Is There Really a Cure for Almost Everything?

  By:  Suzanna Harmening

Fish oil-the cure all supplement?  True, nothing can cure all, but fish oil comes pretty darn close.  I started to take a daily fish oil supplement a few months ago to support my health. My husband has sworn by it for years and will continue to be an advocate for fish oil.  We have turned our family and friends on to it and hopefully you as well, by the end of this blog.

Where do I begin to inform you of the healing power that lies in our oceans and lakes?  Cod, salmon, tuna, shark, and mackerel are the most common fish that are used to produce this miracle supplement.  Fish oil is derived from the tissues of oily fish that contains DHA and EPA.  Docosahexaenoic acid known as DHA is a type of omega-3 fatty acid that provides the most benefits for the brain, heart, and body health.  Eicosapentaenoic acid known as EPA is also an omega-3 fatty acid that aids in the functioning of the brain, heart, and body.  Below are the some of the many reasons why you should include fish oil in your daily intake of nutrition. 

Brain Food     Our brain’s structure is made up of 60 % fat and for our brain cells to function properly, a diet rich in omega-3 fats is vital.  Fish oil is extremely important for a pregnant woman to consume for the proper development of the unborn child’s brain and eyes.     www.naturalnews.com/016353.html 

Heart Disease     Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of untimely death in the world.  Omega-3 fatty acids have an effect on the blood platelets that make them less sticky and help to protect the arteries’ linings.  Studies show that people who consume fish or fish oil supplements on a regular basis have less of a chance developing heart disease.  www.healthyomega3.com/fish-oil-heart-disease/

Eyes     Fish oil is known to significantly reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.  60 percent of the retina contains DHA, so adding in daily intake of DHA would greatly reduce your risk of cultivating macular degeneration.  www.eyedoctorguide.com/eye_vitamin_nutrition/fish_oil_for_eyes.html

Blood Pressure     Studies have shown that people with high blood pressure have seen a decrease in their blood pressure.  Omega-3 fatty acids can expand blood vessels and bring down the blood pressure level.    www.mind1st.co.uk/fish-oil-blood-pressure.asp  

High Cholesterol    Fish oil can reduce the incidence of heart disease by lowering your triglyceride levels and raising the levels of HDL.  They prevent the buildup of triglycerides, encourage the development of high density lipoproteins, and help to prevent harmful blood clotting.     www.oilofpisces.com/cholesterol.html   

Arthritis     Omega-3’s are effective in reducing the symptoms and pain of arthritis.  Joint tenderness and morning stiffness was shown to decrease with a daily intake of fish oil supplements.     www.healthyomega3.com/fish-oil-for-arthritis/

Weight Loss     Fish oil improves the efficacy of exercise in reducing weight.  Studies show that taking fish oil daily and exercising helps to lose weight better than those exercising without taking fish oil.  It also makes you less hungry by increasing the hormone levels of leptin to make you feel full for longer periods of time. www.thefactsaboutfitness.com/news/foildm.htm

Depression & Anxiety     The common disorders of depression, anxiety, sadness, restlessness, stress, decrease sexual drive, mental fatigue, suicidal thoughts, and other mental disorders can be relieved by taking omega-3’s.  It acts as a mood stabilizer by helping to maintain proper functioning of dopamine and serotonin levels.  www.easycalm.com/Anxiety-and-Fish-Oil.htm

Immunity/Anti-aging     It is believed that fish oil increases your immunity by enabling your body to resist such diseases as the common cold, flu, cough, lupus, certain cancers, heart disease, and others.  It is also thought that it helps with anti-aging by increasing the lifespan of cells.  www.topantiagingtips.com/fish.html

And Everything Else     There are many, many more benefits for taking fish oil such as;

§  Relieves menstrual pain, improves circulation

§  Slows osteoporosis and atherosclerosis, reduces inflammation

§  Prevents Alzheimer’s, treats ADD and ADHD

§  Treats acne, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, and maintains healthy skin, hair, and nails

§  May prevent cancer, tumors, peptic ulcers

§  Safe for kids and pets as well

After reading everything that fish oil can treat or prevent; are you ready to add it into your daily nutrition?  Of course you are! So how do you know what amount is right for you?  You should always consult your doctor first, but to give you an idea click on the link to find the right dose.  www.omegavia.com/how-much-fish-oil-should-i-take/  I personally cannot swallow pills well, so I prefer the omega-3 squeeze that just squeezes into your mouth or into a drink similar to a ketchup packet.  It is called Coromega omega-3 squeeze and its orange citrus flavored.  Taking your fish oil right after a meal helps to eliminate any fishy burps that you may have heard about. 

Come back on April 15th when I discuss the supplements needed to maintain healthy joints and ease joint pain.

Get Movin!!

By Cary Bryson                                                         

Exercise, Exercise, Exercise.  Can we hear enough about it?  If you do not live under a rock, you know that exercise is good for you.  You do not have to join an expensive gym or even have fancy workout equipment to exercise.  Yet, we still struggle with not getting enough exercise.  Exercise does not have to be a “chore”.  It is meant to be enjoyable, refreshing, enlightening, and something to look forward to.

There is nothing more discouraging than joining a gym, with all intentions of working out, and only going a few times a month.  Save your money on memberships and the latest workout equipment.  I am encouraging everyone to devise an exercise routine that fits into your personal lifestyle.  Think about what you like to do as a family, with a friend, or alone that may include exercise.  Listed below are some exercises to try at home without equipment: 

• Rake leaves
• Shovel snow
• Wash car
• Mow grass
• Abdominal crunches
• Lunges (across a room)
• Leg lifts
• Jumping jacks
• Hula hoop
• Pushups                                   

We all move around throughout our busy schedules.  Try to pay attention to how your body is moving and specific muscles that are being used.  For example, I live in a two-story house.  I am certain I make 20 trips up and down my stairs daily.  I focus on stepping slowly and placing my entire foot on the step for support.  Also, I focus on certain backside muscles when stepping.  Now, this may sound a little crazy, but it makes me aware of my body’s movements.  I have included a video that demonstrates how to exercise at home without any equipment.  Please check it out.

The majority of us are not physically ready to run a few miles a day for exercise. Start out with light stretching in the morning and evening.  Stretching is an exercise that some of us overlook.  Stretching can be done ANYWHERE and you only need your body.  First, start by stretching your neck and slowly working your way down to your toes.  Stretching at work can clear your mind and eliminate sore muscles from standing or sitting for long periods.

The benefits of a daily exercise routine are endless (www.americanheart.org). Here are a few for starters: 

• Lower blood pressure/cholesterol
• Aids in weight loss
• Decreases risk for osteoporosis
• Increases lung capacity
• Strengthens heart
• Builds muscle
• Decreases stress/anxiety
• Increases circulation

Ask a friend, husband, wife, or your kids to join you when exercising for motivation.  Whatever you choose to do, stay consistent!  Try to do something every day, even if it is 15 minutes of walking.  You will soon find yourself enjoying your body and wanting to do more. 

Spring is coming and bicycling is a great form of exercise.  If you do not have a bike, borrow one.  You can also purchase a used bike from a bike shop.  The Schwinn Shop in Indiana has nice used bikes for sale.  Go outside!  Make time to walk during the week and weekends.  Walk when it is raining or snowing.  Do not let the elements discourage you.  Play Frisbee with someone or play freeze tag with your kids. 

Thank you for reading my blog.  I hope that my words and tips have encouraged you to come up with your own exercise routine.  Get moving for your health, your family, and your state of mind!

If there is a will, there's a way!!

Everyone knows that losing weight and doing it the healthy way can be a challenge. I myself have struggled with this over the past few months and have finally found a good balance. I weighed one hundred and seventy eight pounds at eleven fifty nine pm on December 31, 2010. As of ten minutes ago I weighed one hundred and forty nine pounds. The gym has helped me achieve a lot and I think it could work for everybody.

I joined the Northern Blair County Recreational Center on January 3^rd, 2011. I started going to the gym every day and pushing myself to the limit. I only consumed about 1200 calories a day. When I lost seven pounds in one week, I thought it would be faster if I started consuming less calories and working out harder. I was borderline anorexic. I only ate when I felt hungry and if I didn't feel hungry in a day I would not eat. On top of not eating I was running six to eight miles everyday. I had no energy at all and lost the first twenty pounds by February. I was pretty sick.

People started getting on my case about my significant weight loss in just only one month. I said there was nothing to worry about until the day I passed out at work from starvation and exhaustion. I admitted to myself then that I had a problem and that I needed to do something about it.

I started eating regularly and only going to the gym three to four times a week. I have only lost ten pounds since then, but I am doing it the healthy way.

What you eat is very important. When dieting you should consume no less than twelve hundred calories a day because if you do it puts your body into starvation mode. Eating things such as vegetables, fruit, and white meats is good for you. When dieting you should stay away from things such as sugar, red meats, cakes, and things fried in oil. The times you eat are also important. You should eat breakfast every morning to jump start your metabolism. Also you are not suppose to eat late because your metabolism slows right before you sleep at night and the more that you have in your stomach the slower it will break down the foods. When working out you should never work the same part of your body two days in a row. Cardio is the best way to loose weight, but toning is very important too. A few different things that you can try at the gym aren the elliptical, the tread mill, weight exercises, medicine balls, and the exercise bike.

Listening to music when you run may also help to pump you up and keep you motivated. My play-list consists of a lot of hip hop, and rap music. My favorite band to listen to when I am running is the Black Eyed Peas. Listening to auditory books can also be relaxing when you are running and working out. It is a great way to let go of stress and to clear your mind. It definitely can make you stronger mentally and physically. I know that I have gained a broader view on a lot of things from taking the time to think about it at the gym. I also know that I have gotten stronger because I can lift more and have built up more endurance.

I have achieved great results from starting this and keeping up with it is the hardest part of it. I love the way the gym has made me feel physically and mentally. I hope that I can keep it up! I have lost nearly thirty pounds and have turned my body into a machine. I am healthy now because I watch what I eat and a workout about an hour every other day.

What I use to eat in a day:

Breakfast croissant 300 calories

Two slices of pizza with ranch 500 calories plus 240

Two hamburgers 600 calories

French fries with ranch dressing 400 calories plus 240 calories

Chips 200 calories

I ate about 2500 calories everyday back in 2010!

What I eat today:

Two eggs and a piece of toast 240 calories

Smart meal such as chicken and potatoes 360 calories

Turkey sub 440 calories

Small salad with light Italian dressing 150 calories

Apple 100 calories

I eat anywhere from to 1200- 1500 calories a day. I run two miles everyday and I do toning. I look and feel great.

By: Kendra McCracken

High Cholesterol, I'll Fix That

By: Donald Findley
            Have you ever gone to the doctor and found out that you have high cholesterol, and the first thing the doctor does is write a prescription for some drug or combination of drugs?  This very thing happened to me about a year ago.  To my doctor’s surprise, I ask him about any natural ways of lowering my cholesterol.  Naturally, he said change my diet to a low fat diet, exercise, and take the prescription as ordered.

            When I got home, I did just the opposite of what he told me.  I went on a high protein low carbohydrate diet and never took any of the prescribed medication.  As a nurse, I had always been taught that our body consumes carbohydrates, fats, and then protein as energy sources.  I was determined to lower my cholesterol the natural way.

            My next thing was what herbs and foods could I use to lower my cholesterol and maintain a healthy level of it.  The following are the herbs and food items that I ate on a daily basis.

            Olive oil I would use three tablespoons a day on salads or anywhere else that I would  add some other type of oil or butter.

            Fiber is an excellent way to lower your LDL (low-density lipoprotein) the bad cholesterol. The source that I used was psyllium, a plant found in many over the counter bulk laxative sources.  I also ate vegetables with their skins left on to help increase the fiber I was consuming.  You should always stay well hydrated when increasing the amount of fiber that you consume. It can cause difficulty in having a bowel movement if you do not drink plenty of fluid.

             

Garlic I would use a whole clove of garlic a day in different foods that I ate.  Garlic is good for decreasing the LDL and increasing HDL (High-density lipoprotein) the  good cholesterol (Mindell, 1991, p.126).

           

Cayenne also known by capsicum, has been shown to reduce LDL and triglycerides in  a study published in the Journal of Bioscience in 1987.  I took two capsules  everyday one in the morning and one at night.

           

Shiitake mushrooms I ate this type of mushroom every day because it helps lower the bad cholesterol (Mindell, 1992, p. 159).

I had my cholesterol levels drawn two months later and returned to my doctor to get the results.  My LDL had dropped from 292 down to 148 and my HDL had gone up from 33 to 52.  The doctor said the prescription worked well and that I should continue taking it but at a lower dose.  I laughed and told the doctor that I never even took the medication and informed him of exactly what I did.  He was shocked and said, “No use writing another prescription, I’ll see you in six months.”

Sources

Mindell,E (1992). Earl Mindell’s herb bible. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster/ Fireside.

Mindell,E (1991). Earl Mindell’s vitamin bible. New York, NY:Warner Books.

Quest for a Healthier Me…and You?

By:  Samantha

            It is hard for many people, including myself, to share with others the health problems they are suffering from.  Some may not want to be pitied, some may think it is no one else’s business, and some may just be embarrassed by their ailments.  Though there are a wide variety of conditions that any one person could be suffering from, many people have common conditions that they either do not think is common or may not realize they have.  It is important for everyone to know that whatever the issue is that they are dealing with they are not alone.

            Let’s start by discussing my health problems.  At the beginning of my visit with Nutritional Consultant Dan McPherson, I told him the basic problems I have been dealing with.  The two major issues I have are always being tired no matter how much I sleep and a pattern of reddish purple marks all over my body.  I also have a problem with thick discolored toenails.  I know that is something that many people, usually older, have and is caused by a fungus in the nail bed.  To me, that is not only embarrassing, but is also kind of gross.  I have tried different things to cure the toenail issue, but none of them had lasting effects.

            The computerized nutritional assessment showed that my Cardiovascular, Digestive, and Liver/Gallbladder regions were weak.  The nutritional response test showed specific items that could be the cause of the weaknesses.  It was no surprise to find out about the fungus, but I also had a reaction to fragrance/chlorine, chicken/eggs, and dairy products.  Dan stated that I am not necessarily allergic to the food items, but I have trouble digesting them.  Another discovery was a hiatal hernia.  Many people suffer from this even if they are unaware that they have it.  This is caused by an enlargement of a small hole in the back of the diaphragm which allows the esophagus to go from the throat to the stomach.  The result is the stomach working it’s way up into the hole.  There is an exercise you can do to try to correct this problem.

1.      Drink a glass of room temperature or slightly warm water when you first get out of bed in the morning.

2.      While standing, bring your arms straight out from your sides and bend your elbows so that your hands are touching your chest.

3.      Stand up on your toes as high as possible and drop.

4.      Drop down like this ten times in a row.

5.      Then, while standing with your arms up, pant short quick breaths for about fifteen seconds.

The warm water acts like a weight in the stomach.  Being warm, it doesn’t cause the stomach to cramp.  Instead, it relaxes it.  Spreading your arms stretches the diaphragm and opens up that hole in the back.  Dropping down on your heels jerks the stomach out of the hole, and the panting tightens up the diaphragm muscle to close the hole.  This exercise must be done everyday to ensure that the hiatal hernia does not return.

            Dan recommended that I do this exercise daily as well as incorporate more cardio based exercise into my daily routine.  He also recommended that I not eat chicken, eggs, or dairy and wrote down four supplements I should take to promote digestive health and detoxify my body.  These are the recommended supplements and their purpose.

Frontier Cleanse - supports metabolic detoxification, G.I., and Colon

Frontier Biotics - probiotic that supports digestive tract health

Spectrazyme - supports digestive system

CandiBactin BR - supports healthy immune system and detoxification (liver/gallbladder)

I have told every doctor I have ever been to about being tired all the time and not one of them has ever seen it as a serious issue since my blood work always comes back normal.  As for the fungus, a podiatrist just wants to remove your toenails and let them grow back in hopes that the fungus will not return with the new nail.  Also, I had been to four doctors, including a dermatologist, before scheduling an appointment with Dan, and none of them could find a concrete reason for my mystery marks.  With no help from anyone else and my symptoms progressively getting worse, it was comforting to hear someone say “All of these symptoms may be the result of an allergy”.  Though I still have my spots thus far, my toenail fungus is slightly better, and I have more energy with the diet restrictions and daily supplements.  Maybe this will open some eyes to natural cures.  Check out my next blog on April 4, 2011 in which I will be discussing food allergies and how to deal with them as well as a detox diet anyone can benefit from.  Thanks for reading!

The Sunshine Vitamin

By: Suzanna Harmening

Vitamin D Does A Body Good…..Remember as a child how your parents would make you finish that glass of milk with your dinner and how every summer day was spent playing outside.  Well you did not know it then, but you were actually getting your recommended dose of Vitamin D.  With today’s children spending more time indoors and fast foods replacing sit down dinners, it’s important not to neglect your body’s needs for Vitamin D.

Dubbed the “Sunshine Vitamin”, Vitamin D plays an important role in your body’s well being.  It contributes to many of your basic body functions along with helping to ward off potential diseases.  Let me break down exactly how helpful this vitamin is to your body and why you need to maintain adequate levels of it.

§  The major biologic function is to conserve regular blood levels of calcium and phosphorous and aiding in the absorption of calcium for strong bones and healthy teeth.

§  It has lately been proven to boost the immune system against several disorders and diseases such as; the common cold, reducing the risk of developing multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis in women, cancer, and the severity of asthma symptoms.

§  It is significant in assisting the brain’s well being later in life.

§  “D” also could defend our body against any damage from low levels of radiation.

§  Upholding a healthy body weight is also a plus with this vitamin.

Vitamin D can be found in various foods, supplements, and surprisingly right outside your back door.  Studies show that 70% of today’s children are not getting enough Vitamin D into their diet. Most experts agree that 1,000 to 2,000 IU per day is needed for optimum health.  The following is a list of different methods of how to obtain Vitamin D;

ü  Milk

ü  Orange Juice

ü  Soy Drinks

ü  Yogurt

ü  Salmon

ü  Mackerel

ü  Tuna

ü  Sardines

ü  Catfish

ü  Liver

ü  Beef

ü  Eggs

ü  Swiss Cheese

ü  Margarine

ü  Mushrooms

ü  Cod liver oil

ü  Supplements

ü  Sunshine

Sunlight Exposure (full body exposure)	3,000 – 20,000 IU
Salmon (3.5 oz. of fresh, wild salmon)	600 – 1,000 IU
Salmon (3.5 oz. of fresh, farmed salmon)	100 – 250 IU
Fortified Whole Milk, 8-oz. glass	100 IU
Fortified Multi-vitamin	400 IU

Most of us are not aware that 90 % of our Vitamin D needs; can be done naturally through the sun.   It’s true!  Vitamin D is made when ultraviolet rays come in contact with your skin.  And we get the UV rays from sun exposure.  The amount your body needs varies depending on your skin color.  Fair skinned people only need 10 to 15 minutes in direct sunlight without sunscreen.  If your skin is tanner then you need more, 15 to 25 minutes a day.  Dark skin may require up to six times the sun exposure to make the same levels as a fair skinned person. 

So turn off the television put down the cell phones and stop playing on the computer!  Go outside and soak up your dose of Vitamin D.  (And don’t forget your glass of milk with dinner.)

Hope you enjoyed this week’s lesson on the importance of Vitamin D.  Check back on April 1^st when I discuss the importance of fish oil.

Sources:

Nordqvist, Christian. "Medical News Today." What Is Vitamin D? What Are The Benefits Of Vitamin D?. © 2011 MediLexicon International Ltd, 24 Aug 2009 . Web. 16 Mar 2011. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/161618.php>.

Holick, MF. Vitamin D Deficiency. New England Journal of Medicine, July 2007

Juicing.....In with the Good, Out with the Bad

by Cary Bryson

Hello Everyone! Welcome to Juicing 101.  I would like to introduce you to the world of juicing fruits and vegetables as a supplement to your daily diet.  Take a minute to think about how many servings of fruits and vegetable you actually consume in one day.  Are you anywhere near the recommended daily doses?  According to the latest food pyramid, we should focus on fruits and vary our veggies (http://www.mypyramid.gov/).  The average recommended daily serving of fruits are 2-4, and 3-5 for vegetables.

I have been an avid juicer for about 18 months. I love the boost it gives me and my kids like it too.  Like most of us, I was not even near the recommended daily doses for fruits and vegetables.  So I started juicing oranges and grapefruits together in the morning before I had my coffee.  It tastes great, without the high fructose corn syrup and preservatives in the store bought juice.  Eventually, I moved up to juicing 2-3 times a day and experimented with different combinations of fruits and veggies.  After a couple of days I felt better, more energized, and did not crave sweet, sugars, and Coca-Cola (my weakness).  The juice had given me more energy than my 3 cups of coffee!  I could not believe how good I felt.  I was more aware of what I was putting in my body and how my body reacted to certain foods.

There are hundreds of websites available for juicing recipes and how to get started juicing.  Please refer to the websites I have listed below.  Specific recipes can help aid certain ailments.  Arthritis, eczema, weight loss, cataracts, ulcers, all can be subsided by juicing daily (http://www.healingdaily.com/).  This website also gives information on how to safely start a 3, 7, or 10 day juice fast.  I started the 3 day fast last Thursday.  I have always wanting to try a juice fast and I thought it would be helpful with my blog.  I kept a journal during the 3 days.  It was definately a humbling experience and the results were amazing.  I did not realize how much food I actually "snacked" on before I sat down to eat and the leftover food I ate from my children's plates.  Juicing eliminated the late night cravings of sugary and salty foods.  I would definately do a juice cleanse again and receommend it for anyone who wants to feel more energized.  Please consult your family physician prior to participating in a juice cleanse.  Juicing fasts may not be for everyone.

Unnatural, processed foods full of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides fill our bodies.  Over time our bodies cannot self-heal and maintain health.  Our bodies may become overburdened and diseases like cancer may develop (http://www.juicing-for-health.com/). 

Juicing fruits and vegetables is an excellent way to replace a meal.  Juicing allows us to become more focused on our body's wants and needs.  Also, juicing is fun for my children.  They pick out the fruits they want and help me prepare them.  I have two of my favorite recipes that I will share with everyone.  I have given you a small introduction to juicing, please read more about juicing from the websites below.

Apple/Carrot/Ginger                                                    Pear/Carrot/Apple/Lemon
3 carrots/2 apples/1/2 inch ginger root                              1 pear/3 carrots/2 apples/half fresh lemon

http://www.livestrong.com/
http://www.ehow.com.juicing/
http://www.macrobiotics.co.uk/