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Leviticus11.com

Dianne Miller's Health and Strength Products

2008 Health Tips **

Week of December 27, 2008:     Tea Benefits for Women

Just three cups of tea a day can reduce the risk of breast cancer in young women. New research shows that the chances of developing a tumor drop by around 37 percent in women under 50 who drank tea at least three times daily. Older women who consumed similar amounts did not see a the same benefit; researchers theorized that the anti-cancer properties of tea may have a more potent effect on the types of tumors that tend to grow in younger women. Although the health benefits of tea are well known, they have long been considered to mostly affect heart disease. A study last year showed four cups a day could reduce your risk of a heart attack. However, other recent studies have suggested that tea can protect against skin cancer, ovarian cancer and even weak bones.

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Week of December 20, 2008:     Artificial Sweeteners

Overwhelming evidence shows that consuming artificial sweeteners will likely wreak havoc on the body. A study published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health revealed some disturbing news on Splenda. Splenda reduces the amount of good bacteria in the intestines by 50 percent, increases the pH level in the intestines, and affects a glycoprotein in the body that can have crucial health effects, particularly if you're on certain medications. In addition, they found unmistakable evidence that Splenda is absorbed by fat, contrary to previous claims. The intestinal bacteria help maintain the body's overall balance of friendly versus unfriendly micro-organisms and supports general health.

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Week of December 13, 2008:     Brussels Sprouts

To maintain a healthy immune system and reduce your risk of heart disease eat Brussels sprouts. Many people do not like these nutritionally rich gems but they are a good source of dietary fiber, folic acid, vitamin C, vitamin K, beta-carotene and several key antioxidants. Brussels sprouts also reduce the risk of colon cancer and other cancers, promote healthy elimination, and protect against birth defects.

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Week of December 6, 2008:     Cordyceps for Respiratory Disorders

Cordyceps extract has been found to strengthen the respiratory system which assists the body to better protect itself from pollutants and allergens. Research has also shown that it enhances oxygen uptake by the brain and heart while improving resistance to hypoxia, a state of oxygen deficiency in the body which is sufficient to cause an impairment of function. Studies have shown that cordyceps extract is excellent for asthma and chronic bronchitis in both children and adults. Cordyceps extract aids in clearing bacteria from the lungs.

Source: Dr. Chi's Herbal Formulas, pp. 59-60.

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Week of November 29, 2008:     Fresh Breath

There are ways to keep your breath fresh without using expensive mouthwash or chewing gum. Brush your teeth and floss after every meal if possible. If you aren't able to brush your teeth or floss after eating, rinse your mouth with water and try to loosen any food particles around your teeth. When you are able to brush your teeth, you need to brush your tongue too. The tongue, especially the back of the tongue, is a warm harbor for bacteria. Spend some time on the tongue, moving slowly toward the back so as not to activate your gag reflex. A tongue scraper used twice a day can also be useful. During the day keep your mouth hydrated. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath so try snacking on oranges or celery, and drink plenty of water. To freshen your mouth try an herbal palate cleanser such as parsley (chew on it after meals), drink peppermint tea, or chew two or three fennel or anise seeds or one clove. If you still have bad breath, contact your dentist. He or she may be able to prescribe an antimicrobial mouthwash and can diagnose any condition or concerns of the oral cavity that may be causing the problems, such as gum disease.

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Week of November 22, 2008:     Hawthorn for the Heart

The best-known herb for the heart in western herbalism is hawthorn. Noted herbalist Christopher Hobbs has a special affection for hawthorn because it helped his father strengthen his heart after a heart attack more than two decades ago. Hobbs wrote: "The extract of hawthorn can increase blood flow to the heart muscle itself, helping to counteract one of the most common modern causes of death in industrial countries - heart attack due to lack of blood flow to the heart."

Whether you have angina, arrhythmia, an enlarged heart, or congestive heart failure, you can benefit from taking hawthorn. It's helpful anytime that there is deterioration of the heart muscle. Although hawthorn cannot reverse severe damage done by heart disease. If you have an enlarged heart, hawthorn won't make it smaller but it will probably ease some of the symptoms and increase the function and strength of your heart. Hawthorn assists healthy hearts, too. It's been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce levels of blood cholesterol, and prevent cholesterol buildup on artery walls-actions that help prevent heart disease. A study by the German Federal Ministry of Health found that hawthorn gently increases the strength of the heart, normalizes rhythm, and benefits circulation within the heart itself by dilating the coronary arteries. In Germany, many extracts and medicinal preparations use hawthorn alone or in combination with other herbs.

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Week of November 15, 2008:     Mullein for Winter Woes

To ease dry, bronchial coughs, chest congestion and ear infections this winter, try taking mullein. The flowers and leaves of the mullein plant are safe and effective for many seasonal respiratory problems. You can find mullein available in tinctures, oils, powders, lozenges, capsules, extracts and even in whole leaf form. Choose a reliable brand that is 100% pure mullein. For congestion and dry cough, try a dropperful of tincture in a little warm water every four hours. Mullein is safe for adults, but do not give mullein to young children for coughs. For adult ear infections, try a few drops of mullein oil, slightly warmed, directly in the ear - this is safe for children's ear infections as well. As with any supplement, pregnant women should discuss mullein with their doctor before use.

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Week of November 8, 2008:     Skin Care Product Ingredients to Avoid

Your skin is much more than an outer surface to cover bones and muscles--it's the largest organ of your body. Your skin protects your internal organs from injury; helps detoxify wastes through perspiration; is an important line of immune defense against infections--a barrier to viruses and bacteria; protects you against extreme changes in temperature, through its thermoregulatory effect of controlling heat flow between you and your environment; produces and stores vitamin D (important to your immune system); rich in receptors to allow you to sense conditions around you like hard/soft and hot/cold and send information to your brain so you can react to it for self-preservation; protects your body from sunburns and dehydration.

There are many ingredients in personal care products that are harmful to the body. When you put those products on your skin, it will absorb those ingredients. Those harmful ingredients are:

Mineral Oil, Paraffin, and Petrolatum: Petroleum products that coat the skin like plastic, clogging pores and creating a build-up of toxins, which in turn accumulate and can lead to dermatologic issues. Slows cellular development, which can cause you to show earlier signs of aging. Suspected cause of cancer. Disruptive of hormonal activity.

Parabens: Widely used as preservatives in the cosmetic industry (including moisturizers). An estimated 13,200 cosmetic and skin care products contain parabens. Studies implicate their connection with cancer. They have hormone-disrupting qualities (mimicking estrogen) and interfere with the body's endocrine system.

Phenol carbolic acid: Found in many lotions and skin creams. Can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma and even death from respiratory failure.

Propylene glycol:Used as a moisturizer in cosmetics and as a carrier in fragrance oils. Shown to cause dermatitis, kidney or liver abnormalities, and may inhibit skin cell growth or cause skin irritation.

Acrylamide: Found in many hand and face creams. Linked to mammary tumors in lab research.

Sodium laurel or lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): Found in car washes, engine degreasers, garage floor cleaners... and in over 90% of personal care products! SLS breaks down the skin's moisture barrier, easily penetrates the skin, and allows other chemicals to easily penetrate. Combined with other chemicals, SLS becomes a "nitrosamine", a potent class of carcinogen. It can also cause hair loss. SLES is sometimes disguised with the labeling "comes from coconut" or "coconut-derived."

Toluene: Poison! Danger! Harmful or fatal if swallowed! Harmful if inhaled or absorbed through the skin. Made from petroleum or coal tar, and found in most synthetic fragrances. Chronic exposure linked to anemia, lowered blood cell count, liver or kidney damage, and may affect a developing fetus. Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) contains toluene. Other names may include benzoic and benzyl.

Dioxane: Found in compounds known as PEG, Polysorbates, Laureth, ethoxylated alcohols. Common in a wide range of personal care products. The compounds are usually contaminated with high concentrations of highly volatile 1,4-dioxane, easily absorbed through the skin. Dioxane's carcinogenicity was first reported in 1965 and later confirmed in studies including one from the National Cancer Institute in 1978. Nasal passages and liver are the most vulnerable. Dioxane is easily removed during the manufacturing process by "vacuum stripping." Warning: It is a synthetic derivative of coconut. Watch for hidden language on labels, such as "comes from coconut."

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Week of November 1, 2008:     The Power of Aromatherapy

Alan Hirsch M.D., F.A.C.P. is a neurologist and psychiatrist working on the treatment of smell and taste loss. Dr. Hirsch is the Neurological Director of the Smell & Taste Research and Treatment Foundation in Chicago, Illinois. Here are some excerpts from his article, The Power of Aromatherapy.

Aromatherapy can be a remarkable remedy. When a patient smells a particular odor, scent molecules bind to the surface of cell walls at the top of the nose. This triggers the release of neurotransmitters and other chemicals that stimulate different parts of the brain. Scents that patients enjoy are more effective remedies than those that they find unpleasant. Many health conditions can be improved with aromatherapy. Whether or not these problems can be prevented with aromatherapy is still being researched.

Anxiety: Green apple and/or cucumber have been shown to reduce anxiety by about 18%. Also, patients who sniff lavender have an increase in alpha waves, a sign of heightened relaxation.

Energy: People who smell a peppermint scent or chew a piece of peppermint gum or candy experience a sudden burst of energy. Also helpful: The smell of strawberries or buttered popcorn. Both cause an increase in energy as well as metabolism.

Obesity: A number of studies have shown that particular odors can help people lose weight. Some scents stimulate the part of the hypothalamus that controls appetite. Odors also may act as a displacement mechanism--a reminder to eat less. Peppermint and green apple have been shown to be effective. One large study found that people who sniffed either one of these scents when they felt hungry lost an average of 30 pounds over a six-month period. It's also helpful to take frequent deep sniffs of food while eating. Odor molecules, regardless of the food they come from, can fool the brain into thinking that more has been consumed, which helps suppress the appetite.

Concentration and memory: Aromatherapy can be used to accelerate learning speed and promote better concentration and memory. Sniffing a floral essential oil triggers the release of norepinephrine and adrenocorticotropic hormone, hormones that increase attention. Floral scents have been shown to improve memory and learning speed by about 17%. In one study, people were exposed to different scents prior to bowling. Those who smelled jasmine knocked down 28% more pins, probably because it improved their concentration and hand/eye coordination.

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Week of October 25, 2008:     Honey for Wounds

An ancient scroll was found in Egypt that listed medical case histories, recorded around 3000 B.C. Case #3 described treatment for an acute head wound: after stitching the wound shut, oil and honey were applied to prevent infection.

Researchers at the University of Auckland in New Zealand have written, "Honey has been used since ancient times as a remedy in wound care. Evidence from animal studies and some trials has suggested honey may accelerate wound healing." The results they found show that in acute wounds (burns, lacerations) honey had a significant effect. In some moderate wounds where damage to nerves and blood vessels occurred, healing time was reduced by as much as five days compared to conventional treatments. The use of honey in chronic wounds (diabetic ulcers, arterial and venous ulcers, pressure ulcers, and infected surgical wounds) did not significantly increase healing time compared to conventional treatments.

The honey used to treat wounds has to be in the raw state (raw, uncooked does not qualify) because honey contains enzymes and nutrients that can be very useful to the body. Unfortunately, heat destroys many of them, and commercial honey is heated to keep it from crystallizing inside processing machinery. You can find raw honey in the natural food section of your grocery store or at your local health food store. Get honey from local sources--the honey gathered closest to your home is the best for you.

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Week of October 18, 2008:     Treat Depression Naturally

Millions of people experience depression at times during their lifetime. There's an herbal supplement that can help improve your mood--St. John's Wort. Studies have shown that St. John's wort is as effective as antidepressants from the pharmacy. St. John's Wort does not have the side effects that the prescribed drugs do (just read the warnings on the various drugs).

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Week of October 11, 2008:     Garlic

Garlic is rich in manganese, vitamin C, and selenium. Garlic also has a therapeutic action due to its phytochemicals containing sulfur. Garlic supports normal blood pressure and may help reduce serum cholesterol and helps prevent plaque forming in the arteries. Studies also show that garlic helps lower the incidence of cancer in the gastrointestinal tract. Adding garlic to your meals is an inexpensive health supplement.

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Week of October 4, 2008:     Boost your resistance to winter woes with vitamin C

To build a healthy immune system this coming winter, make sure your diet includes plenty of natural vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant plays a central role in the repair and regeneration of tissues, and helps protect cells throughout the body. Good food sources of vitamin C that are abundant and can be enjoyed all year long include (raw not cooked): broccoli, cantaloupe, kiwi, oranges, peppers, pineapple, pink grapefruit, and strawberries.

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Week of September 27, 2008:     Fragrance for Pleasant Dreams and Restful Sleep

Researchers have found that exposing scented roses to volunteers in their sleep can help in having pleasant dreams. Studies on a group of 15 volunteers who were exposed to smells of rotten eggs and roses for 30 nights have indicated that smell has an effect on human emotions. After exposing the volunteers to these smells, they were woken up and asked to recollect their dreams. Those exposed to floral scents recorded having pleasant positive dreams and those exposed to the unpleasant smell of rotten eggs were recorded as having negative dreams.

Researchers claim that unlike other senses, brain structures involved in smelling are always awake and influence the emotional tone of sleep. If you don't have access to fresh flowers, a Lavender Naturopatch that uses scents associated with pleasure--lavender, chamomile and jasmine--can be used to bring pleasant dreams and a good night's sleep.

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Week of September 20, 2008:     What Junk Food Does to Your Brain

"You are what you eat" is probably never more apparent than soon after you eat a convenient, good-tasting junk-food meal. Most of the time you begin to feel tired, your mood sinks, your brain feels foggy, and you may even feel hungry again, not to mention all the guilt you have for putting things into your body that you know will move you toward sickness and disease.

You may feel a strange sensation on the roof of your mouth, a signal that you are harming yourself. Pay attention to the signals and clues your body is giving you, especially after you eat unhealthy food.

The more that you eat a diet full of sugar, grains and bad fats (especially trans fats), the more you are impairing your brain's ability to "hear" the biochemical signals that tell it to stop eating and storing fat--a good indication of why there are an increasing amount of obese people now.

These signals come from the hormones insulin and leptin, and their job is to, among other things, control your metabolism. Insulin works mostly at the cellular level, telling the vast majority of your cells whether to burn or store fat and sugar, and whether to utilize that energy for maintenance, repair or reproduction. Leptin, on the other hand, sends signals that reduce your hunger, increase fat burning and reduce fat storage.

This information is typical of the sound thinking of Dr. Mercola, whose website provides many articles, a free email newsletter, products, videos, and a forum to ask Dr. Mercola specific questions on health.

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Week of September 13, 2008:     Why Eat Healthy Food?

People constantly gripe about the cost of health care. They want to eat food that is cheap and tastes sweet or salty. When they get sick, they want a prescription drug to fix the problem caused by the cheap food they ate. The prescription drug is expensive and has many side effects, most of which are more health problems. Have you seen a full-page ad in a magazine followed by 2 or 3 pages of warnings in tiny print? If people would try to eat food that is wholesome and in a natural state (raw fruits and vegetables, organic eggs and meats) and not the stuff with a 20-year shelf life, they might avoid that vicious cycle. If the ingredients in your food include a long list of chemicals and preservatives, what will those things do to you? You are what you eat. See Unhealthy Food=Unhealthy People.

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Week of September 6, 2008:     Fluke Parasites

Fluke parasites are a type of parasitic flatworm (trematode) that can cause infections and diseases of the digestive tract and lungs of its host species. The name "trematode" is from the Greek meaning, "having holes." This refers to the external suckers that adult flukes use to leech nutrients from their hosts. Fluke parasites have fairly complex life cycles and must generally inhabit several hosts. Humans can contract a fluke parasite infection by consuming uncooked fish, plants, or animals or from contact with fluke-infected waters. Algae on ponds can be a host for these parasites.

There are several ways to rid yourself of these parasites--black walnut tincture and wormwood (kills worms and flukes), fresh cloves (kills eggs), fresh pumpkin seeds, and other herbs. You should be able to find most of these in your local health food store. Oil of oregano is also effective

Huldah Clark covers this subject in her book, The Cure for All Cancers

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Week of August 30, 2008:     Meatless Diet Causes Brain Shrinkage

Scientists have discovered that going veggie could be bad for your brain, with those on a meat-free diet six times more likely to suffer brain shrinkage. Vegans and vegetarians are the most likely to be deficient because the best sources of the vitamin are meat, particularly liver, milk and fish. Vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause anemia and inflammation of the nervous system.

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Week of August 23, 2008:     Asparagus

The health benefits for asparagus are: high in vitamin K and folate, helps prevent birth defects, helps menstrual cramps, good for gastrointestinal tract and the colon, helps depression, a good anti-inflammatory, helps to get rid of warts, helps detoxify the body, helps to lower cholesterol, has antifungal and antiviral qualities, helps to avoid varicose veins, helps to prevent cataracts, helps treat toothaches.

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Week of August 16, 2008:     Use Caution with Modern Products

According to researchers from the University of Washington, air fresheners and fragranced laundry products often emit literally dozens of chemicals, some of which are considered toxic by federal law. The study shows that none of the potentially hazardous chemicals that are thrown off by these "fresh-smelling" products are even listed on the label of ingredients. University of Washington researcher Ann C. Steinemann, PhD, said, "I didn't find a brand that didn't emit at least one toxic chemical." Steinemann's study examined six popular consumer products: liquid spray air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, fabric softeners, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, and the kinds of solid disc deodorizers used in airliner toilets. Steinemann found that these six products emitted a staggering 100 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

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Week of August 9, 2008:     Broccoli

Eating broccoli may reverse damage to heart blood vessels. The key is a compound in broccoli called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane encourages production of enzymes that protect the blood vessels, and reduces the number of molecules that cause cell damage by up to 73 percent.

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Week of August 2, 2008:     Cheap, Healthy, Food

The healthiest food that is easy on the budget: organic eggs, raw milk, raw nuts and seeds, fresh berries, watermelon, coconut milk, spinach, garlic, wild rice. These foods are approximately $1.00 per serving.

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Week of July 26, 2008:     A Dangerous Soft Drink

Just one can of the popular stimulant energy drink Red Bull can increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. The effect was seen even in young people. The caffeine-loaded beverage causes blood to become sticky, a pre-cursor to cardiovascular problems such as stroke. One hour after drinking Red Bull, your blood system becomes abnormal, as might be expected from a patient with cardiovascular disease. Red Bull is banned in Norway, Uruguay and Denmark because of health risks.

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Week of July 19, 2008:     Don't Skip Meals to Lose Weight

When you skip meals, two things happen. First, your metabolism slows down. Second, since you brain thinks that you are starving it will tell your body to store any food that it does receive in the form of fat. In other words, skipping meals = weight gain. The best thing you can do for your body, no matter what your goals are, is to begin each day with breakfast and eat a supportive meal or snack every 3 hours. This in turn will fuel your metabolism, provide you with an abundance of energy and allow your body to burn more fat 24-7.

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Week of July 12, 2008:     Reduce the Risk of a Stroke

A single serving of fresh fruit or vegetables every day appears to reduce by 40% the chance that you will have a stoke. The potassium, magnesium, and fiber that is found in fruit and vegetables work together to control blood pressure.

From:  The Vitamin Alphabet: Your Guide to Vitamins, Minerals and Food Supplements

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Week of July 5, 2008:     Red Palm Oil

Red palm oil is one of the richest plant sources of cancer fighting squalene and heart protective CoQ10. It is the richest food source of the two most important antioxidant nutrients--vitamin E and beta-carotene. It is the premiere source of tocotrienol, a highly potent form of vitamin E that is gaining recognition as a powerful anticancer, heart protective antioxidant.

From: The Palm Oil Miracle by Dr. Bruce Fife

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Week of June 28, 2008:     Blackberries

You should be able to get fresh blackberries all summer. The nutrients found in blackberries are calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Blackberries are anti-laxative which is excellent for fighting diarrhea, are good as a blood cleanser, and are excellent for energy.

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Week of June 21, 2008:     Spices for Health

Tumeric, which is found in curry and mustard, may help prevent Alzheimer's. Cloves have some of the most powerful antioxidants. Rosemary is also full of antioxidants. Ginger is anti-inflammatory and may help relieve arthritis. Cinnamon may help lower blood sugar and cholesterol.

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Week of June 14, 2008:     Leaf Lettuce

The store lighting can help retain or even increase the nutrients available in leaf lettuce. Select a bundle from the top rather than from the bottom.

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Week of June 7, 2008:     Fruits and Vegetables

Leave the skin on fruits and vegetables whenever you can. Many nutrients are just under the skin and the skin adds fiber and texture to your meal or snack. Don't buy pre-sliced fruits. Cut them up yourself. They cost more and can lose some of the vitamin C content.

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Week of May 31, 2008:     Vitamin D to Reduce the Risk of Heart Attacks

Men deficient in vitamin D seem to have a higher risk of heart attacks than men whose blood levels of vitamin D are adequate. Medical records and blood samples of 454 men between the ages of 40 and 75 who had fatal or nonfatal heart attacks between January 1993 and January 2004 were compared with 900 men who had no history of cardiovascular disease. The vitamin D connection remained significant even after researchers adjusted for such heart disease risk factors as family history of heart attacks, body mass index, alcohol consumption, physical activities, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, omega 3 intake and ethnicity. The study was conducted by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The results suggest that current recommendations for vitamin D intake need to be increased to boost blood levels of vitamin D high enough to benefit health, the authors said. The study showed that men whose blood levels of vitamin D were 15 nanograms per milliliter or less were at increased risk. Sufficient blood levels of vitamin D were 30 nanograms per milliliter or more.

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Week of May 24, 2008:     How to Eat

Rushing through meals while focusing on work or problems, and eating with people or in situations that make you tense are bad for your health. Eat sitting down in one place (not standing, driving or lying down). Calm yourself before starting. Take a deep breath and let it out. Take a second breath, hold it for a few seconds and then let it out. Take a third breath, breathing in deeply and hold for a longer time, then let it out. This will help you relax and aid digestion. Take a moment to be grateful (a blessing for many). Then eat slowly. Chew your food well. Chew 30 times per mouthful (60 for those who have digestive problems, 100 for those who have diabetes). Chewing also helps you relax.

From:   Adrenal Fatigue: The 21st Century Stress Syndrome

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Week of May 17, 2008:     A Natural Teeth Whitener

If you consume drinks with caffeine or eat certain foods, chances are your teeth may be stained and discolored. Tooth-whitening strips are full of chemicals. To avoid the chemicals, you can make your own teeth whitener with dried sage leaves and sea salt. It will help you get your teeth white again and also has antibacterial properties and will make your teeth feel squeaky clean.

Here is the recipe:

Ingredients
2 tablespoons dried sage leaves
2 tablespoons sea salt

Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F. Using a spice grinder or a mortar and pestle, grind the salt and sage together. Spread the mixture evenly on a baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Allow to cool, then stir to blend. Place the mixture in a small jar or other container. Add some to your toothbrush and brush vigorously, then rinse thoroughly.

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Week of May 10, 2008:     Web Sites for Good Health

Some very informative web sites to improve health (alphabetical by title):

Educating Instead of Medicating: CureZone.com

Everything You Need to Know About Alternative Medicine

Healing Your Pet Naturally with Herbs and Homeopathy

Optimal Breathing For Living Life and Loving it

Overdosed America: The Broken Promise of American Medicine

What Is Prolotherapy?

World Mysteries - Natural Healing with Dr. Richard Schulze

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Week of May 3, 2008:     Exercise Benefits

Researchers have found that those who exercise have younger DNA by up to 9 years which is an incredible benefit. So exercising may do more than just help prevent illness--it may actually make you younger. Working up a sweat seems to be important.

People who exercised vigorously at least 3 hours each week had longer telomeres (the protective ends of the chromosomes that shorten as you age) and were 9 years younger than couch potatoes who did not exercise. This holds true after removing other factors like smoking, age, weight and activity level at work.

Researchers believe that shortened telomeres can increase the risk of age-related diseases like high blood pressure, mental difficulties, cancer and more. This is because as telomeres shorten, there is more stress on your body's tissues to function correctly. Researchers believe that exercise helps reduce damage by free radicals, allowing your body to spend its efforts in maintaining health instead of repairing damage.

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Week of April 26, 2008:     Potatoes with a Green Tint

Potatoes may contain a chemical called solanine. When potatoes have a green tint to their skin, they may actually have a sunburn. Potatoes grow underground and if they are exposed to light, they develop a green tint due to chlorophyll production which normally happens in the stems and the leaves, but not in the tubers. The chlorophyll is harmless, but the light exposure also causes the potatoes to develop a higher level of an irritating chemical called solanine which causes the potatoes to taste bitter.

Some people claim to be sensitive to solanine and believe they may feel increased arthritis type pain after eating potatoes with a green tint. Although the association between arthritis pain and solanine from dietary sources remains unproven, research does show that solanine may adversely affect the cells that make up the lining of the intestines and could possibly irritate inflammatory bowel disorders. To avoid solanine, don't buy potatoes that have green skin. Store potatoes in a dark place in your pantry or kitchen.

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Week of April 19, 2008:     Witch Hazel

Witch hazel is something you might want to add to your first aid kit or medicine cabinet. It is made from a distillation of leaves, bark and twigs from the witch elm tree. You can find it in stores next to hydrogen peroxide and rubbing alcohol. There are many ways you can use it. To treat stings and irritations, soak a cotton pad with witch hazel and apply to the area. Do this for insect bites, sunburn, and windburn. Witch hazel is also good to disinfect minor cuts and abrasions. As a cosmetic you can cleanse, tone, and refresh the face with it. In addition it can be rubbed into your arms or legs for muscle soreness. Witch hazel has no drug interactions and may be used safely by children and adults.

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Week of April 12, 2008:     Sleep

Sleep allows the body to repair and rejuvenate and also reduces fatigue and stress. Dreaming helps to clear the nervous system. There are five distinct stages of sleep. The first 2 stages are considered light sleeping which takes place the majority of the night. The 3rd and 4th stages are considered deep sleeping or "delta sleep " and rest and restore. Stage 5 is the dream state which generally involves rapid eye movement or REM. A normal pattern of sleep may happen like this: light sleep, deep sleep, REM, light sleep, deep sleep, rest and restoration. The first period of light sleep lasts about 45 minutes.

A good night's sleep is necessary for good health and feeling good. For a natural remedy for insomnia try aromatherapy using Lavender Naturopatches.

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Week of April 5, 2008:     Breathing Properly

The way you breathe affects your health too. We take about 28,000 breaths a day and each breath gives you an opportunity to open up the lower lobes of the lungs through "whole lung breathing." Shallow breathing reaches only the upper lungs and triggers the stress receptors. Whole lung breathing reaches the lower lobes and activates the calming receptors that reside there. It stimulates the lymphatic system so waste products can be efficiently carried from the body. Finally, breathing into the lower lobes allows the rib cage to be elastic and open.

To do "whole lung breathing," breathe deeply through your nose only (the best way to activate the lower lung receptors) and inhale, filling up the lower lobes of the lungs, followed by the middle lobes and then the upper lobes. Then, squeeze out all the air, as best you can, as you exhale through the nose. This style of nasal breathing will ensure full respiratory capacity with each breath and is always recommended, even while doing moderate to vigorous exercise.

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Week of March 29, 2008:     The Cheapest Way to Fix and Maintain Good Health

If you want a "pill" to fix your heart, try exercise. Physical therapy used on people after a heart attack enables them to live longer than those who do get no therapy. Research using rats has shown that exercise can even be more effective than statins, the drugs normally used to treat heart disease.

Research has found that exercise sparks the creation of new heart vessels. In a study of 37 people at Leipzig University in Germany, Dr. Robert Hollriegel found that people with serious heart failure who rode a bike for up to 30 minutes a day for four months produced new stem cells in their bones. Those in the study who exercised also had more small blood vessels in their muscles. Those who didn't exercise had no change in their vessels or muscles.

The way it works is that physical activity strains the heart's arteries and muscles by sending 10 times the normal amount of blood to the muscles being used. Then stem cells are sent to relieve this stress and may repair any damaged parts. If the exercise is continued, the stem cells help the body adapt to the stress by building new blood vessels and strengthening muscles. To maintain the benefits of the new blood vessels and stronger muscles, the exercise must be done on a regular basis.

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Week of March 22, 2008:     Cleanse the Body with Honey and Cinnamon

Boil 1 cup of water. Pour the water over 1 teaspoon of cinnamon. Cover the mixture and let it steep for 30 minutes. Then, while cool, add 2 teaspoons of raw honey. Never add the honey when the mixture is hot because the heat will destroy the enzymes and other nutrients in the raw honey. Drink half of the mixture right before going to bed. Cover and refrigerate the other half of the mixture. In the morning drink the other half cold or at room temperature.

Do not add anything else to this recipe. It is only effective on an empty stomach, primarily at night. The cinnamon and honey will have a cleansing effect in the digestive tract, cleaning out parasites and other fungus and bacteria that slow down your digestion and cause a toxic build up. While doing this cleanse, if the toxins being released cause any unpleasant side effects, cut back on how much you use or take a break. One of the pleasant side effects can be a feeling of more energy and joy.

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Week of March 15, 2008:     Tip for Snacking

A tip from a doctor I heard on tv:    If you are on a diet to lose weight and feel like having a snack, eat an apple. If you aren't hungry enough to eat an apple, you aren't hungry enough for a snack.

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Week of March 8, 2008:     Benefits of Oats

Oats were defined in Samuel Johnson's Dictionary (1755): "Oats: a grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people." A Scotsman replied, "England is noted for the excellence of her horses; Scotland for the excellence of her men."

Oats are high in fat, supplying stamina and warmth. Oats help improve the resistance to stress and keep the body balanced. Oats help to stabilize blood sugar, regulate the thyroid, soothe the nervous and digestive systems, reduce the craving for tobacco, and reduce cholesterol. You can add oats to you diet by eating oatmeal and energy bars that contain oats. You can make your own energy bars or buy a product with healthy ingredients (avoid bars with high fructose corn syrup and ingredients that are chemicals rather than food).

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Week of March 1, 2008:     Brain Food

The brain is a living organ and is affected by what we eat in the short-term and in the long-term. To simplify, you could say a healthy body equals a healthy brain.

To start the day, eat a balanced breakfast. When waking up from sleeping the body and brain have been in a fast state. If the last meal you ate was finished by 7 p.m. and if you wake up at 7 a.m., it was a 12-hour fast. It helps the brain function to have a balanced breakfast after that 12 hours. Balanced means not too high in calories, not too high in sugar, and has some protein, some fiber, and some fat (such as eggs, whole wheat toast with butter, and orange juice). That kind of breakfast will keep you alert until lunch.

A good way to prevent Alzheimer's is eat fish two to three times a week. Some fish that contain omega-3s are mackerel, salmon, and sardines.

A study in Switzerland discovered that people in their 60s who had the highest blood levels of vitamin C and beta-carotene scored higher on memory tests than those with low levels. In almost all cases the people in the study got the vitamin C and beta-carotene from food, not supplements. Foods with beta-carotene are yellow, orange, and dark green vegetables and foods with vitamin C are citrus fruits, berries, and fresh peppers. Blueberries are in a class by themselves for the benefits they provide to the brain and other parts of the body.

Asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, lentils, kidney beans, and pinto beans are just a few foods that will supply you with folic acid, another nutrient necessary for proper brain function.

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Week of February 23, 2008:     Exercise In Your Spare Time

From the shower to the nightly news, from your trip to work to your housework, there are many ways to sneak healthy activities into daily living. In the shower or tub you can increase your stretching ability because of the warm water. While driving or riding you can do simple exercises. For example, while you wait at a stop light, tighten your thighs and butt muscles and release as many times as you can. This will firm your leg and buttock muscles, improve blood flow, and keep you occupied in heavy traffic. If you are standing in a line, lift one foot half an inch off the ground. The extra stress on your opposite foot, ankle, calf and thigh, plus your buttocks, will help firm and tone muscles. Switch feet every few minutes. Every time you pick something up from the floor, do a squat as you do so. This makes you use your leg muscles and will help build strength. While watching tv you can do stretches and twists. These little spurts of exercise won't replace a 30-minute walk or workout with weights but you can add them to your life with just a little effort.

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Week of February 16, 2008:     Slow Down to Eat

The pleasure you get from a meal will help in the absorption of nutrients. Eating under stressful conditions will decrease the absorption. The body is engineered to crave and enjoy the taste of sweet foods and fat. By eating high quality meals that include good fats and complex carbohydrates, you can maintain a healthy metabolism. Driving through a fast food pickup lane and eating on the run is not good for you or for the ones you love. This reflects the wisdom found in The Slow Down Diet that can improve your life.

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Week of February 9, 2008:     Blood Cell Health

The strength and flexibility of red and white blood cells are diminished by many factors. Some of those factors are: (1) a diet lacking enough fruits and vegetables, (2) a diet high in polyunsaturated fats, (3) a diet high in canola oil, (4) an elevated level of blood glucose (from a high intake of simple carbohydrates), (5) excessive pro-oxidants in the diet and/or environment (smog, cigarette smoke, food additives), (6) low immunity, (7) drugs (aspirin, morphine, anti-diabetic drugs, cholesterol-lowering drugs), (8) alcohol, (9) stress or trauma, (10) age.

From: The Palm Oil Miracle by Dr. Bruce Fife

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Week of February 2, 2008:     Classes for Fitness

Joining classes that meet weekly can help you achieve physical fitness. It helps you get on a regular schedule which will be easier to keep than when doing it at home. Many different types of classes can make you stronger, better balanced, and healthier. Some typical classes found at local gyms and YMCAs are: BodyFlow, Body Pump, Qigong, Tai Chi, Pilates, and Yoga.

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Week of January 26, 2008:     Vitamins C and D for Healthy Knees

A ten-year study of 300 healthy adults showed that an increased intake of vitamin C was linked to a 50% reduced risk of bone marrow lesions, an important indicator in the development of knee osteoarthritis. Previous research showed that higher levels of vitamin D was linked to improved muscle strength and function in the knee.

Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables for your vitamin C and cheese, eggs, and salmon for your vitamin D.

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Week of January 19, 2008:     Pomegranates

Pomegranates help in the production of red blood cells, strengthen the bladder and the gums, expel tapeworms, and soothe ulcers in the mouth and throat. Pomegranates are high in potassium and citric acid and have moderate amounts of the B vitamins and vitamin C. Pomegranates have very high content of punicalagins, a potent anti-oxidant component found to be responsible for its superior health benefits. The level of anti-oxidants is higher than those of other fruits known to have high-levels of anti-oxidant, including blueberries, cranberries and oranges. This was attributed to the very high polyphenol content in the fruit. You can find 100% pomegranate juice bottled by several different companies.

"For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;" Deuteronomy 8:7-8 (King James Version)

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Week of January 12, 2008:     Figs

Figs aid digestion by cleansing and soothing the intestine. An old Italian remedy for a lingering cough is lightly roasted dried figs eaten just before bedtime. Dried figs have more dietary fiber than prunes and are higher in calcium that cow's milk. Figs have a notable amount of protein and abundant magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. Figs can be enjoyed fresh, dried, or canned. Roasted, figs make a rich addition to hot beverages. See The New Whole Foods Encyclopedia: A Comprehensive Resource for Healthy Eating, p. 129 by Rebecca Wood.

Figs were used in Biblical times:

"And they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David, and gave him bread, and he did eat; and they made him drink water; And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs, and two clusters of raisins: and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to him: for he had eaten no bread, nor drunk any water, three days and three nights." 1 Samuel 30:12 (King James Version)

"And Isaiah said, Take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered." 2 Kings 20:7 (King James Version)

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Week of January 5, 2008:     Honey and Honeycomb

Honey and the honeycomb are found frequently in the Bible. King David ate honey, butter, and cheese with his beef, King Solomon ate honeycomb and honey together calling them good. John the Baptist ate locusts and wild honey. The last meal Jesus ate (on the third day) before he ascended to heaven consisted of broiled fish and honeycomb. See 2 Samuel 17:29, Proverbs 24:13, Song of Solomon 5:1, Matthew 3:4, and Luke 24:42.

Proverbs 16:24 says: "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." (King James Version)

Proverbs 16:24 says: "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the palate and a cure for the body." (Tanakh, New JPS Translation)

Comb honey can be chewed like gum, or spread on bread and consumed completely. When swallowed, comb acts as roughage and aids the digestive system. It is a miracle food. It is an instant energy building food containing all the essential minerals necessary for life; seven vitamins of the B complex group, amino acids, enzymes and an antibacterial agent that acts like penicillin and other antibiotics killing microbes and germs. It is called the elixir of life. Comb honey is excellent for stuffy nose and sinus congestion. Chew like chewing gum and it will help relieve the symptoms. Honey is the only natural sweetener that doesn't have to be refined. It is especially recommended for anyone with digestive problems. Comb honey is an energy food. Comb honey is unheated and unfiltered so that all its attributes are fully preserved.