(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We are always encouraging you to drink lots of water but the quality of that water can have a good or a bad impact on your health. While many in the Western world are lucky to have access to “safe from disease” water, when it comes straight from the tap there can still be many dangerous contaminants in your drinking water –  including chlorine and fluoride.

As well as more than 2,100 known chemical toxins present in USA tap water, many municipalities transport their water in ancient, corroded pipes, leading to the leaching of toxic heavy metals into the water after it has been treated.

But bottled water is not the answer

Although useful in emergency situations, many bottled brands are no different than filtered tap water and their impact on the environment is huge.

Obviously if you have access to fresh spring water, you are set up for the perfect solution but this is a luxury available to very few. Even “well water” may require some form of treatment.

What is a an affordable all-round option for most homes?

Investing in a high quality home water filter is probably the most practical and affordable solution but as there are many types of water filtration systems (of which most will not effectively remove most chemicals) it is important to do a bit of research before buying one.

One suggestion is reverse osmosis water filters specifically designed to effectively remove fluoride and other contaminants. They will remove chemicals like fluoride, chlorine and even radioactive water contaminants. Budget is paramount and depending on the amount you can afford, you can install these filters in your home on individual faucets or you can spend more and have a whole house filtration system. Suggestions for individual filters include Pure Water Freedom while a whole house filtration system could be Aquasana. The latter means that even the water that comes out of your shower and is used by your washing machine will also be filtered.

Another suggestion is to use carbon-combination filters, using a “selective filtration” process rather than a mechanical one. This advanced technology helps remove harmful contaminants such as lead, but retains beneficial minerals including potassium and calcium. Such a system is available from mercola.com with an exclusive five stage dual cartridge system to remove contaminants based on their level of prevalence, eliminating the most competitive compounds first, such as chlorine and sediment, and allowing the latter stages to focus on the more difficult task of removing lead and synthetic chemicals. The patented dual filter system uses a combination of carbon filtration, ion-exchange and sub-micron filtration to produce great tasting, healthier water.

8 ways to enjoy your water

Even when you have managed to make your water as pure and filtered as possible, there are still those who do not like the taste of water (my husband included!). Fortunately there are many recipes for making delicious, healthy water-based drinks for everyone to enjoy.

These suggestions are all simple to make – just leave your container in the refrigerator overnight before serving for the best possible taste.

1. Lemon and cucumber: mix 10 cups of water + 1 cucumber and a lemon, thinly sliced + 1/4 cup fresh finely chopped basil leaf + 1/3 of finely chopped fresh mint leaves.

2. Strawberry and lime / or raspberry and lime: mix 10 cups of water + 6 strawberries/raspberries and one thinly sliced lime + 12 finely chopped fresh mint leaves.

3. Fennel and citrus: infuse 1 to 3 grams of dried and crushed fennel in 150 ml of boiling water for 5-10 minutes. Allow to cool. Then mix in a pitcher: 10 cups of water + lemon juice (put the leftover lemon in the mix) + a small thinly sliced orange + 12 fresh chopped mint leaves + the infusion of fennel seeds.

4. Blackberry and sage: mix 10 cups of water + 1 cup of blackberries that have been very slightly crushed + 3 to 4 sage leaves.

5. Watermelon and rosemary: mix 10 cups of water + 1 cup of watermelon cut into cubes + 2 rosemary stems.

6. Pineapple and mint: mix 10 cups of water + 1 cup of pineapple cut into cubes + 12 fresh mint leaves finely chopped.

7. Apple and cinnamon: mix 10 cups of water + 1 cup of apple cut into cubes + 2 cinnamon sticks + 2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.

8. Ginger and tea: first 1 teaspoon of ginger in two cups of tea, let it cool down. Then mix 10 cups of water with two cups of the ginger tea + 4 to 5 pieces of fresh ginger cut into cubes.

How much water should you drink?

Drinking enough water is one of the most simple and fundamental health steps you can take. Use the color of your urine as a guide to how much water you should be drinking. As long as you are not taking riboflavin (vitamin B2 and found in most multi-vitamins) which turns your urine bright yellow, then your urine should be a very light-colored yellow. If it is a deep yellow then you are probably drinking insufficient water and could be dehydrated with symptoms like:

• Fatigue
• Dry skin
• Headaches 
• Constipation

Encourage your children – when they are still just babies – to develop an enjoyment and taste for water so that it becomes second nature to reach for a cup or glass of water instead of a soda. They will thank you for it later.

If headaches are a problem for you, always drink a large glass of water as the first step in their relief.

If the headaches persist, here is a natural headache remedy.

Sources:

http://www.mercola.com/nutritionplan/beginner_beverages.htm 

http://www.liveinthenow.com

Cymbopogon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This stalky, grassy plant with its lemony scent grows in many tropical or temperate climates, especially in Southeast-Asia, and is aptly named Lemon Grass. You can grow it elsewhere too – we had a prolific plant in our street garden in Cape Town and it grew so well, providing good cover and habitat for birds and chameleons, that we had to cut it back from time to time when it started to dwarf everything else in the garden.

A common ingredient in Thai cooking, lemon grass provides a zesty lemon flavor and aroma to many Thai dishes. It is also known as “fever grass” because it was used as a cholera and/or fever remedy in the traditional Ayurvedic medical treatments of India. In fact, lemon grass has become one of the ten best selling essential oils in the world – bought and used by culinary artists, aromatherapists and alternative medical practitioners alike.

Many grow this grass in their gardens (particularly in Asia) so that they can make use of its many health benefits – those essential oils, chemicals, minerals and vitamins that are known to have anti-oxidant and disease preventing properties.

Some of those great benefits

• Research conducted in 2010 at the National Defense Medical College in Japan found lemon grass to be a therapeutic treatment for inflammatory bowel disease – it has the ability to inhibit excessive production of leukocytes, a type of white blood cell, from reaching inflamed intestines. 
• Australian lemongrass is used by Aboriginal Australians as traditional medicine. A five-year study by a team at Griffith University in Australia confirmed that lemongrass is as good as aspirin for treating headaches, and it is also an effective migraine treatment. 
• The primary chemical component in lemongrass herb is citral or lemonal, an aldehyde responsible for its unique lemon odor but citral also has strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties.
• The leaves and stems are rich in folic acid – folates are important in cell division and DNA synthesis. When given during the peri-conception period, folic acid can help prevent neural tube defects in the baby. 
• Its herb parts are also rich in essential B vitamins as well as containing small amounts of vitamins C and A. Minerals too can be found such as potassium, zinc, calcium, iron, manganese, copper and magnesium. 

Use lemon grass for these home remedies

• For cleaning the liver, kidney, pancreas, digestive tract and the bladder while eliminating toxic substances and improving the digestive system. 
• For fever, coughs and colds. 
• To help lessen the effects of stress and pain while lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. 
• For gout, diarrhea and stomach ache, menstrual problems and as a natural acne treatment. 

If you are unable to grow your own supply in your garden, then fresh lemon grass stalks and leaf buds are generally available around the year from a herb or health store or an Asian market. Choose lemon grass leaves and stems with a fresh and lemon-like flavor plus a hint of rose fragrance. Avoid any leaves that are discolored, yellow or spotted. Wash the stems in clean cold water before air drying. Separate the leaves from the stem and if you are not going to use straight away, place lemon grass stems in a zip pouch, and keep separately in the refrigerator to prevent its flavor spreading to other foods. This herb can stray fresh for 2 to 3 weeks. You can even freeze them for several months at a time.

The easiest way to take lemon grass is by making a tea

Pound a 1 inch (2 cm) piece of lemon grass, put it in a cup and fill with boiling water. Leave it to brew for five minutes with an occasional stir before drinking.

We have been programmed into thinking that plenty of dairy in our diet is what we need for our calcium intake when in fact there are better and safer ways.

1. Almonds – these give you plenty of vitamin E, manganese  riboflavin and magnesium while being a great source of some of the B vitamins plus the all important calcium, iron and zinc.

2. Bok choy – This leafy vegetable is a good source of minerals, particularly calcium, phosphorous, potassium, manganese, iron and magnesium. Potassium is an important electrolyte in the cell and body fluids that helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. Iron is required for the red blood cell formation.

3. Broccoli - Excellent for anyone with high blood pressure and the threat of osteoporosis because broccoli is rich in potassium, magnesium and calcium. The presence of potassium helps maintain a healthy nervous system and optimal brain function, as well as aiding regular muscle growth.  With its high level of vitamin K, broccoli is very important for bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis.

4. Flax seeds – Walnuts and fish are excellent sources of omega-3s, but so are flax seeds. The omega-3s in flax seed can help reduce the inflammation that leads to conditions such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches and osteoporosis. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is one kind of omega-3s that is found in flax seeds, and this fat helps promote bone health.

5. Kale – If you can eat a diet rich in the powerful antioxidant vitamin K you can reduce the overall risk of developing or dying from cancer. Kale is rich in Vitamin K – often considered to be the forgotten vitamin, it is necessary for a wide variety of bodily functions, including normal blood clotting, antioxidant activity and bone health. Strengthening the composition of our bones, vitamin K also prevents calcium build-up in our tissue.

6. Mustard seeds – These are a rich source of health benefiting minerals. Calcium, manganese, copper, iron, selenium and zinc are some of the minerals especially concentrated in these seeds. Calcium helps build bone and teeth. 

7. Sesame seeds - Rich sources of many essential minerals especially calcium, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper which play a vital role in bone mineralization, red blood cell production, enzyme synthesis, hormone production as well as regulation of the cardiac and skeletal muscle activities. In particular, copper renders a reduction in swelling and pain associated with arthritis, providing benefits to the inflammatory systems. Magnesium offers relief to those suffering from asthma attacks while reducing migraines and lowering blood pressure. Calcium can help to reduce bone loss while preventing migraines.  Just a handful of sesame seeds a day will provide the recommended levels of phenolic antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein.

8. Spinach - This is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, magnesium, folate, manganese, iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B2, potassium and vitamin B6 while protein, phosphorus, vitamin E, zinc, copper, selenium, niacin, omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fiber are all to be found in this vegetable.

Include these 8 different foods in your diet regularly for stronger bones and increased calcium levels.

According to a Euro RSCG study by Havas Worldwide called ‘This Digital Life‘, half of the 7 213 surveyed participants believe they spent too much time online and not enough time enjoying life.

Are you one of those who always has a smart phone constantly in your hand, checking your emails and the latest updates on facebook and twitter? Are you concerned that you might be addicted or perhaps those around you might think so?

One poll of social media users found that

• 48% check Facebook/Twitter in bed, during the night or first thing in the morning.
• 56% need to check their Facebook daily,
• 7% would check a text message during sex!

According to Dr. Hallowell (MD) who is the author of ’CrazyBusy: Overbooked, Overstretched, and About to Snap!’, people who feel they simply must respond to every single email can work themselves into a frenetic state, leading to toxic stress, poor work performance and a breakdown of relationships with family and friends. We have all seen the signs of this.

Your health can definitely suffer

Spending hours in front of a computer screen or constantly screwing up your eyes to look at a smart phone could mean anything from headaches to insomnia. Mental health problems can also arise.  When you try to do too many things at once – answering emails, updating a spreadsheet, responding to an instant message and catching up on the latest tweets – you don’t get very much done and you’re likely to feel stressed out!

Another health risk is from cell phone and/or wireless radiation

Apart from warning that children should never use cell phones because of their extra vulnerability, Dr. Mercola says adults should reduce their cell phone use – reserving them for emergencies or important matters only. He also recommends reducing or eliminating your use of other wireless devices.  He says: “Only use a cell phone where reception is good and always keep it fully charged because the weaker the reception, the more power your phone must use to transmit, and the more power it uses, the more radiation it emits, and the deeper the dangerous radio waves penetrate into your body.”

So what is the solution?

You don’t have to go cold turkey but you do have to set boundaries otherwise things could just get worse.

Because it is the means to my livelihood I should not be saying this, but here are a suggested list of Top 10 tips to limit your exposure to technology and social media for a healthier you!

1. Keep track of how long you spend as lots of time can quickly pass by.
2. Don’t have social media sites open in a web browser tab all the time but instead, schedule their use by putting on a time limit.
3. Turn off email notifications for social media sites as they encourage more use. Ask yourself if reading an email is more important than spending time with your loved ones?
4. Think before you text/tweet. Are people really interested in every aspect of your daily life? Probably not unless they are close family.
5. Be careful not to replace face-to-face social events with virtual ones.
6. Aim to have mobile phone or computer-free days
7. Think about those activities that you used to enjoy in the “old days” (before the rise of social media) and take these up again.
8. Switch off email and social networking notifications and preferably, your phone too, when you’re interacting with people face-to-face. Worst sin in my eyes is spending time checking your email and social media when out with friends. They are not getting your full attention.
9. Prioritize for your peace of mind and work through your to-do list systematically without the unnecessary technology ‘noise’.
10. Stop checking work emails after hours, over weekends and during holidays. Tell your boss in a firm manner that if something is urgent and can’t wait until Monday, you can be contacted by phone only as you don’t receive email notifications over weekends.

I have written about making more family time by introducing a no TV Tuesday or Media Free Monday in the home here  but perhaps now is the time to take a re-look at your own technology habits.

An allergic reaction to fragrance is very common and that means not only perfume itself but in other products such as cleansers and face creams. Any one with a sensitive skin, being prone to rashes or with a history of eczema  should avoid perfume and such skin care products and look for ones that are genuinely fragrant-free.

There are more than 5000 different fragrances that are in use today. In any one product the number of fragrances used can be many. Fortunately only a small number of fragrances are actually common sensitisers, causing an allergic reaction in sensitive individuals.  People can be tested with a fragrant mix.

What is fragrance mix?

“Fragrance mix” is a mixture of 8 individual fragrances that is used to screen for fragrance allergy. The 8 listed are the most common allergy-causing fragrances that are used across many products for their fragrant and flavoring properties.

1. Oak Moss

2. Cinnamic aldehyde

3. Cinnamic alcohol

4. Alpha amyl cinnamic alcohol

5. Geraniol

6. Hydroxycitronellal

7. Isoeugenol and

8. Eugenol

Two of these common ingredients that frequently cause fragrance allergy are eugenol (found in clove oil) and geraniol (found in more than 250 essential oils, including rose, geranium, lavender, and jasmine oils).  And yet certain essential oils work so well in providing natural skin care products for skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, rosacea, eczema and more.

For those who are extremely sensitive to scents, just a drop or two can mean serious allergy symptoms. These can range from sneezing and watering eyes to itching skin to welts on the skin, canker sores and canker-like sores in the nostrils to bronchial restriction or headaches. And of course if someone is sensitive to perfume, then this same sensitivity extends to scented dryer sheets, certain soaps and shampoos and even scented toilet paper.

You can usually explain the problem of sensitivity to friends and family and receive a sympathetic co-operation but co-workers can be a different story. Getting your co-worker to tone down or even eliminate his or her beloved fragrance is not always easy.  But if your health is at stake, then it becomes rather important to do so.

Treading a delicate path with co-workers

Always approach the situation calmly and politely. Apologize to your colleague for having to ask him or her to make a change to their morning routine but that you have this problem with an allergy that is making you quite ill, explaining that all perfumes sprayed in large quantities make you nauseated, dizzy, asthmatic – or whatever your physical reaction might be. It is hoped that it won’t be taken personally since your problem is with the quantity she uses and not the brand itself. If you don’t want to lie about having an allergy, state that you are hypersensitive instead.   Go on to emphasize that you would be very appreciative if less perfume could be used or preferably none at all. If your colleague agrees, be very grateful. However, if there is no response or if you are uncomfortable in approaching him or her in the first place, speak to a supervisor or HR official for assistance.

What is MCS?

Extreme hypersensitivity is called MCS or multiple chemical sensitivity and is a distressing disorder where people develop extreme reactions to chemicals and other irritants in the environment, often affecting their multiple organ systems. The consequences can vary from mild and immediate to delayed and chronic (and everything in between). While there is no cure for this damaging condition, a sufferer’s quality of life can be improved by the reduction of all environmental and other toxins in their everyday life and surroundings. You can imagine how affected these sufferers can be by perfume.

Perhaps you are not on the receiving end of too much perfume-wearing but instead actually the person who is wearing hefty doses of fragrance?

This article should help you to understand the problem.

I write blog posts, guest posts and other content on a daily basis, working from home. You have to be disciplined to keep it up but it does help to pace yourself AND to reward yourself with an occasional treat for a job well done!

Worry and anxiety can interfere with your concentration skills

It can be particularly difficult to concentrate if you are experiencing personal problems so that you start to worry about these instead. During such times, allow yourself the luxury of a special time each day when you can literally worry about everything under the sun but you can only worry during that set time and at no other time. Apply this mantra to every concern – “in 5 years time, how important is this going to seem?” If you still find yourself worrying instead of concentrating, tell yourself to “stop”. Use the stop technique every time something happens to interfere with your concentration.

If your concentration is letting you down, what else can you do about it?

Here are 10 top tips

1. Enjoy a period of fun and “time off” before commencing that set time for concentration.

2. Start by giving yourself a shorter and manageable time in which to concentrate, and then gradually increase this time span.

3. As the periods get longer, give yourself a break between concentration periods so that you can have some light exercise, a glass of water or pop outside for some fresh air – but definitely no phone calls or emails.

4. Ensure that your environment is comfortable for concentration – no phones and no TV, although some will find music helps the process along.

5. Are you mentally and physically fresh when you start your concentration task?

6. Ensure that any problem you are experiencing with concentration is actually not about that but rather a lack of understanding of the task to be done.

7. Stimulants are never going to help you concentrate. What you put into your body and your general lifestyle affects the way you concentrate. A healthy whole foods diet with all the right components along with good quality sleep, regular exercise outside and plenty of water to drink are definitely preferable to the use of stimulants, processed foods, sleep deprivation and little or no exercise when upping your concentration levels.

8. A daily schedule that you can tick off helps to focus the mind, holding it steadily on one thing at a time and in the right order. The satisfaction of completing that schedule is an added incentive.

9. Add these concentration boosters to your diet and to your stash of treats – fresh raw veggies (smoothies are a good way to increase your intake), raw nuts, pumpkin seeds, blueberries and more while steering clear of the sugary processed treats.

10. Remember, it takes thirty days to make or break a habit – so keep up the concentration habit on a daily basis for at least thirty days and you will be well on your way to better concentration and the satisfaction that comes with it.

Concentration has been defined as “the ability to direct one’s thinking in whatever direction one would intend”.

You need organization – but more than anything, you need focus.

Oregano

This well known herb has leaves that are aromatic, warm and slightly bitter to taste, and is a great favorite in Greek and Italian cuisine. Those leaves are small, grayish green and oval and come from oregano. In fact the best quality oregano has such a strong taste that it can numb the tongue but that is all part of the experience.

Oregano has been used medicinally for centuries for conditions ranging from headaches to promoting menstruation.

Oregano is a super “functional food” with an excellent and proven nutritional profile. Even Hippocrates, the great Greek philosopher and scholar, used oregano for medicinal purposes.

How to use in cooking

This herb is one of the foundation bases of the healthy Mediterranean diet along with olive oil, fish and lots of greens, other herbs and vegetables. Oregano adds depth and flavor to any dish, but goes particularly well with tomatoes, eggplant and all types of meat. Sprinkle some in your scrambled eggs or salad dressings or use as a seasoning in stews, pizzas and tomato based sauces. Fresh oregano leaves can enhance the flavor of salads and soups as well as regular Mediterranean dishes.

Of course, oregano is equally well known for its potent essential oils which can be influenced by the climate, the season and the soil in which the herbs grow. There are several different species of the herb.

If you are in the habit of using the oregano herb in your own cooking, you can be sure of deriving many health benefits from an impressive list of plant derived chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties.

Some of those health benefits

• Oregano contains no cholesterol but is a rich source of dietary fiber, helping to control blood cholesterol levels as well as providing better elimination. No fear of constipation, hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
• Oregano is a cholagogue, meaning it will help promote the flow of bile from the gall bladder so it becomes easier to digest those foods that are higher in fat.
• Another digestive plus is that oregano can increase the motility in the gastrointestinal tract, assisting digestion.
• This herb is also an excellent source of minerals like potassium, calcium, manganese, iron and magnesium. Our bodies need all these for a variety of functions: potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by high sodium; manganese and copper are used by the body as co-factors for the antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase; iron helps prevent anemia; while magnesium and calcium are important minerals for bone metabolism.
• Vitamin C is also present helping the body develop resistance against infections while seeing off harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals.
• Oregano is a rich natural source of vitamin K, an important vitamin that is so often overlooked. That is why it is sometimes known as the forgotten vitamin.
• Oregano is highly antiseptic and because of its carbacrol content, will help to fight off infection.
• Oregano is rich in anti-bacterial properties and antioxidants.
• Oregano is a natural source of those all important Omega-3 fatty acids.

Just a few cautions about oregano as not everyone should take it – especially during pregnancy as it can weaken the lining of the embryonic sack. If you are allergic to mint, sage, basil or thyme, you might also be allergic to oregano. Although so useful for digestive problems, oregano can cause the opposite effect in some people. The oil in oregano may reduce the body’s ability to absorb iron.

We love to encourage you to buy fresh herbs whenever you can or even grow your own whether in your garden, in a container or at the very least in pots on your window ledge. There is always a way.

Fresh is best.

If you can overcome the hurdles, there are many benefits from meditation

Apart from teaching you the art of relaxing, meditation helps strengthen the brain and goes on to improve focus, concentration and even productivity.

While we might all know that meditation is widely recommended as a healthy way to manage stress, it also relieves physical complaints like headaches while boosting the immune system so that we are less likely to become ill.

Stress can be particularly damaging to our bodies and so can medication but meditation does the complete opposite as it restores the body to a calm state, helps the body to repair itself and prevents new damage occurring from the physical effects of stress.

Other health benefits include a reduction in:

Depression
Anxiety
Heart disease
High blood pressure

You will notice that these are typical conditions often brought about by modern lifestyles but that can be helped by centuries old remedies.

Most types of meditation can be done whilst sitting so first you need to find a comfortable and quiet place to sit. Sitting is usually better than lying down as otherwise you might just fall asleep!

You are not bound by just one method of meditation

Here are several to choose from:

Zen Method

The goal of the Zen method is to separate you from the ego and all negative stimulants. You need to sit and focus all your attention on one object. This is achieved by different seating positions and by various breathing techniques as well.

Mindfulness Method

As the name suggests, you have to pay attention to your current state and focus on the present moment. Everything is about now, so that in turn you eliminate the anxiety and stress that is rife in an unfocused mind. This particular method can be easier for those with the over active minds or if you have noisy surroundings because you can still be aware of the sounds and activities happening around you but you let your mind become fluid and flow from one thought to the next, not really focusing on one particular thing.

Spiritual Meditation

This type of meditation is suitable for those who regularly participate in prayer as it is based on communicating with God. Just like the other styles, you must become calm and quiet and then begin to focus on a question or problem you might have. This style of meditation can feel not only relaxing, but rewarding as well for those with a strong faith.

Qigong Method

Instead of sitting, you will stand and you will utilize actual physical exercises including breathing, basic hand movements and others. A calmer mind is the goal.

Movement Meditation Method

Another method involving movement – but this time you sit with your eyes closed while focusing on your breathing and trying out different gentle, repetitive flowing movements. You may choose a slow left and right swaying motion or you could try moving your entire upper body in a slow circular motion.

Mantra Method

As the word mantra suggests, this form of meditation involves reciting a sound, a sentence or a series of words – especially if it has important significance to you – over and over again. A set of beads can be used as an aid so that each time the mantra is repeated, you move on to the next bead. It can be compared to a catholic reciting the rosary. In yoga, the mantra Om is regularly used since it delivers a deep vibration that makes it easy for the mind to concentrate on.

Meditation is an absolutely free form of healthcare. That must be worth something!

But it does take some practice and I know that some will find it difficult to get started. Take a little time and effort and you will reap the rewards.

Don’t be tempted to dismiss meditation as being not for you.

Remember this: meditate, don’t medicate.

It is estimated that some 25 million Americans suffer from chronic pain, the majority of whom will have been prescribed pharmaceutical pain killing drugs, complete with their often serious and very harmful side effects. Some of these pain killers actually cause pain in the form of headaches.

But what can sufferers do to relieve their debilitating pain while protecting their health from these toxic drugs?

Fortunately there are alternatives that are safer and even more effective for treating chronic pain than the “standard of care” in mainstream medicine which are narcotics. Of course narcotics such as NSAIDS or acetaminophen are very effective for acute pain and as a quick short term solution but, used long term, the risks clearly out way the benefits. Other medical suggestions include Tramadol as a prescription non-narcotic that is fairly safe and effective for most people or a Lidocaine patch that can be applied directly over the injured area.

For long term chronic pain relief, alternatives should be the way to go

I have listed a very diverse set of suggestions so that everyone should be able to find something that works for them.

We have all heard of acupuncture, chiropractic care and massage for managing pain but there are some less well known ones too.

• Arnica is one natural pain reliever from a long discovered medicinal herb, applied in salve form or as a tincture to give quick and safe relief. It is anti-inflammatory, treating injuries and chronic pain like arthrits before leaving your body feeling refreshed rather than achy. The name of its healing compound is thymol, working to stimulate the white blood cells to disperse those fluids trapped in your joints and muscles while reducing swelling so your body can take over and finish the healing process more efficiently.

• A change to a healthier diet is often an effective treatment for chronic pain. A poor processed diet can adversely affect your brain, triggering a type of food-induced brain dysfunction called CARB syndrome. People with CARB syndrome will always experience more pain than those with normal brain function. The key to treatment is of course removing sugar, HFCS, high glycemic carbohydrates and even grains from your diet, enabling the brain to start to heal but over time – no quick fix.

• Along with the change of diet, is the necessity for a detox from accumulated toxins of all types. The liver in particular, when overloaded, can cause pain in the upper shoulder as well as headaches and backaches.

•  One solution for back pain and even arthritis is an inversion table where gravity actually takes pressure off the vertebrae, realigning and creating space and looser muscles. It could well help with arthritis symptoms too by creating space in the joints and aligning them correctly.

• A natural product is Warrior Mist which supplies a transdermal delivery of DMSO, peppermint oil, olive oil, distilled water, MSM, magnesium chloride, lemon oil, coconut oil and chlorella growth factor. The DMSO helps absorb the other ingredients deep into the tissue for long lasting topical relief for pain.

• Myotherapy is procedure for pain relief which is a trigger point therapy for re-training muscles. It works well in conjunction with yoga.

• Medical cannabis, which is just about legal in some US states, has been found very helpful by those who have used it to give relief from chronic pain.

• Another suggestion to use in addition to any of the previous suggesions is a daily dose of cold pressed hemp oil. As well as taking internally, the hemp oil can be massaged into painful joints.

• Enjoying water therapy in a warm pool helps reduce the weight on any affected joint but to be effective, this sometimes difficult alternative needs to be carried out under the supervision of a trained personal trainer. As part of an alternative pain relief strategy, water therapy undertaken at least 3 times a week will help to keep the sufferer flexible and pain free.

• Grounding and rebounding  are two different natural ways to help with pain relief. I have written about both in greater detail in earlier posts.

• Vitamin D is one of my hobby horses but knowing your vitamin D levels  is very important to your overall health as just mild degrees of vitamin D deficiency are now understood to be one of the causes of a vast array of chronic diseases causing pain and other symptoms. They may develop because of, or be exacerbated by, such a deficiency. While sun exposure to a large portion of your skin (until it turns the lightest shade of pink) as near to the solar noon as possible is the best way to optimize your vitamin D levels, the alternative is top up with a sufficient dose of vitamin D3. It is not called the “feel good” hormone for nothing.

• A less well known therapy for pain and inflammation is focusing on enzymes. One suggestion is 3 tablets of Serrapeptase 3 times a day on an empty stomach for ten days to alleviate chronic pain. If successful, the dosage can be reduced to a maintenance one of 3 tablets for two months before discontinuing. Do not use this supplement if you are on any blood thinning medication because it acts as a natural blood thinner.

These suggestions give you plenty of scope to find a method to suit you. Further ones include the use of astaxanthin, ginger, curcumin, cayenne cream, bromelaine (another source of enzymes), evening primrose, black currant and borage oils.

It can take time and patience to find safe and effective alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter painkillers that work for you but it is well worth the effort for your good health.

While it is true that we all need hydration and plenty of it to detox all those poisons and chemicals that our bodies are exposed to on a daily basis, it would probably be more accurate to say that we need the equivalent of two liters of fluid from food and drink including of course water.

One of the healthiest components on your diet should be water-rich food – especially fruit and vegetables

Dr. Spero Tsindos from La Trobe University says most people get enough water from their foods and beverages – including tea and coffee. He says that thirty years ago you didn’t see a plastic water bottle anywhere but that now they appear as fashion accessories. Dr. Tsindos believes that encouraging people to drink more water is driven by vested interests, rather than a need for better health, citing that research has also revealed that consuming water in food has a greater benefit in weight reduction than avoiding foods altogether and that people should be told that beverages such as tea and coffee contribute to a person’s fluid needs and, despite their caffeine content, do not lead to dehydration. He says: “We need to maintain fluid balance and should drink water, but also consider fluid in unprocessed fruits and vegetables and juices.”

I suggest that many people find it hard to drink 8 glasses of water only throughout the day – and each and every day. My own experience is that when it is hot and summer time, knocking back that 8 glasses is not so difficult but in the winter months, it can be a different story. I am glad to read that including cups of tea and freshly juiced veggies and fruits in your daily intake along with some glasses of water will do the job of hydration just as well.

Water is vitally important as our body is made up of 70% water, our brain 85% water, our blood 90% water and our liver (which filters out toxins) 96% water.

We will survive for weeks without food but only three days without water. Chronic dehydration can mimic symptoms of disease, such as headaches, dizziness, fatigue, irritability and depression. And it is said that many overweight Americans misinterpret feelings of hunger when they are actually dehydrated and in need of water rather than food.

Water loss occurs all day long through respiration, perspiration, urination and elimination. In fact an indication of being well hydrated is to urinate about 1.5 liters of pale yellow urine daily. If this is you, then you are on the right track for healthy hydration and the dilution and elimination of toxins. Listen to your body and drink water accordingly. People who are more active, live in warmer climates, are suffering from an illness or who are pregnant or nursing may need to consume more water, because they are losing more fluids from their bodies than others.

The opposite of dehydration is a condition known as hyponatremia or water intoxication

Drinking too much water in too short a time overwhelms the kidneys and can cause a sudden drop in blood sodium levels. Sodium is one of the body’s electrolytes (the others are potassium, chloride and bicarbonate). A drop in sodium leads to water entering the brain, causing it to swell. Results include lethargy, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma and death. But be comforted by the fact that hyponatremia will not happen to people who spread their normal intake of water over the course of a day.

Water-rich foods include apples, apricots, bean sprouts, boiled chicken, raw cucumbers, raw eggplant, grapes, lettuce head, oranges, fresh peaches, green peppers, raw potatoes, strawberries, roasted turkey and watermelon. So include a good selection of these water-rich foods in your daily diet and you will be on the right track along with your several glasses of water and other liquids – which I really should not have to tell you must not include sodas of any type.

And when you drink your water, use a glass of pure, filtered water and not a plastic bottle of water from an unknown source which may have travelled thousands of miles to reach you, leached chemicals from its plastic container and cost the earth in non-renewable resources.

Originating from India and known as Ocimum sanctum, holy basil or sacred basil because historically it was regarded as a sacred herb and used for decorating temples

Apart from alleviated stress, holy basil has many other heath benefits too:

• This herb will sharpen the memory
• It will boost your immune system
• It will support your blood sugar levels
• Holy Basil has been found in many studies to be equivalent to many modern painkillers
• It is also known to protect from radiation poisoning
• It will lower high fevers and fight the symptoms of colds and flu including sore throats while being an effective expectorant
• it will improve your digestion
• It will treat respiratory disorders
• It will relieve stomach disorders
• It will help with the pain and discomfort of headaches
• It can be used to treat mouth infections and insect bites
• It is used to reduce inflammation
• Recent studies have shown that it’s also a powerful antioxidant and may even be able to reduce blood glucose levels and cholesterol

One of the easiest ways to enjoy and use holy basil is as a tea

You can buy it packaged in tea bags from a health store or online, or you can make your own fresh from the garden. Holy basil is also available in the form of tinctures, capsules, essential oils, flower essences as well as tea.

Growing your own

I have a large holy basil plant growing in my pavement garden (in a warm climate with no frost) and it can get very woody by the end of the summer, so needs to be pruned back quite severely. I have been successful in getting cuttings to root by putting several in a glass container of water and watching how after a week or so, roots start to form. These rooted cuttings can then be planted out.

But if you would like to grow your own holy basil from seed, here is what to do to be successful. For temperate climates, it is usually best to grow under cover on a sunny windowsill or a greenhouse (even during the summer) but can be grown in a sheltered place outdoors in mild areas.

Growing instructions

1. In the late Spring/early Summer, create or buy a rich vegan-organic potting mix.

2. Fill a tray or small seedling pots with this mix, and lightly press seeds into the soil. One seed per six inches of soil, or one seed per pot will do. If you can still see the seeds, gently sprinkle a small bit of dirt over the top of them.

3. Keep the seeds moist and warm until they germinate, which can take anywhere from one to six weeks.

4. Like all basil plants, holy basil will branch out when pruned correctly. After the first six sets of leaves appear, pinch off the top set of leaves. This action tells the plant to put its energy into branching out instead of reaching higher.

5. Water your plant as needed, but do not be afraid to let the soil dry in-between watering. Holy basil likes well drained soil and will not do well if left sitting in water.

6. If your plant starts to go to flower, you can either pinch off all the flower tips (so that the plant will put its energy back into growing) or you can allow part of the plant to flower and then go to seed – either way it is better not to let the entire plant go to flower.

With its many health benefits, it is not surprising that holy basil is so revered in its home country of India.

Just five such natural ways can make all the difference

Apples

Everyone has heard the old saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” and it is as true today as it ever was in the past. High on the list of health benefits is reducing the risk of colorectal cancer and liver cancer but slowing down the ageing process and even helping to protect against radiation induced illness are further benefits. Always try to find and buy organic apples for the healthier option and organic apple cider vinegar is a healthy byproduct of apples with too many benefits to list here

Garlic

It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, studies have shown that eating garlic regularly reduces the risk of esophageal, stomach and colon cancer. Garlic is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, selenium and manganese. Try to include garlic in your diet at least once a week - but even better would be consuming a clove daily.

Honey

Despite containing sugar, honey demonstrates anti-fungal properties. An antioxidant that restores damaged skin, making it look younger and softer, as well as playing a big role in the prevention of cancer and heart disease, heart patients are advised to replace sugar with honey because it has natural fructose and glucose. This advice should apply to everyone. When buying honey, you should always look for the word “raw” on the container so that you know the honey has not been processed and all the natural vitamins, enzymes and other nutritional elements are preserved. Other health benefits of honey include: strengthening the white blood corpuscles to fight bacteria and viral diseases; anti-bacterial; a natural antiseptic; healing burns by preventing infections and accelerating skin healing; helping with insomnia as a large spoon of honey acts as a mild sedative; clearing nasal congestion; easing the joint inflammation of arthritis by mixing mix honey and apple cider vinegar in equal parts, add some water and drinking; easing migraines by dissolving a large spoon of honey in a glass of warm water and drinking at the start of a migraine attack and again after 20 minutes if needed.

Turmeric

This is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory with equally powerful antioxidant properties. Choose a pure turmeric powder, rather than a curry powder.  India has long revered turmeric as “holy powder” and has used it for centuries to treat wounds, infections and other health problems while modern research is now finding an astonishing array of antioxidant, anti-cancer, antibiotic, antiviral and other properties. A general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants. Tumeric is recommended as a cancer fighter for all types of cancer when used in high doses but absorption is complicated and you would need to research. You will find tips for increasing absorption here

Vitamin D and sunlight

Vitamin D is not a vitamin at all but a feel-good-hormone that is probably the single most important factor in human health and unfortunately, much of the world’s population is deficient in this vital vitamin. Every tissue in our bodies needs vitamin D and will not work correctly when we are deficient. Even milder degrees of deficiency are now understood to be one of the causes of a vast array of chronic diseases including: osteoporosis; impaired immune competence; various autoimmune diseases (such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis); several cancers including breast, colon, lung, lymphoma and prostrate; high blood pressure; pregnancy complications and cardiovascular disease.  Asking the body to deal with these disorders without adequate vitamin D is like asking a fighter to enter battle with one hand tied behind his back. Vitamin D from sun exposure is the BEST way to optimize your vitamin D levels; exposing a large amount of your skin until it turns the lightest shade of pink, as near to solar noon as possible several times a week. If you are deficient, a vitamin D3 supplement can be taken orally. The average adult needs to take 8,000 IUs of vitamin D per day in order to elevate their levels above 40 ng/ml, which is believed to be the absolute minimum for disease prevention. Only animal-based food sources, such as fish, egg yolk, and raw milk, contain D3 but even these are low. You can find out your vitamin D levels using a 25(OH)D test – also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D.

Five simple ways to improve your lifestyle and your health day to day but without too much effort.

But it does not stop there

Various sleep disorders could also be due to such a magnesium deficiency, causing people to wake up frequently during the night, possibly with symptoms of insomnia, restless leg syndrome(RLS) or even night terrors.

Other symptoms include constipation, anxiety, irritability, cluster headaches and many more

Researchers have found that magnesium takes part in the transmission of hormones, neurotransmitters, minerals and mineral electrolytes. Such research has concluded that magnesium controls cell membrane thereby controlling the release of many hormones, nutrients and neurotransmitters. It is magnesium that manages the outcome of potassium and calcium in the body. A deficiency will only lead to calcium being deposited in soft tissues such as kidneys, arteries, joints, the brain and more, so that both potassium and calcium are lost in urine.

Protection from toxins

Magnesium is very important for protecting our cells from aluminum, mercury, lead, cadmium, beryllium and nickel. Low levels of magnesium can contribute to a heavy metal deposition in the brain that may be responsible for the more serious conditions such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s.  Heavy metal toxicity may also lead to learning disorders in children.

If you are suffering from stress or anxiety, your adrenal glands will need extra magnesium. And compounding the problem can be drinking a lot of coffee or alcohol because, along with other important minerals, your magnesium can be flushed out of your system – often when you need it the most.

Why do we suffer from a magnesium deficiency?

1. Magnesium is constantly depleted in our soil because of years of replanting on farm lands without replenishing nutrients.

2. Chemical fertilizers also contribute to this depletion by altering the way plants can absorb magnesium.

3. We are drinking less tap water (which is a common magnesium source) while even this natural water source has lower supplies.

4. When we boil, steam or broil food, the magnesium can be removed.

5. High carb and fat foods increase our need for more magnesium as well as when we suffer from physical and emotional stress.

6. Dieting, certain medications and the fact that we are ageing can also reduces our magnesium level.

Foods that are rich in magnesium include kelp, wheat bran, almonds, cashews, blackstrap molasses and brewer’s yeast while magnesium supplements can also be helpful.

If you decide to take a magnesium supplement, make sure it is combined with calcium as they act together as a sedative. The ratio should be 2:1 meaning at least 600 mg of calcium and 250-300 mg of magnesium. This combination will aid muscle contractions, RLS and is effective for all-round relaxation. Obviously, severe health problems should be discussed with your doctor. A severe magnesium deficiency may be discovered through a blood test but many researchers prefer to test the bones and intracellular levels for a true result.

Chinese medicine is a form of alternative medicine that has been in place for thousands of years and is popular with over a third of the world’s citizens. Its main focus is to treat symptoms even before they appear – to be proactive rather than reactive.

Chinese medicine is a complete system that uses many different natural health methods including herbs, acupuncture, food therapy, massage and therapeutic exercise as well as less well known healing treatments known as cupping and moxibustion.

These last two treatments could probably do with further explanation.

Cupping is used to remove toxicity as well as congestion and inflammation from the system. As the name suggests, circular shaped cups are placed on the skin where a vacuum forms an airtight seal. With its relaxation and therapeutic properties, cupping lifts toxins and impurities while increasing circulation and bringing blood and oxygen (rich in nutrients) to the affected areas. During the procedure, patients become so relaxed that they often fall asleep while the cupping does its work. The mark of the cup on the skin will often remain visible for some time after being removed – indicating the extent of the release of toxins. Chinese cupping therapy can be used on its own or in conjunction with other treatments and is said to bring relief to the pain of arthritis, joint discomfort, inflammation and stiffness. In a detoxification process, cupping draws wastes and impurities from the blood and can be helpful in certain skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, bites, boils and cellulite. Complaints of the nervous system such as headaches and migraines, anxiety and stress can also be treated with cupping.

There are two types of moxibustion which is a form of fire heat treatment that stimulates specific acupuncture points of the body.

Direct moxibustion is where a small, cone-shaped amount of moxa is placed on top of an acupuncture point and burned on the skin. This traditional technique is considered to be very therapeutic but is usually confined to use in Japan because of some undesirable effects such as blistering, burn marks, and even scarring at the moxibustion site. In an attempt to prevent skin damage, some acupuncturists place a slice of ginger or some topical paste between the skin and the burning moxa or extinguish the burning moxa just before it reaches the skin although the latter is not considered the same as the scarring direct moxibustion since the main effect of direct moxibustion is considered to result from actual damage to the skin.

Understandably, indirect moxibustion is the more popular form of moxibustion in many countries including China because there is a much lower risk of pain or burning. A practitioner lights one end of a moxa stick (roughly the shape and size of a cigar) and holds it an inch or so away from the skin, usually around the inserted needles to bring mild warmth to the area without burning, until the skin becomes slightly red. The intensity of the heat is adjusted according to the patient’s condition and comfort. Indirect moxa is considered to induce a gradual localized vasodilatation response. In addition to increasing the local blood flow, skillful indirect moxibustion is extremely comforting and can create a deep relaxation response. Moxibustion therapy in conjunction with acupuncture can be very effective for many diseases and conditions including back pain, muscle stiffness, headaches, migraines, tendonitis, arthritis, digestive disorders, anxiety and female health problems such as menstrual cramps, irregular periods and infertility.

As well as differing from the West in the types of treatment offered, Chinese medicine also uses different ways of making a diagnosis. One is pulse diagnosis where the pulse at wrists and other points is felt to help assess the strength of the Qi, the limph glands and bodily fluids as well as seeing how the organs are affected. The state of the patient’s complexion, behavior and body language are also taken into account. The tongue, the voice, body odor, excretions and breath are further indications for the diagnosing of problems along with the usual symptoms, medical history, diet and any medication.

After making his or her diagnosis, a Chinese medicine practioner will suggest treatment from the different methods at his or her disposal. With thousands of years of practical experience and application, Chinese medicine has an excellent record for therapeutic interventions and interest from those in the West is growing.

According to Wrigley.com (a well known company that manufactures and distributes chewing gum) they have their own science institute – The Wrigley Science Institute – which is the first organization of its kind committed to advancing and sharing scientific research that explores the benefits of chewing gum.

They state:

1. Some of that preliminary research has shown that chewing gum is useful for stress relief and to help with focus and concentration. While more research is needed, results of some of the studies indicate that chewing gum may be helpful in easing tension and improving alertness.

2. Chewing sugar-free gum after eating or drinking is clinically proven to be an important part of good oral health. It stimulates your most important natural defence against tooth decay – saliva – which, in turn helps protect your teeth by neutralizing plaque acids, re-mineralizing enamel to strengthen teeth and washing away food particles.

3. Chewing gum before snacking helps reduce hunger, diminishes cravings for sweets, and decreases snack intake by 36 calories.

Nevertheless, there are serious disadvantages with chewing gum apart from the sticky mess that they can leave when carelessly discarded after chewing.

1. The sugar-free chewing gum usually has aspartame in place of sugar and that as many will know is a health hazard all of its own. Short and long term use of aspartame has been closely linked with cancer, diabetes, neurological disorders and birth defects. It is really not something you should have in your mouth – ever. In addition, chewing gum has lots of ingredients that are also a cause for concern.

2. Some cosmetic surgeons believe chewing gum can give us a wrinkle problem. According to one cosmetic surgeon, he has noticed that many of his patients who are gum chewers have a certain pattern of wrinkles around their mouth. Many experts attribute the wrinkle connection to two things. First, there’s the repetitive motion of chewing, which causes lines and folds around the mouth due to muscle overuse and second, chewing gum can dislodge dermal fillers that people have injected into their faces to plump up their wrinkles.

3. Chewing gum causes unnecessary wear and tear of the cartilage that acts as a shock absorber in your jaw joints. Once damaged, this area can create pain and discomfort for a lifetime.

4. You use eight different facial muscles to chew. All that unnecessary chewing can create severe tightness in two of these muscles, located close to your temples, putting pressure on those nerves that supply this area of your head, contributing to painful headaches.

5. Then there are six salivary glands located in the mouth that are stimulated to produce and release saliva whenever you chew. But producing a steady stream of saliva for the sole purpose of chewing gum is a waste of energy and resources that could instead be used for essential metabolic activities.

6. Chewing gum fools your body into believing it is digesting something, so it spends all the time you are chewing in supplying digestive enzymes and wasting them on something unessential.

7. If your gum isn’t sweetened by aspartame, it is probably sweetened by sugar. Sugar is most likely the single greatest dietary cause of chronic health problems like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and emotional disorders

So if you must still chew gum, try to limit the time spent chewing and look for a healthy version with no chemicals and sweetened with Xylitol which is a natural sugar substitute.

Although chewing gum is not ideal for your health, it can be very useful for other things! Here are some tips and other uses for chewing gum.

• A leaky car radiator can be temporarily plugged with chewing gum.
• If you lose a ring or some other piece of jewelery down the drain, stick a well chewed piece of chewing gum on to the bottom of a sinker which is attached to string or fishing line and go fishing as usually the gum will stick to the lost item and you can carefully reel it in.
• Chewed gum can be used to keep a loose pane of window glass in place until you can get to the store to buy some genuine putty.
• Unchewed mint flavored gum (it does not matter if they are still in their wrappers or not) will deter all kinds of bugs – so put some down at your insect’s favorite entrance spot.

Best to get out of the chewing gum habit if you can but still keep a packet around the house for those emergency jobs that could do with some gum.

Recent research has discovered that ignoring gluten sensitivity leads to early death by 20 years or more

Although it is obviously best to undergo a genetic, laboratory test, there is actually a self test quiz that you can use for some answers. The full information can be found  here  but the basic gut symptoms and other conditions for you to check appear below – those  in bold are particularly important:

• Craving baked goods (cake, cookies, brownies)
• Craving high sugar foods
• Frequent intestinal bloating or gas especially after eating
• IBS – irritable bowel syndrome
• Acid reflux – GERD (aka heartburn)
• Indigestion, constipation or diarrhea
• Frequent nausea and or vomiting
• Difficulty gaining weight (children under the growth curve)
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Frequent headaches
• Sinus congestion
• Migraine headaches
• Poor memory, difficulty recalling words, brain fog, poor concentration
• Vertigo (dizziness)
• Diagnosed with ADD or ADHD
• Depression
• Neuropathy
• Anxiety, irrational irritability, mood swings
• Diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis or Parkinson’s
• Muscle and joint symptoms, frequent joint pains with or without activity, chronic muscle aches
• Migrating joint pain (without injury) and/or frequent muscle spasms (especially in the legs)
• Diagnosed with Fibromyalgia
• Diagnosed with autoimmune arthritis (RA, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Sjogren’s)
• Bone pain, growing pains
• Osteoporosis or osteopeni
• Fatigue
• Inability to lose weight
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, restless leg syndrome RLS
• Infertility, history of miscarriage or spontaneous abortion
• Menstrual problems – PMS
• Thyroid disease
• Diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia
• Diagnosis of Diabetes (type I or type II)
• Hypoglycemia
• PCOS (polycystic ovary disease)
• Endometriosis
• Chronic urinary tract infections
• Chronic respiratory infections
• Asthma
• Vaginal, oral or nail bed yeast infections
• Fever blisters or mouth ulcers
• Skin rash, eczema, psoriasis
• Dermatitis Herpetiformis – this a skin condition known to be caused by gluten. If you have been diagnosed with this disease, you are gluten sensitive.
• Vitiligo
• Gall bladder problems
• Elevated liver enzymes
• Non alcoholic fatty liver
• Autoimmune hepatitis
• Lymphoma
• Platelet disorders

Tick the boxes for 1 to 3 symptoms?  Then it is a good idea to be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity.

Tick 4 or more items, you are most likely gluten sensitive and testing is advised to confirm the need for a permanent diet change.

Tick any of the symptoms in bold, it is highly likely that you are gluten sensitive and should be genetically tested for gluten sensitivity immediately.

Celiac disease is the extreme form of gluten intolerance

If you have gluten intolerance and you then eat foods containing gluten, an immune reaction occurs in your small intestine, causing damage to the surface of your small intestine and an inability to absorb certain nutrients, leading to vitamin deficiencies that deprive your brain, peripheral nervous system, bones, liver and other organs of vital nourishment. In addition, this deprivation can lead to other illnesses as well as stunted growth in children.

For obvious reasons, it becomes vital that you remove all gluten from your diet

There is no cure but you can effectively manage this condition through changes to your diet so that once gluten is removed, inflammation in your small intestine will begin to subside (usually takes some weeks) but you may start to feel much better in just a matter of days. In the meantime, it is wise to take a vitamin and mineral supplement to counteract any nutritional deficiencies.

If you remove all gluten from your diet and you soon start to feel so much better, you will have confirmation that gluten is the problem. Even a small amount of gluten is enough to cause symptoms and complications so all foods or food ingredients made from many grains must be off the menu, including wheat, barley and rye.

Many people with GI find it helpful to consult a dietitian to help them manage their gluten-free diet rather than trying to do it all on their own

There are still many basic foods allowed in a gluten-free diet including:

• Fresh meats, fish and poultry (not breaded or marinated)
• Most dairy products
• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Rice
• Potatoes
• Gluten-free flours

Cancer does not like cabbage but you should! They can be the most beautiful and tastiest of the brassica family and yet all too often they are overlooked in favor of more glamorous veggies. The important thing about cabbages is not to overcook them otherwise you will end up with soggy cabbage and that institutional aroma.

You can enjoy cabbages by:

• Eating raw in a coleslaw salad along with grated carrot, grated apples and some raisins and chopped walnuts. Toss in a mixture of salad cream, a little milk and some olive oil for a delicious side dish.
• Quick cooking either by steaming for a short time; blanching in the minimum of salted boiling water for just a few minutes until tender; or stir frying in hot oil which seals in the taste and the smell. If you add a bay leaf to the cooking water, this will help cut down on any odors.

A cabbage will keep in the fridge for up to a week or longer but once shredded it will lose its freshness. When choosing to buy, look for a fresh cabbage with a generous amount of outer leaves that is heavy in weight. Check the bottom of the cabbage to ensure that the leaves have not begun to separate from the stem which is a sign of age. Look for the dark green Savoy cabbage which can be added to soups and stews; for red cabbage which can be eaten raw or lightly steamed as an accompaniment to poultry and meat; and for crunchy white cabbage which is ideal for coleslaw or sauerkraut.

Sauerkraut is an excellent way to boost your gut health and here is a recipe you can use to this end

You will need:

1 half gallon glass jar for storage
1 medium sized cabbage shredded (preferably in your food processor)
Optional extras: half a daikon raddish, shredded carrots, juniper berries plus a tiny amount of red pepper flakes
half cup of pure filtered water with 1 tablespoon of natural sea salt dissolved
1 cup water kefir as a starter (although not absolutely necessary, this will help to speed up the process)

Incidentally, water Kefir is a lacto-fermented beverage made from sugar water, juice or coconut water. Here is a link to how to make your own.

Method

Pack all the cabbage and optional extra ingredients into the jar as tightly as possible using 2 or 3 cups at a time. Between each addition, use a potato masher to compact the cabbage even further before adding more and compacting again. Carry on until the jar is completely full. Mix the salt water and water kefir and slowly pour over the cabbage mixture, giving it time to soak all the way through until the top of the cabbage is completely covered. Cap the jar with a plastic lid so that it is not quite air tight and place it in a pan (because the jar will leak) and cover with cloth to block out the light. Leave it on the kitchen counter for 3 days but check daily and add more water as necessary to ensure the cabbage is covered. After 3 days in the summer or 4 to 5 days in the winter, place in the refrigerator for another week or two. You can start to eat it as soon as it is in the refrigerator but if left a bit longer, the flavor develops more. Don’t be put off by the fact that naturally occurring bacteria on the surface of the cabbage leaves thrive in this environment, chemically changing the cabbage and increasing its B vitamin content. We all know how long fresh cabbage can last in the refrigerator. Fermented cabbage lasts much longer than that – for weeks if not months.

In addition to being anti-cancer, there are other health benefits from eating cabbage which in historical times was known as the “drug of the poor” because of its healing properties

• The cabbage is anti– inflammatory so arthritis and other conditions will benefit.
• The cabbage is also known for its lactic acid that acts to disinfect colon.
• The cabbage is renowned for helping to relieve headaches.
• The cabbage is known for helping to treat skin conditions including eczema.
• Drinking cabbage juice from the stem is a good cure for ulcers.
• Cabbage is abundant in Vitamin C and a richer source than oranges.

Back to the anti-cancer aspects, it is said (according to several supporting research studies) that cabbage reduces the risk of developing colon cancer. This is because of the high levels of fiber and other nutrients in cabbage, helping to keep intestines healthy by increasing our transit movements while inhibiting tumor growth and protecting cells from free radicals.

Try to include cabbage in your diet at least twice a week for its many health benefits and good taste, summer or winter.

We can lose minerals in the following ways:

1. Sweating during exercise
2. Stress and anxiety
3. Poor eating habits such as having processed foods, sodas, artificial preservatives and other baddies
4. Using cell phones and other electronic devices
5. Exposure to toxic pesticides
6. Exposure to heavy metals such as amalgam dental fillings

The problem with losing minerals is that our living cells will not function to their best ability plus it becomes difficult for us to absorb our vitamins whether in our food or as a supplement.

The good news is that you can take the twelve basic tissue salts in a supplement format.

Here are those important twelve:

Calc Fluor which works to restore tissue elasticity and is especially helpful in treating hemorrhoids, varicose veins and stretch marks.

Calc Phos which helps to restore the cells themselves to assist just about any part of the body that is injured or in pain but especially headaches, joint and back pain and slow-to-heal wounds.

Calc Sulf which helps as a blood purifier for those with allergies and for any conditions that lead to yellow pus including acne pimples and sore throats.

Ferr Phos is an important anti-inflammatory tissue salt which is particularly helpful for any inflammatory conditions such as colds, joint pains and skin breakouts.

Kali Mur is a detox agent helping to break down any mucus and white discharge in conditions such as oral or vaginal thrush, acne and sore throats.

Kal Phos is a nerve and brain cell agent helping to overcome restlessness, insomnia, fatigue and trauma from injury, while calming the nerves from headaches and other painful conditions.

Kali Sulf is the one tissue salt to use if you have a yellowish coating to the tongue or suffer from joint pains. It stops your system from stagnating.

Mag Phos works quickly on painful symptoms of cramps, neuralgia, headaches and more – especially in cold weather.

Nat Mur is especially useful in dry conditions – whether dry heat or dry cold – to sort out thick, clear mucus as well as dry skin, cold sores, cracked heels and similar conditions.

Nat Phos is an acidity neutraliser to releive heartburn, diarrhea, gas and colic.

Nat Sulf is a liver cleanser effectively relieving nausea, heartburn, indigestion, headaches and joint pains.

Silicea is a skin and connective tissue conditioner helping to expel irritants in the skin like splinters, acne and corns while improving the hair and nails.

If you would like to start replenishing your own tissue salts, you can order them online or buy from your local health store. Many companies sell tissue salts that come in a specially prepared formula of micro-doses of those 12 essential minerals listed above. They are usually absorbed in the mouth and it is best to take your dose in a clean mouth at least 30 minutes before or after eating, drinking or cleaning your teeth.

Hemiplegic migraines are yet another type of migraine that can come with an aura. Similar to a regular migraine with aura, the hemiplegic migraine may include an aura in the form of blind spots, flashing lights, crooked lines or double vision. These symptoms may last just a few minutes or as long as an hour..

The word hemiplegia means “paralysis on one side of the body” and the main symptom of this type of migraine is a problem with moving one side of the body. This can be particularly frightening the first time it happens because, as many people will know, this is also a common stroke symptom.

Symptoms of the hemiplegic migraine can be a short lived headache before the hemiplegia itself and, along with the partial paralysis, there can be numbness or a prickly sensation in that area. In rare cases, the symptoms can last for many weeks but most people will have such a migraine for less than 24 hours.

Other symptoms of an hemiplegic migraine can be:

-  Fever

-  Symptoms of meningitis without the illness itself – this condition is called meningismus

-  Confusion or impaired consciousness

-  Defective muscle coordination

-  Nausea and/or vomiting

-  Light and/or sound sensitivity

Of course it is vital to see your doctor as soon as possible if you suffer from any of these symptoms in order to rule out an even more serious condition and for treatment to commence. Treatment is difficult and challenging because of the wide range of symptoms and you may well be referred to a specialist who has experience with such rare migraines so that the treatment decided upon is the best possible one for you. Frequently, NSAIDs, anti-emetics and narcotic analgesics are prescribed for relief and hemiplegic migraine care as they are considered the safest option at this time but there is continual medical research for new drugs along with the introduction of natural remedies. It is well worth your while to research natural remedies for this condition because of possible side effects from drugs and particularly if the migraines are long term.

If and when you are diagnosed with hemplegic migraine, think about wearing a medic-alert bracelet so that there is never any confusion to those around you should suffer a particularly debilitating attack where you might have confusion and/or speech problems.

Be aware that there can be after effects from a hemiplegic migraine as some sufferers may experience permanent coordination difficulties, rapid eye movement and memory loss, making it more important than ever to find the right treatment for this condition.

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Since their introduction in many parts of the USA in the past couple of years, smart meters using wireless technology have sparked much debate with the main concern being that continual exposure to the radiation generated by this technology could cause harm to our health in much the same way as the continued use of mobile phones. More than 8 million smart meters have already been installed by electric utilities in the USA with nearly 60 million expected to be in place by 2020.

According to the website for the Governor of California, the following are the benefits of smart meters: 

-  Allows for faster outage detection and restoration of service by a utility when an outage occurs and therefore, less disruption to a customer’s home or business.

-  Provides customers with greater control over their electricity use when coupled with time-based rates, increasing the range of different pricing plans available to customers and giving them more choice in managing their electricity consumption and bills.

-  Smart meters enable a utility to measure a customer’s electricity usage in hourly increments.

-  If a customer elects to participate in time-based rates offered by the utility, they have the opportunity to lower their electricity demand during “peak” periods (the peak period for most utilities are summer afternoons) and potentially save money on their monthly electric bill.

-  Allows customers to make informed decisions by providing highly detailed information about electricity usage and costs.  Armed with a better understanding of their energy use, consumers can make informed decisions on how to optimize their electricity consumption and reduce their bills.

-  Customers with smart meters today can access their prior day’s electricity usage through their utility’s website.

-  In the near future, by installing an in-home display device that communicates wirelessly with a Smart Meter, a customer could monitor their electricity usage and costs in real-time.  It may also be possible for a customer to receive automatic alerts (via emails or text messages) to notify them of when the electricity consumption exceeds a pre-determined threshold.

-  Helps the environment by reducing the need to build power plants, or avoiding the use of older, less efficient power plants as customers lower their electric demand.

-  When the utilities avoid the use of “peaker” plants to meet high demand, the environment benefits because peaker plants typically have higher greenhouse gas and other air emissions.

-  Increases privacy because electricity usage information can be relayed automatically to the utility for billing purposes without on-site visits by a utility to check the meter. This also results in lower operational costs for the utility.

-  Smart Meters are the first step toward creating a Smart Grid in California.http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Demand+Response/benefits.htm

Here is another side to the story – the disadvantages of a smart meter:

-  There are security and privacy concerns: a top cybersecurity firm recently tested 5 different brands of smart meters for vulnerabilities, and found that they all could be EASILY hacked into, allowing someone to remotely shut down your power, inflate your bills, tell if you’re out-of-town, commit identity theft, or even bring down the whole electricity grid.

-  There also are safety issues: like known cases of a smart meter failing and starting a fire, or exploding. Also, in a recent official filing, the Pacific Gas and Electric Company confirmed that its smart meters can damage customers’ sensitive electronics. And the new meter is effectively a remote control device in charge of your house or business, allowing PG&E the option of unilaterally rationing or cutting power to a property when the corporation deems it useful for their purpose.

-  These wireless meters put our health at risk: this kind of microwave pulsing works differently than more-continuous cell phone radiation, and it’s much more dangerous. Many scientific studies have verified that this type particularly affects the brain, nervous system and hormones, disrupting the functioning of many body systems and causing very serious leakage of our blood-brain barrier, and that low-power broadcasts (such as from these meters) are even more damaging than higher-power ones. Typical acute symptoms include migraine headaches, insomnia, exhaustion, forgetfulness and confusion, tinnitus, tingling, nausea and vomiting, constant thirst, heart palpitations and increased blood pressure, limbic system disturbances such as severe depression – and a general reduction from prior levels of functionality. For some, the nervous and endocrine systems go into hyper-arousal (as with severe stress), ultimately leading to the collapse known as “burnout”. Careful scientific research has proven that cumulative exposure to this type of radiation also causes more and more DNA breaks, which—if experienced frequently enough—have the potential to be a factor in ultimately causing cancer. Our risk of developing serious symptoms (often referred to as “electrical sensitivity”) increases the longer our chronic exposure to this radiation continues—and, with the smart meter system fully in place, there will be no place to escape it night or day. Children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health problems are particularly vulnerable.  http://www.teensturninggreen.org/get-involved/say-no-to-smart-meters.html

It would seem that Californians are not accepting smart meters as easily as the utility companies would like with nearly two dozen communities having placed moratoriums on them and more than 2,000 health-related complaints having been received by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Elizabeth Kelley, founder of the Electromagnetic Safety Alliance, says the wireless meters are invasive and involuntary, so people should be able to opt-out of the program. “Because we don’t know yet what the health risks are from these low-powered frequencies that are eventually going to be traveling through our home night and day emitting pulse radio frequency radiation, this is causing considerable concern.”

Elizabeth Kelley goes on to say that there is concern especially for people who suffer from electromagnetic hypersensitivity (EHS). PG&E contends its meters comply with federal safety standards and are well within what you would find with normal household appliances. Kelley says more research should have been done before the devices were put in people’s homes. “There are no specific studies on SmartMeters, but there are comparable studies on very low power non-ionizing radiation exposure conditions, namely cellular antennas, which show there can be harm under certain exposure conditions.”

 There are basically 3 types of EMR that could be endangering us daily.

• MICROWAVES which are electromagnetic waves of extremely high frequency passing through organic material, exiting their molecules and producing heat.  Microwaves are sensitive to electrical charge. When you look at the door of your microwave oven you will see a metal mesh (Faraday cage), this mesh is connected to earth so possesses a slight charge which deflects these waves and prevents their escape from within the caged device.

• RADIO WAVES which are electromagnetic waves of radio frequency (RF) produced by transmitters, televisions, computers and of course smart meters.  Radio waves are also sensitive to electrical charge.

• X RADIATION (Xrays) electromagnetic radiation of wavelength shorter than light able to penetrate solids and ionise gases.  As Xrays are able to penetrate dense solids so lead (a heavy metal of very high atomic weight) is used as a shield. Imagine a box of tennis balls, as the lead atoms are so large, Xrays cannot physically move around or through them compared to a box of golf balls which because of their smaller diameter will allow some Xrays to pass through.

  One way to protect yourself from a smart meter would be a shield of stainless steel fly mesh all around your smart meter which would prevent the overwhelming proportion of RF waves escaping (but also preventing the meters from being read accurately) which would have to be properly earthed to work.

But this may well sound too complicated and involved for the majority of us to utilize.

You might be interested in finding out how you can avoid the installation of a smart meter on your property or if you already have one, how to reverse the situation. The same website I mentioned early on http://www.teensturninggreen.org/get-involved/say-no-to-smart-meters.html will give you all the information and tips you need to know.

Meanwhile, the jury is still out on whether smart meters are a help or a health hazard. Only time will tell.