Balancing the Thyroid Naturally

The thyroid may be small in size, but it plays a key role in many bodily functions, and a properly operating thyroid is essential to overall physical and emotional wellness. Poor health of the thyroid gland has often been overlooked in conventional medicine, even though it is a much more common health concern than once thought.

The thyroid can be either underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism), but the incidence of hypothyroidism is generally much higher. In fact, an estimated 13 million Americans (probably a low estimate) suffer from an underactive thyroid, with it affecting more women than men, and risk increasing with age. Hypothyroidism can produce a variety of negative health symptoms.
The thyroid gland is often described as butterfly-shaped, and is located in the neck, just behind and below the Adam's apple. While the thyroid itself is very important, the way this gland interacts with other glands and organs of the body is perhaps even more vital to our health and well-being.

There are two main hormones produced by the thyroid. They are known as triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4), and both are very crucial to metabolism and cellular functions throughout the body. T3 is the strongest and most active hormone produced by the thyroid, and it primarily affects cellular metabolism, which ultimately impacts how fast or slow the body functions and the amount of energy we have on a day-to-day basis. T4 plays a lesser but still important role, and must actually be converted into T3 to be useful. The thyroid typically produces more T4 than T3 because its life span is shorter than T3.

A structure in the brain called the hypothalamus is also involved in this process. One of its jobs is to manufacture and release Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone (TRH). Then the pituitary gland enters the scene. TRH stimulates the pituitary to release Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), which is the agent that nudges the thyroid to release T3 and T4. So, as you can see, this is a cycle that is dependent on the healthy operation of several different glands and organs.


What Are the Symptoms of Hypothyroidism?


If the thyroid is underactive, it can really throw off many functions in the body and have a negative domino effect on our health. When the metabolic rate drops, individuals can suffer physically from low energy levels and fatigue, as well as mentally from depression and brain fog. They tend to feel cold most of the time, and the immune system is also compromised, leading to increased chronic illnesses. Other glands in the endocrine system are also affected, and the digestive system is not able to absorb nutrients efficiently, causing additional health problems. Hypothyroidism is associated with numerous conditions including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, infertility, heart disease, weight management, and issues with insulin and processing sugar in the body.





What Causes Hypothyroidism?

Iodine Deficiency

One of the major causes of an underactive thyroid is insufficient amounts of iodine in the body. Approximately 1.5 billion people, about one-third of the earth's population, live in an area of iodine deficiency as defined by the World Health Organization. Iodine deficiency disorder is the most common preventable form of mental retardation known.(1)

Dr. Jonathan Wright has reported compelling data that iodine, in the form of Lugol's (iodine and iodide) can help maintain the correct balance of the three estrogens. Specifically, Dr. Wright has reported that Lugol's solution will help the body metabolize the estrogens to favor the safer form of estrogen -- estriol. Imbalances in estrogen production are associated with weight gain, mood swings and disorders such as diabetes as well as cancer of the breast, ovary, and uterus. Estrogen balance is impossible to maintain when there is iodine deficiency present. (1)

T3 and T4 cannot be produced at adequate levels without enough iodine. Most people need a supplemental form of iodine in order to ensure enough of this critical mineral. Sometimes supplementation with T3 and T4 is necessary too. Be sure to use a natural form, as artificial hormones are mostly in the form of T4 only, and the body cannot recognize and utilize them as well as natural hormones.

Other causes of hypothyroidism include:

Stress, both physical and emotional. Stress management is the best treatment for this. Helpful techniques include regular exercise, stretching, deep breathing, plenty of good sleep, and learning how to relax. Stress of all types is especially hard on the endocrine system, thus directly and indirectly harming the thyroid.

Poor nutrition: Eating a diet high in junk foods, fat, sodium, and other damaging substances can also wreak havoc with the thyroid. Eating lots of organic fruits and vegetables, along with an ample supply of pure water, will keep your thyroid and the rest of your body happy.

Poor liver function: Keeping your liver healthy and supported will also impact wellness throughout the body. Eating well and staying away from junk food, alcohol, prescription drugs, and other toxins is a great place to start improving liver health. The liver plays a significant role in hormonal balance, including thyroid function. Consider a natural liver cleanse regimen on a regular basis.

Fluoridated water: Fluoride is bad for the body in many ways, and one of these is its negative effects on the thyroid. The continual over-exposure to toxic halides -- bromine, fluoride, etc. -- actually cause iodine deficiency and according to Dr. David Brownstein, "they can poison the enzymes responsible for organifying iodine."(1)

Smoking.

Certain drugs, including synthetic lithium.

Too much of certain types of soy in your diet.


How Do I Know if I Have Hypothyroidism?

There are blood tests available that measure levels of T3 and T4, as well as other indicators. However, these are usually not as accurate as we would like for them to be, and it can be difficult to get your physician to order the correct tests, as some are expensive and many insurance companies balk at covering them. The following blood/saliva tests are needed in order to effectively evaluate thyroid function:

• CBC
• Lipid Profile
• Liver Profile
• Thyroid -- --TSH (This lab is only for diagnosis of hypopituitary, not to diagnose or dose your hypo by)
• Free T4 and Free T3 (IMPORTANT: note the word "FREE")
• Thyroid Antibodies (anti-TPO and TgAb. You need BOTH.)
• Ferritin (Do stress FERRITIN, not just RBC)
• Adrenals / Cortisol levels / and Estrogen / Progesterone / Testosterone / DHEA – These need to be done through saliva testing using a Hormone Saliva Testing Kits. DO NOT ask the doc for these tests as testing serum (blood) does not give the accuracy that is needed.
• B-12
• Reverse T3
• Vitamin D -- Specifically 25(OH)D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• Histamine Levels
• CRP -- c-reactive protein (They may be resistant about this test but insist on it!)
• Iron Profile
• Urinalysis

There is a fairly accurate home test you can use. All you need is a mercury thermometer. Take your temperature (under the armpit is best) at exactly the same time four mornings in a row. Do it immediately upon wakening, before you get out of bed or move around. If your average temp is less than 97.8, there is a good chance your thyroid is underactive.


Other Resources

Stop The Thyroid Madness
Iodine Why You Need It Why You Cant Live Without It -- 4th Edition by David Brownstein, M.D.(1)
BreastCancerOptions.org
Iodine and Thyroid Articles

FDA Approves Known Dangerous Drug for Use on Children

Federal regulators have pulled a lot of bizarre stunts over the years, but this one is a real head-scratcher. Just over a month ago, the manufacturer of an antidepressant drug called Lexapro (Forest Laboratories Inc.) was brought up on charges for illegally bribing pediatricians to prescribe it for children, for which it was not approved. So what does the FDA do? They announced last week that they had given the green light for Lexapro to be used on patients from 12-17 years of age. To make things even weirder, this ruling contradicts Forest Labs' own statement that Lexapro had not proven itself in studies to effectively maintain control of depression symptoms in adolescents.

The timing of this move makes absolutely no sense, and it screams of corruption and conflict of interest, something the FDA is no stranger to. The really odd thing about this all is that the FDA's ruling actually overrides Forest Labs' findings that Lexapro is ineffective for treating depressed children, and that it is highly dangerous for them as well -- even more so than for adults. If you visit Forest Labs' Lexapro website where their branding mantra is "POWER TO ENJOY LIFE", they have clearly posted an ominous warning right under their Big Announcement:

LEXAPRO is now approved for
acute and maintenance treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in adolescents aged 12-17.

"Antidepressants increased the risk, compared to placebo, of suicidal thinking and behavior (suicidality) in children, adolescents, and young adults in short-term studies of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and other psychiatric disorders."

For the FDA to make the decision to legalize the prescriptions of Lexapro to children under any circumstances is highly questionable, but when it was done in the shadow of the indictment of Forest Labs, it becomes scandalous.

What Kind of Corruption is Going on Here?

The accusations against Forest Labs that were announced last month were the culmination of a five-year investigation by the Federal Department of Justice. Prosecutors found that executives in the company had told their sales and marketing people to push pediatricians to prescribe Lexapro and its chemically similar sister drug Celexa to children and adolescents, even though it had not received FDA clearance to do so. However, this is a common occurrence in the world of Big Pharma, and the practice is called "off-label" prescription and is not technically illegal. However, it is illegal for drug companies to urge physicians to do so.

Yes, it sounds unbelievable, but if a physician wants to use a drug for something other than what it is designed to do because he feels it may "help" his patient, he is legally free to do that in some cases. Where Forest Labs got themselves in trouble, is that they were caught pushing off-label use through illegal "marketing" methods such as offering bribes to doctors in the form of cash, tickets to sporting events and Broadway shows, fishing trips, spa visits, and other expensive perks. Employees of Forest Labs were also instructed to ignore studies that showed less than favorable results of these drugs on kids, and to highlight studies that gave the results the company was looking for. This cat and mouse game is also a very common practice in the FDA/Big Pharma network. Lexapro is Forest's biggest product ($2 billion in annual sales and number 15 on the list of all US drug sales), but apparently they weren't satisfied with that.

Just How Dangerous is Lexapro Anyway?

Many doctors, and thus their patients, have been told by drug company reps that Lexapro is "non-habit forming." However, the truth of the matter is that this toxic drug has over 250 known side-effects, either during use or when stopping use of the drug (withdrawal symptoms). Some of the major side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal: (cramps, diarrhea, constipation difficulty swallowing, vomiting)
• Cardiovascular: (irregular heartbeat, chest pain abnormal EKG, varicose veins)
• Muscle pain
• Aches and pains
• Joint pain
• Loss of balance
  Tremors
• Involuntary muscle contractions
• Psychiatric: (crying fits, auditory hallucinations, abnormal dreaming, depression -- the very thing it is supposed to treat!)
• Asthma and other allergies
• Acne and other skin disorders
• Shortness of breath

Experts also urge caution when withdrawing from Lexapro. Potential problems include many of those listed above, plus:

• Cardiac arrest
• Gastric ulcers
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
• Increased psychiatric symptoms
• Kidney disease
• Vision problems: (macular degeneration, detached retina)

Google "Lexapro withdrawals" or "weaning off of Lexapro" and you will find literally hundreds of sites and forums of individuals trying to wean off of Lexapro. Drugs.com contains a discussion forum with 314 pages of posts devoted only to people trying who are trying to stop Lexapro. Evidently some have been trying to get off this "non-addictive anti-depressant" from 3 to 8 months, and yet are still having tremendous difficulties in accomplishing their goal.

Unfortunately, as you can see, you can't always trust what your doctor tells you and the FDA continues to show us over and over just how much they really do NOT care about our health and well-being. Be sober and wise about any drug that is prescribed for you or your loved ones. Research and do your "due diligence." For me, I will choose NOT to get my POWER TO ENJOY LIFE from a pharmaceutical drug.

Creating a Green Environment with Ionic Air Purification

The most crucial factors to our wellness are the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Sometimes we forget how critical pure air is to our health, but the average person takes 23,000 breaths every day, inhaling about 35 pounds of air. If this were fresh, clean, oxygen-rich air, it would be wonderful. The problem is, most of us spend about 80% of our time in our homes, offices, and vehicles, and this indoor air is stale and full of dust, bacteria, viruses, and other toxins that pose a serious threat to our health. In fact, numerous studies have indicated that indoor air is up to 10 times more polluted than most outdoor air. To make matters worse, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere has dropped from an estimated 38% in 1800 to about 19% today. As you can see, we have a huge problem with air quality that has contributed to many modern illnesses.



Can Ionic Air Purifiers Help With This Situation?

Various types of air purifiers and filters have been invented over the years, but by far the most effective, safe, and economical design has been the ionizer or negative ion generator type. One of the reasons why ionizers work so well is that they imitate and duplicate methods of air purification that occur spontaneously in the natural world. For example, thunderstorms, lightning, sunshine, ocean waves, and waterfalls all have something in common: They increase the number of negative ions in the air, just as ionizing air purifiers are designed to do.

Negative ion generators work by using high voltage to release negatively charged air molecules (anions) into the air. Since literally all particles and foreign matter in the air are positively charged (cations), the two are magnetically attracted, thus causing the particles to get heavier and fall out of the air. They are either collected by a filter, on some machines, or simply allowed to fall to the ground and can then then be vacuumed or dusted away.

This action also has a disinfecting effect on the air, thus reducing the risk for bacterial and viral infections. In fact, ionizing air purifiers have been very successful at battling hard to handle infections that have been running rampant in hospitals and other health care facilities in recent years.

One thing to be aware of when choosing an ionizing air purifier is that many older machines secondarily produce significant amounts of ozone. In fact, ozone generators that primarily form ozone are available too. Ozone is an excellent air purifier and is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral. However, too much ozone can be toxic to humans and pets, causing respiratory distress such as coughing, chest pain, lung damage, and aggravating conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.

Many ionizers also have added features such as a HEPA filter, ultraviolet light, and carbonated filters to further cleanse the air of smoke, odors, germs, pollen, and molds. Permanently installed and portable units are available for home and vehicles. Prices vary greatly, so it pays to understand which features you need and to shop around. Some manufacturers of appliances such as computers, air conditioners, and even refrigerators and washers/dryers are jumping on the bandwagon by including negative ion generators built into their appliances.

How Can an Ionizer Air Purifier Improve My Health?

Using a negative ion generator in your home, car, or office can provide many benefits:

• Dust and dust mites are one of the most common household pollutants. A negative ion air purifier can greatly reduce these pests, and thus lower risk for allergic reactions, colds, flus, and other respiratory disorders.
  
• Indoor air can be very toxic, often containing unwanted odors, chemical vapors from cleaning products, paint, carpeting, treated wood, and plastics in the home.
  
• Ionization can eliminate many of these particulates in the air.
  
• Negative ions increase the availability of oxygen in the air, thus enabling us to inhale more of it to enter our bloodstream and travel throughout the body. An oxygenated environment within the body will prevent many forms of disease.
  
• An atmosphere that has an abundant supply of negative ions can be refreshing to both our minds and bodies. Many people under such conditions feel mentally sharper, happier, less depressed, and physically more energetic. Maybe that is one of the reasons that Niagra Falls, which has one of the highest concentrations of negative ions in the world, is such a popular tourist attraction.

I have used and recommended the Surround Air negative ion air purifiers for a long time. They are efficient, nice looking, and one does not have to spend a fortune for effective air purification. Allergy season is here, and real help can be achieved in making sure that the air you breathe is clean and healthy, both in your home and your place of business.

Wildcrafted Chanca Piedra and Your Liver

As it has with so many other herbs and medicinal plants, the Amazon Rain Forest has once again produced another gift in the form of a plant called chanca piedra. The native peoples of the area have used chanca piedra for thousands of years, primarily as a powerful liver cleanser, but researchers in recent times have discovered and documented many other uses for this amazing plant. Relatively obscure to the Western world until the last few decades, chanca piedra is now being used more commonly by herbalists and other natural health care practitioners as well as by informed individuals who have learned of its many benefits.

There is some debate as to the origins of chanca piedra. Some say due to writings from the 18th century, that the plant was originally found in India or in the Philippines, and then transplanted to the New World. However, it is clear that it has been a staple of South American medicinal herbalists for many hundreds of years, and now grows wild from Argentina to the southern United States as well as in tropical zones around the world. Chanca piedra is known by several other names including chamberbitter, breakstone, and leafflower.

When choosing a source of chanca piedra to use as a supplement, it is important to secure wild or "wildcrafted" forms of the plant as they are generally more potent and effective than cultivated plants. This is likely due to the natural genetic characteristics of the plant that have developed over time in the wild.


Why is Chanca Piedra Such Good Medicine?

Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) has been employed in traditional and herbal medicine for centuries, and it has a long list of uses that until recently have only been supported by folklore. The name chanca piedra means "stone breaker" or "shatterstone" in Spanish, a reference to its ability to treat kidney stones and gallstones. Recently, the scientific community has gained quite an interest in chanca piedra, and several major studies have been done to learn more about what it can do for our health and why it is so beneficial.

One of the results of these studies is a better understanding of chanca piedra's effects on the liver, the main filter and detoxifying organ of the body. Research has shown that chanca piedra acts as a catalyst to enhance the liver's natural detoxifying properties. When the liver is operating at peak efficiency, the blood, and therefore the entire body, is able to rid itself more effectively of toxins we become exposed to through food, water, pharmaceutical drugs, the air, and other sources of pollutants. This one factor can greatly decrease our risk for many degenerative conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and others.

In addition, it has also been discovered that chanca piedra helps to stimulate greater bile secretion from the liver, a factor that improves digestion and allows us to absorb more nutrients from our food. Bile also boosts the body's ability to remove waste products more effectively.

What Else can Chanca Piedra Do For My Health?

Besides its positive effects on the liver, Chanca Piedra is helpful to many aspects of our health:

• As its name indicates, chanca piedra is commonly used to help dissolve, eliminate, and prevent kidney stones and gallstones. It is estimated that about 20 million Americans are afflicted with kidney stones alone every year, due mainly to a lack of water and a poor diet. A study in 1999 found that chanca piedra can both shrink existing stones and prevent them from forming in the first place.
  
• It has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles, such as those involved with expelling kidney and gallstones.
  
• Chanca piedra has been shown to lower blood cholesterol too. This is thought to be a function of its beneficial effects on bile production and efficient operation of the gallbladder.
  
• This plant is an immune system booster with antiviral effects that many people use to ward off and treat the common cold, flus, HIV, and other infections.
  
• Other uses for chanca piedra include: as a diuretic and laxative, to relieve intestinal gas, externally on minor skin irritations, for jaundice, to reduce inflammatory pain, and even to rid the body of parasites such as worms and others.

I have seen the wonderful effects of chanca piedra when supported by other cleansing herbs in helping to dissolve and eliminate gallstones and liver stones. This is the reason that when formulating the main product, LivaPure, for my Optimum Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse, wild-crafted chanca piedra was chosen to be one of the chief ingredients.

Fulvic Acid: Nature's Treasure Chest

As the quest for nutritional excellence intensifies in our modern world that is so increasingly devoid of the basic stuff of life, researchers and natural food scientists are always on the lookout for new understanding that can move us along towards better health. Fulvic acid is an ancient compound that has been a natural by-product of the functions of life here on planet Earth ever since Creation. However, it is only in the last few decades that fulvic acid has been studied extensively, although its existence was known long before then. Fulvic acid is generating a lot of excitement in many people's minds because of its surpassing value and many important benefits. This versatile substance may prove to be one of the most vital nutritional building blocks ever discovered by man.


What is Fulvic Acid?

Fulvic acid is an organic acid that is formed by the activity of microbes that occur naturally in healthy soil, and this formation takes place primarily in and around the root systems of plants. Many minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients in the soil are not initially in a form that can be easily absorbed and utilized by plants. This is because these elements are what is called metallic or clay-based, rather than organic minerals which can be efficiently assimilated by plants, and eventually by the animals and humans who eat these plants. This is where fulvic acid fits into the grand scheme of things. Fulvic acid is the ingredient that changes non-organic materials into a form that is highly bio-available by our own body's cells. Therefore, if fulvic acid is not present, crops and other plants become much less nourishing when we eat them.

We are all aware of the many problems of modern agriculture. Commercial growers are in business to produce the most amount of food in the least amount of time, at minimal cost. Therefore, quality is sacrificed for quantity. The soil is overplanted, crops are not rotated, and toxic pesticides and fertilizers further poison and weaken the earth. Thus, there are less minerals and vitamins for plants to absorb and modern farming kills off helpful microbes in the soil -- the types of microbes that are needed for fulvic acid to form. So we have less nutrients available, and less fulvic acid to change them into a more usable form.

What is the Answer for the Lack of Fulvic Acid?

Unfortunately, due to all the issues mentioned above and others, it is nearly impossible to obtain enough fulvic acid in our diets, even if we eat organic. In order to get enough, we must use a quality supplemental fulvic acid so that we can more fully absorb nutrients from our food. But it doesn't stop there -- far from it. As we shall see, fulvic acid provides many additional benefits as well.

How Else Can Fulvic Acid Keep Me Well?

• Fulvic acid is one of the most powerful substances -- on a cellular level -- that has ever been identified. It is structured so that it acts as an electrolyte, which simply means it can help to stabilize electrical charges in the cells. It also has the ability to bring chemical balance to our cells, and these two factors alone make fulvic acid a significant disease preventer and wellness tool. Fulvic acid acts as an alkalizing agent, thus lowering acidity in the body, a known factor in almost every degenerative disease.
  
• Fulvic acid is a potent antioxidant. It has a unique way of either destroying free radicals and enabling the body to eliminate them as waste, or it can even, in some cases, transform free radicals into useful substances that the body can absorb as nourishment.
  
• Fulvic acid also acts as a body cleanser, ridding us of heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins. Studies have shown that fulvic acid can also turn certain toxins into useful substances, much as it does with some free radicals.
  
• Another fascinating aspect of fulvic acid is its ability to boost enzyme production in the body. Enzymes are agents that are responsible for many complex chemical reactions, mostly at the cellular level. Without enzymes, life would be impossible, and enzymes thrive on fulvic acid.
  
• Fulvic acid also helps to oxygenate the body by increasing the blood's ability to absorb oxygen. Oxygen is a key factor in wellness, as insufficient amounts of this gas produce a disease-friendly environment.
  

OAW Products that contain Fulvic Acid:

intraMAX

intraKID

intraMIN

ZeoMAX FA

Silver Elite FA

Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (Blue Green Algae) -- Why You Need It Everyday!

When it comes to superfoods found in nature, Blue Green Algae definitely makes the top ten list. This amazing source of goodness is one of the most nutritionally-dense substances on planet Earth, and it is also given to us in a form that can be easily digested and very efficiently assimilated. This simple but powerful organism contains so many nutritionally-potent compounds, that it is hard to believe that so many benefits can be found in this one source. Blue green algae is truly another health-protecting gift from our Creator.

There are virtually tens of thousands of types of algae found in nature, and quite a few of these are of the blue green variety. Algae is at the bottom of the food chain for many creatures, and is thus an important nutritional building block found world wide. However, you can't just go to your local pond or fishing hole and skim off some pond scum, as algae is often called. Many forms of algae and blue green algae are toxic to humans, and others have minimal nutritional value. The safest and most nutrition-packed species of blue green algae is called Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), and is often harvested from pristine, cold, fresh-water lakes. Secure yourself a quality source of AFA, and you and your family will begin to reap the incredible health benefits it offers.

What is Blue Green Algae Composed of?

In scientific terms, AFA is classified as a micro-nutrient, but don't let the name fool you. There is nothing small about its nutritional value. The term "micro" refers to its tiny molecular structure that enables up to 95% of its nutrients to be absorbed. For example, AFA is an excellent source of protein of which 80% can be utilized by the body. In comparison, meat proteins only average about 20% assimilation.

Unlike some other types of algae, blue green (and particularly AFA) is especially beneficial to our health because of its synergistic ingredients. The blue tint of AFA is the result of a substance called phycocyanin that is a powerful enemy of free radicals, and also as a significant anti-inflammatory effect.

The green part of AFA is due to its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is a complex phytonutrients that serves many valuable purposes including cleansing and detoxifying the body and helping to repair and rebuild damaged tissues. The best sources of AFA come from waters that receive a great amount of sunshine annually, thus increasing the chlorophyll content.

AFA is also high in vitamin B12, iron, and numerous enzymes and amino acids that provide needed building blocks for our bodies to maintain wellness. In addition, these critical substances act as a catalyst to increase the absorption of other nutrients. With AFA, the whole is definitely greater than the sum when it comes to benefitting our health.

Another favorable characteristic of AFA is its many carotenoids, which are power-packed phytonutrients such as lycopene, lutein, and beta carotene. These elements are very effective antioxidants that combat the deteriorating effects of free radicals.

AFA is also rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) which provide many nutritional benefits including a stronger immune system and increased cardiac health. AFA is also an alkalizing food that lowers acidity in the body, the cause of many forms of illness.

How Can Blue Green Algae Benefit My Health?

Due to its impressive list of ingredients, AFA can be an excellent tool for preventing disease and pursuing wellness.

• AFA is excellent for skin health, helping such conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne and for keeping skin moisturized and younger looking.


• Blue green algae can also help to stabilize blood sugar and prevent hypoglycemia and diabetes.
  
• It is also proven very useful for treating and preventing symptoms from allergies such as asthma, hay fever, and food allergies.
  
• AFA is very beneficial to nerve cells, and has helped individuals who are hyperactive or are diagnosed with ADD. It can also sharpen concentration and improve memory.
  
• Many athletes use AFA to increase performance and physical endurance. Even for those who don't work out intensely, AFA can boost energy levels and decrease fatigue.

The following are brief summaries of a couple of scientific studies:

• Royal Victoria Hospital, affiliated with McGill University (Montreal) - Double-blind placebo-controlled study. Eating Aphanizomenon flos-aquae may help stimulate the circulatory system.
  
• University of New Mexico - placebo controlled study. After eating Aphanizomenon flos-aquae for a period of one month, intestinal function can improve. Another placebo-controlled study suggests that eating Aphanizomenon flos-aquae can stimulate specific areas of the brain for increased mental alertness.
  
• The first stage of an all-encompassing research project carried out at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Canada produced some noteworthy results. The project studied the effect of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on the immune and endocrine systems, as well as on general blood physiology. It was determined that eating AFA had a extreme and unique effect on Natural Killer (NK) cells. The results were recently published under the title: Effects of the Blue Green Algae Aphanizomenon flos-aquae on Human Natural Killer Cells. It appears in Chapter 3.1 of the IBC Library Series, Volume 1911, Phytoceuticals: Examining the health benefit and pharmaceutical properties of natural antioxidants and phytochemicals. NK cells have the ability to search for and recognize cells that are cancerous or have been infected by a virus, and kill them. The team of research scientists at the Royal Victoria Hospital, led by Dr. Gitte S. Jensen, discovered that eating Aphanizomenon flos-aquae triggers the movement of 40% of the circulating NK cells from the blood to the tissues where their main function is to perform immune surveillance and eliminate cancerous and virally-infected cells.

As you can see, AFA Blue Green Algae is definitely an asset when it comes to your health and wellness routine. I highly recommend one of the most beneficial blue-green algae products that I have found, E-3 Live AFA from Klamath Lake.

Aloe Vera: The Healing Plant

One of the handiest home remedies and natural treatments to have around the house is an aloe vera plant that can be used to care for a variety of ailments including skin care and digestive disorders. In fact, this wonderful gift from our Creator has been revered for its healing properties for thousands of years. The use of aloe is referred to in the Bible, and in ancient Egyptian literature as well. Cleopatra (68-30 B.C.) used aloe to keep her skin young, and it was also used by Egyptians for embalming bodies. Greek writings also discussed internal uses of aloe for bowel regularity and for treating kidney problems. In modern times, aloe vera is a common ingredient in many personal care products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, and shampoos.

There are more than 200 varieties of the aloe plant, and this member of the desert lily family (Aloe barbadensis) has become popular all over the world. Aloe vera, literally "true aloe" in Latin, is the most commonly used species, and one that is highly effective both nutritionally and medicinally. In some cultures, cuttings from aloe vera plants are passed down from previous generations, and its use as a staple in the home becomes a family tradition. Many people keep an aloe plant in the kitchen to quickly deal with household burns.


What Makes Aloe Vera So Special?

There is a wealth of nutrition packed into an aloe vera plant. It contains every major vitamin (except D), and is one of the few known vegetable sources of vitamin B12. Aloe vera is also rich in minerals such as zinc, germanium, calcium, and magnesium. In addition, aloe vera is high in other key bioactive substances like enzymes, amino acids, and essential fatty acids (EFAs).

The unique and powerful thing about this amazing plant is that it contains about 15 different types of compound nutritional substances working together to produce a synergistic effect that makes it such a useful, natural healer. Scientists who have studied aloe vera can identify its components, but cannot combine them artificially to reproduce the same results in the lab.

How is Aloe Vera Used?

One of its most popular uses is as a treatment for skin problems for minor burns, sunburn, or cuts and scrapes. Simply break open a leaf of the plant, and apply the gel-like juice directly on the skin to experience its soothing effects. The combination of amino acids, so critical for the formation of protein in the body, and various enzymes, powerful compounds that are involved with virtually every part of the body at the cellular level, make aloe vera so nourishing and restorative to the skin. Aloe vera also keeps healthy skin moisturized and younger looking. It additionally works great on insect bites and rashes like poison ivy.

The internal use of aloe vera provides many health benefits. Due to the EFAs and other compounds found in the plant, aloe has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Thus it works well for treating and preventing many conditions such as colitis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and other intestinal troubles. It also is quite useful for treating ulcers, cramps, stomachaches, heartburn, and indigestion.

Aloe is also a very capable body cleanser that can be used to eliminate toxins. It has positive effects on the colon, liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen, bladder, and other organs.

Aloe vera has also been documented to relieve the swelling and inflammation of arthritis, and other joint disorders.

Aloe acts to strengthen the immune system too, and has been used to treat such varied conditions as HIV, cancer, and viral infections. In fact, in 1994, aloe vera was approved by the FDA for use on HIV patients.

Another use for aloe vera has been to aid cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. The potent natural substances in aloe vera have helped people to have less nausea, higher blood counts, and increased energy during and after treatment.

There are so many health and nutrition benefits associated with aloe vera that it seems a given that it should be a part of everyone's natural health routine. Start a plant today, and begin to discover how aloe vera can impact your health.

The Health Benefits of Asparagus

For many people, asparagus is considered a pricey, gourmet vegetable that is not a part of their every day diet. Some may not even like the texture or flavor of asparagus, and choose to avoid eating it. However, when you hear about its considerable nutritional and health benefits, along with some tasty ways to prepare it, you may just change your mind.

Asparagus has been valued for thousands of years for its many medicinal uses, as well as for its unique flavor and succulence. Asparagus is mentioned in the literature of ancient Egypt, and was also popular throughout the African Continent and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. It was revered as a luxury and a "royal" vegetable, a favorite of the upper and ruling classes. The ancients were probably unaware of its additional value as a nutritional powerhouse. Today asparagus is grown in many countries and available in most parts of the world.

This member of the lily family has some rather interesting characteristics. The shoots or spears that we are familiar with are harvested from the underground body of the plant known as the crown. It takes about three years after planting for a crown to give spears, but these hardy perennials can continue to produce for up to twenty years.

How Can Asparagus Benefit My Health?

If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, asparagus may help. It is rich in a B Vitamin called folate (or folic acid) that plays a key role in cellular division (especially nerve cells) and DNA formation. Studies have shown that folate may also help to reduce risk for certain birth defects, including Spina Bifida. Asparagus can also boost fertility, and is used by some women to fight PMS and menstrual cramps, as well as for stimulating milk production in nursing mothers.

Asparagus are high in Vitamin K, a necessary nutrient that is involved in the formation of blood clotting factors, and is also important for bone health and for that of the circulatory system, particularly the smallest blood vessels known as the capillaries.

One of my favorite uses for asparagus is to nurture intestinal tract health. This vegetable is rich in a carbohydrate called inulin that nourishes friendly bacteria in the gut, causing the intestines to operate more efficiently by absorbing more nutrients and eliminating wastes better. This in turn boosts the immune system, thus affecting the entire body.

Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, and has an anti-inflammatory function as well. Asparagus is high in potassium, and this mineral works together with an amino acid found in the vegetable called asparagine to stimulate urination, and to rid the body of excess fluids in other ways too. Thus asparagus in your diet can help relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and the bloating and swelling often associated with water retention.

Asparagus is great for cardiac health too. It helps to reduce levels of a harmful amino acid in the blood called homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been linked to increased risk for heart attacks. Getting enough folate, which asparagus is high in, may decrease heart attack risk by up to 10% according to some estimates.

Other benefits of asparagus include:

-- Less urinary tract infections
-- Phytonutrients that decrease cancer risk (especially lung cancer)
-- Lowered blood pressure
-- Improved eye health
-- Excellent body detoxifier
-- Less bruising and faster healing of skin wounds
-- Improved bowel health, both for constipation and diarrhea
-- Great for the kidneys, helping to flush them and to prevent kidney stones

How to Buy and Prepare Asparagus

Of course you want to choose only fresh, organic asparagus if at all possible. Look for spears that have buds that are tight and not opened and shafts that are not too woody (tough and fibrous.) You may cut off the shaft about half way up, if necessary, in order to avoid eating the toughest portions. Most varieties are green, but there are also white and purple asparagus available, but may be rather hard to find. The purple variety is a treat because of its somewhat fruity flavor and increased phytonutrients due to the purple color.

As with all vegetables, raw is always best. However, if you prefer asparagus cooked, steaming or baking them are popular ways of preparation that preserve more nutrients than boiling, for example. Wash them well, as they are grown in sandy soil.

Asparagus may be chopped and added to salads, smoothies, and casseroles. Eating them raw with a healthy vegetable dip is also a delicious way to enjoy them (try organic olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and spices). Including this wonderfully tasty and nutritious veggie in your diet is a terrific way to bring more variety and beneficial nutrition to your table.

Organic Gardening: Healthy Food at Your Fingertips

At this stage in history, we face many issues when it comes to securing unadulterated, nutritious foods for ourselves and our families. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find healthy food at the grocery store, as the practices of commercial farming are now producing pseudo foods that are often tasteless, stripped of nutrients, and poisoned with toxic chemicals and genetic mutations. One of the best ways to overcome these challenges is to grow your own organic fruits and vegetables. This can be done whether you live in the city, suburbs, or in a rural area.

What Are the Advantages of Organic Gardening?

First let's start with a definition: What is organic gardening? In a nutshell, organic gardening is the growing of fruit, vegetables, and other plants using only fertilizers, pest control techniques, and other organisms and materials that are exclusively found naturally in the environment. In other words, no artificial chemicals or toxins are used in the production of organic crops.

Organic gardening is the right choice for many reasons. The most obvious one is that growing your own organic food is the most effective way to eat fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies that will provide the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive phytonutrients. In addition, you will not be exposing yourself to toxins that are used in the growth process (pesticides, insecticides) and those applied to crops after harvest (dyes, waxes, etc.). You also know the sources of your food, and will most likely be eating food that is "in season."

Another great reason to take up organic gardening is to save money. It is much more economical to grow your own produce than to purchase organic from someone else, especially when you can get the maximum freshness and nutritional benefits from your own garden. Also, you can pick and use only what you need for that day, thus minimizing waste.

Finally, one of my favorite things about organic gardening is that you can create a tradition with your children and grandchildren, and pass on a love of gardening and healthy food to them as well. The harvest is sweet when you can pick and eat the fruits (and veggies) of your own labor.

Some Pointers on Organic Gardening

It is possible to grow enough organic produce for your family no matter where you live. You can make a plot in your yard, or if you live in an apartment in the city, you can take up container gardening on a porch or patio. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the details, but there are a lot of great resources available on all phases of organic gardening. Determine how much space you will need for the amount of crops you desire. One of my favorite books is Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. You can preview this book at http://books.google.com/books?id=9_spjPVMnCUC

Seeds

One of the key factors is the seeds you choose. These days, all seeds are not created equal. It is vital that you use what are known as heirloom seeds. This means they have not been genetically tampered with, and it also means that you can save seeds from your own crops and use them next season. Many seed producers now alter seeds so that they cannot be used again. Heirloom seeds will also provide you produce with maximum nutritional value.

Composting

Composting is an excellent way to provide cost-effective, natural fertilizer and mulch for your garden. Basically, you want a combination of brown material (which provides carbon) and green material (a source of nitrogen.) Some suggested browns include: corn stalks, straw, dried leaves, and shredded newspaper. Beneficial greens include: coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, green leaves, and tea bags. A few items to avoid in your compost pile include: meat or dairy products, bones, treated lumber or sawdust, glossy paper, and diseased plants.
Water
Organic gardening begins with your water. Yet most gardeners don't think about the importance of using clean, pure water on their organic garden. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. Chlorine is designed to kill living organisms such as fungi and bacteria that can contaminate your water source. It does such a great job of killing these organisms, that it can be harmful to your plants, because your plants rely on some of the fungi and bacteria to survive. Every plant's survival is based on the nutrients it receives from its water and soil. A healthy soil is made up of beneficial bacteria, molds, and various forms of fungi (the very things that chlorine was designed to kill). Organic farmers and gardeners have known for years that the safest way to protect their plants and the environment from insects, disease, and pests is through the use of beneficial bacteria. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. As a rule, commercial farmers and horticulturists do not use chlorinated municipal city water to irrigate their crops.(1)
How safe is your garden hose? Ever wonder about that? Most PVC garden hoses contain lead. The good news is lead-free garden hoses are available. They are constructed from materials approved by the FDA, and the fittings are often nickel plated, because brass fittings can also leach lead. They are labeled "drink-safe" or "safe for potable water." However, with any hose, even one labeled "drink-safe," always let the water run before you water your garden. You can also purchase garden hose filters which will eliminate chlorine and many chemicals. Type "garden hose filter" into Google and you will be able to pick the type that best fits your needs and pocketbook.

Natural Pesticide Control

There are about as many home remedies for pest control as there are gardeners, but one of the most popular and effective ones is to introduce friendly insects that will prey on harmful pests. Your choices will vary depending on where you live, but some favorites include ladybugs, beetles, spiders, and praying mantises. Some gardeners also spray plants with organic soap diluted with water.

For larger critters, tips include fencing and surrounding your garden with items that have a human scent such as hair or even urine.

Once most people give organic gardening a try, they become hooked. Don't be intimidated if you are a rookie. Embrace the idea, and get started. You will learn as you go, and like any other hobby, your skills and knowledge will grow over time. You will soon discover that growing and eating your own organic produce is one of the great pleasures of life.
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