Synthetic Hormones Again Proven Dangerous

There are already plenty of good reasons to avoid using synthetic hormones, as these have been clearly linked to serious health problems such as breast cancer, heart disease, and other debilitating and potentially deadly health concerns. A new study has now been released which indicates a significant increase in fatalities from certain types of lung cancer in women who were also using synthetic hormones to treat menopause symptoms. (Link to article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090530/ap_on_he_me/us_med_hormones_lung_cancer_4)

The study is the latest conclusion from on ongoing federal research project called The Women's Health Initiative that has been continuing since the late 1990s. Various clinical studies have analyzed the effects of synthetic hormones, and the news is not good. In fact, one phase of the research had to be halted prematurely in 2002 because an alarming percentage of the participants (women given Prempro, an artificial estrogen-progestin compound manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) were developing breast cancer.

This latest connection between lung cancer deaths and synthetic hormones indicates a frightening 60% increase in lung cancer deaths (for patients with non-small-cell lung cancers, the most common type) in women who were also using artificial hormones.

Specifics of the study reveal that the increase in death rates was found almost exclusively in participants who had been using synthetic hormones for less than five years. This information blows a hole in one of the recommendations that has been issued by the FDA and medical authorities stemming from the Women's Health Initiative Studies. They are telling women that the short-term use of synthetic hormones (in the two-year range) is relatively safe. Obviously, it isn't very safe for lung cancer patients. This is just additional evidence for the increased danger of these hazardous drugs, especially for women who smoke (probably a large percentage of lung cancer patients). Smoking while using synthetic hormones has already proven to raise the risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other types of coronary disease.

The truly ironic thing about this whole issue is that synthetic hormones, a multi-million dollar money-maker for Big Pharma, are typically prescribed for treating the symptoms of menopause as if it were a disease -- which it is not. So, we have women using these highly risky drugs and they are not even sick!

In many cultures around the world, this time of life for women is considered a natural phase that is not to be feared or demonized, but rather, menopause is accepted and even welcomed. Menopause is simply a process that transitions women from their child-bearing years into a later stage of life that can open doors for new challenges and opportunities. Menopause is marked a villain here in the U.S., a "disease" to be avoided and thus medicated. The pharmaceutical companies recognize this and indeed contribute to it. They also capitalize on it by pushing the use of synthetic hormones that literally risk the lives of the women who use them. Risking lives in the name of medicine (first -- do no harm) with the results being that more health concerns are created and deeper pockets are being filled for the doctors who push them and the pharmaceutical companies that make them.

Again, menopause is not an illness, but there are some symptoms that can be difficult to manage for many women. Synthetic hormones are definitely not the answer because, as we continue to see, they add more health concerns. How many times do we have to bang our head against the wall about this before we say "No More"? There ARE answers that work by using natural, safe ways to deal with the symptoms of menopause and PMS. These include:

• Bio-identical USP progesterone: The use of bio-identical hormone replacement is one of the most effective ways to deal with menopause, helping to achieve hormone balance without the dangers connected to synthetic hormones. Just because a conventional practitioner says there is no bHRT science, does not mean it doesn't work. (By the way, there is plenty of science but it is ignored.) It just means that he/she is most likely not educated in bHRT.
• Eat Healthy: The importance of an organic diet that is whole-foods based and includes an abundance of raw foods such as fruits and vegetables along with healthy fats cannot be overemphasized. It is foundational to the healing of the body and mind. Eliminate animal fat, which will only worsen menopause symptoms (and your overall health), especially if eating meat and dairy that is laced with added hormones. Refuse to knowingly put chemicals into or on your body. This will increase the hormonal imbalance in your body.
• Natural Phytoestrogens: Get natural estrogen from the natural phytoestrogens in foods. This will go a long way toward helping with symptoms without being harmful to your body.
• Cut down on stress: Even better than cutting down would be to eliminate stress completely. Yes, it takes work, but it can be done. Stress is a silent killer. Learn deep breathing techniques, take walks in nature, read up-lifting books, listen to relaxing music, get 30 minutes' worth of unprotected sunshine every day, cultivate friendships and hobbies. Women who have adrenal stress will have a very difficult time in balancing their hormones if they do not deal with/eliminate stress in their life.
• Thyroid: Get your thyroid correctly checked and in balance. See my blog article Balancing The Thyroid Naturally.
• Exercise: If one is over-weight, they are most likely estrogen dominant. Excess estrogen is stored in fat cells. Daily exercise helps to eliminate fat and thus helps the body to get rid of excess estrogen. You don't have to run a marathon or sweat buckets every day. Using a rebounder for 15-20 minutes/day or taking a brisk 30 minute walk will do wonders at alleviating fat from the body.
• Natural vitamin E: The use of natural, mixed vitamin E (that the body can recognize and use) is especially helpful for symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats.
• Vitex: Chaste berry is a herb that acts as a natural progesterone precursor. Many women use it during the days of the month in which they are not using bio-identical progesterone. Note that it can take 4-5 months for the effects of Vitex to take place.
• Vaginal Dryness: I have just developed a product called Her Oasis which addresses vaginal dryness and irritation. It contains the highest quality of organic Aloe Vera, natural Vitamin E and Sea Buckthorn Root.

Ladies, it is time to stand up and take responsibility for your health and well-being. Do your own research. The pharmaceutical companies do not have anyone's best interest at heart, nor do they care about getting to the root of health concerns. Many doctors get their continuing education from pharmaceutical reps and therefore know nothing about bio-identical hormone therapy. The pharmaceutical companies are about symptom relief, quick fixes and getting your money in their pockets. Decide to take back control of your health. Give your body, in natural ways, what it needs to be supported and healthy. Give it time to heal and repair. Decide FOR health and well-being and not fads. Ultimately, you will be so thankful that you took the time to educate yourself about what is really healthy and best for your situation. In the long run, you will begin to remember what it feels like to have true health and well-being.

Suggested Reading

Nutritional Powerhouse: Sea Buckthorn
New Study Indicates Further Dangers of Conventional Hormone Replacement Therapy

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