natural health

Common Migraine Triggers and Prevention Techniques

Diposting oleh lelyholida Kamis, 07 November 2013 0 komentar

Migraines are painful, often debilitating headaches and are a common concern in primary care practices. Up to 17 percent of women and six percent of men report experiencing a migraine headache in their lifetime. In general, women are three times as likely to have migraines as men.

Migraine pain is typically described as pounding, throbbing and sharp. Some people report having a warning before the migraine comes on, and nausea and vomiting are commonly experienced during the headache. Sufferers generally become sensitive to light and noise and must lie down in a quiet, dark room until the pain resides (usually hours, but these can last days).

The migraine headache is poorly understood, but it is generally believed that an individual’s levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin drop in response to certain triggers. This causes a series of events that eventually lead to enlargement and inflammation of the blood vessels in the head, resulting in head pain.

There are many known triggers for migraines. Some of the most common include:

Hormonal changes such as estrogen fluctuations that occur before or during periods, with pregnancy and menopause.
Foods, including alcohol (especially red wine), aged cheeses, chocolate, caffeine, fermented, pickled and marinated foods, soy, dairy, wheat, food additives, MSG and aspartame.
Stress.
Sleep disorders.
Environmental changes such as with weather, seasons, altitude, barometric pressure and time zones.
Sensory overload, including loud noises, bright lights and strong smells.

An important part of prevention and treatment is to identify which trigger may be the underlying aggravator. Often, there is more than one trigger. Patients will begin an investigation into their migraine triggers by keeping a “headache diary”, where they note when the migraines occur, what foods they have eaten, stressful events or situations, and menstrual symptoms. Jotting these down on a calendar can give insight into patterns and their relationship to the headaches.

Food triggers are commonly identified through an elimination diet, in which the most common problematic foods are taken out of the diet for up to three weeks and then reintroduced one-by-one to see if the migraines return. Sometimes blood tests are used to identify potential problem foods.

In addition to diet, natural therapies are often effective in preventing migraine headaches. Current research supports the use of riboflavin (vitamin B2), feverfew, butterbur, magnesium and CoQ10 in decreasing both the frequency and severity of migraine headaches in many patients. A physical treatment called CranioSacral therapy can also be effective in prevention and treatment because it can ease restrictions in the skull.

A sample treatment plan for migraine prevention may look like this:

Headache diary for four weeks
Identify and eliminate food triggers
Hormone balance through use of specific vitamins, minerals, herbs and/or hormones
Riboflavin—400mg daily
Feverfew—100mg twice daily
Butterbur—75mg twice daily
Magnesium citrate—up to 600mg daily (less if it causes diarrhea)
CoQ10—100mg three times daily

Some natural therapies should not be taken with certain medications, so it’s important to talk with your naturopathic physician before beginning any herbal or nutritional treatment.

Finally, ensuring proper amounts of sleep and exercise, managing stress and eating regularly are important in preventing migraines. Make an appointment with your naturopathic physician to discuss which of these options is appropriate for you.

Natural Elimination of IBS Symptoms

Diposting oleh lelyholida Rabu, 06 November 2013 0 komentar

With all sorts of engaging ads for pills that promise a quick fix for irritable bowel syndrome (commonly known as "IBS"), drug companies would have us believe this is an actual disease, with an easy and effective treatment. Not so fast, warns our digestion guru Andrew L. Rubman, ND. This very common syndrome, affecting one in five adult Americans, some say, could be called "irregular" bowel syndrome in some cases, since it can interfere with regularity. The symptoms of IBS may include constipation, bloating, gas or diarrhea. He told me that while many people experience uncomfortable and even painful digestive disturbances, "IBS" has become a catchall term used by the pharmaceutical companies to sell more drugs. Yet if you speak to sufferers of IBS, many will readily tell you that the medications are not terribly effective for them... and if the drugs aren't taken regularly, the problems return. In contrast, Dr. Rubman has worked with patients for more than 25 years to restore regular digestive function in IBS sufferers, using non-pharmaceutical products in combination with simple adjustments to diet and lifestyle.

WHAT IS IBS?

Unlike more serious intestinal diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, IBS does not increase the risk of colorectal cancer, and in most people the symptoms are mild. The primary characteristic is a gastrointestinal disturbance. The more changes that occur in your daily bowel movements -- differences in the frequency or consistency of stools, the presence of pain or cramping, etc. -- the more important it is to deal with them, notes Dr. Rubman.

Common symptoms of IBS include...

Abdominal cramping or pain
Diarrhea, constipation or alternating bouts of both
Bloating
Gas
Mucus in the stool

WHAT YOU CAN DO

When you experience digestive problems, don't automatically reach for a pill, advises Dr. Rubman. Just because these sorts of intestinal symptoms have been labeled IBS doesn't mean medication is the best or the only answer. In fact, taking pills may cause a need for other ones, because they so often generate side effects. It's worth noting that the medications specifically approved for IBS -- alosetron hydrochloride for diarrhea and tegaserod maleate for constipation -- have serious side effects, including even more severe constipation or diarrhea and decreased blood flow to the colon, which may lead to even more digestive problems and diseases.

Sometimes medication may prove necessary, but often you'll do better to identify and address the underlying causes of the digestive problem. According to Dr. Rubman, the proper functioning of your digestive system has an awful lot to do with what you put in your mouth, what happens to it before it reaches the large intestine, and whether you have the appropriate balance of bacteria in your large intestine. Dr. Rubman has some simple and practical suggestions on how you can consistently support your body's normal bowel function and bacterial balance in a safe and natural way...

Be picky about what you eat and drink. Avoid sodas and other sugary treats, caffeine, alcohol and fried or processed foods, all of which impede digestion. Try to eat more whole foods, healthy fats (e.g., found in salmon, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds) and complex carbohydrates, such as whole grains and steamed veggies. What about yogurt that contains live cultures, which is often recommended to encourage bacterial balance in the intestines? According to Dr. Rubman it's fine, but don't expect a miracle cure. In his view, this promise is yet another marketing scam. A better alternative is the use of other probiotics.
Monitor food combinations, as these directly influence how quickly and efficiently food is digested, explains Dr. Rubman. For example, don't combine "white" foods (such as white sugar, white flour, white bread, white potatoes, etc.) with saturated fats (for example, red meat or dairy products). Taken together, these can require as long as two to three hours to digest, during which time microorganisms in the food can colonize the stomach lining and cause digestive disturbances.
Keep fluids with meals to a minimum, and chew food thoroughly. The natural process by which saliva is added to food as it is chewed, to break it down thoroughly in the mouth, sets the rest of the digestive process in motion. So, our habit of washing down food with water or other beverages turns out to be counter-productive. Fluids may also dilute stomach acid, making digestion less efficient.

If you are 35 or older, consider taking supplemental digestive enzymes. Since aging tends to diminish our digestive enzymes, taking a them as a supplement helps the body break down foods into compounds that make nutrients easier to digest, and also work to decrease the number of colonized microorganisms in the stomach. Other digestive aids Dr. Rubman prescribes for his patients include hydrochloric acid supplements, which act as a tonic to the upper GI tract, soothing inflammation and allowing for restoration of normal function and cellular health. (Note: As always, it is important to consult a qualified expert to determine which supplements are appropriate for you, and to provide oversight for your health and safety.)

Everyone has digestive disturbances at times. Do all you can to moderate your dietary habits to support good digestion... but, if IBS symptoms are a chronic problem, see a trained medical professional to help you resolve it. As I say time and time again, drugs aren't always the solution. Even if you are already working with a gastroenterologist you may want to consider adding an ND to your treatment team, as there are a number of safe, natural and effective steps your ND can recommend to get your system moving in the right direction again.

Naturopathic Approaches to Managing Your Cholesterol

Diposting oleh lelyholida Selasa, 05 November 2013 0 komentar

Cholesterol management has certainly garnered much attention, with elevated levels associated with one of the most common causes of death in the United States: heart disease. While other factors, such as smoking, elevated blood pressure and diabetes, increase risk of having a heart attack, evidence has shown that elevated cholesterol (along with certain lipoproteins) increase risk of death from heart disease.

It is important to understand that cholesterol is not a bad thing. Cholesterol is an important component of cell membranes, where it helps with permeability. It is also a precursor for several hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, cortisol (your body's natural cortisone), and vitamin D.

Cholesterol is transported in the blood attached to lipoproteins. It can be confusing hearing about high density lipoprotein (HDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) referred to as "good" and "bad" cholesterol respectively. But these lipoproteins act as taxicabs, transporting cholesterol throughout the body. HDL transports cholesterol to the liver, while LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to body cells. Elevations in the amount of LDL and VLDL (very low density lipoproteins) are associated with increased risk for developing heart disease. Additional blood studies should include a high sensitivity C-reactive protein (which can indicate inflammation in the blood vessels) and lipoprotein (a).

Statin drugs are the treatment of choice in conventional medicine for cholesterol control, as they have demonstrated decreased coronary deaths in several scientific studies. They work by inhibiting an enzyme involved with cholesterol synthesis. Statin drugs are not without problems, however, with side effects including headaches, muscle aches, abdominal cramping, bloating, nausea and liver toxicity. They also deplete Coenzyme Q10, a nutrient important in cellular production of energy. Other drugs used for controlling cholesterol include ezetimibe (which reduces cholesterol absorption in the small intestine) and fibrates (which inhibits cholesterol and triglyceride synthesis).

Dietary modification is essential for controlling elevated cholesterol levels. Most of what accounts for the total cholesterol level seen in blood tests does not come from consumption of cholesterol itself, but rather from eating foods that your body uses to make cholesterol. Saturated fat and "trans" fatty acids (such as what is found in margarine and hydrogenated vegetable oils) both contribute to increased cholesterol production and should be avoided. Reduction in the overall intake of fats from red meat, dairy products and processed foods remain important in controlling cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Refined sugar intake is also associated with elevated cholesterol and triglycerides. This includes the high-fructose corn syrup commonly used in sodas and processed foods.

Consumption of foods that help lower cholesterol also help with treating other common health problems such as diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity and hypertension. Fiber-rich foods from vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds and legumes may be helpful. Fiber is the indigestible portion of the plant cell wall, and exists in soluble and insoluble forms. It is the fiber which slows down absorption of fats and sugars in the intestines.

Niacin has been shown to raise HDL and decrease LDL and triglycerides. Niacin does have well-known side effects of skin flushing, along with occasional nausea and gastric irritability (all of which may be lessened by taking with food and/or lots of water). Sustained-release niacin reduces skin-flushing and is generally better tolerated, but may cause liver toxicity. Blood lipid levels, liver function tests, and uric acid level should be checked every 2-3 months. The "no-flush" niacin (inositol hexaniacinate), while touted as a niacin alternative (and does not have the problems associated with immediate or extended release niacin), has shown little benefit in normalizing lipid levels when compared to niacin.

Other cholesterol reducing agents include cold-water fish, omega-3 oils (EPA and DHA), pantethine (biologically active form of pantothenic acid), gugulipids, and vitamin C. Garlic and onions help lower LDL levels and raise HDL levels. Red yeast rice (RYR) contain statin-like compounds called monacolins. Studies have shown effects similar to statin drugs, where total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels are lowered, and HDL cholesterol levels are increased. C-reactive protein levels were also reduced with red yeast rice. RYR should not be used with statin drugs, and may also deplete levels of coenzyme Q10.

While the list above is not exhaustive, no program to reduce cholesterol (or other health problems) would be complete without mentioning regular exercise. Numerous studies have shown the importance of aerobic exercise in controlling cholesterol levels and maintaining good cardiovascular health.

No More Food Allergies: Eliminating the Elimination Diet!

Diposting oleh lelyholida Senin, 04 November 2013 0 komentar

Food Allergies. Can’t live with ‘em; can’t seem to live without avoiding every food under the sun. And just when you figure out how to replace wheat and dairy with spelt and soy… well, soon enough you are allergic to spelt and soy.

Food allergies are part of total digestive ill-health. When the digestive system degrades to a certain point, it is called “leaky gut.” Leaky gut is associated with so many health problems, it is difficult to list them. Easily associated are: allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, delayed food sensitivities (not Type I anaphylactic allergies that close airways), chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, joint pain, headaches, foggy mindedness, eczema, acne… the list goes on.

Further, it is socially isolating to have food allergies and so many health challenges. So many social settings are built around food. Having pain and fatigue makes it hard to even leave the house to engage socially and then, once there, the comments from well-meaning friends and family almost make it not worth going at all.

What if instead of identifying foods that bother you and eliminating them, you could heal your body and eliminate the fact that you are bothered?

I have worked with hundreds of patients over the last 12 years taking them through my total digestive repair protocol. The stories they have to tell are heart-wrenching. Their triumphs are like watching someone win the Lotto!

The work involves six to 18 months on average and many nutritional supplement protocols tailored to each individual but adhering to some core values on digestive health, which include:

Improving the Digestion of Foods
Decreasing Local Toxicity in the Digestive System
Enhancing Healthy Bacteria
Eliminating Overgrowth of Unhealthy Organisms
Reducing Free Radical Activity
Rebuilding the Digestive Lining

When you nurture all of these aspects at the same time, all day, over time, you can permanently and comprehensively repair your digestive system and completely resolve many seemingly unrelated health conditions, including food sensitivities.

Note: While patients suffering with Celiac disease will always need to avoid gluten, they can rebuild their digestive system from the damage that so many years of gluten exposure caused them. This work applies to delayed food sensitivity reactions and DOES NOT fix Type I anaphylactic food allergies that cause airway restriction.

It’s time to get your life back! Digestive health is the core of your wellbeing. Repair it for good.

Allergies: Natural Solutions

Diposting oleh lelyholida Minggu, 03 November 2013 0 komentar

Ahh, spring. The world is ablaze with flowers and burgeoning greenery. You open your window to hear birds singing from every branch. Warm breezes caress your face, and you breathe in deeply to enjoy the scent of fragrant blossoms and…POLLEN.

But with that breath, your celebration of the senses becomes a nightmare. Your eyes and nose are streaming, your body is convulsing with sneezes, and where is that tissue box?

It’s a yearly ordeal for many people, and many others struggle with these symptoms year-round due to molds, dust, and pet dander. Pharmaceutical commercials offer a promise of living clear, but is a life of pills and side effects the only solution?

Far from it, say naturopathic physicians! Allergic symptoms are your immune system’s extreme reaction to substances that are normally found, harmlessly, in your everyday environment. Very often, simple changes of diet, nutritional supplements, and homeopathic remedies can relieve this extreme reaction and the resulting inflammation that triggers most allergy symptoms.

While a comprehensive list of options would demand a small book, here are some of the solutions that naturopathic doctors recommend.

Change Your Diet, Ease Your Symptoms

We’ve all heard about the cardiovascular impacts of a diet high in meat and dairy products, but did you know that recent studies indicate that the Omega-6 fatty acids and oleic acid found in these foods can also worsen allergy symptoms?

Red meat contains a substance called arachadonic acid, which helps to produce the cytokines and leukotrines that cause your immune system to react with allergic inflammation. While you need a small amount of arachadonic acid for your immune system to function, your body can produce this amount naturally. Simply eliminating red meat from your diet can reduce the level of this acid, thus lessening your allergic reactions.

On the other hand, a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help to protect you from allergic reactions. For additional protection, try adding foods rich in vitamin E. While these solutions may be particularly helpful to women and ex-smokers, this diet can help to support your health generally, no matter your sex, age, or habits.

What can you add to your diet to relieve your allergies? Here are some foods with anti-allergic properties:

Whole grains, dark leafy vegetables, and egg yolks are high in vitamin E.
Cold-pressed flax oil or Evening Primrose oil also contain high levels of vitamin E. Drizzle 1 tbsp. on your salad every day.
Oily fish such as cod, herring, mackerel, salmon, menhaden and sardines provide the Omega-3 fatty acid called eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA.
Spirulina (an alga often used in “green drinks”) also contains eicosapentaenoic acid.
Pineapple contains the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain.
Papaya contains the anti-inflammatory enzyme papain.
Turmeric (a rich spice often used in Indian and Far Eastern dishes) contains the anti-inflammatory bioflavonoid quercetin.

For Best Results – Supplement!

A healthy organic diet low in Omega-6 fatty acids and high in vitamin E, Omega-3 fatty acids, and natural anti-inflammatory foods can help to reduce your allergy symptoms. However, your best bet is to supplement your diet with concentrated doses of anti-allergic nutrients such as those listed below:

Vitamin C (up to 10 grams/day) is a natural anti-histamine;
Vitamin B5 (up to 800 mg/day);
Zinc picolinate (up to 150 mg/day); and
Cod Liver Oil or other cold-water fish oil (look at the label and use a high quality fish oil product containing from 1000 - 2000 mg of the essential fatty acids EPA + DHA per day).

Herbs, Homeopathics, Bodyworking, and More

Your options don’t end in the grocery store and vitamin shop! Naturopathy and other natural modalities offer a broad range of solutions to seasonal or year-round allergies.

Homeopathic remedies involve taking an extremely diluted form of selected allergens in liquid or sugar-pill form sublingually (under the tongue). These miniscule doses serve somewhat like a vaccination, stimulating your immune system to an effective rather than extreme response.

Herbal remedies can be found in the form of teas, tinctures (drops), or capsules, and may follow Western or Chinese herbal traditions. A naturopathic doctor or acupuncturist can guide you in these choices.

Depending on your needs and preferences, you may also want to consider additional solutions:

Liver detoxification – this process usually involves diet, supplements, and other natural treatments to cleanse the liver from the effects of unhealthy foods, alcohol, and environmental toxins,.Your payoff: a stronger, more balanced immune system.
Balancing your gut flora. Adding probiotics such as acidophilus or bifidophilus to your supplement protocol can help improve your immune function and can help reduce the “over-reaction” your body produces with allergies.
Acupuncture can be effective in relieving both the causes and effects of allergic reactions.
Spinal adjustments such as chiropractic can also help to relieve allergy symptoms.
Stress management techniques can help to boost your immune system generally, balancing your hormones and leaving your body better able to withstand allergenic onslaughts

Finally, you can cleanse your environment of allergens:

Remove dust collectors such as rugs, drapes, and upholstered furniture.
Purchase HEPA air filters for your rooms, or a whole-house filtration system.
Avoid perfumes and fragranced products, especially those with synthetic ingredients
Have your home tested for mold and remediate if necessary.
If you are renovating or choosing a new home, avoid forced-air heating systems; use steam heat instead.

Solutions for Long-Term Health, Not Fast Temporary Relief

While none of these solutions provide the relief-within-minutes that over-the-counter drugs promise, you gain two important benefits when you choose healthy natural solutions for your allergies.

Not only will you avoid the immediate side effects and long-term chemical impact of over-the-counter or prescription drugs, you may also re-balance your immune system over time to eliminate any allergic response at all.

Imagine - a spring without sneezes or side effects — not a bad prospect!

If you suffer every year from allergies, consider seeing a licensed naturopathic physician in your area. Go to Find a Doctor to locate a naturopathic physician who can perfectly tailor a specific allergy-fighting plan for you.

Naturopathic Diagnosis and Treatment of Diabetes and Prediabetes

Diposting oleh lelyholida Sabtu, 02 November 2013 0 komentar

Diabetes seems to be occurring to everyone—most people know a friend or family member who has developed it. Our country is in crisis regarding this disease because, quite simply, diabetes is at epidemic levels in the United States. And the statistics of diabetes are devastating—over the next 24 hours, 2200 people will be diagnosed with diabetes, 512 diabetics will die, 66 diabetics will go blind, 77 diabetics will be diagnosed with end-stage renal disease, and 153 diabetics will require an amputation.

24 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes, and 47 million Americans with “prediabetes.” In fact, the Centers for Disease Control state that if things don’t change, one out of every three born today will become a diabetic, and that half of all Americans will be a diabetic by 2050.

There are several types of diabetes: gestational, whereby a woman becomes diabetic during her pregnancy; Type 1, which occurs both in children and adults due to an auto-immune disease destroying cells in the pancreas; and, Type 2, which is the most common form, occurring in 90-95% of diabetic patients, including pediatric patients. Type 2 diabetes is related to insulin resistance, which means the pancreas is producing insulin but the body cells are no longer sensitive to it, so glucose levels in their blood stay high.

Type 2 diabetes is caused by a number of factors, most of them controllable. There is a genetic association with diabetes, which people cannot change, but if everyone kept the controllable factors well-managed, we still would not be seeing the preponderance of diabetics. The controllable factors include: poor diet, over-eating, nutritional deficiencies, high refined grains and sugars consumption, high saturated fat consumption, lack of exercise, and being overweight/obese. Environmental toxins and hormonal imbalances are also noted for initiating insulin resistance. In the comprehensive visits with patients in which naturopathic physicians specialize, naturopathic physicians will investigate all of these "Obstacles to Cure" to uncover which aspects need to be specifically addressed per individual patient. In most patients many, if not most, of all of the etiologic factors are involved.

The naturopathic physician will then do a thorough physical exam, including basic evaluations as well as those specifically associated with diabetes, like checking the feet for nerve damage. Doctors will do the standard lab tests, checking for cholesterol, liver and kidney function, anemia, and all the blood sugar monitoring labs. Doctors may also do tests to measure vitamin D (necessary for glucose regulation), inflammatory markers, and cardiac risk profiles, including checking for environmental toxemia and thyroid, adrenal, and reproductive hormonal imbalances.

Diabetic patients need to welcome many changes into their lives, and naturopathic physicians are excellent at instructing and supporting them in this process. Diabetic patients will need to change their food intake to a low carbohydrate diet, and be taught how to get good protein variety in their diet, what kinds of oils are healthful, and how to include vegetables and a little fruit in their dietary regimen. Patients are encouraged to get an hour of exercise five days a week, and are taught methods to help regulate their stress, if that is a factor in their glucose control.

Patients will be given various supplements, which are invaluable. They work synergistically with the other aspects of the comprehensive protocol to replace deficient nutrients; help lower their glucose levels and decrease their insulin resistance; reduce inflammation, lipids and blood pressure; and protect them from diabetic induced damage. Patients may at times need to continue on standard prescriptive medication, may need to start medications or commonly, due to naturopathic care, may be able to reduce or stop medications. The naturopathic physician will effectively monitor the need for medication and make appropriate suggestions about the need for their use.

All in all, naturopathic protocols for diabetes are detailed, safe, and responsible. Patients can lose weight, gain significant energy, and reduce their glucose numbers, lipid values, and blood pressure. They can at times see their damaged nerves and kidneys to recover full functioning, and those without such damage will have protection from developing it. Naturopathic treatment of diabetes can be incredibly effective and naturopathic physicians should be the first type of doctor a diabetic patient seeks out for long term care.

A Healthy Life, the 4 Basics of a Healthy Life and the 3 Important Habits that Create Good Health

Diposting oleh lelyholida Jumat, 01 November 2013 0 komentar

Good health is easy but being sick is hard. The truth is, maintaining good health is pretty simple although reclaiming it takes patience, consistent actions and smart choices. Your body heals at it's own pace. Your job is to help that process along. There are four important components that determine a person's level of health.

Component One: Is their body being fed what it needs to be healthy? From the point of view of the body, many meals today barely qualify as food. That's why disease care is a trillion dollar business and over 60% of Americans are overweight.An amazing amount of the American diet is packed with calories carrying no real nutrition. Like good health, eating vital, real food is easy, but that is a decision you have to make.

Component Two: Does the person have a cork stuck up their butt? Are they constipated? Can the body eliminate toxins effectively? Other organs get constipated besides the bowels. Most diseases involve the starvation or constriction of a group of organs. Often food is clogging the machinery. Some foods clog and others clean. Some foods support the health of the organs and others destroy them.

Component Three: Do they feel loved? There's nothing like loving when it comes to good health. People in loving relationships eat together. The quality of the food is an expression of their affection. Most of good health is attitude and self-image and they're linked to how you love. Continuously work on improving your ability to love and good health is easy.

Component Four: Do they enjoy their work and feel they make a contribution, even if it seems frivolous to someone else? This attitude is often more important to good health than what it is you actually do, or how much you earn. It's being connected, valued and on a mission. It keeps the inner flame alive and like love, offers that most valuable asset to healing, a sense of hope. Patiently improve these four components and good health is easy.

Now, cut yourself some slack. Health challenges make people feel guilty, stupid or victimized. Whether you believe you create your own health or that problems simply fall out of the sky, realize that these days, good health barely seems like an option for many people. Health education has fallen down on the job and the result is a trillion dollar plus medical bill. Part of the problem is that the conscious mind wasn't designed to be responsible for your health. Read that again.

Your conscious mind doesn't have the job skills, although it can be a good helper. Finding healthy foods and detoxification are managed by the autonomic (read automatic) nervous system. For example: When you're low in a certain nutrient, this is what the body does. All blood flows through the liver, the largest internal organ, which notes that the blood is low in that nutrient, so it sends a message to the tongue, forming a crystalline pattern in the saliva, that mimics the food that contains that nutrient.

Now the nose, who is in the same neighborhood, sniffs out that food and then it's lunch. This message process bypasses the conscious mind. But modern foods don't offer the choices that the autonomic system requires to maintain good health. It's that simple. A major portion of the American diet is glue; hybridized wheat and cow dairy, cheap, plentiful, with a great profit margin. Wheat is high in gluten (Gluten) and cow dairy is high in casein, like the white craft glue from Elmer's. That's why their logo is Elsie the Cow.

Now manufacturers have found an even cheaper food; soy, high in the estrogens that promote obesity and hormonal challenges, which is one of the reasons why today's generation possesses half of the fertility of their grandparent's generation. Choosing to eat these glues causes many people's poor level of health. The body's design requires graceful, gradual change. As you move forward in your healing, realize the pace at which the body restores itself has to do with the design of the cell.

When the body makes a new cell, it will design it for the quantity of nutrition present at the time the cell is created. The body doesn't like to waste resources so it won't create a cell capable of processing huge amounts of nutrition if there's only a fraction of that floating around. When you improve your diet and add supplements, the current cells have very real limits as to what they can use. However, when you maintain high levels of nutrition, the next generation of cells will be created with an increased capability. Even they won't be running at their full potential, because in order to fit in with the previous matrix, their lower capabilities have to overlap the higher capabilities of their weaker predecessors.

As you maintain that high level of nutrition, the following generations will push those limits up another step and another step and so on. That's why it takes a while to reach optimal health. For example, a red blood cell has a life span of 120 days, so how many cellular generations will it take to reach your fullest potential? Then to maintain good health you need to keep providing high levels of nutrition through making smart food choices and active supplementation.

In other words, once you start dancing, keep dancing! The three habits that lead to good health are: Be consistent, be patient and always aim to improve all four components; good nutrition, effective detoxification, good loving and good work.

Excerpted from The Ten Minute Herbalist by Dr. Ralph & Lanai Ceramicist © 2004 For more information about their books, educational programs & Nature's Sunshine Products visit www.spaceandtime.com. This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose or prescribe. If you are suffering from a health challenge the authors suggest that you consult a competent health practitioner of your choice who will work with you to optimize your level of health.

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