAGE CHEESE (FOCC) or quark

Each tablespoon of Flaxseed Oil (FO) is blended with 2 tablespoons of low-fat organic Cottage Cheese (CC) or quark. This is a ratio of approximately 1:2. Cold-pressed refrigerated liquid FO is used, for example, Barlean's & Spectrum. The FO must be organic, fresh, cold-pressed and unadulterated flax oil (no Vitamin E or other preservatives added). It's suggested to buy regular FO instead of High Lignan FO. Healthier lignans are obtained at a lower cost by using freshly ground flaxseeds (grind right before use) [used instead of Linomel]. Important: Ground seeds must be used within 15 minutes.

TO BEGIN THE DAY

An hour before breakfast, enjoy a glass of sauerkraut juice. It has cancer-fighting benefits and improves digestion. Homemade is best in order to get the digestive enzymes. Use this link for a video on making sauerkraut: http://www.leeners.com/sauerkraut-video.html Press the arrow to start video.

To get sauerkraut juice, run the finished homemade kraut through your juicer. Some people prefer to use digestive pancreatic enzymes instead of the sauerkraut juice because of digestive distress, this has been done with success although Dr. Budwig did not specifically recommend this.

BREAKFAST

Start with a cup of green tea or herbal tea. It provides warm liquid required for the ground flaxseeds to swell properly. That's important. Then, eat your Muesli [Muesli in the Budwig diet refers to the recipe below. We often call it FOCC]. Besides cottage cheese or quark, you could use organic homemade yogurt cheese or kefir cheese with cow or goat milk.

BUDWIG FOCC RECIPE

[Make enough for 1 meal only, avoid storing. Eat immediately. Use organic foods. JB's cookbook has varied recipes]

• Blend 3 Tbs flaxseed oil with 6 Tbs low-fat CC or quark with a hand-held immersion electric mixer for up to a minute. If needed, add 2 Tbs organic milk. Avoid adding water or juices when blending FO with CC or quark. The mixture should be like rich whipped cream with no separated oil visible in the mixture or on the sides of the bowl.

Layer or stir in the following ingredients

• Grind 2 Tbs whole flaxseeds and add. [This replaces Linomel that JB talks about in her books.] Freshly ground seeds become rancid within 20 minutes, eat recipe immediately.
  
• Add various fruits such as fresh [or thawed-out frozen if necessary] berries, all kinds, which contain strong cancer-fighting Ellagic Acid.
  
• Add other fresh fruit if you like, totaling 1/2 to 1 cup of fruit.
  
• If mixture is too thick, add 1 or 2 Tbs of organic fruit juice [e.g. dark grape, blueberry] or milk. Fruits & their juices are proven cancer fighters.
  
• Add organic raw nuts such as walnuts or Brazil nuts [no peanuts] and a bit of raw honey. For variety, try organic vanilla, cinnamon, lemon juice, pure cocoa or shredded coconut. Try various fresh organic fruits & flavorings. Afterward, you can have whole grain bread (something other than wheat, which is harder to digest) with cucumber, tomato, radishes or other raw veggies.

MID-MORNING

Freshly-pressed vegetable juice from carrots and/or beet, celery, lemon, apple as well as green vegetables - lettuces or spinach [carrot & beet juices are especially helpful to the liver & are strong cancer fighters] Vary vegetables each day. Omega juicers - http://www.discountjuicers.com/omega8006.html

SUNLIGHT

Dr. Budwig emphasized that being in sunlight is very healthy for vitamin D production. Avoid burning & avoid sunscreen & sunglasses.

If you feel up to exercising, individualize it according to your strength - DON'T OVERDO IT. Dr. Budwig wrote: "Often yoga or sport is very important, but sometimes the patient should not do this" and "I would never allow a cancer patient with metastases to jog, ride a bicycle, or to practice yoga. His body must relax." One form of exercise that is beneficial for most people is using a rebounder [a mini-trampoline] because it helps clear the lymph system and promotes better drainage.

BEFORE LUNCH

A cup of warm green or herbal tea. Use honey if desired (no sugar). Also suggested, one Tbs whole flaxseeds, freshly ground and added to a glass of champagne, known to help digestion & absorption. [1999 book]

LUNCH

RAW vegetable salad with various home-made salad dressings which may include one or more Tbs FO blended with 1 or 2 Tbs organic low-fat CC plus one Tbs organic apple cider vinegar or lemon juice and spices. Or, for sweeter dressing, try FO & grape, orange, apple or another juice. You can vary the salad dressings based on the recipes in the Oil-Protein Diet Cookbook. Several recipes do not include cottage cheese at all. The body can utilize 1 or 2 Tbs oil without cottage cheese. Avoid commercial salad dressings. Pumpkin seed oil can also be used. Experiment with spices or honey for variety.

If still hungry, make steamed or boiled veggies and grains. [See "DINNER"]

LUNCH DESSERT

It's IMPORTANT to have a SECOND SERVING of FOCC with varied fresh raw fruits (organic). Again, use 3 Tbs FO & 6 Tbs CC with fresh fruit but NO flaxseeds. If there are problems digesting this amount of oil, begin with smaller amounts of FOCC and increase it slowly. Chew very well to optimize digestion. Pre-digestion starts in the mouth by mixing saliva with the foods. Try to have meals in a peaceful atmosphere. Relaxing is important.

MID-AFTERNOON

Two Tbs whole flax seeds, freshly ground, stirred into a glass of sparkling wine or Champagne OR one Tbs flax seeds, ground and stirred into a glass of fruit juice: grape, cherry or pineapple.
Chew the ground flaxseeds for better digestion. Repeat 1/2 hour later.

STRESS REDUCTION

Relax in the sunshine every day for 30-40 minutes. Empty the mind of worries, angers, fears. Focus on nature, music, sounds of nature, deep breathing & positivity. Think kind thoughts about yourself & others. Dr. Budwig said that relieving stress is extremely important.

LATE AFTERNOON

One Tbs whole flaxseeds, ground and added to pure blueberry or papaya juice. Both papaya & pineapple [above] have digestive enzymes if they are fresh. When making the juice, drink it immediately after preparation before the enzymes are lost by air and light. You want to get as many natural enzymes as possible [as well as electrons from flax seeds & oils]. [Note: Instead of the fruit juices, some members heal using homemade vegetable juices as described at 10 a.m.]

DINNER

Vegetable soup or a variety of organic vegetables and starch-containing foods, well spiced. Add Oleolux (recipe found in Dr. B's Oil-Protein Diet Cookbook book) and nutritional yeast flakes after cooking. Nutritional yeast adds important B-vitamins which boost energy & mood. Choices of cooked starchy foods - buckwheat (JB's top choice-digests well & very nutritious), millet, brown rice, lentils, beans, peas, yams & potatoes. Add lightly cooked vegetables such as kale, tomatoes, spinach, beets, carrots, chard, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, onions, artichokes, asparagus, peppers, green beans, etc. Also, add healthful spices such as cayenne pepper, paprika, turmeric, sea salt & others. AFTER COOKING, add homemade Oleolux 'to taste,' which adds even more nutrition. Use also on bread [whole or sprouted grain, homemade or Ezekiel].

EVENING

A glass of organic red wine if desired.

The above diet can be varied by the many recipes in Dr. Budwig's book, The Oil- Protein Diet Cookbook, sold on Amazon for about $10.

THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS VERY IMPORTANT

• AVOID UNHEALTHY FOODS such as hydrogenated oils, trans-fats, animal fats [meats, chicken, fish, eggs,] butter, cane sugar, preservatives, processed foods, pesticides and chemicals, even those in household products & cosmetics. She also stressed to drink chemical-free water.
  
• Avoid leftovers - food should be prepared fresh and eaten soon after preparation to maximize intake of health-giving electrons & enzymes.
  
• Drink warm green or herbal teas, unsweetened or sweetened only with honey.
  
• Vegetable Juicing. Consuming two or more glasses of organic vegetable juice each day is important. Freshly juiced vegetables contain important vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and oxygen for the body. They are literally living and LIFE = LIFE. By juicing one is able to consume many more times the amount of vegetables than by eating vegetables. Take advantage of the healing and repair properties that organic, in-season vegetables offer to the body.
  
• Stress is damaging and disease-causing. Avoid stress-producing people & situations. This may mean that for a while one may need to change jobs, friends, etc. Take time to relax & enjoy each day. Listen to beautiful music, read up-lifting books, laugh, practice deep breathing, take walks in nature, spend time with supportive friends and family. Eliminate anger, jealousy and sadness through EFT [see emofree.com] or counseling. Practice forgiveness toward yourself and others. Do not dwell on the past or the future.
  
• ELDI oils (Electron Differential Oils) are oils for external application or enema. Dr. Budwig had her patients use them as needed. She suggests that the use of ELDI oils should be executed by a specialist who also has knowledge of the significance of the electromagnetic field in the sick person's environment.
  
• Dr. Budwig did not include drugs or supplements in her protocol guidelines. In her 1999 book, she spoke against them. Flax seed oil is known to thin the blood so be careful about using blood-thinning drugs, including aspirin. It could be dangerous. Some supplements, especially high amounts of man-made antioxidants, can seriously interfere with how well the diet works, as can some drugs and treatments such as chemo and radiation, cortisones, hormones & pain killers. She also warned against the dangers of oxygen therapy for the cancer patient and indicated that the cells are not ready to absorb oxygen but are healed through diet.
  
• The foods in the Budwig Protocol give your body what it needs daily to stop cancer. Dr. Budwig warned that one should follow the diet strictly for five years before relaxing a little, but one can never stop the healing foods for more than a few days nor can one regularly eat damaging foods or supplements. Doing so will allow cancer to return in those who are prone to this disease.
  
• Take care of your teeth. Infections can interfere with your improvement.

Dr. Budwig's book Flax Oil as a True Aid Against Arthritis, Heart Infarction, Cancer and other Diseases offers an understanding of the scientific principles behind this protocol. Her cookbook The Oil-Protein Diet gives practical diet information and recipes. Both of these books can be ordered from http://www.amazon.com/

Her newest (and last) book, Cancer-The Problem and The Solution, written in 1999, is available from http://www.nexus-book.com/

To read the many testimonials of those who regained their health with the Budwig Protocol, you can join the Flax Seed Oil 2 Yahoo Group.

Tips on Purchasing and Using Flax Seed Oil

Be sure to only buy FSO that has been cold-processed and refrigerated in dark glass bottles, as heat, light, and oxygen destroy the nutritional benefits of the oil, both during processing and storage. Encourage FSO manufacturers to package their products in glass and not plastic. Internationally, where people know and expect good quality oils, highly sensitive oils such as FSO would never be placed in plastic bottles. In America we should encourage the same knowledge and practice. The safety of placing liquids in plastic bottles is a concern of mine even though plastic manufacturers would have us believe otherwise. They do not have a good track record when it comes to being completely truthful.

When using FSO as a condiment or in cooking, never heat the oil.

It takes most people about six weeks or so before seeing positive results from using flax seed oil, so be patient and enjoy this gift of nature creatively!

More Information

Flax Seed Oil
Flax Seed Studies and Reviews
Excerpts from Flax Oil As A True Aid Against Arthritis, Heart Infarction, Cancer, And other Diseases

The Healthy Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

If you are in the market for an organic natural substance that is both a superfood and an excellent medicinal product, look no further -- Apple Cider Vinegar just may be the ticket. This versatile and cost-effective "wonder drug," as some have called it, has a myriad of beneficial applications.

It also has a long history of use, dating back thousands of years. For Hippocrates, The Father of Medicine (400 B.C.), Apple Cider Vinegar was a mainstay of his medical practice. In fact, legend has it that he used only two main substances to treat his patients: honey and Apple Cider Vinegar. In more recent times, Apple Cider Vinegar has been a popular home remedy for both doctoring and as a nutritional powerhouse for use in foods and beverages.

Not All Apple Cider Vinegars Are Created Equal

Before we get into the specifics of how to use this amazing natural substance, let me clarify that there is a huge difference between most Apple Cider Vinegars available in the grocery stores and the "real thing." True, raw, natural Apple Cider Vinegar should be a brownish liquid containing a gelatin-like substance that appears as little cobwebs floating in the vinegar. This is known as "the mother of vinegar," and is a natural by-product of the fermenting process that is the heart of all the many nutritional and medicinal benefits. Choose an Apple Cider Vinegar that is made from whole, organic apples and is not filtered, distilled, or pasteurized. Apple Cider Vinegar is actually fermented twice, once to form hard cider and then again to become vinegar. Most commercially available vinegars are clear because they have been distilled, filtered, and otherwise manipulated to improve their appearance. However, by doing this almost all of the benefits of true Apple Cider Vinegar are lost.

How Can Apple Cider Vinegar Be Used?

A great way to start the habit of including Apple Cider Vinegar in your wellness program is to begin every morning with a glass of pure, filtered water with 2 Tbsp. of Apple Cider Vinegar, along with 1 Tbsp. of raw honey if you wish (some individuals prefer the vinegar alone, minus the honey). Many people practice this religiously, and find that it gives them a natural boost of energy, helps to keep their bowels regular, treats aches and pains, and even improves their skin by giving it a vibrant, healthy glow. However, I think that one receives the best benefit by drinking ACV water throughout the day. I recommend making up a gallon of distilled water or Wellness Water and adding 2-4 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and then using this as your water for the day. Some prefer to add a capful of ACV to each glass of distilled water or Wellness Water that they drink. It doesn't take long to get used to the taste of ACV water and most people find that in no time they actually prefer it over their regular water.

What Are the Known Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar?

The double fermentation process creates many beneficial enzymes and acids that are terrific for all of the body's processes, especially digestion, the immune system, and skin/hair health. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar includes a host of bio-active ingredients including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here are some of the main components and their benefits.

Pectin is a fibrous substance that clears the arteries and brings down blood pressure.

Enzymes in Apple Cider Vinegar help extract calcium from your diet and make it more available to the body.

Potassium is found in Apple Cider Vinegar (which also helps calcium to work better), and this mineral is needed for many bodily functions including proper cellular operation, strong teeth, fingernails, and healthy hair, as well as aiding the body to rid itself of toxins.

Several major antioxidants are also present in Apple Cider Vinegar, including beta carotene, which protects from free radical damage and bolsters the skin by firming it up and acting as an anti-aging agent.

Apple Cider Vinegar also has helped many people to lose weight. Researchers are not exactly sure why this occurs, but believe it has to do with how the vinegar helps the body to break down fat.

Malic Acid is also an active ingredient in Apple Cider Vinegar. This wonderful substance acts to fight off fungal and bacterial infections and dissolves uric acid, a compound that is often responsible for joint pain.

Other Uses for Apple Cider Vinegar

The list of how people have benefitted from Apple Cider Vinegar is long and impressive. It makes an excellent household cleaner, a fine hair conditioner, and a topical treatment for skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Many people like to marinate meat, fish, and vegetables with the vinegar as well, providing flavor, tenderizing, and adding a powerful nutritional punch. Healthy salad dressings and vegetable dips can also be made with Apple Cider Vinegar. Experiment with this elixir of health and come up with ways of your own to enjoy its many benefits.

Eating as Close to Nature as Possible

There is nothing more important to our health than eating and drinking in ways that provide nourishment that the body can use. What we put into our body can either build the body up enabling it to repair, heal and even prevent, or tear the body down and invite disease. Studying nutrition is a lifelong pursuit, for there is always more to learn. It can seem intimidating at times, trying to sort out all the facts and options for the nutritional choices we make. However, I believe there are a few basic guidelines that can help us simplify this process and assist us in staying on the wellness track. Let me summarize several of these important principles that will hopefully help us all to improve the quality of our diets.

Organic is a Must

As much as possible, consume only organic foods that have been grown without the use of toxins such as pesticides, antibiotics, or other artificial substances like the waxes and colorings often applied to fruits and vegetables. For example, an orange, in the wild, is not actually "orange." It is more of a greenish-yellow color, but most commercial growers inject orange dye into the skin because that is what consumers are used to. In a similar way, apples, cucumbers, and other produce are often waxed to "improve" their appearance and lengthen shelf life.

Whether it is produce, meat, baked goods, or dairy, be sure you know the sources of your food. Oftentimes it is easier to find organic foods from local farmers or growers or from a health food store or co-op in your area. Most of the commercially grown food available in the grocery store are laced with unnatural additives and preservatives.

A new concern has sprung up in the last few years: GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms). By altering the natural genetic configuration of foods, scientists have created substances that are either nutritionally deficient (because the body cannot recognize or utilize them) or downright harmful to the body. The commercial growers love this because these foods are easier and cheaper to produce and tend to last much longer on the grocery store shelves, but we consumers are getting the short end of the nutritional stick. Only buy and consume foods that are GMO-free.

Go Heavy on Fruits and Vegetables

If there is a dietary change that could be called the most nutritional and beneficial choice one could make, that would be the inclusion of more raw, organic fruits and vegetables. Organic fruits and vegetables are nutritional powerhouses that provide numerous vitamins, minerals, oxygen, water and phytochemicals to nourish our bodies and protect us from disease. Eating them raw is best, as cooking destroys some of these elements.

Many vegetables are also a fine source of protein, particularly those in the bean and legume family. Substituting such foods for other protein sources like meat and dairy is also a powerful step towards wellness. Not only are most meats and dairy products excessively high in fat and calories, but unless you choose organic sources, these foods are some of the most toxic choices available commercially.

What About Water?

In addition to eating the right foods, the amount and quality of water that you ingest daily is the most influential factor that will determine your good health (or the lack thereof). Most Americans are severely dehydrated, often because they quench their natural thirst with poor choices such as sodas and other sweetened, caffeinated drinks. Learning to drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of pure, filtered water daily has a profoundly positive effect on one's health. Our bodies are made up predominantly of water, and this marvelous substances plays an integral part in literally every process of the body, from the cellular level up. As we have discussed, eating the correct foods is critical, but without an ample supply of pure water, the body cannot properly absorb nutrients or eliminate waste products. Additionally, water plays a key role in bowel health, which has a significant impact on the performance of the immune system.

In short, the best ways to eat as naturally as possible are to go organic; eat GMO-free; load up on fruits, vegetables, and whole grains; and drink plenty of pure, clean water to help your body absorb all this good stuff and eliminate waste. Using this plan as a foundation for your daily diet will be a huge step towards wellness.

Health Benefits of Hemp Seed Oil

One of nature's greatest gifts to mankind, Hemp Seed Oil is a bountiful source of high quality nutrition and provides many wonderful medicinal uses as well. Hemp Seed Oil has a history of use dating back thousands of years to the Chinese Ming Dynasty, and has long been a popular natural remedy in Eastern cultures. There has been resistance to the use of hemp and its by-products in Western countries because of the association with its cannabis relative marijuana. However, this is an unfortunate misunderstanding, as industrial hemp cannot be abused as a drug because it has such low levels of THC, the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana. The market for Hemp Seed Oil and other useful hemp products is growing worldwide as more people become aware of its many benefits and as prejudice against it lessens.

Hemp Seed Oil is obtained by pressing the seeds of the industrial hemp plant, officially known as Cannabis sativa. Before we discuss specific benefits of the oil, let me say that when choosing a source of Hemp Seed Oil, you want to be sure it is derived from organically grown hemp that is GMO-free (not genetically altered). It should be first cold-pressed, and produced in low-light and a low-oxygen environment, as heat, light, and oxygen destroy many of its natural attributes. It should also be stored in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent rancidity. A quality oil appropriate for nutritional, cosmetic and medical uses should have a dark green color and a rich, nutty flavor, and should always be packaged in a glass container, never plastic.

Hemp Seed Oil has many exciting uses!

Hemp Seed Oil as a Nutritional Supplement

This natural product has been acclaimed as one of the most nutritionally-rich and balanced substances available, and for good reason. As a protein source, it stands out due to its formulation that includes all of the known 20 amino acids, including the 9 essential amino acids. Thus, it is an excellent source of complete protein. A conglomeration of studies have documented the importance of the ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 consumption. Hemp seed oil comes the closest to this optimum ratio of any naturally occurring oil. Hemp seed oil has a ratio of at least one-to-three, Omega 3 to Omega 6.

Hemp seed contains all 10 essential amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Hemp seed contains 33% pure digestible protein, providing readily available amino acids for building and repairing tissue. Hemp seed protein is composed of 65% high-quality edestin protein, the most potent protein of any plant source, 35% albumin protein and glutamic acid. The globulin edestin in hemp seed closely resembles the globulin in blood plasma, and is compatible with the human digestive system. It is vital to the maintenance of a healthy immune system and is also used to manufacture antibodies. Albumin is a protein manufactued by the liver that is supportive of liver and kidney health.

In addition, Hemp Seed Oil is rich in a variety of bio-active compounds including vitamins (A, B1, B2, B3, B6, C, D, and E), antioxidants, chlorophyll, and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, phosphorous, iron, and zinc).

The oil can be taken directly, with a typical adult consuming 1-2 Tbsp. daily. It can also be added to other foods, making an excellent ingredient in salad dressings or tastes great as a butter substitute (try it on warm bread -- Delicious!). If you want to use it in cooked dishes, be sure to add the hemp oil after heating has occurred.

Avocado Hemp Dressing
Yield 1 1/2 cups

Ingredient List

2 ripe Organic Avocados
1/4 Cup Organic Hemp Oil
juice from 1 Organic Lemon
1-2 Tablespoons Organic Cilantro, minced
Pepper1-2 Cloves fresh, minced organic Garlic
1-2 teaspoons Ume Plum Vinegar (Eden Organic)
Purified Water

Directions: Cut avocados in half. Hold the pitted half firmly, and strike with a chef's knife. The knife should stick to the pit, making it easy for you to pull it out of the avocado. Repeat with other avocado. Scoop avocado out of skins and place in bowl. Mash with fork, then stir in hemp oil, lemon juice, cilantro, pepper, and vinegar. Thin with purified water, if necessary. Taste and adjust seasonings. A thicker dressing can be made as a delicious dip or drizzled over steamed, organic vegetables.

Hemp Seed Oil as a Source of Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs)

Hemp Seed Oil is a very good source of EFAs (essential fatty acids), including an optimal balance of omega-3s and omega-6s. Most Americans do not get enough omega-3 (and too much omega-6), so this is a great way to boost omega-3 levels.

The benefits of EFAs are many. They are involved with literally every function of the body, at the cellular level, and therefore are critical for our bodies to function at their best and for overall wellness. EFAs help us to experience:Healthier skin & hair Better use of oxygen in the body A stronger immune system Better arterial and cardiac health Healthy cell membranesImproved hormonal balance Balanced thyroid and adrenal activity Loss of excessive weight Better pain control Increased energy Greater mental clarity

Hemp Seed Oil for Healthy Skin

Because of the high levels of so many critical nutrients, especially EFAs, Hemp Seed Oil is an excellent product to use on the skin. Because it is so nutritionally-rich, it can be used or added to products such as shampoos, natural skin care products, and others. If you purchase (or make your own) organic personal care products, adding a bit of Hemp Seed Oil will only increase their effectiveness. It will help to keep the skin supple and restore tissues, has anti-aging properties, and can even help protect your skin from harmful ultra-violet rays.

Hemp seed oil also provides healthy, effective treatment for a variety of skin disorders such as psoriasis, eczema, acne, and dry skin.

As consumers become more educated about organic alternatives for products to use in and on their bodies, the demand for Hemp Seed Oil is likely to increase. When looking for new ways to improve your lifestyle of wellness, I highly recommend including organic Hemp Seed Oil. The brand that I recommend and use personally is from Living Harvest.

Nutritional Powerhouse: Sea Buckthorn

Some natural substances seem to be endowed with an unusually high number of benefits, and Sea Buckthorn definitely falls into that category. This plant, labeled by some as a Synergistic Superfruit, is a powerhouse of nutrition that contains almost 200 known nutritional compounds, and is useful for the prevention and treatment dozens of diseases. In fact, history indicates that the Mongol conqueror, Genghis Khan, who put together one of the world's largest empires spanning from China to Eastern Europe, relied on three beliefs for a strong military: well-organized armies, strict discipline, and Sea Buckthorn.

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is originally native to parts of Russia and China, and has been used by Eurasian people for thousands of years. In addition to its nutritional and medicinal qualities, this hardy species is also a very versatile plant that can grow in both warm and cold climates, wet and dry soils, prevent erosion due to its deep roots, act as a nitrogen stabilizer, and provide shelter both for other crops and in landscaping applications. In recent years, Sea Buckthorn plantations have sprung up across Canada.

Sea Buckthorn: Health Benefits

The health benefits of this amazing plant are almost too many to name, but I will provide some of the highlights. The seeds, leaves, fruit, and oil of Sea Buckthorn are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, as well as numerous trace minerals. It is also very high in antioxidant phytochemicals such as carotenoids and flavonoids. Sea Buckthorn is additionally one of the most potent plant sources of essential fatty acids on the planet, being especially high in omega-3s, and to a lesser degree, omega-6 fatty acids All of these qualities make Sea Buckthorn a legitimate superfood that may promote wellness in a variety of ways. Some of these include immune system support, treatment of autoimmune disorders, cardiac health, cancer prevention, care for many common skin conditions, anti-inflammatory properties, pain reduction, healing for ulcers and other intestinal concerns, and as an organic food crop. Let's take a look in more detail at several of these uses.

Sea Buckthorn: Powerful Anti-Inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory action of Sea Buckthorn is one of its most outstanding features. Due to the way it is formed, and the manner in which its components compliment each other, Sea Buckthorn is truly a synergistic giant in the nutritional world. Its numerous bio-active agents include an almost 50-50 balance of omega-3s and omega-6s, several other rare fatty acids, and potent antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), beta carotene, vitamin E, and folic acid, making for a powerful combination. Volumes of recent research indicate that the control of inflammation is one of the most vital necessities for wellness. Because of its anti-inflammatory strengths, Sea Buckthorn can help to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke, autoimmune conditions such as fibromyalgia and arthritis, and skin disorders like acne, eczema, psoriasis, rosacea, sunburn, and ulcers. Such a highly nutritious plant is also an excellent tool to prevent many types of cancer.

Sea Buckthorn: Mucus Membrane Repair

Scientists now believe the most delicate of body tissues, the mucous membranes, have the greatest need for Omega 7 fatty acids. Just as the skin protects the outside of the body, mucous membranes protect the inside of the body. They line the digestive, respiratory, and urogenital tracts, as well as the inner surface of the eyes. They are important channels for interactions between the body and the environment, and are the major routes for pathogens, toxins, and allergens to enter the body. Thus mucous membranes play an important role in the health of the entire body. Environmental stressors like pollution and toxic chemicals, toxic foods, and even natural aging processes such as menopause can challenge the sensitive mucous membranes. Fortunately, Omega 7 fatty acids, which contain palmitoleic acid -- a fatty acid found in human skin that helps moisturize and repair -- are now being recognized as nourishment that can protect, replenish, moisturize, and restore mucus membranes. Omega 7 is also very important for women going through the pre-menopausal and menopause years who suffer from symptoms of vaginal dryness or the feeling of dryness through the entire body. Vegetarians who may not get a good level of omega 3 fatty acids in their diet will also benefit from omega 7 fatty acids. Those who suffer from a dry respiratory tract may also benefit from the addition of Omega 7 fatty acids.

Sea Buckthorn: Immune System
The benefits of Sea Buckthorn to the immune system are also significant. One of the reasons for this is the high amount of omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA and others, found in this plant. The diet of the typical American has a much larger percentage of omega-6s than omega-3s, and this imbalance can lead to a multitude of health concerns. One result of a diet that includes insufficient amounts of omega-3 is a weakened immune system. To make matters worse, too much omega-6 (in relation to the amount of omega-3) can actually work synergistically against the immune system by inhibiting its disease-fighting and anti-inflammatory functions. Up-to-date research now indicates that one of the best improvements that can be made to one's overall health is to increase omega-3s in the diet. Traditionally, fish and fish oil have been one of the best sources of omega-3. However, oils such as Hemp Seed oil, Flax Seed oil and now Sea Buckthorn are better choices, as they are so rich in other nutrients as well, and are a renewable resource, unlike wild fish.

Sea Buckthorn: Food Source
Finally, let's consider the value of Sea Buckthorn as a food source. Besides all the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutritional aspects of this superfood, the leaves of the plant contain about 25% protein. Virtually all parts of Sea Buckthorn, including the seeds, fruit, oil, and leaves can be consumed directly or can be used in cooking and preparation of other foods. Considering how hardy and versatile this plant is, and how easily it fits into renewable agriculture, organic Sea Buckthorn may be a key crop in both developed and Third World countries. In fact, some are predicting that the production of this plant will increase dramatically in the near future. As more people become aware of the many health advantages of Sea Buckthorn, perhaps we will see this incredible plant come into more common use throughout the world both as a source of food and for its bounty of nutritional wealth.

References: Yang B. Omega & Sea Buckthorn Oil capsule. For health of skin, mucous membranes and heart. Aromtech 2004

FYI About the Hazards of CT Scans

The article below does an excellent job of summarizing the issues surrounding the use of CT scans, which expose patients to much higher amounts of radiation than other imaging devices. It is critical that we are educated about these issues so that when a CT scan is ordered by a healthcare practitioner, we can ask intelligent questions and discuss options before submitting to it.

No one is more responsible for your safe, effective healthcare than you. If your doctor recommends a CT scan, be sure it is appropriate and go over safety procedures with the operator as well. Doctors and technicians are often more willing to cover the details of such a procedure with an informed, proactive patient. Remember, you have both a right and a responsibility to make your own healthcare decisions based on what you feel is best for you and your family.


Facing a CT Scan? Think About Radiation
By Matthew Shulman
Posted May 30, 2008

How much radiation you've been exposed to may be the last thing on your mind on the way to the emergency room. But with the increasing use of computed tomography, or CT scans, and nuclear medicine screenings as highly accurate first-line tools in diagnosing illnesses and injuries, a new study suggests such concerns should be front and center.

The study, presented this week at the annual conference of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, confirms what many doctors have believed: that people may be receiving doses of radiation, sometimes unnecessarily, that put them at a heightened risk of cancer. Researchers found that a typical patient who visited the emergency room received a cumulative radiation dose of 40 millisieverts over a five-year period. Ten percent of patients ended up with a staggering 100 or more millisieverts. Both levels are well above the safety threshold for lifetime radiation exposure. Exposures above the threshold leave patients vulnerable to increased long-term risk of cancer. As a point of comparison, one chest CT is around 10 millisieverts of radiation and a traditional chest X-ray only 0.02 millisieverts.

The findings come just months after a New England Journal of Medicine report suggested that about one third of all CT scans are unnecessary and that overuse of these tests may be a significant factor in raising the total public risk of cancer deaths in the coming decades. The Columbia University researchers noted that while the individual risks of cancer from CT scans remain low, the increased incidence of cancer may be considerable. To balance image quality with these safety concerns, radiologists use a protocol known as the ALARA principle, short for As Low as Reasonably Achievable. It's meant to ensure that "CT dose factors are kept to a point where risk is minimized for maximum diagnostic benefit," says Arl Moore, president of the American College of Radiology.

Both studies raise the question of when CT and other diagnostic exams are necessary. "There are times when performing a scan is very valuable and absolutely worth the risk," says Timothy Bullard, lead author of the current study and chief medical officer at Orlando Regional Medical Center. In the case of diagnosing acute appendicitis, for example, CT scans have become an almost indispensable tool, reducing the chances of removing a healthy appendix from 24 percent down to just 3 percent. Similarly, with life-threatening or potentially debilitating problems from head trauma, "the obvious risks from radiation are outweighed by the benefit of the test," says Lynn Massingale, an emergency physician from Knoxville, Tenn., and CEO of Team Health, a company that provides ER doctors to more than 260 emergency departments nationwide.

There are times, however, "when we need to ask if it's worth exposing someone to this radiation and if doing so will actually give us the medical information we seek," says Bullard.

Hanging over every decision, according to many ER physicians, is the threat of legal liability. If, for example, a doctor misses a subdural hematoma because a CT scan wasn't ordered, malpractice suits are not an uncommon response. Another problem, according to Linda Lawrence, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians, is that emergency room doctors often have no way of knowing how much prior exposure a patient has had. Absent a reason not to, physicians often go straight to the test that provides the most information -- the CT scan.

The fix, Bullard and others say, is for emergency departments nationwide to adopt portable electronic medical records that would store the number and type of exams as well as the estimated cumulative radiation exposure for each patient. Until that happens, though, experts recommend that patients keep track of all of their X-ray and CT scans and make sure that any medical personnel who might order diagnostic tests know the tally.

It's also entirely appropriate for patients to ask their doctors if another diagnostic exam could be used instead of a CT scan. Ultrasound and MRI, for example, do not emit the same sort of harmful radiation.Manufacturers have added adjustable dosage settings on the CT scanning equipment that take into account a patient's size and weight. Patients should inquire if technicians operating the machines are trained to minimize radiation exposure while still providing accurate images. Gregory Morrison, chief knowledge officer of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists, says patients should also ask if radiation could be reduced by performing one scan instead of several.

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/cancer/2008/05/30/facing-a-ct-scan-think-about-radiation.html

Vitamin E for Healthy Skin

Today's post discusses the many benefits of Vitamin E, particularly when it comes to skin care. As the author notes, the use of Vitamin E both in the form of oil on the skin and from dietary sources is a great way to keep your skin young and supple, and for preventing and healing scarring from acne, sunburn, and other skin conditions.

You also might want to try boosting Vitamin E levels and applying products containing "E" to combat dry skin that many of us face during the winter season. As always, be sure to use only natural, organic skin care products that will not expose you to unnecessary and harmful toxins and additives.

I recommend consuming a natural Vitamin E that contains all 8 compounds, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Each of the four tocopherols and tocotrienols are named after the four letters of the Greek alphabet: alpha, beta, gamma, delta. The word natural can, unfortunately, sometimes be misleading. In the case of vitamin E, a manufacturer can use a blend of 10% natural vitamin E and 90% synthetic vitamin E and still label the product natural vitamin E. Using synthetic vitamin E (dl), which is 40% cheaper, a manufacturer can greatly reduce the quality of a product to reduce his costs. Natural vitamin E is officially recognized as having 36% greater potency than its synthetic counterpart. However, recent studies of human subjects indicate that natural vitamin E is probably twice as effective as synthetic vitamin E.

Vitamin E Oil for Skin Care
by Sheron Hopkins

Vitamin E is a proven antioxidant.

It helps the body in a myriad of ways: it helps regulate a woman's monthly period, it helps fight cancer, and it has been known to keep the skin youthful, as a vitamin supplement. But do you know that Vitamin E can also help make your skin look beautiful when applied to the skin directly?

Vitamin E has been used in the making of herbal lotions and creams. Most modern herbalists just break open a capsule, and add it to their concoction, usually made of essential oils and other herbs. Vitamin E could also be used as it is, unadulterated. Just break open a capsule, apply the oil to your skin, leave it there for a while, and then wash it off later.

A great innovation that has been a big help to those who use Vitamin E in skin care is the packaging of Vitamin E oil in pump dispensers. This is helpful to those who find breaking open capsules annoying, and who need Vitamin E in larger quantities than can be obtained from capsules.

While Vitamin E can help keep your skin youthful, there are other applications for more serious conditions. Acne scars can be erased through Vitamin E oil application. Not just acne scars, but burn victims have received the benefit of Vitamin E oil too. Vitamin E oil can also be used in those with scars from operations, those with fine lines and even wrinkles, and other skin conditions like dry, callused hands and feet.

Vitamin E is both a moisturizer and an antioxidant, which is the reason why it is very effective in skin conditions. But to maximize your Vitamin E experience, you should not only apply the oil to your skin, you should also make sure your diet is rich in it. Vitamin E sources include oils and nuts. Though oils are thought to be bad for you, there are healthy oils, like Olive Oil and Sunflower Oil are rich in the "good lipids," which even help lower cholesterol. The best sources of Vitamin E, in order, are raw sunflower seeds, roasted almonds, and olives, papaya, boiled Swiss chard, boiled mustard greens, cooked turnip greens, boiled spinach, boiled collared greens, and blueberries.

If you have to take it as a vitamin supplement, a maximum dose of 400 I.U. is advised. Around 200 I.U. is the recommended dose, according to a Johns Hopkins study. As in all vitamins and minerals, obtaining them from your diet is much better than taking them in the form of supplements. Most supplements tend to be synthetic, and taking them in excess does more harm than good. Vitamins and minerals obtained from one's diet are better regulated and tolerated by the body.

You can make your own skin care oils by mixing essential oils like tea tree oil, lavender or bergamot with Vitamin E oil. Apply them to ward off acne, moisturize your skin, and keep your skin youthful and wrinkle-free. The above mentioned herbs and essential oils are meant to ward off acne, due to their astringent and antibacterial properties. Other herbs and essential oils may be better suited to your skin, depending on your skin type. On the whole, skin care starts with effective antioxidants like Vitamin E. With proper use of agents like these, your skin will be kept youthful, acne and wrinkle-free.

http://www.hair-n-skin-care.com/articles/250/skin-care-treatments/vitamin-e-oil-for-skin-care.html

Strawberries Great for Skin Health

Here's a sure way to overcome the winter blahs: Let's talk about a wonderful summer fruit known as the strawberry. As today's article points out, this delicious and nutritious fruit is also a terrific natural source for healthy skin care.

Enjoy the recipes given in this article that will expose your skin to the many naturally occurring benefits of strawberries. Remember that it is always best to use organic ingredients in anything we put in or on our bodies. Whatever is applied to the skin goes directly into the bloodstream, and thus can affect -- for good or for harm -- every organ and system of the body.


Strawberry - Not Just A Beautiful Fruit
By Sharon Hopkins

What's the first thought that comes to your mind, when you think of strawberry -- a mouth-watering dessert of strawberries mixed with fresh cream? To end an interesting evening on sweet note, this is just the right dessert. Strawberries serve more than just fulfilling the sweet tooth. It is packed with hordes of health benefits, making a nutritious fruit for mind and body.
Eat this succulent fruit in its raw form or serve it as jams, syrups, salads, smoothies, wine, juices, and more. Strawberries are full of vitamin C, potassium, sodium and iron as well as being low in calories. Not just delicious, a strawberry is also a great skincare additive, especially due to its mildly astringent properties. Strawberry flesh and juice is recommended mainly for oily skin to improve texture, minimize greasiness and encourage a healthy and more radiant complexion. The ellagic acids in strawberries appear to inhibit the growth of tumors (cancer cells). They are also a good source of salicylic acid that removes dead cells and clean pores.

Strawberry helps in soothing sunburned skin, skin blemishes as well as discolored teeth. An alternative to placing cucumber on the eyes, place a sliced strawberry to reduce the puffiness.

They are known to fight heart disease and provide a number of vitamins and minerals that support overall human health. By adding strawberries to your diet, we build a healthy immune system. In addition to various nutrients and minerals, strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin K and manganese, as well as folic acid, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Packed with immense health benefits, strawberries when added to beauty recipes for skin exude magic. Try out these homemade recipes made with this luscious fruit as main ingredient.

Kiwi Cucumber Strawberry Facial Cleanser - Blend 5 to 6 strawberries, 1 kiwi, peeled and 1/2 cucumber to a smooth paste, not a runny mixture. If the mixture is slightly runny, add bit of oatmeal until the potion is of proper consistency. Apply to your face and neck area with gentle massage to exfoliate the skin. Let the paste settle on your skin for 10 minutes and then rinse well with warm water. Your skin will feel fresh and clean.

Strawberry Facemask - Combine 2 or 3 ripe strawberries with 2 tbsp of finely grounded oats and 1 drop of lemon essential oil to form a paste. Spread the paste on to the face and neck area with fingertips. Relax for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cool water followed by a toner and moisturizer. The pieces of strawberry seeds aid in the skin treatment process.

Antioxidant mask with Strawberry and Papaya starring - 1/2 papaya, 4 strawberries, 1 tbsp rolled oats, 1 tsp honey and 1 tsp fresh lemon juice. Grind the oats, blend papayas and strawberries until smooth and warm honey until it is flowing freely. Combine and mix well all the ingredients. Apply this mixture on the face and let it remain for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water followed with moisturizer.

For beautiful and radiant skin - mash 1 or 2 strawberries mixing it with water to form a smooth paste. Apply the paste on your face, neck overnight. Rinse it in the morning.

Face Lifting Face Pack - 3 to 4 strawberries, 5-6 grapes, 1/2 pear, 1/2 apple and 1 ounce of orange juice. Before putting this paste on apply a coat of honey which is later on covered with this fruit mixture. Leave it for 30 minutes and then rinse it with lukewarm water. For the final rinse use vinegar to give your face, a perfect lift.

Strawberry Mask - 4 to 5 strawberries, 1 tbsp. milk and 1 tbsp. cornstarch. Mix all the three ingredients to make a paste to be applied on your face for 20 minutes. Rinse it first with warm water, then cold water. You can better this pack by using a mild astringent and then use a light moisturizer. You can use this pack for week.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautions while following instructions on the recipes from this article. Avoid using if you are allergic to something. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

http://www.pioneerthinking.com/cgi-bin/print.cgi?file=sh_strawberries.html

Probiotics to Prevent Allergies

This recent Finnish study presents some fascinating evidence indicating the benefits of helpful bacteria in the intestinal tracts of newborn babies and their mothers shortly before giving birth. However, the researchers fall short of the obvious conclusion that if probiotics can prevent allergies in the early years of life, they can certainly be useful later in life as well. Could it be that the rise in C-sections in this country correlate with the prevalence of childhood allergies?

It is estimated that about 70% of the immune system is found in the gut. The use of probiotics to increase the efficiency of the digestive tract is a great boon to the immune system and provides an excellent deterrent to allergies and other types of disease as well. I highly recommend Latero-Flora, which is a spore-bearing probiotic. Latero-Flora contains the Brevi Bacillus Laterosporus BOD strain which is a very potent probiotic encased in a spore. This encasement allows this probiotic to survive the stomach acids and form colonies. According to research, Brevi Bacillus Laterosporus BOD kills certain pathogenic bacteria and it may actually help to up the immune system. When Brevi Bacillus Laterosporus BOD is present, the body produces and stores antibodies which are then used to fight off pathogenic organisms. New research indicates that Brevi Bacillus Laterosporus BOD may also increase natural interferon which is an important immune booster that helps fight infections and inflammation.


Probiotics Prevent IgE Associated Allergy Until Age 5 In Cesarean Delivered Children But Not In Total Cohort
15 Jan 2009

According to a recent study from the University and the University Central Hospital of Helsinki, Finland, no allergy-preventive effect is extended to age 5 years by perinatal supplementation with probiotics in babies at risk for developing allergies; protection is conferred only to Cesarean section babies.

Childhood allergies have increased significantly in industrialized countries during the past few decades. Researchers theorize that this rising incidence is the result of a lowered exposure to bacteria in early childhood. This exposure to microbes appears to be essential in jump-starting the immune system to develop healthy pathways that do not result in allergic conditions.

Additionally, it's been observed that infants who develop allergies have intestinal bacteria that are distinctly different from those of non-allergic infants, suggesting that the type of intestinal microflora is an important factor in forming allergic conditions.

In a study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (online January 2009) researchers from the University and University Central Hospital of Helsinki conducted a clinical trial of more than 1200 mothers whose infants would be at high risk to develop allergies. During the last month of their pregnancies, the mothers took daily doses of a probiotic mixture or a placebo, and their infants were given the same probiotic mixture plus a prebiotic or a placebo for the first 6 months of their lives. The children were followed for 5 years and evaluated for incidence of allergic diseases.

The authors found that the frequencies of allergic and IgE-associated allergic disease and sensitization were similar in the children who had received probiotic and those who'd gotten placebo. Although there appeared to be a preventive effect at age 2, there was none noted at age 5. Interestingly, in babies born by cesarean section, the researchers found less IgE-associated allergic disease in those who had received the probiotic.

"No allergy-preventive effect is extended to age 5 years by perinatal supplementation with probiotics in babies at risk for developing allergies; protection is conferred only to C-section babies", says Dr. Mikael Kuitunen from the University Central Hospital of Helsinki. "However, it is possible that stronger and longer stimulation of the infant immune system possibly by varying the strains of bacteria, may result in better allergy-preventive effects."

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/printerfriendlynews.php?newsid=135482

HRT May Cause Brain Damage

The use of artificial Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) drugs is associated with many hazardous side effects, including an increased risk for cancers, strokes, dementia, and other serious disease. A new study now indicates that synthetic HRT drugs can also literally shrink the brains of women who use them.

The FDA and mainstream medicine are aware of these dangerous side effects, yet they continue to allow and promote HRT by prescription to millions of women. Some of the probable reasons for that are discussed in this article.

As huge numbers of baby boomers approach menopause, the need for natural hormonal balance is a critical health issue. However, the best way to deal with this situation is to work with a natural medicine healthcare provider that can test you (saliva is what I recommend) to see exactly which hormones you need, and then recommend natural hormone balancing therapies that will work with your body and not against it. This is a much safer and more effective plan than the "one size fits all" approach often used with conventional HRT. Saliva and Blood-Spot Test kits are quick, efficient and cost effective allowing one to perform these tests in the privacy of their own home. I highly recommend them.


HRT Drugs Shrink Women's Brains
by Mike Adams, NaturalNews Editor
(NaturalNews) A new study carried out at Wake Forest University and published in the medical journal Neurology has found that HRT drugs literally shrink women's brains. Subjects who took HRT drugs for an extended period of time showed a loss of 2.37 cubic centimeters in the frontal lobe of the brain.
The frontal lobe is responsible for memory and thinking skills. These study findings may explain why women who use HRT drugs are increasingly being diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. David Sturdee, president of the International Menopause Society, disagrees that brain shrinkage is a bad thing. "The benefits (of HRT) are still way in excess of the risks," he explains in a BBC report. HRT drugs also increase the risk of strokes and cancer, but they earn billions of dollars in revenue for drug companies.
Are HRT drugs part of a campaign to keep the women in society barefoot, pregnant and stupid? It just so happens that these drugs -- which are mostly pushed by men -- keep women in a state of cognitive impairment in which their thinking skills are suppressed. (It turns smart women into stupid women.) The shrinkage of their frontal lobe also causes them to be unable to make good decisions about getting OFF the medications, and that plays right into the hands of Big Pharma's profit schemes.
It's not unusual for drugs to shrink the brains of those who take them. ADHD drugs have also been proven to cause stunted growth and brain shrinkage in children and teens. But that doesn't stop them from being prescribed to children.
The dumbing down of America, it seems, is being accomplished in part through the mass medication of women and children with brain-shrinking drugs.
Last night I was watching footage of a Donahue show from the 1970's. It was downright fascinating to see how highly intelligent the people in the audience were. They asked intelligent questions and were thoughtful and critical. I sat there shocked at the contrast modern-day television show audiences.
Most of today's talk shows are idiot fests, where the IQs of audience members are barely above room temperature. It's amazing how America has gone from a nation of intelligent consumers to idiot consumers in just three decades. That rising wave of idiocy just happens to coincide with the rise of Big Pharma.
Coincidence? Not likely. The mass medication of America has accomplished something quite remarkable: The mass chemical lobotomization of the population by drug companies and their government enforcers (FDA, FTC). With all the brain-shrinking drugs now being consumed by the majority of people in America, it's no exaggeration to say that America has become a nation of mentally retarded consumers, and I mean that in a clinical sense, not as a casual insult. Widespread brain shrinkage is a (sad) fact in America today.
If it all seems a little confusing, just remember this quote from one of the greatest poets in American history, W. H. Auden, who said: "We are here on Earth to do good to others. What the others are here for, I don't know."

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