According the Journal Science (296: 1313-1316), Vitamin D can reduce colon cancer risk by helping the body get rid of its own highly toxic digestive acid.
In Western countries like the U.S. diets are rich in red meat and animal fat.To digest these foods the body needs to make lithocholic acid.According to Dr. Mangelsdorf, it is one of the most toxic compounds that the body makes on its own. Studies show that if you inject lithocholic acid into an animal’s colon, that animal will get colon cancer.
We deal with this toxic acid by detoxifying it.It turns out that the body uses the vitamin D receptor to do this.
Vitamin D also helps the body absorb calcium which helps to keep healthy, strong bones.
People with Celiac disease are forced to eat a gluten free diet. Celiac disease is a life long enetic disorder that affects both children and adults. In celiacs, eating foods with gluten will cause a toxic reaction that will damage the small intestines. This condition decreases the aborbtion of nutrients and can lead to a variety of other hrealth problems.
Gluten is a general name for certain kinds of proteins that are found in some of the most common cereal grains like wheaat, barley, rye and their deriviatves.
Grains that are safe for those who follow a gluten free diet are rice, corn, soy, potato, tapioca, beans, garfava, sorghum, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, arrowroot, amaranth, teff, montina, flax and nut flours.
Grains that should always be avoided are all kinds of wheat, rye, barly and triticale. Oats typicly contain gluten as well.
Look for future articles and recipes on gluten free food.
It is estimated that around half of all Americans over the age of fifty suffer from hemorrhoids.Thankfully, they are not life threatening or very dangerous, but at the same time, they are not pleasant to experience.
Hemorrhoids occur when the tiny blood vessels that are in and around the anus swell and stretch from pressure.They can be found under the skin surrounding the anus which is called external hemorrhoids or they can be found inside the anus which is called internal hemorrhoids.
Perhaps the most common cause of hemorrhoids is excessive straining during bowel movements.Hemorrhoids are also common during pregnancy.Other causes of hemorrhoids are prolonged periods of sitting, heavy lifting, and genetic predispositions.
The most tell tale symptom of hemorrhoids is bright red blood mixed with a bowel movement.Other common symptoms are itching, skin irritation, discomfort and pain of the anus.
Many who often suffer from hemorrhoids report that a high fiber diet with plenty of fluids can help to prevent hemorrhoids because the fiber and fluids will help to soften the stool for easier passage.It is also recommended to avoid straining during bowel movements as this will bring about less pressure on the blood vessels near the anus.
Many choose to use natural supplements to help to cure their hemorrhoids.Horse chestnut is an herb that will help to tone blood vessels and improve their elasticity and reduce inflammation.Taking 500 mgs three times a day is the recommended dosage.
Butcher’s broom will help to strengthen the blood vessels and improve circulations.Try 100 mgs three times a day.
Supplementing vitamin E can help to bring oxygen to the tissues and promote healing.Vitamin E can be used both topically and internally.For internal usage try 400-800 IU daily.
Supplementing vitamin C with bioflavonoids will help to increase collagen production which will help to heal and strengthen blood vessels.They will also help to increase the elasticity of the blood vessels.Try 1-2,000 mg of vitamin C along with 500-1,000 mg of bioflavonoids.
Have you ever had the hiccups? My wife and I had company over last weekend and my wife’s friend from work had the hiccups. She was embarrassed that they would not go away and she wanted to know if anyone had a cure for the hiccups.
We joked around and someone said Boo pretending to scare her as one old wives tale goes for curing the hiccups. I decided to do a search on the Internet to see if I could find a cure for the hiccups.
We found the following and we were a little surprised to see that it worked! I must say as a disclaimer that I do not guarantee that this will work for everyone and that if you have any specific health condition that prevents you from holding your breath than you may not want to try it. That said, here is the “cure for the hiccups”. that I found on the Web at cognital.com
Step 1: Start by inhaling through your mouth until your lungs feel full (when it feels like you cannot inhale any more). For overall best results, try to do this as quickly as you can. DO NOT LET ANY AIR OUT.
Step 2: Swallow. You are not really swallowing anything but it seems that without this act, it doesn’t work. DO NOT LET ANY AIR OUT.
Step 3: Now inhale some more. You don’t need to inhale a lot, but do get some more air in. It will start to get difficult to do this as you go, but keep trying. You obviously can’t suck in as much air as you did initially, but just a little will do (think of it as taking a “sip” of air). DO NOT LET ANY AIR OUT.
Step 4: Swallow again. This too will start to get difficult as you go. DO NOT LET ANY AIR OUT.
Step 5: Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you cannot swallow again. While it seems you can almost always suck in just a little more air, it is the swallowing that gets to be impossible. When you feel like you cannot swallow again, swallow again anyway. It will be hard to do, your face will probably turn red, and you may make squeaking sounds. But you CAN swallow one last time. By this time, your lungs should also be quite full and it should be difficult to get much more air in as well. While you should try not to let any air out, if you have really repeated steps 3 and 4 as many times as you can, you probably will end up letting a little out before you can take that last swallow. If you find that air keeps escaping out of your nose even early in the process, try squeezing it shut with your fingers.
Do certain foods make you gassy?This is a common problem for many people, especially after eating beans, whole grains or raw vegetables.
If you suffer from this problem, you have two options.The first is to avoid the foods that give you the problem.This can be difficult and make it hard to find anything to eat.Especially when eating out or when you are a guest and don’t want to be rude refusing the dinner that someone has prepared for you.
A better option is to try Beano.This product really works, its as easy as taking two little tablets before a meal that would ordinarily cause you gas.Just take Beano and your gas will be gone!.
Beano works because it contains a certain enzyme, alpha-galactosidase.This enzyme is derived from a natural source and you will find that it helps your body to break down and digest the foods which ordinarily would cause you gas.
In out last post we talked about healthy breakfasts. In this post we will be talking about a food that may be harming your child at lunch that you are not aware of. That food is the peanut. That peanut butter and jelly sandwich that you pack in your child’s lunchbox may be harming your little one, or could be putting another child at risk.
Believe it or not, both day cares and schools across the nation are debating whether or not to ban peanuts and peanut products from school lunch rooms. There is nothing personal about this traditional snack food, but rather there has been an increase the number of children with peanut allergies.
According to Anne Munoz-Furlong, the founder and CEO of The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, “From 1997-2002, peanut allergies in children doubled.”
It is estimated that the number of Americans with food allergies has increased from 6 million to 12 million from 1997-2002. Part of this may be due to better access to medical attention and testing which can result to a real improvement to the health of individuals instead of being chronically sick for their entire lifetimes.
There are many theories on why there is an increase in allergies. Some believe it is because of genetically engineering our food, others believe it is because we are way too clean and that our obsession with killing all germs is weakening our immune systems.
For our children, dealing with a peanut allergy can be difficult. It is important to know that it is best to refuse foods which may potentially contain peanuts. For some, eating foods which have even come in contact with peanuts can cause a severe reaction. In fact, back in 2005, a teenager in Canada died after kissing her boyfriend who had just eaten a peanut snack. This just demonstrated how we need to be diligent in what foods we put in our bodies.
Let’s face it, we all have busy lives. With school starting back up it is easy to become too rushed in the morning and not have time to make sure that you kids have time for a healthy breakfast to start the day.
We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, yet it is so easily overlooked. We are pressed for time, and our kids somehow think that they can be productive at school without having a good breakfast.
A good breakfast is one that will give your child the fuel needed to help them pay attention and to learn at school. This means that the breakfast should be a blend of complex carbohydrates like whole grains and fruits combined with some protein like eggs, seeds or nuts. Actually, it is a good idea to try out a variety of foods including grains, proteins, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products like milk, cheese or yogurt.
If you find yourself rushing out the door and accidently do not have time for a planned out breakfast, a quick breakfast can be yogurt and fruit, whole grain muffins, or even a mix of seeds, nuts, dried fruits and pretzels or granola.
This means that a good breakfast that breakfast has to be more than just a sugar cereal, or a toaster pastry. Take the time to prepare for a healthy breakfast and it can make a big difference in your child’s behavior and education.
Constipation is an unpleasant experience that results in difficulty of passing stools and or incomplete or infrequent passage of stools. There are many causes of constipation which include poor diet, lack of exercise, abuse of laxatives, and even something as simple as ignoring the body when it tells you that nature is calling.
There are many home remedies for constipation that work great and are easy to incorporate. Many choose to choose a natural treatment for constipation rather than going on a prescription drug.
One of the best ways to cure constipation is to eat a high fiber diet. An increase in dietary fiber can increase both the frequency and the quantity of bowel movements as well as decrease the time it takes for a stool to pass. A high fiber diet also will decrease the absorption of toxins from the stool and has been shown to be a preventive factor in several diseases. Some of the best fibers to choose are soluble fibers such as bran which can increase stool size and weight due to their water binding properties.
Psyllium seed husks are an excellent source of fiber and work as a bulk laxative. Psyllium works as a defecation stimulant. As a bulking agent, psyllium hold water in the stool and add bulk which stimulates the large intestines natural contractions which can lead to more frequent bowel movements. The typical dose is one or two rounded teaspoons after meals or before bed with a full glass of water.
Cascara sacrada has a long history of being used as a laxative. Cascara sagrada works by increasing peristalsis which is the muscular activity of the colon. This herb is considered safe to use but it is advised not to use it long term as it can cause dependence.
Many may find relief from constipation by drinking more water. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is enough for many to have more frequent bowel movements.
Others find relief by exercising. Exercising for at least 20 minutes three times per week can increase metabolism and peristalsis which can bring about ease from constipation.
Additional bacterial flora or probiotics in the colon can help to stop or prevent constipation. Our intestines and colon have both good and bad bacteria and this is actually part of what is in our stool. When you add good bacteria to your diet, you body eliminates the bad bacteria and in doing this can help to bring about bowel movements that are both more frequent and more productive.
Constipation is a common problem. But if you follow the above home remedies for constipation you may find your sell feeling better in no time.
Aloe vera is an amazing plant with incredible healing properties. Most people are aware of what an effective skin healer and moisturizer the plant is. But an overlooked aspect to the healing properties of aloe vera is when the juice is ingested.
When ingested as aloe vera juice, look for a product that is at least 98% pure aloe vera. The juice is excellent for healing and soothing stomach disorders, especially ulcers, constipation, hemorrhoids, colitis, rectal itching, and all colon problems.
Other benefits of drinking aloe vera juice are that it can help to lower cholesterol, reduce inflammation and increase the generation of blood vessels in the extremities of those who have poor circulation.
A powerful effect that aloe vera juice can have on the digestive track is that it can help to return stools to normal no matter if you are constipated or if you have diarrhea.
The leader in the aloe vera juice industry is the company Lily of the Desert. They make an aloe vera juice that is 99.7% pure organic aloe vera . Lily of the Deserts Stomach Formula is specially blended to aid in digestion and to sooth the stomach and digestive track.
Here is a nice video that basically explains the importance of digestive enzymes. In the video, she briefly mentions plant based enzymes.
It can be confusing for a person who is looking to take digestive enzymes. There are plant based enzymes, animal based enzymes, and enzymes like papaya and bromelain.
While papaya enzymes and bromelain are enzymes from plants, they are really better for inflammation than improving digestion. If you suffer from an upset stomach, taking papaya or bromelain may help to relieve these symptoms.
Animal based enzymes tend to be proteolytic enzymes. These animal based enzymes are also great for inflammation. They help to block the process that can lead to inflammatory pain. Many choose to take these animal based enzymes for arthritis, strains, sprains, or sports injuries.
Plant based enzymes are the superior enzyme for digestion. These can survive the stomach and continue working into the intestines where most of the nutrient absorption takes place. Plant based enzymes are also good for digesting an entire meal. They work to break down and help absorb carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
According the Journal Science (296: 1313-1316), Vitamin D can reduce colon cancer risk by helping the body get rid of its own highly toxic digestive acid. 
Have you ever had the hiccups? My wife and I had company over last weekend and my wife’s friend from work had the hiccups. She was embarrassed that they would not go away and she wanted to know if anyone had a cure for the hiccups.
