Better Health Naturally

I receive many questions about the many different natural health supplements and products now available through network marketing.  Almost all of them are presented as “the” answer for all of your health problems.

            First, remember that I believe that food is your first medicine.  The master chemist that developed these medicines was the Lord himself.  He is the perfect chemist.  When you eat an apple it contains the precise amount of vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, enzymes, fiber, and water to make it a perfect food.  And who knows what is in an apple that hasn’t even been discovered yet?  We think we know everything now, but the more we learn, the more obvious it becomes, we certainly do not know everything. 

           Second, food processing removes many of these nutrients, making them empty calories.  The food processing industry’s answer to this problem is to add synthetic or manufactured nutrients back in and call the food enriched or enhanced.  These synthetic nutrients are not easily used by the body and at the very least leave us mal-nourished.  Then, we over cook most food destroying the enzymes God put there to aid our digestion.  

          One thing I know for sure is that there is no single product that is “the” miracle for every single person.  Recently most of the questions I am getting are about the many fruit juices that are bottled and sold through network marketing.  All fruits contain antioxidants that are anti-aging and anti inflammatory.  If you hurt, chances are if you make one of your meals every day a big bowl of a variety of raw fruits, some, if not all of your pain will go away.  But, remember, there is no one miracle that works for every single person.  If what you need is an anti inflammatory, then the fruit will help.  However, if you suffer from some sort of yeast/fungus infection that much concentrated sugar (from juice) might actually make you worse. 

           Remember, raw food is one of the best ways to have Better Health, Naturally.

What is a virus?  Virus is the Latin word for poison.  Since the beginning of time, people have been plagued with viruses.   They seem to come and go causing epidemics and outbreaks that make many people sick and in some instances cause death.  A virus is simply a clump of DNA material contained within a protein coating.   And, unlike bacteria, they can only become active inside a live host.

Viruses are smaller than bacteria and have the bad habit of going dormant, to reappear later causing worse symptoms with each outbreak.  Some examples of viruses are rhinovirus (common cold), hepatitis, Epstein-bar, ebola, HIV, influenza(flu). 

Timing seems to be very important in treating viruses.  They go through several stages, including the dormant stage, and can morph into stronger strains with each generation.  They are difficult to diagnose and are a challenge to fight.

They all attack the immune system.  So, to naturally fight these viruses, prevention is the best course.  If your immune system is strong, there is a very good chance that you will kill the virus in your system before it causes any symptoms or at the very least, the symptoms will be mild.  A doctor on the Discovery channel was lecturing on this very topic one day and said that the human immune system has all of the DNA codes to all of the viruses.  If every individual would strengthen their immune system, that would be the best way to prevent sicknesses caused by viruses.

Your first line of defense includes skin and mucus membranes, sweat glands, hyaloronic acid, saliva and mucus, stomach acid, gut flora (pro-biotics such as acidophilus), and your bio-electric field.

Our space is limited, but don’t put your fingers in your eyes, nose or ears, wash your hands often, use a dry sauna or do aerobic exercise to sweat, take enzymes (they can break down that protein coating), take a quality pro-biotics with several of the good bacteria and get plenty of rest.  Also, keep in mind there are many wonderful herbs and supplements that build the immune system. All of these things work together to give you Better Health, Naturally.

I just received a phone call from a chiropractor in Colorado and we were discussing the epidemic that we both are seeing.  More and more people are suffering from allergy symptoms such as sinus infection/drainage, itching, dry skin, blotchy, red skin, headaches, brain fog and aching, sore joints.  We both had in the past just treated the symptoms with allergy treatments using a method called NAET.  NAET uses muscle response testing using hundreds of vials, determining the specific allergies, and then using a low level laser on acupuncture points while holding the vials to desensitize the person to the allergens.

            Even though we both have seen amazing results with this proven method, we have realized that we are only treating the symptoms and not the underlying cause of these allergies.  I no longer lead with this treatment, but test to see what infections are in the body.  It is amazing how many people I see with mold, mildew, fungus or yeast infections.  These infections can migrate to any inherent weakness in the body and cause inflammation and pain.

            In chronic cases the immune system is so over worked that the person is experiencing fatigue at a very deep level.  If you add to this a low thyroid function, you have someone who feels sick and tired all of the time, with many seemingly unconnected symptoms.

            The good news is that this can all be reversed, because we are created to be self-healing machines.  As always, food is your first medicine.  I believe that part of the reason for this epidemic is the standard American diet that feeds this infection like pouring gasoline on a fire.  You must start by eating only real food, not the processed facsimile, drink enough good, clean water, take the right herbs or homeopathics to destroy the infection, and find a strong pro-biotic to replace the good bacteria that helps to rebuild your immune system and to rediscover Better Health, Naturally. 

Is salt good for you?  First you need to understand the difference between table salt, sodium chloride, and sodium salts found in vegetables and fruits. 

            Sodium chloride is an inorganic material, basically rock, that is not found in any cell of the body.  It causes high blood pressure and should be strictly limited if someone has heart, kidney or liver disease.  Because it is an irritant to the body and in some circumstances, even a poison, the body will store it in solution in the outer extremities of the body, to protect the major organs and the blood.  That is why you tend to retain water when you eat too much salt. 

            Natural sodium on the other hand is necessary for life and is found in every cell of the body.  It is found in abundance in many foods such as tomatoes, asparagus, celery, spinach, kale, radishes, turnips, carrots, lettuce, strawberries and many others.  The word salt comes from the Latin word “salus” , meaning health.

            The sodium in our diet comes from three main sources, 1. Salt naturally present in food, 2. Salt added to processed and restaurant food, and 3. The salt we add to our own food during cooking or at the table.

            To reduce the amount of sodium chloride you are eating, 1. Remove the salt shaker from the table, 2. Cut by at least ½ the amount of salt you are adding when cooking, 3. Omit salty processed foods, 4. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead of canned, 5. Avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate).

            Also, remember to read labels.  You will be amazed at how much sodium chloride you are actually eating.  One of my family members (80 years old) totally got off of her high blood pressure medication doing two things, eliminating salt from her diet and exercise. If she can do it, you too can achieve Better Health, Naturally.

Do lemons make your stomach acid?  Many people think that lemons are very acidic.  What you have to understand is that during digestion lemons have an alkaline affect on the body.

            Lemons are a tremendous antiseptic, preventing infection and putrefaction. Not only will a lemon clean your cutting board of any impurity, it will also clean your digestive tract of all infection.  Lemon juice (fresh squeezed) is also a great liver cleanser and works as a solvent for uric acid and other poisons.

            The average size lemon contains 16 mg phosphorus, 2 mg sodium, 26 mg calcium, 138 mg potassium, 53 mg Vit C, .6 grm iron.  This makes them good for asthma, gas, colds, cough, sore throat, flu, heartburn, liver complaints, scurvy, fevers, rheumatism.

            Lemons build bones and teeth and nourish the brain and nerve cells.  To aid digestion about 1 tablespoon of juice in a cup of hot water will stimulate the stomach and liver.  A teaspoon of lemon juice in 4 oz of water might relieve heartburn.  A lemonade fast is very healing, helping the lungs, liver, stomach and pancreas.

In one quart container add the juice from 6 lemons (about 1 cup) and ¼ cup of honey then fill with distilled water.  Drink two quarts of the lemonade and 2 quarts of distilled water by bedtime. This will give you about 1200 calories, enough to do light work in a normal day.  Do this for three days.  It will balance your system and help your body to detox.

            Remember, lemons are a great way to stay healthy, naturally.

This time of year almost everyone becomes concerned about weight gain.  With all of the parties, dinners and treats that good hearted friends and relatives drop off, how do you keep your weight under control?

            The first thing you have to do is make the decision to have a good time and enjoy the season.  If you are stressed about eating, that in and of itself can cause you to not digest your food properly and therefore gain weight.  We are supposed to bless our food, and eat it for the nourishment of our bodies. 

            Try to not to nibble on sweets all day long.  Confine your eating to regular meal times and drink plenty of water in between meals.  Sweets and sugary drinks will continually stimulate your appetite and make you feel like you want to eat all day long.  Give your digestion a chance to catch up and even rest in between meals.

            At meal time eat some of anything you want.  Holidays are a special time to celebrate and if you feel deprived and sorry for yourself, you will sabotage yourself and your resolutions to stay fit and healthy.  The trick is to eat smaller amounts.  Keep in mind, while you are creating a mountain of food on your plate, that your stomach should only be about the size of your fist and you are about to stretch it beyond its limits, making digestion almost impossible and ensuring you will have gas and bloating.

            Have a great holiday, remember to bless your food and thank our Great Provider for it, eat smaller portions of anything you want, and drink lots of water in between to maintain Better Health, Naturally.

“I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree.” Psalm 37:35.  Bay Laurel is another herb that was popular in Bible times.  King David was so taken with the power and beauty of bay laurel tree that he used the aromatic bay wood for paneling his personal rooms and the bay leaves in emblems and motifs to decorate the Temple.

            Bay leaves can be used to flavor meats, fish, poultry, vegetables, soups and stews.  They are used in pickling and vinegar. The essential oil is used for baking and flavoring food products as well as in perfumery.  The fat derived from the fruit has been used in soap making and veterinary medicine.

            The leaves have been twined into wreaths since the ancient Greek and Roman Olympic games and now decorate kitchens for their aromatic and decorative beauty. 

            The essential oil from the fruit has bactericidal and fungicidal properties and historically has been used during times of epidemic to avoid infections.

            In Lebanon bay leaves and berries are extracted to relieve flatulence and act as a stomach tonic.  They also steep bay leaves and berries in brandy in the sun for several days and use the residue, after distillation, as a liniment for rheumatism and sprains.  The distillate acts to stimulate menstrual flow.

            The fruit is used in various preparations and used for facial growths or moles; fibrous tumors of the uterus and liver; hardening of soft tissue in the joints and tumors of the eyes.

 Why not grow a bay tree in your back yard?  They are beautiful, smell wonderful, taste great in soups and may offer you health benefits some day. 

What really causes arthritis, inflammation of the joints?  There can be several causes, but the most common is, of course, a lifestyle choice. 

            The most common alkalizing element that the body uses is sodium (not sodium chloride, table salt).  Sodium is found in vegetables and fruits.  The body does not store sodium, it must be consumed daily.  If the diet is very acid, the body is acid, maybe you even have acid reflux, the first concern of the body is the blood.  The blood must stay within a very narrow range of pH to keep you alive.  If your lifestyle makes you very acid, the body first looks for sodium.  If you haven’t had any fruits and vegetables that day or if you have not had enough, the next most alkaline mineral is calcium. 

            The body does store calcium.  Not only is it in every cell of the body, it is stored in great quantities in the bones and teeth.  So, guess what happens if you are eating a diet of meat, potatoes and bread and under a lot of stress?  No sodium is available and not enough calcium, therefore the body begins to rob calcium from the bones and teeth in order to keep you alive.

            Now, another aspect of this problem comes from anti-acids.  The minerals in your foods are supposed to be digested in the stomach by the hydrochloric acid secreted in glands in the stomach.  When you have an over acid stomach caused by your diet, coffee, tea, pop, fried foods, meat, grains, etc. and you aren’t producing enough HCL and pepsin to digest these already over acid foods, it burns.  If you take anti-acids they absorb the acid from the foods and then suppress the HCL glands, so that next meal you produce even less HCL which actually is making your condition worse.

            Eat your vegetables and fruits and you will hurt less, burp less and burn less, giving you Better Health, Naturally. 

Flax is a food that has been a part of my regular diet for several years now.  If you have not tried it yet, please do.  It is best if you can buy the seeds and grind it yourself.  That way you can be assured that there are no fillers, weeds, etc. in the mix.  Also, the seeds will last at least two years or more, if kept in a dark place with low humidity.  After they are ground they need to be refrigerated.  To grind your own you will need a coffee/herb grinder.  A regular blender will not work. 

            I recommend the meal instead of the oil because with the oil you only get the omega 3 fatty acid and miss out on the protein, lignans (a phyto estrogen that protects against cancer) and fiber that protects against colon cancer.

            Adults can take 1 tablespoon- ¼ cup of flax a day and it can be added to soups, salad dressings, meat loaf, cereal, etc.  It has a nutty flavor and complements almost any food.  It is also safe for children.  A teaspoon of flax oil can be given to a child for constipation.

            Flax has proven to be effective for a myriad of health problems including asthma, colon cancer, menopause, prostate cancer, and inflammation among many others.  Any time you improve colon health, you improve the health of your entire body.

            My favorite flax recipe is for flax crackers.  Soak 2 cups of flax seeds in two cups of water overnight.  The next day add the juice of one lemon or lime and two tablespoons of Bragg’s Amino Acids.  Spread the mixture over the fruit roll up tray of  your dehydrator in a very thin layer and dehydrate for approximately four hours or until the seeds break up easily into small sections like crackers.  They are delicious! Add flax to your diet for a great way to have Better Health, Naturally. 

        Everyone seems to be drinking more water.  So much so, that the soft drink companies noticed and started bottling water.  Water is a very important part of our physical make-up.  Without it there would be no blood, no lymph fluid, no electrical currents in the body, and no brain function just to name a few things.  We would be a handful of dust.  
        So, does it matter what water we drink?  I believe so.  Tap water is pretty much off limits.  In most small towns now, people are told to either boil the water or drink bottled water.  Some are told not to let pregnant or nursing women or children drink the water.  I don’t know about you, but if it isn’t good for them, I don’t want to drink it either.   
 
But, bottled water can also just be tap water.  There really is no good regulation of that industry.  As with many other issues concerning what you consume, read the label.  If it says reverse osmosis or R.O. water or carbon filtered water, that would be better than just spring water or water bottled by soft drink companies that add chemicals.  
        I am always asked how much water should a person drink.  You really cannot give one answer that is applicable to everyone, but that being said, one half your weight in ounces of water a day is a good general rule of thumb.  Tea, coffee and pop are not substitutes, because they act either as diuretics or cause water retention because of chemical content. 
         Our earth is almost totally covered in water, Jesus said I am the living water, we are made primarily of water, I think you can safely say, water is crucial to life.  Pay attention to it, drink it, protect it.  Most of the world still has to carry their water over long distances every day, so give thanks for your water.