Naturally Healthy Choices

04/13/2013

03/23/2013

COCONUT OIL & YOUR BRAIN

Most of the nutritional and therapeutic benefits of coconut oil come from the saturated fats in the oil. Benefits of saturated fats include its resistance to oxidation, long shelf life, and cooking properties.

One of the reasons why I use coconut oil versus other oils is because of the medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). Medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) have antimicrobial effects, help with digestion and aid in nutrient delivery. By contrast, most common vegetable or seed oils are comprised of long chain fatty acids (LCFAs), also known as long-chain triglycerides or LCTs.

LCTs are large molecules, so they are difficult for your body to break down and are predominantly stored as fat.

Ketones produced from MCTs can protect the heart, brain, kidneys, colon, pancreas and other organs. These amazing ketones also increase metabolic effects, anti-diabetes effects, anti-cancer effects, and anti-Alzheimer’s effects.

Alzheimer’s is a type of diabetes of the brain according to Mary Newport, M.D. The disease can start twenty years before symptoms emerge.

Mary Newport, M.D. describes this scenario that can occur in an Alzheimer’s patient:

“A person develops a problem with insulin, perhaps from consuming too many refined carbohydrates or simple sugars or from other epigenetic factors that overly increase blood glucose and insulin production. The body reacts to the constant barrage of insulin by eliminating cell receptors for it, thus creating insulin resistance. The lack of insulin also prevents insulin-sensitive brain cells from taking in adequate quantities of glucose, a primary brain fuel without which the cells in the brain stat to die off, leading to such diseases such as Alzheimer’s.”

According to Newport, when brain cells lack the ability to uptake glucose, they can potentially accept ketones and use them as an “alternative” source of fuel. Thus cells begin to regenerate. Ketones are metabolized in the liver after MCTs are consumed by the body. The leading drugs for Alzheimer’s contains high amounts of MCTs. At the time, Newport’s husband was suffering from Alzheimer’s. She began to add coconut oil to her husbands food and over time she saw his symptoms improving.

Most people don’t use coconut oil because they believe that saturated fats are not beneficial for cholesterol and the cardiovascular system. According to Beverly Teeter, Ph.D., from the University of Maryland, researchers have discovered that there are two types of cholesterol, LDL (bad) cholesterol and HDL (good) cholesterol and that coconut oil raises HDL levels.

There are many benefits of coconut oil. You can add coconut oil to your favorite dishes and also cook with it.

Make sure you buy organic, cold pressed, unrefined, virgin coconut oil packed with MCTs.

02/09/2013

STUDY: DIET SODA INCREASES THE RISK OF DIABETES
WHY DO WE KEEP DRINKING DIET SODA?
Yet another study confirms what people have been saying for ages: Stop drinking diet soda. Like, right now. Drinking just one 12-ounce can of an artificially sweetened fizzy drink per week can increase your risk of Type 2 diabetes by 33 percent, French researchers found. And given that most people don't stop at a single weekly serving, your real risk for diabetes could actually be much higher.

Diet Soda May Increase Risk of Depression
The study, which was announced Thursday and will be published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, was conducted by France's National Institute of Health and Medical Research and covered 66,118 middle-aged women whose dietary habits and health were tracked from 1993 to 2007.

Diet Soda May Be Making You Fat
The results were unexpected. Though it's well-known that people who consume a lot of sugar are more likely to develop diabetes, the researchers found that participants who drank "light" or "diet" soft drinks had a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes than those who drank regular, sugar-filled sodas. Those who drank 100 percent natural squeezed fruit juices instead had no additional risk.
Women who choose artificially flavored soft drinks usually drink twice as many of them as women who choose regular soda or juice—2.8 glasses per week compared to 1.6 glasses. "Yet when an equal quantity is consumed, the risk of contracting diabetes is higher for 'light' or 'diet' drinks than for 'non-light' or 'non-diet' drinks," the researchers, epidemiologists Francoise Clavel-Chapelon and Guy Fagherazzi, said in a statement. Women who drank up to 500 milliliters (about 12 ounces) of artificially sweetened beverages per week were 33 percent more likely to develop the disease, and women who drank about 600 milliliters (about 20 ounces) per week had a 66 percent increase in risk.
Drinking sweetened beverages increases the risk of becoming overweight, which is itself a risk factor in developing diabetes. But the study didn't find that the results were the same even among overweight women. So how can artificially sweetened drinks be making the problem worse if they're fat- and calorie-free?

"With respect, in particular, to 'light' or 'diet' drinks, the relationship with diabetes can be explained partially by a greater craving for sugar in general by female consumers of this type of soft drink," the researchers explained. "Furthermore, aspartame, one of the main artificial sweeteners used today, causes an increase in glycaemia and consequently a rise in the insulin level in comparison to that produced by sucrose."

Translation: Drinking artificially sweetened drinks makes you crave other sweet things (hello, chocolate!). And your body reacts to aspartame—also known as NutraSweet and Equal—much in the same way that it reacts to plain old sugar.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 25.8 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes—about 8.3 percent of the population. The disease is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in people age 20 and older, and can also cause heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, kidney disease, and damage to the nervous system. Type 2 diabetes—which can be controlled by diet and exercise rather than a daily insulin injection—is the most common form of diabetes in the United States.

The study's authors cautioned that more research was needed in order to prove a true causal link between diet sodas and Type 2 diabetes. "Information on beverage consumption was not updated during the follow-up, and dietary habits may have changed over time," they admitted in their report. "We cannot rule out that factors other than ASB [artificially sweetened beverages] are responsible for the association with diabetes."

02/05/2013

9 SUPER FAST PROTEIN PACKED RECIPES
Don’t limit your protein powder to a morning smoothie. This mega muscle-builder can do so much more

Banana Pudding
Stir banana protein powder into Greek yogurt—one scoop of protein for 1 cup of yogurt. Powered-Up Oatmeal
Let plain oatmeal cool a bit, then mix in a scoop of chocolate or cinnamon roll–flavored protein.
Hot Chocolate
Make a cup of hot cocoa and let it cool until it’s warm, not hot. Add chocolate, vanilla, or unflavored protein.
Protein Pancakes
Beat together one whole egg and two egg whites. Mix in one scoop of any flavor of protein powder. Add powder until you reach a pancake batter-like consistency. Top with all-natural peanut butter and bananas.
Instant Mocha
After a cup of coffee has cooled a bit, stir in vanilla protein for a “latte” or chocolate protein for a “mocha.”
Peanut Butter Balls
Knead chocolate or unflavored protein into natural peanut butter. Keep them in the fridge for a quick snack.
Sweet or Savory Crepe
Beat together two eggs and 3 tablespoons milk. Add about one scoop of protein powder, so the batter has a runny consistency. Cook a thin layer on a nonstick pan over medium heat. Fill with baked apples (pictured). For a savory crepe, stuff with mushrooms, spinach, and goat cheese.
Baked apple filling: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a shallow baking pan, combine the slices from two apples, a dash of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg, 2 tablespoons melted butter, and a drizzle of olive oil. Cover with aluminum foil and bake until apples are tender, about 45 minutes.
Tangy Ranch Dip
Fold a scoop of unflavored protein powder and ranch-dressing seasonings into Greek yogurt. (Find ranch-dressing seasonings in the salad dressing aisle.)
Chocolate Cheesecake
Mix chocolate protein powder into cottage cheese. Refrigerate and top with berries.

02/04/2013

CAN PETER PIPER PICK A PEPPER?
Male over female! Flip the peppers over to check their gender. The ones with four bumps are female. The ones with three bumps are male. The female peppers are full of seeds. You can save yourself some money by getting the males.

02/01/2013

THE ULTIMATE LONG-LIFE DIET
From the Dr Oz Show
Longevity isn’t just about reaching a ripe old age - it’s about feeling good as you get there! Getting the right nutrients and creating healthy habits are key components of longevity. Fill your cart and stock your shelves with these nutrient-rich foods that fight disease, revitalize your body and add years to your life.
Apples
Apples may be the ultimate longevity MVP, loaded with fiber, antioxidants, folate and vitamin E to fight Alzheimer's, and a flavonoid called quercetin that protects the brain against the oxidative stress of daily life. Start your day off right with an apple cinnamon frittata.

Dates
Dates are a great source of antioxidants and magnesium, which helps the body maintain normal muscle and nerve function, steady heart rhythm and strong bones; they are also good for blood pressure and blood sugar regulation. Try them in a deceptively indulgent coffee cake
Jicama
This crisp root vegetable is low in carbs and high in fiber. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium, which helps to reduce high blood pressure. Additionally, jicama is an anti-ager that helps boost collagen production to fight crow’s feet and wrinkles. Add this exotic veggie to a citrus salad for some crunch.

Mangoes
One mango contains 96% of your daily vitamin C needs and can help prevent periodontal disease. They are also rich in beta-carotene, which helps fight cancer and heart disease. Try mango in a fruit salad served over fish to maximize its cancer-fighting benefits.

Sweet Potatoes
Eating one cup of sweet potatoes a week could reduce your risk of lung, skin and prostate cancers. They are rich in beta-carotene, which helps build vitamin A within the body. Serve these cumin roasted sweet potatoes with dinner tonight.

Tofu
This Asian staple is easy to use and packed with calcium. It's also high in omega-3 fats, which ensure normal brain function and lower the risk of dementia. Give it a try with this simple Asian stir-fry.
Trout
This fatty fish is king when it comes to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are essential to brain health as they provide the building blocks for brain cell renewal. Consuming one trout fillet twice a week will also keep your skin looking moist and young. Broiled trout with rosemary and lemon makes for a perfect longevity-boosting dinner.
Greek Yogurt
Dairy contains calcium and is fortified with vitamin D – Dr. Oz's #1 recommended supplement – to strengthen bones and fight against the onset of osteoporosis. It's also chockfull of probiotics, good bacteria that aid in digestion. Think outside of the breakfast box and use greek yogurt as a heavy cream substitute in a lightened penne alla vodka.
Kale
The ultimate superfood, kale is rich in calcium, vitamin C and flavonoids, which kill off cancer cells. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin K. One cup of kale contains 700% of the daily recommendation of vitamin K. Plus, kale has been proven to reduce the risk of liver cancer. Get your daily dose with this energy-boosting salad.

01/31/2013

PUMPKINCREDIBLE HUMMUS!
This recipe is gluten-free and soy-free.

Ingredients:
1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 can white beans (cannellini or other), drained and rinsed
1 cup pure pumpkin (I use farmer’s market brand)
1⁄4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1 medium-large clove garlic (adjust to taste, use smaller clove for kid-friendly)
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon tahini
3⁄4 teaspoon cumin
1⁄4 teaspoon (rounded) allspice
1⁄4 teaspoon (lightly rounded) smoked paprika (if you don’t have smoked paprika, use another 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin – then go out and get yourself some smoked paprika!!)
1⁄2 teaspoon pure maple syrup (optional)
1⁄4cup toasted pumpkin seeds (see note for toasting; reserve about 2-3 tablespoons for garnish)

Instructions:
In a food processor add all ingredients except pumpkin seeds. Puree until very smooth. Taste, and if you’d like to add additional garlic or spices, add a little. Then, add most of the pumpkin seeds (reserving a couple of tbsps), and pulse through. Transfer mixture to a serving dish, and top with remaining pumpkin seeds. Serve with whole-grain pita breads, tortilla chips, warm whole-grain bread, etc.

Beans Note: The combination of chickpeas and white beans makes this hummus a little creamier than using just chickpeas alone.

Pumpkin Seeds Note: When I toast nuts and seeds, I do so in larger batches so that I have them ready to use another time. So, consider toasting about a cup or more. To toast pumpkin seeds, place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper (I use my toaster oven and a small baking tray). Bake at 400ºF for several minutes until they turn a golden color and you can smell a nutty aroma. This won’t take long, maybe about 5-7 minutes, possibly longer depending on your oven. Just be sure to watch them after about 6-7 minutes, as they can burn quickly

01/30/2013

Occasionally, the laboratory efforts of research scientists contracted by Big Pharma produce side effect findings that are of interest to those of us who focus on natural preventative and healing remedies.

It appears that such an event occurred when the research team inadvertently reported vitamin D inhibiting a tumor growth factor in triple negative breast cancer cells, which tend to resist current conventional chemo therapies. Triple negative breast cancer is a very aggressive cancer, that often regroups after a short remission.

It seems this team's focus and purpose was to help Big Pharma find another synthetic creation they could patent for big bucks to inhibit resistant cancer cells' ability to carry on and metastasize despite conventional therapies.

This research team's research was in vitro, which is test tube or petri dish analysis. But the breast cancer cells were cultured from actual breast cancer patients' cancerous tissues. During their process of tracking what enzymes or proteins did what, they used vitamin D to reduce cathepsin L from cancer cells that refused to fold and quit.

They had determined that increased cathepsin L invaded the cell's nucleus and blocked 53 BPI, a protein that inhibits cancer cell growth. The 53 BPI protein flourished again when cathapsin L was reduced or eliminated, permitting this protein to resist the cancer cell's growth.

Note: Vitamin D was used to diminish the cancer cells' cathepsin L.

That application appears to have been part of an exercise in discovering and analyzing the mechanics within resistant cancer cells for Big Pharma to formulate more toxic chemo agents. Vitamin D was not the focus of this research, although other news reports have featured the vitamin D3 for cancer aspect.

Various news reports and abstracts, taken from The Journal of Cellular Biology, are in the sources below. However, the full write-up is available only for journal subscribers. It costs $30.00 for a two day look.

A broader look at vitamin D3 and cancer
Natural News has featured comprehensive coverage of vitamin D3 benefits, especially regarding cancer prevention and/or as an adjunct to alternative cancer therapies. Here's one Natural News article that highlights nine major vitamin D benefits. (http://www.naturalnews.com/035063_vitamin_D_cancer_facts.html)

In 2007, the Health Ranger, Mike Adams, exposed and explained why the cancer industry, including the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Koman for Cure Foundation, decry vitamin D for cancer prevention. (http://www.naturalnews.com/021892.html)

The 25[OH]D test (25 hydroxy vitamin D test) is the most accurate way to determine your vitamin D levels. The conventional normal of 30 ng/ml (30 nanograms per milliliter) is insufficient, according to holistic MDs, chiropractors, naturopaths, and independent nutritionists.

It's been recently discovered that 50 ng/ml or more provides much better disease prevention. From 80 to just under 100 ng/ml is recommended temporarily for therapeutic purposes.

Any cancer therapy should should exclude sugar and processed foods completely, while focusing on organic, whole plant foods.

Getting vitamin D3 from sunlight exposure or UVB tanning bed exposure guarantees you won't overdose vitamin D3. The body's D3 manufacturing system shuts down when there's enough.

Bathing immediately after sun exposure may remove skin oils that initiate the body's D3 manufacturing process. Wait longer or use soap only on unexposed skin.

Vitamin D3 cholicalciferol gel capsules will boost your D3 levels when there is a lack of sunshine or no access to a UVB ray tanning bed. From 5,000-10,000 international units (iu) daily is recommended if your levels aren't up to at least the 50 ng/ml mark.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/038849_vitamin_D_breast_cancer_science.html

Vitamin D and cancer - nine facts

01/27/2013

GIRL 17, RUSHED TO HOSPITAL AFTER COLLAPSING!
POOR DIET TO BLAME…..
Ever since she was a toddler, Stacey Irvine has eaten little else but chicken nuggets and the occasional portion of chips.
Now, at the age of 17, she has been warned by doctors to change her appalling diet or die.
The factory worker – who says she has never tasted fresh fruit or vegetables – had to be taken to hospital earlier this week when she collapsed after struggling to breathe.
Doctors found that her 15-year ‘chronic chicken nugget addiction’ has left her with anemia and inflamed veins on her tongue.
So deficient was her body in vitamins and nutrients that she had to be injected with them.
Although she has been urged to drastically change her diet, she says she cannot give up the fast food.
Stacey, who is recovering at home on a high-dose course of vitamins, has been hooked on chicken nuggets since her mother let her try them in a McDonald’s restaurant at the age of two.
‘I loved them so much they were all I would eat,’ she said. ‘I just couldn’t face even trying other foods. Mum gave up giving me anything else years ago.’
The teenager, of Castle Vale, Birmingham, admits she will occasionally vary her food intake – by eating a slice of toast for breakfast or a packet of crisps.
Yet following her admission to hospital, she has conceded that the diet is having a negative impact on her health.
‘I am starting to realise this is really bad for me,’ she said. ‘My main meal is always chicken nuggets every day.
‘McDonald’s chicken nuggets are my favourite. I share 20 with my boyfriend with chips.
‘But I also like KFC and supermarket brands.’
A less serious consequence of her craving is that she is struggling to store all the free toys that come with the fast food meals, she added – they fill four bin bags.
Stacey’s mother, Evonne, is exasperated by her daughter’s refusal to eat a healthy and varied diet and wants her to see a specialist.
‘She’s been told in no uncertain terms that she will die if she carries on like this,’ the 39-year-old explained.
‘But Stacey says she can’t eat anything else. It breaks my heart to see her eating those damned nuggets.
‘I am at my wit’s end. I’m praying she can be helped before it’s too late.’
The beauty therapist – who says her two other children Leo, five, and Ava, three, both eat healthily – has even tried depriving Stacey of food in a bid to get her to eat something other than nuggets.
Nutritionist Dr Carina Norris said that, during her ten years of experience, she has not come across such an extreme case of food addiction.
She believes Stacey’s diet will have serious long-term health implications, as her body will be lacking iron, calcium, antioxidants, vitamins and good fats.
‘She should view her health scare as a warning – a wake-up call that she needs to drastically change her diet.
‘Fruit and vegetables are integral to long-term health. Without them, you greatly increase the chances of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease and cancer.
‘So the sooner you can get children eating them, the better. It is also important that you eat lots of different colors. Stacey’s diet is going to be very beige and high in saturated fat.’
A 20-piece portion of McNuggets contains 58g of fat and 926 calories, which exceeds the recommended 56g daily fat allowance and is almost half of the adult guidance of 2,000 calories a day.
Jamie Oliver has scored a rare victory in the U.S. after convincing McDonald’s to change its hamburger recipe.
The chef had called on the fast-food giant to remove the filling he called ‘pink slime’.
Following his pressure, it is no longer using the mixture of ammonium hydroxide and fatty beef off cuts in the U.S.