DAD REEKS OF GARLIC!
Q. My dad always had to have a clove of garlic every day. For most of my childhood I remember my dad absolutely reeking of garlic. I see garlic tablets on the store shelves. Is this a better way to get the benefits of garlic?
Brian P.
A. Allicin is the active compound in garlic that has all of the health benefits. Unfortunately (or fortunately…it depends on who you ask) the allicin is chemically bound with sulfur compounds which cause the odor. When taken in excess this odor can emit through your skin pores. When this happens…vampires aren't the only creatures that will keep their distance. Garlic tablets or capsules can be deodorized but be careful…not all of them are. Below are a couple of companies that manufacture “high” allicin garlic caps. without the odor.
1. KYOLIC Garlic caps….Kyolic uses a patented aging method to completely deodorize their raw material garlic. They can do this while still maintaining the maximum allicin content. Their garlic caps. come in a variety of formulas.
2. ALLI-ULTRA AC-23….AlliUltra uses a split clove, crushing process to retain the maximum allicin content. They then filter the raw garlic through a temp. controlled extraction process. They stress that no chemical solvents are used in their manufacturing process.
You CAN get the health benefits from garlic without reeking of it all day long. Just be sure the caps have a high allicin content and no odor.
AMV
FORGET “TOFU” HOT DOGS!
Q. The 4th of July holiday is coming up soon and I’m trying to come up with some healthier alternatives to the usual hamburgers and hot dogs. Any suggestions?
Heidi B.
A. Natural food stores are absolutely full of healthy alternatives to the usual holiday fare. Forget “tofu” hot dogs (unless your one of the few who like them) and try some delicious chicken or turkey meat hot dogs. The flavor and mouth feel is almost exactly like beef hot dogs. Or for a vegetarian choice, how about “Veggie” Dogs from Morning Star Farms? These are remarkably robust and full flavored hot dog alternatives. On the burger side you will want to try Organic Sunshine South West Veggie Burgers. From black bean to eggplant, these are all vegetarian burgers and yet have their own full flavor and zestiness. None of the above will disappoint your holiday beef eaters.
In many well stocked natural food stores you will even find higher quality red meats, fish and chicken. For excellent quality, uncured, all beef hot dogs try Applegate Farms. Or, for an extremely lean red meat burger, try bison or buffalo burgers.
Whichever you choose, have a happy and healthy holiday.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
NATURAL...JOINT PAIN RELIEF!
Q. 10 years ago I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. No way I can work out (I can barely walk) and I take anti-inflammatory meds. every day. Now they (doctors) say I may be developing heart disease. I hate to take all of these meds. Any natural stuff you can recommend?
Catherine P.
A. The bio-mechanics behind rheumatoid arthritis are very different than "osteo" arthritis.
Osteo arthritis is a thinning or breakdown of the protective joint cartilage. This is usually due to over-use or abuse. Remember those heavy power squats you used to do as a kid? I'll bet it feels very different trying to do those same squats in your 50's.
Rheumatoid arthritis is also a breakdown of joint tissue but the reason has more to do with an over active immune system which is attacking its own body components. Along with this comes seemingly rampant inflammation. There is no known cure for rheumatoid arthritis. The following recommendations are meant to compliment and focus and an alternative therapy.
OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDS...Seems to help your body produce less inflammatory chemicals in the bloodstream. Omega-3 may also help your heart issues.
BOSWELLIA...An Ayurvedic (Indian) herb which has been shown to be a dominant anti-inflammatory substance. Boswellia may be easier on your stomach than chemical (drug) anti-inflammatory.
DEVILS CLAW...Recent study shows this herb to be as effective as Vioxx in reducing pain from inflammation.
Some of these herbs can be found in formulation or combination as an OTC (over the counter) arthritis formula at your health food store or on-line supplement retailer.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
AGE OLD DEBATE...BUTTER vs. MARGARINE!!
Q Margarine or butter? Which do you think is healthier?
Shelby T.
A. No question about it, I would always opt for a natural, healthy, full dairy BUTTER over any margarine. Several reasons behind this statement:
1. BUTTER IS RICH IN HEALTHY FATS: For many years we were led to believe that high fat diets promoted tumor growth. Now we know that it’s not the high-fat diet, but the kind of fats in that diet. A diet high in the wrong kinds of fats promotes tumor growth. A diet high in the right kinds of fats deters cancer growth.
2. BUTTER PROTECTS AGAINST ARTHRITIS: Dutch researcher Wulzen found that it [raw butter fat] protects against calcification of the joints — degenerative arthritis — as well as hardening of the arteries, cataracts and calcification of the pineal gland.
3. BUTTER IS A BRAIN FOOD: That’s because our brains and nervous systems need cholesterol to develop properly. While the brain can make its own cholesterol, it also pulls cholesterol from the blood plasma (which comes from your diet) when it needs more (source). Our brains are over 65% fat. The protective coating on your neurons — called myelin — is also high in fat, measuring at 70%. One of the most common fatty acids in myelin is oleic acid. Natural butter is rich in oleic acid.
Remember, margarine is an engineered food. Most margarine brands are full of chemicals and food coloring.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
FOR MLM COMPANY…YOU ARE THE MEAL TICKET!
Q. My daughter-in-law has just signed up to sell H_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (multi-level marketing) line of vitamins. What do you think of these brands that are sold this way? Are they as good as the brands I see in the stores?
Kerry L
A. Most of the brands that are marketed and sold through multi-level marketing (MLM) companies are usually excellent quality. It’s too bad that this quality is irrelevant due to the business structure. I’ll mention several areas where MLM companies may cause frustration.
The first thing to keep in mind is the way it is sold. In a neighborhood store and even web site, your customers are in need of something specific, THEY come to you. In a multi-level marketing business YOU have to go out and find the customers. The pyramid or multi-level marketing business model teaches most of its members how to market and (in theory) grow their business by constantly trying to sell to their family, friends and work mates. In other words, everybody you know becomes a potential customer. I don't know about you, but these folks drive me nuts. I want you to see me as a friend or family member...not as a meal ticket.
The second problem I have with MLM businesses is the fact that your true motivation as a member is...not necessarily to understand and sell the product...but to sign up new members under your down-line. The product will sell only as members place personal orders. On the surface this seems ok, however time and energy spent learning product knowledge is sacrificed for “growing the down-line”.
Thirdly, the MLM’s wholesale (dealers cost) price to you…is not really wholesale or at cost. The MLM business structure has to support a higher distribution price. Therefore the product price they claim as “wholesale” is actually at full retail. Specials and close-out prices can happen but usually not with the frequency of actual retail stores.
Bottom line; MLM’s quality is usually very good. Their promises of “down-line” checks arriving in the mail are actually few and far between if ever a reality. The work and determination required to advance in an MLM company is usually far harder than most members realize.
AMV
*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
