Month: September 2010

Many experts believe that Vitamin D is incorrectly named. Vitamins are substances that are crucial to normal everyday life function, but cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by the body. However, your skin has the ability to manufacture as much as 10,000 IU of Vitamin D after 20-30 minutes of summer sun exposure.

Vitamin D more resembles a hormone than vitamin by function. Hormones are chemical messengers that interact with cell receptors to produce specific biological responses. Calcitriol, the active form of Vitamin D, is arguably the most powerful hormone in the body. It has the ability to activate over 2,000 genes (roughly 10% of the human genome).

Too much sun exposure causes free radical damage leading to wrinkles and cancer cell growth. However, an appropriate amount of sun exposure everyday is one of the healthiest things you can do for your skin.

The skin is your first line of defense against pathogenic invaders and is under constant onslaught by the outside environment. In fact, the body must replace approximately 30,000-40,000 skin cells every minute. This constant renewal takes place in specialized cells called keratinocytes which account for about 95% of all cells in the epidermis (outer layer of skin). Healthy cellular division and differentiation at this level locks in moisture and keeps the skin soft and subtle.

Vitamin D is directly involved in cell proliferation and differentiation as well as optimal immune function making it the most important nutrient for healthy skin. If the body is deficient in Vitamin D, the epidermal cells will not differentiate optimally. This causes the outer layer of the skin to become fragile and thin. Dryness and wrinkles set in as moisture is lost and the skin begins to sag.

Your skin is an extremely absorbent organ. What we apply on our skin enters directly into the bloodstream. The majority of sun screens and sun lotions contain toxic chemicals that are harmful for the body. The most damaging ingredients include sodium lauryl sulfates, parabens, oxybenzones, & padimate O. Many of these are known xenoestrogens that interfere with healthy hormonal function. All are linked to higher rates of cancer.

Additionally, sunscreens block out the valuable effects of vitamin D. For example, if you wear sunblock SPF 8, you reduce your body's ability to make vitamin D by 90%. If you choose a sunblock with a SPF of 30, you reduce your body's ability to produce vitamin D by 99%.

Natural skin moisturizers include coconut & olive oil which harmonize the sun and allow for a natural tan development. It is also critical to get lots of anti-oxidants applied topically to enhance our skin's health and ability to synthesize vitamin D. Great lotions include green-tea extract, aloe vera, & clove oil which provide anti-oxidant protection for the skin.

Tips For Healthy Sun Exposure:

1. Light skin = 15-20 minutes daily
Medium Skin = 25-30 minutes daily
Dark Skin = 40-45 minutes daily

2.Use coconut oil, aloe vera, clove oil, and/or green tea extract as a moisturizer before and after sun exposure for added anti-oxidant protection

3. If you are going to have long exposure wear layers or use a natural sun screen with no man-made ingredients.

by: Cindy Jones-Shoeman

(NaturalNews) Natural News has long reported the dangers of soda, both regular and diet. The Health Ranger and other reporters here have methodically documented the dangers of high fructose corn syrup (HCFS), aspartame, caffeine, and phosphorous. There are multiple stories about the effects of these products on consumers' kidneys, brains, and waistlines, and it's easy to find articles about how sodas – both diet and regular – affect people's health, contributing to diabetes, osteoporosis, and brain damage. There can be no doubt about the dangers of soda in terms of sweeteners (both natural and artificial), the stimulant caffeine, and phosphorous. However, there are even other ingredients in sodas people should be concerned about, making these beverages perhaps the most deadly drinks on the planet!

Even if the carbonated beverage manufacturers decided that tomorrow they would no longer put caffeine and phosphorous in their drinks and would only use natural sweeteners in their sodas (things like Stevia or fruit juice), the remaining ingredients are still questionable and probably dangerous.

Flavorings are one of the groups of ingredients consumers should be concerned with. Most, if not all, carbonated beverages use both natural and artificial flavors to give the drinks their own unique flavor. There is not much difference between natural and artificial flavorings, though, as both are made in a lab; the terms "natural" and "artificial" merely point to where the chemicals initially came from before a flavorist blended the chemicals to make a flavor. In other words, if the chemical is synthetic, it is considered artificial, but if it originally comes from a natural source (for example, if it is extracted from a blueberry), it is considered natural, no matter how dangerous or potentially unhealthy the process was for extracting the chemical in the first place.

Obviously, a main argument against flavors is that flavoring covers up or disguises the flavors already contained in a product. One wonders if people would be driven to consume carbonated beverages if they weren't made to taste good. More than that, though, is the fact that the FDA does not require companies to disclose the actual ingredients contained in flavorings because these ingredients are considered GRAS. However, many knowledgeable consumers also know that MSG is considered GRAS, so the FDA's stance on the status of flavorings isn't necessarily inspiring. That fact aside, some flavorings may contain minute amounts of MSG anyway.

And what about the preservatives? Just a quick look at the short list of ingredients on a can of soda will show at least one ingredient added to "protect taste" or "preserve freshness." One such ingredient is sodium benzoate, added to beverages because it has the ability to kill bacteria and fungi and prevent mold; however, it can also eventually lead to cirrhosis of the liver, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. Potassium benzoate, another such ingredient, is dangerous in much the same way. On occasion, calcium disodium EDTA is used instead to preserve flavor, and it may lead to gastrointestinal and kidney problems.

It's clear that, no matter how one looks at the evidence, drinking soda is bad for a person's health. Even if the big, bad ingredients (caffeine, phosphoric acid, and HCFS or sweeteners) were eliminated, consumers would still be left with a list of questionable, unhealthy items that human beings should probably never ingest.

The body has both short-term and long-term methods for buffering blood pH. In the short-term the kidneys will flush out more acidic wastes and the speed of breathing will increase to pump more alkalizing oxygen into the system and acidic forming carbon dioxide out of the system. If the blood pH becomes too acidic for a chronic period of time it turns to the various tissues to help stabilize the pH. The body will naturally excrete alkaline minerals such as calcium from our bones & teeth. Magnesium is taken from blood vessels, potassium from our neuromuscular system, and sodium from our joints. If these minerals are not replaced, the tissues become weak and degenerate quickly.

The primary alkalizing elements in our body include calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, vitamin C, selenium, oxygen, zinc, and the various B vitamins. The best sources of these essential nutrients are in fresh organically grown fruits and vegetables, apple cider vinegar, certain nuts & seeds, & natural pink salts.

The most acidic forming foods include sugars, grains, grain-fed meat & dairy products, coffee, and processed foods of any kind. Perhaps the worst culprit of all is soda. Soda is loaded with sugar, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and phosphoric acid. These are all extremely acidic forming substances. Soda measures out at a pH around 3. This powerfully dehydrates the body as water is needed to help detoxify all the acidic waste.

When a person eats too much acid forming foods for a long period of time the body becomes deficient in alkaline forming elements and the digestive system becomes impaired. Food is then inadequately digested and mucous is secreted into the bowel to protect itself. Chronic conditions can cause the mucous to become hardened creating a mucoid plaque that impairs food absorption. This plaque build-up lodges into the walls of the colon and becomes a breeding ground for parasites and other unfriendly organisms

Parasites such as worms, fungal yeast, and antagonistic bacteria will steal valuable nutrients and secrete toxins and acidic particles back into the bloodstream. This multiplies the relative acidity of the system and profoundly lowers our energy and immunity. This also causes excessive strain on major organs depleting them of life-staining enzymes and nutrients in the battle to maintain blood pH. This onslaught of stress on the body eventually leads to disease and death.

Fortunately, our bodies were created with an incredible ability to heal and restore themselves. If we begin taking action with steps to move back into balance, our body will respond and we will dramatically improve our health.

Begin Alkalizing Now with these 7 simple tips:
1.Drink 1/2 – 1 gallon of clean, purified water daily
2.Squeeze fresh lemon in water
3.Use Apple cider vinegar instead of salad dressing or other vinegars
4.Use pink salts (such as Himalayan salt) instead of other salts.
5.Use oregano, dill, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, & fennel
6.Make a Green Drink every day
7.Try to eat 75% raw alkaline forming foods

by: John Phillip

(NaturalNews) Our body has evolved to use a very efficient pair of hormones which signal the brain when it`s time to eat, or when we`ve had enough food. Leptin and ghrelin are the hormonal messengers responsible for our desire to eat, our craving for certain foods and whether we store excess calories as body fat or use it for energy. To prevent these hormones from becoming resistant and ineffective communicators, we need to follow a natural diet and lifestyle as our evolution prescribes.

75 Colloidal Minerals

Our Modern Diet Leads to Disease and Obesity
The vast majority of children and adults alike eat and live in a manner which is much different than our Paleolithic ancestors. The large number of calories we consume from processed food sources causes metabolic disruption and leads to disease and an early demise. Further, we eat at all hours of the day and night, continually digesting food and never allowing our body the chance to perform essential routine maintenance duties which can prevent illness.

Controlling Leptin and Ghrelin with Natural Diet and Lifestyle
After years of dietary abuse and poor lifestyle habits, our appetite hormones become resistant to the effects of excess food and fail to properly transmit signals to the brain. While researchers are still working to unravel the precise mechanism behind leptin and ghrelin, they do know that supplementing in pill form has no effect on weight loss or blood levels of the hormones. You can master your appetite hormones by following a diet rich in foods found in their natural form and by observing proper meal timing.

Stop Eating 3 Hours before Bed
Finish your last meal at least 3 hours before retiring for the night to allow digestion to complete. The body performs critical repair functions at night which can only occur on an empty stomach. Further, during the night hours your metabolism releases fat at the direction of your appetite hormones which only takes place when there are no readily available calories from a recent meal.

Eat 3 Properly Spaced Meals Each Day
Plan 3 well balanced meals a day and be sure to allow at least 5 to 6 hours in between. The timing between meals is important as it allows digestion to complete and blood sugar and lipid levels to return to normal. Avoid snacks of any type as this halts the release of stored fat and encourages weight gain.

Restrict Calories at Meals
Plan nutritionally balanced meals of 400 to 500 calories each, depending on your activity level. We haven`t evolved to properly digest large amounts of food at a single sitting, and this leads to malfunction of our appetite signaling mechanism. Eat slowly and chew each bite for 30 seconds to allow leptin to send the satiety signal to your brain.

Eliminate Sugar and Processed Carbohydrates
Refined carbohydrates and sugar laden foods wreak havoc on your blood sugar causing wild spikes which lead to metabolic dysfunction. Eventually this also disrupts the normal function of leptin and ghrelin as the hormones become less responsive to food intake. This is the beginning of the process which results in fat storage and obesity. Try eliminating all sugar and processed junk food for 2 weeks and find out how much better you`ll feel as you restore normal appetite control.

Leptin and ghrelin have evolved as a highly effective mechanism to keep us from starving to death in times of famine. Poor diet and lifestyle lead to the ultimate failure of this delicate signaling system, making weight loss an impossible task. Master your appetite hormones by following a naturally evolved diet and observe proper meal timing to reap the benefits of restored health and permanent weight loss.

Resveratrol Improves Endothelial Function Leading to Heart Health

Proanthocyanidins from the grape family have long been associated with heart health, and resveratrol now takes its deserved place at the top of the cardiovascular friendly nutrients list. The lining of the cells within the artery are known as the endothelium, and are very sensitive to dietary abuse caused by hydrogenated fats, excess sugar, cortisol and insulin. Damage to the endothelium leads to high blood pressure as well as micro cracks which are filled with foamy plaque, increasing the risk of a heart attack.

Resveratrol has been shown to increase endothelial progenitor cells in the bone marrow which then migrate to areas of damage along the arterial wall, effectively repairing any damage. Higher levels of progenitor cells in blood circulation are associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and heart attack, as well as improved blood pressure.

Resveratrol Activates New Brain Synapses

One of the most important functions attributed to resveratrol is the activation of the anti-aging gene known as SIRT1. Previously, calorie restriction was the only known mechanism thought to positively influence this critical gene, but recent research demonstrates that resveratrol is also able to accomplish this longevity function. Since resveratrol is able to cross the blood-brain barrier, it is able to improve brain plasticity by generating new neural networks.

Resveratrol has been shown to reduce the normal rate of neurodegeneration and prevent learning impairment. Further, resveratrol has been shown to increase brain oxygenation which relates to increased memory capacity and improved cognition. Researchers are exploring the possibility that this amazing nutrient may play a role in the prevention of certain dementias, including Alzheimer`s disease.

Resveratrol Inhibits the Formation of Fat Cells, Assists Weight Loss

Resveratrol has been shown to halt the formation of baby fat cells, thus providing an effective tool for the millions of people looking for a natural weight loss aide. Researchers demonstrated that fat cells make SIRT1 in direct proportion to the amount of resveratrol they are exposed to. SIRT1 halts the formation of immature fat cells which as they grow, contribute to the accumulation of dangerous abdominal fat.

Resveratrol also lowers levels of systemic inflammation, which is implicated in many afflictions including heart disease, diabetes, cancer and Alzheimer`s disease, and inhibits the release of body fat from storage. Studies underscore the importance of resveratrol as an important tool in the fight against obesity and show that it can provide favorable metabolic stability to assist weight loss.

It`s rare when one specific nutritional compound is attributed with the potential to lower the risk of multiple disease processes and assist weight loss. Resveratrol continues to fill the promise of cardiovascular and neurologic health, as it directly influences the anti-aging SIRT1 gene, and provides support in the battle against obesity. Health conscious individuals will use this critical nutrient in a never ending battle to provide an edge against time, ageing and cellular deterioration.

-If you have deep bleeding cracks, avoid walking barefoot until the cracks are gone.

Remedies for Cracked Heels and Feet

One of the most effective remedies for getting rid of foot cracks and dry heels is using foot socks in combination with healing oils and moisturizers. Before going to sleep, liberally apply one or more oils such as almond, grapeseed oil and/or olive oil to the heels and feet, put on a pair of thick cotton socks and then leave on all night. Other good oils and moisturizers include: lanolin, cocoa butter, shea butter, and coconut oil.

Another great remedy for dry, crusty or "alligator skin" is raw papaya. Papaya contains papain, an enzyme that helps digest proteins and which has been referred to as "organic alpha-hydroxy substitute". Pineapple contains a similar enzyme, but it's much easier to mash a piece of papaya and use it like a masque on your heels than it is to use pineapple.

Milk and honey can be very effective for obtaining softer, smoother feet without harsh exfoliation. Pour one cup of honey per each two cups of milk into a basin large enough to hold both feet. Soak for 15 minutes, lightly massaging the mixture into skin. You can also use the milk/honey combo to soak elbows or hands, or pat gently onto the face and massage in. Rinse with tepid water

Other natural remedies for cracked heels include:

-Apply the pulp of a ripe banana on the dry or cracked area. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse clean. Continue doing this at least once daily as long as needed.

-Soak the feet in lemon juice for about 10 minutes. Continue every day as needed.

A new research article from Keele University in Staffordshire demonstrates the vulnerability of infants to early exposure of aluminum and was published in BMC Pediatrics.¹

Drs. Shelle-Anne M. Burrell and Chrisopher Exley measured the aluminum content of several milk-based and soy-based formulas (both milks and powders) and found concern with the very high aluminum content in each type and brand. They found concentrations of up to 700 micrograms per liter. This means the infant would be ingesting up to 600 micrograms of aluminum daily.

These concentrations are about forty times higher than what is found in human breast milk and are much higher than that which is allowed in municipal drinking water. Most disconcerting of all, the highest concentration was in a formula made for pre-term (premature) babies.

Because formula manufacturers are not required to measure or filter aluminum content from their milks and because they claim that they are not adding it themselves, it is considered a contaminant. The source remains unknown but is most likely the aluminum equipment used to pasteurize, process, and store the formulas, including packaging. The Soybean plant readily absorbs aluminum from acidic soils and it has long been known that commercial dairy milk is often high in aluminum content as well.

No clinical studies into the near- or long-term effects of aluminum in infants were found, so no science-based evidence can be given as to aluminum's direct effect on infants. It is, however, known that aluminum is associated with neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's.² Aluminum is a non-essential element to human nutrition.

Drs. Burrell and Exley do point out that there is preliminary research showing not only that infants have a heightened vulnerability to toxins, but that aluminum has also been shown to have both an immediate and delayed toxicity in infants, especially those born pre-term.

Many of the major brands sold in the UK are also sold in the U.S., and since the researchers tested 15 different formulas, it's likely that many of those tested are sold on American shelves as well. At birth, infants are given a hypodermic containing aluminum (Hepatitis B) and many then start drinking aluminum-contaminated formula. Over the first two years of their lives, infants will receive up to 36 vaccines (most containing aluminum) while drinking gallons of infant formulas that are likely contaminated with aluminum as well.

Given that the autism rate is nearing 1 in 100 in America, isn't it time we start looking at what environmental factors could be behind this? It's obvious that the FDA, the CDC, WHO, both the British and Canadian Health Services, and all manner of governmental bodies aren't interested in tackling this issue. So it's up to us, the People, to stand up and do something about it.

Stop buying these contaminated products! Stop patronizing vaccination-loving doctors and hospitals! Stop eating factory-farmed "food"! There are non-contaminated, organic baby formulas (made without GMOs or BPA packaging); there are doctors who will not force the vaccination issue and who even understand our concerns; and there are local farmers and gardeners who have excellent, nutritious food without all of the contamination and processing. Give your business to those people who care!