Spice Cures
By Linda | February 27, 2009
Your spice shelf may hold the cure for your health complaints. Research now confirms what traditional populations have long observed; flavorful spices double as safe and effective medicines. Although many cultures use spices as medicines, in the U.S., your doctor could lose his or her medical license and spice sellers could be put out of business for recommending a spice cure. Since I am not a doctor or spice vendor, I’d like to share some long-enjoyed medicinal benefits of a few common spices.
Turmeric is rich in curcurmin, a yellow pigment that fights cancer, arthritis (and other pain), as well as Alzheimer’s disease. The curry-rich Indian diet is associated with far lower rates of Alzheimer’s disease. Turmeric regenerates liver cells, your body’s detox mechanism. Many consider turmeric to be the most powerful medicine in the spice world.
Garlic, when used freshly minced and raw, contains a medicinal compound called allicin, which kills parasites, harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi, as well as lowers cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic is even effective against MRSA, the antibiotic-resistant menace found in hospitals and locker rooms. And drug-resistance is not an issue with garlic.
Cinnamon helps type 2 diabetics control blood sugar levels and may enable them to come off insulin. Just a half teaspoon per day also helps lower elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. Cinnamon also reduces pain in joints and improves memory and cognition.
Rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and eucalyptus can open sinuses better than a decongestant when their essential oils or fresh leaves are simmered in water and breathed deeply. These herbs also stimulate the brain and kill harmful bacteria.
Oregano and marjoram kill parasites and help digestion, upset stomach, coughs and congestion. Today, Turkish villagers make teas of the mountain oregano and marjoram leaves for digestive complaints, colds and congestion.
Ginger in foods and tea reduces inflammation and pain. I’ve had clients who claim it works as well or better than pain meds. Ginger tea works better than many anti-nausea drugs for motion sickness as well as being safe and effective for morning sickness. Ginger tea also aids digestion and warms the body on cold days.
If you receive my Top Health Tips, next issue will give you Tips for Flavoring with Spice Cures. Be sure to sign up on my home page if you aren’t receiving my newsletter to receive this.
Share your family’s herb and spice remedies here. Do you have a tea blend for reflux? for indigestion? Do you sip an herb blend for insomnia? Is there a spice blend passed down from your grandmother? Share it here.
Topics: Drugs, Flavors & Foods, Uncategorized, Vitamins vs. Drugs | 4 Comments »
How to Catch a Cold
By Linda | January 17, 2009
You are three times more likely to catch a cold if you sleep less than 7 hours a night, according to a new Carnegie Mellon University study. Researchers studied 153 volunteers locked in a hotel room with a cold virus. Those who failed to get at least 7 hours sleep had more sore throats, runny noses and congested heads than those more rested. Things got progressively worse with less time asleep.
If you’re worried about catching a cold or flu, there are a few things you can do for protection:
* Get eight hours of sleep. This also reduces obesity and diabetes risk.
* Cut out the sugar. A dose of sugar, even orange juice, reduces white blood cells’ ability to engulf germs by half
* Don’t get a flu shot. Vaccinations reduce immunity for all the other germs not vaccinated against.
* Load up on zinc and vitamin A rich foods, which boot immunity: grass fed meat and dairy, eggs, liver, oysters, and nuts.
* Get sunlight. Vitamin D from sunshine on skin also helps fight infections (as well as heart attacks, cancer and obesity).
* Take vitamin C several times a day. C keeps immunity strong.
* Use energy medicine to cope with immune suppressing emotions such as depression and fatigue.
What are your cold-fighting strategies??
Topics: Immunity, Uncategorized | 21 Comments »
Hangover Prevention and Liver Detox
By Linda | December 30, 2008
Champagne and revelry seem to be an integral part of New Year’s celebrations. In excess, of course, alcohol impairs the body, and most notably the liver. It doesn’t help your brain either. You may know the effects: headache, stomachache, jet lag-style fatigue, nausea and the gnawing feeling you did something stupid. The following are some tips to get you through this holiday with revelry yet minimum organ damage.
- Don’t drink and drive. All the broccoli in the world won’t save you from a car crash. This New Year’s Eve (6pm to 6am) AAA is offering a free “Tipsy Tow” for anyone too drunk to drive.
- Don’t take drugs. Your liver has enough to deal with when you drink alcohol. ALL medications, including aspirin, head straight for your liver. If you must take medications, skip the booze.
- Imbibe a glass of room temp water every hour or so during, before and after party hours.
- Eat a savory food before you drink. How about some goat cheese?
- Set an intention. You know your limit. The official recommended limit on alcohol for women is one glass and for men two. If you get clear on your intentions before you begin, it is easier to stop. This works for dessert too.
- Take liver-detox herbs. Brew a strong tea or take an herb tincture with milk thistle, dandelion root, Oregon grape root, artichoke leaf, turmeric and/or burdock root. Take three times a day and just before the first drink.
- Take liver detoxing supplements before drinking: R or Alpha lipoic acid, magnesium, B vitamins, calcium-D-glucarate and N-acetyl cysteine.
- Eat high-quality meat and other protein. Protein helps your liver detox. Consider grass fed beef stew, leg of lamb; roasted free-range poultry, an omelete, or smoked or wild salmon.
- Eat broccoli. Broccoli family veggies, including cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage, rapini and broccoli stimulate the P450 cytochrome detox pathway in the liver.
- Eat sulfur-rich foods (unless you have an impaired sulfoxidation). Sulfur from eggs, broccoli veggies, garlic and onions helps detox your liver. If you react to sulfur, try taking molybdmum and skip these foods.
- Focus on something more meaningful than alcohol and sugar. Not sure where to start? Identify what you are grateful for; do something for someone in need; call a friend; journal your thoughts; take a trip to the beach; take a bike ride.
- Feel addicted? One of the best tools I have found for releasing cravings for sugar and alcohol is an energy medicine technique called TAT.
Topics: Cravings, Drugs, Mood, Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
Holiday Drug Dangers, Alternatives
By Linda | December 29, 2008
Drugs enable many to get through the holidays. Antacids, cold and flu meds, anti-depressants, and painkillers, are right up there with the eggnog. Unfortunately over-the-counter meds interact with prescription drugs and alcohol, leading to 2 million “adverse drug reactions” each year.
Reactions to properly prescribed dugs kill over 100,000 people per year in the U.S. Mistakes and overdose kill another 100,000. Doctors and drugs are considered the third leading caused of death in this country, according to the American Medical Association.
One of the joys of my work is seeing someone get off a drug, whether it is an anti-depressant, statins, insulin or antacids. Not only does one’s physical health improve, but so does his or her energy, mood and zest for life.
Drugs do not solve underlying health issues, and promote often-dangerous side effects. Drug company insiders even know this. I once gave a presentation to the R&D team for Enbrel, an arthritis drug. The team leader, who had arthritis herself, came to me saying “I won’t take this drug; help me with a natural alternative to pain.” Enbrel side effects include tuberculosis, cancer and other infections.
Recently I spoke at a Kaiser Permanente Symposium. One of the pharmaceutical companies ws promoting a bone-building drug. When the drug rep learned I was a nutritionist, he pulled me aside to ask my recommendation for a natural bone-builder for his wife. He didn’t want her on this drug. Side effects to the drug include blindness, back pain and erosion of the esophagus.
In this time of economic hardship and escalating medical care costs, why not research natural remedies to cure the problem, and get off drugs.
Natural Remedies to Drugs (check with your doctor before discontinuing prescribed drugs)
Anti-hypertensives………………..magnesium, exercise, relaxation, sunlight
Statins ………………………………..polycosanol, garlic, vitamin C, weight loss, cut the sugar
Antidepressants …………………..omega-3’s, digestive enzymes, B vitamins, St. John’s Wort, exercise, sunlight
Aspirin ……………………………….white willow bark extract
Pain meds for chronic pain ……omega-3’s, ginger, turmeric, cat’s claw, topical DMSO, capsaicin
Cancer drugs ……………………… DIM, indole-3 carbonyl, eliminate sugar and omega-6’s
Antacids ……………………………. probiotics, digestive enzymes, de-glycyrrhzinated licorice
Anti-anxiety drugs ……………… magnesium, low dose lithium, omega-3’s, exercise, plus a nerve herb complex (valerian, lemon balm, hops, poppy)
Reply with your own natural remedies here.
Topics: Drugs, Overeating, Sustainable Food, Uncategorized | 5 Comments »
Vitamins and Health: The Real Story
By Linda | November 24, 2008
A line-up of recent new studies show vitamin supplements to be worthless or even harmful and drugs to be healing. Don’t you think this is just a little suspicious? Thousands of studies before these have confirmed the OPPOSITE. The media seems to have us believe the latest study is the truth and that it doesn’t matter if studies published earlier show the opposite, nor that these studies are funded by drug companies.
So what’s really happening here? Correct vitamin and mineral use reduces disease. I’ve witnessed this repeatedly with clients, with observations of patients of my MD colleagues, and I’ve read confirmation published in scientific journals for over 25 years.
But these kind of results spell out economic loss for big pharma. If you read that vitamin E is worthless, you are more likely to fall for drug claims. Millions of dollars are spent on ads, and now public relations, to get you to take statins and other drugs. Some research articles are even ghost written by pharmaceutical companies.
Drug companies need you to buy drugs. They have huge reserves for “research” (and media advertising – which also plays a role in what gets published, especially in troubled economic times). We now know which forms of vitamins don’t work, and which do, and on which patients with which risk issues, and how much of a vitamin we need to make a difference. As a result, studies can easily be designed to convince the average layperson –i.e. you – that drugs are great and vitamins are worthless, or worse.
Nowhere is this more true than with vitamin E. Years ago researchers discovered that for vitamin E to be effective it had to be in a natural form: d alpha tocopherol, not dl alpha tocopherol (the synthetic form) or better yet, it should contain all four naturally occurring tocopherols. Studies using natural forms of vitamin E, as opposed to synthetic, show dramatic improvements in health.
The most recent vitamin E blasting came from the Physician’s Health Study II (funded in part by two pharmaceutical companies) with 14,641 men. Synthetic E was used, so as one would expect, the study reported no difference between cardiovascular events in men who took vitamin E vs. those who took no E. Should we believe this or should we believe a larger study published in 1993 with 39,910 men, which showed a 40% reduction in heart attack and heart attack death rates among men taking supplements of E. And then there was the even larger Nurses’ Health Study published in 1993, with 87,245 women, which showed a 31% reduction in risk of heart attacks among those taking vitamin E. Should we believe ANY of the 5 large observational studies, all of which show vitamin E supplements significantly reduce risk of heart attacks, including deaths, in men and women? Or what about the large studies showing natural vitamin E provides the greatest protection of all from heart attacks?
As for vitamin C having no effect in the Physicians Health Study II (above), most nutrition-oriented physicians know it takes more than 500 milligrams every other day to get results. We need a sustained blood level of vitamin C for optimum health. Otherwise you get rebound low vitamin levels on the off days. Why didn’t researchers try 1000mg or more, daily, an amount that has profound health benefits in other studies?
Did you see any mainstream articles on the recent study from U.C. Berkeley that showed vitamin C supplements reduce inflammation as effectively as drugs? Inflammation is the underlying issue in heart disease. The recent drug study that showed Crestor, a statin, reduced risk of heart disease among those with normal cholesterol levels actually produced results only in those with inflammation. Vitamin C has the same disease-blocking effect as Crestor, only instead of side effects such as muscle pain and weakness (found in 98% of Lipitor users) and fatigue, studies show vitamin C can prolong life in men by 6 years and in women by one year. Other studies show vitamin C reduces cancer risk, fatigue and vision loss. Why would you want to pay MORE and see weakness as a side effect?
Did you notice any articles in your local newspaper this past summer touting results of the massive Italian study, the GISSI study, which showed fish oil outperformed statins in preventing heart failure? Crestor did no better than a placebo in preventing chronic heart failure whereas fish oil significantly reduced risk. This study looked at one measly gram of fish oil in close to 7000 participants. Larger doses of fish oil consistently show even greater protection from heart disease. We hear medical experts statins should be added to our drinking water: Do you hear them saying we should put fish oil in the water?
One of the big pluses in using such natural substances, such as natural vitamin E and C and fish oil, over a patentable drug, is you don’t get side effects, plus there are generally multiple benefits, including longer lifespan. Side effects of statins include cognitive decline, memory loss, muscle weakness, fatigue, and digestive complaints. But no one makes big bucks from vitamin supplements.
The Economist, a respected magazine, reported in October that researchers are hired and funded according to where their studies get published. Prestigious journals are more likely to publish studies that “oversell” results than studies based on the best science. There is a bias toward studies that favor positive drug results. With this kind of special interest operating, you are unlikely to see favorable studies published on supplements and likely to see studies on the benefits of drugs.
Here are a few tips for evaluating media reports on research: Figure out where the funding came from. Remember, organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, get funding from drug companies. Second, check to see the form of supplement used. Is it natural or synthetic? Is the dose used high enough to produce results? And finally, look for the red flag “the study was halted early,” (found in the recent study on Crestor) as this allows drug-induced deaths and disease to go undetected.
Also, notice the TV ads on your favorite news station. I see a lot of drug ads. The U.S. is one if the few countries where this is legal. Don’t fall for their game.
Topics: Drugs, Vitamins, Vitamins vs. Drugs | 3 Comments »
Vitamin E: Cancer Cause or Cure?
By Linda | November 1, 2008
If you are to believe the recent news, taking vitamin E may lead to prostate cancer and taking selenium to diabetes, in men. The National Cancer Institute’s recent SELECT study was expected to show vitamin E reduced risk of prostate cancer in men, just as other studies show. The study was stopped early because men taking the vitamin E suffered slightly more cases of prostate cancer and those on the selenium had slightly more diabetes. No proof was shown however.
Here’s the rub. The vitamin E used in this study was the synthetic form: dl-alpha tocopherol acetate. If you have this form, throw it out. Health professionals who read the medical and nutrition literature have known for many years this form of vitamin E is toxic and may lead to cancer. It should be off the market. But it’s cheap and it helps mar the image of supplements that threaten pharmaceutical company interests.
Naturally occurring vitamin E is structurally different from this synthetic form used in this study; it contains four different tocopherols and four tocotrienols, all playing roles in health and protecting against cancer. Synthetic vitamin E is thought to create a deficiency of natural vitamin E. Thousands of studies show that natural vitamin E protects against cancer and many even show how it does, in other words the mechanism of cancer prevention.
Thousands of studies also show selenium also protects against cancer and many other viruses. Other studies show selenium reduces risk of diabetes. Unfortunately in this study the dose used was so low, it was unlikely to have any effect. In addition, this group of men were likely using a statin to control blood cholesterol. Statins block the antioxidant activity of selenium, leading to a host of potential health problems. These patients should have been accounted for.
A similar thing happened with studies on beta-carotene. Carotenes work as a team. Use of synthetic beta-carotene alone can lead to deficiencies of other carotenes and thus increased risk of health problems, especially in those with compromised health to begin with.
Why would researchers make these kinds of mistakes? Or are these mistakes? Follow the money. Just as in finance, many government leaders also represent industry. The National Cancer Institute (NCI), a federally funded research and development center, played an early role in development of many cancer drugs – two thirds of drugs approved by the FDA by 1995 in fact. The NCI is in partnership with pharmaceutical companies in funding research. Why would drug companies want an inexpensive, nonpatentable cancer-fighting product out there? Natural vitamin E is bad for the drug business.
Topics: Vitamins, diets | 7 Comments »
Antidepressants Don’t Work
By Linda | October 11, 2008
Several clients have recently asked me about taking antidepressants to get through their financial nightmare. Some fear loss of their homes, others may lose their retirement savings. They are fearful and anxious, and want relief.
Nine of 10 people who attempt to discuss these feelings with their physicians get prescriptions for drugs. I guess it’s easier to send someone away with the hope of a cure in a pill rather than to address our feelings or discuss healthier solutions.
Although it may seem taking an antidepressant is a powerful way to escape emotional pain, it turns out sugar pills work as well or better than these drugs. That’s right, according to a report in the Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, a placebo works as well or better than drugs in alleviating depression.
Drug companies are required to conduct two trials showing success before they can market their product. It took five trials of Prozac before positive results were seen. Paxil and Zoloft required even more testing to show results.
On top of that, antidepressants are now so strongly linked with suicide, a warning is now required on product labels. They come with other side effects as well, like type 2 diabetes, fatigue and weight gain.
According to the Journal of the American Medical Association, more than 100,000 deaths per year result from properly prescribed meds. Other reports suggest double this number. Even more people die from overdose, drug interactions, or mistaken prescriptions. Why wouldn’t you want a natural and probably more effective remedy than a drug? Do you really need new health problems from drug?
While I can’t change your financial situation, I can offer you proven and effective natural tools to feel better and cope. Numerous studies show lifestyle and nutrition can be highly effective remedies for depression, fatigue and anxiety. Just a few ideas include:
Aerobic exercise
Omega-3 fats (fish or cod liver oils)
Sunlight
According to one study an hour of aerobic exercise reduces tension, anxiety, depression and fatigue. Sunlight on non-sun-screened skin is well-known to produce levels of vitamin D needed to stimulate brain catecholamines that stave off depression and anxiety. Fish oil, a concentrated source of omega 3 fat is used by Harvard Medical School to treat depression.
Other studies show being proactive helps cure depression. Plant a garden or pots on your patio with edible herbs, winter greens and carrots. Find a community garden plot. Stock your cupboards with inexpensive and nutritious grains, beans, peas and lentils. Learn to make hearty inexpensive slow cooked winter meals. See if your neighbor needs help.
More mood-boosting ideas are to come in my next Top Tips Newsletter, so be sure you are signed up.
Share your ideas here for keeping your spirits up during this financial crisis. Leave your comment below.
Topics: Drugs, Mood, Uncategorized | 10 Comments »
Insomnia, Disease and Obesity
By Linda | September 21, 2008
Are financial worries keeping you awake at night? Kids waking you up? Perhaps you never get a good night’s sleep.
I used to think, “Another sleepless night, no big deal; I’ll make up for it.” Not anymore. A sleepless night is about as destructive as a pile of greasy donuts. Repeat that several nights a week and you’re headed for serious health problems. I do all I can to sleep a full 8 hours.
The health risks of getting less than 8 hours sleep include impaired blood sugar metabolism, obesity, diabetes, and breast cancer. Sleep deprivation has a similar effect as aging on your body’s hormones and blood sugar. According to a 1999 study in The Lancet men’s blood sugar levels took 40% longer to drop following a high-carb meal when sleep deprived compared to when they slept 8 hours. All that sugar puts you at greater risk of heart disease, cancer and obesity. High cortisol and insulin resistance resulting from sleep deprivation are thought to be involved in age-related memory loss.
Studies show Americans averaged around 9 hours of sleep at night in the early 1900’s and 8 hours in the 1960’s. Today we average 6 to 6.7 hours sleep per night. Not enough for health. I know many of my clients get less than 6 hours.
Getting 5 hours of sleep a night? Your risk of obesity is 50% greater than if you got 8.
Sleeping just 6 hours? Your obesity risk goes up 23%.
Part of this has to do with increasing insulin levels, which promote fat storage; the other part is that sleep deprivation drives you to EAT.
Lack of sleep stimulates stomach levels of ghrelin, a chemical that spurs appetite, especially for sugary, greasy foods. It also suppresses blood levels of leptin, a protein that signals you to stop eating. This a double chemical dose that sabotages willpower.
Sleep deprivation upsets melatonin balance too, which can increase risk of breast cancer.
And then there’s the obvious: lack of sleep leaves you tired, spacey and prone to mistakes.
Need help sleeping? Here’s a few sleep tips; more to come in my next Top Nutrition Tips newsletter. Be sure to sign up on my web site if you haven’t already.
Tips for Better Sleep
Exercise or take a hot bath or sauna in the afternoon. As your body cools, sleep is induced.
Get to bed by 10pm. According to Ayurvedic medicine, that is when your body naturally shifts to sleep mode; wait later and you will be fighting a rising energy pattern.
Wear toasty socks or even heat your feet in the tub before bed. Cold feet can keep you awake.
Avoid or reduce alcohol. A small glass of wine might help put you to sleep, but much more and a low blood sugar crash will wake you up.
Avoid caffeine after noon. Caffeine can remain in blood for more than 7 hours.
Get rid of electro-smog. Wireless Internet, cordless phones, and electric clocks ALL create electro-magnetic fields that disrupt the pineal gland, interfere with melatonin and serotonin production and may lead to sleep disturbances.
Exercise aerobically daily. This helps normalize hormones and reduces stress chemicals that may be keeping you awake. Don’t exercise right before bed.
Establish a bedtime routine. Experiment with meditation, deep breathing, reading relaxing material or listening to music.
Share your best sleep strategy here.
Topics: Uncategorized | 14 Comments »