Benign Prostate Enlargement Natural Remedies

Prostate issues are one of the most common health concerns in men over forty. Prostate cancer is of course of great concern, but a much more typical problem is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH), which is non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate tissue, leading to a host of symptoms -- most of which are urinary in nature. Statistically, about 60% of men over 50 are afflicted with BPH. Many people -- even in the medical field -- consider BPH and its associated symptoms to be a normal part of aging. Despite the high incidence of BPH, this is simply not the case. There are several natural, preventative measures that can greatly reduce one's risk of BPH.

Due to the location of the prostate gland in the body, when it swells and becomes larger than it was created to be, it interferes with normal urination. When urine leaves the bladder, one of the organs used to facilitate its exit from the body is the urethra. When the prostate is enlarged, it impinges on the free flow of urine through the urethra, causing incomplete urination and a sense of needing to void even when the bladder is empty.


Symptoms of BPH

Some of the most common consequences of BPH include:

• Nocturia: This is the frequent need to wake up multiple times during the night to urinate. Nocturia is much more than just an annoyance. Chronic sleep disruption has been linked to a myriad of health problems such as fatigue depression, increased inflammation (a major source of the disease process in the body), cancers, coronary disease, diabetes, and other debilitating conditions.
• Painful urination
• Dribbling while urinating
• Incontinence (leakage of urine, both daytime and at night)
• Increased urgency: This may be because of pressure on the urethra that causes the bladder to never fully empty, or due to false signals that send a message to stimulate urination when the bladder is empty.
• Urinary hesitancy (difficulty getting urination to begin)
• Increased risk for UTIs and kidney damage: This may occur if urine consistently backs up into the urinary system rather than being eliminated from the body.

What Causes BPH?

Hormonal imbalance in the body is the greatest cause of BPH, and it also accounts for why it is so much more common in men as they age. Excessive amounts of certain hormones, especially estrogen, plays a key role in BPH. Estrogen stimulates cells in the prostate known as "stromal cells" to abnormally replicate themselves, thus leading to an enlarged prostate. More specifically, 2 enzymes are involved that convert testosterone and substances that promote prostate enlargement. The enzyme 5-Alpha reductase produces dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and aromatase converts testosterone into estradiol. Reducing the presence of these two enzymes is key to controlling and preventing BPH.

What Can Be Done to Reduce Risk for BPH?

Pumpkin seed -- especially the water-soluble part of the seed, rather than the fatty pumpkin seed oil -- is perhaps the most potent natural remedy for BPH and the urinary difficulties linked to it. Native Americans used pumpkinseeds to promote healthy urination and their use is also documented in Europe since the 1500s.

The use of the water-soluble components in pumpkinseeds has been proven to reduce the amount of the two enzymes mentioned above (DHT and aromatase), thus significantly lowering prostate enlargement in men who consume 2 oz. or more of raw pumpkin seeds daily. There are also supplemental forms of water-soluble pumpkin seed extract that are very beneficial to prostate health as well.

Other steps you can take to prevent or help with symptoms of BPH:

• Bio-identical Progesterone Cream. The use of a quality bio-identical progesterone cream can help with estrogen dominance. Be sure to choose an all-natural cream that does not include added herbs or toxic ingredients.
• Diet. Eating a diet that is high in animal fat also encourages prostate overgrowth. In addition, such a diet may expose you to unwanted hormones that can throw off your balance even more. Choose a diet that is heavy in organic fruits and vegetables, as well as plant-based sources or protein.
• Liver Support. Perform several liver cleanses with 10-14 days in between each cleanse and use a whole herb liver support.
• Curcumin. I cannot say enough good about this herb! Curcumin been proven to be a powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, chemopreventive (cancer-preventive), and contains antineoplastic (cancer-fighting) properties. The most useful and bioavailable to the body is BCM-95. Epidemiological studies now show that the incidence of prostate cancer among men in India (where curcumin is used daily) to be among the lowest in the world.
• Water. Just because you may experience frequent urination, don't skimp on purified water throughout the day. This will help promote prostate and urinary health. Also, eliminate caffeine and alcohol.
• Other herbs and minerals. Zinc orotate, saw palmetto, hydrangea root, nettle root, and horsetail.
• Exercise. Every day move around as much as possible. Sitting for long periods of time can promote BPH. Walking and using a rebounder is encouraged.
• DeAromatase. A patented, proprietary blend of natural herbs and phyto-nutrients designed to optimize hormonal levels and ratios enabling improved performance for a healthier body. This is accomplished through the following mechanisms: DeAromatase works to selectively inhibit the aro-matase enzyme, which is responsible for the conversion of both androstenedione and testosterone to estrogen. DeAromatase has been shown to help control the enzyme Salpha-reductase, which is responsible for the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Testing indicates that DeAromatase attaches to estrogen receptor sites blocking excess estrogen from attaching and exerting its effects.

The cumulative effect of these mechanisms is increased bioavailable testosterone levels and decreased estrogenic effects within the body. Since androstenedione's conversion to estrogen is limited, more androstenedione is available for its conversion to testosterone. The increased testosterone is able to remain elevated because less is converted to estrogen or DHT. This enables a greater chance for testosterone to exert its positive effects upon the body; whereas, the excess estrogen is restricted in its ability to exert negative effects due to less receptor sites available for attachment.

Time to Break the Bottled-Water Habit

The marketing of bottled-water as a healthy beverage alternative has been one of the greatest deceptions of all time, and a very profitable one at that. Millions of dollars have been spent trying to convince the buying public that bottled-water is good for you, and this mass-marketing has been extremely successful. In 2007, approximately 30 billion plastic water bottles were purchased by Americans, about 29 gallons per person, and this amount has typically been increasing by about 10% per year since the 1990s. The bottled-water industry is very poorly-regulated, so consumers are often not getting the "purity" they believe they are paying for. In addition to poor-quality water, the bottles themselves are exposing those who drink the water to some very toxic chemicals.

Facts About the Water Itself

Buyers of bottled-water may think they are purchasing a pristine, safe product, but there are some loop holes you should be aware of:

• Many of the words used on such products (like pure, disinfected, or filtered) are ambiguous and confusing, and companies can get around this because of few regulations and because up to 40% of bottled-water is taken directly from public drinking water systems (which are technically "disinfected" or "filtered." It's all a game with words, and the manufacturers know how to play it well.
• Certain labels are completely unregulated including sparkling soda water, seltzer water, and others. These can be, and most likely are, simply tap water with carbonation added (which is an additional health risk).
• All bottled-water that is processed, packaged, and sold within a single state is exempt from federal (FDA) regulations. It is estimated that this accounts for about 60-70% of all bottled-water sales (because the manufacturers know this and take advantage of it.) In addition, about 20% of states have no regulations for bottled water.
• Sales that do fall under FDA regulation are subject to much less regulation that what the EPA imposes on public drinking water. In other words, bottled-water is allowed to have higher levels of bacteria, chemicals, and other contaminants than tap water (and we all know how hazardous that can be).

Facts About the Bottles

Plastics of all types are very toxic to us and to our environment, and many consumer products and their packaging are dangerous. Let's take a look at some of the hazards specifically related to plastic water bottles.

• The vast majority of water and other beverage bottles are made of a plastic called polycarbonate. The worst chemical offender in this type of plastic is called Bisphenol-A (BPA).
• BPA is a hormone disruptor that mimics estrogen in the body, and studies have shown that BPA leeches into the water, especially if it has been sitting for extended amounts of time or if the product has been exposed to heat or there is any damage to the bottles. When you buy bottled water you have no way of knowing under what conditions or for how long it has been stored.
• Many of the water companies that deliver allow the water to sit in plastic bottles during the very hot summer months. This makes conditions very ripe for leeching to occur from the plastic.
• Unfortunately the plastic companies do not have a good track record for telling the truth. For this reason, I do not believe there is a plastic that does not leech chemicals.

How bad is BPA?

This toxin has been linked to a variety of serious health risks in both adults and children including:

• Breast and other reproductive cancers
• Brain damage
• Liver disease
• Pancreatic disease
• Abnormal menstrual cycles
• Early onset of puberty
• Genital deformities
• Obesity
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Enlarged prostate
• Hyperactivity
• Down's syndrome
  

Safer Alternatives to Bottled-Water

Using a home water filtration system is the best option for a steady supply of safe water. The good ones usually are an investment, but it is an investment in your health and that of your family. It is also an investment that will pay for itself, dollar-wise and health-wise. Drinking pure, filtered or distilled water that is free of bacterial, viral, and chemical hazards is one of the key foundations of wellness, and its importance should never be underestimated. I personally recommend the Wellness Water Filters and have used them in our home for many years. The Wellness Filter whole-house filtration system gives a great return on investment and peace of mind in knowing that no matter what faucet is turned on in the house, clean water comes out.

For water "to go," consider filling up reusable glass containers from your filtered water at home that have been washed thoroughly after each use. You may also want to consider purchasing a refillable water bottle made of safe materials that has its own filtration system. That way you have access to clean drinking water wherever you are.

Water is important to every cell in your body. We live in a society that consumes huge amounts of coffee, tea, soda and sugary drinks and thus most people actually suffer from dehydration.

There are many illnesses that can take hold in a body that is chronically dehydrated. I recommend drinking either distilled water or Wellness Filtered water and adding a capful of organic apple cider vinegar to every 16-ounce glass or 3-4 tablespoons of organic apple cider vinegar to one gallon of water. A bit of agave nectar or Stevia can be added if desired. This water will help to hydrate the body and also put minerals into the body. Drinking 1/2 of one's body weight in ounces of water is a good place to begin the hydration process. Do this daily and soon you will prefer the apple cider vinegar water. The best part is that you will also begin to see some positive results regarding your health and well-being.

I know of only one company that offers distilled water in glass 5-gallon containers and that is Mountain Valley Spring. Yes, they will deliver right to your front door.

Don't buy into Madison Avenue's lies with their misleading words and pictures on bottles of water. Your health and that of your family is too precious to skimp on the quality of water you consume. Stay hydrated with your own filtered water and your pocketbook and the environment will benefit as well. One of the most tragic things about the bottled-water scam is that it masks itself as a healthfy choice, deceiving and endangering millions of people every day.

Other Resources

Bottled water contains disinfection byproducts, fertilizer residue, and pain medication
Prevention and Healing with Water

Why You Need to Supplement With Digestive Enzymes

Enzymes are one of the most critical compounds used by literally every part of the body, and life itself would not be possible without them. Digestive enzymes, one of the major types, play many vital roles. They can be obtained from certain foods, and the body is also equipped to manufacture them "in-house," but virtually all humans need additional digestive enzymes from a quality supplemental source in order to assure an ample supply.

What Are Enzymes?

Enzymes are specialized protein molecules that are involved with basically every chemical reaction that occurs in the body. They act as a catalyst, which in chemistry is defined as a substance that accelerates or enables reactions but does not structurally affect or change the outcome. Enzymes can be compared to a spark that starts a fire, or like the workers who build a house. The construction materials are the components of the house, but without the workers, it would never come to exist.

However, scientists have found that enzymes are more than a neutral catalyst. They are in fact proteins that are charged with electrical energy, so in a sense they have a life of their own. As research continues to unfold, it is becoming clear that the role of enzymes is critical to all life functions, and is a major determining factor in our overall health and longevity.

How Do Digestive Enzymes Work?

Digestive enzymes that are manufactured by the body are primarily secreted by the pancreas and sent to the gastrointestinal tract. Secondarily, the oral cavity creates digestive enzymes in saliva, and specialized ones are also found in the stomach and small intestine. The main job of digestive enzymes is to break down the food we eat into nutritional compounds that can be optimally absorbed into the bloodstream and then delivered as nourishment throughout the body. Many researchers believe that the presence of enough digestive enzymes is so critical that a lack of them is a major source of the disease process in the body and that enzyme levels are directly related to how we age and how long we live. In his book "Enzyme Nutrition" Dr. Edward Howell states "the length of life is in direct proportion to the rate of exhaustion of the enzyme potential of an organism."

In a nutshell, the more enzymes, the healthier we are and the longer we live. So, just let the body make enzymes and reap some from the food, right? Well, unfortunately, it's not that simple.

It is thought that people are born with a genetic limitation on how many digestive enzymes they can produce -- some of us can make more than others. Secondly, as we age, we tend to manufacture fewer enzymes. Thirdly, it is said that our body is made to handle only one cooked meal per day, enzyme-wise.

Certain foods are great sources of digestive and other enzymes, mainly raw, whole foods such as fruits and vegetables. However, when food is cooked, literally all enzymes are killed. Most Americans eat mainly cooked foods, and very little raw foods. Before the days of the convenience of supermarkets and fast food restaurants, we got most of our food enzymes from the foods that were in a natural state when ingested. The Standard American Diet, which is practiced overseas also, is one that uses more cooked food than food in its natural state and therefore lacks the enzymes that a more natural diet provides. What happens then is the body tries to compensate by making more enzymes and is unable to keep up, often overloading the pancreas and other organs.According to Emily Kane, ND, "The Dept. of Anatomy at the University of Minnesota, has shown that rats fed for 135 days on an 80 percent cooked food diet resulted in an increase pancreatic weight of 20 to 30 percent. What this means is that the pancreas is forced to work harder with a cooked food diet. A youth of 18 may produce amylase levels 30 times greater than those of an 85 year old person."

Also, food is almost always adulterated by over-cooking, irradiation, pre-packaged processing, pasteurizing and/or microwaving. Processing of this type tends to destroy the abundance of natural enzymes. Modern day farming practices also reduces the enzyme and nutrient content in the soil through the use of pesticides, fungicides, and inorganic fertilizers. For these reasons, supplementation with digestive enzymes is necessary and prudent for good health.


Insufficient amounts of digestive enzymes can lead to many health problems:

• If food is not digested well, malnutrition and obesity can result.
• Without digestive enzymes, the gastrointestinal cannot efficiently eliminate waste from the body. These accumulated toxins produce disease.
• When enough enzymes are not available, the immune system suffers too. (Remember, 80% of immune system function is in the intestinal tract.)
• Other potential consequences of digestive enzyme deficiency include: food allergies, acne, constipation, diarrhea, Chron's disease, irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion, ulcers, fatigue, arthritis, and other inflammatory diseases.

Types of Digestive Enzymes (1)

• Amylase -- breaks down starch, glycogen, and saccharides.
• Bromelain -- used for swelling and inflammation.
• Catalase -- destroys hydrogen peroxide that can form in the cells.
• Cathepsin -- helps digest the meat from animal sources.
• Cellulase -- used to digest the fiber membrane of plant foods.
• Chymotrypsin -- helps to digest amino acids. Most often used for pancreatic insufficiency.
• Glucoamylase -- helps to break down maltose, the sugar from grains.
• Invertase -- allows digestion of sucrose.
• Lactase -- used to break down milk sugar.
• Lipase -- breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
• Mylase -- dissolves starch.
• Pancreatin -- used for impaired digestion.
• Pectinase -- breaks down foods such as apples, carrots, beets, tomatoes, and citrus fruits.
• Papain -- breaks down protein and used in relation to gluten intolerance.
• Protease -- breaks down amino acids into their component parts; also used to treat some medical conditions.
• Trypsin -- used to speed the healing of wounds, and for inflammation.

Why Digestive Enzyme Supplementation is Necessary

Even if we are wise enough to choose and able to access foods such as raw, organic fruits and vegetables -- including enough variety to gain all needed enzymes -- it is difficult at best to meet our body's enzyme needs without supplements. When we take a quality digestive enzyme supplement that is properly formulated to be bioavailable and usable, we take a tremendous load off the pancreas to produce enough enzymes. This frees the body up to supply other types of needed enzymes to the entire body. Supplementing with digestive enzymes allows for maximal nutrients and efficient operation of the digestive system. This combination results in a synergistic process that can have far-reaching positive effects on all of our organs and systems.

Other Resources

The Enzyme Story
Enzymes: Difference Between Raw and Cooked Foods
The Healing Power of Proteolytic Enzymes

Walnuts and Brain Power

Most nuts and seeds, in their raw state, are excellent whole foods that literally contain "the stuff of life." Raw, organic walnuts have many health benefits. One of the major nutritional characteristics of the walnut is its ability to nourish and support brain and nervous system function. Walnuts are also composed of a slew of other phytonutrients that boost the health of the entire body, and act as excellent disease prevention measures to boot (if we are smart enough to eat them. Tip: eat more walnuts!).

The walnut, fruit of the walnut tree, has been valued for thousands of years for both its delicious, nutty flavor and for its medicinal value. The walnut tree has been highly esteemed in many cultures. It is a beautiful tree, often prized for ornamental usage, with a life span that can last several hundred years. Three main varieties exist: the English walnut (originally from the Indian continent), and the black and white walnuts, native to North America. Most commercially grown walnuts (in the U.S.) are white walnuts (sometimes called "butternut"), but the black walnut is a special treat known for its strong rich taste.

Traditional peoples enjoyed walnuts and instinctively knew that among its many other uses, the walnut was a great source of "brain food." Today we have the scientific understanding as to why this is true. However, it is very interesting how closely the walnut resembles the human brain. The wrinkly shell definitely looks like a brain, and the meat inside is split into two "lobes," just like the brain. Possibly our Creator used this design to give us a hint, and apparently more primitive cultures picked up on this.


Why Are Walnuts So Good For the Brain?

The main reason is the walnut's high content of omega-3 fatty acids. These types of fats are necessary for many functions in the body, but are particularly critical for proper brain and nervous system performance. Researchers have discovered that the membranes of all of our cells, including the brain, are composed primarily of fats -- omega-3, omega-6, and others. Omega-3 fats optimize brain function at the cellular level because they create an atmosphere that makes neurons and other nervous system cells react more effectively due to health elastic membranes that allow nutrients to enter and wastes to be eliminated most efficiently. Brain cells exposed to adequate amounts of omega-3 are also able to receive and transmit electrical signals to and from the nervous system better, thus the increase in brain function. Our brains are a very fatty organ, being made up of about 60% fats. Most Americans who eat a typical high-fat (high in the wrong kinds of fat) diet have too much omega-6 and way too little omega-3. In fact, one recent study found that 20% of the participants had so little omega-3 in their systems that it didn't even register in blood tests.

How Can Walnuts Help the Brain?

Deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids has been linked to a myriad of cognitive problems in both children and adults including:

• ADHD
• Hyperactivity
• Depression
• Learning disabilities
• Memory loss
• Sleep disorders
• Poor problem-solving skills

An interesting body of evidence has also been assembled that shows eating walnuts can be of great help to prevent and treat Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly. In addition to the omega-3's, walnuts are also rich in many antioxidants that help to prevent and repair brain damage due to free-radicals. Walnuts truly are an excellent food source to boost your mood, clear your mind, and help it to perform at its best. They can also help avoid cognitive dysfunction as we age.

How to Choose Quality Walnuts

Like most nuts, walnuts are easily prone to rancidity if they are not fresh and properly stored. Be sure to use raw, organically-grown nuts that have been stored in a cool, dry place that is protected from light. Fresh walnuts in the shell are best, but shelled ones are OK if they have been well-cared for. Shells should not be cracked or stained (a sign of mold), and the nutmeat should be crunchy, not wrinkled or rubbery.

Whether it be eating them by the handful or incorporating them into your favorite recipes, raw walnuts are an excellent whole-food addition to your diet. They come highly-recommended from some of the "smartest" people in the world!

The Importance of Stress Reduction

Stress seems to define many people's lives in this day and age. Trying to make ends meet financially, balance work and family responsibilities, have quality relationships, and deal with the inevitable crisis that come up in all of our lives takes its toll both physically and emotionally.

Stress is a given. It's not a question of whether we will have it, but rather how we are going to deal with it. Actually, not all stress is bad. When needed and appropriate, stress can enable us to deal with difficult or dangerous moments by releasing adrenaline and other hormones to meet the immediate need. Stress really begins to cause concerns when it is chronic, and when we don't take positive steps to eliminate it or cope with it.

How Can Excessive Stress Harm Me?

Ongoing high levels of stress is very bad for physical and mental health. Here are some of the major ways stress can be hazardous:

• Hormonal imbalance: Stress can throw of the hormonal balance in the body, opening us up to all types of illness. Hormones play such a large role many bodily functions, and when there are too few of some and too many of others (a scenario which stress can cause), the body becomes open to all types of disease.
• Immune system: This factor is a vicious cycle that causes illness resulting in more stress on the body, and the cycle repeats. When the immune system is compromised, our natural ability to weather stress is weakened, we are thus more susceptible to simple infections and debilitating conditions.
• Malnutrition: Stress can greatly have an effect on your digestive tract. This can lead to a variety of health issues, one of which is the inability to efficiently absorb nutrients from the food you eat. This can also result in poor immune system function as well as bowel function, causing toxins to build up in your system and thus exposing you to many potential diseases.
• Cardiovascular: Chronic stress causes the heart to beat faster and typically raises blood pressure as well. In addition, when the hormonal balance is thrown off, the risk for coronary disease is even greater.
• Emotional health: Stress can cause individuals in its grip to feel overwhelmed, anxious, depressed, confused and experience dangerously high levels of toxic emotions such as anger and fear. When the mind is affected this way, it also has a negative impact on our physical health as well.

Symptoms of excessively high stress levels may include:

• Headaches
• Muscle/joint pain
• Stomach aches
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Confusion
• Brain fog
• Memory loss
• Hopelessness
• Depression
• Fatigue

What's the Best Way to Deal With Stress?

• Start with the basics: Develop a lifestyle that pursues wellness by eating an organic, whole-foods based diet; drinking plenty of purified water in order to keep the body hydrated; exercising regularly; and getting enough quality sleep. You've heard of this before, but it bears repeating because it is so foundational to our overall wellness.
• Learn to differentiate between stressors you can't control and stressors you can change. For example, if you must commute to work through heavy traffic, you probably can't avoid that. (However, you can help yourself by listening to relaxing music while you drive, thus handling the stress better.) But some stressors, such as rushing because you get up late, can be changed if you choose to.
• Keep a stress journal: If you see recurring patterns of stress in your life, keeping a journal for a few weeks will help to identify causes and potential steps you can take to reduce stress. Write down what happened, how you felt, and what may have triggered stress. Identifying root problems that lead to stress is a great way to begin managing and eliminating it.
• Time management: Read a book or take a course on management and organization techniques. We can avoid a lot of stress simply by having order in our homes, offices, and lives.
• Talk about it: If you are feeling stressed-out, the worst thing you can do is keep it to yourself. Opening up to a spouse, friend, or counselor is excellent therapy. Ask for help if you need it. This will often strengthen relationships with your friends and loved ones, rather than harming them as stress so often does.

Other Suggestions

• Adequate B Vitamin intake. I recommend Max Stress B Nano-Plex which is an all-natural Vitamin B Complex.
• Bio D-Mulsion -- Studies indicate that low levels of Vitamin D-3 can cause depression and stress on the body.
• intra-MAX -- Organic, liquid multi-vitamin/mineral complex. Provides vitamins and minerals to support health.
• Lithium Orotate -- Natural lithium salts recommend by Dr. Hans Nieper and very effective. Great to take before bed for calming a racing mind.
• Pure Energy -- Serotonin and Melatonin Production. Serotonin is a neural transmitter which calms the system. Does not give one energy but definitely helps with stress and also promotes good sleep. Contact OAW for more information.
• Lavender and Rose Bulgaria essential oils applied to back of neck.
• Listen to the Healing CD from the Mozart effect. Use headphones.
• Deep breathing exercises.
• Walks in the sunshine.
• 8-10 hours of sleep every night in a dark, cool room.
• Afternoon at the spa -- massage, reflexology, facial, etc.
• Reading an up-lifting book.
• Chiropractic adjustments.
• Learn to say "no" to activities or requests in which you know will stretch you too thin.
• Gardening/hobby.

Recommended Reading

Stress
Conquer Your Stress Naturally
Stress Relief Video

Macular Degeneration and Bioidentical Hormones

As the number of baby-boomers who reach retirement continues to grow, an eye disease called macular degeneration -- or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) -- is an ever-increasing health issue for millions of people. In fact, AMD is statistically found in nearly one-third of American adults over the age of 65, and is the leading cause of blindness in this age group. Scientists are predicting a whopping 18 million cases of AMD by the year 2050, and until recently, this disease was thought to be incurable and irreversible. However, researchers have recently conducted studies that indicate great hope for preventing and potentially healing AMD through the use of supplementation with bioidentical hormones.

What is AMD?

AMD is literally deterioration of a part of the eye, located in the center of the retina, called the macula. The retina is a critical part of the eye that is composed of millions of specialized structures known as photoreceptors that capture light as they receive signals from the brain via the optic nerve and convert these signals into images. AMD most often occurs when tiny yellow particles made of cholesterol called drusen begin to collect at the back of the eye and damage the macula and the photoreceptors. This type of AMD is called dry macular degeneration, and is by far the most common, accounting for about 90% of cases. Wet macular degeneration is the result of tiny blood vessels that grow abnormally in the retina and leak, causing damage and potentially rapid and irreversible blindness. Wet AMD always begins as dry, and progresses into wet, although not all cases of dry will turn into wet. AMD causes loss in the center of your vision, while peripheral vision is not affected. For many years, drusen have been identified as the culprit in AMD, and researchers thought they were probably the result of inflammation, cellular waste product, or reduction in blood flow to the retinal area due to aging.

Certain risk factors for AMD have been identified as well. These include smoking, a high fat diet, obesity, insufficient physical exercise, high blood pressure, family history, and others. If these risk factors sound a lot like those for cardiovascular disease, it is because they are identical. What’s the connection with heart disease? One word: Hormones.


How Can Bioidentical Hormone Therapy Help With AMD?

An exciting discovery was made about 10 years ago that is a boone for the care of AMD and for the overall understanding of hormone therapy. Researchers conducted several studies that led them to conclude that AMD can be prevented, and even reversed in some cases, by the use of bioidentical hormones. This journey began when cholesterol was pinpointed as the main ingredient in drusen, and the link between macular degeneration and cardiovascular disease was factored in. This link is very clear. In fact, it is estimated that a person with AMD has 5 times the chance of dying from coronary disease and 10x the chance of dying from a stroke than individuals without AMD. This led researchers to speculate that drusen form because the retina is trying to compensate for a lack of critical hormones in the blood by making its own. When it is unable to accomplish that, drusen (cholesterol) increases, causing AMD and increasing risk for cardiac disease.

The theory turned out to be correct, and it has been proven in clinical studies that supplementation with bioidentical hormones -- not synthetic ones -- has significant healing effects on both AMD and heart disease. These hormones include: dhea, progesterone, testosterone, pregnenolone, and others.

The retina is technically part of the brain, as an extension of the optic nerve, and hormones such as pregnenolone, estrogen, and progesterone are critical for proper brain and nervous system functioning. Dhea is also important in preventing AMD and heart disease.

What Else Can Help Prevent AMD?

While hormone therapy has the most significant effect, certain other substances have also proven therapy themselves to be useful for treating and preventing AMD. These include:

• Bioactive substances that are found in many raw vegetables called carotenoids. Examples include zeaxanthin and lutein.
• Vitamins and minerals high in antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, zinc, and beta-carotene. When Mom told you that eating your carrots would help your eyes, she was right!

The discovery of hormonal links to AMD has reinforced the concept that proper hormonal balance, and the use of supplemental bioidentical hormones, plays a major role in wellness and disease prevention of all types.

More Information

Preventing Macular Degeneration A New Theory

Natural Remedies for Indigestion

It goes by many names -- acid reflux, heartburn, acid indigestion -- but this malady is so widespread in our culture -- as indicated by prescription meds and over-the-counter meds -- due mainly to a poor diet along with damaging lifestyle choices. That's the bad news. The good news is that if you suffer from indigestion, it can be turned around and avoided by making some good preventative health choices.

What is Indigestion?

Technically, heartburn and acid indigestion are not exactly the same, but both are caused by either too much or too little acids and other digestive enzymes in the abdominal area. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus, and acid indigestion takes place in the lining of the stomach. If these are ongoing, another chronic condition known as GERD (Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease) can result.

There are many causes of indigestion and heartburn, mostly involving poor dietary choices and the development of harmful bacteria in the stomach. But the root of the concern is found in the digestive tract. Indigestion is literally "in (or poor)-digestion." When the food we eat is ineffectively digested, it indicates that the digestive juices, enzymes, and helpful bacteria in the gut are out of balance. The result is what we call indigestion or heartburn.

What are the Symptoms of Indigestion?

Some of the most common symptoms include:

• A burning feeling in the stomach, esophagus, breast bone, and/or throat
• Gas
• Belching
• A feeling of fullness (bloating)
• Nausea
• Stomach aches/pains
• Abdominal bloating and discomfort

These symptoms are more than just uncomfortable. They are indicators of significant bowel and digestive system dysfunction that, especially if chronic, can lead to more serious illnesses such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome, malnutrition, cancers of bowel, esophagus, throat, and others. When the body is acidic like this, it is a very unhealthy environment that attracts and enables disease.

How Can I Treat and Prevent Indigestion?

Here are some ideas on how to naturally deal with indigestion and heartburn:

• What you eat
  
  The first weapon against indigestion is an organic, whole-foods based diet. Choose organic fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and mainly vegetable sources of protein such as beans and other legumes. Stay away from what, unfortunately, many Americans eat: a high-fat diet, fried foods, soft drinks, coffee, alcohol, sugar, and excessively spicy foods. Gluten intolerance, or Celiac disease, is also an issue. Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease in which the lining of the small intestine is damaged from eating gluten and other proteins found in wheat, barley, rye, and possibly oats. Many Americans suffer from gluten intolerance and don't realize that their health concerns are being caused by Celiac disease. Gluten intolerance can cause allergies, skin concerns, insufficient digestion, etc.
  
  
• How you eat
  
  Learn to eat smaller amounts of food and eat slowly, chewing each bite thoroughly.
  
  Avoid drinking water or other beverages with your meals. This only dilutes digestive juices and can encourage indigestion due to poor digestion.
  
  Take a tip from other cultures, such as the French, for example, who treat meal time as an event to be savored and enjoyed. Stress is always destructive, but while eating it can disrupt digestion and lead to heartburn. Put some quiet, peaceful music on while you dine and enjoy the company of others in a calm, unhurried way.
  
  Keep the TV off when eating a meal.
  
  Try not to eat after sunset.
  
  It is also important to maintain a healthy weight, as obesity can contribute to indigestion as well.
  
  Other tips include avoiding intense exercise after eating, and never lying down after a meal. A slow walk would be a much better idea.
  
  Wear loose fitting clothes both during and after meals.

  

• Other preventative measures
  
  About 30 minutes before eating, try drinking a glass of room temperature purified water with 1-2 teaspoons of organic apple cider vinegar mixed in. This does wonders for your digestive system, and helps to balance your pH levels too.
  
  Enzymes. Take 20-30 minutes before a meal to help food to be digested and assimilated properly.
  
  Raw, organic garlic will help to keep a bacteria called H. pylori under control that can result in indigestion.
  
  Eat a bit of fresh pineapple after meals.
  
  Digestive tract cleansing. Keeping the digestive tract cleansed by using an oxygen-based digestive tract cleanse and working effectively will help resolve most concerns with indigestion.
  
  After eating, there are many herbal treatments that can help with indigestion. One of the most effective is a cup of delicious mint or chamomile tea after dinner. Minced ginger root or ginger tea are also excellent choices to soothe the stomach and prevent indigestion.

Beware of Drugs for Heartburn/Acid Reflux

One way you don't want to combat indigestion is with proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications. Your doctor will probably offer such drugs, as there are over 95 million prescriptions written annually for these drugs. However, they have some dangerous side effects, and may actually worsen your acid reflux. These medications can become addictive, in the sense that once a person stops using them, the symptoms increase. They also can cause bone damage by blocking the absorption of calcium. The good news is that there are so many natural, healthy ways to avoid indigestion and no one really needs to use these toxic chemicals, despite the propaganda of Big Pharma.

Why You Need Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Optimum Health

Omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most powerful preventative health factors available in the human (and animal) diet. The body cannot produce them on its own, so these wonders of wellness must be gotten through healthy diet and supplementation.

One of omega-3's most notorious benefits is its ability to reduce inflammation in the body, which is realized as a major cause of almost all disease. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is very deficient in omega-3's, and includes excessive amounts of harmful fats/oils as well. Both of these factors are likely a major reason why debilitating conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and others are skyrocketing in the U.S. and in the Western world in general.

How Do Omega-3 Fatty Acids Work?

Without getting into too much technical jargon, omega-3's basically work at the cellular level in the body, allowing all cellular functions to be optimized before increasing the efficiency of what goes in and comes out of the cell membranes. In other words, omega-3's work to improve the absorption of nutrients, elimination of wastes, and communication within cells and between cells. Effective cellular communication improves literally every organ and system within the body and enables us to access the body's natural ability to heal and maintain itself, thus preventing disease.

Health Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

• Reduce inflammation
• Lower cholesterol
• Reduce blood pressure
• Boost immune system
• Combat chronic illnesses
• Reduce blood clots by clearing arteries
• Keep fluids flowing between cells
• Increase body's natural response to insulin
• Improve production of hormones and enzymes
• Discourage and prevent growth of cancer cells
• Reduce obesity and help with weight loss
• Aide healing of wounds and skin conditions
• Reduce fatigue by promoting efficient use of energy
• Improve brain function
• Relieve pain

Detailed Benefits of Omega-3's To Be Aware Of

• Cardiovascular: Omega-3's are great for your heart and associated organs. They raise levels of HDL ("good" cholesterol), lower LDL ("bad" cholesterol), improve blood flow, increase the flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body, lower blood pressure, and reduce risk for heart attacks and strokes.
  
• Skin: Omega-3's keep your skin, the largest organ of your body, healthy and efficient, largely due to boosting fluid transfers between cells. Omega-3's also help keep a healthy balance of proteins in the body, and reduce inflammation. All of these factors combine to help the skin stay well and to heal quicker from wounds and conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and others.
  
• Diabetes: Diabetes is helped by Omega-3's by reducing inflammation (a major trigger for diabetes and all debilitating conditions) and by helping the body to more efficiently process sugars and insulin. Studies have also shown Omega-3s to lower certain markers in the body for diabetes such as triglycerides and apoproteins.
  
• Cognitive health: The brain and nervous system are highly dependent on a steady supply of Omega-3's in order to operate well. Thus, these EFAs can improve brain function (memory, concentration, etc.); increase the effectiveness of nerve communications (affecting every part of the body); be of great help to sufferers of depression, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, ADHD, and related conditions; and improve brain and nervous system health for pre-natal and newborn children.
  
• Cancer: Numerous studies have linked sufficient levels of Omega-3's to a reduction in risk for several types of cancer including breast, prostate, and colon cancers. Omega-3's help to stabilize hormones in the body and improve bowel function, both major factors in reducing these forms of cancer and others.
  
• Weight control: Because of Omega-3's abilities to efficiently handle blood sugar and other types of body fats, many people find that they are able to lose weight more easily and keep it off better too.

Getting Omega-3's Into Your Diet

Supplementation with fish oil capsules, flax seed oil, green-lipped mussel oil, and other products is one way to increase your intake of Omega-3's, and for most people this is an advisable component of their wellness routine. However, I would urge caution with fish oil because of our toxic oceans. If you take a fish oil product make sure it is from clean, cold-water fish. Flax seed oil and hemp seed oil is one of the best ways to get a good balance of Omega 3, 6 and 9.

In addition, there are many excellent dietary sources for these EFAs including:

• Cold-water fish like halibut, salmon, sardines, and others
• Pumpkin seeds
• Flaxseeds -- organic and freshly ground
• Walnuts
• Sea Buckthorn oil
• Krill
• Algae

Whether it is foods or supplements, be sure to choose organic, toxin-free sources that will provide the benefits of omega-3's without the hazards of harmful chemicals and additives.

Benefits of Raw Almonds

Raw almonds, with their rich, buttery flavor and multiple benefits to your health, are a powerhouse of taste, nutrition, and preventative medicine that truly qualify them as a first-class superfood.

In reality, the almond is technically a seed, of the almond tree, rather than a nut, similar in that manner to cherry or apricot pits. However, fortunately for us, the almond seed/nut is edible and quite nutritious. People have been enjoying almonds since ancient times with references to them in the Bible and the Romans labeling almonds "the Greek nut." It is thought the almond tree was originally native to North Africa and areas of Western Asia, but is now cultivated throughout the Mediterranean region, as well as in California in the United States. Almonds are available and popular worldwide.

Importance of True Raw Almonds

Before we discuss the many health benefits of almonds, it is critical to stress that not all almonds are "created" equal. When choosing almonds to include in your diet, make sure they are both organic and raw. Almonds that are cooked or processed not only lose many of their benefits, but can actually become harmful. However, you need to be aware that almonds labeled raw are not always truly "raw." Most commercially grown almonds in the U.S. are sterilized by one of two methods: either using high temperatures (such as steaming) or fumigated with a chemical called propylene oxide. You don't want almonds that have undergone either of these procedures. Heat treatments destroy many of the life-giving bioactive ingredients in almonds. Propylene oxide is a toxic carcinogen that has been banned for use on food products in Canada, Mexico, and the European Union.

Know the source of your almonds carefully, being sure to choose only almonds that are legitimately organic, raw, and untreated. Make sure they are fresh and not rancid, as this can cause free radicals to be present that are very harmful. Almonds in the shell are best, but shelled ones are OK as long as they have been kept cool and protected from moisture, air, and the sun.

How Can Raw Almonds Help Me Stay Well?

Almond nuts (seeds) are packed with numerous nutrients, and studies have shown that the almond is an excellent example of how a whole food, like almonds, can provide cumulative benefits, as the various components compliment one another. In other words, when it comes to the effects on your health, the whole (combined ingredients) is greater than the sum (individual ingredients).

According to a study, published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, following a diet that includes almonds effectively lowers not only LDL cholesterol levels but also C-reactive protein levels, a key marker of inflammation.

Benefits of Almonds:

Vitamin E: This powerful vitamin is an excellent antioxidant.

Monounsaturated fat: This is the "good" kind of fat that your heart and arteries love -- same type as found in olive oil.

Protein: A quarter cup of almonds has over seven grams of protein.

Magnesium: This important mineral helps your cardiovascular system to be more efficient, thus delivering more nutrients and oxygen to the body. It also protects the heart from free radical damage and acts as a natural channel blocker. One-fourth cup of almonds contains 99 mg of magnesium and 257 mg of potassium. When levels are high, your veins and arteries relax, allowing an increase in the flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood.

Potassium: Necessary for optimal nerve and muscle functions. Also helps to stabilize the heart muscle and blood pressure.

Copper and manganese: These trace minerals are key components of an enzyme produced by the body called superoxide dismutase. This powerful substance is an excellent weapon against free radicals. It also stimulates the production of energy at both the cellular and bodily levels.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): B2 also plays an important role in energy management, especially in areas such as the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs that are highly dependent on a rich oxygen supply.

Almonds have probiotic properties. Finely ground almonds seem to significantly increase the levels of beneficial bacteria. However, this effect is not seen when the fat content was removed from the almond preparation.

Lowered gallstone risk. Some studies have shown that consuming nuts can lower the risk of developing gallstones by 25 percent.

Weight Loss. A study, reported in an WHFood's article about almonds, involving 8865 adults found that those who consumed nuts at least two times per week were 31% less likely to gain weight than were those who never or seldom consumed them.

Vitamin B17 Source. Raw and unpasteurized almonds are a good source of Vitamin B17.

How to Consume Raw Almonds

There are many creative ways to eat your daily supply of almonds. Some people shy away from almonds and other nuts because they are high in calories and they are afraid of gaining weight. Not to worry. Almonds are so nutrient-dense, that even one handful (approximately one quarter cup) per day can provide significant amounts of vitamins, minerals, protein, and other nutrients without excessive calories.

Try organic, raw, chopped almonds on salads, steamed vegetables, in yogurt and smoothies, on cereal, or just plain as a nutritious snack to boost your energy and help prevent disease. You can also use a food processor to make your own almond butter from raw almonds. This is delicious served on a celery stick or as a sandwich on whole grain bread.