Monday, April 2, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Green Drinks and Smoothies
I've started blogging again! I've rekindled my passion for making green drinks. Sometimes it's hard to stick to a new habit, so I decided to write about the easy way to detox with greens. I thought long and hard about the reasons why I failed to keep up with my drinks. Here's what I came up with:
1. They did't taste that good.
2. They didn't look so good.
3. I used too many ingredients.
4. It was time consuming to juice greens.
5. They didn't taste good! Did I mention that already??
6. I wasn't sure about which fruits and vegetables to mix together.
As funny as it may seem, I was concerned about the safety of drinking a lot of greens. I'm now enjoying juicing again been my without fear of harming my health. I'm doing this by rotating my greens. That means adding kale one day, the next day, spinach, then parsley on another day, dandelion greens, chard and so on. By rotating your greens, you don't get too much of any particular alkaloid. I also learned that it's okay to juice leafy greens with fruit. However you don't want to be mixing non-leafy vegetables in your drink. No carrots, broccoli, etc. Stick to leaves and fruit and your good to go! (You can juice vegetables separately.)
Here's what I've been juicing:
60% fruit/40% greens
Spinach
Banana
Mango
Kale
Pear
Banana
Italian Parsley
Banana
Ginger
Lemon
Hopefully this will give you some good ideas to start with. If you should decide to purchase a high speed blender, my link is on this page my code is attached to the html. Sometimes there are discounted, refurbished blenders on the company's site. My website is not currently operative, but if you'd like to contact me, here's my email: consultations4health@gmail.com
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Friday, November 11, 2011
Post Traumatic Stress Relief
Imagine that you‘ve just gone through one of the most stressful times of your life. Maybe you were diagnosed with a serious illness, went through a divorce, lost a loved one in death, been through an inappropriate sexual experience or experienced some other tragedy or life changing event. If these scenarios haven’t occurred in your life, maybe you’ve been under some other type of chronic stress for some time. You don’t sleep well, your stomach is upset, you feel anxious and unhappy more often than you’d like. No matter the cause, stress will leave its mark. How do we go on with our lives?
Many underestimate the powerful ability of stress to alter your state of mind, well-being and over-all health. When I went through a stressful event, I thought that eating well and taking my vitamins more regularly would do the trick and get me back to “normal”. While it’s a good idea to take care of yourself and eat healthy when you’ve gone through a stressful event, the mental and emotional effects stress cannot be ignored. I learned that with Post Traumatic Stress, your brain has been stressed and it can be very difficult to get better, maybe even impossible without help. The trauma you’ve experienced will stay with you until you face it head on. Maybe what has worked for me won’t work for everyone. Here are a few ideas:
1. Admit that you’re not doing so well. Tell someone you trust what’s been bothering you. Think about why the events you went through affected you personally.
2. See a professional if necessary.
3. Exercise with the focus on relaxation and not with your objective on achieving weight loss goals. You can do that later
4. Take advantage of remedies that help with stress reduction. (I bought a nice aromatherapy diffuser).
5. Breathing exercises are very important for reducing anxiety. There is a lot of information on this. Try breathing in slowly and deeply. Exhale with your tongue touching the back of your front teeth. Do this for 5 minutes as often as needed.
6. Of course if you’re a spiritual person, prayer is vital.
7. When you feel better, try to shift the focus off of yourself and back on to helping others and living in the moment. Focus on family, friends and other things you enjoy in life.
Vitamins, Herbs and Glandulars
What are glandulars? Glandulars are different from vitamins and herbs in the sense that they are targeting the endocrine system in particular. Glandulars are often used for improving glandular function in bodies that have been worn out from stress. Glandular therapy involves the use of purified extracts from the secretory endocrine glands from animals. Most commonly, the extracts are drawn from the thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as the thymus, pituitary, pancreas and ovaries. Most of these extracts come from cows, with the exception of pancreatic glandular preparations usually drawn from sheep.
Why Glandulars Work
Evidence has shown that large molecules can and do pass completely intact from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream. In fact, there is further evidence to suggest that your body is able to determine which molecules need to absorb whole, and which can be broken down. So, yes, glandulars can have a positive effect on the body. In essence, the active properties of the glandulars stay active and intact and are not destroyed in the digestive process. This is key to the success of glandular therapy and explains why they help restore hormone function by supporting the health of the adrenal glands themselves.
You may not have noticed glandulars for on the shelves at Health Food Stores. The best brands are available by prescription from practitioners in the field of Natural Health. You may call a chiropractor to see if they carry the brands Standard Process, or other trusted brands. They may recommend an adrenal preparation for you. It is advisable to arrange an appointment to see which recommendations are best for you. Always choose a practitioner who makes you feel comfortable. (Many seem to have their own agenda in some way.) Make sure they aren’t pushy and care about you and your health, so as not to cause you further stress. (You may also want to check amazon.com for adrenal complex by Standard Process).
Diet, exercise and vitamins also play a part in improving adrenal function. For more support, consider taking 1,000 mg of buffered vitamin C daily with a meal, 25-100 mg of a vitamin B complex a day, and an additional 250 mg of B5 (pantothenic acid) twice a day.
References:
Dr. Susan Lark's Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark MD
http://helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Many underestimate the powerful ability of stress to alter your state of mind, well-being and over-all health. When I went through a stressful event, I thought that eating well and taking my vitamins more regularly would do the trick and get me back to “normal”. While it’s a good idea to take care of yourself and eat healthy when you’ve gone through a stressful event, the mental and emotional effects stress cannot be ignored. I learned that with Post Traumatic Stress, your brain has been stressed and it can be very difficult to get better, maybe even impossible without help. The trauma you’ve experienced will stay with you until you face it head on. Maybe what has worked for me won’t work for everyone. Here are a few ideas:
1. Admit that you’re not doing so well. Tell someone you trust what’s been bothering you. Think about why the events you went through affected you personally.
2. See a professional if necessary.
3. Exercise with the focus on relaxation and not with your objective on achieving weight loss goals. You can do that later
4. Take advantage of remedies that help with stress reduction. (I bought a nice aromatherapy diffuser).
5. Breathing exercises are very important for reducing anxiety. There is a lot of information on this. Try breathing in slowly and deeply. Exhale with your tongue touching the back of your front teeth. Do this for 5 minutes as often as needed.
6. Of course if you’re a spiritual person, prayer is vital.
7. When you feel better, try to shift the focus off of yourself and back on to helping others and living in the moment. Focus on family, friends and other things you enjoy in life.
Vitamins, Herbs and Glandulars
What are glandulars? Glandulars are different from vitamins and herbs in the sense that they are targeting the endocrine system in particular. Glandulars are often used for improving glandular function in bodies that have been worn out from stress. Glandular therapy involves the use of purified extracts from the secretory endocrine glands from animals. Most commonly, the extracts are drawn from the thyroid and adrenal glands, as well as the thymus, pituitary, pancreas and ovaries. Most of these extracts come from cows, with the exception of pancreatic glandular preparations usually drawn from sheep.
Why Glandulars Work
Evidence has shown that large molecules can and do pass completely intact from the intestinal tract to the bloodstream. In fact, there is further evidence to suggest that your body is able to determine which molecules need to absorb whole, and which can be broken down. So, yes, glandulars can have a positive effect on the body. In essence, the active properties of the glandulars stay active and intact and are not destroyed in the digestive process. This is key to the success of glandular therapy and explains why they help restore hormone function by supporting the health of the adrenal glands themselves.
You may not have noticed glandulars for on the shelves at Health Food Stores. The best brands are available by prescription from practitioners in the field of Natural Health. You may call a chiropractor to see if they carry the brands Standard Process, or other trusted brands. They may recommend an adrenal preparation for you. It is advisable to arrange an appointment to see which recommendations are best for you. Always choose a practitioner who makes you feel comfortable. (Many seem to have their own agenda in some way.) Make sure they aren’t pushy and care about you and your health, so as not to cause you further stress. (You may also want to check amazon.com for adrenal complex by Standard Process).
Diet, exercise and vitamins also play a part in improving adrenal function. For more support, consider taking 1,000 mg of buffered vitamin C daily with a meal, 25-100 mg of a vitamin B complex a day, and an additional 250 mg of B5 (pantothenic acid) twice a day.
References:
Dr. Susan Lark's Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark MD
http://helpguide.org/mental/post_traumatic_stress_disorder_symptoms_treatment.htm
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Sauces That Multi-task
If you’ve started to eat healthier, you realize how important good sauces are. A good sauce can make vegetables and even quinoa edible! Sometimes all you have to do is start with a basic sauce, and change it slightly to make it suitable for other meals.
Here’s an example:
Parsley Oil
1 bunch of parsley (leaves only)
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
A pinch of salt
Pasta Sauce
Blend these ingredients together in a food processor or high-powered blender until very smooth.
This sauce can be used over pasta and vegetables or whatever else your imagination comes up with.
Variation 1: Salad
Spoon a couple tablespoons of parsley oil in a small mixing bowl. Add agave nectar, rice vinegar and a little water. Now you have a salad dressing. Pour over spinach and tomatoes.
Variation 2: Omelet
Let’s say you’ve made a spinach salad with tomatoes the night before and you have some left over with a little dressing. Mix together a couple of eggs, grate some cheese, add a little spinach and tomato salad to the cheese and you’ll have a great tasting omelet.
Having great, simple sauces on hand will help you with your nutritional goals.
Here’s an example:
Parsley Oil
1 bunch of parsley (leaves only)
¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 cloves of garlic
A pinch of salt
Pasta Sauce
Blend these ingredients together in a food processor or high-powered blender until very smooth.
This sauce can be used over pasta and vegetables or whatever else your imagination comes up with.
Variation 1: Salad
Spoon a couple tablespoons of parsley oil in a small mixing bowl. Add agave nectar, rice vinegar and a little water. Now you have a salad dressing. Pour over spinach and tomatoes.
Variation 2: Omelet
Let’s say you’ve made a spinach salad with tomatoes the night before and you have some left over with a little dressing. Mix together a couple of eggs, grate some cheese, add a little spinach and tomato salad to the cheese and you’ll have a great tasting omelet.
Having great, simple sauces on hand will help you with your nutritional goals.
Monday, October 24, 2011
What to Mix in Your Fruit and Vegetable Juices
There are three categories of juices here: Fruit, Carrot and Green Juices. If you're unaccustomed to juicing, fruit juices may be your first choice. However, your goal should be to drink a variety of juices, (especially green juices), which are very healing to the body. Fruit juices are typically higher in sugar than vegetable juices. Some natural healthcare practitioners recommend "chewing" or swishing your fresh juice so as to have the sugars digest more slowly. Start with carrot juice combinations as a way to transition to green juices.
CARROT JUICE
Carrot
Beet
Green Pepper
Cucumber
Sprouts
Clean Watermelon Rind
Apple
Ginger
GREEN JUICE
Celery
Spinach
Tomato
Cabbage
Dill
Lemon
Garlic
Cayenne
FRUIT JUICE
Pineapple
Orange
Grapefruit
Watermelon (see post on "seeds")
Apple
Pear
Grape
Chlorophyll-The Healer in Greens
Chlorophyll is the chemical formed by the chloroplast cells of green plants. It is at the beginning of the food chain-the plasma of green plants. Without chlorophyll all animal life on earth would become extinct. Amazingly, this 'blood of plants' is structurally similar to hemin, the protein portion of hemoglobin that carries oxygen. The main difference is that chlorophyl is bound by an atom of magnesium whereas hemin is bound by iron. Severely anemic rabbits made a rapid return to normal blood counts once chlorophyll was administered. Somehow the body is able to substitute iron and rebuild the blood. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice elevated blood platelet counts when it was fed to hospitalized patients.
Wheatgrass-The Queen of all Juices
Wheatgrass is a potent juice that is taken in one ounce doses. Although it is part of the 9,000 member family of grasses, which include the grasses on our lawns, wheatgrass and its cousin barley grass, are grown for nutritional purposes. These nutritional grasses are some of our finest sources of chlorophyll, but that's only the beginning. Grasses contain many other important pigments, too. There are carotenoids, betacarotene, etc. They are abundant in vitamin E and other important vitamins.
See my previous post on Chlorophyll and wheatgrass for more information.
Source: Juice Fasting and Detoxification -
Using the Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look Great
The Fastest Way to Restore Your Health
By Steve Meyerowitz
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
CARROT JUICE
Carrot
Beet
Green Pepper
Cucumber
Sprouts
Clean Watermelon Rind
Apple
Ginger
GREEN JUICE
Celery
Spinach
Tomato
Cabbage
Dill
Lemon
Garlic
Cayenne
FRUIT JUICE
Pineapple
Orange
Grapefruit
Watermelon (see post on "seeds")
Apple
Pear
Grape
Chlorophyll-The Healer in Greens
Chlorophyll is the chemical formed by the chloroplast cells of green plants. It is at the beginning of the food chain-the plasma of green plants. Without chlorophyll all animal life on earth would become extinct. Amazingly, this 'blood of plants' is structurally similar to hemin, the protein portion of hemoglobin that carries oxygen. The main difference is that chlorophyl is bound by an atom of magnesium whereas hemin is bound by iron. Severely anemic rabbits made a rapid return to normal blood counts once chlorophyll was administered. Somehow the body is able to substitute iron and rebuild the blood. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice elevated blood platelet counts when it was fed to hospitalized patients.
Wheatgrass-The Queen of all Juices
Wheatgrass is a potent juice that is taken in one ounce doses. Although it is part of the 9,000 member family of grasses, which include the grasses on our lawns, wheatgrass and its cousin barley grass, are grown for nutritional purposes. These nutritional grasses are some of our finest sources of chlorophyll, but that's only the beginning. Grasses contain many other important pigments, too. There are carotenoids, betacarotene, etc. They are abundant in vitamin E and other important vitamins.
See my previous post on Chlorophyll and wheatgrass for more information.
Source: Juice Fasting and Detoxification -
Using the Healing Power of Fresh Juice to Feel Young and Look Great
The Fastest Way to Restore Your Health
By Steve Meyerowitz
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Caffeine – Breaking the Habit
If you want to be in tip-top mental health, stay away from stimulants. This is doubly important for those with mental health problems because too much caffeine can, in some, produce symptoms that may lead to a diagnosis of a mental illness. This may happen because high caffeine consumers can become both allergic to coffee and unable to detoxify caffeine. The total effect is serious disruption of both mind and mood.
Giving Up Stimulants
Coffee contains three stimulants: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. Although caffeine is the strongest, theophylline is known to disturb normal sleep patterns, and theobromine has a similar effect to caffeine, although it is present in much smaller amounts in coffee. So, decaffeinated coffee isn’t exactly stimulant free. As a Nutritional Consultant I have seen many people cleared of minor health problems such as tiredness and headaches just from cutting out their 2-3 cups of coffee a day. The best way to find out what effect it has on you is quit for a trial period of two weeks. You may get withdrawal symptoms for up to three days. These reflect how addicted you’ve become. After this, if you begin to feel perky and your health improves, that’s a good indicator you’re better off without coffee. The most popular alternatives are: Teeccino, Caro Extra, Bambu, or herb teas.
Tea is the great British addiction. A cup of strong tea contains as much caffeine as regular coffee and is certainly addictive. Tea also contains tannin, which interferes with the absorption of certain minerals such as iron and zinc. Particularly addictive is Earl Grey tea containing bergamot, itself a stimulant. If you’re addicted to tea and can’t get going without a cup, it may be time to stop for two weeks and see how you feel. The best-tasting alternatives are Rooibos tea with milk and herbal or fruit teas. Drinking very weak tea from time to time is unlikely to be a problem.
Chocolate bars are usually full of sugar. Cocoa, th active ingredient in chocolate provides significant quantities of the stimulant theobromine, whose action is similar to caffeine. Theobromine is also obtained in cocoa drinks like hot chocolate. As chocolate is high in sugar and stimulants, and delicious as well, it’s east to become a chocoholic. The best way to quit the habit is to go one month with no chocolate. Instead, eat healthy sweets from health food shops that are sugar free and don’t contain chocolate. After a month you will have lost the craving.
Changing any food habit can be stressful in itself, so it’s best not to quit everything in one go. A good strategy is to avoid something for a month, then see how you feel. One way to greatly reduce the cravings for foods you’ve become addicted to is by having an excellent diet. Since all stimulants affect blood sugar levels, you can keep yours even by always having something substantial for breakfast, such as an oat-based, not too refined cereal; unsweetened live yogurt with a banana, ground sesame seeds, and wheat germ; or an egg. You can snack frequently on fresh fruit. The worst thing you can do is go for hours without eating. Vitamins and minerals are important too, because they help regulate your blood sugar level and hence your appetite. They also minimize the effects of withdrawal from stimulants and the symptoms of food allergy. The key nutrients are vitamin C, the B complex vitamins, especially B6 and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and chromium. Fresh fruit and vegetables provide significant amounts of vitamin c and B vitamins, while vegetables and seeds such as sunflower seeds and sesame are good sources of calcium and magnesium. For maximum effect, however, it is best to supplement these vitamins as well as eat foods rich in them.
Natural Stimulants
If you still need a boost, especially during the first week off caffeine, you can do it the natural way. The body makes adrenaline and its cousins the “feel-good” neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline, directly from an amino acid called tyrosine. Supplementing 1,000 mg of tyrosine on an empty stomach or with some carbohydrate such as a piece of fruit, gives a positive lift. This is well worth it in the week you’re quitting caffeine. It's best to consult with a Natural Health Care Practitioner when you are addressing neurotransmitter deficiencies.
In addition to tyrosine there are a number of “adaptogenic” herbs. These include Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, reishi mushrooms, and rhodiola. While rhodiola is a favorite in Siberia, reishi mushroom is one of the most respected tonics in Chinese medicine. In Asia, it has been revered for as long as five thousand years. These herbs are called adaptogens because they help even out and maintain normal levels of another energy-giving adrenal hormone called cortisol. These are all available as herbal supplements and you can find them combined with tyrosine.
My Experience
I was addicted to coffee a few years ago. Even now, it's easy for me to get hooked again. All it takes is one cup of coffee and I'm likely to drink it again the next day. The only substitute that has worked for me is white peony tea which I drink every morning. It has health benefits, and it's lower in caffeine than black tea. Check out the mountain rose herbs link if you'd like fresh, dried organic white tea shipped to you. You'll find white tea under black or green tea on the tea page.
A few simple steps you can take to reduce your intake of and addiction to stimulants and balance your blood sugar
Avoid sugar and foods containing sugar.
Break your addiction to caffeine by avoiding coffee, tea and caffeinated drinks for one month, while improving your diet. Once you’re no longer craving caffeine, the occasional cup of weak tea or very occasional coffee is not a big deal.
Break your addiction to chocolate. Once you’re no longer craving it, the occasional piece of chocolate is not a problem. Choose the dark, lower sugar kind of chocolate.
Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner—choosing low GL foods—plus two fruit snacks in between.
Take a high-strength multivitamin, plus 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day and 200mcg of chromium.
Source: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Giving Up Stimulants
Coffee contains three stimulants: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline. Although caffeine is the strongest, theophylline is known to disturb normal sleep patterns, and theobromine has a similar effect to caffeine, although it is present in much smaller amounts in coffee. So, decaffeinated coffee isn’t exactly stimulant free. As a Nutritional Consultant I have seen many people cleared of minor health problems such as tiredness and headaches just from cutting out their 2-3 cups of coffee a day. The best way to find out what effect it has on you is quit for a trial period of two weeks. You may get withdrawal symptoms for up to three days. These reflect how addicted you’ve become. After this, if you begin to feel perky and your health improves, that’s a good indicator you’re better off without coffee. The most popular alternatives are: Teeccino, Caro Extra, Bambu, or herb teas.
Tea is the great British addiction. A cup of strong tea contains as much caffeine as regular coffee and is certainly addictive. Tea also contains tannin, which interferes with the absorption of certain minerals such as iron and zinc. Particularly addictive is Earl Grey tea containing bergamot, itself a stimulant. If you’re addicted to tea and can’t get going without a cup, it may be time to stop for two weeks and see how you feel. The best-tasting alternatives are Rooibos tea with milk and herbal or fruit teas. Drinking very weak tea from time to time is unlikely to be a problem.
Chocolate bars are usually full of sugar. Cocoa, th active ingredient in chocolate provides significant quantities of the stimulant theobromine, whose action is similar to caffeine. Theobromine is also obtained in cocoa drinks like hot chocolate. As chocolate is high in sugar and stimulants, and delicious as well, it’s east to become a chocoholic. The best way to quit the habit is to go one month with no chocolate. Instead, eat healthy sweets from health food shops that are sugar free and don’t contain chocolate. After a month you will have lost the craving.
Changing any food habit can be stressful in itself, so it’s best not to quit everything in one go. A good strategy is to avoid something for a month, then see how you feel. One way to greatly reduce the cravings for foods you’ve become addicted to is by having an excellent diet. Since all stimulants affect blood sugar levels, you can keep yours even by always having something substantial for breakfast, such as an oat-based, not too refined cereal; unsweetened live yogurt with a banana, ground sesame seeds, and wheat germ; or an egg. You can snack frequently on fresh fruit. The worst thing you can do is go for hours without eating. Vitamins and minerals are important too, because they help regulate your blood sugar level and hence your appetite. They also minimize the effects of withdrawal from stimulants and the symptoms of food allergy. The key nutrients are vitamin C, the B complex vitamins, especially B6 and the minerals calcium, magnesium, and chromium. Fresh fruit and vegetables provide significant amounts of vitamin c and B vitamins, while vegetables and seeds such as sunflower seeds and sesame are good sources of calcium and magnesium. For maximum effect, however, it is best to supplement these vitamins as well as eat foods rich in them.
Natural Stimulants
If you still need a boost, especially during the first week off caffeine, you can do it the natural way. The body makes adrenaline and its cousins the “feel-good” neurotransmitters dopamine and noradrenaline, directly from an amino acid called tyrosine. Supplementing 1,000 mg of tyrosine on an empty stomach or with some carbohydrate such as a piece of fruit, gives a positive lift. This is well worth it in the week you’re quitting caffeine. It's best to consult with a Natural Health Care Practitioner when you are addressing neurotransmitter deficiencies.
In addition to tyrosine there are a number of “adaptogenic” herbs. These include Asian ginseng, Siberian ginseng, reishi mushrooms, and rhodiola. While rhodiola is a favorite in Siberia, reishi mushroom is one of the most respected tonics in Chinese medicine. In Asia, it has been revered for as long as five thousand years. These herbs are called adaptogens because they help even out and maintain normal levels of another energy-giving adrenal hormone called cortisol. These are all available as herbal supplements and you can find them combined with tyrosine.
My Experience
I was addicted to coffee a few years ago. Even now, it's easy for me to get hooked again. All it takes is one cup of coffee and I'm likely to drink it again the next day. The only substitute that has worked for me is white peony tea which I drink every morning. It has health benefits, and it's lower in caffeine than black tea. Check out the mountain rose herbs link if you'd like fresh, dried organic white tea shipped to you. You'll find white tea under black or green tea on the tea page.
A few simple steps you can take to reduce your intake of and addiction to stimulants and balance your blood sugar
Avoid sugar and foods containing sugar.
Break your addiction to caffeine by avoiding coffee, tea and caffeinated drinks for one month, while improving your diet. Once you’re no longer craving caffeine, the occasional cup of weak tea or very occasional coffee is not a big deal.
Break your addiction to chocolate. Once you’re no longer craving it, the occasional piece of chocolate is not a problem. Choose the dark, lower sugar kind of chocolate.
Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner—choosing low GL foods—plus two fruit snacks in between.
Take a high-strength multivitamin, plus 2,000 mg of vitamin C per day and 200mcg of chromium.
Source: The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Disclaimer:
Those seeking help for specific medical conditions are advised to consult a qualified nutrition therapist, clinical nutritionist, doctor, or equivalent health care professional.
The recommendations given here are intended solely as education and information, and should not be taken as medical advice. Neither myself nor the sources mentioned accept liability for those who choose to self-prescribe.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease either physical or mental.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Series: Optimal Hormone Balance--Stress and Hormonal Health
Stress and Hormone Balance
Some of the hormones involved in adapting to stress are adrenaline, cortisol and DHA. Most people have heard of the “flight or fight” response to stressors and how this affects the body. Hormones are released in response to stressful situations or states of stress. Stress can cause your hormonal system to go haywire. This happens because when you are constantly under stress, you are literally wearing your body out! Prolonged stress is associated with speeding up the aging process, with a number of the diseases of digestion, and with hormone balance. A very profound statement is, “Any body system that is overstimulated will eventually malfunction.”
Stimulants
If you are living off of coffee, a high-sugar diet, or stress itself, you increase your risk of upsetting your thyroid balance ( which means you’re likely to gain weight) or calcium balance (resulting in arthritis) or of getting problems associated with sex-hormone imbalances and excessive cortisol. These are the long-term side effects of being stressed out all of the time. One way to reduce your stress levels is to reduce your intake of sugar and stimulants. The more dependent on stimulants you are, the more your blood sugar levels will fluctuate, with low blood sugar levels triggering the release of adrenal hormones. This means that just having a sugary diet and unbalanced blood sugar levels can put your body into the stress-response mode. Everyday stress plus coffee, and a high sugar diet is a recipe for ruining your hormonal system.
Irregular Periods
If your periods are either absent of irregular and you’re not in menopause or pregnant, it is worth checking out the cause. Absent or irregular periods are associated with low weight, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosia, taking the contraceptive pill, or extreme stress. Extreme stress can lead to either missed periods or more frequent periods. (Follow the dietary recommendations given in this article).
Stress and Estrogen Dominance
The hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle estrogen and progesterone can be skewed by stress. The balance between estrogen and progesterone is critical. Stress can interfere with your ability to ovulate, thereby blocking progesterone function and pushing further into estrogen dominance. If a woman does not ovulate, no progesterone is produced during that cycle. This is because progesterone is produced in the sac that contains the ovum, once the ovum is released. If no progesterone is produced there is relative estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and PMS.
Learn about how the pill eliminates ovulation at about.com under "Withdrawl bleeding."
Diet Tips for Hormonal Health:
• Keep animal fats very low in your diet.
• Choose organic vegetables and meat whenever possible to reduce pesticide and hormone exposure.
• Don’t eat fatty foods wrapped in PVC cling film.
• Use stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and sugar only on occasion, if at all. If you’re addicted to any of these, break the habit.
• Do not let stress become a habit in your life. Identify sources of stress and make some positive changes to your circumstances and the way you react to them.
• Make sure you’re getting enough essential fats from seeds, their oils, or supplements of evening primrose, borage or flax oil.
• Make sure your supplement program includes optimal levels of vitamins B3, and B6, biotin, magnesium and zinc. (see Wellness Resources Vitamins link on this page for a good quality multi-vitamin)
• If you have PMS or menopausal symptoms, consider taking a hormone –friendly supplement containing extra vitamins B3, B6, and C, and biotin, magnesium, and zinc, and/or the herbs agnus castus, dong quai, black cohosh, and St. John’s Wart.
• Natural Progesterone is available on prescription should a saliva test reveal a need for supplementation.
Sources:
Balance Your Hormones Naturally by Kate Neil and Patrick Holford
The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Dr. Susan Lark’s Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark, MD
Disclaimer:
The article presented here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether mental or physical. Please see a licensed health care practitioner for medical concerns. If you have medical concerns, you may consult your doctor before beginning a supplement program.
Some of the hormones involved in adapting to stress are adrenaline, cortisol and DHA. Most people have heard of the “flight or fight” response to stressors and how this affects the body. Hormones are released in response to stressful situations or states of stress. Stress can cause your hormonal system to go haywire. This happens because when you are constantly under stress, you are literally wearing your body out! Prolonged stress is associated with speeding up the aging process, with a number of the diseases of digestion, and with hormone balance. A very profound statement is, “Any body system that is overstimulated will eventually malfunction.”
Stimulants
If you are living off of coffee, a high-sugar diet, or stress itself, you increase your risk of upsetting your thyroid balance ( which means you’re likely to gain weight) or calcium balance (resulting in arthritis) or of getting problems associated with sex-hormone imbalances and excessive cortisol. These are the long-term side effects of being stressed out all of the time. One way to reduce your stress levels is to reduce your intake of sugar and stimulants. The more dependent on stimulants you are, the more your blood sugar levels will fluctuate, with low blood sugar levels triggering the release of adrenal hormones. This means that just having a sugary diet and unbalanced blood sugar levels can put your body into the stress-response mode. Everyday stress plus coffee, and a high sugar diet is a recipe for ruining your hormonal system.
Irregular Periods
If your periods are either absent of irregular and you’re not in menopause or pregnant, it is worth checking out the cause. Absent or irregular periods are associated with low weight, strenuous exercise, anorexia nervosia, taking the contraceptive pill, or extreme stress. Extreme stress can lead to either missed periods or more frequent periods. (Follow the dietary recommendations given in this article).
Stress and Estrogen Dominance
The hormones that regulate your menstrual cycle estrogen and progesterone can be skewed by stress. The balance between estrogen and progesterone is critical. Stress can interfere with your ability to ovulate, thereby blocking progesterone function and pushing further into estrogen dominance. If a woman does not ovulate, no progesterone is produced during that cycle. This is because progesterone is produced in the sac that contains the ovum, once the ovum is released. If no progesterone is produced there is relative estrogen dominance. Estrogen dominance is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, fibroids, ovarian cysts, endometriosis and PMS.
Learn about how the pill eliminates ovulation at about.com under "Withdrawl bleeding."
Diet Tips for Hormonal Health:
• Keep animal fats very low in your diet.
• Choose organic vegetables and meat whenever possible to reduce pesticide and hormone exposure.
• Don’t eat fatty foods wrapped in PVC cling film.
• Use stimulants such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and sugar only on occasion, if at all. If you’re addicted to any of these, break the habit.
• Do not let stress become a habit in your life. Identify sources of stress and make some positive changes to your circumstances and the way you react to them.
• Make sure you’re getting enough essential fats from seeds, their oils, or supplements of evening primrose, borage or flax oil.
• Make sure your supplement program includes optimal levels of vitamins B3, and B6, biotin, magnesium and zinc. (see Wellness Resources Vitamins link on this page for a good quality multi-vitamin)
• If you have PMS or menopausal symptoms, consider taking a hormone –friendly supplement containing extra vitamins B3, B6, and C, and biotin, magnesium, and zinc, and/or the herbs agnus castus, dong quai, black cohosh, and St. John’s Wart.
• Natural Progesterone is available on prescription should a saliva test reveal a need for supplementation.
Sources:
Balance Your Hormones Naturally by Kate Neil and Patrick Holford
The New Optimum Nutrition Bible by Patrick Holford
Dr. Susan Lark’s Hormone Revolution by Susan M. Lark, MD
Disclaimer:
The article presented here is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice. This information has not been approved by the FDA and is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease whether mental or physical. Please see a licensed health care practitioner for medical concerns. If you have medical concerns, you may consult your doctor before beginning a supplement program.
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