ECZEMA CURES FROM “GOOD BUGS”?

 

Q.    Are there any natural cures for eczema?

Ross E.

A.  Skin disorders such as eczema are some of the toughest to deal with either naturally or allopathically (standard medicines).  The primary reason being, there can be so many variables causing the disorder.  Eczema for instance can be caused by anything from a genetic predisposition or all the way to a medication side effect…with many variables in between.  However there are some well documented “natural” applications which may help and even cure stubborn cases of eczema.

1.  OMEGA 3, 6, and 9 CAPSULES:  Eczema can be caused be a fatty acid deficiency in your diet.  Fatty acids can reduce inflammation and relieve dryness.  There is evidence showing that these fatty acids may help heal you from eczema.

2.  PROBIOTICS:  AKA good bacteria (or good bugs) have been shown to beat eczema outbreaks in infants.  If your eczema is food allergen based then adding this supplement may be the single most important step to take.

3.  OOLONG TEA:  The National Eczema Association posted a recent study the Shiga Univ. of Medical Science showing that a 10 gm. tea bag dunked in boiling water for 5 min. (one to two cups daily) had a marked difference in 64% of the test group.  The tea bag, after steeping can also be applied topically for even more effectiveness.

There are many more lifestyle modifications such as, mixing coconut oil with pure Vitamin E and applying topically to staying away from all dairy.  Start with suggestions and above all…maintain consistency.  All of the above mentioned products can be found at your local health food store or online 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.

COFFEE GROUNDS...WE'RE TRASHING THE BEST PART! 
 


Coffee is currently in the crosshairs of a lot of scientists as they have come to realize that coffee, particularly coffee grounds, contains a lot of antioxidants that could be harnessed and placed into supplements. It is estimated that about 20 million tons of coffee grounds are used in a year as millions of people consume many cups of coffee daily. This beverage is said to be very rich in nutrients and even after coffee grounds have been used, they retain a big amount of the nutrients found in coffee. This is why scientists, as reported in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, are trying to come up with a machine that could help them use coffee grounds in supplements.

Benefits of coffee consumption:
There have been studies that showed that moderate coffee drinking actually has a lot of benefits. In the past, a lot of medical experts say that coffee drinking actually increases a person's chances of suffering from diabetes, ulcers, or any other ailment. One study that was published back in April 2012 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed that moderate coffee drinking may actually help reduce a person's risk of developing Diabetes Mellitus TypeII. The more cups a person drinks over time, the more the body is able to fight the onset of this illness.

Other benefits of coffee consumption include decreasing the risk of suffering from Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's, liver and kidney cancer, heart rhythm problems, and a lot more.

Coffee grounds should not be wasted:
Coffee grounds contain a lot of antioxidants even when they have been used already. This is why a lot of gardeners have stocks on hand because they have seen how their gardens flourish when they have coffee grounds in their soil. It is not surprising that scientists are finding ways for these grounds not to be sent to the garbage bin, but instead, turned into something more beneficial for the body.

Coffee grounds are currently used as mulch, fertilizer, and a lot of other things. If the soil could make use of its goodness, scientists are saying that people could also make use of them. It is not surprising if in the coming years, there are already supplements that make use of the nutrients that are derived from the grounds. There are even chances that people could already get the health benefits from coffee even without having to drink coffee.

Coffee grounds other benefits:
Coffee grounds have other uses too. They make great body scrubs, especially when mixed with olive oil and brown sugar. People see that their skin becomes a lot healthier and gives a natural glow. The hair, if it needs a little boost, could also benefit from a coffee ground scrub.

Sources:
http://www.doctorshealthpress.com
http://www.doctorshealthpress.com
http://newhope360.com

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/039052_coffee_grounds_supplements_antioxidants.html#ixzz2Kk0edSB8

THE WONDER OF THE…RADISH…SERIOUSLY!? 

 

Q.    Since discontinuing hormone therapy 6 years ago I have been experiencing hot flashes and have been looking for an herbal replacement that works.  Upon reading your article about radishes I was wondering, would eating radishes help?  My nephew has ALS.  Would juicing radishes help the phlegm that builds up and causes him to choke?

Pat W.

A.  A few months ago I wrote an article to be published about the largely forgotten…but powerful radish.  The nutritional benefits of the radish seem to have fallen between the cracks…or maybe rolled off of the horsd’oeuvre table.  Either way, the radish is a great finger food or salad ingredient that really packs a nutritional punch.

As mentioned in the article, radishes pungent taste and natural spice can break up excess mucus within our throats and esophagus.  This is especially helpful for those suffering with chronic allergies and sinus infections or in your nephew’s case dealing with the side effects of ALS.  Juicing the radish in a carrot base would be preferable as plain radish juice would most likely be too pungent.

Yes, eating radishes can also help menopausal hot flashes.  In an ironic sort of way, many “heat” producing foods such as cayenne pepper and radishes can actually have a metabolic cooling effect.  Many Far Eastern food beliefs center on a certain foods ability to disperse internal heat.  The radish’s pungent spiciness is a perfect example of a foods internal “heat” causing our own bodies to become cooler.  For other helpful menopausal relief herbs try black cohosh and vitex.  These can be found individually or in combination at your health food store or online retailer.

The above mentioned radish article can be found in its entirety at:

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7148259311141027949#editor/target=post;postID=3229875907516047821;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=0;src=postname

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.

  

THE HUMBLE “BUT POWERFUL” RADISH  

My family has owned and operated a chain of natural food stores for many years.  Unlike most small mom and pop health food stores we always gave great importance and priority to our fresh produce departments.  My theory was this; if your produce looks tired and stale…the rest of your store will look the same.  However the opposite is also true; if your produce department looks creative and fresh…the rest of your store will also mirror that image.  The one produce item I always looked for in a well stocked rack of produce greens was bunches of radishes.  These round, bundles of brightly colored orbs always made the produce section visually pop.  What many of us don’t realize is that the humble radish is not only tasty but it is actually a nutritional dynamo.  

Mention of the cruciferous radish fist appears in European litterateur just prior to the Roman conquests.  Radishes are very easy to grow in a variety of soils and climates and therefore have been a favorite of gardeners for centuries.  The radish’s unique combination of crunchiness and mild spice has made it a year round favorite for those trying to spice up a stew, stir fry or salad.  These days we are probably more likely to find a pile of radishes left on the raw veggie tray sitting next to the ranch dipping dressing.  All of the other veggies have been picked through and devoured but there sits the poor, misunderstood pile of radishes.   As a food consuming society we seem to have forgotten the power of the radish.  Here are ten reasons to start eating your radishes:

1.  HIGH NUTRIENT, LOW CALORIE

Radishes bulbs are naturally high in vitamin C, B vitamins, have no fat and extremely low calorie content. Ironically the highest vitamin C and antioxidant content can be found in the leaves and stems.  These first need to be thoroughly cleaned and juiced to extract the nutrients.

 2.  ANTI VIRAL PROPERTIES

With relatively high levels of naturally occurring nutrients, eating your radishes can boost your body’s immune response to ward off certain viral infections.

3.  NATURAL THROAT LOZENGE

The radishes pungent taste and natural spice can break up excess mucus within our throats and esophagus.  This is especially helpful for those suffering with chronic allergies and sinus infections.

4.   METABOLIC COOLING

Many Far Eastern food beliefs center on a certain foods ability to disperse internal heat.  The radish’s pungent spiciness is a perfect example of a foods internal “heat” causing our own bodies to become cooler.

5.  DIGESTIVE AID

Having no fat, natural fiber and internal moisture (water), the radish is an ideal food to push other foods through our digestive track.

6.  ANTI-CANCER

The radish, being in the same cruciferous food group as broccoli, cabbage, brussel sprouts etc. has high naturally occurring levels of known and proven anti-cancer micro-nutrients.

7.  HELPS KIDNEY FUNCTION

The radish is a known diuretic.  That is, your body’s stored fluid waste is more efficiently flushed through the kidney.  This in turn causes you to urinate more frequently flushing the waste out of the kidney.

8.  ANTI INFLAMMATORY

Radishes have very specific set of bioflavonoids (anthocyanins) which have been shown to (among other things) decrease disease causing inflammation throughout our bodies.

9.  HELPS GALLBLADDER AND LIVER

Radishes have been shown to rid the body of excess bilirubin from the blood.  Those of us who like to take the occasional (alcohol) nip would do good to balance it off with a few radishes.

10.  FIGHTS LEUCODERMA & VITILIGO

This is a disorder which causes skin pigment to lighten.  Due to its relatively high antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties, radishes have been used for this skin therapy.

Adding juiced radishes to your morning or afternoon veggie juice pick-me-up is another way to enjoy their benefits.  Radish sprouts carry similar nutrient properties and benefits as the full grown radish.  So, go ahead.  Buy a fresh bunch of radishes and sink your teeth into their succulent and spicy meat.  Enjoy and stay healthy.

VITAMIN D-3…DO I NEED IT?

Q.    Why do I need to take Vitamin D?  For years I heard too much of it was a bad thing.  Now, from what I read, I can’t get enough! 

Joseph P.

A.  Vitamin D (specifically D-3) is the only vitamin the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB).  Yet with today’s indoor living and the extensive use of sunscreens due to concern about skin cancer, we are now a society with millions of folks deficient in life-sustaining, bone building and immune modulating vitamin D-3. 

For more than a century, scientists have recognized that vitamin D-3 is involved in supporting bone health.  Research has continued to accumulate, documenting D-3’s role in reduction of the risk of fractures to a significant degree.  The latest research, however, shows that a vitamin D-3 deficiency is linked to a surprising number of other health conditions.  These conditions could include depression, back pain, cancer, both insulin resistance and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, impaired immunity and macular degeneration.

You are correct, for years we were told that vitamin D was essentially the same as the other fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A, D, E & K) and to be careful not to overdose.  Due to modern technological research, this recommendation has changed.  Vitamin D-3 research has shown that most of us need from 1000 to 5000 units of the nutrient daily for “optimal” health.

Vitamin D-3 (at the above recommended dosages) is available at most health food stores, drug stores and online retailers.  D-3 is also available in a variety of forms ranging from capsules to sub-lingual spray bottles.

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.

 

STRONTIUM…SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FROM COMICS?

Q.    My Doc. says that I have inherited my Mom’s brittle bone disease.  I figured he would want me to take more or better calcium but instead he wants me to take strontium.  What the heck is strontium?  Is it safe?  Where do I get it?

Cindy L.

A.  The name STRONTIUM sounds like something from the super hero comics.  In truth, strontium seldom gets the press that calcium does but may be just as vital to your bone tinsel strength.  Recent research is showing that strontium may be the “missing link” when combined with calcium for bone strength and health.  As a result of this research more and more manufacturers are including strontium in their nutritional bone formulas. 

Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral present in water and food.  The influence of strontium on bone metabolism has been researched since the 1950’s.  This research has shown that strontium has an affinity for bone and is taken up at the bone matrix crystal surface.    Studies also show that strontium positively affects bone metabolism by promoting bone formation and a marked decrease in bone re-sorption, leading to normalized bone density.

Most supplement manufacturers are combining strontium citrate along with their calcium.  Strontium citrate is also a naturally occurring compound supplying stable strontium that is safe and suitable for consumption as a dietary supplement.

Strontium can be purchased in supplement form either alone or in combination.   These formulas are available in most health food stores or online retailers.  

 

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.

 

DOES ZINC CURE THE COMMON COLD?

Q.    Does Zinc really help a cold or boost your immune system? If so what kind and how much?

Cheryl S.

A.  This year over 62 million of us will get sick with a cold.  80 percent of those will be school age children.  Back in the late 1980’s it was discovered partly by accident that one specific form of zinc…ZINC GLUCONATE was able to surround and destroy 9 out of 10 rhino viruses.  Vitamin supplement manufacturers ran with this research and created supplements such as Cold-Ez , Cold-B-gone etc.  Since their main market was kids, they had to provide the zinc using a “kid friendly” delivery system.  By the early 1990’s zinc gluconate LOZENGES were everywhere.

A 2011 research report from the Cochrane Collaboration (the most extensive research on zinc gluconate to date) revealed the following: 

1.  Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people.

2.  When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children.

3.  There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects.

I do believe zinc lozenges work to increase your immune response and ward off infection.  The only problem I have found is trying to find one that doesn't leave a metallic taste in my mouth.

 

If you already have an infection, I would recommend 3 lozenges per day, take one every 4 hours.  As a preventative I would suggest 1 lozenge every other day.  Don’t maintain a high dosage for an extended period of time as too much zinc can cause an imbalance in other minerals.

Most zinc lozenges are running from 100 to 200 mg. per lozenge and can be purchased from any health food store, drug store or online 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.