Saturday, June 27, 2015

Candida

When we hear the term yeast infection most of us think of a vaginal problem that causes itching and a stinky discharge. This is only one possible location for the Candida Albicans bacteria to show up in the body. There are many people who have a systemic (throughout the body) infection of these bacteria and don’t even know it.

Health problems with a strong link to candida include:
•    Allergies
•    Cancer
•    Diabetes
•    Asthma,
•    Dermatitis
•    Celiac disease
•    Crohn’s  disease
•    Chronic Fatigue
•    Fibromyalgia
•    Irritable bowel
•    Depression
•    Schizophrenia
•    Bipolar Disorder
•    Athlete’s Foot
•    Hashimoto’s
•    Gas/Bloating

If you have any of these problems it is an indication that you also have a candida problem. We are not always sure which is the cart and which is the horse, but if you have one there is a huge chance you have the other as well.

All of us have a little bit of these bacteria at all times. It normally lives in our digestive tract and our bodies keep the numbers limited. Many things can happy that will allow these bacteria to grow and multiply out of control.

Antibiotics

Whether the antibiotics come from a prescription, your food or your water the effect is the same. The Candida Albicans is a very hearty bacterium and can survive antibiotic levels that others (especially the good bacteria) can’t. Killing off the opposition is like arresting all the rival gang members. The candida gang starts growing out of control. Eating meats and dairy laced with antibiotics or water laced with fluoride can cause havoc with the delicate balance within your digestive tract.

Mercury Filings

By now most of us know that the mercury in our filings are seeping into our bodies.  The body thinks this is selenium, which is a mineral we need, and absorbs it into our tissues. When the good bacteria come in contact with this mercury it weakens or kills them. The candida bacteria begin to grow out of control, because they are resistant to mercury.

Sugar

Sugar is the preferred food for the bacteria. The more sugar you consume the more likely you have a bacteria overgrowth. If stopping your sugar intake causes severe cravings you can almost guarantee that you have an overgrowth.  When we cut back on sugar the bacteria begin to die. The dying Candida releases 79 different toxins into our system. These are what cause the cravings.

What to do?

Besides staying away from the things that feed candida and/or kill the good bacteria there are some things you can do to speed you recovery.
•    Aloe Vera
•    Garlic
•    Clove Oil
•    Coconut Oil
•    Tea Tree Oil
•    Oregano Oil
•    Colloidal Silver
•    Olive extracts
•    Grapefruit Seed Extract
•    Cranberries
•    Apple Cider Vinegar
•    Probiotics
•    Homemade yogurt (no sugar or gelatin)
•    Water (1/2 your weight in pounds gives you ounces for the day)
Once you get the bacteria under control an overall healthy lifestyle is your best defense against its return.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/046814_candida_yeast_sugar.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/046780_candida_colon_health_flora.html
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/11752-candida-overgrowth.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047184_candida_depression_gut_microbes.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047350_Candida_food_cravings_junk.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047383_Candida_yeast_herbal_remedies.html
http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/biofilms-overlooked-step-treating-candida/
http://thehomesteadsurvival.com/20-home-remedies-yeast-infection/?utm_source=getresponse&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=homesteadsurvival&utm_content=The+Homestead+Survival+Daily+Articles
http://www.naturalnews.com/047837_Candida_overgrowth_mercury_fillings_amalgam_side_effects.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/048074_Candida_albicans_fungal_infections_yeast_infection.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/048739_Candida_yeast_infection_fungal_cure.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/049747_Candida_Albicans_chronic_Inflammation_autoimmune_disease.html

Friday, June 19, 2015

Trans Fat Banned by FDA

We have heard a lot about trans fats in the news. Our government wants to outlaw them in processed foods, but is still giving manufacturers a way to include them without telling us. Just what are trans fats? The easiest explanation is that they are fats that have been modified to be solid at room temperature when they are normally liquid at room temperature. Usually these fats are vegetable fats.

Sounds good, but are they really?

Dr. Fred Kummerow—now nearly 100 years old— realized the hazards of trans fats in the 1950’s, and was the first researcher to publish a paper on it in 1957. He discovered that it's not cholesterol that causes heart disease, rather the trans fats are to blame.

So trans fats (and even just vegetable oils) are linked to heart disease, but it doesn’t stop there. It is also linked to memory impairment.

Trans fats were most strongly linked to worse memory, in young and middle-aged men, during their working and career-building years," said lead author Beatrice A. Golomb, MD, PhD. "From a health standpoint, trans fat consumption has been linked to higher body weight, more aggression and heart disease.

In addition they are linked to lung disease, including cancer, for those that breath the vapors of these oils when they are used for frying. It has even been suggested that restaurant uniforms of those doing the frying have a tendency to spontaneous combustion when left in warm places like trucks or automatic dryers.

Vegetable oils increase oxidative stress in the body. This can lead to cellular damage, damage to the lining of the vascular system, increases in the susceptibility of LDL lipoproteins to oxidation, a crucial step in the development of heart disease.  They also change forms when heated, creating some well-known cancer causing agents. Some studies have even linked these oils to an increase in violent behavior.

With all this going for us many of us think the answer is to never consume fat of any type. That should be able to protect us from multiple health issues, right?

Wrong! Studies show that our bodies need fat, just not the ones that have been promoted as healthy since the 1950’s.

Saturated fats are already solid at room temperature. They do not need to be heated or changed chemically to achieve this effect. Studies show that these fats do not cause heart disease, or even make it worse if you already have it. They also show that these fats help your body to absorb and utilize certain vitamins in your foods. They are the building blocks that our bodies use to make some of the hormones we need to survive. Your brain uses fat to make cell membranes and the protective myelin sheath that insulates your neurons. Saturated fat is essential to the proper functioning of the brain, bones, blood and energy levels of human beings.

New studies are looking at diet to treat different health problems. One such problem is seizure disorders. There is strong evidence that a low carb, high fat diet has a beneficial influence on seizure such as those caused by epilepsy. This makes sense when you remember that the body uses fats to build and repair brain tissue. Cancer is another disorder that this type of diet seems to have a positive effect on. The fats used in these studies include saturated fats and those from plants such as avocados and nuts. They did not include vegetable oils. These studies show that grains and sugars are a bigger problem to health than saturated fats.

A low carb, high fat diet has also been linked to slowing and reversing aging. This includes the brain as well as the body and skin. Here again, the type of fat seems to be the key. Saturated fats such as coconut oil and fatty vegetables like avocados have a positive influence where vegetables oils have a negative influence.

We are finding out that what we eat has a much greater influence on how we feel and look than we thought. A long shelf life is proving to shorten the life span of people, while a short shelf life seems to lengthen it. Being too busy to eat freshly prepared foods means you will have less time on earth to enjoy those foods. It can also mean that the years you do have will be less productive and much more painful.

Sources:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/08/31/trans-fat-saturated-fat.aspx?e_cid=20140831Z1_SNL_Art_1&utm_source=snl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20140831Z1&et_cid=DM54981&et_rid=642464394
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/13440-why-you-need-fat-in-your-diet.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/046870_saturated_fat_cardiovascular_disease_cholesterol.html
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/13420-the-skinny-on-fat-it-s-a-lot-more-important-than-you-may-think.html
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/11/10/low-carb-high-fat-ketogenic-diet.aspx?e_cid=20141110Z1_DNL_art_1&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art1&utm_campaign=20141110Z1&et_cid=DM60069&et_rid=723244424
http://www.naturalnews.com/047896_trans_fats_memory_impairment_food_labels.html
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/13666-serious-concerns-about-vegetable-oils.html
http://health.usnews.com/health-news/health-wellness/articles/2014/12/23/fat-and-sugar-the-best-and-worst-of-2014
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/12/22/saturated-fat-heart-disease.aspx?e_cid=20141222Z1-USCanada_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20141222Z1-USCanada&et_cid=DM62906&et_rid=773237336
http://www.thepaleosecret.com/2015/01/high-fat-intake-can-slow-brain-aging-process/
http://www.truthaboutabs.com/the-canola-oil-deception.html

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Acne natural cures

Many think of acne as a teenage problem, but it is really a human problem that can strike at any age. It used to be that we thought the person wasn't washing their skin well enough, or that their body was just 'oily' and it couldn't be helped.

Because many people think of this as just a surface problem they have devised many topical solutions. These include chemical face washes, harsh chemical topical medications, soaps and salves and pastes that are supposed to dry up the oils, and thus the breakouts, or kills the bacteria on the skin so that the breakouts heal and go away faster. There are even those that believe taking strong antibiotics on a regular basis is the key to good skin.

The Natural realm is not above these types of solutions either. There are many topical solutions that work somewhat, but don't get to the root of the problem. These include:
  • Roobois tea used as a topical solution
  • Mint leaves and turmeric
  • Cayenne and garlic oil
  • Cabbage and witch hazel
  • Coriander juice and turmeric
  • Honey
  • Oatmeal
  • Lemon juice
  • Egg Whites
  • Echinacea
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Essential Oils
  • Epsom Salts
  • Hops
  • Cinnamon
  • Baking Soda

All of these topical solutions seem to work, but it is an ongoing battle. Science now shows us that acne is a sign of imbalance within the body. This is one reason teenagers and women going through menopause seem to suffer with it more, because the hormones are in flux and therefore out of balance.Another things that can be out of balance is our gut bacteria. When it is out of balance our digestion and elimination suffers. The body then tries to get rid of toxins through the skin. Emotional upset or sleep disorders can also cause our body systems to be out of balance. You have heard many times of someone breaking out just before public speaking or an important job interview.

In your body

We can't magically balance our bodies. That process takes a bit of effort, but it is worth it for a lifetime of great skin without the acne scars. The first step is to look at what you are putting into your body. Grains and sugars are the first place to look. These two groups of food cause blood sugar and hormone imbalances in the body. They also cause inflammation. Some of that inflammation is  showing up on your skin. This includes everything from snack foods to home made desserts, and even your sodas.

Processed foods are the next category. You may have already eliminated a lot of these, because they a chocked full of grains and sugars. They are also chocked full of preservatives and other chemical ingredients. They are a source of toxins within your body. Even if they are organic they are still processed. Anything that has a shelf life is dead food and is contributing to the death of your body rather than the life of your body.

Commercially grown meat, dairy and eggs. These are full of antibiotics and hormones. Yes, I said hormones. If you are in a stage of life that your hormones are disrupted you don't need to be adding to it with your food. The antibiotics are continually killing the good bacteria in your system, especially your gut, which is contributing to your imbalances. The bad bacteria have become immune to these chemicals are begin running rampant in your system, causing more toxicity and inflammation.

On your body

Next we want to look at everything you are putting on your body. A good way to look at this is that you don't want to put anything on your body that you wouldn't want to put in your body. Chemical shampoos, soaps, cosmetics, moisturizers, antiperspirants, perfumes, hair dyes, and anything else you slather on your skin, hair or nails, all add to the toxicity of your body. Many of them, especially those used on the hair and scalp, go directly into your blood stream. They contribute to the toxic overload of your body. That toxic overload contributes to the inflammation in your body. The neat thing is that there are hundreds of resources now available that are all natural, for all of these products. You can buy them, or even make your own.

In our minds

Emotional imbalance can be devastating on our health and appearance. Your aren't going to want to live your life locked in a room meditating all the time. You are going to have some emotional ups and downs. The key is to learn to cope with them. Have someone you can confide in, a shoulder to cry on. Sometimes you need more than one. If that isn't enough then look into counseling, especially someone that uses Emotional Freedom Technique and can teach you this tool for reigning in out of control emotions.

Many time when we are emotional we have trouble sleeping. Then there are other times that we have trouble sleeping for some seemingly unknown reason. There is always a reason, but there are times it is harder to figure out than at other times. It may be something you ate, or drank. It could be a nagging problem you are trying to ignore. It could be that the lights are too bright and too blue to promote good sleep. The opposite may also hinder sleep, never getting out of a dark room all day. If sleep is throwing your body out of balance take steps to solve this problem. It will do wonders for you skin and overall health.

Solutions

Now that we have delved into what not to do lets look at what we should be doing for good body health and a clear complexion.
•    Get plenty of water. The best formal for figuring out the right amount for you is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces you want to strive for every day.
•    Exercise. Find some way that you enjoy to get your heart pumping and break a sweat every day.
•    Eat plenty of vegetables. Fruit is fine for dessert, but vegetables are the powerhouses for good nutrition. For optimum health you will also want some protein and healthy fats.
•    Use herbs in your foods. Oregano and Thyme are among the herbs recommended for good skin health. They work by helping to eliminate the bad bacteria and boosting the immune system. Don't forget the old standbys of Onion and Garlic.
•    Balance your gut bacteria. If you have been eating commercially grown foods this is going to be a big one. You can do this by eating fermented foods and taking a supplement. Watch the fermented foods found in the stores. Many of them are fermented in name only, they are made to taste like the real thing but they don't have any of the good bacteria. Many of the dairy based ferments are so full of sugar they defeat the purpose of eating them.

All of these will work together to improve your overall health. A healthy person shows a healthy and vibrant complexion. That is the look that is most attractive on all of us.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/040419_thyme_acne_treatments_benzoyl_peroxide.htmlhttp://www.naturalnews.com/040419_thyme_acne_treatments_benzoyl_peroxide.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/042314_acne_treatments_quick_results_natural_home_remedies.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/042617_skin_conditions_acne_environmental_toxins.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/045105_home_remedies_acne_skin_care.html
http://www.naturallivingideas.com/8-quick-natural-remedies-for-blackheads/
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/16/food-causing-acne.aspx?e_cid=20140616Z1_DNL_art_2&utm_source=dnl&utm_medium=email&utm_content=art2&utm_campaign=20140616Z1&et_cid=DM47793&et_rid=555067937

Friday, June 5, 2015

Adrenal Fatigue

When is tiredness more than just tiredness? When it goes on day after day for seemingly no reason and interferes with your everyday life. Sounds like depression, but for many it is something more than even that, it is adrenal fatigue.

What is adrenal fatigue? It is a syndrome characterized by a list of symptoms a mile long. Because it is such a long list many doctors don’t recognize it. It can be misdiagnosed as depression or stress, or thyroid problems, because the symptoms of these things overlap and contribute to the problem.

What to the adrenals do? Although the adrenal gland makes the stress hormone cortisol it makes other hormones that are critical to our everyday life. These include:
  • Mineralcorticoids. These regulate the balance of salt to water within the body and help to maintain blood pressure.
  • Glucocorticoids. These increase blood glucose levels by regulating the conversion of fats, proteins and carbohydrates into energy. They are also involved in regulating blood pressure, immune response and inflammation reactions.
  • Gonadocorticois: These are the sex hormones.
  • Epinephrine: This is the fight of flight hormone. It raises your heart rate and your blood sugar and rushes that blood to the muscles and the brain.
  • Norepinephrine: Works with epinephrine.
  • Plus many more
What causes adrenal fatigue? We all understand muscle fatigue. It is when you overwork or overstress a muscle. Even though the adrenal gland isn’t a muscle it can be overworked in much the same way.

What overworks the adrenal gland? The biggest cause is stress, but there are many types of stress that we don’t think about.
  • Traffic Jams
  • Poor sleep habits
  • Feeling out of control
  • Striving for good grades
  • Work pressures
  • Poor diet
  • Poor relationships
  • Losing a job
  • Losing a loved one
  • Losing a pet
  • Worrying
  • Not getting enough exercise
  • Getting too much exercise
  • Stimulants such as coffee and sugar
  • Poor digestion
  • Dieting
  • Money problems
  • Tax time
  • Exciting television shows
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Over packed schedule
As you can see stressors can come from all directions. Unless we join a monastery and sit meditating all day there is no way to avoid dealing with stress. The key is to learn to handle stress well and to provide our bodies, and therefore our adrenals the nutrients they need. Part of providing good nutrition is to get rid of the poor nutrition choices. These include:
  • Processed foods
  • Alcohol
  • Sugars (including excess natural sugars)
  • Gluten
Instead you will want to include plenty of vegetables, especially fermented ones. These will provide enzymes, probiotics and fiber. Other foods to look for are those that are strong in B Vitamins, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, and Omega 3’s. If you can’t get enough from your foods, or your digestion is off it is fine to reach for good quality supplements.

Herbs can also be extremely helpful in healing your body. The types you are looking for in order to heal your adrenals are called adaptogenic herbs, because they help your body adapt to stress. These include:
  • Astragalus
  • Ashwagandha
  • Licorice
  • Shisandra
  • Holy Basal
  • Ginseng
  • Rhodiola
  • Eleuthero
  • Cordyceps
Along with these come some lifestyle changes that will be helpful. They include:
  • Cutting back on your activities. Saying ‘no’ to things that aren’t critical.
  • Spend time in meditation or prayer
  • Get gentle activity every day.
  • Stay hydrated
  • Let go of stressors you can’t change. (Your attitude about being stuck in traffic)
  • Pamper yourself. A warm bath with Epsom salts can be very relaxing.
If we take care of our bodies they will take care of us. If doing these things for a month or two doesn’t help make an appointment with your doctor. There may be an additional problem that is preventing your body from healing. For most situations even those can be healed by following this protocol, but it is always better to be safe rather than sorry.

Sources:
http://eatlocalgrown.com/article/12304-everything-you-need-to-know-about-adrenal-fatigue.html
http://www.mommypotamus.com/how-to-test-for-adrenal-fatigue-at-home/?mc_cid=7445b0f89d&mc_eid=8a271efa5b
http://www.naturalnews.com/046937_adrenal_fatigue_chronic_stress_natural_solutions.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047452_adrenal_fatigue_thyroid_natural_remedies.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047544_adrenal_fatigue_hormones_natural_remedies.html
http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/mind-and-body/fight-fatigue-zm0z14ndzhou.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=HW%20eNews&utm_campaign=11.4.14%20HW#axzz3IJ0bPOMW
http://www.naturalnews.com/047691_stress_adrenal_fatigue_anxiety_remedies.html
http://www.naturalnews.com/047819_adrenals_hormone_balance_weight_loss.html
http://chriskresser.com/high-cortisol-and-brain-fog
http://www.naturalnews.com/048896_adrenal_fatigue_symptoms_natural_remedies.html
http://www.motherearthliving.com/health-and-wellness/adrenal-health-zmfz15mazhou.aspx?newsletter=1&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_term=HW%20eNews&utm_campaign=03.03.15%20HW
http://chriskresser.com/the-modern-lifestyle-a-recipe-for-adrenal-fatigue