ARGAN OIL…THE NEXT BEST THING!

Q I heard somewhere that argan oil is supposed to be the “next” best thing. Have you heard anything about it?
Carmela W.

A. Argan Oil also known as Moroccan Oil (comes only from Morocco) has actually been around for centuries. Moroccan “Berber” women have been using it for just about everything in, on, and all over their bodies. Agan Oil is finding new popularity as a healthy emulsifying agent in modern, top end body care products such as facial serums, shampoos and conditioners. Its popularity as a “super” moisturizer seems to be because of its high levels of poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Argan Oil is very labor intensive to extract from the argan tree (nuts) source. When extracted by hand, this “liquid Gold” can take up to 3 days to process even a small batch. 

Numerous studies have been published on Argan Oil and its internal properties and uses. These studies range from its ability to lower blood pressure and blood sugar (insulin) levels to its possibly having a strong anti-carcinogen (anti cancer) property. 

Argan Oil is sold in various sizes in select health food stores and online. There are no known toxicity levels for Argan Oil. Dosing seems to range from 15 to 30 grams (1 – 2 tablespoons) of uncooked Argan Oil daily. 
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

AYURVEDA…HERBS FROM INDIA THAT WORK!

Q    What do you know about Ayurvedic nutrition?  I've been hearing and seeing a lot about it lately.

Sharon W.

A.  For centuries every geographical region of the world has developed its own style and combinations of herbal medicine.  The study of AYURVEDA  (literally meaning “the science of eight”) is India’s application of the herbs available to that region splashed with a heavy dose of regional mysticism derived from beliefs in Hinduism and Buddhism.

Most health food stores now carry a line of top selling Ayurvedic herbal supplements.  These ingredients can also be found in various HBC (health & beauty Care) and household departments. 

One area in which Ayurvedic herbs have been especially effective is anti-inflammatory substances.  Herbs such as TURMERIC (aka. curcumin, a natural cox-2 inhibitor), BOSWELLIA (suppresses inflammatory enzymes) and HOLY BASIL (increases immune response) have been consistent best sellers. 

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.

CHEWABLE…SPRAYABLE….INTRA-NASAL VITAMINS?

Q Are the chewable multivites. as good as a regular multivitamin pill?
Nancy S.


A. About ten years ago many supplement manufacturers began expanding their multi vitamin lines. These manufacturers didn't want to mess with their patented nutrient blends so the only way they could turn was to get creative with their delivery systems. All of the sudden we began to see chewable, spray (atomizer) even intra-nasal multi vitamins.

While all of these new applications were great, without exception…they all had one big flaw; what worked great for vitamins, didn't work so great for minerals. Most vitamins have nearly no taste. Not so with minerals. Raw minerals have a heavy, earthy taste and leave an unpleasant, lingering aftertaste. Without compromising their “natural” status these manufacturers resorted to marketing these new delivery systems as MULTI-VITAMINS not MULTI-VITAMIN AND MINERAL supplements. To this day, these creative nutritional supplements have very little or no mineral content.

Many main stream supplement manufacturers have jumped on the “chewable” band wagon. Having said this…watch out for quality compromises such as artificial sweeteners, food coloring's, and negligible potencies as well as low or no mineral content. Adult chewable multivitamin AND mineral supplements can be found. Check your local health food store for quality name brands.

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.

AMV - FOSSILIZED ALGAE FOR KILLING BUGS

FOSSILIZED ALGAE FOR KILLING BUGS?          

Q Do you know where to buy food-grade diatomaceous earth?
Dawn S.

A. Diatomaceous Earth was always a substance the many customers were surprised to discover that any health food store would carry. That is…if they knew what it was in the first place. Diatomaceous Earth (D.E.) is actually fossilized algae (diatom) that has been ground into a very fine powder.

Many years ago it was discovered that D.E. was very efficient and non toxic as a pesticide for killing fleas. This fine powder would lodge in the flea’s respiratory system therefore rendering them unable to breath. D.E. was also determined safe for “limited” human and household pet consumption. Our stores did have the occasional customer who would buy D.E. to mix in with their stored beans and seeds to kill any bug infestation that may occur.

In recent years there has been a growing usage of D.E. as an internal cleansing or detoxifying agent in humans for parasitic infestation within the intestines. It is also believed that due to high mineral and trace mineral levels, D.E. may help with high blood pressure, improve skin tone, strengthening the tendons and joints.

D.E. in various sizes has been available in many larger health food stores (pet section), feed stores and even “big box stores” such as Home Depot and WalMart.
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.

40 QUICK HEALTHY SNACKS....

1. Nuts
2. Trail mix: Mix dried fruit, nuts, seeds, and a handful of real dark chocolate chips
3. Fresh fruit: Whatever deliciousness is in season – our selection this week is apples, oranges, and strawberries
4. Dried Fruit: Raisins, dried berries, dried apple slices
5. Salad: If your veggies are pre-washed you can put this together very quickly. As well, salad can be preassembled. Simply add protein and dressing at serving time.
6. Veggies: carrots, radishes, sugar snap peas, celery, peppers, cucumbers, and cherry tomatoes
7. Steamed veggies: Top them with cheese or chopped hard-boiled eggs
8. Eggs: Nature’s fastest protein – boil, scramble, poach or fry – eggs make a great topper for other “fast foods”
9. Yogurt Parfait: Top your homemade yogurt with fruit and granola
10. Leftovers
11. Cheese: Opt for a healthy version without additives and artificial colors
12. Smoothies: Throw fruits, veggies, yogurt and your milk of choice into the blender. Add a little pure vanilla and some honey. We like to freeze fruit for this purpose to make a rich thick shake.
13. Homemade granola cookies: Recipe HERE (you can make them into granola bar shapes if you want to)
14. No-bake haystack cookies: Recipe HERE
15. Hummus: Serve the dip with veggie sticks, homemade crackers, or tortillas : Try topping it with homemade granola and vanilla yogurt for a quick no-cook “apple crisp”
16. Chocolate Milk: Directions HERE
17. Apples with natural peanut butter
18. Frozen Yogurt Berries: Toss well-washed berries in homemade vanilla yogurt. Place them on a baking sheet in the freezer for at least 2 hours for a cold, healthy treat
19. Popcorn
20. Edamame
21. Pancakes or Waffles: Top with fruit for a nutrition boost
22. Couscous: This speedy grain only requires the addition of boiling water or broth. Let it sit for 5 minutes, covered, and you have an instant hearty side dish. Add some steamed veggies and lean protein to turn it into a one dish meal
23. Cottage cheese: Top homemade cottage cheese with fresh fruit
24. Home-canned food: Meals like chili, soup, and spaghetti sauce can be pressure canned at home for a delicious healthy “fast food meal”
25. Fruit Salad: Top it with nuts and a honey-sweetened yogurt for a protein boost
26. Dill Pickles: Home-canned, of course
27. Ants-on-a-log: Celery sticks stuffed with natural peanut butter then topped with raisins
28. Quick Greek Salad: Chopped cucumber, peppers and cherry tomatoes with feta cheese and vinaigrette
29. Homemade Fruitsicles: Puree fruit that is overripe, then freeze it in popsicle forms – strawberry-banana is a favorite combo here
30. Guacamole
31. Savory snack mix: Popcorn and nuts sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and spices
32. Tzatziki: This yummy Greek garlic and yogurt dip is a satisfying snack with homemade crackers or veggies
33. Medjool dates and almonds
34. Frozen grapes
35. Homemade gazpacho: Puree tomatoes, peppers, onions, jalapenos, and other seasonal veggies. Keep in the fridge and serve cold.
36. Quick Banana Nut Cookies: Mash 2 overripe bananas well. Stir in 1 cup of steel-cut oats and 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
37. Latte: Make a delicious latte with a homemade creamer
38. Mexican Black Bean Salad: (you can use a can of rinsed organic black beans or beans that you cooked yourself previously) 1 cup of black beans, 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes, 1/2 cup of chopped bell peppers, some fresh cilantro, and lemon juice
39. Green Apple Salad: Chopped green apple, red grapes, and walnuts sprinkled with a dressing made from honey, lemon juice and cinnamon
40. Avocado with sunflower seeds sprinkled on top.

Compiled and written by Daisy Luther.

AMV

PRENATAL VITAMINS…AN INSURANCE POLICY!

Q What is the best prenatal vitamin to take? Where can I buy them? Most importantly briefly tell us why these are better for us and the baby.
Ashley R.

A. Several decades ago it was shown that when moms to be took higher doses of the B-vitamin Folic Acid the incidences of neural tube defects went down drastically. This led to nutritional supplement manufacturers scrambling to make a multi vitamin for new moms called prenatal vitamins. By taking a prenatal it insures the new mom that all of the basic nutritional bases for her and the baby’s health are covered. Kind of like a prenatal insurance policy.

Prenatal vitamins are primarily standard potency, multi vitamin and mineral formulas that have had more Folic Acid, Iron and Calcium injected into the recipe. The following are several thoughts about prenatal vitamins:

1. Taking a prenatal vitamin is not a substitute for healthy, responsible and clean prenatal eating. High protein, high fiber, good fats, plenty of water, gobs of fresh fruits and veggies and minimal sugar should be your prenatal dietary goal.

2. Try to find a prenatal that is manufactured using mostly “whole food” sources. Several reliable manufacturers would be RAINBOW LIGHT, MEGA FOOD, NEW CHAPTER.

3. The term “best” all depends on the individual mom’s needs. To some new moms best means “easy to swallow” or maybe “only one pill-a-day”. The manufacturers shown above are in my opinion the “best” in nutrient quality and consistency.

4. If you plan on nursing, continue to take your prenatal completely through the nursing phase. Those nutrients and micro-elements will permeate your breast milk. There is evidence showing that this may help the baby’s immune response and brain development.

5. Prenatal vitamins can now be purchased in tablet, capsule, liquid and even powder form. Try to purchase whichever form you can best tolerate.

These top quality prenatal brands can be found in most health food stores and online retailers. Oh yea…and most important CONGRATULATIONS! Believe it or not…you will survive.

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.

HOMEOPATHY…LIKE-CURES-LIKE…SERIOUSLY?

Q What is your take on homeopathy? Do you think it really works? If so, why isn’t my Dr. recommending it to patients (me)? 
Calvin J.

A. Homeopathy is the science of LIKE cures LIKE. In other words, to cure a disease one must infuse a minute substance of that same disease into the body. This in turn causes the bodies natural healing properties to kick in. Homeopathy began hundreds of years ago in Europe but has never taken a mainstream foot hold in the U.S. Most likely this is due to lack of funding for long term research and development.

Here is the rub…homeopathic pathogens or substances are micro-diluted to the point of possessing almost no original substance. This dilution can be to the “millionth” degree. This goes counter intuitive against most all American belief that more is always better. The homeopathy belief is this; the greater the dilution…the greater the possible healing property.

Homeopathy seems to have reasonable success on its side. In my opinion homeopathy is most effective on minor (not multi-faceted) medical issues such as the common cold, stomach gas, skin rash etc. Where homeopathy seems to loose traction is in treating complex physiological disorders such as cancer, A.I.D.s etc.

Today’s family physician has had virtually no homeopathic training. Most Dr.’s that I have talked to would not be against it, they just simply don’t know anything about it. They need training and proof of viable research. Ironically, our nation’s mass inoculations against mumps, chicken pox etc. is all based on the homeopathic belief of “Like” cures “Like”.

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.

AMV-SCHOOLS ARE GERM FACTORIES…ANYTHING TO BOOST CHILD’S IMMUNITY?

  

SCHOOLS ARE GERM FACTORIES…ANYTHING TO BOOST CHILD’S IMMUNITY?

Q I am dreading sending my kid back to that germ factory called school. Every year he comes home after the first week of school with a bad cold. Is there anything I can give him to build up his immune system?
Patricia T.

A. There are many products within the “natural” world that claim to boost the immune system. Over the years I have learned that some seem to work while others aren't worth the shelf space. The following are two products I have found that, when taken consistently seem to work well maintaining immune response:

1. ALACER EMERGEN-C KIDZ…Each tear open packet contains a whopping 250 mg of vitamin C, antioxidants, B vitamins, and electrolytes. It tastes great too.

2. BURIED TREASURE PREVENTION A.C.F. Immune Support…This is an adult, liquid herbal and nutrient formula. It can be watered down for child intake by mixing with water or juice.

If your child has a cold and you are trying to lessen the effects or shorten the duration the following two natural brands have a history of working well:

1. HYLAND’S 4KIDS COLD’N COUGH…Herbal and homeopathic based liquid child’s formula. It offers safe and effective symptom relief of sneezing, sore throat and congestion.

2. BURIED TREASURE CHILDREN’S A.C.F….This stands for Acute Cold and Flu and this liquid formula combines high quality herbs and nutrients to support a healthy immune system, creating a potent fast-acting formula for the cold and flu season. I am dreading sending my kid back to that germ factory called school. Every year he comes home after the first week of school with a bad cold. Is there anything I can give him to build up his immune system?


Please keep this in mind…sometimes a bad cold can be a good thing. I know they are not fun but for every cold your child gets, his immune system is bolstered or inoculated against that same infection for the rest of his life. This is the time of their lives when they are supposed to get these kinds of infections to keep them safer and healthier throughout adulthood.

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.

  

SEAWEED…FOR THYROID DISORDER?

Q. I’ve been diagnosed as having a sluggish thyroid or hypothyroid disorder. My Dr. wants me to start taking more iodine. He wants me to start taking a prescription iodine pill. Any “natural” suggestions?
Colleen P. 

A. Taking concentrated, supplemental iodine can be tricky. Too much iodine can trigger a worsening of your thyroid condition. The wrong kind of iodine could cause further thyroid damage. Before you take the prescription pill, I would recommend starting with a natural form of o.t.c. (over the counter) iodine. Your body will most likely handle it more efficiently.

Natural based iodine, usually derived from kelp (seaweed) may be safer and preferable. This kelp based iodine is usually bonded with its naturally occurring, essential trace mineral compounds to ensure proper and safe assimilation. The purest kelp is found in the North Atlantic regions. Most o.t.c. supplements will disclose this point of origin as a selling point. North Atlantic Kelp can be found in tablets, capsules, liquid and powder. There are even some versions of Sea Salt which have more kelp added to them.

I would also recommend balancing this kelp off with a “Thyroid Support” formula. These formulas are usually nutrients, amino acids and glandulars blended together to re-build or re-establish proper thyroid function.

It takes time to re-build thyroid function. It won’t happen over night but stick with it. Keep your Dr. in the loop and make sure you are properly monitored during this period.

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.