Nutrition News Bites
Spring Cleaning
This is the time of year when many people clean out the dirt and clutter that has accumulated over the winter. We open the windows and bring fresh air in and clean under furniture and dust areas that may have gone unattended during the cold winter months. While this is great for your home (and helps reduce allergens) it is also good to “spring clean” your body. During the Winter the body stores energy to keep us warm. A part of that may be toxins the body has stored as well. Spring time is a great time to cleanse the body. The body is ready to let go of what it has stored to get ready for the hot Summer months.
There are many ways to cleanse. I recommend cleansing 2-4 times a year. Spring and Fall are great times to cleanse. It is my belief that a gentler cleanse is easier on the system. There are some excellent cleansing products that use herbals to cleanse the blood and organs, and fibers to cleanse the colon. These are usually 2 week regimens that don’t greatly disrupt daily life. Other methods include fasting; either total elimination of food or modified fasts that include consuming only juices or broths.
Fasting gives the body a rest from normal metabolic processes and creates an environment where toxins can be released from the tissues. Anything longer than 3 days should be supervised by a professional familiar with fasting. It is important to drink plenty of fresh, filtered water while fasting and, if doing a 2 week cleanse of modified fast, eating fresh fruits and vegetables and eliminating processed foods from your diet
during the cleanse or fast. It is best to refrain from strenuous exercise. Walking, yoga and stretching are recommended.
During a cleanse you may feel nauseous, have a headache or body aches, and your stool may be loose. These are indications that toxins are being released. Rest and drink plenty of water. If these symptoms persist discontinue the cleanse. You may need to try a different method.
After a cleanse you may feel like you have more energy and can think more clearly. Your metabolism should improve as you should be digesting better. Continuing to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and limiting processed foods will help extend the benefits of a cleanse.
I am knowledgeable of cleansing methods and I can help determine what the right
approach for you may be.
AAaa….Chooooo!
Are seasonal allergies bothering you? Do you hate taking allergy medications because they make you drowsy and dry-out your sinuses? Here are some natural ways to
combat allergies and get you feeling better fast.
There is a link between your diet and allergies. Foods that are processed are low in
nutritive value and can affect your immune system. If your immune system is weak it makes it harder for your body to fight allergens, thereby making your symptoms worse. Foods that are the most common food allergens (wheat, rye, barley, corn and dairy) will also affect how badly your body reacts to seasonal allergies. Avoiding these foods will help alleviate symptoms.
Raw, unpasteurized local Honey contains trace amounts of pollens. Local honey is important because it will have pollen from plants in your area. These trace amounts act like a vaccination against the allergen. A teaspoon a day will do the trick.
Bee Pollen works the same way as honey but is more concentrated. Only a couple granules a day is effective. If you have allergies to bees or your pollen allergy is severe, take care in taking Bee Pollen. Start with one granule the first day, two the second, four the third day, and so on, until you start to notice a reduction in symptoms.
Quercetin is an antioxidant that interferes with histamine production. Histamine is what causes inflammation which leads to a stuffy nose any itchy eyes.
Omega Fatty Acids help reduce inflammation.
Eyebright is an herb that helps with irritated and itchy eyes.
Nettle is an herb that helps relieve a stuffy nose, watery eyes and other symptoms of hay fever.
*Always follow the directions on the bottle of supplements or the directions from a
professional health practitioner.
Nasal Irrigation: there a number of ways to do this. The object is to flush the sinuses with a saline solution to rinse them of offending pollens and relieve inflammation. Using a Neti Pot is a common way to do this. You can find them in your local health food store.
Celiac Disease & Gluten-Intolerance
Gluten-free products are popping up everywhere, and Celiac and Gluten-Intolerance seem to be in the news often theses days.
First of all, Celiac and Gluten-Intolerance are not the same thing. Celiac Disease, also known as Sprue, is a genetic predisposition to be allergic to the gluten protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Gluten is the element in grains that causes it to bind. For example: what makes bread hold together. Gluten causes damage to the lining of the small intestine affecting it’s integrity and permeability. When the lining is more permeable molecules that are not completely broken down to their smallest elements are able to pass through it. The body doesn’t recognize these molecules and creates anti-bodies to them. This is what causes the allergic reactions. Reactions can be mild (skin rash or diarrhea) to severe (anaphalactic shock).
Gluten-Intolerance is a sensitivity to gluten that is caused by some other traumatic event to the body. Often a parasitic infection or another pathogenic event that damages the intestinal lining causing the same end-result to the body as Celiac Disease.
Continued consumption of gluten causes stress to the body and continues to damage the intestinal lining; thereby, exacerbating symptoms and can cause sensitivities and allergies to other foods. This can, also, affect the immune system and increases systemic inflammation which can then lead to other health problems. If you suspect you have a wheat sensitivity, try a 2 week elimination diet to see if you feel better. If you do, then continue to stay away from gluten. A biopsy or blood test are the only way to know for sure if you have Celiac Disease.
There is no cure. Though there are a few medications it is inconclusive to their effectiveness and, as of yet, there have been no long term studies on humans. The best thing to do is avoid gluten as completely as possible. This can be a difficult and sometimes daunting task. Fortunately there are many new gluten-free products on the market right now. Some people can also be sensitive to oats and corn so be sure to read the ingredients.
Gluten is in many pre-packaged foods and can be listed in a number of ways. Monosodium glutamate, yeast extract, barley malt, maltodextrin, and natural flavorings are the most common. For an extensive list, please call me and I will be happy to send it to you.
Having Celiac or Gluten-Intolerance does not mean you have to live your life feeling sickly. There are ways to heal the intestines and bring vitality back to the body. Staying away from gluten, though, is important for this process.
I have a lot of experience in this area and can help you through it.
Vitamin D does a body Good!
Vitamin D has been in the news quite often over the past year. Vitamin D is found in eggs, meat, cod liver oil, and is added to dairy products. Your body, also, produces Vitamin D. Ultraviolet rays from the sun activate chemicals in your skin to produce Vitamin D. As little as 10 minutes in the sun without sunscreen can provide you with your daily needs. If you intend to spend longer periods in the sun then be sure to wear sun screen to help revent premature aging and possible skin cancer.
Why is Vitamin D so good for you? Vitamin D is necessary for optimum calcium and phosphorus absorption. These minerals are necessary for strong bones and teeth. That is why our parents told us to “drink upâ€.
Vitamin D has also been shown to improve immunity. It has been recently discovered that it boosts levels of a powerful germ killing agent, and it has been associated with lowering risk of many types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon, and leukemia.
Another benefit of being in the sun is that it stimulates serotonin production, thereby improving mood. (look for more on serotonin in a later issue of this newsletter) More than two-thirds of the population of the United States is Vitamin D deficient. The further north you travel the greater the incident.
There is an easy solution…get outside, you will be glad you did.
I believe the body has an amazing ability to heal itself. God has given us many tools to use to help facilitate that healing process. If we take a more natural approach to encourage those processes we will have even greater health. My healing journey began more than 20 years ago. That journey gave me the desire to help others achieve a level of wellness beyond the usual standard to exceptional.
It would be a privilege to help you on you wellness journey.
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My Philosophy
I believe in using a holistic approach to helping my clients achieve their wellness goals. Through Massage Therapy and Nutritional Counseling I am able to help my clients with a broad range of concerns. It is my job to educate, guide, and support my clients on their road to exceptional health. This is a journey we take together.