Stress and Herbs

My life has been so stressful lately.  Within 2 months, Mom had a stroke, my stepfather passed away, my older son was deployed for the second time, and my youngest son graduated from high school.  Any one of these events would be enough to deal with, but I have been faced with all of them. The trick to making it through tough times is to learn how to deal with stress. 

Stress can be a killer.  It contributes to chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.  When you are under stress, hormones are released that interfere with sleep and can also damage the brain areas critical to memory formation and can cause us to age prematurely.  On the other hand, stress isn't all bad.  Without change, life would be boring and uneventful. 

If you are experiencing out of control stress, you need to step back and try to reassess the situation and place it in a positive light.  Of course, this is easier said than done.  Instead of focusing on the uncontrollable situation, look for something you can do - any kind of concrete action.  For example, if you are in a hurry to get somewhere and you are stuck in traffic, you could call ahead and let someone know the situation, call to re-route anyone else you know may be coming in that direction - just do something!  Try to take control of the situation - what can you do to help?  The more control you can take - the less stress you will feel. 

Sometimes positive behaviors and thoughts just aren't enough and we have to turn to some kind of help.  This is where herbs can step in and help you to cope.  Typically, you would want to use the adaptogen herbs.  An adaptogen herb is an herb that whenever you take it - it determines if you are male or female and "adapts" to whatever you need.  Adaptogens work at the molecular and cellular level to help combat stress.  Ginseng, astragalus, schisandra, eleuthero, and rhodiola are a few of the adaptogen herbs that not only combat stress but will boost your immune system.  This is a very good thing because chronic stress will undermine the immune system setting you up for chronic illnesses. 

Another class of herbs for stress are the nervines.  These include chamomile, skullcap, or lemon balm.  You might want to include herbs that strengthen the heart, as stress can take its toll on your cardiovascular system.  Motherwort is calming and can calm heart palpitations.  Hawthorn is a good all around tonic for the heart. 

If you need help sleeping you might try valerian or hops.  These can induce a restful nights sleep. 

You will also need to make sure you are eating a very nutritious diet.  Since summer is on its way and the garden produce is plentiful, at least this is one thing that is easier to accomplish.

So remember, take control of the situation, and just know that there are many different herbs which can help you out greatly.  I know I have been using a few lately!  If you need help with which herb you might need or how to take them, dosages, etc. please contact me and we can discuss your individual situation. 

Remember - worry is like a rocking chair - it keeps you busy but you get nowhere!

Stay Strong! 

Eating to Help Hypothyroidism

Most of my clients complain of hypothyroidism (low thyroid function).  They have been to the doctor and their tests have come back normal, but yet they have strong indicators of hypothyroidism.  The test that the doctor uses is flawed and will not show accurate results.  They don't even test your adrenals and they could be causing you problems with the same symptoms as the thyroid.  Hypothyroidism is believed to be one of the most under-diagnosed health conditions today.  So many of the symptoms can be attributed to other factors, which makes hypothyroidism very difficult to diagnose.  As you age, your risk increases, particularly for women in menopause. 

A hair analysis is a very accurate way of diagnosing both thyroid and adrenal problems.  This will show if you have hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), which is less common. If it does show a problem, it can be treated with glandular extracts, not the synthetic stuff the doctors prescribe.  

Food plays an important role in the function of the glands.  Some of the very healthiest foods can be "unhealthy" to the glands.  Broccoli, cauliflower, kale, spinach, radishes, soybeans, peaches, peanuts, and pine nuts are just a few that will cause stress on the thyroid.  They contain a natural substance that interferes with the production of thyroid hormones.  Many people believe that cooking these vegetables will inactivate these substances. 

There are at least a dozen vitamins and minerals recommended for prevention of low thyroid function.  Iodine is probably the most recognized.  Iodine combines with the amino acid tyrosine and produces thyroid hormones.  Good sources of tyrosine include fish, dairy, oats, sesame seeds, bananas, avocados, and almonds.  Vitamins such as B2, B3, B6, B12, A, C, E, and Zinc all help to improve the function of the thyroid. 

TIPS:

1.  Make sure your salt contains iodine.

2.  Cook foods, which inhibit the production of thyroid hormones.

3.  Eat foods that are rich in tyrosine.

4.  Use olive oil for all your cooking.  This will add vitamin E to your diet.  Put nuts in salads.

5.  Use raw herbs as garnish for cooked foods.  This will add vitamins.

6.  Eat a lot of foods that are rich in beta-carotene - sweet potatoes, winter squash, etc.

7.  Switch to purified water - reverse osmosis is the best. Fluoride has been thought to reduce the thyroid function. 

Stay Strong!  

Benefits of Fatty Acids

Heard about the health benefits of essential fatty acids?  They are called essential fatty acids for a reason.  The human body needs them for many functions and our bodies can't produce them.  The only source is food.  Fatty acids are the "good fats" that are produced when fats are broken down.  They can keep your skin healthy and help with early aging.  They may also help with weight loss by the way they help the body process cholesterol.  

Fatty acids will decrease the levels of cholesterol and also decrease triglycerides, which in turn reduce the platelet aggregation in the arteries.  This means that the blood platelets circulating in the body do not adhere to each other.  This action will prevent a clot from forming.

Omega 3 - These are the fatty acids known for reducing the risk of arthritis, heart disease, and cancer.  They help with healthy brain and cell function.  These types of fatty acids can be found in flaxseed, leafy greens, walnuts, mackerel, tuna, and salmon. 

Omega 6 supports the immune system's protective function.  As with all fatty acids, it can also lower bad cholesterol.  This fatty acid comes from plant oils and it is found in sunflower, soybean, and corn oils.  You can also find it in nuts and seeds.  About 5% - 10% of your food calories should contain this fatty acid. 

Omega 9 fatty acids are found most frequently in animal fats and olive oil.  They have strong antioxidant qualities and help to prevent heart disease.

Americans usually consume too much Omega 6 and not enough Omega 3.  This can result in an imbalance and can lead to chronic disease. A good ratio would be one serving Omega 6 to one serving Omega 3 or one serving Omega 6 to two servings Omega 3.   

 Fish oil supplements are a good source to assure you are getting your daily dose.  Whenever you purchase fish oil, make sure you buy the pharmaceutical grade.  This is a much purer source. 

Fish contains 2 types of Omega 3 - EPA and DHA.  These two types are particularly important for lowering inflammation.  They are also very important in protecting against heart disease.

Here are some simple ways to add more fatty acids to your diet:

Dip your bread in olive oil instead of butter;

Stir-fry with cashews or almonds;

Add walnuts to your salads:

Drizzle olive oil over vegetables;

Eat fish twice a week.

        Add these important fatty acids to your diet for wonderful health!

Stay Strong!

Losing Weight the Smart Way!

         Seems that everyone you see these days wants to lose weight.  90% of the magazines on the shelf offer quick weight loss if you just follow their plan.  This strategy may sell magazines but will offer you no real help in the weight loss battle.  Online you will find many "quick weight loss" options but there again, these don't work.  Usually, you will end up with more weight instead of less.  So, what do you do?  First of all, don't spend your money on the magazines and ignore the web.  In order to lose weight the smart way you have to implement some strategies. 

1.  Eat sensibly - avoid all the fad diets.  These won't work and if you do manage to lose some weight you will gain it all back and then some.  Eat 3 sensible meals daily - add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.  Limit your portion size.  Also limit fats and high fat foods, sugar, all sodas (even diet), and alcohol.  Whatever you do ---stay away from artificial sweeteners (except stevia)!

2.  Exercise daily - Get up and move!  Dance to the radio, walk, don't just be a couch potato.  Incorporate muscle-strengthening exercises in your routine.  Remember, muscle weighs more than fat and you don't want to lose muscle.  If you are building muscle you might actually gain weight, but are toning up and getting firmer! Yeah!!!

3.  Reshape your eating behaviors - Watch yourself - become aware of your eating patterns.  What is causing you to overeat?  Try to avoid emotional situations or social situations that will cause you to overeat.  No one likes change so don't expect your behaviors to change overnight.  Try replacing one unhealthy food with one healthy food each day, before you know it you will have made the change and hardly noticed it. 

4.  Keep a journal - Write down everything you eat, nibble on, (yes, just a taste counts).  Anything that passes your lips, drinks, food, candy, whatever - write it down.  You may be surprised at just how much food you are consuming. Now write down how much you exercise - how far you walk, etc.  Get a pedometer and aim for 10,000 steps (5 miles) a day.  Start slow and build up.  A normal person usually walks about 2,000 steps a day; increase that by 500 a day, soon you will be to the 10,000 mark.

5.  Get moral support - The buddy system is great, a workout buddy will motivate you.  There are many professionals available to help you also.  Coaches, psychologist, personal trainers, or if nothing else, pop in a DVD.  There are some great workout DVD's out there. 

There is no magic bullet that can take the weight off of you - you have to have willpower to not raise that fork to your mouth and to get up and move.  Although there are no magic bullets there are some supplements that can assist you in your journey to the skinny you.  First of all, you need a really good multivitamin; you must make sure you are getting proper nutrition.  Thyroid and adrenal gland treatment needs to be added as well.

The latest diet fad is the use of human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG), which is a hormone produced during pregnancy.  You are to only consume 500 calories a day and take this supplement.  Of course, you cannot remain healthy on 500 calories a day and your body will go into starvation mode and you will have more problems than you want. But, I have found a homeopathic formula similar to the hCG, which seems to work very well.  You don't have to cut your calories dangerously low to lose weight.  I am trying it out now and will let you know my results - so far, I'm impressed. 

So, get moving, eat healthy, and stay strong!!!!! 

Is Coffee Healthy?

          I'm sure the majority of you out there start your day off with a cup of coffee.  Just what is in that coffee?  Is it healthy?  Well, the answer may just surprise you.  First of all, remember coffee is a herb, or bean if you prefer.  These beans are complex fruits that contain over 1,000 compounds.  Coffee is packed with anti-oxidants, probably the greatest source in the American diet. 

          The average coffee drinker consumes 3.1 cups per day.  Research has found that larger volumes - maybe 4-12 cups a day can prevent many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, liver disease, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's disease.  But even drinking just one cup a day can decrease the risk of developing diabetes by 13%. 

          Not all coffees will provide the same protection against disease.  The process of roasting will destroy some polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acid.  Whenever this is destroyed you lose some of your anti-oxidant benefits.  Meaning that you have to drink more to get the benefits.  New processes are being utilized to retain more of these compounds. 

          Other benefits of coffee include lowered risk of kidney stones, gallstones, gall bladder disease, boost weight loss, prevents constipation, and promotes fat metablolism.  Caffeine will sometimes relieve headaches.  Although I am not an advocate of pain medication, caffeine will boost their effectiveness and cause them to be absorbed more quickly.  Caffeine will also raise your blood pressure, so be sure you don't overdo it.  You will get the same benefits from decaf as from regular coffee. 

          Of course, I shouldn't have to say this but leave the creamer and sugar out.  Just drink it black.  It won't do you much good if you load it down with all the bad stuff. 

Stay Strong!

         

Water and Health

Good water is essential to life. 

Here are a few quick facts:

75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated; 

8-10 glasses of water a day can significantly relieve back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers;

 Dehydration causes stress and this stress will cause further dehydration;

Most asthma cases are really misdiagnosed cases of chronic dehydration;

Daytime fatigue can be caused by lack of water;

Our thirst mechanism is so out of whack that we sometimes mistake thirst for hunger;

The National Cancer Institute reported a study that showed the drinking of chlorinated water increases one's risks of developing bladder cancer by 80%;

Migraine headaches (as well as other headaches) can be prevented by the regular intake of water;

75% of your body weight is water;

Mild dehydration can cause heart palpations;

A 2% drop in body water can cause you to have fuzzy short-term memory

 (your brain is 85% water);

Water is second only to oxygen in importance of your health;

Every nutrient, vitamin, hormone in your body is carried to its destination by water;

Water will eliminate toxins from the bloodstream;

Your daily energy depends on water.

These are just a few problems that can arise with a low intake of water.  Generally you need 8-10 -- 8 oz. glasses per day of good quality water.  The very best is reverse osmosis.  Our tap water may contain as many as 500 different disease causing bacteria, viruses and parasites, not to mention the heavy metals and chemicals.  Let's not forget fluoride, which has been forced on us.  Fluoride is more toxic than lead and has been linked to Alzheimer's, bone damage and cancer.   

With water being this important why don't you just go fix you a big glass.  If you want some flavor with added calories, just simply add a slice of lemon.  Lemon is alkalizing for the liver and tastes good too. 

Remember 8-10 glasses a day!

Stay strong!

Gout and Its Treatment

Gout is an acute type of inflammatory arthritis.  It occurs most often in people who eat a lot of rich foods (meat, gravies, spices and alcohol).  It is caused from a buildup of uric acid in the blood.  Whenever uric acid levels rise beyond a certain point, the kidneys cannot excrete it and it forms uric acid crystals in the joints, which cause intense pain.  These crystals can form in the body organs, as well, and do great damage there also. 

          Gout will typically attack the smaller joints of the hands and feet, usually the big toe.  Gout usually affects men in about 90% of all cases.  Most individuals affected are overweight. 

          Symptoms usually come on suddenly, sometimes in the middle of the night.  You will have extreme pain and swelling of a joint in the fingers or toes.  It can also affect the ankles, knees, hands, elbows and wrists.  Motion or pressure will increase the pain.  After the swelling subsides, the skin may itch and peel.  Whenever you are having an attack you may have loss of appetite, stomach and intestinal problems, fever, and decreased urine output. 

          Some natural remedies that may help include dietetic changes, drinking lots of water, and weight control.  If you suffer from this condition you need to reduce your weight to at least 15% below the calculated normal weight.  Lose this weight gradually, if you go to fast you will increase the intensity of the attacks.  Drink at least 2 quarts of pure water a day.  This helps the body to get rid of the uric acid and minimize the damage to the kidneys.  Vitamin B12 helps the body to distribute water and dilute the uric acid.  B complex helps the body to convert the uric acid into compounds which are harmless to the body.  At the onset of an attack, take 1,000 mg of vitamin C per hour and then slowly lower it to 500-8,000 mg daily.  Take 100 IU of vitamin E and gradually increase it to 500-800 daily.  This helps to reduce uric acid build-up.  Try to balance your diet.  High-carbohydrate diet tends to increase acid excretion, high fat diet will decrease the acid excretion and may bring on an attack.  Particularly eliminate meat and cheese from the diet.  Eat high-potassium foods.  Make a soup from potato peelings, this is rich in potassium.  Eating cherries is helpful, as is celery extracts.  Turmeric will stimulate the adrenals to release the body's own cortisone, which will reduce inflammation and the pain associated with this painful condition.  Useful herbal teas include yarrow, peppermint, devil's claw, juniper and birch.  These will reduce inflammation and pain.   

             Stop eating all kinds of meat.  Eat whole-grains peas, beans, asparagus, mushrooms cauliflower and spinach only in moderate amounts.   Your diet should consist of fresh raw vegetables.  Stay away from sugary foods such as cakes and pies.  Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.  All kinds of alcohol will increase uric acid production and can cause attacks.  A warm compress with comfrey root or leaves will help with pain.  Just apply for two hours or even overnight.  Avoid cold baths of any kind and do not immerse the affected part of your body in cold water. 

          If you have any questions about the treatment of gout, please contact me. 

Stay Strong!