Today's Natural Cure: Iodine

This article is from  globalhealingcenter.com

8 Foods Rich in Iodine

Published on January 18, 2011 by Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND

Iodine is an essential trace mineral crucial in the functioning of the thyroid gland, an organ that stores the minerals needed for the synthesis of our thyroid hormones. It is important to get adequate amounts of iodine in your diet to ensure the proper functioning of the this vital gland which controls much of our metabolism, detoxification, growth and development.

Research has shown that a lack of iodine foods in your diet may lead to enlargement of the thyroid gland, lethargy, fatigue, weakness of the immune system, slow metabolism, autism, weight gain and possibly even mental states such as anxiety and depression.

The good news is that there are many popular foods with iodine, all of which are easy to incorporate into your daily diet.

The Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for iodine is 150 micrograms daily for everybody over the age of 14. The RDA for children ages 1-8 is 90/mcg every day, ages 9-13 is 120/mcg every day. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, it is recommended that you get 290/mcg every day.

1. Sea vegetables

The ocean hosts the largest storehouse for iodine foods, including Kelp, Arame, Hiziki, Kombu, and Wakame. Kelp has the highest amount of iodine on the planet and one serving offers 4 times more than a daily minimum requirement. 1 tablespoon of Kelp contains about 2000/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Arame contains about 730/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Hiziki contains about 780/mcg of iodine, 1 one inch piece of Kombu contains about 1450/mcg of iodine, 1 tablespoon of Wakame contains about 80/mcg of iodine. I recommend sprinkling them in soups or on salads.

2. Cranberries

This antioxidant rich fruit is another great source of iodine. About 4 ounces of cranberries contain approximately 400/mcg of iodine. I would recommend buying fresh organic berries or juice. If you buy cranberry juice from the store, be cautious of how much sugar is in it.

3. Organic Yogurt

A natural probiotic, yogurt is an excellent iodine food you should add to your diet. One serving holds more than half of your daily needs. 1 cup contains approximately 90/mcg of iodine. Other than yogurt, here is a list of probiotic foods you should think about incorporating into your diet for added health benefits.

4. Organic Navy Beans

Many beans are a great food source of iodine, but navy beans may top the list. Just 1/2 cup of these beans contain about 32/mcg of iodine. Beans aren’t just an iodine food, they are also incredibly high in fiber.

5. Organic Strawberries

This tasty red fruit packs up to 10% of our daily iodine needs in a single serving. 1 cup of fresh strawberries has approximately 13/mcg of iodine. Try buying fresh, organic strawberries from your local farmer’s market.

6. Himalayan Crstal Salt

This form of salt, also known as gray salt, is an excellent source of naturally-occuring iodine. While many types of table salt are iodine-enriched, they are also stripped of all their natural health properties, and are chemically processed. Just one gram of himalayan salt contains approximately 500/mcg of iodine.

7. Dairy products

Milk and cheese are good sources of iodine, with one cup of milk holding around 55/mcg. To avoid many of the negative digestive effects of eating cow’s milk and cheese, I personally would recommend opting for raw organic goat’s milk and goat’s cheese; a healthier alternative for extracting iodine from dairy.

8. Potatoes

The common potato is an easy addition to most meals, and is one of the richest sources of iodine in the vegetable kingdom. With the skin, one medium-sized baked potato holds 60/mcg of iodine.

Iodine Supplements

If you’re not a fan of the iodine foods listed above, then you can always take an iodine supplement. There are many different types of iodine supplements on the market, so knowing the differences between each is wise. I recommend a transformative nano-colloidal detoxified nascent iodine supplement, which the body is able to rapidly turn into its own effective mineral iodides for maximum absorption.

-Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, ND, DACBN, DABFM

Today's Natural Cure: Improve Your Digestion

This article is from  bewellbuzz.com

10 REMEDIES TO IMPROVE YOUR DIGESTION NATURALLY

Some things in life don’t ever change! The goodness of the natural creations over the synthetic manmade ways of life is perhaps the truest example of this great phenomenon.

When it comes to healthcare, natural cures somehow always score much better than the usual conventional medication, for most of the ailments. Recent medical research points out towards the staggering range of benefits natural and herbal remedies have to offer for good intestinal and digestive health.

Below is the list of 10 most important herbs and natural remedies which you can adopt for keeping your digestive health at its best.

10 natural remedies to follow

1. Buckthorn Bark

The buckthorn bark, when taken in appropriate doses is known to preventconstipation and other similar bowel disorders. Interestingly, before it is made available to you for use, the buckthorn bark is heat-treated for up to a year before, since untreated fresh buckthorn can create side effects.

2. Ginger root

By now, there is sufficient research to show that regular consumption of ginger root can prevent inflammation in the large intestine, which happens to be the key underlying feature of colon cancer. In fact, it is this inflammation that is often seen as a predecessor to the onset of colon cancer. You can juice fresh ginger root, drink ginger tea or use organic ginger powder in your cooking as well as juices and smoothies.

3. Fennel Seed

These tiny seeds of the Mediterranean origin are known to be helpful in treating a series of digestive problems, ranging right from bloating and flatulence to diarrhea, indigestion and constipation. Towards better health of your intestines, the fennel seeds also provide relief from gastrointestinal cramps.

Read more about how to use fennel and its amazing benefits here.

4. Triphala

Triphala fulfils one of the most important needs in today’s modern age of processed foods and unhealthy lifestyles by offering a great detoxifying ability. By including Triphala in your daily diet, you can effectively counter the effect of the countless toxins and harmful substances ingested every day.

Read more about the miracles of triphala here.

5. Peppermint leaves

Also known for their refreshingly tangy flavor, the peppermint leaves can considerably help curb gas and fight spasms in your intestinal tract. In fact, peppermint itself is known to be a very helpful natural remedy for patients suffering from the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

6. Acacia Gum

Ideal for detoxifying and cleansing your intestinal tract, the acacia gum also helps loosen your bowels and prevent constipation. This in turn, helps to ward off complications such as the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and various forms of inflammation.

7. Papaya

This healthy fruit contains digestive enzyme papain and is known for its ability to break down the food into an easily digestible form so that your digestive system is not forced to labor hard. Overall, papaya is well-known for its ability to keep your bowel system in good order and prevent constipation. Enjoy papaya fruits or use papaya digestive enzymes with your meals.

Similarly, senna leaves, papaya can help ease fluid movement and soften the essential eliminations.

8. Aloe Vera

This wonder plant, having become immensely famous lately helps in the all-important process of alkalization. It helps alkalize digestive juices and also helps in flushing out mucus and impurities from the body. Simply drink suggested serving of organic aloe vera juice and enjoy the benefits.

9. Psyllium husk

Taking just 150 mg of pysllium husk can simply do wonders for your intestinal system. It performs the most crucial function of detoxification and cleansing of your digestive system and ensure its healthy functioning.

10. Slippery Elm

It is common for the protective lining of our digestive system to get inflamed or damaged due to a series of factors such as diet, medication and the like. Slippery elm provides an effective coating to this lining, giving it adequate protection from such wear and tear.

Today's Natural Cure: Raw Honey

This article is from  gloabalhealingcenter.com

The Health Benefits of Locally-Grown Raw Honey

Raw Honey is Tasty and Healthy!

Honey has been used for centuries for its healing properties and sweet flavor. Honey is much sweeter than table sugar and is better for you.

When possible, it’s best to buy locally grown, organic, raw honey. This will be produced by bees in or near the environment you live. Consuming foods from the area you live is beneficial as they contain the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to its environment.

Fresh, raw honey will also be tastier, and more potent. When you buy from local independent farmers you help your local economy.

Health Benefits of Honey

As a healing remedy, raw honey can address multiple issues. There are far more benefits of honey than I can include here but here are some of the more interesting benefits you may not know about.

• Organic, raw honey can provide an energy boost. Its carbohydrates supply energy and strength and it can boost your endurance and reduce muscle fatigue.
• Honey is a great aid in relieving morning sickness, reportedly even more effective than traditional soda crackers.
• Honey is good for sore throats, laryngitis and pharyngitis.
• Honey and cinnamon can help in many areas including relief from bladder infections, arthritis, upset stomach and bad breath. It’s even supposed to be able to slow downhair loss.
• Raw honey can be used as a medication for issues related to male impotence and female infertility. Warm raw goat milk and raw honey is believed to increase sperm count considerably.
• A salve made of honey, for diabetic ulcers, has been proven effective when other topical antibiotics are not well tolerated. It can be applied to eczema, canker sores or bleeding gums.
• Honey and apple cider vinegar can be used for many ailments like stomach aches,constipation and even migraines.
• Honey and lemon goes to work in the body shifting the extra fat stores, thus making it usable energy for regular body functions. Honey is cholesterol-free and can reportedly help keep cholesterol levels in check
• Raw honey has a viscous texture due to its low water content. It is a poor environment for bad bacteria to grow and is a good natural preservative.

Raw honey is a remarkable natural substance that is receiving a lot of well deserved attention. Seek out local markets for organic goods to get the freshest products. Support your local independent farmers; helping them to stay in business is good for them and for your economy.

Precautions

Honey contains a natural presence of botulinum endospores, therefore, children under one year old should not be given honey. Before the age of twelve months, a child’s intestinal tract is not mature enough to inhibit the growth of Clostridium botulinum, which is often found in honey. No honey, in any form, should be given to babies younger than one.

Today's Natural Cure: Don't Ingest Carcinogens

This article is from truthaboutabs.com

Are You Being Exposed to These Hidden Carcinogens in Bread, Cereal, Potato Chips, Fries, and More?
by Cat Ebeling - RN, BSN & Mike Geary - Certified Nutrition Specialist
Co-Authors:  The Fat Burning Kitchen

You've probably heard conflicting opinions out there in the nutrition world if breads, cereals, and other grain-based foods are good for you or not.  On one hand, you've got the mega-powerful multi-billion dollar food companies that make huge profits off of cheap grain-based foods and they attempt to convince the public that breads, cereals, etc are "healthy".

On the other hand, you've got the select camp of scientists, journalists, some nutritionists, etc that believe that humans are still adapted to eating more of a "Paleo" style of diet, which greatly limits grains of all types, since grains historically never comprised more than a tiny percentage of the human diet until just the most recent agricultural age, which allowed mass production of grains for the first time in human history.

But let's forget about the "whole grain is healthy" propaganda camp vs the Paleo style nutrition camp (which I lean towards mostly, except for weekly cheat meals... because let's face it, breads and cereals are tasty, and even if we weren't meant to consume large amounts overall, I know I still want my weekly cheat meals!) ... Instead, let's focus on one particular nail in the coffin for breads, cereals, and the biggest offender, fries and chips...

The Carcinogenic Acrylamides (there's good and bad news)

You may have heard about "Acrylamides" and that their possible negative health effects as a carcinogen, but maybe you were unsure which foods have the highest concentrations.  Well, fried starchy foods are one of the worst offenders!  Acrylamides are created mostly from starchy foods that have been subjected to a high temperature. That includes foods like potato chips, french fries, corn chips, cereals, bread, crackers, pretzels and more.

Basically any starchy carbohydrate cooked at a high temperature through any method of toasting, roasting, baking, or frying will contain higher levels of acrylamides.  Acrylamides generally don't form if a food is cooked using water.  It can also be found in toasted and roasted cereal grains and bread products -- again with the highest levels contained in those baked to a golden brown... so that brown crust on the bread actually contains the highest levels of this carcinogen.

And, sorry french fry lovers... the highest acrylamide levels have been measured in any type of fried potatoes.  Potato chips and french fries fried to a golden brown contain the highest levels of nasty acrylamides.

How bad are Acrylamides?

Acrylamides in foods were discovered in 2002 by Swedish scientists, and made some big headlines (at least in America) when they were first reported. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) really has not acknowledged the negative impact of cancer-causing acrylamides, and food manufacturers, so far, are not putting warning labels on their products concerning the levels of acrylamides, either.

Acrylamides are cancer-causing chemicals that are created when foods are grilled, fried, baked or roasted at fairly high temperatures.  It is thought that an amino acid found in starchy foods, changes its form when heated to become acrylamide. High-temperature cooking methods, such as frying, baking, or broiling, have been found to produce the most acrylamides, while boiling and steaming produce far less.

Researchers in Europe and the United States have found acrylamides in certain foods that were heated to a temperature above 120 degrees Celsius (248 degrees Fahrenheit), but not in foods prepared below this temperature.

The World Health Organization, (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) stated that levels of acrylamides in certain foods pose a "major concern" and more research is needed to determine the dangers.

In one study, it was found that women who consumed 40 micrograms or more of acrylamides each day had twice the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer risk of women who ate foods with little or no acrylamides. 40 mcg is the amount of acrylamides in a small portion of potato chips.

Acrylamide levels in certain foods:

• Potato chips - 546 micrograms/kg
• French fries - 698 micrograms/kg
• breakfast cereal - 131 micrograms/kg
• coffee - 8.5 micrograms/kg

Take note that although coffee is listed here with very small amounts of acrylamides (due to the roasting process of the beans), it is theorized that the high antioxidant levels in coffee counteracts any negative effects of this small amount of acrylamides.

Are there substances that protect your body from acrylamides?

Considering that acrylamides are found in the highest amounts in foods you should be avoiding anyway, here is yet another big reason to avoid those foods. It's particularly important to stay away from the biggest offenders as much as possible:  French fries, potato chips, corn chips and cereals.

But let's be real... although they should be limited as much as possible, not many people want to fully give up these foods!  So with that said, how do we protect ourselves from possible harmful effects of acrylamides when we do choose to indulge?

The answer lies in antioxidants!

Researchers found that three types of antioxidants in particular -- tea polyphenols, resveratrol, and a substance found in garlic, slow down or counteract the damage that acrylamides can do to our bodies.

Polyphenols are found in all types of teas -- black tea, green tea, white tea, red tea, etc., but it is green tea and white tea that contain the highest levels of healthy polyphenols.  With that it mind, it might be a good idea to drink high antioxidant teas on the occasions that you are eating high Acrylamide foods.

Resveratrol is the famed antioxidant found in grape skins and red wine.  It is also found in peanuts that have red skins, like Spanish peanuts.  Again, you might hypothesize that a glass of red wine and the antioxidants within can help protect against the effects of foods with Acrylamides.

Diallyl trisulfide is a compound found in fresh garlic that has been roasted, smashed or minced. Besides fighting off the bad effects of acrylamides, it is also a potent immune system booster.  All three of these compounds are also extremely effective antioxidants.

Although these particular types of antioxidants were pointed out by researchers as potentially helping to inhibit negative effects of acrylamides, I wouldn't assume that other powerful antioxidants don't help too.  As you know, cinnamon,turmeric, and other herbs such as basil and oregano, as well as all berries are extremely potent sources of antioxidants that could potentially be protective as well.

The bottom line:  As much as you can -- avoid fried, roasted or baked starchy foods... especially french fries, potato chips, and corn chips; as well as processed cereals, breads, and crackers.

Not only are these specific foods empty calories with very little micro-nutrition density, they are also insulin increasing (can pack on belly fat), and potentially cancer-causing foods.  Acrylamides are simply one more reason to avoid them.

On your "cheat meals" when you choose to eat starchy foods that may be high in acrylamides, make sure to wash it down with some high-antioxidant green tea, oolong tea, white tea, rooibos tea, or another great source of antioxidants. Prograde Longevity is another great source of potent synergistic antioxidants that can also help to protect your body when you eat these foods.

If you don't already have a copy, make sure to check out our Fat Burning Kitchen program for our fully comprehensive system to transform your kitchen and your body into a fat-burning machine.

Today's Natural Cure: Avoid Pesticides

This article is from liveinthenow.com

4 New Reasons to Avoid Pesticides

Within the past two months, new research has emerged that links food pesticides with four different health problems. These findings build on earlier studies indicating pesticide exposure leads to adverse effects, underscoring the benefits of buying organic foods.

1. A common pesticide may boost the growth of dangerous gut bacteria.

Roundup is one of the most frequently used pesticides in the country, being applied regularly to corn and soy crops, which together make up the bulk of chicken feed. A study published in Current Microbiology finds that glycosides, the active ingredient in Roundup, kills the healthy bacteria in the gut of animals but has no effect on the disease-producing bacteria.

Researchers in the study explain that it is often the healthy bacteria in the gut that curtails the growth of the disease-producing strains. Therefore, the reduction in healthy microbes can boost the growth of bacteria that cause botulism, food poisoning and other infections, in effect, making the deadly bugs more dangerous. The authors hypothesize that this effect could be linked to an increase in botulism.

This disturbance in the gut microbe population not only affects the animals eating the feed from crops grown with Roundup, but also affects the people who consume the animals, points out Sayer Ji, founder of Green Media Info. Buying organic meat and produce can protect you from the effects of this pesticide.

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2.      Low-level exposure to organophosphates causes permanent brain damage.

Organophosphates are the most widely used pesticide in the world. In a review published in Critical Reviews in Toxicology, researchers found that low-level exposure to organophosphates can cause permanent deficits in memory, information processing and other cognitive functions such as language. Rather than focusing on a single study, the scientists undertook an overview of research of this pesticide conducted over the past 20 years. The findings showed a “significant correlation” between these pesticides and impaired cognition. These results are important because although the toxicity of high levels of organophosphates is well known, the effects of low-level exposure have not been conclusively established.

3.      Pesticides may raise the risk of prostate cancer.

In addition to receiving pesticide exposure through food, people can also be exposed to these harmful chemicals from inhalation, skin contact and contamination of ground water. Spotlighting this type of exposure, a recent investigation called the Agricultural Health Study monitored over 54,000 people who applied pesticides.

Within 14 years, over 1,900 of them were diagnosed with prostate cancer, of which 919 cases were aggressive. Of the 48 pesticides involved in the data collection, four showed a significant correlation with the aggressive form of prostate cancer. These were either organochlorines or organophosphates.  Most organochlorines have been banned in our country now, as they have been associated with cancer.

Also Read

Pesticide Use Increases as GMO Technology Backfires

4.      Pesticides are linked with Parkinson’s disease.

Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group often warns that some pesticides that were once considered perfectly safe are later found to be harmful to health. Unfortunately, these effects are often not brought to light until consumers have been exposed to them for years, he says. A recent study proves his concerns are valid.

Researchers at the University of California in Los Angeles have discovered an association between Parkinson’s disease and exposure to benomyl, a fungicide that was used for decades on a broad spectrum of fruits and vegetables before it was discontinued in 2001. The parts of the study involving tests in lab dishes and tests in animals found benonyl causes changes in nerve cells that lead to Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, when testing the health of more than 1,000 people, they uncovered that those who lived or worked within 500 meters of areas where the fungicide had formerly been used had a 200 percent higher risk of developing the disease.

Sources:

http://www.rodale.com/pesticides-and-food-safety

http://www.mnn.com/green-tech/research-innovations/stories/herbicide-could-make-deadly-bacteria-more-dangerous-says-new

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alex-formuzis/parkinsons-and-pesticides_b_2442461.html

http://naturalstandard.com/news/news201301007.asp

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/12/121202113712.htm

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Mary West is a natural health enthusiast, as she believes this area can profoundly enhance wellness. She is the creator of a natural healing website where she focuses on solutions to health problems that work without side effects. You can visit her site and learn more athttp://www.alternativemedicinetruth.com. Ms. West is also the author of Fight Cancer Through Powerful Natural Strategies.

Today's Natural Cure: Coconut Oil

This article is from:  greenmedinfo.com

13 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil

While coconut oil has dragged itself out of the muck of vast misrepresentation over the past few years, it still rarely gets the appreciation it truly deserves.  Not just a "good" saturated fat, coconut oil is an exceptional healing agent as well, with loads of useful health applications.

Some examples of "good" saturated fat include

• Fat-burning: Ironic, isn't it? A saturated fat which can accelerate the loss of midsection fat (the most dangerous kind). Well, there are now two solid, human studies showing just two tablespoons a day (30 ml), in both men and women, is capable of reducing belly fat within 1-3 months.
• Brain-Boosting: A now famous study, published in 2006 in the journal Neurobiology of Aging, showed that the administration of medium chain triglycerides (most plentifully found in coconut oil) in 20 subjects with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment, resulted in significant increases in ketone bodies (within only 90 minutes after treatment) associated with measurable cognitive improvement in those with less severe cognitive dysfunction.[i]
• Clearing Head Lice: When combined with anise spray, coconut oil was found to be superior to the insecticide permethrin (.43%).[ii]
• Healing Wounds: Coconut has been used for wound healing since time immemorial.  Three of the identified mechanisms behind these healing effects are its ability to accelerate re-epithelialization, improve antioxidant enzyme activity, and stimulate higher collagen cross-linking within the tissue being repaired.[iii]  Coconut oil has even been shown to work synergistically with traditional treatments, such as silver sulphadizine, to speed burn wound recovery.[iv]
• NSAID Alternative: Coconut oil has been demonstrated to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and fever-reducing properties.[v]
• Anti-Ulcer Activity: Interestingly, coconut milk (which includes coconut oil components), has been shown to be as effective as the conventional drug sucralfate as an NSAID-associated anti-ulcer agent.[vi]
• Anti-Fungal: In 2004, 52 isolates of Candida species were exposed to coconut oil. The most notorious form, Candida albicans, was found to have the highest susceptibility. Researchers remarked: "Coconut oil should be used in the treatment of fungal infections in view of emerging drug-resistant Candida species."[vii]
• Testosterone-Booster: Coconut oil was found to reduce oxidative stress in the testes of rats, resulting in significantly higher levels of testosterone.[viii]
• Reducing Swollen Prostate: Coconut oil has been found to reduce testosterone-induced benign prostate growth in rats.[ix]
• Improving Blood Lipids: Coconut oil consistently improves the LDL:HDL ratio in the blood of those who consume it.  Given this effect, coconut oil can nolonger be dismissed for being 'that saturated fat which clogs the arteries.'
• Fat-Soluble Nutrient Absorption: Coconut oil was recently found to be superior to safflower oil in enhancing tomato carotenoid absorption.[x]
• Bone Health: Coconut oil has been shown to reduce oxidative stress within the bone, which may prevent structural damage in osteoporotic bone.[xi] [Note: Osteoporosis is a Myth, as presently defined by the T-Score]

• Sunscreen: Coconut oil has been shown to block out UV rays by 30%. Keep in mind that this is good, insofar as UVA rays are damaging to the skin, whereas UVB rays are highly beneficial (when exposure is moderate).[i]  Make sure to check this list of other sun-blocking oils.

Of course, when speaking about coconut oil, we are only looking at one part of the amazing coconut palm.  Each component, including coconut hull fiber, coconut protein and coconut water has experimentally confirmed therapeutic applications.

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References

• [i] Mark A Reger, Samuel T Henderson, Cathy Hale, Brenna Cholerton, Laura D Baker, G S Watson, Karen Hyde, Darla Chapman, Suzanne Craft . Effects of beta-hydroxybutyrate on cognition in memory-impaired adults. Neurobiol Aging. 2004 Mar;25(3):311-4. PMID:15123336

• [ii] Ian F Burgess, Elizabeth R Brunton, Nazma A Burgess . Clinical trial showing superiority of a coconut and anise spray over permethrin 0.43% lotion for head louse infestation, ISRCTN96469780. Eur J Pediatr. 2010 Jan ;169(1):55-62. Epub 2009 Apr 3. PMID: 19343362

• [iii] K G Nevin, T Rajamohan . Effect of topical application of virgin coconut oil on skincomponents and antioxidant status during dermal wound healing in young rats. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2010 ;23(6):290-7. Epub 2010 Jun 3. PMID: 20523108

• [iv] Pallavi Srivastava, S Durgaprasad. Burn wound healing property of Cocos nucifera: An appraisal. Indian J Pharmacol. 2008 Aug;40(4):144-6. PMID: 20040946

• [v] S Intahphuak, P Khonsung, A Panthong. Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antipyretic activities of virgin coconut oil. Pharm Biol. 2010 Feb;48(2):151-7. PMID: 20645831

• [vi] R O Nneli, O A Woyike. Antiulcerogenic effects of coconut (Cocos nucifera) extract in rats. Phytother Res. 2008 Jul;22(7):970-2. PMID: 18521965

• [vii] D O Ogbolu, A A Oni, O A Daini, A P Oloko. In vitro antimicrobial properties of coconut oil on Candida species in Ibadan, Nigeria. J Med Food. 2007 Jun;10(2):384-7. PMID: 17651080

• [viii] Graciela E Hurtado de Catalfo, María J T de Alaniz, Carlos A Marra. Dietary lipids modify redox homeostasis and steroidogenic status in rat testis. Phytother Res. 2010 Feb;24(2):163-8. PMID: 18549927

• [ix] María de Lourdes Arruzazabala, Vivian Molina, Rosa Más, Daisy Carbajal, David Marrero, Víctor González, Eduardo Rodríguez. Effects of coconut oil on testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia in Sprague-Dawley rats. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2007 Jul;59(7):995-9. PMID: 17637195

• [x] Lauren E Conlon, Ryan D King, Nancy E Moran, John W Erdman. Coconut Oil Enhances Tomato Carotenoid Tissue Accumulation Compared to Safflower Oil in the Mongolian Gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus). J Agric Food Chem. 2012 Aug 7. Epub 2012 Aug 7. PMID: 22866697

• [xi] Mouna Abdelrahman Abujazia, Norliza Muhammad, Ahmad Nazrun Shuid, Ima Nirwana Soelaiman. The Effects of Virgin Coconut Oil on Bone Oxidative Status in Ovariectomised Rat. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2012 ;2012:525079. Epub 2012 Aug 15. PMID:22927879

Today's Natural Cure: Good Posture

Original article from:  liveinthenow.com

How Your Sleep Posture Affects Your Health

Good sleep is an absolutely vital component to good health. Many individuals go to bed with very little pain but wake up finding that they are stiff and sore in the morning. Others cannot even make it through the night due to intense back and neck pain that awakes them. Optimal sleeping postures protect your spine and allow your body to rest effectively and maximize the rejuvenatory benefits of sleep.

The posture patterns we carry during the day and overnight will play a very large role in the health of our spine and nervous system. Bad posture leads to problems with the spine which can cause health challenges such as headaches, neck pain and back pain. Additionally, these spinal abnormalities disrupt neurological function in the body causing poor healing, organ malfunctions and challenges with the immune system.

Bad sleeping postures

There are several different sleeping postures that are to be avoided. Sleeping face-down requires an individual to have their head turned to a side. This causes a long stretching response in the ligaments and leads to plastic ligamentous deformity and spinal damage.

Sleeping face up with a large pillow underneath your head will cause a hyperflexion and protraction of the neck. This will again cause a plastic deformity that will lead to increased forward head posture and loss of the cervical curve.

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This is extremely dangerous as forward head posture has been shown to decrease lung capacity; it prevents the body from effectively oxygenating cells. This can lead to asthmatic conditions, sleep apnea and cardiovascular disease. Forward head posture also affects the digestive system leading to lowered nutrient absorption, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome. Lowered oxygen states decrease endorphin production leading to lowered pain thresholds and heightened states of pain.

Best sleeping postures

There are several sleeping postures that are beneficial to the body. One of the best is sleeping on your back with a specific posture pillow customized to help improve the cervical curve. When sleeping face up on this customized posture pillow, it is important to also put a normal pillow underneath the knees to create hip and knee flexion that will take pressure off of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.

Another great sleeping posture is lying on your side in a fetal-like position with hips and knees flexed about 45 degrees. It is important to have pillow support under the neck that keeps the head level and face in a neutral position. It is also critical to have a pillow between the knees which assists the body in keeping proper pelvic integrity. If the pillow is not there, it will lead to a torquing position in the pelvic region.

If the pillow under the neck is too big and firm, it can cause the individual to be placed in a lateral flexion position away from the sleeping side shoulder. If the pillow is too small and fluffy, it can cause the lateral flexion position towards the sleeping side shoulder. Both of these positions are very dangerous for the spine and nervous system.

Back and forth sleepers

When going from back to side, it is important to transition the pillow under the knees to in-between the knees and position the head to where it is not in a lateral flexion position. When going from side to back, it is important to slide the pillow in-between the knees to under the knees. Additionally, be sure to position a larger head pillow further down on the torso so it flexes the body at the pelvic and lumbar region and does not just push the cervical spine forward.

Sources:

http://www.naturalnews.com/038252_sleep_habits_tips_bed_time.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/030956_posture_health.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/031206_chiropractic_immunity.html

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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 go to www.drjockers.com To find a Maximized Living doctor near you go to www.maximizedliving.com Dr. Jockers is also available for long distance phone consultations to help you beat disease and reach your health goals

This article originally appeared on NaturalNews.com. Go straight to the source.