Juanita's Blog RSS Feed

Whey Protein Shakes for Athletes

Juanita Watson — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 01:31:42 +0000

Overview

Whey protein shakes can help you build muscle when your goal is to get bigger, and they can help you maintain your lean body mass when you're trying to lose weight. Both the amount and the frequency of whey consumption can affect your fitness goals. However, before adding whey protein to your nutritional plan, consult with a dietitian or your health-care practitioner for advice.

Background

Whey is one of the major proteins in cow’s milk. Isolated from the liquid left after cheese is made, whey is commercially available as a powder and as protein shakes. As with other animal sources of protein, whey offers the full complement of essential amino acids you need every day and is therefore considered complete or high quality. In addition, whey protein has a high proportion of branched-chain amino acids, which differ from other amino acids in that your muscles can absorb them directly without prior metabolism by your liver. This feature of whey protein, in combination with how often you drink whey protein shakes, can assist in both building and maintaining muscle mass.

Whey for Muscle Mass

Packing on muscle mass requires a rigorous strength-training program coupled with sufficient dietary protein. Whey protein shakes contribute the essential amino acids you need to build muscle, and how often you should consume them depends on the rest of your diet. For example, if you drink whey protein shakes in addition to your regular balanced diet, space them evenly between meals. This timing of your protein intake maintains a steady supply of amino acids to nourish your muscle tissue throughout the day and maximize gains. If whey supplies the bulk of your dietary protein, you may need to drink whey shakes more often. For instance, if your daily goal is to consume 180 g of protein, consume shakes containing 30 g of whey protein six times throughout the day, spaced as evenly as possible.

Whey for Weight Loss

Sufficient dietary protein is important when you restrict calories for weight loss so that your body does not cannibalize your muscle tissue for fuel. Whey protein shakes for this purpose may replace whole-food proteins in your diet, as they are high in quality and low in fat. As you would if you were consuming whey for muscle mass, you should drink whey protein shakes often enough to keep a steady influx of amino acids to your muscles throughout the day. Therefore, if you consume 120 g of whey protein each day, drink a 20-g protein shake every four hours or so.

Considerations

Your daily protein requirement depends on your weight and activity level. If you are sedentary, you require 0.8 g for each kg you weight, according to Bill Campbell of the Exercise and Performance Nutrition Laboratory at the University of South Florida. If you exercise regularly, your protein needs increase to 1.4 to 2 g per kg of body weight. Whey shakes can provide the quality protein you need for optimal fitness, and drinking them at even intervals supplies your muscles with a steady source of amino acids.

Excerpts taken from "How Often Are You Supposed To Drink Whey Protein Shakes?" by Anne Janine of Livestrong.com. Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/528376-how-often-are-you-supposed-to-drink-whey-protein-shakes/#ixzz1XHzzC34k

What is an EFA?

Juanita Watson — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:37:29 +0000

Fat is an essential part of a healthy diet - about 20 fatty acids are used by the human body to maintain normal function. Fats are necessary to maintain healthy skin and hair, transport the fat-soluble vitamins (A,D,E and K) and signal the feeling of fullness after meals. Fat is also used to manufacture hormones, is part of the membrane lining every cell in the body, and is part of the sheath surrounding every nerve cell in allowing them to communicate effectively.

The three fatty acids considered the most important, or essential (EFA - Essential Fatty Acid), are omega-6 linoleic, omega-3 linolenic and gamma-linoleic acids. Evidence suggests that increasing the proportion of these fatty acids in the diet many increase immunity and reduce the risks of heart disease, high blood pressures and arthritis. The best vegetable source of omega-3 EFAs in the diet is flax seeds. Other sources of EFAs are hemp seeds, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados and oily fish.

Here are a few ideas for including healthy fat in your diet on a regular basis:

1. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of chopped nuts or seeds on low fat or nonfat greek yogurt with fresh fruit for breakfast or as a snack

2. Add 1/4 sliced avocado to turkey sandwich on sprouted Ezekiel bread with romaine lettuce and tomato for lunch

3. Steam vegetables and drizzle a few tablespoons of olive oil after cooking.

4. Make a homemade salad dressing with 1 tablespoon olive, flaxseed, or walnut oil, 2 tablespoons of vinegar or fresh lemon juice, and a little Dijon mustard.

5. Additions to smoothie - 1 tbsp coconut oil, 1 tbsp flax oil, 1 tbsp ground flax seeds.

6. Saute foods in coconut oil.

*Note it is especially important to eat vegetables with a little fat as vegetables are an excellent source of several of the fat soluble vitamins. The added fat will help with proper nutrient absorption.

Castor Oil - Natural Protection from Deadly Viruses

Juanita Watson — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:07:09 +0000

~~by Dr. David G. Williams -- complementaryS -- v6 n1, July 1995 (retrieved from www.electroherbalism.com)~~

Moving on to more "exotic" techniques to increase immune system efficiency, we come to castor oil. I can remember my dad telling me time after time about his mother's devotion to castor oil when he was growing up. At the first sign of any illness in one child, she would immediately give all the children a quick oral dose of castor oil. There's no doubt it provided a quick solution for constipation, and from what I can tell, it must have a positive effect on memory too. My dad can vividly remember the taste and effects of castor oil to this very day.

In many ways, castor oil is a very unique substance. While most of us are familiar with its use as a remedy for constipation, folk healers in this country and around the world have used castor oil to treat a wide variety of conditions. Its effectiveness is probably due in part to its peculiar chemical composition.

Castor oil is a triglyceride of fatty acids. Almost 90 percent of its fatty acid content consists of ricinoleic acid. To my knowledge, ricinoleic acid is not found in any other substance except castor oil. Such a high concentration of this unusual, unsaturated fatty acid is thought to be responsible for castor oil's remarkable healing abilities.

Ricinoleic acid has been shown to be effective in preventing the growth of numerous species of viruses, bacteria, yeasts and molds. (J Am Oil Chem Soc 61;37.323-325.) This would explain the high degree of success in the topical use of the oil for treating such ailments as ringworm, keratoses (non-cancerous, wart-like skin growths), skin inflammation, abrasions, fungal-infected finger- and toenails, acne and chronic pruritus (itching). Generally, for these conditions the area involved is simply wrapped in cloth soaked with castor oil each night, or if the area is small enough, a castor oil soaked Band-Aid can be used. (For persistent infections and those finger- and toenails that have discolored and hardened, a good 10 to 20 minute soak in Epsom salts, prior to applying the castor oil, usually speeds up the healing process.)

Castor oil's antimicrobial activity, while very impressive, comprises only a small part of the story concerning this mysterious oil. While castor oil has been thoroughly investigated for its industrial uses, only a minimal amount of research effort has been directed toward its medicinal benefits.

In Russia the oil is known as "Kastorka." The stem of the plant is used in the textile industry. The extracted oil has a very consistent viscosity and won't freeze even in Russia's severe climate. This makes it an ideal lubricating oil in industrial equipment. Medicinally, the oil is added to products to restore hair (one part oil to 10 parts of grain alcohol), treat constipation, skin ulcers, some infectious gynecological conditions and eye irritations.

The castor bean plant is actually native to India, where it is called "Erand." There we found it being used extensively for all types of gastrointestinal problems like constipation, dysentery and inflammatory bowel disease. It was also used to treat bladder and vaginal infections and asthma. We were told the seed kernels or hulls (without the actual seed) could be boiled in milk and water and taken internally to relieve arthritis and lower back pain accompanied by sciatica.

We also found early reports of nursing mothers in the Canary Islands using poultices made from the leaves of the castor bean. They applied the poultice to their breasts to increase milk secretion and relieve inflammation and milk stagnation in the mammary glands. Applying the poultice to the abdominal area promoted normal menstruation.

While I find all of these uses of castor oil very interesting, the most exciting use deals with ways to increase topical absorption through the use of castor oil packs or poultices.

Much of the current use of castor oil packs, in the U.S. anyway, can be attributed to the late healing psychic, Edgar Cayce. Time after time he recommended their use. Based on his reports, I began to use them in my practice over 12 years ago. But even though I, and numerous other doctors, have continued to experience remarkable results, the technique is still practically unknown and shunned by most health care professionals today. This is probably due to two reasons. First, it's just too simple. It's hard for most people to imagine that something as simple as castor oil packs could have a profound effect on any health problem. Secondly, in our present health care system, positive results alone do not constitute the critical factor in determining whether a treatment will be accepted by the medical establishment. [Everybody (except probably the poor patient) now seems to be more concerned about how something is supposed to work, than whether it actually works at all.] Recent research data presented by longtime follower of Edgar Cayce, Dr. William McGarey of Phoenix, Arizona, might help shed some light on how castor oil works.

If you're not particularly interested in how castor oil enhances the immune system, feel free to skip the next couple of paragraphs. Anyone suffering from AIDS or other serious viral or bacterial diseases may find this information helpful, however. Numerous AIDS patients have been able to increase their T-cell counts and clear up many of their problems by using the techniques I'll be describing. Others have found it useful in eliminating chronic problems with epilepsy, hyperactivity, liver and gallbladder diseases and chronic fluid retention. (Fortunately, to benefit from this and other natural therapies you really don't have to understand how they work.)

McGarey has reported that, when used properly, castor oil packs improve the function of the thymus gland and other areas of the immune system. More specifically, he found in two separate studies that patients using abdominal castor oil packs had significant increases in the production of lymphocytes compared to increases among those using placebo packs.

Lymphocytes are the disease-fighting cells of your immune system. They are produced and housed mainly in your lymphatic tissue. This includes the thymus gland, the spleen, the lymph nodes and the lymphatic tissue that lines the small intestine (called Peyer's patches, or more commonly, aggregated lymphatic follicles). Strangely, other than knowing it produces the body's white blood cells, most doctors are not very knowledgeable about the lymphatic system.

The lymphatic system is an amazingly complex structure. It works hand in hand with both the blood circulatory system and the digestive system.

In the circulatory system newly oxygenated blood from the lungs moves from the heart along smaller and smaller arteries until it reaches the smallest vessels called capillaries. It is in these microscopic tubules that the blood exchanges oxygen and nutrients for cellular waste products with surrounding body cells. The capillaries then gradually become larger and form veins through which the unoxygenated, waste-carrying blood returns back to the lungs and then to the heart to be recirculated time and time again.

Much of the fluid accompanying the blood and large protein molecules leak from these capillaries. Additional fluids and waste products are expelled from every cell in the body. These fluids accumulate in the small spaces between the cells. If all of this material weren't somehow removed we would begin to swell like a toad and die within a matter of 24 hours. Fortunately, we have a completely separate circulation system, called the lymphatic system, that is able to absorb and remove these fluids, proteins and waste materials. With the exception of the brain, where these proteins and fluids flow directly into the fluid that surrounds them, the extensive lymphatic network has hundreds of miles of tubules that cover the entire body. Through these tubules all of this material is returned to the blood so it can be utilized or eliminated from the body. (There is no pathway, other than the lymphatic system, that excess protein molecules can use to return to the circulatory system.)

Also, along these lymphatic tubules you'll find bulb-shaped masses called lymph nodes, which act as filters and produce antibodies when foreign proteins are encountered. I'm sure you've experienced the tenderness and swelling of an inflamed lymph node at one time or another. It is usually a result of antibodies fighting an infection either in the node itself or somewhere in the draining area of that particular lymph chain.

In addition to returning leaking fluid from the circulation system and creating antibodies for the immune system, the lymphatic system also performs another very important function. Clumps of lymphatic tissue, called Peyer's patches, are spread throughout the small intestine. Unlike other nutrients, fat molecules are generally too large to be absorbed directly from the intestine. Instead, they are absorbed by these patches and transported along the lymphatic system and then released into the blood stream where they can be carried throughout the body. Between 80 to 90 percent of all the fat absorbed from the gut requires the help of the lymphatic system.

When it comes to treating the majority of health problems, the status of your lymphatic system is rarely given any consideration whatsoever. Medical students are taught that a failure of the lymphatic system is obvious to detect because it is accompanied by "pitting" edema (the accumulation of fluid in the tissues, i.e. swelling, usually in the feet, ankles or hands). The test for "pitting" edema is rather simple. A finger is pressed into the skin at the area of the swelling and then quickly removed. The skin stays depressed, forming a small "pit", which remains until the fluid outside the cells has time to return to the area (this can take anywhere from 5 to 30 seconds). Unfortunately, research studies have shown that "pitting" edema and other signs of fluid retention can't be observed until fluid levels outside the cells reach 30 percent above normal. In other words, you can have a serious lymphatic drainage problem long before it can be detected.

Several problems occur when the lymph drainage slows and fluids begin to accumulate around the cells. First, the individual cells are forced further and further away from the capillaries. The amount of oxygen and nourishment they receive is decreased. Under exertion or stress some cells may die. Additionally, cells are forced to survive in their own waste and toxic by-products. This situation can eventually lead to the degeneration and destruction of organs. For example, poor lymphatic drainage of the heart can lead to tissue damage and even heart failure. Similar problems occur in the liver, the kidneys and other organs.

A good analogy would be if you confined yourself to one room of your house. Someone could bring you food and water, but not remove any of your waste products. Eventually you would have difficulty remaining healthy in such an environment. As your waste accumulated, not only would you become sick, those around you would begin to experience the same fate. Just like it is for each cell, in addition to nourishment and oxygen, the removal of waste products is essential for continued health of the entire body.

Fluid accumulation outside the cells also stretches the tissue in the area. The more it stretches and the longer it remains that way, the harder it becomes to correct the problem.

Regardless of the health problem, most doctors generally assume the lymphatic system is working adequately. This assumption is made at the peril of the patient. Research has shown that as we age certain organs begin to degenerate. The thymus gland is a key component of the immune system. It is initially responsible for the proper development of the lymphatic system and is practically absent in older individuals. Peyer's patches, those clumps of lymphatic tissue found in the small intestine, begin to get smaller with age and are often destroyed by certain diseases like typhoid fever. (Cayce felt that the overall health and well-being of an individual was directly related to the health of these Peyer's patches. He stated on several occasions, that a certain compound formed in these patches was necessary for maintaining the integrity of the nervous system. He may very well be correct. To this day, we still don't totally understand the functions and importance of either the thymus gland or Peyer's patches.)

Efforts should be taken to improve the function of the lymphatic system in every health problem. This applies to AIDS, as well as heart disease, hemorrhoids and everything in between. No drug exists that has the ability to improve lymphatic flow; however, the job can easily be handled through the topical application of castor oil.

When castor oil is absorbed through the skin, several extraordinary events take place. The lymphocyte count of the blood increases. This is a result of a positive influence on the thymus gland and/or lymphatic tissue.

The flow of lymph increases throughout the body. This speeds up the removal of toxins surrounding the cells and reduces the size of swollen lymph nodes. The end result is a general overall improvement in organ function with a lessening of fatigue and depression.

As toxicity is reduced, the pH of the saliva becomes less acidic, indicating improved health. The Peyer's patches in the small intestine become more efficient in their absorption of fatty acids, which are essential for the formation of hormones and other components necessary for growth and repair.

Common Methods of Using Castor Oil

The most common way to use castor oil (and most objectionable, I might add) has been to take it orally. Generally, oral doses are used to correct constipation. The recommended dose is usually 1 tablespoon for adults and 1 teaspoon for children. You can usually expect a "purging" of the system in about four to six hours.

Rubbed or Massaged Directly Into the Skin

For several conditions I'll mention later, the oil can simply be rubbed into the skin. It can also be used as a massage oil which seems to be especially effective when applied along the spinal column. If the oil is massaged into the body, the direction of the massage should always follow the same path as the underlying Iymphatic drainage system. The diagram below shows the proper direction to massage the oil and further facilitate lymphatic drainage. [Vater and Asdonk, Gesaltschaft for Manuelle Lymph Drainage (Essen, Germany).]

Conditions Responding to Topical Application
Oftentimes there is no need for castor oil packs; amazing results can be obtained by simply applying it directly to the skin. The following is a short list of some of the more common ailments it can remedy:

skin keratosis
ringworm
fungal and bacterial infections
wounds
abdominal stretch marks (prevention)
bursitis
sebaceous cysts
warts
senile lentigo ("liver" or "aging" spots)
muscle strains
ligament sprains
itching

Castor Oil Packs
One of the most useful and least utilized methods of using castor oil is to employ packs. Packs are an economical and efficient method of absorbing the ricinoleic acid and other healing components of castor oil directly into body tissues. (The following basic procedure was outlined in several of the readings of Edgar Cayce.)

To make a castor oil pack you will need the following items: cold pressed castor oil, a standard heating pad, a plastic garbage bag, two or three one-foot square pieces of wool or cotton flannel and one large bath towel.

1. Start by placing the heating pad on a flat surface and turn the setting to high.

2. On top of the pad lay the plastic garbage bag. Next, soak the flannel pieces with castor oil generally about 1/2 cup) and lay them on top of the garbage bag and heating pad.

3. The entire pack can now be placed against the body with the oil-soaked flannel on the skin. For general conditions the pack should be placed on the abdomen. (For treating lower back problems, the pack can be placed there.) To help hold the pack in place and to keep oil from getting on bedding, etc., the body can be wrapped in a large bath towel.

4. The pack should remain in place for at least one hour and the temperature of the heating pad should be kept at the highest temperature tolerable to the patient.

5. When you remove the pack, the remaining oil can be massaged into the skin or cleaned off using a little soda water made from 1 quart of warm water and 2 tablespoons of baking soda.

6. The flannel can be reused if stored properly after removing the pack. Put the flannel in either a plastic bag or zip-loc container and place it in the refrigerator. Before using it next time let it warm up and always add another 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh cold pressed castor oil. (After a month of use I would recommend using new flannel.)

Conditions Responding to Castor Oil Packs
Due to the many effects of its fatty acid component, ricinoleic acid, the use of castor oil can be used topically to treat a wide variety of health complaints.

Lymphatic Congestion
Obviously, conditions known to be related to poor drainage of the lymphatic system will tend to benefit from this type of therapy. These would include complaints such as:

1. chronic fluid retention with swollen joints and pain
2. arthritis
3. upper respiratory infections involving the sinuses,
tonsils and inner ear
4. colon problems like Crohn's disease or colitis
5. gallbladder disease
6. boils
7. liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, enlargement or congestion
8. menstrual-related congestion
9. appendicitis
10. hyperactivity
11. constipation, bowel impaction or adhesions
12. swollen lymph nodes
13. bladder and vaginal infections

Neurological Problems
Several neurological problems have also been responsive to castor oil. These include:

1. nerve inflammations such as sciatica, shingles, etc.
2. Parkinson's disease
3. multiple sclerosis
4. migraine headaches
5. cerebral palsy

AIDS
Conditions that stress or compromise the immune system will very often benefit from castor oil packs. Nowhere is this more obvious than with AIDS. I have talked with several AIDS patients who have added castor oil packs (usually for one hour a day) to their treatment regimen with very positive results. Within two weeks, it was not uncommon for them to see increases in their WBC counts (white blood cell counts), platelet counts, hematocrit readings and RBC counts (red blood cells).

Easy Liver Cleanse
I should mention also that in addition to the castor oil packs most of those I talked to are also drinking a combination of olive oil and lemon juice to further stimulate lymphatic flow and liver activity. It can be made by blending the following:

1 clean whole lemon, (pulp, rind, seeds and all)
1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
1 1/2 cups of distilled water
4 rounded tablespoons of frozen orange juice concentrate

The blended material is then strained through a wire strainer to remove the pulp, which is discarded. The remaining liquid is divided in four equal portions of approximately 1/4 cup each and a portion is consumed with each of the three daily meals and before bedtime.

In addition to stimulating lymphatic flow, the drink increases the flow of bile from the liver and gallbladder, which, in turn, enhances one's ability to digest essential fatty acids through the Peyer's patches in the small intestine. It is not uncommon for AIDS patients to experience weight gain and a reversal of a long list of complaints often associated with fatty acid deficiencies.

Buying Castor Oil
Any oil that enters your body either orally or through the skin needs to be of the highest quality. Castor oil is no different. Check your local health food store for cold-pressed castor oil.

Conclusion
In his readings, Cayce attributed several actions to castor oil. Most were in one way or another related to the body's lymphatic system. However, he also alluded to the idea that castor oil has a vibrational quality that helps harmonize and promote healing within body cells. Based on statements like these, many people labeled his psychic readings as quackery. As we gain new knowledge about the workings of the human body, however, these explanations don't seem so far fetched.

Dr. Johanna Budwig has related much of the healing properties of flax oil to its unique chemical bonds that vibrate at the same frequency as the wavelengths of sunlight. She feels the essential fatty acids in flax oil have the ability to absorb and store the energy from sunlight. It's possible that the special bonding in castor oil's unique ricinoleic acid works in a somewhat related method.

Regardless of exactly how it works, I think you'll be more than satisfied when you experience the amazing feats that can be accomplished with the simple oil of the castor bean. Centuries ago the castor bean plant was referred to as the "Palma Christe." It was called this because the shape of the plant's leaves were thought to resemble the palm of Christ. Knowing the healing power of this plant, the name may be one of the most accurate descriptions ever.

EWG's Dirty Dozen List for 2011

Juanita Watson — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 16:16:45 +0000

Wondering which produce is best purchased organically? The Environmental Working Group recently released it's 2011 list for the Dirtiest and Cleanest produce. This is a well recognized guide to the most and least contaminated fruits and vegetables. Consult this link on your next visit to the grocery store.

http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

Skin as an Organ of Elimination for Waste and Toxins (by Khadija Hawkes,http://healthyyears.org, 6/5/11)

Juanita Watson — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 14:49:13 +0000

The skin is your body’s largest organ, with an estimated size of two square yards. Along with the liver, kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, colon, and blood, the skin works to remove built up toxins and waste from your system, maintaining optimal health.

In order for the process to work efficiently, proper care must be taken to ensure that the skin is healthy and uncongested. If the skin is not properly filling its role of eliminating harmful materials, there can be a buildup of uric acid and other harmful elements under the skin. These elements harm the body from the inside often causing gout, loss of skin elasticity, and an increase in blemishes and wrinkles.

Also, the inability of the skin to filter impurities means that other organs of elimination have to work extra hard to fill the void. Over a prolonged period of time, this may overtax those organs, leading to additional health problems. Conversely, if the other organs, such as the kidneys or lymphatic system are malfunctioning, this puts extra pressure on the skin to remove impurities. If you have poor skin health, your skin may not be up to the task. This can been seen in the form of puffy, swollen skin-especially in the face, acne or other skin blemishes, clogged pores, and poor skin color and tone.

The condition of your skin is largely related to your inner health and diet. Adopting a lifestyle and dietary changes that support internal health helps considerably in optimizing the skin’s function and allowing it to appear its best. Some ways to enhance the detoxification capacity of your skin are:

Drinking pure water is one of the best ways to continuously flush your skin and keep the pathways of elimination open. Water cleanses, heals, and refreshes your skin from the inside out. Water is a key ingredient in skin’s beauty and health.
Therapeutic sweating works to open the skin’s pores and freely allow the escape of toxins. Partaking in a steam bath or sauna is an excellent way to cleans and strengthen your skin.
Skin problems are often traced to an issue in the colon. The retention of excess impacted fecal matter pollutes your system and the affects of this can be seen in the skin. Colonic Hydrotherapy, Enemas, or Herbal cleansing agents help to remove old waste you’re your body and considerably brighten dull, blemished, or clogged skin.
If you have been diagnoses with a sluggish elimination system, natural therapies such as juice fasting and increasing the amount of raw foods you consume can help considerably.

By understanding the varied roles of the skin, it is possible to maximize its efficiency and promote a healthy, vital appearance for years to come.

References:

Dr. Ellen Jensen. The Skin:Our Largest Organ of Elimination. (2005) http://corerelease.com/TheSkin.pdf

Charles O’Palmerson. A 2 Z of Health Beauty and Fitness. Detoxification and Your Health: The Body’s 7 Channels of Elimination. (2010). http://health.learninginfo.org/detoxification2.htm

Natural Ways to Protect Your Skin Against Sunburn and Sunlight-Related Damage (by Dr. Ben Kim, www.drbenkim.com 6/5/11)

Juanita Watson — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 13:45:33 +0000

Skin cancer is now the most common type of cancer in the United States and in most first world nations. In the U.S. alone, more than one million new cases of skin cancer are expected in 2009.

With growing awareness of the importance of being smart about sun exposure, how is it that skin cancer is on the rise?

Part of the answer to this question likely lies in the growing trends of eating heavily processed foods and failing to acquire restful sleep. Most corners of our world thirst for convenience and stimulation, and regularly indulging in both can't be good for skin cancer rates.

Another part of the answer may involve the potentially harmful chemicals that are found in many commercial sunscreen formulas. It's true - some sunscreen lotions may be contributing to the development of skin cancers that they are intended to protect against. This hypothesis is partially supported by studies that indicate that the greatest rise in melanoma has occurred in nations where chemical sunscreens are heavily promoted and used.

Organizations like The Environmental Working Group have identified the following common sunscreen ingredients as being potentially harmful to human health:

Octocrylene
PABA
Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC)
Benzophenone-3
4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC)
Homosalate

If you've been using a sunscreen or sunblock product that contains one or more of these ingredients, there's no need to be overly alarmed; the potential dangers that are associated with use of these ingredients are mostly drawn from in vitro animal studies that don't provide conclusive proof that these ingredients can cause skin cancer.

But it is prudent to be aware that sunscreen lotions that contain any of the ingredients above are not the safest and healthiest choices to protect you against sunburn and sunlight-induced skin damage.

The vast majority of synthetic chemicals found in sunscreen lotions can potentially damage your skin by increasing the number of free radicals that are generated throughout the many layers of your skin.

Take, for example, octocrylene - a clear, odorless, and slightly oily compound that is found in many brands of sunscreen. When applied to your skin, octocrylene can seep into the lower layers of your skin, where it can interact with ultraviolet rays from the sun, resulting in free radical production.

Free radicals have the potential to damage the DNA found in your cells, and if allowed to create ongoing damage, can contribute to the development of skin cancer.

Keep in mind that you're exposed to free radicals just about every moment of every day from the foods that you eat. Also, all of your cells actually produce free radicals on a regular basis, partly to help defend you against toxins, waste products, and microorganisms.

But you definitely don't want to expose your body to unnecessary helpings of free radicals via sunscreens that are loaded with synthetic ingredients.

So What Should You Do To Protect Yourself Against Sunburn and Sun-Related Skin Damage?

First, be aware that getting some sunlight on your skin can be immensely helpful to your health, mainly because UV-B rays in sunlight converts cholesterol found in your skin into vitamin D.

And ensuring adequate vitamin D status is essential to experiencing optimal health; every organ system in your body requires an adequate vitamin D level to function properly.

Today, vitamin D deficiency is actually one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in developed nations, most likely because the general public has been taught to be afraid of the sun.

The key to using sunlight to promote optimal vitamin D status is to be mindful of not getting burned. When your body has enough vitamin D to fuel its needs, it shuts off the mechanism that allows UV-B rays to convert cholesterol to vitamin D, so relying on healthy exposure to sunlight is actually the very best way to ensure healthy vitamin D status.

Second, when you're out and about and the sun is strong enough to cause you to burn, make good use of clothing and a hat that provide protection against UV rays. A good UV-hat, long sleeve shirt, and light pants go a long way in protecting your skin against sun-related damage.

Third, try to limit the amount of time you spend outdoors on extremely hot days and when the sun feels hottest - usually between 11 am and 2 or 3 pm.

Fourth, when you have to be out in conditions that can cause a sunburn and you can't rely on clothing and natural shade to protect your skin, use a natural sunscreen that relies on natural physical (not chemical) blockers and other all-natural ingredients to protect your skin against sun damage.

The natural sunscreen formula that Margaret and I use for ourselves and our children consists of the following ingredients:

Natural Sunscreen Lotion Inactive Ingredients:

Green Tea Extract - is an excellent source of naturally occurring antioxidants, and is thought to help protect skin cells against sunlight-induced damage.

Shea Butter - is a highly effective, plant-based skin moisturizer.

Eucalyptus Oil - is an essential oil that moisturizes the skin and facilitates absorption of other healthy oils into your skin to help promote optimal skin tone.

Coconut Oil - is rich in healthy fatty acids that having soothing and moisturizing properties; coconut oil by itself is a highly recommended full body moisturizer.

Sunflower Oil - is also a plant-based oil that aids in moisturizing the skin.

Jojoba Oil - is a natural plant product that softens and soothes the skin - it's most commonly used to address or prevent dry or scaling skin.

Lecithin - is a natural plant compound that helps keep the skin hydrated and also acts to keep the skin baby soft.

Glycerine - is also a fragrance-free, natural compound that helps the skin maintain a healthy balance of water in its cells and cell membranes.

Xanthan Gum - is a natural plant compound that has hydrating properties and helps keep all of the healthy oils in this formula together.

Vitamin E (Tocopheryl acetate) - is included as a natural preservative.

Vitamin A - is also included as natural preservative. When applied topically, vitamin A is thought to keep skin cells healthy, optimally hydrated, and resistant to damage by sunlight and free radicals.

Natural Sunscreen Lotion Active Ingredients:

Zinc Oxide and Titanium Oxide - are both mineral compounds that can be found in nature. They're both fine white powders that act as physical blockers that prevent UV-A and UV-B rays from damaging the skin. Both are micronized forms, meaning that they're fine enough that they don't look goopy on the skin, but not nano-fine enough to potentially get absorbed into your bloodstream.

Together, all of the natural ingredients in our all-natural sunscreen lotion combine to form a water-resistant, hypoallergenic, and highly effective sunblock that's safe to use on kids and adults alike.

It smells quite pleasant, and is completely free of harsh chemicals. It's also free of nanoparticles.

The Bottom Line

So long as you don't get burned, it's good for you to get some sunlight exposure on your skin.

When circumstances require that you stay outdoors for an extended period of time, your best first line of defense against sun-related skin damage is a hat with a wide brim, appropriate clothing, and shade if available.

Whenever you need extra protection against potentially damaging UV-A and UV-B rays, use a sunscreen lotion that relies on physical rather than chemical blockers, and that is free of harsh chemicals that may do more harm than good to your skin and overall health.

Coffee enemas, fruits and vegetables heal woman of cancer!

Juanita Watson — Fri, 20 May 2011 13:32:19 +0000

This is an incredible video relating the incredible healing capacity of colon and liver cleansing, chlorophyll, fruits, vegetables and herbs. Take some time to really watch Ines give her testimony. There is a wealth of information here, and you don't have to have cancer to adopt the cleansing/detoxification principals she talks about.

Clinical Study ALERT-Anxiety may be in your GUT, not in your head! (retrieved from www.icontact-archive.com, 5/17/11)

Juanita Watson — Wed, 18 May 2011 14:51:34 +0000

Hamilton, ON (May 17, 2011) - For the first time, researchers at McMaster University have conclusive evidence that bacteria residing in the gut influence brain chemistry and behaviour.
The findings are important because several common types of gastrointestinal disease, including irritable bowel syndrome, are frequently associated with anxiety or depression. In addition there has been speculation that some psychiatric disorders, such as late onset autism, may be associated with an abnormal bacterial content in the gut.

Read this fascinating article here...

Gluten: What You Don’t Know Might Kill You (Article printed from DrHyman.com: http://drhyman.com 4/4/11)

Juanita Watson — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 13:08:23 +0000

SOMETHING YOU’RE EATING may be killing you, and you probably don’t even know it! If you eat cheeseburgers or French fries all the time or drink six sodas a day, you likely know you are shortening your life. But eating a nice dark, crunchy slice of whole wheat bread–how could that be bad for you? Well, bread contains gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, rye, spelt, kamut, and oats. It is hidden in pizza, pasta, bread, wraps, rolls, and most processed foods. Clearly, gluten is a staple of the American diet. What most people don’t know is that gluten can cause serious health complications for many. You may be at risk even if you don’t have full blown celiac disease. I want to reveal the truth about gluten, explain the dangers, and provide you with a simple system that will help you determine whether or not gluten is a problem for you.

The Dangers of Gluten

A recent large study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that people with diagnosed, undiagnosed, and “latent” celiac disease or gluten sensitivity had a higher risk of death, mostly from heart disease and cancer. (i)

This study looked at almost 30,000 patients from 1969 to 2008 and examined deaths in three groups: Those with full-blown celiac disease, those with inflammation of their intestine but not full-blown celiac disease, and those with latent celiac disease or gluten sensitivity (elevated gluten antibodies but negative intestinal biopsy).

The findings were dramatic. There was a 39 percent increased risk of death in those with celiac disease, 72 percent increased risk in those with gut inflammation related to gluten, and 35 percent increased risk in those with gluten sensitivity but no celiac disease.

This is ground-breaking research that proves you don’t have to have full-blown celiac disease with a positive intestinal biopsy (which is what conventional thinking tells us) to have serious health problems and complications–even death–from eating gluten.

Yet an estimated 99 percent of people who have a problem with eating gluten don’t even know it. They ascribe their ill health or symptoms to something else–not gluten sensitivity, which is 100 percent curable.

And here’s some more shocking news …

Another study comparing the blood of 10,000 people from 50 years ago to 10,000 people today found that the incidences of full-blown celiac disease increased by 400 percent (elevated TTG antibodies) during that time period. (ii) If we saw a 400 percent increase in heart disease or cancer, this would be headline news. But we hear almost nothing about this. I will explain why I think that increase has occurred in a moment. First, let’s explore the economic cost of this hidden epidemic.

The most serious form of allergy to gluten, celiac disease, affects one in 100 people, or three million Americans, most of who don’t know they have it.

Undiagnosed gluten problems cost the American healthcare system oodles of money. Dr. Peter Green, Professor of Clinical Medicine for the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University studied all 10 million subscribers to CIGNA and found those who were correctly diagnosed with celiac disease used fewer medical services and reduced their healthcare costs by more than 30 perecnt. (iii) The problem is that only one percent of those with the problem were actually diagnosed. That means 99 percent are walking around suffering without knowing it, costing the healthcare system millions of dollars.

And it’s not just a few who suffer, but millions. Far more people have gluten sensitivity than you think–especially those who are chronically ill. The most serious form of allergy to gluten, celiac disease, affects one in 100 people, or three million Americans, most of who don’t know they have it. But milder forms of gluten sensitivity are even more common and may affect up to one-third of the American population.

Why haven’t you heard much about this?

Well, actually you have, but you just don’t realize it. Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity masquerade as dozens and dozens of other diseases with different names.

Gluten Sensitivity: One Cause, Many Diseases

A review paper in The New England Journal of Medicine listed 55 “diseases” that can be caused by eating gluten. (iv) These include osteoporosis, irritable bowel disease, inflammatory bowel disease, anemia, cancer, fatigue, canker sores, (v) and rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis, and almost all other autoimmune diseases. Gluten is also linked to many psychiatric (vi) and neurological diseases, including anxiety, depression ^[2], (vii) schizophrenia, (viii) dementia, (ix) migraines ^[3], epilepsy, and neuropathy (nerve damage). (x) It has also been linked to autism ^[4].(ix)

We used to think that gluten problems or celiac disease were confined to children who had diarrhea, weight loss, and failure to thrive. Now we know you can be old, fat, and constipated and still have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity.

Gluten sensitivity is actually an autoimmune disease that creates inflammation throughout the body, with wide-ranging effects across all organ systems including your brain, heart, joints, digestive tract, and more. It can be the single cause behind many different “diseases.” To correct these diseases, you need to treat the cause–which is often gluten sensitivity–not just the symptoms.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that ALL cases of depression or autoimmune disease or any of these other problems are caused by gluten in everyone–but it is important to look for it if you have any chronic illness.

By failing to identify gluten sensitivity and celiac disease, we create needless suffering and death for millions of Americans. Health problems caused by gluten sensitivity cannot be treated with better medication. They can only be resolved by eliminating 100 percent of the gluten from your diet.

The question that remains is: Why are we so sensitive to this “staff of life,” the staple of our diet?

There are many reasons …

They include our lack of genetic adaptation to grasses, and particularly gluten, in our diet. Wheat was introduced into Europe during the Middle Ages, and 30 percent of people of European descent carry the gene for celiac disease (HLA DQ2 or HLA DQ8), (xii) which increases susceptibility to health problems from eating gluten.

American strains of wheat have a much higher gluten content (which is needed to make light, fluffy Wonder Bread and giant bagels) than those traditionally found in Europe. This super-gluten was recently introduced into our agricultural food supply and now has “infected” nearly all wheat strains in America.

To find out if you are one of the millions of people suffering from an unidentified gluten sensitivity, just follow this simple procedure.

The Elimination/Reintegration Diet

While testing can help identify gluten sensivity, the only way you will know if this is really a problem for you is to eliminate all gluten for a short period of time (2 to 4 weeks) and see how you feel. Get rid of the following foods:

Gluten (barley, rye, oats, spelt, kamut, wheat, triticale–see www.celiac.com for a complete list of foods that contain gluten, as well as often surprising and hidden sources of gluten.)
Hidden sources (soup mixes, salad dressings, sauces, as well as lipstick, certain vitamins, medications, stamps and envelopes you have to lick, and even Play-Doh.)

For this test to work you MUST eliminate 100 percent of the gluten from your diet–no exceptions, no hidden gluten, and not a single crumb of bread.

Then eat it again and see what happens. If you feel bad at all, you need to stay off gluten permanently. This will teach you better than any test about the impact gluten has on your body.

But if you are still interested in testing, here are some things to keep in mind.

Testing for Gluten Sensitivity or Celiac Disease

There are gluten allergy/celiac disease tests that are available through Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics. All these tests help identify various forms of allergy or sensitivity to gluten or wheat. They will look for:

IgA anti-gliadin antibodies
IgG anti-gliadin antibodies
IgA anti-endomysial antibodies
Tissue transglutaminase antibody (IgA and IgG in questionable cases)
Total IgA antibodies
HLA DQ2 and DQ8 genotyping for celiac disease (used occasionally to detect genetic suspectibility).
Intestinal biopsy (rarely needed if gluten antibodies are positive–based on my interpretation of the recent study)

When you get these tests, there are a few things to keep in mind.

In light of the new research on the dangers of gluten sensitivity without full blown celiac disease, I consider any elevation of antibodies significant and worthy of a trial of gluten elimination. Many doctors consider elevated anti-gliadin antibodies in the absence of a positive intestinal biopsy showing damage to be “false positives.” That means the test looks positive but really isn’t significant.

We can no longer say that. Positive is positive and, as with all illness, there is a continuum of disease, from mild gluten sensitivity to full-blown celiac disease. If your antibodies are elevated, you should go off gluten and test to see if it is leading to your health problems.

So now you see–that piece of bread may not be so wholesome after all! Follow the advice I’ve shared with you today to find out if gluten may be the hidden cause of your health problems. Simply eliminating this insidious substnace from your diet, may help you achieve lifelong vibrant health.

Now I’d like to hear from you …

Are you one of the millions that have been lead to believe gluten is perfectly safe to eat?

How do foods that contain gluten seem to affect you?

What tips can you share with others about eliminating gluten from your diet?

Please let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.

References:(i) Ludvigsson JF, Montgomery SM, Ekbom A, Brandt L, Granath F. Small-intestinal histopathology and mortality risk in celiac disease. JAMA. 2009 Sep 16;302(11):1171-8.

(ii) Rubio-Tapia A, Kyle RA, Kaplan EL, Johnson DR, Page W, Erdtmann F, Brantner TL, Kim WR, Phelps TK, Lahr BD, Zinsmeister AR, Melton LJ 3rd, Murray JA. Increased prevalence and mortality in undiagnosed celiac disease. Gastroenterology. 2009 Jul;137(1):88-93

(iii) Green PH, Neugut AI, Naiyer AJ, Edwards ZC, Gabinelle S, Chinburapa V. Economic benefits of increased diagnosis of celiac disease in a national managed care population in the United States. J Insur Med. 2008;40(3-4):218-28.

(iv) Farrell RJ, Kelly CP. Celiac sprue. N Engl J Med. 2002 Jan 17;346(3):180-8. Review.

(v) Sedghizadeh PP, Shuler CF, Allen CM, Beck FM, Kalmar JR. Celiac disease and recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a report and review of the literature. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2002;94(4):474-478.

(vi) Margutti P, Delunardo F, Ortona E. Autoantibodies associated with psychiatric disorders. Curr Neurovasc Res. 2006 May;3(2):149-57. Review.

(vii) Ludvigsson JF, Reutfors J, Osby U, Ekbom A, Montgomery SM. Coeliac disease and risk of mood disorders–a general population-based cohort study. J Affect Disord. 2007 Apr;99(1-3):117-26. Epub 2006 Oct 6.

(viii) Ludvigsson JF, Osby U, Ekbom A, Montgomery SM. Coeliac disease and risk of schizophrenia and other psychosis: a general population cohort study. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2007 Feb;42(2):179-85.

(ix) Hu WT, Murray JA, Greenaway MC, Parisi JE, Josephs KA. Cognitive impairment and celiac disease. Arch Neurol. 2006 Oct;63(10):1440-6.

(x) Bushara KO. Neurologic presentation of celiac disease. Gastroenterology. 2005 Apr;128(4 Suppl 1):S92-7. Review.

(xi) Millward C, Ferriter M, Calver S, Connell-Jones G. Gluten- and casein-free diets for autistic spectrum disorder. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2004;(2):CD003498. Review.

(xii) Green PH, Jabri B. Coeliac disease. Lancet. 2003 Aug 2;362(9381):383-91. Review.

Coconut Water - Nature's Finest Beverage

Juanita Watson — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 16:08:12 +0000

COCONUT WATER is a natural isotonic beverage filled with immune boosting vitamins and nutrients. It is high in electrolytes (potassium, calcium, and magnesium) and is a perfect alternative to sugary sports drinks. Coconut water balances body ph, helps detoxification, fights viruses, increases metabolism and weight loss, improves intestinal health, increases energy, improves circulation, flushes the kidneys, prevents hypertension, and controls diabetes. Young coconuts are available in almost every supermarket, and are very easy to get into with a cleaver. One of my favorite foods!