Heal Your Heartburn

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Heal Your Heartburn

Heal your heartburn and attack your acid reflux in a purposeful way:

1. Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar: Acid reflux typically results from having too little acid in your stomach. You can easily improve the acid content of your stomach by taking one tablespoon of raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar in a large glass of water.
2. Betaine: Another option is to take a betaine hydrochloric supplement, which is available in health food stores without prescription. You'll want to take as many as you need to get the slightest burning sensation and then decrease by one capsule. This will help your body to better digest your food, and will also help kill the H. pylori bacteria.
3. Baking soda: One-half to one full teaspoon of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) in an eight-ounce glass of water may ease the burn of acid reflux as it helps neutralize stomach acid. I would not recommend this is a regular solution but it can sure help in an emergency when you are in excruciating pain.
4. Aloe juice: The juice of the aloe plant naturally helps reduce inflammation, which may ease symptoms of acid reflux. Drink about ½ cup of aloe vera juice before meals. If you want to avoid its laxative effect, look for a brand that has removed the laxative component.
5. Ginger root or chamomile tea: Ginger has been found to have a gastroprotective effect by blocking acid and suppressing helicobacter pylori. According to a 2007 study, it's also far superior to lansoprazole for preventing the formation of ulcers, exhibiting six- to eight-fold greater potency over the drug! This is perhaps not all that surprising, considering the fact that ginger root has been traditionally used against gastric disturbances since ancient times.
• Add two or three slices of fresh ginger root to two cups of hot water. Let steep for about half an hour. Drink about 20 minutes or so before your meal.
• Before bed, try a cup of chamomile tea, which can help soothe stomach inflammation and help you sleep.
6. Vitamin D: Vitamin D is important for addressing any infectious component. Once your vitamin D levels are optimized, you're also going to optimize your production of about 200 antimicrobial peptides that will help your body eradicate any infection that shouldn't be there.
• As I've discussed in many previous articles, you can increase your vitamin D levels through appropriate amounts of sun exposure, or through the use of a safe tanning bed. If neither of those are available, you can take an oral vitamin D3 supplement; just remember to also increase your vitamin K2 intake.
7. Astaxanthin: This exceptionally potent antioxidant was found to reduce symptoms of acid reflux in patients when compared to a placebo, particularly in those with pronounced helicobacter pylori infection. Best results were obtained at a daily dose of 40 mg.
8. Slippery elm: Slippery elm coats and soothes the mouth, throat, stomach, and intestines, and contains antioxidants that can help address inflammatory bowel conditions. It also stimulates nerve endings in your gastrointestinal tract. This helps increase mucus secretion, which protects your gastrointestinal tract against ulcers and excess acidity. The University of Maryland Medical Center makes the following adult dosing recommendations:
• Tea: Pour 2 cups boiling water over 4 g (roughly 2 tablespoons) of powdered bark, then steep for 3 - 5 minutes. Drink 3 times per day.
• Tincture: 5 mL 3 times per day.
• Capsules: 400 - 500 mg 3 - 4 times daily for 4 - 8 weeks. Take with a full glass of water.
• Lozenges: follow dosing instructions on label.
9. Chinese herbs for the treatment of "Gu" symptoms caused by chronic inflammatory diseases: So-called "Gu" symptoms include digestive issues associated with inflammation and pathogenic infestation. For more information about classical herbs used in Chinese Medicine for the treatment of such symptoms, please see the article, "Treating Chronic Inflammatory Diseases with Chinese Herbs: 'Gu Syndrome' in Modern Clinical Practice," published by the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine.
10. Glutamine: Research published in 2009 found that gastrointestinal damage caused by H. pylori can be addressed with the amino acid glutamine, found in many foods, including beef, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy products, and some fruits and vegetables. L-glutamine, the biologically active isomer of glutamine, is also widely available as a supplement.
11. Folate or folic acid (vitamin B9) and other B vitamins: As reported by clinical nutritionist Byron Richards, research suggests B vitamins can reduce your risk for acid reflux. Higher folic acid intake was found to reduce acid reflux by approximately 40 percent. Low vitamin B2 and B6 levels were also linked to an increased risk for acid reflux. The best way to raise your folate levels is by eating folate-rich whole foods, such as liver, asparagus, spinach, okra, and beans.

Kidney Detox

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

With thanks to Elna's doctor, Dr. Ivan Egersdorfer.

Kidney Detox is important because the kidneys are some of the most important organs in the body. If they were not constantly filtering the blood, we would, literally, be poisoned by our own waste products. If your kidneys are filled with bacteria, stones,and/or accumulated toxins then they may not be able to filter the blood or perform their other functions effectively.

Kidney Detox

Before You Detox Your Body Heal Your Kidneys: The kidneys are so important that you should be cautious about attempting an herbal cleanse or serious kidney detox program if they are not functioning properly. The reason for this is simple, many of the popular detox programs sold online and in stores can effectively draw out toxins from the body's tissues. These toxins are then dumped into the bloodstream and must be eliminated. If the kidneys are already filled with toxins, then they will have difficulty eliminating the additional load and they will suffer by becoming overworked and weakened. The blood will remain at an overly toxic level creating a longer period of discomfort. And if these additional toxins can not be excreted, they may redeposit themselves somewhere else in the body. Thus, the whole purpose of your detox accomplishes very little and can further damage the kidneys.

Get on a healthy diet: It is essentially a whole foods diet that avoids all artificial ingredients, dyes, preservatives, etc. and is based heavily on fruits, vegetables and whole grains with a substantial reduction in animal protein. This diet should be the way you eat each and every day and not just something you do to detox. However, it is also a very effective tool to prepare you for a detoxification program.

Determine If Your Kidneys Have Problems: Healthy kidneys are dependent on many different factors. Diet and exercise have a great deal to do with kidney health. For example, a high animal protein diet can lead to gout (a build up of uric acid that forms crystals in the joints and kidneys) and acidosis (a build up of acids that affect the whole system). Stress and cardiovascular disease also have an important influence on kidney health. Poor circulation caused by cardiovascular issues can cause a buildup of fluid in tissues (often in the lower legs) causing edema. If the circulation is poor, toxins can often become lodged in these areas of congested fluids. Another important thing to keep in mind is that the kidneys are very efficient organs and are often able to keep reference (like blood and urine) markers within normal range even though there may still be health issues. Therefore, if you do find that your results from a blood test are outside the laboratory range, it is very important to consult a physician.

Reduce Your Risk of Stones by Eliminating Stone Forming Foods: Foods that contain oxalate should be avoided because they oxalate combines with calcium to form the crystals that make up kidney stones. These foods include: beans, beets, green peppers, cooked spinach (cooking spinach causes oxalic acid to create oxalic acid crystals, which can cause kidney problems), cocoa, chocolate, tea, coffee, peanuts, peanut oil, salt - causes more excretion of calcium in urine, lots of meat, soda (has phosphoric acid), and wheat bran. The most critical foods to reduce dramatically are animal products (meat and dairy) with the possible exception of eggs and fish, caffeine containing products (with the possible exception of green tea), soda, cooked spinach and potential allergens like peanuts, soy and corn. Make sure you avoid foods high in phosphorus, like soy, flax seed, Brazil nuts, sesame- and pumpkin seeds, cheese and bran (especially those of oats and rice). Improving the diet by eliminating foods that help stones to form and getting enough exercise will help improve kidney health. However, diet alone will not get rid of stones once they have formed. The only way to get rid of stones after they have formed, naturally, is by kidney detoxification. 

How to Effectively Detox the Kidneys: The kidneys are the primary organ of homeostasis, or the maintenance of balance in the body. Therefore, the health of all the organs in the body rely on the kidneys. Since infection and accumulation of toxins cause most kidney problems, the solution to maintaining good kidney health is detoxification. The objective is to remove all irritating chemicals, crystal deposits, and metabolic waste and to replace damaged cells with new tissue. The good news is you do not need to suffer the pain and/or discomfort of urinary infections, or the excruciating suffering of passing kidney stones.

There are a number of safe, effective and gentle herbs and foods that will help detoxify and restore health to the kidneys and urinary system. Number one of these is the humble apple. (A note of caution, however. You must use organic apples, conventional apples have some of the most pesticides of any crop on the planet.)

The apple is rich in vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates and contains protein fiber and organic salts and acids. Therapeutically, it is a purifier, cleanser, revitalizer, antiseptic, disinfectant, germicide, respiratory stimulant, cardiac stimulant, brain and nerve stimulant and tonic.

One of the most important reasons why apples are so effective in detoxification is that is also rich in pectin. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that apple pectin also acts as an antioxidant against the damaging portion of cholesterol in the blood stream. Researchers have found that raw apples are the richest of fruits in pectin.

It has been established that a diet rich in apple pectin may help protect against certain diseases. Research in Japan supports that apple pectin can also decrease the chances of colon cancer. Apple pectin helps maintain intestinal balance by cleansing the intestinal tract with its soluble and insoluble fibers. Pectin is also effective in causing regressions in and preventing gallstones. There is also evidence that the regular use of apple pectin may lessen the severity of diabetes.

Other Helpful Herbs and Foods: Here are some other helpful foods and herbs that are really beneficial for kidney and urinary health. Drink lots of water to help your body dilute the toxins and flush them out. Vegetables in your diet should include parsley, uncooked spinach and asparagus.

1. Grapes and cranberries: Grapes contain high amounts of potassium, which helps the kidneys operate properly. Grapes also work to remove waste, such as uric acid, from the liver and kidneys. Make sure cranberries are a part of your diet as well. Cranberries contain quinine, which is changed to hippuric acid. Hippuric acid helps the body get rid of uric acid and urea, two waste products.
2. Vitamin C: Vitamin C has been found to reduce the body's levels of histamine, something that can enflame the kidneys. It is also a mild diuretic. Ascorbic acid acidifies the urine helping to dissolve phosphate stones and magnesium ammonium phosphate stones.
3. Vitamin B6: B6 appears to be effective in the management of peripheral edema and neuropathy associated with poor kidney function.B6 is an essential component of porphyrins, and helps protect the kidneys from certain blood diseases that involve them.
4. Magnesium Carbonate: Magnesium carbonate has the ability to bind up excess phosphates in the system. Phosphates (common in soft drinks) are highly acidic and may cause kidney damage. This mineral is very basic and has the capacity to neutralize acids in the kidney tract.
5. Nettles: A great herb that has strong tonifying effects on both the liver and kidneys. It helps maintain proper pH balance and to improve urinary output.
6. Uva Ursi (bearberry): This herb contains berberines, compounds that are strongly anti-bacterial. It was used traditionally to treat urinary and kidney infections and to improve urinary volume.
7. Hydrangea Root: This herb is very beneficial for the urinary system. It is quite effective at dissolving deposits in the kidneys and the gallbladder. It is also helpful for reducing pain and inflammation in the urinary tract.
8. Others: Cleavers, Yarrow, Golden Rod, Marshmallow Root, Dandelion Root, Buchu.

On the lighter side: Is the kidney a bean-shaped organ, or is the bean a kidney-shaped legume? Whatever, take the best of care for these super-important organs in your body!

Vertigo

By: Esther Vasa

• Please discuss with your doctor if you have problem with vertigo for over 72 hours or if vertigo is

  

  Tips to Fight Vertigo

  disrupting your normal routine hindering you from performing your daily chores.
• Check your blood pressure, blood sugar, vestibular disorders and make sure nothing dramatic is going on in your brain or cervical spine.
• Get your B12 levels checked and if it is low, supplement it. Checkout Elna's article B12 and MS.
• Do not skip breakfast! Start your day with a proteinaceous breakfast. Have some soaked nuts or seeds or chicken or turkey or something high in protein. Avoid just plain high carb foods for breakfast.
• Include almond butter or peanut butter if you have no nut allergies.
• Eat oily fish or supplement with high quality fish or krill oil.
• Avoid coffee and caffeinated beverages. Steer clear of carbonated beverages.
• Sugary treats are a NO-NO! Check Elna's article 124 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health.
• Drink water - half your body weight in ounces. Check Benefits of Water.
• Get a good night's rest. If you have problems with insomnia check Elna's article on Natural Treatments for Insomnia.
• Kill the stress in its tracks. Check our article, Stress - The Biggest Trigger.
• Exercise daily as your body permits.
• Fight fatigue using these natural tips from our article, 12 Tips To Fight Fatigue.
• I have noticed that smelling vicks vaporub helps me. Play with natural aromas like lavendar or eucalyptus oil.
• If you experience nausea with vertigo, please check Elna's article Nausea Remedies.

Dysphagia and MS

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Dysphagia and MS

This problem can really turn an enjoyable meal or evening into a painful situation. Though it does not always lead to choking, it can take an object several hours to pass through the esophagus. Even the swallowing of pills can be very problematic. Between 30 and 40 percent of people with MS experience swallowing problems at some time. However, for many people with MS-related dysphagia, these changes are so subtle that they may not be aware of them, besides experiencing the occasional coughing fit after something “goes down the wrong way”. Just like other MS symptoms, dysphagia can come on during a relapse and disappear completely or greatly improve.

Natural treatment for dysphagia:

The first remedy is one that Rocky Balboa might enjoy, and that is swallowing an uncooked egg yolk and white. The texture of the egg binds to the problematic food or pill and removes the obstruction. A lump of boiled rice can help if something like a fish bone is trapped in the esophagus. It can add more weight to the bone and push it downwards. Swallowing bread can accomplish the same thing. Gargling vinegar is a good solution when the obstruction is a large item. It can even help to soften hard bone and make it easier to swallow. Try starting with the vinegar method and then following it up with the rice or egg.

Several herbs have been known to help the throat during episodes with dysphagia. Licorice can reduce swelling and spasms and relieve pain in the gastrointestinal tract. The typical dose is 380 mg per day. Slippery elm is a demulcent, which means that it promotes the healing of and protects irritated tissues. The dose is 60 mg per day. Marshmallow is also a demulcent and an emollient (a soothing substance) and can be made in a tea with 2 to 5 g of dried leaf or root in 1 cup of boiling water. Other herbs that may be helpful are valerian, wild yam , St. John's wort, skullcap and linden flowers (Tilia).

The Heimlich Maneuver: Everyone in your household, including yourself, should learn the Heimlich Maneuver. The Heimlich Maneuver is a preventive emergency measure to use to dislodge food when someone is choking. You can perform this on yourself. Learn the Heimlich Maneuver at www.heimlichinstitute.org. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s a couple of very helpful “common sense tips” (as she’s calling it) from Dr. Julie Stachowiak:

• Sit Up Straight: It is important to sit up ramrod-straight, not only while eating, but also for at least 30 minutes following a meal. This applies to all situations, not just mealtimes – this means no lounging on the floor while shoving in nachos during the Superbowl and no slumping down in your chair shoving popcorn in at the movie theater.
• Mindful Eating Challenge: We could probably all slow down when we eat. Try this technique: Place food on your fork and put it in your mouth. Put your fork down. Chew your food very thoroughly, then swallow. Do not pick up your fork again until your mouth is empty. This will allow you to work through each swallow before starting to negotiate the next bite.
  
  Sounds easy? Ha! Try it during your next meal. I challenge you to put a five-dollar bill next to your plate. If you can get through the entire meal using this technique, it is yours to spend on a little treat. If not, into the “piggy bank” it goes. Keep doing this at each meal. By the time you can successfully make it through a meal using this technique with no slips, I will wager that you will be able to afford a pretty nice present for yourself. You will have also developed a habit that will really benefit you in the future.
• Don’t Talk With Food in Your Mouth: Again, how many times did you hear this while you were growing up? If only we had all listened, there wouldn’t be so many bad habits to work on breaking.
• Thicken Your Liquids: For some people, thin liquids tend to go down the “wrong way,” causing sputtering and coughing. There are specific thickeners that can be added to liquids to help them go down more smoothly. These are usually corn starch-based.
• Eat the Right Kinds of Foods: Hard, crumbly, dry and crunchy foods may create particles that aggravate your dysphagia. Adding gravy or avoiding these kinds of foods altogether may really help you. You may need to eat very soft or pureed foods.
• Eat Smaller Meals: Just like with any other sustained activity, we can get “swallowing fatigue,” where our muscles get tired and our attention starts wandering towards the end of a big meal. Instead of just trying to “get done” by shoveling food in faster and taking bigger bites, try breaking meals into smaller portions. It will be easier to eat slowly and concentrate on each bite.
• Take a Symptom Inventory: Think about how you feel before sitting down to eat. If your other symptoms seem worse at a particular time of day or under certain circumstances, there is a good chance that your dysphagia will be acting up, too. Remember, fatigue will contribute to swallowing problems. Also, it probably isn’t a good idea to eat outside in hot weather, as heat intolerance can aggravate all MS symptoms. If you happen to be at a picnic in the summer, skip the fried chicken in favor of some ice cream.
• Alternate Liquids and Solids: For some people, swallowing difficulties show up as problems getting the food to go all the way down the esophagus. It may be helpful to take a small sip or two of a liquid between bites. This will keep the food moist and moving. End your meal with some liquid, as well.
• Perfect Your Technique: Try tucking your chin in toward your chest slightly while swallowing. Moving your chin in one-half inch closes off the airways, preventing food and liquid from going into your respiratory passages.

General Dietary Tips to Fight MS

By: Esther Vasa

Here are a few general dietary tips to fight multiple sclerosis. Before making any changes to your diet, please consult your doctor for any dietary needs specific to you. Also each individual's food allergens are different. It is therefore important to identify your food allergens by maintaining a food journal. You could opt for tests like ELISA or Mediator Release Test to get an idea of your specific allergens.

AVOID:

• No sugar
• No aspartame
• No dairy
• No gluten



Fruits and Vegetables

• No MSG
• No HFCS (High Fructose Corn Syrup)

FATS:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Avocado Oil
• Walnut Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Oils rich in poly and mono unsaturated fatty acids

SWEETENERS:

Limit intake of all sweeteners. See Elna's post on 124 Ways Sugar Can Ruin Your Health. Please note the amount of fructose in the fruits and limit your fruit intake as well. Here is a blogpost on Fruits and Fructose.

• Stevia
• Coconut Sugar
• Unsulphured Blackstrap Molasses
• High quality fruits, berries, dried fruits, dried berries and dates
• Honey

NUTS and SEEDS:

Almonds are highly anti-inflammatory. If you aren't allergic to nuts consume almonds. Don't consume too many nuts as all nuts are filled with saturated fats. Pecans, Pistachios, Hazelnuts and Walnuts.

Seeds rich in Omega3 fatty acids are essential in our diet. Chia seeds (black and white), salba seeds, sesame seeds and flaxseeds are all good for PwMS.

PROTEIN:

• Lentils and Beans if you aren't allergic to them.
• Chicken and Turkey Breast
• All oily fish
• Reduce red meat consumption
• Reduce saturated fat consumption
• Limit eggs to two or three per week

SUBSTITUTES for DAIRY

• All nut milks 
• Hemp milk
• Rice milk 
• Coconut milk very sparingly.

VEGETABLES:

• All vegetables are good for consumption. Reduce consumption of starchy vegetables like potatoes. Concentrate on dark leafy greens, colored vegetables like carrots and beets. 
• Use herbs like rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, parsley and cilantro to flavor foods. 
• Use anti-inflammatory spices like turmeric, garlic, ginger, cinnamon, cloves and cayenne pepper for additional flavors and benefits.

GLUTEN-FREE GRAINS:

• Quinoa Seeds are high in protein grain and great for the vegetarians or vegans.
• Brown Rice and/or Wild Rice
• Certified Gluten-Free Oats either rolled or steel cut or whole
• Non-GMO Corn. So, tortillas are okay as long as you make sure the corn used is not genetically modified.

Lecithin Supplement

By: Esther Vasa

DISCLAIMER: Please discuss with your doctor before starting any new supplements for any possible drug interactions or any health concerns specific to you.

Lecithin Rich Foods  

LECITHIN (Phosphatidylcholine) is a fat that is essential in the cells of the body. It crosses the blood brain barrier to help the brain make acetylcholine. It acts as an emulsifier and breaks down the fats and cholesterol in the diet into tiny particles and holds them in suspension, preventing them from sticking to blood platelets or arterial walls. Foods high in choline are all foods high in lecithin and those foods are soybeans, sunflower seeds, legumes, grains, brewers yeast, fish, iceberg lettuce, beef liver, beef steak, oats, flaxseeds, sesame seeds and egg yolks. The most common form of choline supplement is lecithin, derived from soy. Eat choline-rich or lecithin-rich foods because choline deficiency is linked to increased oxidative stress on the liver, and known to decrease methylation of DNA, which may result in abnormal DNA repair.

Autopsies show that multiple sclerosis patients have significantly less lecithin in the brain, spine and myelin sheath than normal folks. In addition, lecithin present in the brain and myelin sheath of MSers is essentially composed of all saturated fatty acids and no unsaturated fatty acids. Lecithin works best when consumed with your meal. I don't eat soybeans, wheat germ, brewers yeast or fish but I do eat foods very high in poly and mono unsaturated fatty acids i.e., flaxseeds, chia seeds, hemp seeds, avocados, sesame seeds, walnuts and other nuts, whole grains like brown rice and whole oats, legumes like lentils, beans and peanuts and about three eggs per week. If you have problem with blood sugar levels, lecithin may not be right for you as people did have elevated blood sugars when using lecithin. Please monitor your blood sugar levels regularly if you are using lecithin especially soy lecithin.

If you are considering a lecithin supplement, my suggestion is to consider taking sunflower lecithin and not soy lecithin as most soy is genetically modified. Plus, soy lecithin is typically confined to unfermented sources rich in enzyme inhibitors making carbohydrates and proteins impossible to completely digest. On the other hand, sunflower seed lecithin is less processed, less contaminated and has far fewer allergies reported. A comparative study between soy lecithin and sunflower seed lecithin showed that sunflower lecithin has higher content of phosphatidylcholine, a phospholipid conferring the best dispersing and emulsifying properties of lecithin. 

Tips to Fight Optic Neuritis

By: Esther Vasa

Optic Neuritis

Simply put, Optic Neuritis (ON) is the inflammation of the optic nerve, that connects eye and the brain and could result in a partial or complete loss of vision. This condition mostly develops due to an autoimmune disorder like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) or an underlying cardiovascular disease or diabetes. Many get diagnosed with MS following an optic neuritis flare-up. See your doctor at the first signs of ON, like blurred vision, eye pain or flash in the eye.

These general tips are for informational purposes only. Before embarking on a new dietary path or before starting any new supplements, consult your doctor to see how it would affect your MS, ON or any other conditions you may have.

ANTIOXIDANTS:

It is important to protect our cells from damage or damage causing substances like toxins, heavy metals, preservatives and carcinogens. Increase intake of high-pigment natural antioxidants. Fruits, fruit skins, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, oranges, dark grapes, cherries, goji berries, acai berries and watermelons. Vegetables like kale, spinach, alfalfa sprouts, broccoli florets, and red bell peppers have similar protective antiaging benefits. Consider taking supplements like resveratrol, bilberry extract, if obtaining fresh produce is difficult.

ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS (EFAs):

EFAs, like Omega 3 fatty acid found in walnuts, avocados, extra virgin olive oil, evening primrose oil and oily fish are essential to fight inflammatory conditions like ON. Our entire central nervous system and especially our brain consists largely of structural fats. Every nerve fiber is coated with a fatty layer called "myelin sheath", which acts like the insulation around electrical wires. However, avoid trans fat and consume foods with high EFAs to improve nerve health.

B-COMPLEX:

Supplements like vitamin B-12, thiamine, folic acid, proteins with sulfur-containing amino acids are essential. Or consume foods like green leafy vegetables, like spinach and kale. Beans and nuts (if you aren't allergic) also contain parts of the vitamin B complex like thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine and niacin.

REST:

Get six to eight hours of sleep every night. If you have insomnia, please check Elna's "Natural treatments for INSOMNIA".

AVOID SUGAR and SUGAR SUBSTITUTES:

Avoid sugar and sugar substitutes. If you really need a sweetener, I recommend using raw honey (sparingly), organic unsulphured dates or dried fruits, organic berries and some fruit.

AVOID GLUTEN:

Gluten is a substance that contains many different proteins. It is found in cereal grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut, bulgur wheat, triticale, oats etc., Oats by default are gluten-free but conventional oats may have traces of gluten as they are mostly processed in a wheat facility. If you want to use oats, please get gluten-free oats.

AVOID KNOWN NEUROTOXINS AND EXCITOTOXINS:

In general, you should absolutely avoid known "neurotoxins" (poisons that kill neurons) such as smoking, intoxicating alcohol, and "excitotoxins" (MSG, aspartame, NutraSweet, Equal and other sugar substitutes). Heavy metals like lead and mercury (Eg: in fish, metal tooth fillings) are known to kill neurons.

AVOID YOUR ALLERGENS:

As a rule of thumb, know your allergens and avoid them. For example, I know that am allergic to dairy and seafood and try to stay away from them as best as I can.

AVOID NON-GM FOODS:

Genetically Modified (GM) Foods have many known and unknown health hazards. If you can afford, stick to organic, non-GM foods. For instance, introducing a gene into a plant may create a new allergen or cause an allergic reaction in susceptible people. Mostly foods like soy and corn are genetically modified foods.

AVOID HEAT:

Some may experience an ON flare when the body gets heated up. To get your dose of sunlight in the summer months, step out either in the morning or after 5PM. Get a cooling vest and use it when you head out or use it while exercising. Hydrate to cool down.

TIPS FOR EYE HEALTH by Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Salmon, garlic, dark chocolate, leafy greens (you already know the importance of eating your greens each day, but all that spinach, broccoli and kale will provide essential vitamins and minerals for good eye health. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, spinach in particular contains high levels of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which are essential for protecting the eyes from degeneration), billberries, apricots and eggs. (Egg yolks contain several essential nutrients and protein that can keep you healthy; in addition to lutein and essential fatty acids, eggs contain B-vitamins and zinc that are essential for overall eye health).

Besides the nutrients and ocular nutrition foods to have and avoid, described above, the following nutrients are associated with vision and eye health:

• Alpha Lipoic Acid – ALA improves the performance of other antioxidants in the body.
• L-Taurine – helps protect the eyes from UV light and helps strengthen the retinal cells.
• Lycopene – a strong antioxidant found in tomatoes
• N-Acetyl Cysteine – helps protect the eyes from damage by UV light and strengthens the immune system.
• Quercetin – a strong antioxidant that helps maintain lens transparency; exists in small amounts in red wine.
• Vitamin C – helps the body resist damage by oxidation (damage from long-term exposure to oxygen and light).
• Zinc – helps support macula and retina health; levels of zinc and eye health are definitely related.

The Health Benefits of Using an Ozonator

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

With many thanks to Drs. Weil and Egersdorfer.

Ozonator

Ozone is made from oxygen, which makes up water, air, earth and is at all levels a part of life. As we need oxygen to breathe and live, oxygen is more a part of our life than anything. Remember, oxygen is in water we need to live, and water comprises 85% of our body. We are walking ozonators. Ozone can be applied to clean the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, or kill the viruses that harm us. It is also being applied to many industrial applications.

What is Ozone?

When most people think of ozone, they picture the layer high in the earth’s outer atmosphere that protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, but this bluish gas, which sometimes can be detected as a fresh smell after a thunderstorm, is actually a valuable tool with a variety of down to earth uses.

Ozone gas (03) is a naturally occurring tri-atomic form of oxygen (02) that is formed as sunlight passes through the atmosphere or when streaks through the air. It can be generated artificially by passing high voltage electricity through oxygenated air (corona discharge), causing oxygen to break apart and recombine in the tri-atomic form. Because oxygen naturally seeks its normal state, ozone is an unstable, highly reactive form of the gas. Ozone is effective as a disinfectant at relatively low concentrations and does not leave toxic by products similar to those related to chlorination.

Some quick ozone facts:

Ozone is “active oxygen” – an ozone molecule consisting of three oxygen atoms.

Ozone is healthy and environmentally safe.

Ozone is created in nature from oxygen in the air by ultraviolet rays of the sun or by the corona or electrical discharge during a lightning storm.

The Ozone layer in the atmosphere protects the earth from deadly radiation and there is a small amount of ozone in the air we breathe.

Ozone has a clean, fresh scent often noticed after a rainstorm.

As an oxidizer, ozone is 500 times as powerful as chlorine and 3,000 times as fast at killing bacteria and other microbes.

Ozone is a powerful oxidiser and oxidises hydrogen sulphides, iron, manganese and most chlorinated hydrocarbons and eliminates soaps and oils.

Ozone is a natural purifier and destroys bacteria, viruses, cysts, yeasts, moulds and mildew and fungus.

Ozone is a by product of oxygen, it does not leave any chemical taste or smell, it will not cause any personal discomfort or irritation.

Ozone is the alternative water purifier to traditional chemicals such as chlorine and bromine and keeps the water fresh, clean and sparkling clear

Ozone is not a carcinogen (like the chlorine and chloramines formed in your spa with chlorine use) and will not irritate, dry out or leave a chemical film on your skin; or damage and discolour your hair

The first commercial use of ozone was in a municipal water system in 1906. Ozone is now used by a wide variety of industries worldwide, including wastewater plants, water parks, zoos, aquariums, food manufacturing and water bottling as well as commercial and residential swimming pools and spa pools.

OZONE USES

Industry

The largest use of ozone is in the preparation of pharmaceuticals, synthetic lubricants, and many other commercially useful organic compounds, where it is used to sever carbon-carbon bonds. It can also be used for bleaching substances and for killing microorganisms in air and water sources. Many municipal drinking water systems kill bacteria with ozone instead of the more common chlorine. Ozone has a very high oxidation potential. Ozone does not form organochlorine compounds, nor does it remain in the water after treatment. Where electrical power is abundant, ozone is a cost-effective method of treating water, since it is produced on demand and does not require transportation and storage of hazardous chemicals. Once it has decayed, it leaves no taste or odor in drinking water. Low levels of ozone are of disinfectant use in residential homes, having substantial effect on airborne pathogens.

Industrially, ozone is used to:

• Disinfect laundry in hospitals, food factories, care homes etc;

• Disinfect water in place of chlorine;

• Purify the air in smokers rooms in the hotel industry;

• Deodorize air and objects, such as after a fire. This process is extensively used in fabric restoration;

• Kill bacteria on food or on contact surfaces;

• Sanitize swimming pools and spas;

• Kill insects in stored grain;

• Scrub yeast and mold spores from the air in food processing plants;

• Wash fresh fruits and vegetables to kill yeast, mold and bacteria;

• Chemically attack contaminants in water (iron, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, nitrites, and complex organics lumped together as “colour”);

• Provide an aid to flocculation (agglomeration of molecules, which aids in filtration, where the iron and arsenic are removed); Manufacture chemical compounds via chemical synthesis;

• Clean and bleach fabrics (the former use is utilized in fabric restoration; the latter use is patented);

• Assist in processing plastics to allow adhesion of inks;

• Age rubber samples to determine the useful life of a batch of rubber;

• Eradicate water borne parasites such as Giardia lamblia and Cryptosporidium in surface water treatment plants.

For more than a centruy, ozone has been used in Europe for purifying drinking water and is currently used in the United States for purifying bottled water and decontaminating cooling towers. The city of Los Angeles currently uses ozone to purify its water supply.

Ozone is a reagent in many organic reactions in the laboratory and in industry. Ozonolysis is the cleavage of an alkene to carbonyl compounds.

Many hospitals in the U.S. and around the world use large ozone generators to decontaminate operating rooms between surgeries. The rooms are cleaned and then sealed airtight before being filled with ozone which effectively kills or neutralizes all remaining bacteria.

Ozone is used as an alternative to chlorine or chlorine dioxide in the bleaching of wood pulp. It is often used in conjunction with oxygen and hydrogen peroxide to eliminate the need for chlorine-containing compounds in the manufacture of high-quality, white paper.

Ozone can be used to detoxify cyanide wastes (for example from gold and silver mining) by oxidizing cyanide to cyanate and eventually to carbon dioxide.

Aquazone has also manufactured customised high output ozone generators for the use disinfecting the inside of wine barrels ready to be filled.

Consumers

Devices generating high levels of ozone, some of which use ionization, are used to sanitize and deodorize uninhabited buildings, rooms, ductwork, woodsheds, boats and other vehicles.

Air purifyers emit low levels of ozone. This kind of air purifier imitates nature’s way of purifying the air without filters and to sanitize both it and household surfaces.

Ozonated water is used to launder clothes and to sanitise food, drinking water, and surfaces in the home.

Ozone can be used to remove pestide residues from fruits and vegetables.

Ozone is used in home swimming pools and spa pools to kill bacteria in the water and to reduce the amount of chlorine or bromine required by reactivating them to their free state. Aquazone ozone generators produce ozone by method of corona discharge and is injected into the water.

Ozone is also widely used in treatment of water in aquariums and fish ponds. Its use can minimize bacterial growth, control parasites, and eliminate transmission of some diseases. There are many dissolved organics that can discolor your water, ozone will oxidize these and produce water that is crystal clear.

To summarize the list, the following are categories of contaminants that can all be treated with ozone:

• Bacteria—all known

• Fungi and yeast—all known

• Protozoa (including parasites and amoebae)—all known.

• Its effectiveness against Cryptosporidium has some limitations, yet is still the most effective of all known sanitation agents for this organism.

In general, ozone is used commercially to:

• Disinfect water before it is bottled

• Kill bacteria, yeast and protozoa on food-contact surfaces such as fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts, legumes, and all animal meats

• Kill yeast and mold spores that float in the air in food processing plants

• Chemically attack (oxidize) impurities in water such as iron, arsenic, hydrogen sulfide, nitrites and organic clumps

• Oxidize and degrade many organic pollutants including pesticides, herbicides and other persistent environmental chemicals as explained below.

In order to disinfect organisms, ozone must come in physical contact with them. But it only takes ozone a few seconds of contact time to destroy pathogens. In fact, no pathogen can survive 1.5 milligrams of ozone per liter for 5 minutes at normal drinking water pH and temperatures.

Consider how many uses ozone has on fruits and vegetables. It is ideal for cleaning and sanitizing fresh produce directly plus it can be sprayed on all the equipment and surfaces where foods are packaged or processed. It can then be sprayed on walls and floors of storage areas and active processing areas to kill and remove bacteria or other organic matter. And because ozone has such a short half-life it does not build up on surfaces the way detergents can if they are not removed by proper rinsing. Ozone air is even used to blow dry food products to eliminate cross-contamination in the air, and ozone refrigeration is used to eliminate mold build-up.

Another important consideration is the preservation of fresh produce. Studies of fruits and vegetables indicate that cooling fruits and vegetables as soon as possible after harvest is a critical factor to extending product shelf life. So by adding ozone to the chilled air and water applied to fruits or vegetables after harvest, both decontamination and cooling can occur in one step.

Fortunately, ozone does not appear to injure vegetable and fruit tissues during contact with them. Several fresh-cut processors now equipped with ozone currently have preliminary results indicating that bacterial counts are lower as compared to chlorinated systems. Produce such as shredded lettuce exhibits a longer shelf life with less browning when washed with ozone than when chlorine is used, and has a noticeably better flavor.

Ozone is also ideal for cleaning and sanitizing beef, pork, poultry, seafood and other fish directly, as well as all the equipment and surfaces where they are packaged or processed. Vacuum packaging, using ozone gas is then used to ensure decontamination into the package.

Some additional benefits of ozone in the food preparation industry are that it:

• Extends the shelf life of food products

• Is much safer for employees than any conventional chemicals

• Eliminates all chemical usage and is chemical-free, without the chemical by-products of chlorination

• Eliminates the use of hot water and conventional sanitizer

• Is generated on site, thus eliminating the transporting, storing and handling of otherwise hazardous materials

• Is very inexpensive to produce once a generator is in use

• Permits recycling of wastewater

pH Test Strips

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

The pH of your tissues and body fluids affects the state of your health or inner cleanliness or filth. The closer the pH is to 7.35 - 7.45, the higher you’re level of health and well being and your ability to resist states of disease and the onset of symptomologies.

For optimal health: Body temperature needs to be 98.6° F. Blood pressure needs to be 110/70 mmHg. Blood pH needs to be 7.365. And to make it all work urine and saliva pH needs to be 6.8 - 7.2. You probably own a thermometer and you get your blood pressure checked. But do you know your pH? If not — you should. See the connection between green and how you feel.

Tests show that most people are a bit acid in their pH, meaning lower than 7.0, but if your pH is too acid, the body begins to borrow minerals from bones and organs to neutralize the overacid state and remove those acids from the body. This would obviously affect overall health negatively if your minerals were being pulled back out to alkalize your fluids.

pH Test Strips

Learn how the SCIENCE of pH can help you:

S: Stop heartburn

C: Control blood sugar

I: Increase vitamin & mineral absorption

E: Easily manage weight

N: Naturally stop bone loss

C: Clear brain fog

E: Experience feeling better then you have in years

Litmus paper is a very good choice for being used as pH test strips: VÄXA's pH Test Strips have been the choice of many health care professionals and health stores for years for one simple reason, they provide accurate results. VÄXA's pH test strips are individual strips, rather than a roll, eliminating wasted litmus paper and making it easy to test your pH. Also, every box of our litmus paper / pH test strips come with two color matched pH scale charts so you can easily and accurately determine your body pH. VÄXA's Litmus Paper / pH test strips accurately test from 5.0 to 9.0.

Kathy Smith-Wilson recommends Nature’s Sunshine’s pH strips – another excellent and healthy choice! The test strips can be used to test urine and saliva pH. Saliva pH indicate the activity of your digestive enzymes which come from the liver and stomach. This pH should stay between 6.4-6.8 for optimal digestion. Urinary pH indicates how well your body is assimilating minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, etc. These minerals are acid buffers and the body uses them to moderate acid levels. When acid increases, the body becomes less likely to be able to excrete it all. Therefore, it will displace minerals in bones, teeth, etc. Urinary pH should be between 6.0-6.4 in the morning and 6.4-7.0 in the evening. A case of 100 test strips comes with a chart to measure against for the pH and also with the norms and suggestions for altering pH.

Follow these important rules when making your own home-made pH-strips:

- Use only distilled water when preparing the pH paper test strips.

- Use only acid-free "art" paper. There are a number of good inexpensive brands available.

- Obtain an earthenware plate or dish. Fill with the chosen concoction that has been prepared using distilled water.

- Immerse the paper into the dish carefully. Ensure that you wet the paper uniformly.

- Allow to dry. It must dry in a place that has no acidic, ammonia or other vapors that might affect the paper and its ability to work.

- Store paper that has been made in bottles, jars or cases.

- Select the concoction of choice from the following suggestions: Dahlia, Elderberry, Blue of Red Litmus Paper, Rose Petals, Rhubarb, Turmeric and Red Cabbage.

Recipe for the red cabbage strips:

You’ll need: Red Cabbage, Filter Paper or Coffee Filters, Blender - optional.

• Cut a red cabbage (or purple) into pieces such that it will fit into a blender. Chop the cabbage, adding the minimum amount of water needed to blend it (because you want the juice as concentrated as possible). If you don't have a blender, then use a vegetable grater or chop your cabbage using a knife.
• Soak the cabbage in a small volume of boiling water or else heat the cabbage using another method. You'll see the liquid boil or else steam rising from the cabbage
• Allow the cabbage to cool (about 10 minutes).
• Filter the liquid from the cabbage through a filter paper or coffee filter. It should be deeply colored.
• Soak a filter paper or coffee filter in this liquid. Allow it to dry. Cut the dry colored paper into test strips.
• Use a dropper or toothpick to apply a little liquid to a test strip. The color range for acids and bases will depend on the particular plant. If you like, you can construct a chart of pH and colors using liquids with a known pH so that you can then test unknowns. Examples of acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl), vinegar, and lemon juice. Examples of bases include sodium or potassium hydroxide (NaOH or KOH) and baking soda solution. Alkalies change the paper to green; acids to red.
• Another way to use your pH paper is as a color-change paper. You can draw on pH paper using a toothpick or cotton swab that has been dipped in an acid or base.
• Red cabbage contains a pigment molecule called flavin (an anthocyanin). This water-soluble pigment is also found in apple skin, plums, poppies, cornflowers, and grapes. Very acidic solutions will turn anthocyanin a red color. Neutral solutions result in a purplish color. Basic solutions appear in greenish-yellow. Therefore, it is possible to determine the pH of a solution based on the color it turns the anthocyanin pigments in red cabbage juice.

Red Cabbage pH Indicator Colors:

pH     2      4        6        8      10              12

Color Red Purple Violet Blue Blue-Green Greenish Yellow

Candida and MS

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Many practitioners would say there is definitely a link between Candida and MS. Candida is a fungal overgrowth in the gut. We all have some fungus in the gut, but when it proliferates out of control it overloads the immune system. In Candida, the normal yeast has had a population explosion and changed into a parasitic fungus that penetrates the bowel wall, puncturing it with little holes. This causes the leaky gut syndrome, where partly digested foodstuffs leak into the bloodstream, causing havoc.

Because candidiasis can affect many areas of the body at once, it can cause a variety of disorders and symptoms. In the mouth, C. albicans can produce thrush, or white plaques in the mouth and throat. In women, it is one of the sources of vaginitis, which produces itching, burning, and a sticky white or yellow discharge. Overgrowth of yeast may result in weak nails; skin infections, marked by redness, inflammation, and itching; or digestive upsets causing abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, rectal irritation, and colitis. Candidas may develop in the urethra or sinuses. Other symptoms can include fatigue, memory loss, mood swings, muscle and joint pain, nagging cough and congestion, and numbness or tingling in the fingers and toes. Home remedies for candida can help with many of these symptoms.

Although grapefruit seed extract (GSE) was not widely used until the 1970s, its use since then has rocketed as both doctors and patients have realized its broad applications against all kinds of infections, including Candida overgrowth. In a 1990 study, grapefruit seed extract was found to perform as well or better than 30 antibiotics and 18 fungicides. However, as a non-toxic, natural remedy, it had none of the side effects of the other treatments!

• Grapefruit seed extract has a great selection of vitamins that can both do wonders for your general health, and also help you through your treatment for Candida overgrowth. It boosts your immune system and helps to repair liver cells that may be damaged by the release of Candida toxins in a Die-Off reaction.
• Take Lactobacillus and bifidus probiotic supplements daily. These friendly bacteria grow to form a protective lining over the digestive tract that keeps yeast colonies from forming.
• Avoid refined sugar, honey, maple syrup, and fruit juices. Also avoid chewing gums flavored with xylitol, which may aggravate thrush. Avoid antibiotics, steroids, and birth control pills unless medically directed to take them.
• The beneficial bacteria acidophillus is thought to control candida by making the intestinal tract more acidic, discouraging the growth of candida, and by producing hydrogen peroxide, which directly kills candida.
• One teaspoon to one tablespoon of soluble fiber containing guar gum, psyllium husks, flaxseeds or pectin can be mixed in an 8 oz glass of water two times per day on an empty stomach.
• Oregano oil, peppermint oil, and other volatile oils are thought to prevent the overgrowth of candida. It is usually recommended for at least several months. A standard dosage is two capsules two times a day with water, in between meals.
• Barberry tea will help, but not just on its own. The herb barberry is rich in the alkaloid berberine, which has a powerful effect on the immune system and in cleansing the colon. You can take it either as a tea, a tincture, or in capsules mixed with other herbs which help colon health.
• Diet is an important part of the Candida cleanse. Make sure you follow strict alkaline diet! The length of time on the Candida cleanse depends on the length of time one has had symptoms, symptom severity, and overall health. People may notice improvement after strict adherence to the diet for two to four weeks. For others it takes months. Once symptoms are gone and lab tests show significant improvement, foods from the restricted list can be slowly incorporated back into the diet.

Here is a sample list of foods to temporarily avoid while on a candida diet.

• Sugar: Refined sugar is thought to encourage the growth of Candida yeast. Foods containing refined sugar include: white sugar, brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, corn syrup, maple sugar, molasses, date sugar, turbinado, raw sugar, demerrara, amasake, rice syrup, sorghum. Read labels carefully because there may be hidden forms of sugar. When reading the label, words to watch out for include: sucrose, fructose, maltose, lactose, glycogen, glucose, mannitol, sorbitol, galactose, monosaccharides, polysaccharides.
• Fruit : Fruit contain natural sugars that are thought to support the growth of yeast. Fruit that are typically eliminated include fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruit and juice.
• Yeast: Foods that contain yeast are typically eliminated. Yeast-containing foods include: Baker's yeast, Brewer's yeast, Engevita, Torula, and any other types of nutritional yeast.Baked goods raised with yeast such as breads, rolls, crackers, bagels, pastries, and muffins are not permitted.
• Foods Containing Gluten: Gluten-containing foods include wheat, barley, and rye. This includes products made with these ingredients such as bread and pasta.
• Vinegar: Includes all types of vinegar, such as white vinegar, red wine vinegar, apple cider vinegar, rice vinegar, and balsamic vinegar, and any food made with vinegage, such as mayonnaise, commercial salad dressing, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, steak sauce, BBQ sauce, shrimp sauce, soy sauce, mustard, pickles, pickled vegetables, green olives, relishes, horseradish, mincemeat, and chili sauce.
• Mushrooms: Mushrooms are typically not allowed on Candida diets.
• Also make sure that you limit your intake of dairy products and eggs.

Love Your Liver!

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Your liver depends on you to take care of it, so it can take care of you. It serves as your body's engine, pantry, refinery, food processor, garbage disposal, and "guardian angel." The trouble is, your liver is a silent partner; when something's wrong it does not complain until the damage is far advanced. So it needs your help every day to keep it healthy and hepatitis-free. To do that, you need to eat a healthy diet, exercise, get lots of fresh air, and avoid things that can cause liver damage.

There are a number of foods that nutritional experts consistently name as “supportive” or “protective” to the liver. A poorly functioning liver can result in tiredness, headaches, bad breath, allergies and intolerances, problem skin and weight gain.

• Make sure you always follow a highly alkaline diet.
• Get yourself tested for a heavy metal overload in your body. Tests that help to diagnose metal and chemical toxicity include ART (Automotive Response Testing), blood tests, urine tests, and the analysis of hair, nails or other tissues. The most accurate of these are a chelation challenge test or a hair analysis.
• The Far Infrared Sauna has an excellent reputation for detoxifying both metal and chemical contaminants from the body. It is an excellent therapy on its own or as an adjunct to other natural methods of detoxification.
• ION-cleansing foot-baths are also very helpful tools in getting rid of heavy metals from your body. The primary treatment for most heavy metals is chelation therapy, which can take takes anywhere from many months to several years to remove toxic metals from your body.
• Supplements you can take to support chelation, include the following: chlorella and cilantro, Adva- and Metallo Clear capsules (100% natural), Zeolite and Ultra Clear Plus proteïn concentrate.
• Heavy metals are not removed by fasting! And unfortunately, there is no medical treatment for chemical toxicity.
• Other supplements: LivAmend is a specially formulated supplement that supports liver function, increases bile flow and improves bowel elimination - which is all essential for physical AND mental health. It has also helped many people with constipation problems.
• UltraClear Plus is a medical food designed for individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome who may benefit from nutritional support for altered energetic and liver detoxification function. Altered detoxification function may be due to genetic predisposition, a history of chronic nutrient insufficiency, and/or toxin overload, which can result in a build-up of stored toxins and a subsequent increase in symptoms and/or tissue damage.

Liver-supporting food may include the following:

• Artichokes are a member of the milk thistle family that help control blood sugar levels and are known to support liver health. This fibrous, green veggie contains cynarin, which promotes the flow of bile from the liver to the gallbladder. This is very important, because if the bile is not transported adequately to the gallbladder, the liver has increased risk of damage. Your liver must get rid of toxins through bile -- with the help of your gall bladder. If overloaded, your liver has a harder time getting these toxins out through your bile - and ultimately, some of the toxins will be stored in the fat in your liver. The toxins that do get released in bile may be equally or more toxic than the original toxins from your liver - causing inflammation of your bile ducts and slowing down bile flow. This slowdown creates a vicious cycle of more intracellular toxicity. To learn more ways to correct your digestion, heal your liver and eat foods that support your overall health, be sure to read The Body Ecology Diet.
• Asparagus have anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
• Beets are a very high anti-oxidant veggie. Beet fiber seems to be particularly health-promoting for the liver.
• Carrots contain beta-carotene and other cartenoids the help protect the liver.
• Shitake Mushrooms have powerful effects on hepatitis and many other diseases.
• Brazil nuts and broccoli have a very high concentration of selenium, a powerful anti-oxidant mineral that works synergistically with other antioxidants to assist in protection against further damage to liver cells.
• Garlic has sulphur-containing compounds, which are responsible for many of its healing properties. It also contains allicin which is a sulphur-based compound needed by the liver for effective detoxification. Garlic also helps the liver get rid the body of mercury.
• Brown rice retains the bran layer that is packed with B vitamins, selenium, vitamin E and magnesium.
• Whey proteïn contains lactoferrin and builds glutathione levels. While glutathione is the main antioxidant found inside liver cells.
• Mung beans are used to detoxify poisons in the body.
• Alfalfa cleanses the liver and bloodstream while supplying necessary vitamins and minerals. Research suggests that alfalfa may inactivate dietary chemical carcinogenes in the liver and small intestine.
• Dandelion Greens stimulates the flow of bile, help both the liver and gallbladder break down fat, prevent gallstones and aid in detoxification.
• Buckwheat, black currants and rose hips contain bioflavonoids which stimulate detoxification by the liver.
• Green Apples contain pectin that bind to heavy metals in the body and help their excretion. This reduces the load on the liver and it’s detoxification capacities.
• Freshly squeezed lemon in hot water helps to cleanse the liver and promote detoxification. It also stimulates bile production, cleanses, cleanses the stomach and bowel and stimulates a bowel motion.
• Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflower and cabbage are very powerful detoxifiers of the liver. They also contain glucosinolates that help the liver to roduce enzymes it needs for its detoxification process.
• Drink lots of water, because it helps the kidneys to get rid of the toxins that the liver has broken down. Make sure you drink liquids 15 minutes before or 1 hour after eating. Excessive liquids with your meals can dilute stomach acid and hinder your digestion.
• Helpful herbs include the following: bupleurum, milk thistle, dandelion root, cyperus, barberry root bark, wild yam, lycii berries, fennel and gingel, aloe, celery, horseradish, motherwort, yarrow and wild indigo.
• Liver detox tea: For detoxification, brew one or more of these dried (or fresh) herbs together by boiling them with water. Simmer slowly for 20 minutes and then let stand for 10 minutes before drinking. For increased detoxification power, you can mix the water with other well-known blood-cleansing herbs such as lemon juice and cayenne pepper. Add the cayenne pepper to taste just before drinking. Cayenne becomes more potent as it sits in food and water.

Things to avoid:

• Alcohol.
• Chemicals such as food colorings, flavorings and preservatives as well as toxins such as insecticides and pesticides, because these substances make the liver work harder.
• Avoid multi-vitamins that contain iron. Iron is stored in the liver. Excessive amounts of some vitamins may be an additional source of stress to the liver that must act as a filter for the body. Mega-vitamin supplements, particularly if they contain vitamins A and D, may be harmful. Excess vitamin A is very toxic to the liver.
• Sugar, because it inhibits the bile-flowing process.
• Poorly digested food: healthy food intake and proper digestion are key to liver and intestinal health. Your liver helps detoxify blood from your small intestine. When the intestines contain chemicals and toxins that are not purified by the beneficial microflora in your intestines the liver suffers greatly. Poorly digested foods ferment creating toxins, so it is critical that your foods digest completely. This will ensure that your liver is protected from these poisons that cause it to become congested. This will keep your liver healthy and able to make the amino acids you need for neurotransmitters.

Hence, your overall health and vitality, to a great extent, depends upon the health of your liver. The thousands of enzyme systems that control virtually every body activity are created there. If your liver fails to create even one of these enzymes, overall body function is impaired, creating greater metabolic stress on your body. Therefore, be good to your liver and it will take good care of you!

Nightshades

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

I never gave too much attention to nightshade veggies (Example: potatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, hot peppers, tomatoes etc.,) because they never caused inflammation in my body. After a discussion on the Multiple Sclerosis and Diet group on Facebook, I asked my doctor about it and he gave me this shocking info on potatoes specifically: “Because they are indigestible, uncooked potatoes pass through the upper intestine with little change. They arrive in the lower intestine largely intact, where they begin to ferment under the influence of intestinal bacteria. The result of this fermentation is the production of gas, which can cause bloating, cramping and flatulence. Although none of these effects are a threat to health, they are uncomfortable and inconvenient.” 

In the light of the above, it makes só much sense what Esther and Dr. Terry say: “It is a lifestyle commitment that all of the food you eat will be the best, most nutrient dense food. That means you will be eating green leaves, sulfur rich vegetables, berries and high quality protein.” So, even if I don’t see immediate harm in my body, it does not mean that certain foods get a green light!

Here is a further explanation from my doctor: “All members of this family (nightshades) are known for protecting themselves with toxic alkaloids, and potatoes are no exception. They produce two alkaloids, solanine and chaconine, that are dangerous to humans. Ordinarily, a potato contains only small amounts of both.”

For more information please check WH Foods.

What is GLUTEN?

By: Esther Vasa

GLUTEN is a substance that contains many different proteins. It is found in cereal grains like wheat, rye, barley, spelt, kamut, bulgur wheat, triticale, oats etc., Oats by default are gluten-free but conventional oats may have traces of gluten as they are mostly processed in a wheat facility. If you want to use oats, please get gluten-free oats.

Wheat Kernel

The proteins found in glutinous grains are storage proteins with a functional element attached to them. They are stored in  the grain's endosperm and feed during the germination process. Although there are several proteins in gluten, the two main proteins that trigger gluten intolerance are GLIAIDIN and GLUTENIN. Remember all grains have proteins that make up gluten. For instance, corn and rice have albumin and globulin which DO NOT cause gluten intolerance. Oats have avenin. Some people with gluten intolerance, cannot tolerate avenin. Gluten Free experts suggest that those who want to go gluten free may be better off avoiding oats also. There are other proteins that do not cause gluten intolerance. 

The complex spiral structure of gluten is believed to resemble some form of virus and the details of which I am not particularly sure about. Gluten causes damage in the small intestines for folks that are allergic to gluten. And it creates gut discomfort to those that are sensitive to it. As for me, a few hours after I consume anything with gluten, I experience terrible inflammation. Generally, it is good for those of us fighting an auto-immune disorder like Multiple Sclerosis to go gluten-free! 

Gluten's functionality is to provide elasticity to your bread or perhaps better termed as "chewiness". It also helps the bread to rise easily. In my earlier days of going gluten-free, I had a hard time getting my bread to bind together and rise. Over a period of time, I learned to bake my gluten-free bread better. If I could do it, anybody can do it!

What foods should those desiring to go gluten-free avoid? 

• Do not use any glutinous grains like wheat, rye, barley, oats, spelt, kamut etc., 
• Please read food labels and buy products that are clearly labeled as "GLUTEN-FREE". 
• Stay away from all processed foods as gluten is a common additive in processed foods. Many sauces, store bought gravies, soups and packaged foods have gluten and it is used to thicken them most of the times. 
• When in doubt, avoid that food!

What could you use instead of gluten?

You could use rice, tapioca, non-GMO corn, gluten-free oats, groats, potato starch, almond meal, coconut flour, quinoa, garbanzo bean flour and the other grains that fall under the gluten-free family. My favorites are brown rice, wild rice and quinoa.

Possible symptoms after consuming gluten based on my experience:

• Severe migraine
• Nausea
• Sharp pain in the stomach
• Terribly inflamed back four hours after consuming
• Pins and needles
• Extreme difficulty walking
• Difficulty with bowel movement for a few successive days

Miscellaneous:
Some have questioned me as to why Biblical scriptures refer to wheat and other grains with gluten when there are so many of us with gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity today. If you are interested in reading further from a Biblical standpoint, check WellnessMama's blogpost on that. Craig Stellpflug has a wonderful article on Natural News and the link to that article is Gluten - The hidden killer.

Mood-Food: Eat to Fight Depression!

By: Elna Botes van Schalkwyk

Trying to find a diet to ease depression?

Unfortunately, there's no specific diet that works for depression. No studies have been done that indicate a particular eating plan can ease symptoms of clinical depression. Still, while certain diets or foods may not ease depression (or put you instantly in a better mood), a healthy diet may help as part of an overall treatment for depression.

Although all of us experience periods of intense sadness, true depression can range from mourning to chronic and complete disability, characterized by overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts. People who are depressed also find it difficult to function; they may have disturbed eating and sleeping and bowel habits, they can't concentrate, they can't enjoy anything in life and they frequently suffer low self-esteem. Brains need the right dietary mix to be healthy. Too much or too little of a good thing can lead to an unhealthy brain and you could well end up depressed.

Foods for beating depression:

• Fish oils: Contain omega-3 fatty acids. Research has shown that depressed people often lack a fatty acid known as EPA. Participants in a 2002 study featured in the Archives of General Psychiatry took just a gram of fish oil each day and noticed a 50-percent decrease in symptoms such as anxiety, sleep disorders, unexplained feelings of sadness, suicidal thoughts, and decreased sex drive. Omega-3 fatty acids can also lower cholesterol and improve cardiovascular health. Get omega-3s through walnuts, flaxseed and oily fish like salmon or tuna. Another top food for delivering omega-3 fatty acids is chia seeds.
• Brown Rice: Contains vitamins B1 and B3, and folic acid. Brown rice is also a low-glycemic food, which means it releases glucose into the bloodstream gradually, preventing sugar lows and mood swings. Brown rice also provides many of the trace minerals we need to function properly, as well as being a high-fiber food that can keep the digestive system healthy and lower cholesterol. Instant varieties of rice do not offer these benefits. Any time you see "instant" on a food label, avoid it.
• Brewer's Yeast: Contains vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Brewer's yeast should be avoided if you do not tolerate yeast well, but if you do, mix a thimbleful into any smoothie for your daily dose. This superfood packs a wide assortment of vitamins and minerals in a small package, including 16 amino acids and 14 minerals. Amino acids are vital for the nervous system, which makes brewer's yeast a no-brainer for treating depression.
• Whole-grain oats: Contain folic acid, pantothenic acid and vitamins B6 and B1. Oats help lower cholesterol, are soothing to the digestive tract and help avoid the blood sugar crash-and-burn that can lead to crabbiness and mood swings. Other whole grains such as kamut, spelt and quinoa are also excellent choices for delivering brain-boosting nutrients and avoiding the pitfalls of refined grains such as white flour.
• Cabbage: Contains vitamin C and folic acid. Cabbage protects against stress, infection and heart disease, as well as many types of cancers, according to the American Association for Cancer Research. There are numerous ways to get cabbage into your diet; toss it in a salad instead of lettuce, use cabbage in place of lettuce wraps, stir fry it in your favorite Asian dish, make some classic cabbage soup or juice it. To avoid gas after eating cabbage, add a few fennel, caraway or cumin seeds before cooking. Cabbage is also a good source of blood-sugar-stabilizing fiber, and the raw juice of cabbage is a known cure for stomach ulcers.
• B vitamins: Studies suggest that if you have low levels of the B vitamin folic acid and high levels of a protein called homocysteine, you are more likely to be depressed. Folic acid, vitamin B2, B6, and B12 have all been shown to decrease levels of homocysteine. You can get B vitamins by eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and legumes.
• Amino acids: Tryptophan is an important amino acid that you need to make the brain chemical serotonin. Low levels of serotonin are believed to be a cause of depression. Several studies have shown that a diet high in tryptophan can improve depression. You can get tryptophan in your diet from foods high in protein like meat, fish, beans, and eggs.
• Carbohydrates: All the carbohydrates you eat are broken down into sugar that your brain needs to function properly. However, eating too much sugar can cause peaks and valleys in your blood glucose levels that can cause or aggravate symptoms of depression. The best way to avoid these symptoms is to eat a diet low in refined carbohydrates and sugar and high in fruits and vegetables. So don't shun carbs -- just make smart choices. Limit sugary foods and opt for smart carbs, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes, which all contribute healthy carbs as well as fiber.
• St. John's wort: This plant has been used as a dietary supplement to treat a mild depression.
• Also worth mentioning: Foods like raw cacao, dark molasses and brazil nuts (high in selenium) are also excellent for boosting brain function and eliminating depression. Get raw cacao and brazil nuts at Nature's First Law.

Things to avoid:

• If you feel you are depressed or at risk for depression, you also need to avoid certain foods and substances. Some commonly prescribed drugs -- such as antibiotics, barbiturates, amphetamines, pain killers, ulcer drugs, anticonvulsants, beta-blockers, anti-Parkinson's drugs, birth control pills, high blood pressure drugs, heart medications and psychotropic drugs -- contribute to depression. If you are taking any of these, don't quit them without talking to your doctor; but be aware that they may be contributing to your condition by depleting your body of depression-fighting vitamins and minerals.
• You should also avoid caffeine, smoking and foods high in fat and sugar. Keeping your blood sugar stable and getting B vitamins is important for stabilizing your mood. Cacao can be good for mood because it releases endorphins in the brain, but watch out for milk chocolate and candy varieties high in sugar.

Other non-food things to do:

Get plenty of sunshine. Natural sunlight is a proven cure for depression.

Engage in regular exercise at least three times per week. Exercise lifts and mood and alters brain chemistry in a positive way.

Experience laughter. It's good medicine. Take a quality superfood supplement to get even more natural medicine from the world of plants.