Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Calcium

As the overachiever of minerals, calcium builds bones, helps with weight loss, and possibly decreases the risk of colon cancer. And a study published in the American Journal of Medicine found that 1,000 mg of supplemental calcium can increase HDL cholesterol by 7 percent. New research shows calcium supplements may increase prostate cancer risk, so men should aim to get calcium from dietary sources. (Two servings of dairy per day will fill your calcium need without increasing your risk).

Conditions: Bone strengthCancer riskCholesterolColon cancerWeight loss
Recommendations: Natural sources: Dairy products, broccoli, kale
Interactions & Side Effects: Antibiotics. Calcium may reduce your body's absorption of these bacteria-busters.

Source: Men's Health

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Feverfew

Migraines are often the result of blood vessel spasms in the brain that block oxygen flow. Feverfew—an herb grown in Europe—reduces these spasms by slowing the production of inflammatory compounds. When German scientists gave migraine sufferers 6 mg feverfew daily for 4 months, the frequency of their headaches was cut in half. Feverfew also helps reduce eczema inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis.  Other supplements that help migraines:  riboflavin (vitamin B-2), butterbur, and Coenzyme Q10.

Conditions: Migrainesk Skin, Bones
Recommendations: 50 to 150 mg daily
Interactions & Side Effects: Coumadin, Heparin, Aspirin or NSAIDs

Source: Men's Health

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

German Ancestors Suggest Pumpkin for Testosterone

The Amish used pumpkin seed to stimulate testosterone production and rid the intestines of parasites. While available as a dried seed, pill or powder, fresh pumpkin seed is preferred as a remedy. According to Holistic-Online.com, raw, hulled seeds can stimulate the body's generation of testosterone in the body and may prevent impotence. The extract and seeds are rich in zinc, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, calcium and vitamins A and B. Ageless.co.za reports that the seed texture helps kill and expel parasitic worms in the intestine. No published scientific studies exist to prove the folk remedy claims. Consult a doctor before using pumpkin seed for any malady.

Source: Livestrong.com

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Coconut Oil Instead of Sunscreen!

by Paul Fassa – NaturalSociety.com

Summer time is beach time, or at least poolside time. But if you want some protection form the sun’s UV rays, don’t always reach for toxic sunscreens. Instead, pack some extra virgin coconut oil along with your beach towel and umbrella.

That’s right, the same extra virgin coconut oil found in your kitchen pantry will do the trick to protect your skin – minus the toxicity from health-compromising ingredients. Coconut oil has been used as an effective sunscreen for thousands of years by indigenous, pacific islanders. Why slather toxic chemicals on your body when you can use non toxic coconut oil instead?

There are two types of UV (ultraviolet) rays from the sun: UVA and UVB. UVA rays are primarily responsible for skin damage from excessive sun exposure that can lead to cancer and skin aging. However, although UVB rays can also cause damage and sunburn, they are necessary for your body to produce its own cancer protective vitamin D via the skin.

Sunlight is by far the optimal way to produce your vitamin D. Blocking UVB rays may inadvertently be increasing your cancer risk by blocking vitamin D absorption. Plus, sunscreen causes cancer through carcinogenic ingredients.

Avoid Toxic Sunscreens

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) approximately 75% of commercial sunscreens contain toxic chemicals that are linked to cancer and disrupt hormones.

Store bought sunscreens typically contain:

– Retinyl palmitate, a known skin cancer hazard.

– Oxybenzone, which disrupts hormones leading to cell damage and cancer.

– Zinc and titanium nanoparticles are in colorless sun screen lotions.

Those and other chemicals rubbed on your skin are readily absorbed into your bloodstream and can be just as unhealthy and toxic as an oral dose.

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) Hoax 

An excerpt from a 2012 CNN article about sunscreens:

“The EWG said consumers should not purchase sunscreens with SPF greater than 50. SPF (sun protection factor) works by absorbing, reflecting or scattering the sun’s rays on the skin. It is very misleading to put high SPF numbers on labels because it gives consumers a false sense of security and doesn’t offer a lot more protection.”

While SPF 85 may sound like a lot more protection than SPF 30, the higher the number doesn’t always offer a higher return. Studies show that sunscreen with SPF 15 can block about 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%. SPF 50 blocks 98%. The protective factors plateau from there.

“A product with SPF 100+ blocks about 99.1 percent of the UVB rays. You don’t really need a high number. They end up being expensive and don’t offer more protection than SPF 50. Keep in mind, SPF protects only against UVB rays.”

Coconut oil has an SPF of 10 which means 90% of beneficial vitamin D creating UBV rays are blocked. How many people know that SPF ratings do not indicate any protection from the highly damaging UVA rays?

Yet, the American Cancer Society advises to apply a generous amount of of toxic commercial sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and minimally every two hours thereafter, reapplying after being in the water, sweating, and towel drying.

Choose Coconut Oil for Sunscreen Instead

Daily exposure to the sun is essential to your overall health; it’s the overexposure that could cause some issues. Sunshine exposure is the best way for your body to create health protecting vitamin D. To protect against sunburn, use a non-toxic sunscreen like coconut oil or opt for a low-risk, safe sunscreen that doesn’t contain health-compromising ingredients.

Bruce Fife, ND, author of Coconut Cures: Preventing and Treating Common Health Problems with Coconut Oil, explains that coconut oil applied on the skin protects against sunburn and cancer. Unlike sunscreen, unprocessed coconut oil doesn’t completely block the UVB rays that are necessary for vitamin D synthesis. It protects the skin and underlying tissues from damage excessive exposure can cause. Instead of burning or turning red, it produces a light tan, depending on the length of time you spend in the sun.

Fife asserts that “Consuming coconut oil also strengthens the skin and makes it more resilient and less prone to sunburn.” He warns against using hydrolyzed or processed oil. Just make sure the coconut oil is pure and not processed.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Fat Blast

 
Slenderizing pasta - Make a tasty pasta with some black olive tapenade—it’s got intense flavor, so you won’t need a lot, and the anthocyanins in dark olives will help slenderize your tummy. Toss with linguine for resistant starch, and throw in a few toasted pine nuts for crunch. (trio top left)


Good-for-you-dip - To create this tasty dip, (Bottom right) purée a can of white beans (loaded with fiber and resistant starch), with jarred artichokes (more fiber) and olive oil (to add some fat-fighting monounsaturated fatty acids, or MUFAs). Serve with crudités.

Source: Health Magazine

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