Tuesday 26 February 2013

4 Ways To Avoid A Vitamin B12 Deficiency (on a (high) raw food diet)

Article from TheRawFoodFamily.Com.

Read the article from its website ...

Vitamin B12 is crucial for our health.  Yet there are many concerns about our ability to be able to absorb this vitamin.

It is normally created by mirco-organisms in our colon, but as most of us do not have a fully intact digestive system due to bad eating habits and other reasons, it can be difficult to absorb this vitamin, even if you consume enough.  Stress can also cause an increasing disability of absorbing Vitamin B12 on top of that.


The symptoms of a Vitamin B12 deficiency are hard to understand as such.  They include lack of energy, being tired, coughing, runny nose…  It´s not always the first thought that these symptoms could be caused by a lack of Vitamin B12.  This makes it all difficult from the beginning.
The only way out is working towards healing the flora inside the colon, and consuming Vitamin B12 on a constant basis.

Here comes another myth-buster:
People say: “You must eat meat and animal products to get your Vitamin B12″.  Actually this is not true.  Meat does not have Vitamin B12, it simply contains micro-organisms that produce this important vitamin.  These micro-organism can be found on almost all green on earth.  It is much superior to the meat, as you consume it in a raw and fully alive way, so it can produce more B12.

So the first and most natural way of getting your Vitamin B12 into your sytstem, is the wild edibles and herbs.
You have to consume a lot of greens to get your Vitamin B12 this way, and you shouldn´t be very low on B12 as well.
You have to juice, and you have to juice wild edibles - Spinach and kale alone will not do this trick for you!

If you are in doubt:
Check your blood levels, and just take a supplement.
Here are the other 3 ways we recommend:
2. Vegan sub-lingual supplements (pills disolved under the tounge, or sprays), means that the Vitamin B12 right in your mouth and not the (possibly damaged) colon
3. Patches you make on your skin, to have a consistant absorbation of B12 through the skin. and Vitamin B12 sprays we recommend, as you will absorb the
4. Injections. This is the method you should choose, if your levels are real low! The most effective way to get your Vitamin B12 storage filled up again

Sunday 24 February 2013

Thursday 21 February 2013

Article - Discover the seven habits of exceedingly healthy people

Article from Natural News

(NaturalNews) Ever marvel over friends, family members or colleagues who never seem to get sick? They breeze through flu epidemics, office stomach bugs and colds totally unscathed. It truly makes you wonder: Is there a secret to outstanding health in the middle of the coughing, sneezing and miserably ill masses? Absolutely. But you may be surprised as to the reasons.

Seven compelling healthy habits

In the general scheme of life, there really isn't a magic bullet to great health, although there are certain habits that resilient individuals tend to adopt. Some may be familiar, others a bit more unexpected.

Quality rest 
Robust people normally do not burn the midnight oil. Good sleep each night is the foundation for keeping the immune system in top form. Going to bed before 10 p.m. and eliminating exposure to light (especially from computer screens) encourages melatonin production -- fostering sound and rejuvenating rest.

A nutrient-dense diet

Not surprisingly, those who avoid sickness almost always consume high quality food, rich in vitamin C and zinc. In the same way, limited sugar intake is also common. Since refined sugar suppresses the immune system, avoiding it makes sense. People who have strong health generally do not live off frappuccinos or candy bars. In return, they are rewarded with exceptional vitality.

Massage, yoga and acupressure




Stress is the bane of health which silently destroys the immune system. Studies have shown that people who frequently get sick are often the most stressed. Health savvy individuals realize that maintain well-being, stress needs to be managed. Massage is a good option. It lowers blood pressure and anxiety -- effectively reducing tension and stress. Likewise for yoga. Acupressure is another technique known to boost immune response. One point on the body is particularly important -- the thymus. This gland plays a crucial role in the functioning of the immune and lymphatic systems. To stimulate, gently tap the sternum with your index finger 50 times in the morning and evening.

Cold baths


While most of us cringe at the thought of a cold bath, especially in the heart of winter, research confirms that an icy dip significantly boosts the activity of white blood cells -- thereby destroying invading bacteria, viruses and harmful pathogens. Cold showers help to support this defensive process as well. Those who are the most resilient to illness also have a tendency to use cold water to invigorate the system.

A positive attitude

Never underestimate the power of a sunny outlook. A study at the University of Kentucky found that participants who have an optimistic attitude demonstrated heightened cell-mediated immunity. When optimism dropped, so did immune response. As it turns out, the most hardy people also have a tendency to look at the bright side of life. If you need an infusion of positivity, a gratitude journal is a good place to start. Further tips on how to cultivate a grateful orientation can be found here.

Really, there is no need to succumb to all the nasty bugs this season. Armed with these seven habits, you too can be exceedingly robust, resilient and the envy of all those who are sniffling and sneezing away.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com

http://www.livescience.com/8158-optimism-boosts-immune-system.html

http://wakeup-world.com

http://www.acupuncture.com/newsletters/m_nov09/7%20flu.htm

About the author:
Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website www.Thrive-Living.net she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded folks who share a similar vision.


Thursday 14 February 2013

MSG: More Sure Grief (opinion)

Link to the article from Natural News - A good insight into the dangers of MSG and also how we could be victims to labelling misinformation. 


(NaturalNews) Before getting into this I would like to call something to your attention. If you are plagued by any of the following, you could be suffering from an MSG reaction.

Severe headaches; nausea, diarrhea, vomiting; irregular heart beat or blood pressure; depression or mood change; abdominal pain, cramps or bloating; balance problems, dizziness or seizures; tenderness in localized areas, like the neck, back, legs, etc.; sleep disorders; blurred vision or difficulty focusing; chronic fatigue or sleepiness; excessive perspiring or chills; shortness of breath, chest pains, asthma; swelling or numbness of hands, feet or jaw; pain in joints or bones; flushing or tingling in face, chest, pressure behind eyes; gagging reflex or difficulty swallowing; hyperactivity, behavioral problems; chronic post nasal drip; skin rash, itching, hives; bloated face, dark circles under strained eyes; extreme thirst or dry mouth; difficulty concentrating and poor memory; slowed speech; chronic bronchitis-like symptoms, allergy reactions, dry cough, hoarseness, or sore throat; heavy, weak feeling in arms or legs.

Glutamic acid is just one of many amino acids that are the building blocks of proteins. It occurs naturally in many foods such as tomatoes, milk, and mushrooms. It is also found in the cells of our bodies, including mother's milk, and involves a wide variety of brain functions since it acts as a neurotransmitter. This natural glutamate in plants and animals is known as L-glutamic acid. When the term glutamate is used versus glutamic acid, it only means that the glutamic acid is bound to other amino acids or substances, such as salt. When the linkages are broken, then it is referred to as processed or free glutamic acid or free glutamate or MSG.


Our normal digestive process slowly breaks down this natural or "bound" glutamic acid and it is then delivered to glutamate receptors in our body and brain. Broken down this natural way, it is harmless.

In a factory, the bound glutamic acid in certain foods like corn, molasses or wheat is broken down or made "free" by various processes (hydrolyzed, autolyzed, modified, or fermented with strong chemicals, bacteria, or enzymes) and refined to a white crystal that resembles sugar.

The major process today involves a fermentation process in which bacteria excrete free glutamate from the corn (GMO) substance they are mixed with. It is then mixed with salt. Hello MSG, and hello high blood pressure.

This product is 78.2 percent free glutamate, 12.2 percent sodium, and 9.6 percent water. It is odorless and has no distinct flavor. Its chemical formulation has been modified and it is technically known as D-glutamic acid. This factory made concoction causes sensitive individuals more serious reactions than any other form of glutamic acid, and oh yeah, there is no D-glutamic acid found anywhere in nature.

We get far too much MSG in the growing number of processed foods that we have come to rely on. When MSG is in its pure concentrated form, it MUST be labeled MSG. But since this free glutamate can be a component part of certain food additives, such as autolyzed yeast, yeast extract, torula yeast, or proteins that are hydrolyzed or modified, the Fraud and Drug Administration allows it to go into food unlabeled as MSG. Because of all these euphemisms, it makes it very difficult for consumers who are trying to avoid it.

Bear in mind that despite severe reactions to this crap that manifests, the food manufacturers only value MSG's ability to give a flavorless food a flavor and make them big profits.

Kombu, dried seaweed, has been used for thousands of years as a natural flavoring. Today, MSG is made from mostly GMO corn and wheat. Strong acids, alkalis, enzymes, bacteria and heat are used to hydrolyze animal, vegetable, or milk products, also producing food additives rich in MSG.

Calcium and sodium caseinate are products of hydrolyzed milk protein. Maltoidextrin comes from processed GMO corn and although corn syrup (high fructose), and cornstarch are not as highly processed as maltodextrin is, they are still MSG.

Yeast extract, torula yeast or autolyzed yeast is made by chemically processing natural yeast in a method similar to hydrolyzing. Barley malt and malt extract contain MSG because of an enzyme reaction used to produce them. Whey protein concentrate or protein isolate contain MSG if hydrolyzed milk proteins are present or added. Soy protein isolate or soy protein, which are largely GMOs, is processed for soybeans and often a component of textured protein. Most smoke flavor or flavorings use hydrolyzed protein to intensify flavor. Some other MSG containing products include gelatins, which are highly processed by-products of animal protein and non-organic soy sauce. Despite carrageenan being a type of seaweed, it can contain MSG depending upon the manufacturer using hydrolyzed milk protein or not.

Most people think MSG is a food preservative. All MSG does is to make a flavorless food taste better. It stimulates the taste buds and eventually the brain receptors into perceiving salt and sweet sensations instead of bitter and sour ones. Unfortunately, a substance that stimulates brain-cell activity is a neurotransmitter and can actually burn the brain-cells out leading to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and fibromyalgia.

Okay, we know the effect that MSG has on the brain cells, but why would there be adverse conditions like joint pain, stomach problems and vision problems? It is because the "free" glutamate, not being "bound" to other amino acids, is rapidly absorbed into our system with the amount of glutamic acid absorbed being eight to ten times more than the normal amount.

It is this "freed-up" form that acts as a powerful drug affecting not only the brain cells, but also intestinal muscles, blood vessels, and any system the blood carries it to.

Bear in mind, if it is still intact, that the brain controls every vital function in the body. When MSG reaches the brain and the organs it controls, it can affect normal breathing, nerves, heart rhythm, and hormone secretion. If it settles in the joints - gout, arthritis, or tendinitis-like symptoms manifest.

Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, which is about 40 percent MSG, is made by boiling certain vegetables for hours in vats of water and sulfuric or other acids and then neutralized with caustic soda. Then it's dried to form a powder, which is high in MSG, aspartate and cysteic acid - excitotoxins. It also contains known carcinogens. When complete, the product is shipped to food companies where it's added to flavorless foods, including baby food.

There are no current limits on the amount of MSG that can be added to a food product and there is no way to know the amount that is consumed on a daily basis. Since it is added as a component of other ingredients, it is not recognizable or labeled as MSG and therefore hidden from view.

Since the 1940s, the amount of MSG added to our processed foods has doubled each decade. Where it used to take 16 chickens to make a vat of commercial chicken soup, it now takes a couple of chickens and lots of MSG.

What to do? What to do? It's not rocket science you know. If man made it, don't eat it. It it's not organic, don't eat it. If it comes in a can, don't eat it. And, if it had a face or a mother, don't eat it, unless you really have an acquired taste for GMOs, road kill, excessive hormones and antibiotics, mercury and other toxic wastes, and doo doo laced poultry.

And what's the best way to detoxify the cells in the body from toxins, heavy metals, radiation, and parasites? With the oxygen from the organic sulfur crystals.
Aloha!


Article: Benefits of Juicing Pears

Article from San Francisco Chronicle (click for redirection to article on their website):

Ripe, juicy pears add fresh flavor to a range of dishes and count toward your daily U.S. Department of Agriculture-recommended fruit intake of 1.5 to 2 cups. Juicing pears extracts the minerals, vitamins and other phytonutrients, leaving you with a glass of juice nutritionally similar -- though not identical -- to a whole pear. Each 1-cup serving of pear juice contains more than one serving of whole pears, so juicing pears provides more vitamins and minerals per serving than simply eating a whole pear.


Vitamin K

Drinking pear juice boosts your intake of vitamin K, also called phylloquinone. Vitamin K helps maintain healthy bones as you age. It promotes the healthy growth of new bone tissue, decreasing your risk of developing bone fractures due to osteoporosis later in life, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. It also helps you form blood clots to prevent blood loss after injury. One cup of pear juice contains approximately 13.3 micrograms of phylloquinone, 11 and 15 percent of the recommended vitamin K intake for men and women, respectively. A serving of whole pear, by contrast, contains only 7.2 micrograms of vitamin K.

Vitamin C

Orange and grapefruit juices have a reputation as cold fighters due to their vitamin C content, but pear juice also provides a source of this nutrient. Pears’ vitamin C content helps your body produce infection-fighting white blood cells and also helps build strong blood vessels so that those cells can travel throughout your body. One cup of pear juice contains 12.4 milligrams of vitamin C, compared with 7 milligrams in one serving of whole pear. The vitamin C in one serving of pear juice represents 17 percent of the vitamin C intake for women or 14 percent for men.

Copper

Healthy hair and skin rely on your intake of copper, and drinking pear juice provides a source of this trace mineral. Copper makes up a part of melanin, the pigment that gives your skin and hair their color and provides natural protection from the sun. It also nourishes your nervous system and helps support nerve function. One cup of pear juice provides 243 of the 900 micrograms of copper you require daily, according to the Linus Pauling Institute -- more than the 132 micrograms supplied by one serving of whole pear.

Juicing Ideas and Considerations


Pear juice’s mild taste mixes well with other flavors, so you can enjoy the juice on its own or as part of a juice blend. Use pear juice to sweeten vegetable juices -- a glass of pear juice mixed with spinach or kale juice tastes pleasantly sweet while packing a powerful nutritional punch, providing your entire day’s worth of vitamins K and A. Alternatively, reduce pear juice to syrup on the stove to use as a natural sweetener for tea. Drink pear juice as part of a balanced diet. Eat a mix of whole fruits and fruit juices to meet your daily fruit intake. Pear juice, while still nutritious, lacks the fiber found in whole pears that helps fill you up between meals. Limit your juice intake to one 4-ounce serving per day, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

Rainbow coloured vegetables with rainbow coloured goodness


 Chard a.k.a. Silverbeet is a very nutritional leafy vegetable where both their thick colourful stems and their leaves are edible, and juice-able. 

            
They have a complex combination of Phytonutrients, especially Anthiocyans and this combined with the fibre has shown to be very effective in preventing digestive tract problems, such as cancer and IBS. 

It’s also packed full of
Vitamin A
Vitamin K (**) - 100 g provides about 700% of recommended intake. Vitamin K plays a role in bone health by promoting osteotrophic (bone formation and strengthening) activity. Also, adequate vitamin-K levels in the diet helps limiting neuronal damage in the brain.
Manganese
Magnesium
Iron
Vitamin C - fresh leaves provide about 33% of recommended levels per 100 g. This antioxidant helps to quench free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) through its reduction potential properties. 
Potassium
Vitamin E
loads of Dietary Fibre.

*breath* ANDDDD.. also...

Vitamin B2,
Vitamin B6
Calcium
Copper
Vitamin B1
Phosphorus
Folate
Zinc
Biotin
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Oxalic Acid

and...

Protein.  



CONCLUSION - LOTS of goodies. :)

Enjoy this PACKFUL of colourful, and vibrant nutrients, squeezed and compacted into your jar of fresh juice! 

** some medication do not agree with high doses of vitamin K - eg. anti-coagulants. 

Watermelons!


Summer, heat and relief are synonymous with WATERMELONS! :) Everytime the heat hits me, I think of many cold slices of crisp, sweet and juicy watermelon! mmm :) 

Even better, they're good for you! 


  • Hydration and cleansing
~ Watermelons are 90% water and great for rehydrating our bodies on hot, sweaty days. The high water content has a detox effect on our bodies, rejuvenating skin and our systems. Watermelon juice aids in cleasing our kidneys and helps when facing kidney stones. 

  • Diuretic
Although high in water content, watermelons are natural diuretics and prevents water retention in our bodies. 

More on nutrition ... 

Watermelons are high in vitamins A and C, potassium, lycopene, beta-carotene, silicon and antioxidants.

Lycopene is present in watermelons in high quantities. Lycopene (an antioxidant) helps to minimize risks of strokes and other ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, colon cancer and asthma.

Beta carotene and lycopene guard plants against damage fromsunlight. These help to neutralize the “free radicals,” roaming molecules that cause tissue and organ damage, in our bodies. 


Watermelon is rich in antioxidants that help to prevent kidney stones, cancers and cardiac ailments.

Citrulline
~ Watermelon is a rich source of citrulline, an amino acid that converts to arginine in our bodies. Arginine is vital for a healthy cardiovascular and immune system. 

  • Great energy drink
~ Watermelon juice is high in Vitamin B, potassium and iron. It can offer more nutrients per calorie as it mainly made of water and contains very few calories.

  • Rind and seeds 
Watermelon seeds are rich sources of protein and micro and macro-nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, zinc and phosphorus. 
    While the rind contains citruline, lycopene, beta carotene and vitamin C.

    Tuesday 12 February 2013