The #1 Spice You Need in Your Diet

Perfect Drink-Your Best Solution for Quick Weight Loss

Although you have extra pounds you are still impatient to find out what you can do to reduce weight fast and you still can’t wait to see how your body will look when you achieve your weight loss goals.



What is the secret to healthy and quick weight loss is the proper diet which focuses on fresh ingredients that have natural potential to boost metabolism and promote losing weight in a completely natural way.

Lemons are rich in vitamin C which is great for dropping extra pounds and burning excess belly fat. It is also great for liver cleanse which in turn eliminates toxins from the body and increases fat metabolism.

Mint improves digestion and soothes all digestive related problems such as upset stomach and bloating

Parsley is extremely low in calories and high in powerful nutrients such as vitamins A, C, B-9, K and iron which all contribute to reducing weight in a healthy manner. Parsley assists the body in getting rid of excess water and burning the body fat responsible for excess weight. At the same time it improves cardiovascular health and improves blood circulation.

Ginger improves metabolism and helps you burn more calories than usual. It stimulates circulation and excretes the accumulated toxins from the body which is crucial for obtaining the ideal weight.

Water is necessary for hydration and it is the most effective way for shedding the unwanted pounds. When it is combined with the foods listed above it leads to fantastic slimming results.

This drink combination is great for improving digestion and if taken regularly speeds up the weight loss process and helps you get rid of the extra pounds. It will also boost your energy and help you feel fresh and much better throughout the day. Consume the drink any time of the day.

Ingredients:

• 4 lemons
• 10 mint leaves
• a bunch of parsley
• a thumb of ginger
• 2,5 -3 liters water

Instructions:
Squeeze 2 lemons and add the juice in the water. Slice the remaining 2 lemons and add them in the water too. Chop the mint leaves and the parsley, grate the ginger and add them all into the water. Stir well and leave this over night. Consume the next day instead of drinking water.

Perfect Drink-Your Best Solution for Quick Weight Loss

Polyunsaturated Fats Reduce Heart Disease Risk - Find Out How To Add Them To Your Diet

Monday, November 17, 2014 by: PF Louis

(NaturalNews) Perhaps the most confusing aspect of diet and nutrition revolves around fats and fatty acids. There are many disagreements with what fats are healthy and unhealthy, and very few of the different types of fats have a solid consensus on health.

So far, there seems to be consensus on omega-3 fatty acids as both essential and healthy. These fatty acids are found in various fish oils, nuts and seeds like flax and chia. For optimal digestion, flax seeds should be ground and eaten within two hours, and flax seed oils should be refrigerated to avoid spoiling.

Another solid consensus has been established with trans fatty acids or processed plant oils that are partly hydrogenated. This consensus agrees that processed oils, such as hydrogenated margarine and various hydrogenated plant or seed oils are very unhealthy. They're used often because they're cheaper than cold-pressed plant oils, have longer shelf lives and are perfect for deep frying with the same oil over and over. They are ubiquitous in processed and fast foods.

Where consensus is lacking revolves mostly around saturated fats. Those are mostly animal or dairy fats such as butter or cheeses. Then there are the saturated fats in plant oils such as coconut and palm oils. The recommendations range from the extreme of avoiding all saturated fatty acids (SFA) to indulging in them.

Many health specialists and even cardiologists now disagree with the long-held supposition that SFAs are responsible for poor heart health and arteriosclerosis (arteries hardening or clogging). Coconut oil's medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) have demonstrated a unique ability to be converted to ketones, which act as both a brain fuel booster and neuron restorer to improve dementia sufferers' lives.

There has been some success with using a diet high in saturated fats to reverse cancer in some. The Paleo Diet focuses heavily on saturated fats, and more and more are seeing the health follies of avoiding saturated fats that are pure and untainted by external chemical influences. Too bad for the low- or no-fat food makers who have exploited the fat myth long enough.

Saturated fats tend to remain solid at cool room temperatures, while cold-pressed or mechanically extracted polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats remain liquid unless heavily chilled.

If an oil smokes while cooking, it's becoming toxically tainted. The least stable oil for cooking would be monounsaturated fats, like olive oil, while polyunsaturated fats

such as safflower oil are more stable heated. For cooking, saturated fats are the most stable.

So what about fats and cardiovascular health?

A University of Eastern Finland group recently concluded a 21-year epidemiological study on 1,981 men between the ages of 42 and 60 who are part of the Kuopio Ischaemic Heart Disease Risk Factor (KIHD) Study.

The KIHD study is an ongoing prospective, population-based cohort study designed to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis among middle-aged men from eastern Finland, a population with one of the highest recorded rates of coronary heart disease (CHD).

During the 21.4-year follow up, 565 men were diagnosed with a coronary heart disease, out of which there were 183 cardiac death events. The researchers concluded:

Our results suggest that SFA intake is not an independent risk factor for CHD, even in a population with higher ranges of SFA intake. In contrast, polyunsaturated fat intake was associated with lower risk of fatal CHD, whether replacing SFA, trans fat, or carbohydrates.Remember to avoid all fats that have the word hydrogenated on the ingredients list. Those are the nasty unhealthy trans fatty acid fats. Also watch out for GMO sources such as cotton seed and corn oils. Despite the commonly held notion as being healthy, canola oil is considered an unhealthy option by many experts.

So loosen up. Go ahead and enjoy healthy fats of all types. Our bodies need fats for brain and nervous system tissue, cell walls and the ability to convert sunlight into vitamin D3.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.uef.fi

http://atvb.ahajournals.org

http://www.heart.org

http://www.heart.org

http://www.heart.org

http://www.heart.org

http://www.naturalnews.com/047682_polyunsaturated_fats_heart_disease_risk_healthy_diet.html?utm_content=buffer13aec&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

 

Top 4 Ways To Improve Liver Function

Wednesday, November 12, 2014 by: Derek Henry

(NaturalNews) Living in a world that has toxins at every turn has left our liver function in a hot mess. Everyday touches with toxins in our food, air, water, personal care, and household products has slowly but surely created a burden on this hard working organ that has compromised our ability to detoxify properly on a day-to-day basis.

In order to reverse those consequences and optimize your liver function going forward, keep these 4 factors in mind.

Incorporate proper foods and eating habits

To safely begin detoxifying the liver, you don't want to run out and get the ingredients for the master cleanse or buy a potent herbal liver detoxification kit. Rather, you want to focus first on your diet and proper eating habits first.

You need to rest your digestive tract by eating smaller and lighter meals that are nutrient dense and easily assimilated and always stopping when you feel around 80% full. Some good options that fit this bill are low sugar smoothies, juices, salads, soups, and fermented foods like sauerkraut and coconut kefir. Stay as raw and low sugar as possible so as to rest your liver function and provide it with the necessary enzymes to properly do its job of detoxification.

Eliminate foods, products, and daily habits that hurt your liver

On the flip side, you need to eliminate or largely avoid foods and habits that will slow down or compromise liver function. This includes eating fats from animal meat, butter, dairy, and vegetable oils. Refined flour products, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine will also weaken the liver, primarily due to digestive distress and excessive sugar/starch handling that is required. Avoiding any foods that are GMO is also incredibly important.

Also, do your best to avoid chemicals in your food supply by making cleaner choices, and purify your water and air appropriately. Take note of personal care and household products that contain unrecognizable ingredients and substitute them with natural products.

Finally, realize that any prescriptions or medications are especially damaging to the liver and will always compromise its function. Lack of sleep and negative thoughts also contribute to its decline, so improving your sleep patterns and mindset are a must.

Consume liver detoxifying foods and herbs

To crank up your liver detoxification a bit more, focus on foods and herbs that are noted as being especially cleansing to the liver, including:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Beets
• Garlic
• Onions
• Walnuts
• Avocados
• Apples
• Grapefruit
• Leafy green vegetables
• Sauerkraut
• Coconut kefir

Popular herbs that are well known to clean up liver function include:

• Milk thistle
• Dandelion
• Burdock root
• Artichoke
• Turmeric

Consuming these foods and herbs on a consistent basis will help support, detoxify, and nourish your liver so that it can become healthy again and remove toxins on a day-to-day basis.

Improve your digestion

The gastrointestinal tract serves as the first line of defense once toxins have entered the body. If it becomes compromised, it allows disease causing agents to take root, often to the point that they break through the intestinal membrane and get into the bloodstream.

Once the bowels have become toxic, the rest of the body will soon follow. If the intestines keep on letting toxins through, the liver will bear most of the burden of eliminating these toxins by filtering and rendering these substances harmless and excreting them out of the body through the urine and stool. This is why improving your digestion is critical, to ensure there is not an excessive and consistent stream of toxins for your liver to deal with, or it will eventually become severely compromised.

If you're looking for an easy detox plan, see the first source below. To learn more about the extent of your liver damage, visit Signs of Liver Damage. To clean up your digestive system, check out Top 5 Plant Based Foods That Improve Digestion.

Sources:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.comhttp://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.healingthebody.cahttp://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.healingthebody.ca

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com

http://truthwiki.org/Turmeric

http://truthwiki.org/Garlic

http://truthwiki.org/ginger

http://truthwiki.org/Vitamin_D

http://truthwiki.org/Oregano

About the author:
Derek Henry, B.Kin, is a highly revered holistic health coach and world renowned natural health blogger and educator who created Healing the Body to help people understand the fundamental principles to exceptional health so they can overcome their own health challenges.

In this pursuit he created proven protocols and guides in the Ultimate Reset personal coaching program, the THRIVE online holistic health program, and his very popular Wellness Transformation

E-Guide.http://www.naturalnews.com/047612_liver_detox_detoxifying_foods_gastrointestinal_tract.html?utm_content=buffer44996&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

11 Reasons Dehydration Is Making You Sick And Fat

Digestive, skin, bladder and kidney problems, fatigue and headache are just some of the adverse effects from not drinking enough water. We need it as much as air we breathe in! It’s not a joke.

 

Did you know that when you start feeling thirsty your body is already dehydrated?  The best practice is to sip water throughout a day. Have it always handy!

 

If you’re not a morning person, have two glasses of water right after you wake up. It will boost up your blood pressure to normal levels, and it’s way healthier than having your first coffee on an empty stomach.

 

Also, don’t think that sweetened juices, soda or tea will hydrate you as well as water does. It’s actually the opposite! Sugar, as well as salt, makes your body waste precious water just to clean it out from your system. And if you love your coffee, make sure to drink one extra glass of water for every cup you have.

And as an added bonus, drinking water speeds up your metabolism and makes you feel more ‘full’. You will eat less once you start drinking more! It’s the safest and healthiest way to lose some weight.

http://fitlife.tv/11-reasons-dehydration-is-making-you-sick-and-fat/

15 Reasons You Should be Drinking Lemon Water Every Morning

http://www.naturalnews.com/Infographic-15-Reasons-You-Should-be-Drinking-Lemon-Water-Every-Morning.html

10 Surprising Flat Belly Foods

Whether your abdominal problem stems from bloating/gas or from being overweight and you want to get it flat and firm again, the following foods will help out. They promote overall digestive health as well as oftentimes boosting your metabolism and raising the energy levels so you can stay active and healthy.

Fennel Seeds

Fennel seeds have a pleasing, licorice-like flavor and they are great to eliminated excess gas and bloating. They do this by relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract and allowing the gas to pass naturally. They are also rich in calcium, magnesium, iron and dietary fiber.

Salmon

Salmon is a great weapon in the war on belly fat: it is rich in both Vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which help the body to shift weight from the abdomen and encouraging the body to burn fat rather than to store it.

Eggs

Eggs for breakfast generally help you to keep from overeating for the rest of the day. This is because they are packed with protein to keep you feeling full and Vitamin B-12 which helps your body break down fat more efficiently.

Olive Oil

This is rich in the healthy monounsaturated fat that helps regulate blood sugar levels (this aids in appetite suppression) and boosts the body’s ability to break down and utilize fat. It has also been linked to better levels of lipids in the blood.

Asparagus

Of all the vegetables, asparagus arguably is one of the best for a flat belly: it contains pre-biotics, which support healthy flora in the digestive tract, and it also is rich in fiber to promote digestive health and has natural anti-inflammatory properties which soothe gastric inflammation.

Whole Grains

Losing abdominal fat is also easier if whole grains are part of your diet. This this mainly because they are so high in dietary fiber which regulates blood sugar and staves off hunger. They are also rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to promote overall health.

Bananas

The potassium in bananas acts as a natural diuretic to release excess sodium and water from body. They can also promote good digestion and prevent constipation since they are so high in dietary fiber.

Greek Yogurt

Another tasty way to promote a flat belly is daily intake of Greek yogurt. The live active cultures that this yogurt contains makes your digestive system more efficient and its high protein content makes it extremely filling.

Cucumbers

High in fiber and water content, low in calories and containing natural anti-inflammatories, cucumbers are a natural choice for losing belly fat and maintaining a healthy digestive tract. They are great in salads or sandwiches.

Water

Drinking sufficient water will also help lose belly fat. It staves off hunger, causing you to eat less and makes the entire digestive tract run more smoothly and efficiently. It also helps, if you are eating a high-fiber diet, to move that fiber through your system.

So if you are serious about getting a flat belly and improving your digestion and overall health, these ten foods can help you on that journey. The good news is that dietary therapy like this is even more effective if you can combine it with a regular exercise program to achieve well-being.


http://blogs.naturalnews.com/10-surprising-flat-belly-foods/

10 Health Benefits Of Turmeric And How To Use It

 

 

Turmeric has been used as a herb over the centuries for its anti-inflammatory properties and is also packed with several nutrients, including dietary fiber, sodium, vitamin C, E, K, calcium, iron, zinc and magnesium. Due to all these properties, this orange-colored spice works great in treating lots of different health problems.

 

Here are some evidence-based benefits of turmeric:

1- Speeds up the healing process of wound of your skin due to its antiseptic properties. Mix it with aloe vera gel can be more effective.

 

2- It has been shown to affect cancer growth, and has been used to prevent prostate cancer or even destroy the existing cancer cells when combined with cauliflower.

 

3- It may promote metabolism and help you lose weight as it’s effective in reducing insulin resistance which is the key to weight loss. Turmeric also improves digestion, so add it to your diet if you are looking to lose weight.

 

4- Many spices that with anti-flammatory effects are being used to treat arthritis and one of the most promising of them is turmeric, as it contains chemicals that work similarly to some anti-inflammatory medicines.

 

5- Turmeric can increase the production of bile by the gallbladder, and the liver uses bile to detox the blood, this factor supports good liver health.

 

6- Many studies have proven the turmeric’s effects in preventing Alzheimer’s disease, turmeric contains several agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, which responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer’s disease.

 

7- The presence of curcumin makes turmeric good for treating depression, as curcumin may increase the serotonin levels, which does well in the regulation of memory, sleep, mood as well as learning, and it’s clear that these behaviors play a role in depression.

 

8- Turmeric can be used in treating diabetes, particular type-2 diabetes by helping reduce insulin resistance.

 

9- Maintaining cholesterol at a healthy level can prevent many kinds of diseases and turmeric has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol levels.

 

10- Mix one teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of hot water and drink it can make you feel better sooner when you’re suffering from a cold or flu, this is due to the substance called lipopolysaccharide it contains, which is an immunity booster.

 

How to use turmeric:

- Drink it as a tea with honey or lemon for a better taste

- Spice up your food by adding it to anything, such as cooked vegetables, meat, eggs dishes or soups, pasta and rice.

- Take a turmeric supplement daily directly, it’s convenient when you’re unable to cook with it

- For beauty uses, you can mix it with castor oil, this is a great toxin releaser for your skin; And combine it with olive oil, can improve your overall condition of the scalp by dealing with the dandruff.

 

 

http://blogs.naturalnews.com/10-health-benefits-turmeric-use/?utm_content=buffer665f2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Health Benefits Of Chia Seeds

Unless you camp out in the aisles of an organic supermarket or are married to a nutritionist, chances are you've never heard of chia seeds - or, if you have, you haven't got a clue why everyone is so excited about them.

But while chia may have only struck the nutritional zeitgeist in recent months, the 'superseed' has been around for thousands of years.

And, given its rich nutritional value, we're surprised it hasn't been on the western world's health radar before.

Not only is it a great source of omega-3 fats, fibre and vegan-friendly protein, but it's easy to incorporate into your diet - chia seeds don't taste of anything and so they won't impair flavour.

According to Joyous Health, there is plenty of anecdotal evidence proclaiming chia's positive health effects, including boosting energy, aiding digestion, stabilising blood sugar, and lowering cholesterol.

We caught up with nutritionist Jenna Zoe - founder of foodstolove.co.uk, author of Super Healthy Snacks & Treats and ambassador for The Chia Co - to find out exactly why we should be incorporating chia into our diet.

For those hard-to-find omega3s...

Omega -3 fatty acids are essential fats. Our bodies are unable to produce them and so we must get them through our food.

Chia seeds are loaded with Omega-3 ALA which is known to be essential for a healthy heart by lowering cholesterol while maintaining proper artery function.

Omega-3 is also crucial for proper brain and nerve function, and cellular hydration which helps nourish skin from the inside. Adding one tablespoon of chia seeds to what you normally have for breakfast provides you with 100% of your plant-based Omega-3.

For protein...

Chia seeds are composed of 20% vegan protein, which keeps your energy levels consistent and promotes the formation of lean muscle.

Eating a protein-rich breakfast sets our metabolism up for the day, and it’s true. But grilled chicken and nuts in the morning isn't always that appealing!

Adding chia seeds for breakfast is a great way to get the protein (and healthy fats) in your body.

For energy...

The ancient Tarahumara tribe in central America were famous for covering long distances daily, and they would commonly fuel those runs solely with chia seeds.

The rich fibre content in chia slows the conversion of carbohydrate to sugar and provides a slow release of energy, stabilising blood sugars to avoid the usual highs and lows. Many athletes eat chia to increase their energy levels, aid joint mobility and contribute to muscle repair.

Whether you are active or not, these tiny little titans of super nutrition are a guaranteed way to

For that 'fuller longer' feeling...

Chia seeds are hydrophilic, meaning they can swell up to 16 times their size in water creating a thick gel in your digestive system. Consuming chia seeds, especially when soaked will keep you feeling full and keep those sugar cravings at bay.

For some help chilling out...

In today's high-stress world, our bodies burn through magnesium at a very high rate because it's responsible for relaxing us. Because of this, most of us have chronically low reserves in this wonder mineral (particularly if you work out a lot, sleep too little, or consume caffeine regularly).

Adding chia into your diet will help boost your levels of magnesium which in turn helps your body cope better with tress.

They fit into every kind of lifestyle choice...

Whether you are gluten-free, dairy-free, raw, vegetarian, vegan, omnivore, or foodie, chia seeds fit into every preference! You don’t have to change what you eat to boost your daily nutrition. Chia seeds have no taste so won’t affect the flavour of what you add them to.

For prevention...

Antioxidants are crucial because they safely carry free radicals out of the body - and free radicals are what kick off diseases and illnesses. Chia seeds are incredible because they boast one of the highest known antioxidant levels of any edible foods, double that of blueberries.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2014/06/20/health-benefits-chia-seeds-recipes_n_5514083.html

Listen To Your Gut

Hippocrates was so right in saying that disease begins in the gut. So often people forget that their digestive system starts at their mouth, and what they put into it can affect how well they feel, how much energy they have, AND what diseases they get.

In 1942, Lindlahr published You Are What You Eat: how to win and keep health with diet. And from the early 1800s it has been well published that the food we eat has a bearing on our state of mind and health. So this is not new news.

Today, there are studies showing that there are a network of neurons lining our gut, which affect our mood and disease states. This is known as our second brain and there are more neurons in the gut than either the spinal cord or peripheral nervous system.

A lot of information is transmitted from our gut to our brain. The digestive process from the mouth to the anus may have a huge influence on our moods, depression, developmental disorders in early childhood, and possibly the immune system. Listen to your gut feelings, they may be telling you more than you think.

 

 

Reference

Think Twice: How the Gut's "Second Brain" Influences Mood and Well-Being

by Adam Hadhazy

10 Healing Benefits of Ginger

 

Ayurveda gives ginger the status of a virtual medicine chest. That’s because this wonder spice has time-tested, digestion-friendly properties, in addition to its numerous other health benefits. In India, ginger is liberally used in daily life. Ginger-infused chai is a household favorite, and it’s grandma’s antidote of choice for battling cold and flu.

On millions of dining tables in India, you’ll see matchsticks of fresh ginger that have turned a soft pink from being soaked in lemon juice and salt: a zingy accompaniment to any cooked meal.

Let’s give this knobbly root a closer look.

 

10 Terrific Benefits of Ginger

1. Haven’t been feeling hungry? Eat fresh ginger just before lunch to stoke a dull appetite and fire up the digestive juices.

2. Ginger improves the absorption and assimilation of essential nutrients in the body.

3. Ginger clears the ‘microcirculatory channels’ of the body, including the pesky sinuses that tend to flare up from time to time.

4. Feeling airsick or nauseous? Chew on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey.

5. Can’t stop the toot-a-thon? Gas—oops—guess what?! Ginger helps reduce flatulence!

6. Tummy moaning and groaning under cramps? Munch on ginger.

7. Reeling under joint pain? Ginger, with its anti-inflammatory properties—can bring relief. Float some ginger essential oil in your bath to help aching muscles and joints.

8. Just had surgery? Chewing ginger post-operation can help overcome nausea.

9. Stir up some ginger tea to get rid of throat and nose congestion. And when there’s a nip in the air, the warming benefits of this tasty tea are even greater!

10. Bedroom blues? Try adding a gingery punch to a bowl of soup. (Psst...the Ayurvedic texts credit ginger with aphrodisiac properties)

3 Ways to Use Ginger

1. Ginger & Herb Rice

Cook basmati rice. When you take the lid off the pan, quickly stir in finely chopped garlic, ginger, green chilies and fresh cilantro leaves—the burst of flavor and fragrance will drive your senses crazy with desire!

2. Ginger In Your Juice

‘Grate’ idea: grate some ginger root and put it in your juicer, along with carrots and apples and a little lemon juice. Totally yummy and, of course, so good for you!

3. Gingery Dessert

Even a smidgen of grated ginger on your vanilla panna cotta or strawberry sorbet can wake up the flavor! 

http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/10-healing-benefits-of-ginger

Do You Know What Top 5 Fruits Improve Digestion?

 

 Top 5 Fruits To Improve Digestion

 

 

 

1. Raspberries
   • Just 1 cup of raspberries contain 8g of fiber (!), that’s almost a third of the fiber most of us need for an entire day. They’re also lower sugar than most fruits which can be a great choice for anyone watching their blood sugars like diabetics or simply those on a fat loss plan like many of my clients.
2. Apples
   • “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”- a famous phrase used by parents all over the world to get their little ones to eat fruit, but it really does have something to it! Having a healthy digestive tract is imperative for our overall health, it’s how our bodies absorb and utilize all those amazing nutrients we consume. Apples contain a unique type of fiber called pectin, which has been shown to help improve digestion because of it’s soluble nature and ability to bind to cholesterol or toxins in the body and “get rid of them”.
3. Figs
   • One of my absolute favorite fruits, I really do feel these are a treat because they’re so delicious and sweet. 1 cup of dried figs contain roughly 15g of fiber (note this is a LARGE serving, but you get the idea). Just 1 large raw fig contains 2g of fiber all on it’s own. Try adding these to salads, sandwiches, in smoothies, or topped on porridges.
4. Prunes
   • Prunes are simply dried plums. One of the most well known digestive friendly fruits out there due to their natural laxative effect on the body. Interestingly prunes contain a compound called dihydroxyphenyl isatin which helps stimulate the intestines to contract and move. Prunes contain a great amount of both soluble and insoluble fibers which helps the body rid it of waste, add bulk to the stool, and move it along. They also contain sorbitol, which loves water and will take any water it can get and push it in the digestive tract making it easier and softer to pass. To top it off, prunes contain loads of minerals especially magnesium which again, helps overall digestion because magnesium relaxes smooth muscles (i.e. the digestive tract muscles).
5. Bananas
   
   • Not only do bananas contain fiber (about 3-4g of fiber per banana), but also contain that special fiber called pectin which has been shown to help decrease and heal stomach ulcers as well as providing a healthy dose of prebiotics for our bodies to utilize as food for the good bacteria in our guts (probiotics).

*Bonus* Avocados. Avocados are on my list of digestive friendly “fruits” as well, even though I categorize avocados as a healthy fat, it’s technically a fruit. Avocados contain great amounts of fiber as well as healthy fats to keep our digestion moving along and lubricated.

http://nutritionstripped.com/top-5-fruits-for-improving-digestion/

The Medicinal Properties of Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of my favorite spices. I use it a lot for flavoring food and I absolutely love its sweet scent. What’s good about it is that it’s not only smells and tastes good, it’s also full of medicinal properties that can contribute a lot to your health. This article will cover the main ailments in which you can use cinnamon as a medicine.

Cinnamon is a spice that human kind has been familiarized with for thousands of years.
Our generation has become most familiarized with the flavoring properties and aromatic benefits it has to offer. We use it to add a little kick to our baked meals, mixed into hot beverages, and in all sorts of aromatics that give off a warm cinnamon smell. The usefulness of cinnamon goes far beyond these common comforts however.

Types of cinnamon and which one to prefer

There are two major types of cinnamon for culinary use: Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum or Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as “true cinnamon”) and Cassia cinnamon (Cinnamomum aromaticaum and Cinnamomum burmannii, also known as “Saigon cinnamon”). Ceylon cinnamon is native to Sri Lanka, whereas cassia cinnamon is native to Burma and also grown in China and Vietnam.

You are more likely to find cassia cinnamon in the United states and Canada which is less expensive. While both cassia and Ceylon cinnamon are derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, Ceylon cinnamon is preferable. Ceylon cinnamon is typically more expensive than any of the cassia versions, and it is also the cinnamon more closely associated with potential health benefits involving blood sugar regulation. Another advantage to Ceylon cinnamon is its very low coumarin levels. Coumarin is a naturally occurring toxin which has the potential to damage the liver in high doses, and cassia cinnamon is a main source of coumarin. So for people who are cinnamon lovers and consume large amounts of cinnamon, Ceylon Cinnamon is the best choice.

How to tell the difference between the cinnamon types – Ceylon cinnamon has a sweeter and more delicate flavor whereas cassia cinnamon is slightly darker in color and has a stronger flavor. The problem is that there is no way to distinguish between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia powders. So when you purchase cinnamon powder, try to find on the label the source of the cinnamon or call the customer service or manufacturer to find this information. If you buy a cinnamon stick, Ceylon cinnamon has a different texture than cassia stick. The bark of Ceylon cinnamon is thinner and the stick will show multiple layers of a thinner bark. Cassia stick, on the other hand, is thicker, comes in one piece and doesn’t show multiple layers of any kind.

Medicinal uses

The use of cinnamon for medicinal reasons is becoming an increasingly popular natural health practice for several reasons. First of all, it has a wide variety of medical benefits, ten of which will be discussed in this article. Then there is the natural and safe appeal it has to offer. Finally, it is one of the easiest and most delicious ways to incorporate natural health into your diet. Listed below are a few of the main reasons people use cinnamon medicinally. At the end you will find the recommended dose for this great spice.

1. Lowering Blood Sugar
If your blood sugar levels aren’t stable, neglecting to monitor them could result in serious consequences. Individuals that have difficulty with their blood sugar levels, particularly diabetics, have used cinnamon because it helps the body respond to insulin more effectively, which encourages healthy blood sugar levels.

2. Lowering Cholesterol
When you’re levels of low density lipoproteins (LDL) aren’t controlled, you may face major health risks and reduced heart health. Studies have shown that a minimum of 1 gram of cinnamon a day encouraged healthier blood sugar levels amongst type 2 diabetics.

3. Treating Yeast Infections
Treating yeast infections is one of the most surprisingly effective medical benefits that comes from cinnamon. Trials have shown that it had the ability to prevent the infection from developing even when it became resistant to medication. Cinnamon oil is the most common way for people to get the best results for this issue.

4. Reducing Inflammation
There were medical studies done at the University of Texas that tested how well cinnamon could help with diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer. These studies found that the cinnamon actually helped prevent inflammation in brain tissue. This secures a longer and healthier life for your brain.

5. Antioxidant Effects
When it comes to the most potent and effective antioxidants in the world, cinnamon actually places in the top seven. The body uses antioxidants to cleanse itself and keep harmful radicals from forming. They also help the cells from every part of your body recover much quicker from damage.

6. Anti Bacterial and Anti Fungal
When used in oil form, cinnamon has potent anti-bacterial properties and it is a great way to disinfect things in your home when mixed with water.  It is also commonly used to fight stubborn fungal infections like athletes foot.

7. Helping Digestion
Cinnamon uses the antibacterial properties mentioned above to help infected digestive tracts and promote the healthy breakdown of food. It also has been shown to ease symptoms of bloating, prevent nausea, help digest dairy, and treat diarrhoea. This has been a well-known medical use in Chinese culture for hundreds of years.

8. Reducing Pain
Cinnamon can effectively keep away prostaglandins, which are receptors that make your neurons more sensitive to pain. The large amount of manganese also helps encourage bone health and prevent pain brought on by arthritis.

9. Reducing Weight
Believe it or not cinnamon can also help you achieve your goals with weight loss. It increases the circulation of blood, which leads to a faster metabolic rate. It also keeps hunger at bay by metabolizing sugars and suppressing cravings.

10. Healthy Blood Clotting
There has been a lot of medical research surrounding cinnamon’s ability to thin the blood. The studies found that it kept blood platelets from being clumped together, a problem that usually results in serious health issues.

How Much To Take

It’s hard to believe that something that we have strictly associated with holiday dishes and scented candles yields so many benefits for our bodies. With natural health practices on the rise, people are curious as to how much cinnamon they should have in a single day for optimal results.

There aren’t many strict guidelines when it comes to using cinnamon. Some professionals advise that you can get up to one teaspoon a day if you are ingesting it in powdered form. The oils and concentrates tend to vary in potency, so you should always read the instructions before using them. Although it takes a large amount, it can be toxic when used excessively. The only other piece of advice is to avoid cinnamon altogether if you are already on some form of blood thinning medicine.

http://www.healthyandnaturalworld.com/how-to-use-cinnamon-as-a-medicine/

Boosting Your Enzyme Reserves

Enzymes are extremely vital to human well-being. They play a critical role in digestion and nutrient assimilation, in immune response, cognitive acceleration, and cellular detoxification among other things. These systems battle for enzymes to utilize within our body.

Enzymes are some of the most important structures in the body. They are long-chain proteins that take on specific shapes and act like a key to unique locks throughout the body. Their job is to carry out very specific functions throughout the body.

When the amino acid bonds within an enzyme are damaged, the enzyme collapses and can no longer do its particular job. This denaturing process may be caused by any of the following:

• Fluoride
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Free radical damage
• Irradiation
• Canning
• Food processing
• Heating above 118 F (cooking)

When enzymes are damaged, they are no longer able to carry out their unique processes and they become another foreign protein in the body. These foreign proteins are recognized by the immune system as a possible hazardous invader. The body may then trigger an immune response and create inflammation.

All processed and heavily cooked foods contain an abundance of denatured enzymes. These are highly allergenic in the body and create a massive assault on the body. These processed and irritated foods also depend upon good enzymes from the body for digestion. So these foods, in essence, steal enzymes from our system.

Create an enzyme surplus in your body

To create an enzyme surplus in your body, you will want to incorporate a diet high in raw and living foods. The optimal nutrition plan should be at least 75-80 percent raw and living foods with 20-25 percent high quality cooked foods.

Healthy, cooked foods would include brown rice, quinoa, sweet potatoes and cruciferous vegetables. Cruciferous veggies are great to steam as boiling will steal valuable water-soluble nutrients. Steaming these veggies breaks down the outer cellulose wall that is challenging for the digestive system to metabolize. This actually makes the food more bioavailable.

Organic and grass-fed animal products are to be cooked in a medium-rare fashion. This will break down the thicker proteins but keep much of the powerful nutrition still intact. Fresh squeezed lemon and apple cider vinegar should be added to any cooked food and especially to meat in either a pre/post cooked marinade or just before serving. Lemon and apple cider vinegar provide organic acids, enzymes, probiotics and anti-oxidants that help to pre-digest the cooked meal and neutralize any free radical formation.

To boost enzymatic potential, it is essential to soak and sprout all grains, seeds, nuts and legumes. The practice of soaking, fermenting and sprouting breaks down challenging proteins and activates key enzymes that improve the bioavailability of the nutrients. Sprouted legumes, seeds and nuts are basically a pre-digested food that has unlocked its full potential of enzymes and nutrients.

The fermentation process unlocks huge nutrient potential within the seed. Sprouted foods have five to ten times higher B vitamins, double the vitamin A, vitamin C, zinc, calcium and iron content of its pre-soaked and sprouted counterpart. The enzymes will also make the protein much more bioavailable for consumption.

Incorporating fermented foods and drinks is another great way to boost enzyme load. Great fermented drinks include coconut kefir, raw whey, fermented berry and grape drinks, kombucha, amasai, goat milk kefir, etc. Sauerkraut, kimchi, and fermented veggies are also great resources for enzymes.

Intermittent fasting and incorporating fermented drinks are especially important parts to creating an enzyme surplus. Fasting for periods of 16-48 hours each week or month allows the body to catch up in its enzyme processing.

Sources for this article include:
http://ezinearticles.com
http://www.naturalnews.com
http://www.naturalnews.com/034277_fasting_longevity.html
http://www.naturalnews.com

About the author:
Dr. David Jockers owns and operates Exodus Health Center in Kennesaw, Ga. He is a Maximized Living doctor. His expertise is in weight loss, customized nutrition & exercise, & structural corrective chiropractic care. For more information 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.

http://www.naturalnews.com/037607_enzymes_digestion_nutrient_assimilation.html

Enzyme pioneer Dr. Edward Howell

Nearly eighty years ago, Dr. Edward Howell, a physician and researcher, uncovered nature's secret to healthy digestion. While others were touting vitamins and minerals as the nutritional breakthrough of the century, Dr. Howell discovered perhaps the most vital nutrients of all food enzymes. Through his extensive clinical research, he learned that food enzymes are essential for proper digestion which directly correlates with dramatic improvements in health and longevity.

Our bodies are designed to rely on two sources of enzymes in digesting food the enzymes produced by our digestive system and the enzymes naturally present in the food we eat. Raw food like uncooked fruits and vegetables contribute enzymes to the digestive process, but each one brings only enough enzymes to digest itself and no more. Whenever food is cooked or processed at any time before it is eaten whether it is microwaved, steamed, broiled, roasted, pasteurized, canned, sauted, stir-fried or heated in any manner - all of the food enzymes are destroyed in a few short minutes. And this doesn't mean you have to do the cooking - the enzymes in all processed foods, whether you cook them or not, have been destroyed. In his book, Enzyme Nutrition, Dr. Edward Howell observed that the refining of food and improved cooking methods have rendered the modern diet enzyme-deficient due to the effective destruction of enzymes in foods by these processes. 

To compensate for a lack of food enzymes, our bodies must assume the full burden of producing all of the enzymes for the digestion of that food. If you've ever felt sleepy after a meal, it's because your body is working harder than it should to digest the food you've eaten. This tremendous stress on the digestive system depletes the body of energy and other materials that could be better utilized to support other important functions in the body like protecting against harmful organisms, making new cells and tissues and, simply, enjoying life. Adding to this problem, research tells us that our bodies ability to produce digestive enzymes and therefore digest food decreases as we grow older, which explains the higher incidence of digestive complaints and other chronic health problems in older adults.

Although a strong advocate of eating more raw food, Dr. Howell soon realized that most people prefer cooked food over raw food so supplemental enzymes were needed to help digest this food. By carefully selecting the sources and methods of growth and extraction, Dr. Howell was able produce unique and highly active enzymes that, when added to the diet, provide the same type of digestive activity as raw food enzymes, relieving some of the body's digestive stress. Thus, the first vegetarian enzyme supplement, known as Genuine N·Zimes, was produced in 1932. For the next 60 years, Dr. Howell diligently researched the therapeutic health benefits derived from the use of enzyme supplements. Only two people still in the industry, one of which is Enzymes, Inc. VP Lynn Greaves, had the distinct privilege of working with Dr. Howell and had access to his original formulations and production techniques. While Enzymes, Inc. has expanded on the original research, creating premier lines of products, Dr. Howell's original formulations are still available through Enzymes, Inc. today.

http://www.enzymesinc.com/index.php?id=405