Today's Natural Cure: Avoid Unnecessary Medical Tests

This article is from  preventdisease.com

12 Medical Tests and Procedures Even Doctors Claim Are Useless

Doctors are often criticized for prescribing unneeded tests and procedures that harm more than they help and add to medical costs that could otherwise be avoided. 12 medical tests and procedures now being questioned worldwide as unnecessary and potentially cause -- sometimes harmful results to patients. Since a campaign was launched last year, more than 130 tests and procedures have been called into question by 25 medical specialty societies with more than 500,000 member doctors.

"Millions of Americans are increasingly realizing that when it comes to health care, more is not necessarily better," said Dr. Christine Cassel,  president of the ABIM Foundation. "Through these lists of tests and procedures, we hope to encourage conversations between physicians and patients about what care they truly need."

United States specialty societies representing more than 500,000 physicians developed lists of Five Things Physicians and Patients Should Question in recognition of the importance of physician and patient conversations to improve care and eliminate unnecessary tests and procedures. See the full list
12 MEDICAL TESTS TO AVOID
1. Avoid Inducing Labor or C-Section Before 39 Weeks
Delivery prior to 39 weeks is associated with increased risk of learning disabilities, respiratory problems and other potential risks. While sometimes induction prior to 39 weeks is medically necessary, the recommendation is clear that simply having a mature fetal lung test, in the absence of appropriate clinical criteria, is not an indication for delivery.(American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Academy of Family Physicians)

2. Avoid Routine Annual Pap Tests
In average-risk women, routine annual Pap tests (cervical cytology screenings) offer no advantage. (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

3. Avoid CT Scans To Evaluate Minor Head Injuries
Approximately 50 percent of children who visit hospital emergency departments with head injuries are given a CT scan. CT scanning is associated with radiation exposure that may escalate future cancer risk. CT technology exposes patients to approximately 100 times the radiation of a standard chest X-ray which itself increases the risk of cancer. The recommendation calls for clinical observation prior to making a decision about needing a CT. (American Academy of Pediatrics)

4. Avoid Stress Tests Using Echocardiographic ImagesThe recommendation states that there is very little information on the benefit of using stress echocardiography in asymptomatic individuals for the purposes of cardiovascular risk assessment, as a stand-alone test or in addition to conventional risk factors. (American Society of Echocardiography)

5. Avoid Prescribing Type 2 Diabetes Medication To Achieve Tight Glycemic ControlThe recommendation states that there is no evidence that using medicine to tightly control blood sugar in older diabetics is beneficial. In fact, using medications to strictly achieve low blood sugar levels is associated with harms, including higher mortality rates. (American Geriatrics Society)

6. Avoid EEGs (electroencephalography) on Patients With Recurrent Headaches. 
Recurrent headache is the most common pain problem, affecting up to 20 percent of people. The recommendation states that EEG has no advantage over clinical evaluation in diagnosing headache, does not improve outcomes, and increases costs. (American Academy of Neurology)

7. Avoid Routinely Treating Acid RefluxAnti-reflux therapy, which is commonly prescribed in adults, has no demonstrated effect in reducing the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) in infants, and there is emerging evidence that it may in fact be harmful in certain situations. (Society of Hospital Medicine)

ADDITIONAL MEDICAL TESTS TO BE AVOIDED
8. Avoid Lipid Profile Tests
Lipid Profile test checks various parameters of blood, such as cholesterol (good or high density lipoprotein as well as bad or low density lipoprotein) and triglyceride levels. Several scientific papers have proven that people with high so-called "bad" LDL cholesterol live the longest and there is noow a large number of findings that contradict the lipid hypothesis that cholesterol has to be lowered at all. 

9. Avoid Mammograms
Mammograms and breast screening have had no impact on breast cancer deaths and have actually been found to increase breast cancer mortality. With toxic radiation, mammogram testing compresses sensitive breast tissue causing pain and possible tissue damage. To make matters worse, the false negative and false positive rates of mammography are a troubling 30% and 89% respectively. Another concern is that many breast cancers occur below the armpits; however, mammography completely misses this axiliary region, viewing only the breast tissue compressed between two plates of glass. Considering these drawbacks, breast thermography should be given closer consideration. Thermography is a non-invasive and non-toxic technique which can detect abnormalities before the onset of a malignancy, and as early as ten years before being recognized by mammography. This makes it much safer and potentially life-saving health test for women who are unknowingly developing abnormalities, as it can take several years for a cancerous tumor to develop and be detected by a mammogram. 

10. Avoid PSA Testing
A PSA blood test looks for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels are supposedly associated with prostate cancer. The problem is that the association isn't always correct, and when it is, the prostate cancer isn't necessarily deadly. Nearly 20 percent of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, which sounds scary, but only about 3 percent of all men die from it. The PSA test usually leads to overdiagnosis -- biopsies and treatment in which the side effects are impotence and incontinence. Moreover, there is some evidence which suggests that biopsies and treatment actually aggravate prostate cancer. During a needle biopsy, a tumor may need to be punctured several times to retrieve an amount of tissue that's adequate enough to be screened. It is believed that this repeated penetration may spread cancer cells into the track formed by the needle, or by spilling cancerous cells directly into the bloodstream or lympathic system. 

11. Avoid Routine Colorectal Cancer Screening 
Colorectal cancer screening often results in unnecessary removal of benign polyps which are of no threat to patients and the risks of their treatment or removal far exceed any benefit. The evidence is insufficient to assess the benefits and harms of computed tomographic colonography and fecal DNA testing as screening modalities for colorectal cancer.

12. Avoid DEXA
Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA) in a technique developed in the 1980s that measures, among many things, bone mineral density. The scans can determine bone strength and signs of osteopenia, a possible precursor to osteoporosis. Limitations abound, though. Measurements vary from scan to scan of the same person, as well as from machine to machine. DEXA doesn't capture the collagen-to-mineral ratio, which is more predictive of bone strength than just mineral density. And higher bone mineral density doesn't necessarily mean stronger bones, for someone with more bone mass will have more minerals but could have weaker bones. 

Meanwhile, the ABIM effort is gaining momentum and more financial support from key players. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundationannounced it has awarded $2.5 million to "fund medical specialty societies and regional health improvement collaboratives to work in specific communities to raise awareness of potential overuse of medical care."

"Reducing the overuse of health care resources is a critical part of improving quality of health care in America," said Dr. Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s president and chief executive officer. "We want to see what can happen when this work is targeted in specific geographic regions and are pleased to help increase the tangible impact of the Choosing Wisely campaign."

Sources:
choosingwisely.org

Today's Natural Cure: Turmeric

This article is from  naturalnews.com

Six ways turmeric heals your overburdened body

(NaturalNews) The benefits of turmeric, due to its active ingredient curcumin, have been demonstrated by modern Western medical research and centuries of empirical evidence from India and China.

The problem with turmeric's curcumin is that it has a hard time getting past the stomach and into the small intestines where it can be absorbed into the blood.

So before purchasing turmeric powder or extracted curcumin capsules, it's important to know a couple of tricks for getting the most beneficial absorption for turmeric's curcumin.

As an ingredient of curry, turmeric is traditionally mixed with a healthy fat and heated. That's a hint for what needs to be done in general with turmeric powder, certainly the least expensive way of benefiting from turmeric's curcumin.

Optimizing turmeric/curcumin absorption

Here's a convenient method of making "Golden Milk:" Take a quarter cup of high quality, certified or organic turmeric powder mixed in a half cup of pure water and simmer for a few minutes on medium heat, stirring constantly to form a slightly moist, thick paste.

Let it cool and put it into a glass jar. It can keep for weeks in the refrigerator. To consume a dose, dissolve a small portion of the turmeric paste in a bit of warm milk or coconut oil. Add some pepper to take advantage of piperine's nutrient absorbing properties.

If you want to avoid preparation hassles, there are curcumin capsules available that contain black pepper extract or piperine. Enteric-coated capsules can bypass the stomach and into the small intestines where their contents can absorbed.

You can boost the nutrient absorption further by emptying the capsule's contents in a small amount of warm, pure virgin olive or coconut oil. Add pepper if your curcumin capsules don't contain piperine.

Turmeric (curcumin) benefits

Turmeric's curcumin is a safe, effective anti-inflammatory. More and more health practitioners and researchers are realizing that inflammation is the source of most disease, even if the inflammation is not directly noticeable.

That means there are many benefits of using turmeric (curcumin). Here are six of them:

(1) It has been clinically proven to ease arthritic pain and promote increased flexibility in many studies. It's comparable to large doses of ibuprofen (800 mg daily) without side-effects while actually delivering other health benefits.

(2) It slows or delays liver damage that could develop into cirrhosis.

(3) It slows and helps reverse the onset of Alzheimer's disease as symptoms develop. It also helps eliminate cognitive decline normally attributed to "old age."

(4) It aids digestion, the root of good or bad health. It has been used successfully to ease the agony and help heal inflammatory bowel disease.

(5) Mixed with the appropriate veggies for specific cancer types, it helps fight cancer cells and prevents them from metastasizing.

It reduces carcinogenic heterocyclic amines that are formed when meat is cooked by up to 40 percent.

(6) It is a powerful antioxidant that helps promote heart health, memory, and boost the immune system. It has the potential to deliver more antioxidants then even vitamins E and C.

Amazingly, it can deliver even more antioxidant power than grape seed or pine bark extracts. It's strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical considered the most reactive oxidant.

All these benefits add up to serving as an anti-aging agent, with direct results manifesting in the skin after daily use over an extended period of time.

Just keep in mind that to get maximum benefits, it needs to be high quality turmeric or curcumin in a form that optimizes curcuminoid absorption, as explained earlier in this article.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.whfoods.com

Today's Natural Cure: How To Stop Allergies

This article is from  naturalnews.com

Simple home remedies for hayfever and allergies

(NaturalNews) More than 10 million Americans suffer from allergy and hay fever symptoms. Spring, summer and fall produce a wide variety of tree, flower and grass pollens. These pollens in turn create a wide variety of symptoms ranging from nasal congestion, runny nose, itchy eyes, headaches, insomnia and depression. Complications can also arise such as bronchitis, sinusitis and earaches. There are many home remedies that you can use to relieve your symptoms as well as various homeopathic remedies that are available over the counter.

Five basics to consider if you have severe allergies

1. If possible, avoid the outdoors from 5-10 a.m., which are peak times for high pollen counts.
2. Have a set of indoor and outdoor shoes, so you don't track dust and pollen in your home.
3. Shower and change your clothes after being outside. Be sure to wash your clothes immediately, so no pollen remains in your home.
4. Use a neti pot after being outside to rinse away any pollen in your nasal passages.
5. Use an eye wash cup with a saline solution to rinse your eyes.

Home remedies and supplements

Hay fever inhaler: Make a simple inhaler by adding 1/2 ounce of thyme to a one pint canning jar. Cover with boiling water. Close the jar tightly and let steep and cool for thirty minutes. Remove the lid and breathe in the vapors. Inhale as needed. Thymol reduces swelling in the bronchial tract as well as offering antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties.

Local raw honey will contain various pollens from your area. When it is consumed on a regular basis it helps to desensitize your immune system to pollen. This can reduce the severity and number of allergy attacks.

Horseradish is a natural decongestant. Try spreading some jarred horseradish on crackers or toast.

Lemon tea with honey: Steaming tea rouses the nasal cilia so that you're not coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose first thing in the morning. You can add anise, fennel or sage to stimulate the cilia even more.

Saline solution: Mix a 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water. Place the saline solution in a neti pot, and tipping your head to one side, pour the solution in one nostril. It will run into the other nostril and down the back of your throat. Drain by spitting out the remnants and blowing your nose. This treatment is a great idea to remove any lingering pollen from the outdoors.

Quercetin in lab studies has been shown to prevent immune cells from releasing histamine. Quercetin is also available in foods such as apples, garlic, onions and tea.

Vitamin E: In a study of allergy sufferers who took 800 IU of vitamin daily, a noticeable decrease in allergy medications was achieved. Since some studies are cautious about taking more than 400 IU get the rest from your food sources such as wheat germ, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts and pistachios.

Homeopathics

Individual homeopathic remedies can be chosen based on your symptoms. Many homeopathic companies make multi-symptom remedies for allergies and hayfever. Here's a partial list of some common remedies, with their related symptoms:

Allium cepa: Violent sneezing and acrid watery nasal discharge. Burning, sensitive, watery red eyes.

Ambrosia: Swollen red nose and acrid watery discharge. Stringy mucous and pus discharge from the eyes. Wheezy cough.

Arsenicum iodatum: Sneezing, watery discharge if acute, thick and green if chronic. Post nasal drip, hoarse cough.

Napthalium: Sudden allergy attacks, constant sneezing, acrid discharges. Sinusitis with a frontal headache. Spasmodic cough, asthma, difficult mucus to expel.

Sabadilla: Sneezing, runny watery discharge, itching and tingling in nose and mouth. Sinusitis with a frontal headache.

Sources for this article include:

Materia Medica, Boericke & Tafel

Prescription for Nutritional Healing Third Edition by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

http://www.niehs.nih.gov

http://science.naturalnews.com

Today's Natural Cure: How To Deal With Fibromyalgia Naturally

This article is from  naturalhealth365.com

Natural cures for fibromyalgia pain

(NaturalHealth365) Fibromyalgia is a chronic inflammatory condition consisting of muscular and joint pain and fatigue. Three to five percent of the population suffers with this condition with over 80% being women.

This is one of the fastest growing disabling conditions in the United States. But, you can beat fibromyalgia and its debilitating pain (now) with natural lifestyle strategies.

Fibromyalgia is classically diagnosed with positive reaction to 11 of 18 specific tender point sites on the body. Other classic findings include chronic fatigue, sleep challenges, normal blood tests and a history of widespread pain particularly in the neck and back. This is believed to be a chronic inflammatory condition of the muscle fascia.

Chronic inflammation is a sign of a mal-coordinated hyper responsive immune system. In order to modulate and stabilize the immune response it is critical to avoid inflammatory foods and food allergens, repair the gut, optimize vitamin D3 levels and improve neurological connections.

Chronic inflammation and ‘leaky gut’ syndrome

Most individuals with chronic inflammatory based pain have a leaky gut that allows large food particles to pass thru easily and end up in the bloodstream. These undigested food particles are tagged as foreign invaders by the immune system. The immune cells then create a massive inflammatory reaction to destroy the food particle.

This results in varying levels of insensitivity and allergenic reactions that damage many systems of the body.

The most common food allergens to avoid include all processed foods, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and gluten containing products. Soy, peanuts (and often other nuts), pasteurized dairy, eggs and other heavy proteins are often not tolerated well. Plus, the nightshade vegetables eggplant, potatoes and tomatoes are often challenging as well.

The anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle

Anti-inflammatory foods help to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammatory activity in the body. Great anti-inflammatory foods include coconut products, avocados, olive oil, berries and phytonutrient rich vegetables. Healthy meat sources such as grass-fed beef, wild game, wild salmon, organic poultry and organic eggs are great – if the gut can tolerate them.

Fermented foods are key to rebuilding the gut

It is advisable for anyone with chronic inflammation to include loads of organic vegetable juices, fermented foods and functional beverages in their diet. Homemade sauerkraut, kombucha, coconut water kefir, and kimchi are great. Fermented dairy products from grass-fed cows or goats are highly advisable. These include amasai, fermented whey drinks & raw cheese.

Very often a probiotic supplement with bio-diverse range of cultures and over 50 billion colony forming units is advisable. Non-denatured whey protein from grass-fed cows is also very good for rebuilding the gut. Whey is loaded with L-glutamine and enhances cellular glutathione stores which are both needed to repair the intestinal wall and de-inflame the body.

Powerful herbs such as turmeric, ginger, garlic, onion, rosemary, thyme, cinnamon, and oregano among others should be used as much as possible to improve immune coordination.

Healthy vitamin D3 levels and specific chiropractic care

Healthy vitamin D3 levels are especially important for aiding the body’s ability to recognize foreign and self-proteins. This improved immune recognition reduces inflammation and auto-immune reactions. Vitamin D also helps drive immune cells to destroy pathogenic microbes plus prevent and destroy infection.

Chronic infection results in hyper-inflammatory levels in the body. Vitamin D3 (25-OH) levels should be between 70-100ng/ml for optimal immune function.

People with fibromyalgia, chronic pain and fatigue are highly likely to have neurological dysfunction in their upper neck. Subluxation, or neurological interference, at the bottom of the skull, C1 and C2 alter endorphin release into the body. This leads to increased states of pain, fatigue, anxiety and accelerated stress as well as mal-coordinated immunity.

A well-trained chiropractor can analyze these regions of the spine and give specific corrective adjustments to restore balance and optimal neurological expression in these regions.

Looking for natural health solutions? Sign up now – for our free, weekly show featuring the greatest minds in natural health and science plus a free gift!

About the author: Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information – visit: DrJockers.com. Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals.

References:
http://donnasteiner.hubpages.com/hub/How-to-BeatCure-Fibromyalgia–By-Someone-Who-Has
http://www.naturalnews.com/030475_inflammatory_diseases_natural_remedies.html
http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/copingwithfmscfs/a/cfs_fibrodiet_2.htm

- See more at: http://www.naturalhealth365.com/natural_cures/fibromyalgia_pain.html#sthash.i2vGWrta.dpuf

Today's Natural Cure: Quinoa

This article is from  naturalnews.com

Quinoa's nutritional benefits

(NaturalNews) Known as the "gold of the Incas" or the "supergrain of the future", quinoa is a superfood with a plethora of health benefits. While quinoa is growing in popularity and becoming more well known throughout the world and in the United States, many still do not understand the unique and significant health benefits that come from eating quinoa.

Quinoa is a "pseudocereal" that is consumed similarly to cereal grasses like wheat, oats and rye but is technically a member of the food family along with beets, spinach and Swiss chard.

1. Quinoa is antioxidant rich.

Quinoa contains the antioxidant phytonutrients quercetin and kaempferol. Additionally, quinoa has a great deal of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients as well. This can promote tissue growth and aide in tissue repair as well as fight off disease and infection.

2. Quinoa is high in protein.

Unlike many other carbohydrates or grains, quinoa has a large amount of protein per serving. There is more lysine and isoleucine in quinoa, which makes it capable of serving as a complete protein source in our diets. This superfood contains all nine amino acids, making it a truly protein-rich food.

3. Quinoa is high in calcium.

Quinoa also has a great deal of calcium in comparison to other grains in the same category. For example, quinoa has twice the amount of calcium as whole wheat when you compare the two ounce for ounce.

4. Quinoa is high in fiber.

Fiber is an essential nutrient that regulates blood sugar levels and regulates your digestive system by preventing and relieving constipation. Quinoa contains twice as much fiber as almost every other grain. Diets high in fiber with foods like quinoa have been known to lower cholesterol and can help you loose weight in a healthy way. Unlike other grains in the category, quinoa has a low glycemic index because of its chemical makeup and the amount of fiber, making it a great carbohydrate choice for diabetics that won't raise your blood sugar.

5. Quinoa contains Riboflavin (B2).

Quinoa has a significant amount of Riboflavin which helps to stimulate your metabolism. Quinoa will regulate and promote energy production in your brain and muscle cells while increasing your metabolism. Riboflavin has also been shown to be a contributing factor to migraine relief.

6. Quinoa may reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease.

Though not many studies have been conducted yet on the correlation between eating quinoa and lowering your risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, quinoa has a great deal in common with other foods that reduce these risks. Thus, it is likely that with quinoa's fiber, protein and antioxidant makeup, it would reduce the risk of these diseases.

Easily prepared and gluten free, quinoa can be incorporated into a number of recipes including salads, soups and side dishes. It is a power-packed food that will give you a lot of bang for your buck with its nutritional makeup. Quinoa, one of the world's healthiest foods, contains important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is rich in calcium, protein, fiber and Riboflavin and may reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease, which truly makes it the grain of the future.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.whfoods.com

http://www.forbes.com

http://lifestyle.ca.msn.com

http://science.naturalnews.com

Today's Natural Cure: Healthy Teeth

This article is from  wakeup-world.com

Tooth Whitening 101: Flash a Gorgeous Smile with These Natural Methods

A sparkling white smile is more than simply cosmetic – it also reflects the state of inner health. Teeth tend to yellow with age and exposure to staining food and drink, yet discoloration also suggests impaired tooth structure. All in all, light enamel color indicates well mineralized and strong teeth. But before rushing out to purchase a tooth whitening kit in an attempt to spruce up your smile, try a few safe and natural alternatives. Chances are, you will be pleasantly surprised at the results – and your dentist just might be too.

Root of the problem

Strengthening teeth from the inside not only brightens the smile, it also helps to defend against decay, gum disease and tooth loss. The secret is to consume a high mineral diet that is low in phytic acid. Unfortunately, the standard American diet is high in tooth and bone destroying phytate-containing edibles – namely grains, seeds, nuts and legumes. Even when soaked, sprouted and prepared correctly, these foods still contain enough phytic acid to damage teeth. Add to this high sugar, fruit and commercial vegetable oil consumption and dental health is bound to suffer.

Instead, focus on a nutrient rich diet of bone broth, non-starchy vegetables, pastured eggs and high quality fats like fermented cod liver and extra virgin coconut oil along with vitamin butter, a type of fat sourced from pastured cows.

Grassfed meats and fish such as sardines and wild salmon are good choices too. Since a deficiency of vitamin D and faulty calcium absorption influence tooth health, consuming adequate amounts of both is crucial. Also, sufficient magnesium and boron in the diet are important as well. Green vegetables are an excellent source of magnesium while avocados, broccoli, celery and olives provide boron. With a high quality diet low in phytic acid, tooth structure will eventually grow strong and white, in turn curbing plaque and decay.

Topical solutions

Fortifying the teeth internally works well in tandem with surface remineralization. A homemade toothpaste utilizing calcium and magnesium powder along with baking soda and coconut oil is one option. Alternatively, swishing daily with both minerals dissolved in water is another. A paste of bentonite clay is also effective due to high calcium, magnesium and silica content. Additional tooth whitening protocols include:

Oil pulling

Each day, move one tablespoon of oil (sesame, coconut, olive or sunflower) through the teeth and around the mouth for 20 minutes. Do not swallow – discard the oil when finished and rinse with water.

Strawberries

High in malic acid, strawberries help to remove surface stains. Crush several ripe berries and mix with baking soda. Apply with a toothbrush and let sit for five minutes. Brush thoroughly with water to remove paste and rinse well. Use once or twice per week.

Activated charcoal

Behaving like an absorbent magnet toward staining compounds, activated charcoal is one of the best methods to safely whiten teeth quickly. Empty half a capsule of powder into a cup. Dip a wet toothbrush into the charcoal and gently brush. Let stand for several minutes minutes then rinse.

A sonic toothbrush, the daily use of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide mouthwash and weekly brushing with lemon juice/baking soda all help to fight stains, tooth decay and plaque as well. And don’t forget to rinse with water immediately after drinking troublesome beverages like coffee, tea and red wine.

Article Sources

http://wellnessmama.com/3650/how-to-remineralize-teeth-naturally

http://naturalsociety.com/natural-teeth-whitening-home-remedies

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://nourishedkitchen.com/bone-broth

http://voices.yahoo.com

http://wellnessmama.com/5252/remineralizing-tooth-powder-recipe

http://www.health.com/health/article/0,,20410846,00

http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com

http://wellnessmama.com

http://www.algaecal.com/algaecal-ingredients/boron/boron-sources/

http://www.algaecal.com

Today's Natural Cure: Liver Cleanse

This article is from  truththeory.com

4 NATURAL LIVER CLEANSING FOODS

Liver health is directly tied to your overall health, and poor liver health could very well be the root cause of many diseases that currently affect millions of people worldwide. Often assaulted with toxic substances like high-fructose corn syrup, which can ‘overburden’ the liver and subsequently lead to complications, it is very likely that your liver has experienced at least some degree of damage due to dietary and environmental factors. In fact, the only way to avoid the buildup of toxins in the liver would be to eat a nearly perfect diet free of additives, fillers, modified ingredients, or chemicals — virtually the opposite of the average American diet, which critically lacks any liver cleansing foods.

Thankfully, it is very possible to repair your liver naturally and help release excessive toxin buildup through the power of healing foods. Here are 5 natural liver cleansing foods:

1. Cleanse Your Liver with Avocados

Avocados have been shown to naturally protect and repair your liver. Containing a high amount of glutathione-producing compounds, avocados can actually help boost the ability of the liver to cleanse itself. Astonishing research has even shown that consuming one or two avocados per week for as little as 30 days can make a serious difference in the state of your liver health. The best part? Avocados can be enjoyed with virtually any meal, and are available throughout the world. Try adding in some fresh, organic avocados with your next meal to reap the benefits of liver cleansing foods like this one.

2. Garlic

The superfood garlic, which is known for its ability to fight against cancer and infections naturally, is also among the many great liver cleansing foods as it is very useful in repairing a compromised liver. While the benefits of garlic for liver health and beyond are many, one reason for its superior effects have to do with the fact that garlic contains numerous sulfur-containing compounds that are known to activate the liver enzymes responsible for expelling toxins from the body. Another lies in the presence of both allicin and selenium, two important nutrients that play an integral role in the protection of the liver from damage.

3. Turmeric

Turmeric can uniquely assist the enzymes that are responsible for flushing out known dietary carcinogens. The result is enhanced protection against liver damage, and even regeneration of affected liver cells. Turmeric is also notably responsible for improving the health of the gallbladder as well. These benefits are in addition to the shocking ability to turmeric to combat cancer in a number of studies. Researchers at the UCLA also found that curcumin — the ‘key’ compound within turmeric — exhibits cancer-blocking properties. The lab found that the enzymes in the patients’ mouths responsible for promoting cancer spread and growth were inhibited by curcumin supplementation. The ingestion of curcumin intake even blocked the spread of the malignant cells.

4. Lemon and Lime

While not exactly one of the liver cleansing foods, warm water with lemon or lime each morning could be one of the simplest and most advantageous methods of improving the health of your liver. High in vitamin C and potassium, lemons can help regulate biological functions. Some experts, such as A.F. Beddoe — who wrote the book Biological Ionization as Applied to Human Nutrition, have also stated that the liver produces more enzymes in response to water with lemon than to any other food.

Sources:

Natural Society

Today's Natural Cure: Superfoods

This article is from  wakeup-world.com

7 Superfoods to Help You Live Longer

The ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, the ‘Father of Medicine,’ once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” He was the first recorded physician to teach that disease wasn’t caused by superstition or the gods, but rather by diet, lifestyle, and environmental factors.

In an age when humans knew virtually nothing about their own anatomy (dissection was considered taboo), Hippocrates had great success treating illnesses by easing the natural process through which the human body is equipped to heal itself.

Hippocrates also said, “Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” Today many medical practitioners, with their vaccinations, over-prescribing, and often destructive treatments that ignore the root causes of disease, routinely violate primum non nocere (first, do no harm), the foundational principle derived from the Hippocratic Oath, a principle that has been taught in medical schools for generations.

Unfortunately, these days there’s just no money in natural health and preventative medicine. It’s far more profitable for the ‘system’ to encourage practices that actually make people sick over the long haul (processed food filled with GMOs, vaccinations, fluoride, paraben-laden products, artificial sweeteners, harmful, cancer causing tests such as mammograms, etc.), than to promote practices, such as the consumption of super-foods and the elimination of toxins from our body and our surrounding environment (as much as possible), that actually prevent disease and encourage good health. After all, if the body heals itself or never gets sick in the first place, how is ‘Big Medicine’ going to make their piles upon piles of cash?

This brings us to this excellent list of super-foods, each of which possesses unique combinations of vitamins and minerals the body needs to heal itself, fight off disease, and stay healthy. These aren’t foods that are found in the typical chain-restaurant meal or even in some non-organic grocery store shelves, but they are well worth the effort it takes to find them and learn to incorporate them into your regular diet. This is a great list of seven to start with, but there are so many more. Let food be your medicine – even if it’s more expensive in the short-run, it sure beats the price of cancer!

Today's Natural Cure: Control Your Iron

This article is from  naturalhealth365.com

The disease causing dangers of high iron levels

(NaturalHealth365) While essential for health, you are only rarely deficient in iron. Iron is the classical double-edged sword. Similar to calcium and copper, a fairly small amount is needed to support normal health, and an increased level of it is toxic, with even higher levels producing greater toxicity.

The danger of high iron levels

When too much iron is present, increased oxidative stress is always present as well. Increased oxidative stress is always the stage on which disease is based. However, unless you have a documented iron-deficiency anemia, which is very easy to diagnose on routine laboratory testing, you should never supplement iron.

Surprising to most people, iron is essential for the growth of pathogenic microbes and all cancer cells. Not only is iron highly toxic in the tissues when present in excess, it is also the most vital nutrient for promoting nearly all infections as well as all cancers. Many of the most effective antibiotics are actually iron chelators, meaning they effectively starve the invader by taking away much of its necessary fuel, iron.

Similarly, cancer cells never thrive in an iron-poor environment

It’s difficult to avoid iron – even if you want to

Modern medicine, in all its wisdom, found that many third world populations were iron-deficient (and had iron deficiency anemia) due to diets profoundly depleted in iron and basic nutrition. Somehow, it was then decided that iron deficiency had to be avoided at all costs, and mass “fortification” of many of the foods eaten today began. As a result, chronic iron toxicity has become the norm.

It’s important to note: excess iron promotes all chronic degenerative diseases, not just cancer and infections.

Heart disease is also especially sensitive to the negative effects of excess iron, and atherosclerotic plaques have been documented to have a exceptionally high iron content, supporting this connection.

Getting your iron level tested is easy

The most accurate indicator of iron status in the body is the “serum ferritin test”. Most laboratories list the normal range for this test to be roughly 30 to 400 ng/cc. A ferritin test reflective of truly normal iron stores should be in the 25 to 50 ng/cc range, as long as there is no evidence of an iron deficiency anemia having developed.

Remember, however, that the normal range of a blood test is designed to make the vast majority of the population “normal.” But, what happens when the vast majority of the population is abnormal? The answer is that a grossly abnormal laboratory result, like a ferritin level of 390 to 400 ng/cc, is simply declared to be normal.

What is the next step?

First of all, find a doc who will work with you and discuss all your concerns with you. Many good ones can be found at the link I just provided for you.

Check your ferritin levels, and see if your doc is comfortable with it. Regardless, however, blood donation on a regular basis will lower elevated levels, and your blood donation will actually end up helping you as much or more than the person that receives it. You may also want to take inositol hexaphosphate (IP6) – a naturally occurring iron and calcium chelator – about a gram or so taken on an empty stomach, will gradually lower ferritin levels.

A good health investment, not only for eliminating iron from your body, but also for eliminating a wide array of stored toxins, is a far-infrared sauna.

And, when ferritin levels are very elevated, even by regular standards, prescription injected or oral chelation agents are available.

Looking for natural health solutions? Sign up now – for our free, weekly show featuring the greatest minds in natural health and science plus a free gift!

About the author: Thomas E. Levy, MD, JD is a board-certified internist and cardiologist. He is also bar-certified for the practice of law. He has written extensively on the importance of eliminating toxins while bolstering antioxidant defenses in the body, with particular focus on vitamin C. His upcoming new book will be released in a few months, entitled, Death by Calcium: The Toxic Supplement.

For more information about Dr. Levy – visit: PeakEnergy.com

References:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=19195795
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=2182395
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=20178010

- See more at: http://www.naturalhealth365.com/nutrition_news/iron_dangers.html#sthash.GovgqxhP.dpuf

Today's Natural Cure: Fiber

This article excerpt is from  naturalsociety.com

Health Benefits of Fiber: Why It Matters and Where to Find It

Dietary fiber is like the body’s cleaning lad; it not only helps rid the body of toxins, but also works to reduce cholesterol, decrease risk of heart disease, and so much more. The health benefits of fiber should not be overlooked.

Essentially, fiber is the part of food that isn’t broken down by the body. Pretty vague, huh? Experts have had a difficult time defining fiber since its discovery. Most recently, there has been a movement to make that definition more specific by adding information about its benefits.

So, what are the benefits of fiber?

We all know dietary fiber to help make us ‘regular’, and prevent constipation.  But there are a number of other benefits. As for insoluble fiber (the kind that doesn’t dissolve in water and instead creates a kind of gel), the benefits are that of a healthier digestive system. This is the fiber that “cleans you out”, so to speak, and keeps you regular. Soluble fiber, on the other hand, is known to reduce blood cholesterol and normalize blood sugar.

Most plant sources of fiber contain both soluble and insoluble forms. Many experts say these classifications don’t do the fiber definition justice either—that they just don’t quite tell the whole story.

Regardless of how you define and classify fibers, the health benefits of fiber are undeniable.

By reducing your blood cholesterol levels, fiber is able to prevent heart disease. This is why you see many cereal brands, including oatmeal companies, touting their heart-healthy benefits.

Fiber can also help regulate blood sugar levels and insulin response. In general, diabetics who eat a high fiber diet need less insulin than those who don’t. Further adding to the benefits, dietary fiber is also a beneficial tool in weight control. Both because it encourages elimination and helps you feel fuller longer, high fiber foods are useful in the battle of the bulge.

Finally, fiber can increase digestive health. There are indications that this easier and more regular elimination can reduce the risks of colitis, colon cancer, and hemorrhoids.

What are the best sources of fiber?

Ounce for ounce, beans and legumes are the best source of fiber. However, vegetables like dark green leafy veggies and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) are also excellent sources. Be wary of those cereal-grain foods that promise “whole grains”—opting only for those with “100% whole grains” in order to get the most bang for your buck and bite.

Today's Natural Cure: Detox

This article is from  naturalsociety.com

Discover an Effective, Easy, and Inexpensive Heavy Metal Detox Agent

If you’ve been tracking alternative health news here on Natural Society or elsewhere long enough, you should be well aware of how ubiquitous heavy metals are in our environment and foods. You should also know that they are toxic, and tend to get trapped in our body tissues. NaturalSociety has already unveiled numerous ways to detox heavy metals from the body, but let’s add another detox agent to the list – zeolite.

Eliminating Heavy Metal Toxins Safely, Effectively, and Cheaply

Mercury, aluminum, and lead all cause neurological damage. We are all exposed to them from medical and dental applications, processed foods, old paint coverings and plumbing, industrial waste pollutants, and even chemtrails. Heavy metal molecules tend to be stubbornly enmeshed in internal tissue matter or remain in the blood because they cannot be metabolized or filtered out easily by the liver and kidneys or eliminated through the skin with perspiration. This situation leads to long term bad health issues, DNA damage, and disease. It is essential to detox these heavy metals out to experience enhanced health.

Any kind of detoxification, even sweating, lifts some burden off of the body’s immune system and encourages internal organ homeostasis (balance) to occur and promote healing. People who are ill get well, and people who are not apparently ill feel younger, stronger, and happier.

But sweating alone is probably not enough. You may have heard of chelation therapy, which is pricey, a tad risky, and requires a medically trained person to administer. What about detoxing from heavy metals and other toxins at home cheaply? You can try consuming these 6 foods for heavy metal chelation, or you could try utilizing the inexpensive solution below.

Zeolite to the rescue. Unfortunately, zeolite’s reputation may have been tarnished somewhat by pricey multilevel marketing (MLM) companies who claim to have the best  liquid zeolite. I was involved with a couple of them years ago. The thing about liquid zeolites is that they are heavily processed from volcanic mineral rocks with extreme heat and acids. So their detox results are questionable.

Comparative testing has demonstrated the ability to draw out toxic heavy metals known as the CEC (cation exchange capacity) of liquid zeolite comes nowhere near the CEC of pure (safe for human consumption) Clinoptilolite rock mineral zeolites.

Cations are positively charged ions or groups of atoms, such as heavy metals, that are attracted to negatively charged items, such as zeolite particles.

How Zeolite Works

Zeolite particles are negatively charged nano-cages. Each tiny cage has a negative charge to attract positively charged heavy metals out of tissues and blood and into those cages. Then the cages are eliminated through normal bodily functions without endangering other tissue.

While the ingested-with-water zeolite is slowly traveling through the small intestines, the millions of tiny hair-like intestinal villi are coated with the zeolite. The villi are the nutrient absorbing gateways from the intestines to the bloodstream. From there the blood gets purified by zeolite without crossing the blood brain barrier.

The mechanics of this process eliminates the possibility of toxic materials re-entering other organ tissues after being flushed out. It’s truly a chelation process.

Adsorption is the process of electronically attracting and binding rather than absorbing like a sponge. So zeolite adsorbs and chelates heavy metals.

That’s why the easily internalized adsorbing, chelating activity of zeolite is so vital for optimum health in today’s toxic world.

Read More: Bentonite Clay to Detox Pesticides, Heavy Metals, and Harmful Pathogens

Detoxing Beyond Heavy Metals

In addition to removing toxic heavy metals and other chemicals, zeolite tends to raise overall pH with higher alkalinity. It’s been (arguably) strongly established throughout all medical worlds that low body pH or acidity is the “stagnant water” that attracts pathogens to flourish as well as creating an unusual type of cellular metabolism called cancer.

Zeolite also helps you eliminate radiation poisoning, another increasingly ubiquitous menace throughout the world. The Russians gave zeolite freely to children who were exposed to Chernobyl’s radiation from that reactor’s disastrous meltdown.

Some people are concerned with zeolite’s technical description as a porous crystalline aluminosilicate. However, the aluminum in zeolite is bound with silica. Unbound free aluminum is toxic, but bound within a compound molecular structure it’s harmless. Instead, it removes unbound aluminum toxins from the body.

Also, beneficial minerals such as magnesium are not attracted to zeolites. So one will not have beneficial minerals depleted from the body detoxing with zeolite.

Many individuals who have tried using zeolite in rock powder form have obtained a sense of improved health, well-being, and mental clarity that was almost forgotten.

Additional Sources:

GlobalHealingCenter