Tag: health

  • Benefits of the Alligator Pear AKA the Avocado

    Avocado is the fruit of the avocado tree, scientifically known as Persea americana (1).This fruit is prized for its high nutrient value and is added to various dishes due to its good flavor and rich texture.These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health-conscious individuals. It’s often referred to as a superfood, which is not surprising given its health properties (2).

    Due to its various health benefits, this fruit is now grown in a number of countries. It has a very thick skin that protects it from pesticides. This is the reason you don’t need to buy organic avocados; it is one of the safest crops in terms of its low exposure to pesticides. <See EWG Clean 15>

    Nutritional Value of Avocado

    Avocados are considered a “superfood” and have a special position in the food calorie pyramid. Avocados are rich in various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. They are also a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids and have a low sugar content. They are a good source of energy and contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals. According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, avocados contain calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper, manganese, phosphorus and zinc. [4] They also contain minerals such as vitamin C, B6, B-12, A, D, K, E, thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin. Furthermore, they are a great source of dietary fiber, and a single serving can provide more than 40% of the daily requirement!

    Avocados are rich in potassium and successfully balance the potassium to sodium ratio which is vitally important to overall health. According to CAC (California Avocado Commission), a medium-sized California Hass avocado contains almost 22.5 grams fat. [5] Two-thirds of this fat is of the monounsaturated variety, and they are also very low in fructose. Perhaps most importantly, avocados have a unique collection of organic compounds like phytosterols, carotenoids, and flavonoids.

    Here are some of the most abundant nutrients, in a single 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving (3):

    • Vitamin K: 26% of the daily value (DV)
    • Folate: 20% of the DV
    • Vitamin C: 17% of the DV
    • Potassium: 14% of the DV
    • Vitamin B5: 14% of the DV
    • Vitamin B6: 13% of the DV
    • Vitamin E: 10% of the DV
    • It also contains small amounts of magnesium, manganese, copper, iron, zinc, phosphorous and vitamins A, B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin) and B3 (niacin).

    This is coming with 160 calories, 2 grams of protein and 15 grams of healthy fats. Although it contains 9 grams of carbs, 7 of those are fiber, so there are only 2 “net” carbs, making this a low-carb friendly plant food.

    How to Select and Store Avocado?

    Fresh, ripe avocados with no dark spots should be chosen. Do not refrigerate avocados unless they are ripe. If a portion of the fruit has been used then the remainder may be stored in the refrigerator for future use. Unripe avocados can be stored at room temperature.

    Quick Serving Ideas

    Guacamole: Mix chopped onion, tomato, lettuce and avocado in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, lime juice, and drizzle olive oil over the salad. Fresh avocado guacamole can be added as a topping on your meats and fish too.

    Soup: Garnish soups with chopped avocado for additional flavor and health benefits.

    Fruit: Ripe avocados can be consumed directly.

    Dressing: They can be used for dressing food preparations of your choice and can be sliced perfectly with avocado slicers available in the market.

    Avocado FAQs

    Is avocado a fruit?

    Yes, avocado is a fruit; although technically, it is a berry. Also known by the name of ‘Alligator Pear’ (a reference to its dark, rough outer skin), avocados are rich in healthy fats and are popular in many cuisines all over the world. They have numerous health benefits, both as a food and as an addition to natural skincare products.

    Are avocados good for you?

    Avocados are great for your health when incorporated into a balanced and healthy diet. They are rich in vitamins and minerals and are full of ‘healthy’ fats, which help keep you feeling full for longer. Avocados can be a great natural or vegan substitute for products like butter and margarine.

    Learn More about its health benefits at:
    https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-avocado.html

    https://ketogenicwoman.com/primer-fats-and-oils-for-keto/

    What are YOUR favorite recipes for an avocado?

    Here’s a plethora of recipes from the Food Network

  • Essential Oils Health Benefits

    After a failed spine surgery at 26, my liver and kidneys were damaged from prescription arthritis medication for managing chronic pain. I was able to stop taking my prescription medications and detox my body with safe, pure, beyond organic essential oils. In this presentation, I’ll share the basics of essential oils; where they come from, safety and purity, and the three ways to use them.

    You don’t have to rely on conventional methods to reduce or even eliminate your pain! I have been exclusively using essential oils to manage the persistent pain from my spine surgery and active lifestyle. And unlike most conventional methods, these high quality essential oils won’t pollute your liver, and they don’t wreck the lining of your stomach or your gut microbiome!

    Lisa shares her experience and expertise in essential oil use at home in an effective and safe manner. 

    PURCHASE TICKETS

  • Open the blinds, and let there be light! The Health Benefits of Natural Light.

    Light within our home and at our workplace can affect both our health and our well-being. Sunlight helps the body produce the “happy” hormone serotonin which combats a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Studies who that sunlight in the classroom have a positive impact on student test scores. We now know that artificial light can decrease levels of melatonin, a hormone that is created in the brain. Melatonin is fundamental for our body’s health as it controls our circadian rhythms. A body ‘out of balance’ will effect mood and sleep patterns, energy and eventually decrease immunity.

    If you can’t go outside as often as you like you can make some home improvements to ensure you’re getting maximum light through your windows. “More public living spaces, like living rooms and kitchens, are ideal for allowing filtered daylight to penetrate” – Karen Egly-Thompson a former interior designer.  Wooden blinds are perfect at letting the right amount of light in and are also easily controllable.

    Natural light boosts your body’s vitamin D storage

    Vitamin D is important for absorbing calcium and promoting bone growth, as well as helping prevent certain types of cancers, heart disease, depression and weight gain.  Yet, many Americans have a vitamin D deficiency due to a lack of outdoor sun exposure. So get outside since scientists suggest that Vitamin D may be helpful in treating many different disorders and diseases, such as autism, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain and depression.

    Natural light improves your mood

    Did you know that there is a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder, which affects many people in the winter when they do not receive enough sunlight? Scientists believe that the “happy” hormone called serotonin increases when nights are short and days are long.  In fact, many psychiatrists recommend that people get out in the sunlight for at least 30 minutes a day to help prevent or treat depression.

    Open the blinds let in the light. Better yet, open the door and take a walk outside in the sun for at least 20 minutes several times a week, your body will thank you. 

    RESOURCES: 

    Shining Light on What Natural Light Does For Your Body

    Natural light helps you sleep

    Research shows that the amount of sunlight you receive during the day has a direct impact on how much sleep you get at night. Direct sunlight, especially early in the morning for at least half an hour, produces the most benefit for a good night’s sleep while artificial lighting has little to no effect. In fact, artificial light before bed and at night can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cancer if you’re unable to consistently obtain quality sleep.

    Natural light benefits vision

    Computer screens, smart phones and florescent light can cause eye strain that can lead to permanent eye damage. Natural light has been shown to lower the risk of nearsightedness in children and young adults by helping the eye produce dopamine, which aids in healthy eye development.

    Employees Benefit From Natural Light, Study Finds

    Natural light leads to higher productivity

    A study by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology found that employees working in natural light recorded higher levels of energy than those working under artificial light.  Another study showed 40 percent higher sales at checkout counters located beneath skylights. This data confirms what many studies have shown: natural light leads to enhanced productivity.

    Natural Light and Education: The Benefits of Daylighting for Schools

  • 5 Successful Tips To Reduce Stress

    From the elderly to even kids, it appears that everybody is dealing with stress these days. Stress is our body’s method for disclosing to us that something has upset our normal equilibrium. Sometimes stress can be useful as it might persuade us to succeed however mostly stress can influence us in a negative way.

    Sometimes you are under a considerable stress that it may affect your work. The major difference between the individuals who are successful and who aren’t isn’t regardless of whether you experience stress, however, how you manage it. Here’s some great advice from relaxlikeaboss.com :

    Exercise

    Exercise is a standout among other approaches to reduce stress and enhance your general personal satisfaction. Walk or do whatever activity you feel great with. You may like to join a wellness club. Make certain to practice frequently. Try not to worry about your family or work while you are exercising; this is your personal time and don’t let anyone interfere.

    Exercise benefits your mind and body. However, even a 20-minute walk, dance, run, or swim can give a prompt impact that can keep going for a few hours.

    Smile and Laugh

    Our brains are interconnected with our feelings and body language. At the point when individuals are stressed, they regularly hold a considerable measure of the worry in their face. So smile or laugh can help to reduce stress and enhance the circumstance.

    Listen to some comedians; watch a comedy play or even short YouTube clip on your drive home. As indicated by Mayo Clinic, a smile has both long-term to enhance a state of mind and short-term to ease tension. So have a decent tummy romping giggle! 

    The researchers recently reported their results in The Journal of Neuroscience. Social laughter led to increase in endorphins

    Meditation

    Meditation is one of the greatest tip rehearsed by numerous individuals to help ease out the stress. In other words, being engaged at the time, which is the present or NOW!

    It encourages the brain and body to reduce stress. It can enable individuals to see new points of view, create self-sympathy and absolution. While meditating, individuals can discharge feelings that may have been causing the body physical pressure. Much like exercise, research has demonstrated that meditation quickly can receive prompt results.

    Get Social Support

    Call a companion, send an email. When you share your worries or sentiments with someone else, it can help to reduce stress. In any case, it’s essential that the individual whom you share with is somebody whom you trust and whom you feel can comprehend you. On the off chance that your family is a stressor, for instance, it may not reduce your stress in the event that you share your works misfortunes with one of them.

    Sleep

    Everybody knows stress can disturb your sleep. It is well known that absence of sleep is a key reason for stress. This endless loop makes the mind and body escape whack and just deteriorates with time. Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep. Put away all the electronics an hour before sleep, adjust the lighting level, and give yourself an opportunity to unwind before going to bed. It might be the best stress reducer.

    Final Words

    Removing the greatest cause of stress and figuring out how to deal with the rest will enable you to have an uplifting viewpoint towards life, which will have a positive streaming impact on your family and friends. With better stress administration, things which appear to be overpowering will soon become trivial. You will be more advantageous, more joyful, and more energetic; prepared to confront every obstacle.

    the article originally appeared at https://relaxlikeaboss.com/stress-management-guide/

  • U.S. Senate Votes To Legalize Hemp Farming

    The non-psychoactive cannabis cousin of marijuana would finally become legal to grow in the United States under a bill overwhelmingly approved by the Senate. We hope that this bill passes as it will end the confusion about hemp in our state and the country. The wide-ranging agriculture and food policy legislation known as the Farm Bill, passed by a vote of 86 – 11 on Thursday, contains provisions to legalize the cultivation, processing and sale of industrial hemp. With over 25,000 products being made from hemp just imagine how much $$$ that can mean for America and our farmers. #HempFarmAct#FarmBill

    The wide-ranging agriculture and food policy legislation known as the Farm Bill, passed by a vote of 86 – 11 on Thursday, contains provisions to legalize the cultivation, processing and sale of industrial hemp.

    The move, championed by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), would also make hemp plants eligible for crop insurance.

    “Consumers across America buy hundreds of millions in retail products every year that contain hemp,” McConnell said in a floor speech on Thursday. “But due to outdated federal regulations that do not sufficiently distinguish this industrial crop from its illicit cousin, American farmers have been mostly unable to meet that demand themselves. It’s left consumers with little choice but to buy imported hemp products from foreign-produced hemp.”

    McConnell also took to the Senate floor on Tuesday and Wednesday to tout the bill’s hemp legalization provisions in separate speeches.

    In April, the GOP leader introduced standalone legislation to legalize hemp, the Hemp Farming Act, the provisions of which were included in the larger Farm Bill when it was unveiled earlier June 2018.

    The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry approved the bill by a vote of 20-1 two weeks ago.

    During that committee markup, Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), one of Congress’s most ardent opponents of marijuana law reform, threatened to pursue serious changes to the bill’s hemp provisions on the floor. Namely, he wanted to remove the legalization of derivatives of the cannabis plant, such as cannabidiol (CBD), which is used by many people for medical purposes. But Grassley never ended up filing a floor amendment, allowing hemp supporters to avoid a contentious debate and potentially devastating changes to the bill.

    Hemp legalization enjoys broad bipartisan support.

    “Legalizing hemp nationwide ends decades of bad policymaking and opens up untold economic opportunity for farmers in Oregon and across the country,” Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) said upon passage of the Farm Bill on Thursday. “Our bipartisan legislation will spur economic growth in rural communities by creating much-needed red, white and blue jobs that pay well. I’m proud to have worked with my colleagues to get the bipartisan Hemp Farming Act through the Senate. Today marks a long-overdue, huge step forward for American-grown hemp.”

    BIG news for industrial hemp farming! Today, the Senate passed my bipartisan #HempFarmingAct, legislation that would lift a decades-old ban on growing industrial hemp on American soil. #RonReportpic.twitter.com/r0fBzseRIh

    — Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) June 28, 2018

    Earlier this month, the Senate approved a nonbinding resolution recognizing hemp’s “growing economic potential.”

    “For the first time in 80 years, this bill legalizes hemp. We forget, but hemp was widely grown in the United States throughout the mid-1800s,” Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) said in a floor speech on Wednesday. “Americans used hemp in fabrics, wine, and paper. Our government treated industrial hemp like any other farm commodity until the early 20th century, when a 1937 law defined it as a narcotic drug, dramatically limiting its growth. This became even worse in 1970 when hemp became a schedule I controlled substance. In Colorado, as is true across the country–I have talked to a lot of colleagues about this–we see hemp as a great opportunity to diversify our farms and manufacture high-margin products for the American people.”

    McConnell’s standalone hemp bill currently has 29 cosponsors signed on—17 Democrats, nine Republicans and two independents.

    A Congressional Research Service report released last week says that the “global market for hemp consists of more than 25,000 products.”

    House Republican leaders blocked a vote to make hemp legalization part of that chamber’s version of the Farm Bill. But now that the language is included in the version approved by the Senate, it will be part of discussions by the bicameral conference committee that will merge both chambers’ bills into a single piece of legislation to be send to President Trump’s desk. All indications are that McConnell, as the most powerful senator, will fight hard for the survival of his hemp proposal.

    A White House statement of administration policy released this week outlining concerns with the Farm Bill does not mention its hemp legalization provisions.

    In 2014, McConnell included provisions to allow limited state-authorized hemp research programs in that year’s version of the Farm Bill.

    Kentucky’s agriculture commissioner cheered the passage of the new hemp provisions on Thursday..

    For farmers across KY, there is no piece of legislation more important than the #FarmBill. I am excited that @SenateMajLdr’s #HempFarmingAct made it into this measure, which will allow states to unleash the full economic potential of our industrial hemp pilot programs. #KyAg365 pic.twitter.com/HjU6OGKNjZ

    — Commissioner Quarles (@KYAgCommish) June 28, 2018

    article written by Tom Angell publishes Marijuana Moment news and founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. 
    originally posted at https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/06/28/u-s-senate-votes-to-legalize-hemp-after-decades-long-ban-under-marijuana-prohibition/2/#

  • #1 Children’s Vitamin in US Contains: Aspartame, GMOs and Hazardous Chemicals

    Children vitamin #1 Children’s Vitamin in US Contains: Aspartame, GMOs and Hazardous Chemicals

    upposed to be healthy, right? Well then, what’s going on with Flintstones Vitamins, which proudly claims to be “Pediatricians’ #1 Choice”?  Produced by the global pharmaceutical corporation Bayer, this wildly successful brand features a shocking list of unhealthy ingredients, including:  

    On Bayer Health Science’s Flintstones product page designed for healthcare professionals they lead into the product description with the following tidbit of information:

    “82% of kids aren’t eating all of their veggies*1. Without enough vegetables, kids may not be getting all of the nutrients they need.”

    References: *1. Lorson BA, Melgar-Quinonez HR, Taylor CA. Correlates of fruit and vegetable intakes in US children. J Am Diet Assoc. 2009;109(3):474-478.

    The implication? That Flintstones vitamins somehow fill this nutritional void. But let’s look a little closer at some of these presumably healthy ingredients…

    ASPARTAME

    Aspartame is a synthetic combination of the amino acids aspartic acid and l-phenylalanine, and is known to convert into highly toxic methanol and formaldehyde in the body. Aspartame has been linked to over 40 adverse health effects in the biomedical literature, and has been shown to exhibit both neurotoxicity and carcinogenicity. [1]

    What business does a chemical like this have doing in a children’s vitamin, especially when non-toxic, non-synthetic non-nutritive sweeteners like stevia already exist?

    CUPRIC OXIDE

    Next, let’s look closer at Cupric Oxide, 2mg of which is included in each serving of Flinstone’s Complete chewable vitamins as a presumably  ‘nutritional’ source of ‘copper,’ supplying “100% of the Daily Value  (Ages 4+), according to Flintstones Vitamins Web site’s Nutritional Info. [2]

    But what is Cupric Oxide? A nutrient or a chemical?

    According to the European Union’s Dangerous Substance Directive, one of the main EU laws concerning chemical safety, Cupric Oxide is listed as a Hazardous substance, classified as both “Harmful (XN)” and “Dangerous for the environment” (N).

    Consider that it has industrial applications as a pigment in ceramics, and as a chemical in the production of rayon fabric and dry cell batteries. In may be technically correct to call it a mineral, but should it be listed as a nutrient in a children’s vitamin? We think not.

    COAL TAR ARTIFICIAL COLORING AGENTS

    A well-known side effect of using synthetic dyes is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. For direct access to study abstracts on this topic view our Food Coloring research page.

    There is also indication that the neurotoxicity of artificial food coloring agents increase when combined with aspartame, [3] making the combination of ingredients in Flintstones even more concerning.

    FOOD DYES & KIDS: A Rainbow of Risk 

    ZINC OXIDE

    Each serving of Flinstones Complete Chewable vitamins contain 12 mg of zinc oxide, which the manufacturer claims delivers 75% of the Daily Value to children 2  & 3 years of age. Widely used as a sun protection factor (SPF) in sunscreens, The EU’s Dangerous Substance Directive classifies it as an environmental Hazard, “Dangerous for the environment (N).”

    How it can be dangerous to the environment, but not for humans ingesting it, escapes me. One thing is for sure, if one is to ingest supplemental zinc, or market it for use by children, it makes much more sense using a form that is organically bound (i.e. ‘chelated’) to an amino acid like glycine, as it will be more bioavailable and less toxic.

    SORBITOL

    Sorbitol is a synthetic sugar substitute which is classified as a sugar alcohol. It can be argued that it has no place in the human diet, much less in a child’s. The ingestion of higher amounts have been linked to gastrointestinal disturbances from abdominal pain to more serious conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. [4]

    FERROUS FUMARATE

    The one clear warning on the Flinstone’s Web site concerns this chemical. While it is impossible to die from consuming iron from food, e.g. spinach, ferrous fumarate is an industrial mineral and not found in nature as food. In fact, ferrous fumarate is so toxic that accidental overdose of products containing this form is “a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6.” 

    The manufacturer further warns:“Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.”

    HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN OIL

    Finding hydrogenated oil in anything marketed to children is absolutely unacceptable. These semi-synthetic fatty acids incorporate into our tissues and have been linked to over a dozen adverse health effects, from coronary artery disease to cancer, violent behavior to fatty liver disease. [5]

    GMO CORN STARCH

    While it can be argued that the amount of GMO corn starch in this product is negligible, even irrelevant, we disagree. It is important to hold accountable brands that refuse to label their products honestly, especially when they contain ingredients that have been produced through genetic modification.

    The ‘vitamin C’ listed as ascorbic acid in Flintstones is likely also produced from GMO corn. Let’s remember that Bayer’s Ag-biotech division, Bayer CropScience, poured $381,600 of cash into defeating the proposition 37 GMO labeling bill in California.

    Parents have a right to protect their children against the well-known dangers of genetically modified foods and the agrichemicals that contaminate them, don’t they? GMO corn starch is GMO, plain and simple. We’d appreciate it if Bayer would label their “vitamins” accordingly.

    In summary, Bayer’s Flintstone’s vitamin brand is far from a natural product, and the consumer should be aware of the unintended, adverse health effects that may occur as a result of using it.

    By Sayer Ji, Green Med Info; |

  • Enter to Win! doTerra oils Giveaway

    Enter to win one of the many Boise Natural Health Symposium door prizes. This inaugural event will include speaking sessions by local health experts, exhibits by Idaho businesses and practitioners, and interactive demonstrations such as healthy food preparation. Healthy snacks will be provided (hello, on-tap kombucha!). Bring your family, friends and your enthusiasm for meeting other passionate health-minded people and practitioners in a collaborative, functional setting. Enter to win one of our many door prizes!  

    THE GIVEAWAY

    To enter the giveaway, please use the widget below. Every action you take in the widget earns you more points for the giveaway. You can earn up to 15 entries, which improves your chances of winning! 

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    OUR SPONSOR

    Thank you to Lisa Hevern, for sponsoring this giveaway of the introductory trio of doTerra essential oils! The trio includes peppermint, lavender and lemon. She will guide you to better health, naturally with a one-on-one consultation about the health benefits of research backed essential oils by doTERRA to bring out the best in you! Follow Lisa on Facebook for more expert information on the power of essential oils. 

  • Elderberry syrup is better than a shot to avoid the flu

    Logic and evidence-based proof that elderberry syrup is the better choice to boost immunity against the flu. That’s right! Elderberries have been proven to both boost the immune system and shorten the duration of cold and flu symptoms significantly. 

    What Are Elderberries?

    Black elderberry extract (Sambucus species) has been reported to have been used for years by native Americans, mostly against rheumatism and fever. Sambucol is a natural remedy with antiviral properties, especially against the human influenza virus. Elderberry is used for its antioxidant activity, to lower cholesterol, to improve vision, to boost the immune system, to improve heart health and for coughs, colds, flu, bacterial and viral infections and tonsillitis. Bioflavonoids and other proteins in the juice destroy the ability of cold and flu viruses to infect a cell.

    Elderberry Evidence

    Believe it or not (Believe it, buddy!) elderberries have been studied in REAL labs!   In fact, they have been studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies.  (That’s more than we can say for some vaccine studies!).  Elderberries have been proven to both boost the immune system and shorten the duration of cold and flu symptoms significantly.

    At the Bundesforschungsanstalt Research Center for Food in Karlsruhe, Germany, scientists conducting studies on Elderberry showed that elderberry anthocyanins enhance immune function by boosting the production of cytokines. These unique proteins act as messengers in the immune system to help regulate immune response, thus helping to defend the body against disease.

    Study #1

    A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized study.

    Results: 

    1. Sambucol was shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus
    2. Sambucol reduced the duration of flu symptoms to 3-4 days
    3. Convalescent phase serum showed a higher antibody level to influenza virus in the Sambucol group, than in the control group.
    4. Sambucol is beneficial to immune system activation and in the inflammatory process in healthy individuals or in patients with various diseases.
    5. The results of this study show that all Sambucol elderberry formulations have a strong stimulatory effect on inflammatory cytokine production by human normal monocytes.
    6. The study was not funded in any way by the company which produces and markets the product of Sambucol in Israel.The study can be found here

    Study #2

    Here is another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted in Norway.  Patients received 15 ml of elderberry or placebo syrup four times a day for 5 days, and recorded their symptoms using a visual analogue scale.

     Results:

    1. Symptoms were relieved on average 4 days earlier and use of rescue medication was significantly less in those receiving
      elderberry extract compared with placebo.
    2. Elderberry extract seems to offer an efficient, safe and cost-effective treatment
      for influenza.
    3. None of the patients reported any adverse reactions related to the medication. (The same can NOT be said for the flu shot!)
    4. A complete cure was achieved within 2 – 3 days in nearly 90% of the elderberry-treated group compared with at least 6 days in the placebo group.
    5. The results of our study show that elderberry syrup is also effective against influenza A virus infections.
    6. In view of its in vitro and in vivo efficacy on influenza A and B viruses, elderberry extract offers an efficient, safe and cost-effective supplement to the present armamentarium of medications for the prophylaxis and treatment
      of influenza.This study can be viewed here 

    DIY Elderberry Syrup

    Hippocrates Is Said To Have Called This Plant . . .
    His “medicine chest,” and for thousands of years it’s been revered in folk medicine for its healing properties. (source) Now studies are starting to confirm what tradition has long held: elderberries are a delicious and effective way to support immune function during cold and flu season.

    Unlike fire cider, which supports the immune system through an infusion of pungent and spicy herbs, this elderberry syrup recipe uses a sweet and simple decoction of berries and honey. Learn HOW TO from easy video tutorial from mommypotomus

    Study # 3 

    Here is a placebo-controlled, double blind study was carried out on a group of individuals living in an agricultural community (Kibbutz) during an outbreak of influenza B in Panama in 1993.

    Results

    1. A significant improvement of the symptoms, including fever, was seen in 93.3% of the cases in the SAM-treated group within 2 days, whereas in the control group 91.7% of the patients showed an improvement within 6 days.
    2. A complete cure was achieved within 2 to 3 days in nearly 90% of the SAM-treated group and within at least 6 days in the placebo group.
    3. Considering the efficacy of the extract in vitro on all strains of influenza virus tested, the clinical results, its low cost, and absence of side-effects, this preparation could offer a possibility for safe treatment for influenza A and B.
    4. Sambucol Elderberry Extract and its formulations activate and boost the healthy immune system by increasing inflammatory cytokine production.
    5. The most striking increase was noted in TNF-alpha production (44.9 fold).
    6. Sambucol was shown to be effective in vitro against 10 strains of influenza virus.This study can be viewed here

    Conclusion: The Flu Vaccine Just Doesn’t Measure Up
    10% ‘effective’ flu shot in 2018 and the CDC and Health Department campaigns still encourage people to load up on the toxic shot.

    The evidence speaks for itself.

    • The elderberry has no known harmful side effects, but the flu shot does
    • The elderberry syrup works with your natural immune response system, the flu shot does not
    • Elderberries have been proven to be effective against 10 strains of the flu
    • Elderberries have been proven to shorten the duration of colds and flu
    • Elderberry syrup is safe for pregnant women and children over 1 year of age (due to the honey content) (Check with your doc before starting/stopping any health regimen)
    • The flu shot is even less effective in senior citizens and children under 2 years of age (Those who need it the most! Read more here)
    • The flu shot has never been tested in pregnant women
    • There have been reported deaths and serious injuries proceeding the flu shot (Seizures, narcolepsy, convulsions, encephalomyelitis, facial palsy, facial paresis, Guillain-Barré syndrome, hypoesthesia, myelitis, neuritis, neuropathy, paresthesia and syncope just to name a few) Read more here.
    • The flu mist is a live virus and can spread the flu to others up to 21 days following the application (Isn’t that what we’re trying to avoid!?)

  • Dark Days: It’s Time To Test Your Vitamin D Levels

    Winter is almost officially here and we all know what that means: it’s the darkest time of the year. This is the ideal time to test your Vitamin D levels, since our blood serum concentration of Vitamin D has a significant impact on your immunity, mood and even our cancer risk! Cold and flu season can be less serious when your Vitamin D levels are optimized. 

    The optimal Vitamin D level for health and disease prevention is between 60 and 80 ng/mL. 

    Depression susceptibility: below nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) may increase your risk by as much as 85 percent, compared to having a vitamin D level greater than 30 ng/mL.

    Type 2 Diabetes risk: people with a median level of 41 ng/mL present a diabetes rate of 3.7 per 1,000. Those with a median serum level of 22 ng/mL have a diabetes rate of 9.3 per 1,000. 

    Pre-term birth risk: up to 59% of preterm birth (which represents 28% of newborn deaths during the first 30 days of life) could be prevented by optimizing the pregnant woman’s vitamin D level to 40 ng/mL.

    Breast cancer risk: levels above 60 ng/mL can lower risk by 83% compared to women with levels below 20 nl/mL

    There are various ways to test your Vitamin D levels. Some of our favorites are at-home prick tests such as those provided by Vitamin D Council and Grassroots Health. Both tests are around $60 and include personalized lab reports.

    There are numerous health issues that Vitamin D can play a supporting role in preventing or reducing symptoms, such as autoimmune diseases, gastrointestinal disease, dry eyes, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, bone injuries, neurological disorders, dental health and much more. 

    High-Dose Vitamin D Increase the Need for Calcium, Magnesium and K2

    Something of note also is the interplay between vitamin D, calcium, magnesium and Vitamin K2. While it’s important to supplement with quality vitamin D3 to optimize your levels, you may also need to increase key minerals and vitamin K2 so that all are working properly in your body. 

    When these four key nutrients are imbalanced, there may be symptoms of vitamin D toxicity or increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The latter is most often caused by taking calcium supplements when vitamin K2 levels are low, which then causes overabsorption of calcium. This then in turn may cause calcium deposits in your heart and kidneys. 

    A proper calcium to magnesium ratio is important, since magnesium keeps calcium in cells so they can function better. The historical healthy calcium-magnesium ratio has been 1-to-1. 

    Magnesium and vitamin K2 also complement each other, as magnesium helps lower blood pressure, which is an important component of heart disease. 

    Thus, when you supplement with any of the following: magnesium, calcium, vitamin D3 or vitamin D2, remember to take all the others into consideration as well.

    (Statistics from Dr. Mercola article and various studies). 

    Vitamin D Levels During Pregnancy Must Be Considered for Healthy Babies

    Protect Our Children NOW! is a GrassrootsHealth campaign launched in 2015 to combat vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women worldwide.

    Research conducted through this project reveals up to 59 percent of preterm births — which are responsible for 28 percent of newborn deaths during the first month of life — could be prevented simply by raising pregnant women’s vitamin D to a level of 40 ng/mL.

    Preterm babies are also more likely to suffer health problems later on, including a higher risk of ADHD, cerebral palsy, autism, asthma,22,23 intestinal problems, pneumonia, vision problems, hearing loss and dental problems.24,25,26 Your vitamin D status during pregnancy can even influence your child’s future risk for cardiovascular disease.27,28

    As of 2015, the U.S. had a preterm birth rate of 9.6 percent, meaning nearly 1 in 10 babies were born prematurely. The U.S., while one of the most advanced countries in the world, ranked No. 130 in preterm births out of 184 countries in 2010.

    Protect our Children NOW! is a cost-effective, reproducible program that protects children by ensuring pregnant mothers are vitamin D sufficient, and could go a long way toward improving these abysmal statistics. Among non-Caucasian women (among whom vitamin D deficiency is more common and prominent) the reduction in risk was even greater.

    In this group, the preterm rate prior to the start of the study was 18 percent. Those who achieved a vitamin D level of 40 ng/mL by their second test had a 78 percent lower preterm birth rate — reducing the preterm birth rate to just 4 percent!

    preterm birth rate for womenpreterm birth rate non-white women

    Aside from halving the risk for preterm birth, vitamin D optimization also protects the mother by reducing her risk of preeclampsia, gestational diabetes and prenatal infections by approximately 50 percent.29 If you are currently 12 to 17 weeks pregnant, you can join the join the GrassrootsHealth pregnancy study for free and test your vitamin D level from the comfort of your own home.

    If you are planning a pregnancy, or are more than 17 weeks pregnant, you can take control of your and your child’s health by using the D*Action test kit. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to monitor your vitamin D status.

    So, now it the time to get tested and to optimize your levels for a healthier winter and year ahead! 

    Photo by Mira Kemppainen on Unsplash

  • Health Freedom Idaho on Idaho Living

    I was in the news again! This time it was for the much more fun topic of what I keep in my medicine cabinet at home. It was fun to show Katie Neuman Rhodenbaugh some powerful holistic options for getting through the flu season and also hear some of her tips. I hope that this info helps some folks make a change away from antibiotics. We have SO MANY much better options available to us.

    CLICK THE PICTURE TO SEE THE VIDEO INTERVIEW.

    Here are some of the resources suggested in the video:

    Immunity Booster: 
    Liposomal Vitamin C
    Vitamin A

    Growing Pains and Sleeping
    MagBrite available at the Karlfeldt Center
    Epson Salts (available at grocery stores)

    This article originally appeared at: http://idahonews.com/idaho-living/health-freedom-idaho.