Before the dawning of science and modern medicine our ancestors used to rely on what we call in this day and age “Old Wives Tales.” And while maybe most have been plain superstitious notions, some are now deemed as natural alternatives, holistic cures or herbal medicine.

Although you should always see the doctor if “symptoms persist,” these humble kitchen ingredients may either completely treat your ache or it will at least soothe it for the time being.

Tonic Water – For leg cramps or “pins and needles”

Quinine, an effective muscle relaxant and malaria cure since the 17^th century, is also found in tonic water. A 6 ounce glass before bed will calm the muscles’ repeated contractions and relieve irritating “pins and needles” and painful cramps.

Salt – For athlete’s foot and scratchy throat

Salt’s anti-bacterial properties provides a hostile environment for fungus and irritation causing bacteria. For athlete’s foot: Soak feet in two teaspoons of salt mixed in a pint of warm water. The solution decreases perspiration as well, enabling anti-fungal creams to penetrate deeper. For scratchy throat: Mix in 1 teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water. Gargle for 30 seconds.

Lemon – For dark spots on the skin

Lemon juice’s high citric acid content lightens age spots and dark spots that usually occur on the elbows and knees. Cut a few wedges and place them directly onto the dark spots and keep them there for 10 to 15 minutes a day. Lightening won’t happen overnight. Apply regularly for six to 12 weeks. Be careful not to overuse; doing so may cause the upper layer of the skin to peel.

Honey – For cuts and scrapes

Mother Nature’s sweetener contains three components that have powerful wound-healing properties: a nectar-based compound called propolis, which effectively kills bacteria, sugars which absorb moisture so bacteria can’t survive and hydrogen peroxide which disinfects the wound. Additionally, when honey dries up it leaves a natural bandage that protects and soothes the cut.

Olive Oil – For eczema

Rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, this aromatic oil has long been used as a base for most skin lotions and conditioners. Use it pure and chemical free to keep skin from drying out. Pat and massage onto affected area. For severe cases, cover oiled part with plastic wrap and leave on overnight.

Ginger – For stomach aches

A well-known stomach soother, steep a tablespoon of minced fresh ginger in hot water for 10 minutes and then drain. This miracle root is effective in stabilizing stomach acids, relieving gastrointestinal disturbances and even motion sickness.

Baking Soda – For urinary tract infection

High in alkaline, baking soda wards off bacteria that causes these infections from multiplying. At the first sign of symptoms, drink a solution of one-fourth teaspoon of baking soda mixed in eight ounces of water. Drink once a day. If symptoms persist, see your doctor, get a culture and start taking the antibiotics prescribed.

Garlic – For swollen gums

Garlic’s potent antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are highly effective in killing bacteria caused by poor oral hygiene and excessive sugar intake. Slice a tiny part of the peeled garlic clove, place directly on the swollen gum, and chew slightly to release its healing oils. Leave it in your mouth for at least two minutes or as long as you can handle its strong potent taste.

Author Bio:

Samantha Samonte is a writer for Culinary One, a website about culinary careers, cuisines and food that helps aspiring chefs to find the best cooking schools. She spends the rest of her time living life to the fullest in the company of her laptop and creative writing prowess.

The Benefits Of Maintaining Oral Health

Maintaining dental health is a priority for all of us.  Keeping our teeth and gums in good condition has wide-ranging benefits, among them:

• Self-esteem.  A healthy smile looks good and helps us present ourselves in the best way possible.  An essential part of looking good is clean, white teeth.
• Lowered risk of disease.  Healthy gums and teeth feel good, too.  But with gum disease comes an increased risk of other health problems, among them stroke, heart disease and diabetes.
• Fresh breath – another self-esteem essential
• Less chance of tooth decay, hopefully leading to less requirement for dental treatment

Keeping Your Teeth And Gums Healthy

We all know the basic drill here – or we should, at least.  Brushing your teeth regularly – twice a day is recommended – is of course one of the most important habits for dental health, but there are other things you can do in addition to make sure your teeth and gums are in tip-top condition:

• Flossing.  This is important since it removes any little bits of food that get stuck between the teeth, in places that your toothbrush can’t quite read.  Flossing can also help get rid of any plaque on the line of the gum too, which may help further protect against gum disease.
• Regular check-ups.  Seeing your dentist means that if there’s anything wrong it will get spotted and fixed as soon as possible.  One thing about dental problems like decay is that the longer they’re left, the worse they get – requiring more treatment.  So regular check-ups help keep treatment to a minimum.
• Avoiding fizzy drinks and sugary snacks.  Sugar causes your mouth to become acidic due to the bacteria reacting with the sugar, and this is what causes decay.
• Eating a diet that’s optimized for oral health.  Cheese after a meal can have a neutralizing effect on the acids that cause decay.  It’s also a good source of calcium, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.  Chicken and various types of nuts are also widely recommended since their nutrients include things like phosphorus and calcium which are important mineral nutrients for the teeth.

Making It All Affordable

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know when we’re likely to need restorative or emergency dental work, no matter how healthy living and oral-hygiene conscientious we are.  One way of lowering the cost of dental care is to purchase dental insurance – this may also include dental accidents and emergencies that occur when you’re overseas, too.

Dental coverage is also inexpensive – and given the cost of even fairly ordinary restorative treatments such as fillings and crowns, it can take the sting out of dental bills.

Oral Health Is Largely A Habit

Having healthy teeth and gums doesn’t require great effort by any means.  But acquiring the habits of oral health can really make a difference to overall wellbeing, from increased confidence to reduced risk of disease.

And these days, there are even apps available to help you in your mission to have the healthiest teeth and gums possible.  You can also get some pretty high-tech electric toothbrush models that adjust their speed and cleaning action automatically, as well as indicating how long you should be spending on each part of your mouth.

So, while oral health is largely a habit – it should never feel like a chore.

Author Bio:

Jenn Jones is an avid health and wellbeing blogger who writes on behalf of dental plan provider AXA PPP healthcare.

The health community has been stirred by reports of coconut oil being a cure-all for Alzheimer’s disease. Many report it is simply “anecdotal evidence.” Is there really any scientific evidence for the notion that late-stage Alzheimer’s disease can be reversed by coconut oil? Surprisingly, yes, but the evidence also points to an important caveat.

The YouTube videos and book by Dr. Mary T. Newport regarding Coconut oil and Alzheimer’s have captured the attention of the health community. After her husband Steve was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Newport discovered the link between medium chain triglycerides and dementia.

In 2001, at the age of 51, Steve Newport began making memory mistakes. His memory and cognitive functions spiraled downward over the next eight years. By 2008, Steve’s Alzheimer’s had become severe.

So Dr. Newport developed a dosage of coconut oil to mimic the 60% middle chain triglyceride (MCT) product used in a study called AC-1202. She gave Steve seven teaspoons of coconut oil per day – or 3-4 servings per day of MCT oil. During the first month, Steve’s tremors resolved and his cognition difficulties improved. His cognitive test scores increased dramatically during the first few weeks of the coconut oil. And over the next few years, Dr. Newport reported that her husband “came back.”

And his scores proved it. His cognition scores improved by six points of a 75-point scale on cognitive, and 14 points of 78 on daily living activity tests.

Dr. Newport has since collected about 250 testimonies, about 90% of which were positive – though admittedly improved people would most likely write a testimony.

So is there any scientific evidence for taking coconut oil for Alzheimer’s disease?

Dr. Newport’s personal research established that Steve’s early Alzheimer’s disease was related to the inability of his brain cells to process glucose, or its alternative, ketones, for energy.

And shutting down that energy supply naturally shuts off those brain cells – spiraling a person into Alzheimer’s disease.

But does this happen for everyone who is experiencing Alzheimer’s disease? In a word, no.

The Ketonogenic Diet

Yet the ketonogenic diet – replacing glucose with ketone esters – has been shown to help epilepsy and other nervous disorders among those who have difficulty processing ketones from foods such as breast milk or dairy milk.

Breast milk, for example, contains 10 to 17% medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are converted to ketones in the form of Beta-hydroxybuterate. This is why MCTs are now added to any good baby formula.

Enter Dr. Samuel Henderson – who patented a product called AC-1202, made up of primarily medium chain triglyceride oil processed from either palm oil or coconut oil.

Like coconut oil, AC-1202 is taken up by the liver and released as ketones, which can be identified in the bloodstream as beta-hydroxybutyrate.

Research over the past 20 years has shown that beta-hydroxybutyrate reduces symptoms of Parkinson’s, epilepsy and other nerve-related disorders, because these ketones are utilized for energy by glucose-starved brain and nerve cells.

One study of children with epilepsy showed that a beta-hydroxybutyrate-rich ketogenic diet reduced seizures by as much as 75%.

A Genetic Variant

The relationship between Alzheimer’s and the need for ketones in brain and nerve cells has been related to a genetic variation, the epsilon-4 (E4) variant of the apolipoprotein E gene – also referred to as ApoE4. Because this variation seems to block the ability of the body to convert fats to ketones, the brain and nerve cells can become starved for energy.

Having a genetic variant of the ApoE4 does not always result in Alzheimer’s disease, but having one E4 allele can increase the risk of AD by three times and having two E4 alleles can increase the risk of AD by 12 times.

Yet Alzheimer’s is not always the result of the ApoE4 gene variant, but it has been seen among those with vascular damage – damage to the tiny blood vessels in the brain. As we’ve discussed with other AD research, diet is one of the greatest determinants for Alzheimer’s. And vascular damage is also seen without the E4 gene variant.

But this E4 variation has provided the key to unlocking – at least for those who have this genetic variation and have some issue with processing ketones in the liver – the potential link between Alzheimer’s disease and coconut oil.

The science is related to neurons being powered by ketones in the form of beta-hydroxybuterate, being taken up by brain cells that are starving for energy. For those who have difficulty producing ketones and/or have glucose resistance, mild ketosis has been shown to improve cognition, not only in animal and laboratory studies, but also in clinical research.

Over a decade ago Dr. Samuel Henderson patented a product called AC-1202 – a medium chain trigliceride oil. The AC-1202 product contains glycerin with caprylic acid – a middle chain triglyceride, with a chemical name of 1,2,3-propanetriol trioctanoate.

The AC-1202 product underwent a clinical trial published in the medical journal Nutrition and Metabolism in August of 2009. This study followed 152 Alzheimer’s patients for 90 days using randomized, double-blind and placebo controls.

The Alzheimer’s patients took the AC-1202 or the placebo for 90 days, and were given cognitive tests at 45 days and after the trial period. This included the gold standard ADAS-Cog test.

The research found that the AC-1202 significantly increased levels of beta-hydroxybutyrate, meaning they now had ketone-rich blood. As a whole, the AC-1202 group scored significantly higher in cognitive test scores compared to the placebo group. But this significant improvement took place primarily among those patients who had the ApoE4 variant. Those E4 variant patients saw a 5.73 point difference between the placebo group on the ADAS-Cog testing, while there was little difference among those patients without the ApoE4 gene variant.

“While the cognitive effects were not significant in the overall sample, a pre-defined examination of cognitive effects stratified by genotype yielded significant effects in E4(-) [ApoE4 variant] participants,” wrote the researchers in their discussion of the study.

The results of this clinical study clearly indicates that the potential for dramatic positive effects of coconut oil or any other source of MCT should take place primarily for those with the ApoE4 variant – or those having another form of glucose or insulin resistance that affects brain cells receiving glucose or ketones from our diet.

This later condition – having glucose or insulin resistance – may well be a looming issue that relates the ApoE variant to our diet. There is a growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes in modern society, due to the ravages of the western diet.

Yet jumping to the conclusion that coconut oil is a cure-all for Alzheimer’s Disease is short sighted. It is important to understand the science and the physiology of the process and see the relationship between the ApoE4 variant and the need for inducing mild ketosis with MCT or coconut oil.

In their discussion of the MCT study, the researchers said:

“The positive effects of AC-1202 in E4(-) [ApoE4 variant] subjects is further supported by analysis of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate levels and cognitive performance. AC-1202 resulted in significant elevation of serum beta-hydroxybutyrate relative to Placebo at all study visits when investigational product was administered. In addition, a correlation between circulating beta-hydroxybutyrate levels at the two-hour time point and improvement in ADAS-Cog score was noted in E4(-) subjects at Day 90. No significant correlation was found in E4(+) [non-ApoE4 variant] participants. Hence, higher levels of ketosis appear to confer greater benefit in the E4(-) group.”

In other words, while coconut oil or MCT oil might help someone experiencing mild cognitive impairment due to glucose or insulin resistance, it’s more likely benefit to Alzheimer’s disease will be for those with the APOE4 gene variant and thus cannot process triglycerides in the liver normally – combined with a diet that produces glucose and/or insulin resistance among brain cells.

This last point is the likely key that ties the diet link between AD and the ApoE4 variant. Those with the ApoE4 variant who also develop glucose or insulin resistance through poor dietary habits may experience cognitive issues and Alzheimer’s due to their brain cells becoming energy-starved – having no energy source from either ketones or glucose. The research evidence illustrates that these folks (poor diet plus ApoE4) may have the greatest likelihood of benefiting from supplementing the diet with coconut oil and/or MCT oil.

Food sources of middle chain triglycerides (MCTs) include palm kernel oil, ghee, coconut oil, and the milk fat of goat milk, cow’s milk and breast milk. Note that non-fat milk has had the MCTs removed. Supplemented MCT oil is a source for concentrated MCTs.

This is not to say that coconut oil is not a great nutritional food for everyone – it provides a myriad of other nutritional benefits. As Dr. Newport suggests, “what do we have to lose?”

Author Bio:

Case Adams is a California naturopath who has authored 25 books on the science of natural healing together with numerous published online and print articles.

Learn more about the Nutrition & Metabolism journal

Erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs have become so popular in the U.S. – about 20 percent of American men over age 45 have used them – that the most obvious and safest solution to the problem is now being largely overlooked.

What Works Best For ED

Instead of taking a medication that can bring on side effects ranging from vision problems to headaches, it’s much smarter to prevent the condition from developing.

Good news: Recent research shows that there are simple yet effective techniques to prevent ED. Men who already suffer from ED can improve their symptoms too by addressing these health issues.

The New Thinking

While doctors have long known that ED can sometimes be caused by emotional factors such as depression, there’s now a growing body of evidence that shows how closely this problem is related to the same physical problems that can lead to heart disease, high blood pressure (hypertension) and stroke.

Example: The main artery in the penis is only about 0.02 inches in diameter. A man with atherosclerosis (plaques in the arteries) will often develop impotence years or even decades before he’s diagnosed with cardiovascular disease.

What Men Need To Know About The Underlying Causes Of ED

Belly Fat

Men who are overweight or obese have a high risk of developing ED, particularly if they also have diabetes, hypertension or heart disease – all of which can damage the blood vessels and/or nerves that are needed for erections.

The risk is even higher in men who have excessive belly fat. That’s because fat that accumulates in the abdomen, known as visceral fat, converts testosterone to estrogen. Men with a low testosterone-to-estrogen ratio frequently suffer from ED. Low energy is another warning sign.

What to do: Men who have excessive belly fat should lose weight. If weight loss does not eliminate the ED, it then makes sense to get a hormone test. Your doctor can check your testosterone-estrogen ratio with blood and/or saliva tests.  Men with this hormone imbalance often improve when taking an aromatase inhibitor (such as Arimidex). This class of medications blocks the conversion of testosterone to estrogen.

Important: I don’t recommend testosterone supplements because they could disrupt the balance between testosterone and estrogen, creating more visceral fat.

Gum Disease

Scientists have known for years that men with periodontal (gum) disease tend to have more cardiovascular disease, but gum problems also have recently been linked to an increased risk for ED.

It’s possible that bacteria from infected gums can get into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the arteries in the penis. Inflammation can, in turn, accelerate arterial obstructions that can lead to ED as well as heart disease.

What to do: Take better care of your gums with daily brushing and flossing.

Important: Dentists recommend brushing for at least two minutes twice daily; most people do not brush for nearly that long.

Heart Disease

There’s now strong evidence showing that ED is often a marker for undiagnosed heart disease.

Here’s what happens: When the narrow arteries in the penis become blocked by plaque (leading to ED), this is a good indicator that arteries in the heart also could be obstructed. It’s crucial to recognize that arterial blockage in the heart can occur long before a man develops chest pain, shortness of breath or other cardiovascular symptoms.

What to do: I advise men with ED to see a cardiologist first. They should assume, until testing proves otherwise, that ED is an early sign of heart disease. You’ll probably be given an echo stress test. With this test, you’ll use a treadmill or bicycle while a technician monitors your heartbeat and uses ultrasound to show the heart’s movements.

If you have early-stage heart disease, you can save your life – and your sex life – with a combination of lifestyle changes such as regular exercise and, if necessary, medication to lower cholesterol.

High Blood Pressure

Both high blood pressure and the drugs used to treat it are among the most common causes of ED.

If you have high blood pressure, damage to the arteries from excessive blood pressure can interfere with erections. Unfortunately, the problem can get worse if you take blood pressure medication.

What to do: In addition to reducing high blood pressure—by lifestyle changes (such as getting more exercise, dropping some pounds if you’re overweight and eating less salt) and taking medications, if needed—tell your doctor right away if you’re suffering from ED. He/she might be able to switch you to a different antihypertensive medication that doesn’t itself cause you to have ED. Every man responds to blood pressure drugs differently.

Also important: Prescription anti-depressants are notorious for causing ED in some men. As with blood pressure drugs, switching to a different antidepressant is sometimes enough to solve the problem. Drugs for male pattern baldness, such as finasteride (Propecia), also may cause ED.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing intermittently stops and starts during sleep. It causes a decrease in oxygen in the blood and an increase in carbon dioxide that can lead to hypertension, heart disease – and ED.

Obesity is among the main causes of sleep apnea. Apnea also can be caused, or increased, by excessive alcohol consumption, medications (such as sedatives) and smoking.

What to do: If you are a loud snorer or your partner reports that you frequently gasp or snort during sleep, you might have sleep apnea. Other symptoms include morning headaches and extreme daytime fatigue.

Ask your doctor if you should have a sleep test. If you’re diagnosed with sleep apnea, you’ll probably be advised to lose weight if you’re overweight and perhaps be prescribed treatment such as a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) device. It delivers pressurized air to the nose and/or mouth while you sleep and can sometimes eliminate both apnea and ED.

Bottom Line/Health interviewed Sheldon Marks, MD, associate clinical professor of urology at The University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, and adjunct assistant professor of urology at Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston. He is the medical director for the International Center for Vasectomy Reversal (DadsAgain.com), directs the men’s health and erectile dysfunction community at WebMD.com and is the integrative urologist for DrWeil.com. Dr. Marks is also the author of Prostate & Cancer (Da Capo). Copyright © 2013 by Boardroom Inc., 281 Tresser Blvd., Stamford, Connecticut 06901-3229. www.BottomLinePublications.com

Taking inventory of your refrigerator, cupboards and pantry, putting your shopping list together and cutting coupons all takes time before you’re actually ready to get out of the house and make a trip to the grocery store. Once you’re there, the next task is deciding whether or not to go with organic foods over the more conventional choices. Keeping yourself and your family nourished with all the good stuff isn’t the easiest task these days with the aisles upon aisles that offer unhealthy temptations and the failure to realize all the benefits that come with investing in organic foods, since many people believe that stamping a product as organic is just a ploy to charge higher prices. Shopping at your local natural grocery store will help you gain more insight into the guidelines used in labeling organic foods and can make it a little easier to come to healthy decisions.

Organic Vs. Conventional

The basics of understanding what makes a food organic begins with knowing the procedure of how it was grown and processed. Organic products have been fertilized naturally with manure or compost and have been grown successfully using nontoxic methods to ward off damaging conditions, whereas conventionally grown produce has been chemically fertilized and sprayed with synthetic insecticides to fend off pests and disease. Animals raised under the more organically-friendly approach are given a healthy, balanced diet and have not been injected with hormones or antibiotics.

Organic Vs. 100 Percent Organic

The USDA-certified seal may only be displayed on foods that are proven to be 95 to 100 percent organic. If you’re looking for foods and ingredients that have not been modified by any means, you will want to purchase products with a 100 percent organic label. Those foods containing at least 95 percent organic ingredients can use the seal but cannot claim to be wholly organic. If you’re a real stickler, make sure you’re checking carefully for that percentage indicator.

Organic Ingredients

Seeing that there are organic ingredients in an item you pick up can get you excited a little too fast. Reading deeper into it, you’ll notice two different terms that are used – “made with organic ingredients” and “contains organic ingredients.” The first pertains to foods that have at least 70 percent organically grown elements that may be listed specifically on the front of the package, while the latter refers to foods with less than 70 percent.

Organic Vs. Natural

Many people use the term “organic” interchangeably with “natural,” but when it comes to food labels that’s not the case. Natural, all-natural, free range and hormone-free are all ways that foods may be labeled to indicate how they’ve been processed. It can be tricky to decipher the difference between these terms, but ultimately, unless it’s labeled organic it means the product has been inorganically processed in some manner.

If you have any confusion or questions regarding an organic food label, a natural grocery store may be the best place to gain answers. Being able to decode the nutritional facts on any food label and knowing exactly what is going into your body is key to empowering yourself on your quest for optimum health.

Author Bio:

Tiffany Olson is a blogger and health enthusiast from Redding, Calif. She happily supports her Saturday farmers market as well as her local natural grocery store in Redding.

The formation of a kidney stone is due to many factors. Usually this problem occurs because of a person’s unhealthy eating habits. Employing a kidney stone diet plan is a great idea to prevent or eradicate kidney stone problems.

Foods that boost uric acid can cause kidney problems and the person suffering from this will experience severe pain.

Another thing that can boost the development of kidney stones is eating foods that are high in oxalate content. Usually oxalate can be accumulated from plant foods. To help prevent kidney stones you must be aware of your diet and exclude foods like chocolate, spinach, anchovies, dry beans, tea, asparagus, rhubarb, organ meats, and more, for these foods are very rich in oxalate content. Keeping away from these kinds of foods will help prevent the formation if not eradicate the dilemma of kidney stones. You should avoid high consumption of colas, cranberry juices and grapefruits because colas and grape juices can boost the development of calcium oxalate. However, with that said, cranberry juice can also help to prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Three Main Factors That Can Help To Avoid Kidney Stones

Calcium

Calcium is one of the necessary minerals in the body and it is very important to consume the right amount of calcium, which the body needs every day, to assist your doctor to identify whether you need to decrease or increase your calcium consumption. Calcium oxalate crystals in the urine are the most common constituent of human kidney stones, and calcium oxalate crystal formation is also one of the toxic effects of ethylene glycol poisoning. It is highly recommended to eat more foods that are rich in calcium content like dark, green, leafy vegetables, milk, cheese, milk products and yogurt.

Protein

Protein is necessary for the body to function sufficiently, however, too much consumption of protein can trigger kidney stones because it can increase the amount of purine in the body. Thus, people with kidney stones should limit their protein consumption and only accumulate the prescribed amount to help cure and avoid the formation of kidney stones. Poultry products, eggs, fish, pork, and red meats are among the common protein-rich foods that should be eaten in minimal amount.

Water

Water plays a very important role in treating and healing kidney stones. Drinking a lot of water every day can help to neutralize the amount of chemicals and minerals inside the body that can cause kidney stones. Water helps dilute urine to prevent the development of stones. Drinking at least 10 to 12 glasses of water every day is a very necessary part of the diet.

Too much consumption of sodium can also increase the risk of kidney stones, thus we should limit it. The primary source of sodium is salt. If possible avoid using salt or limit the usage of salt in your food.

Author Bio:

Iryna Ostapets is the author of the site RaiPharmacies. She loves writing about men’s health, supplements, nutrition, fitness and beauty.

We’re taught that if a food has a USDA organic label, then the produce is just about as good as it comes – that the ingredients have been through rigorous testing and are safe for human consumption, or at the very least the product is free from harmful pesticides and genetic engineering. While the USDA-certified organic is indeed the way to go, not everything approved under their standards is good for you. On the contrary, some may be very harmful. Such is the case with a substance known as carrageenan.

Carrageenan: A Toxic Food Ingredient

Carrageenan is a substance extracted from seaweed. In food, they are used as gelling and thickening agents, most often in dairy and meat products. You’ll find it in ice cream, cream, desserts, some beers, diet soda, veggie dogs, and processed meats. And although some organic food companies – Eden Foods, Oikos yogurt, Natural by Nature and more – have sworn off the ingredient, others intend to play on the ignorance of the public and their friends in high places to keep carrageenan around.

In numerous animal studies carrageenan has been found to cause gastrointestinal issues and inflammation, and cancer. In addition, diets high in carrageenan have been linked to the development of intestinal ulcers and other digestive issues. The Cornucopia Institute – a non-profit which supports food research and “justice for family scale farming” – recommends anyone with inflammatory digestive issues like chronic diarrhea, IBS, or inflammatory bowel disease, to eliminate carrageenan from their diet altogether.

Interestingly, the USDA is aware of the studies of this popular food ingredient, though it maintains a spot on their “safe” list. Why is that? Well, let’s look at who is approving the foods on this list.

As revealed in The Organic Watergate – White Paper from The Cornucopia Institute, the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) is made up of several companies who have a vested interest in keeping organics as non-organic as possible. After all, making stricter organic regulations would cost them money.

Just a few of the corporations represented in the decision-making NOSB include:

• Purina Ralcorp
• General Mills
• Campbell Soup
• Smucker’s
• Dean Foods
• Driscoll’s

It’s sort of like creating a board to oversee allegations of police brutality and then staffing the board with cops – another highly questionable though common occurrence.

As The Organic Watergate reports:

“Carrageenan was reviewed in 1995 by three scientists with professional relationships to corporate agribusiness, and only one pointed out the potential human health impacts of degraded carrageenan. This is especially outrageous since the scientific community had known for decades, based on an abundance of peer-reviewed published literature, that degraded carrageenan is an inflammatory agent and carcinogenic in lab animals.”

So, back to the original question: Why is a known carcinogen present in organic foods? Because of money – those who have it also have power and do not want to sacrifice either for the sake of consumer health.

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Renter is a writer for NaturalSociety.com.

Source article: http://naturalsociety.com/carrageenan-toxic-substance-allowed-organic-foods/

Argan oil is considered a healthy superfood. It is an ancient natural remedy that has many health benefits and properties both medically and cosmetically. It is considered organic by nature because the argan trees are not treated with any chemicals or pesticides and are considered safe without any contaminants. Argan oil is known for its anti-aging, moisturizing, and natural antioxidant properties.

Interesting Facts About Argan Oil

• The oil is derived from the nut of the fruit by being pressed.
• The argan tree and is found mainly in Morocco.
• This unique tree lives to be about 150 to 200 years old and does not start producing the fruit until it is 30 to 50 years old.
• Argan oil is one of the rarest vegetable oils in the world.
• Argan oil can be stored for up to two years if kept in shady places, not exposed to sunlight, and should be kept at room temperature.
• Argan oil is extremely rich and diverse both in minerals and vitamins and includes vitamin A, vitamin E precursor – as in essential fatty acids (linoleic acid), and omega 6 and 9 unsaturated fatty acids.
• Argan oil has twice the amount of tocopherols (700 mg per kilogram) than olive oil.
• Argan oil can stimulate intracellular oxygenation.
• Argan oil helps protect the skin and neutralize free radicals.
• Argan oil could help – by adding to your diet – reduce your risk of cancer and provide a number of other health benefits associated with antioxidants.
• Argan oil also contains 0.8% unsaponifiables – a large group of compounds also known as plant sterols or sterolins. Sterolins improve skin metabolism, reduce inflammation and promote excellent moisture retention.

Health Benefits: Argan is a nutty tasting oil used in many dishes and is good for sprinkling in salads and dipping bread in.

• Heart Health — People suffering from heart conditions can greatly benefit from the high amount of unsaturated fats it contains. According to a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2004, Dr. Herrara found that rats fed a diet containing argan oil had significantly lower blood pressure than those that did not. Several other studies confirmed this and that a diet containing argan oil has a number of effects that both prevent and treat cardiovascular disease.  Argan oil’s unsaturated fatty acids helps regulate your blood cholesterol and is heart healthy.
• Diabetes Benefits –  Argan oil benefits have proven to be very impressive in treating diabetes. The oil is known to help reduce insulin resistance of the body. In a 2006 study, Dr. Haddad reported that argan oil enhanced the cellular response to low doses of insulin, a process that gets disrupted in diabetes. Another study conducted in 2009 showed that the oil helped reduce the onset of diabetes by reversing the metabolic changes that occurred after consumption of a high-sugar diet. It also improves resistance to diabetes by overcoming the effects of a high-carbohydrate diet to some extent.
• Cancer Benefits — Argan oil has been shown to slow the growth of cancerous cells, decrease the rate of cell division, and reverse the cancerous effects of carcinogens on prostate cells and cancer in a 2006 study in Cancer Investigation. Because of the rich antioxidants properties in virgin argan oil there is promise that it may protect against other forms of cancer.
• Digestive Health - Argan oil a remedy that contains rare plant sterols (schottenol and spinasterol), not found in other oils. It is believed that these phytosterols are unique in their combination and there are no other vegetable oils with comparable benefits – phytosterols reduce inflammation and help block cholesterol absorption from the intestines and has flavonoids that act as a natural anti-inflammatory. It also helps aid digestion by increasing the concentration of pepsin in the gastric juice.
• Arthritic Conditions — Argan oil’s anti-inflammatory properties aid in reducing inflammation that are beneficial internally and externally. It slows down the degenerative processes going on in long bones of the body.  It stimulates and strengthens circulation and the body’s natural immunity.

Argan Oil Skin And Beauty Benefits: For cosmetics purposes make sure you do not purchase the roasted version of argan oil – it contains a mild nutty scent and is not suitable for cosmetics applications.

•  Hair: Apply to your hair when damp to calm down the frizzy look. To condition and moisturize your hair apply argan oil directly to your hair and massage into the scalp and then comb through, or you wrap a warm towel around your head to help your scalp and hair absorb all the amazing minerals. It will moisturize dry hair and add a shiny luster that will enhance the beauty of your hair and face. Argan oil helps nourish damaged hair from over coloring to sun damage due to its rich content of antioxidants and minerals. Argan oil will penetrate into the pores and shafts of your hair and help bring out the natural luster and beauty so that you have healthy hair.
• Scalp: For dry scalp – Before bedtime try applying argan oil on a cotton ball and dabbing it on your scalp. This will give it time to absorb and moisturize your scalp – then just wash your hair in the morning.
• Face And Body: It has been scientifically proven that this oil is able to correct the age-related deficiencies in skin that cause dehydration and loss of skin elasticity with its moisturizer, anti-aging properties, and its high mineral content. Use it on your face just like any other moisturizer and soon you will see the lines and wrinkles disappearing. Use it on your entire body to moisturize and nourish after showering. Argan oil can also help treat skin disease such as chickenpox, acne, and psoriasis due to its many health properties such anti-inflammatory and immune system stabilizer.
• Hands And Nails:  Apply argan oil directly to your hands, rub it in and feel the soft, smooth feeling and make sure you rub into your cuticles and nails to nourish and penetrate for all-over healthy hands and nails.

 Although argan oil tends to be more expensive than other oils, I believe it is well worth the cost. It is known as “Liquid Gold” and has earned this title, rightfully!

When buying argan oil, make sure that it is 100 percent pure and no extra preservatives or additives have been added into it.  Check labels and make sure that your bottle of argan oil has been certified by government regulatory bodies to meet their standards. Make sure you are using “cold pressed argan oil.” Other methods that involve heat can destroy the natural goodness and degrade the rich mineral content. Try this amazing oil that is truly one of nature’s miracle natural remedies and live a truly green lifestyle.

Author Bio:

Marla Gates’ mission – through her website organic4greenlivings.com – is to educate people about products so they can make safe and healthy choices about their water, vitamins, clothing, cosmetics, air cleaners, cleaning products, detoxifying items and many other products.

It’s long been known that oral health is an important indicator for the body’s overall health and yet only 12 percent of the Unites States population floss their teeth daily. An increasing number of studies suggest that proper dental care, including regular flossing, can prevent not only tooth decay, but also heart disease, diabetes and even dementia.

Brushing alone won’t remove the build-up of plaque under the gum line and between your teeth – only flossing will do that. If left to accumulate, the 700 strains of bacteria that can exist in plaque can cause gum disease, or gingivitis, which affects an estimated 50 to 90 percent of the adult population. Untreated gum disease can become periodontitis, which eventually causes bone resorption and tooth loss. Once swelling starts in the mouth, it can quickly cause other serious health problems.

Knowing the harms of avoiding flossing may help you to develop this essential healthy habit.

• Cardiovascular Problems. Mouth inflammation can trigger the release of a large number of chemicals known as mediators, which are the same causes of the inflammation implicated in heart disease.
• Lung Disease. Poor oral health can also lead to a very serious condition called ventilator-associated pneumonia. “Dental plaque can cause the mouth to become a reservoir for pneumonia-causing organisms that can pass through the airways and the tubes of a ventilator. There is also evidence of a risk of more standard forms of pneumonia,” says Ian Needleman, professor of restorative dentistry at the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London. [source: TheIndependent]
• Diabetes. Another study published by researchers at the University of Edinburgh appeared to confirm a suspected link between gum disease and diabetes. People with diabetes are known to be at high risk for gum disease, but it hasn’t been clear which comes first. The researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health found that individuals with elevated levels of periodontal disease were nearly twice as likely to become diabetic within 20 years, even after adjusting for age, smoking, obesity and diet. [source: Well]
• Dementia And Old Age Memory Loss Research conducted at the University of California showed that elderly people who did not brush and floss at least once per day were up to 65 percent more likely to develop dementia than those who brushed and flossed twice daily. [source: PRweb]

The exact connection between flossing and serious health conditions is still uncertain and controversial, but good oral health is an important indicator for the body’s overall health. If you are having trouble creating the habit of flossing your teeth, read this helpful article: “The Tiny Guide to Creating the Flossing Habit”.

Gum disease only becomes apparent to most patients at a later stage, so make sure you pay attention to your dental health and stay on track with regular dental appointments. Whatever its damaging effects, gum disease is not only preventable but usually easily treatable. It is never too late to begin improving your dental health.

Author Bio:

Dr. James Kearney is a general dentist in Colorado Springs and the owner of Austin Bluffs Dental.

After months of pressure, PepsiCo has finally admitted to using a potentially lethal chemical in the manufacture of Gatorade, but claim that they have no intention of removing it from Mountain Dew or any of their other soft drinks.

The chemical in question is brominated vegetable oil – a harmful compound more commonly associated with flame retardants. Brominated vegetable oil is thought to cause a number of serious health conditions, and this extremely damaging substance has even been implicated in the development of Bromism, an extremely damaging neurological disorder.

Companies like PepsiCo use brominated vegetable oil to stabilize citrus-flavored soft drinks, but clinical trials show that people who imbibe too much brominated vegetable oil are at risk of suffering from increased fatigue, muscle tremors, loss of coordination and extreme headaches. A trial that pitted a group of drip-fed rats against a control group fed a normal diet free of brominated vegetable oil also showed that brominated vegetable oil could potentially cause impaired growth and severe behavioral impairments if it was allowed to build up in our systems.

Unfortunately, PepsiCo and their competitors have been able to add brominated vegetable oil to our drinks for over 40 years by exploiting a legal loophole that enabled them to have private “experts” declare chemicals “generally recognized as safe” or GRAS. Chemicals classified as GRAS don’t have to be declared to the U.S Food and Drug Administration, and there’s no legal requirement to declare them on packaging or ingredients list. The Food and Drug Administration recently passed regulation limiting the concentration of brominated vegetable oil that can appear in soft drinks to 15 parts per million, but this potentially lethal chemical still enjoys widespread use in a number of readily available beverages.

What To Avoid

If you’re worried about accidently imbibing a harmful dose of brominated vegetable oil, you’d do well to avoid Powerade, Fanta Orange, Squirt and the Dr Pepper Snapple Group’s Sunkist peach soda. All these drinks have been shown to contain brominated vegetable oil, as well as a number of other potentially damaging chemicals capable of exacerbating our allergies, and increasing our blood pressure.
In fact, if you’re really concerned about your health, you might want to consider avoiding soft drinks altogether. According to the Pew Charitable Trust, a non-partisan organization with a keen interest in public health, the soft drink industry relies on over 3,000 potentially lethal chemicals like brominated vegetable oil that have been certified as GRAS by private contractors, and approved for use in our soft drinks.
Weaning yourself off these sugary, calorie-rich drinks might seem challenging at first, but it’s definitely worth the effort; Aside from the fact that they might contain a number of dangerous chemicals, soft drinks are also thought to dissolve tooth enamel, increase the risk of diabetes by up to 80 percent and encourage the development of osteoporosis by flooding your body with phosphoric acid, which binds to calcium, and weakens your bones.

Author Bio:

Alex Bussey writes for Water for Health, a family-run business that specializes in providing people with the tools they need to enjoy optimum health, and combat a number of serious medical conditions.