Healthy citizens are the greatest asset any country can have.
Winston Churchill
Never a Good Time to be in the Hospital – But July is Worst
July 25th, 2010I just finished watching a television program on insurance for healthcare in America and it is shameful! This is the main reason I write this blog…to inform and to ask you to think, dare I say it…outside of the “normal” or traditional thinking.
Today I want to talk with you about hospital stays in July. (Yes, I know…I very nearly missed it as the month is nearly over.) Here are about 8 things your doctor doesn’t want you know about a stay in the hospital – before you check in…These come from Mainstreet.com:
July is the most dangerous month to visit a hospital. Why? Because that is the month when students graduate from medical school and start doing their residencies at teaching hospitals. There is a 10 percent spike in death due to hospital medication errors in July as well.
It is no secret that hospitals have terrible wait times, which I’ve always thought were cruel and unusual in addition to endangering everyone in the waiting room. Far from being unusual it is more the norm for patients who need to be seen within 14 of minutes of arriving have ended up having to wait for more than twice as long.
I wonder if this includes doctor office visits. What is up with that anyway? I mean come on! You are asked to be 15 minutes early for your first appointment (for paper work) then on subsequent visits they demand that you be punctual. Well, excuse me, but shouldn’t the doctor be punctual as well? I mean if they only actually ‘see’ their patient for maybe 10-15 minutes, (if you are lucky) then why are they chronically late for their next patient? (Let’s see a show of hands…how many of you have sat in a freezing cold examination room with nothing on but a paper gown for an interminable amount of time? – When the doctor comes in and asks how you are, I’ve always been tempted to say, “…and the start of pneumonia, thank you very much.”)
The number of patients suffering from bedsores has increased significantly in recent years. To prevent them, ask your doctor or whoever is accompanying you to make sure you change positions very couple of hours; keep your skin clean and prop yourself up with pillows to relieve pressure points.
Most people think they are safe from infection in a hospital. Well, not to scare you, because you would think with all that sanitation going on it would be safe, but there are 1.7 million cases of hospital infections every year and 99,000 deaths related to these infections. Staph and MRSA, (a very nasty superbug type of staph infection) are the two that are surprisingly common in hospitals. (For a free ebook with information on what MRSA is and is not, http://www.staph-infection-resources.com/3/p/mrsa/mrsa-infections.html?gclid=CK-I7Z6zhaMCFQtI5wodNxfYcQ)
I personally find it outrageous that infections should be so high! Implementing simple procedures like washing your hands, with soap after touching each patient, and making sure the bedding is clean would go far in getting those numbers down!
Your identity is also at risk. To date, 1.5 million Americans have had their personal information stolen to be used for someone else to use for their health care costs.
Most Americans’ at one point or another will suffer from hospital bill shock, but remember sometimes these bills are negotiable. (Some hospitals have been known to drop their price by a third or more.) It never hurts to ask…
If you find that you will need an anesthesiologist, you would do well to interview them before your procedure. An inept anesthesiologist can not only cause serious harm to a patient, they can also kill them. It is important that you feel confident that you are getting the best care.
Some hospitals have taken up the controversial practice of looking up patient credit scores, credit limits and even (!) 401(k) information. (I come unglued over this! Consumer advocacy groups are questioning the privacy concerns of this practice. And well they should!)
You can check Consumer Reports http://www.consumerreports.org/health/doctors-hospitals/hospital-infection/deadly-infections-hospitals-can-lower-the-danger/hospital-infection-rates/index.htm for hospitals in your area for infection rates before you go.
The American people are being over-medicated and treated for a terminal illness or old age. As a whole the medical profession wants the populace to be under-educated on what they can do for themselves for prevention. The American medical system treats only symptoms and never the cause of disease which often times leads to over-testing and over-treating. (Why do you think we are having such a difficult time with the ‘super bugs’? – They have developed a tolerance to the medications!)
There are things we can do to keep ourselves out of the hospital:
Eat a healthy diet and keep your insulin levels down
Drink plenty of clean water
Manage your stress
Exercise
Enjoy some daily sunshine
Limit toxin exposure
Eat plenty of raw food
Consume healthy fat
Get plenty of sleep
And my personal belief, try not to take everything so seriously – smile and laugh! You will feel better!
40 Million Swine Flu Shots Written Off as Trash
July 25th, 2010The above is the headline from a July 1, 2010 story in Medical News Today documenting the large overproduction and waste of swine flu vaccines. Even amidst an ongoing push from the pharmaceutical companies and medical groups trying even now to persuade people to get a vaccine against a problem that never really materialized millions of doses of US taxpayer paid vaccine doses must be destroyed with millions more to follow.
According to the Medical News Today story, a full one quarter of the produced and paid for swine flu vaccines expired at the end of June 2010, and were to be incinerated. As more vaccines expire, that number will go higher and may mean that as much as half of all the swine flu vaccine produced will need to be destroyed. The cost for the vaccines that are being destroyed to date is estimated to be about $260 million.
The H1N1, swine flu turned out to be less serious than the normal seasonal flu and claimed less lives than the normal flu does. Criticism mounted as a review of the so called pandemic showed that the death toll was only one-third of what normally occurs during a normal flu season. Additionally, countries from all over the world are also destroying their stockpiles of vaccines as they also become worthless.
A July 2, 2010 story in the New American, reported on an investigation conducted by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) and the Bureau of Investigative Journalism that exposed improper conflicts of interest among World Health Organization (WHO) scientists. The inquiry found that at least three of the organization’s “experts” were paid by vaccine manufacturers. The BMJ wrote, “Despite repeated requests, the WHO has failed to provide any details about whether such conflicts were declared by the relevant experts and what, if anything, was done about them.”
In Europe the Council of Europe strongly criticized the World Health Organization’s fear-mongering and vaccine promotion by saying, “The handling by the WHO of the H1N1 pandemic led to a waste of large sums of public money and unjustified scares and fears about health risks faced by the European public. They went on to note that, “(There was), overwhelming evidence that the seriousness of the pandemic was vastly overrated by WHO.”
Dr. Ulrich Keil, a WHO advisor, conceded in an interview with the Associated Press, “Each time the so-called experts told us that millions of people would be killed worldwide by the respective viruses. We have learned that the experts were utterly wrong.”
A very special Thank You to Loyal Peterson, D.C.; Peterson Chiropractic Family Wellness Center www.petersonfamilychiro.com for this article.
Antivenom Shortage
July 10th, 2010Well, according to the front page of MSN, the bite from a coral snake could either cost you your life or a lot of expensive hospital care to recover from it. Why?
There are several reasons but first, a little background on the snakes.
The coral snake is not as aggressive as its cousins the pit vipers (rattlesnakes and cottonmouth are a couple). But what it lacks in aggressive behavior, it makes up for with neurotoxicity.
First off what is a pit viper? Pit vipers get their names from the pit between their mouth and eye. This is a heat-sensing organ and makes it possible for the snake to accurately strike a warm-blooded victim, even if it cannot see the victim.
They have a triangular or “arrowhead” shaped head.
The pit viper has fangs that drop down and forward from its jaw and the fangs work as hypodermic needles to pump venom from a sac. A bite from a pit viper can be extremely painful.
Pit vipers have an elliptical pupil (like a cats’ eye) and all other snakes (usually non-venomous) have a round pupil. The highly poisonous Coral Snake has a round pupil.
(If you wish to see a photo better just click on it and it will enlarge.)
The coral snakes’ habitat is mostly in Florida, parts of Alabama, South Carolina, Louisiana, Texas and Arizona and there are only about 100 bites per year. Unlike the moveable, long fangs of pit vipers, the coral snake has small, fixed teeth and in order to inject venom into a victim, it has to ‘chew’ on them for a while. (Much like a gila monster – a venomous, “beaded” lizard does.) The victim will have very little pain to indicate a bite but within a few hours symptoms such as tingling sensations in the arms, fingers, toes (the extremities), slurred speech and droopy eyelids begin to show. Then the victim’s lungs shut down. The venom acts as a neuromuscular blockage to the lungs, effectively paralyzing them so that artificial respiration is needed or the victim will die.
There is only one antivenin commercially available, and after October 31 of this year the existing vials of Micrusrus fulvius, the only antivenin approved by the Food and Drug Administration, will no longer be available.
Why?
Wyeth, now owned by Pfizer, had the antivenin approved for sale in 1967 when the regulations were less stringent. Wyeth kept up production of coral snake anti venom for almost 40 years, but due to the rarity of coral snake bites, it was hardly a profit making proposition. The company shut down the factory that made the anti venom in 2003. Wyeth worked with the FDA to produce a 5 year supply as a stop gap measure while other options were pursued. After that period, the FDA extended the date on existing stock from 2008 to 2009 and then once again from 2009 to 2010.
No new manufacturers’ have stepped forward. Not surprisingly it all comes down to money. However, there is a coral snake anti venom produced by the Mexican drug manufacturer Instituto Bioclon that researchers believe could be even more effective and safe than the soon to expire Wyeth product. There is a fly in the ointment. The drug, Coralmyn, is not currently licensed for sale by the FDA. The tests required to get it licensed would cost millions of dollars. In other words, because of the rarity of coral snake bites it does not, at this time, justify the expenditure of millions of dollars. It would take decades for Bioclon to make its money back.
Antivenom shortages are not that rare of an occurrence. The state of Arizona ran out of antivenom for scorpion stings after Marilyn Bloom, an envenomation (The injection of a poisonous material by sting, spine, bite, or other similar means. From http://dictionary.com) specialist at Arizona State University retired in 1999. She had been single-handedly making all scorpion antivenom for state hospitals.
In another instance, Merck & Co, the only FDA-licensed producer of black widow antivenom, has cut back distribution because of a production shortage. The World Health Organization has listed worldwide envenomations as a “neglected public health issue.”
New scorpion and black widow antivenoms are in the pipeline, thanks to the efforts of several poison-control associations to speed foreign drugs into the market through FDA research programs.
The bottom line is that it is quite possible that if these antivenom drugs are not approved costs will skyrocket when doctors will have no other choice but to intubate coral snake bite victims on ventilators for weeks until the effects of the toxin wear off which potentially could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars per bite as well as the cost of human suffering.
Summertime Blues
July 2nd, 2010No, not the kind we usually think of – I am referring to a very specific and dangerous condition - hyperthermia, commonly known as heat stroke.
Hyperthermia is an abnormally elevated (hyper) body temperature (thermia) accompanied with physical and neurological symptoms. Heat stroke is a true medical emergency that can be fatal if not promptly and properly treated.
Heat cramps and heat exhaustion are less severe forms of hyperthermia. Normally when the body generates heat it is usually able to dissipate that heat through the skin or through the evaporation of perspiration. Extreme heat, high humidity or vigorous exercise can set up conditions where your body’s core temperature rises and is unable to dissipate it.
Dehydration is another cause of heat stroke and if you are dehydrated you will be unable to sweat fast enough to cool your core temperature.
Those that are most susceptible to heat strokes are:
- The elderly
- Those with heart diseases, lung diseases, kidney diseases
- The very young
- People taking medications that make them vulnerable to heat stroke
- Athletes: do not exercise outdoors during the hottest time of the day – usually from noon until 3-4 pm. Drink a glass of water prior to exercising and then drink some water every fifteen minutes while exercising. One way to judge if you are drinking enough water is that your urine should be clear. If it is not, then you need to start drinking water.
- People working outside that physically exert themselves under the sun
Also, please, if you love your animals do not take them in the car with you. Even if you leave your pet in the car with the windows cracked they will die from the heat within 3 minutes. The interior of a car shoots up to over 120 degrees in that time. It will fry their brain and they will die. Please, for their sake, leave them at home.
Make sure they have plenty of fresh, clean water too.
If you do suspect you or your pet are having some kind of heat prostration immediately get in the shade or go inside. A cold shower or cool compress to the back of the neck will help lower your core temperature. For your pet, cool compress to the pads of the feet and on their neck and on bare skin areas such as the stomach and tops of the legs will help.
Signs of heat stoke in your pet can include:
* Panting
* Sweating
* Salivating
* Difficulty in breathing
* Vomiting
* Bloody diarrhea
* High body temperature (above 40 degrees Celsius or 104 Fahrenheit.
* Increased heart and respiratory rate
* Mucous membranes bright red
* Capillary refill time very fast ( less than 1 sec)
* Dehydration
* Depression , lethargic ( acting drunk )
* Shock
* Seizure ,Collapse, or coma
(Special thanks to: http://www.pets.ca/articles/article-heatstroke.htm)
Vaginal Yeast Infections
June 4th, 2010Last time we were discussing fungi, and, in keeping with that same track of thought, this time we will discuss yeast infections. Yes, ladies, you know what I’m talking about here. Burning, itching and discharge…real attractive…Not!
(Right here, I am going to strongly suggest that if you suspect you have a yeast infection, see your doctor or health care provider.)
Thirty million women a year get a vaginal yeast infection. There are approximately 4 different kinds:
- Trichomonas: caused by a parasite and contracted by intercourse.
- Leucorrhea: this is a yeast infection that occurs when the normal vaginal acidity is disrupted. (Can even happen when you do not remove all soap from the area or even from some bubble baths.)
- Bacterial Vaginosis (gardnella): thrives when the vaginal pH is off
- Vulvitis: a vulva inflammation caused by allergic irritation, bacteria or fungal infection. Douching excessively with commercial douches that have perfumes and additives can wash out the ‘friendly’ bacteria that help prevent infections like candida and bacterial Vaginosis. Try herbal douches instead for a limited time.
Natural therapies can help for a short-term but long term cures have to come from changes in lifestyle and diet.
How do you know if you have a yeast infection?
Well, as gross as it may sound, if you notice a bread, beer or fish odor you could have a yeast infection.
Leukorrhea is characterized by itchy, inflamed vaginal issues with a foul, yeast discharge and sex is painful.
Trichomonas is characterized by severe itch, foamy, yellow discharge with foul odor.
Bacterial Vaginosis has a foul, fishy odor, white discharge and moderate itchiness.
Vulvitis is characterized by itching, redness, swelling with fluid-filled blisters.
The most common culprit of vaginal infections is long-term exposure to antibiotics which weakens the immune response and imbalances hormones and even birth control pills have been implicated in some infections. Spermicidal cream Nonoxynol-9 aggravates cystitis and Candida infections. It can kill friendly lactobacilli that protect the vagina against micro organisms. (Trichomonas and Vaginosis are considered STDs.)
So what can be done to help the recovery time?
Try eating a diet of primarily raw foods. (Large green salad with alfalfa sprouts every day.) Keep your meals light without heavy starches, fatty foods, sugars or dairy foods. This includes red meat, hard liquor, sugar and caffeine as well.
Cranberry juice (unsweetened) can help normalize body chemistry. If you have been taking antibiotics, eating foods like kefir and yogurt will help to re-alkalize your system.
Remember, many infections can bounce between partners, so be kind to one another. Avoid sex during an infection or use barrier protection.
A tried and true effective douche is vinegar and water. The vinegar balances the vaginal pH.
By the way…here’s a tidbit that I was shocked to learn: back in the early 50’s or so, when Lysol first came out in liquid form, it was also prescribed as a douche! Can you imagine?! I was horrified!
For more information the banner below is for a book that was written by Linda Allen for complete, clinically proven candida elimination.
Fungus Among Us
May 21st, 2010Ah, summertime is upon us! A time for bare feet and…fungus is among us!
Of course everyone is unfortunately familiar at some time with athlete’s foot, but there are others among us as well!
You can always recognize a fungal skin infection by the characteristic moist, weepy, red skin patches. Although opportunities for risk of fungal skin infections seem to be everywhere, some new evidence even points to involvement with sinusitis!
I mentioned athlete’s foot; it is really ringworm of the feet. There are other fungi of all kinds that thrive on dampness and warmth. Make sure that any concurrently occurring fungal infections – like athlete’s foot and ‘jock itch’ are both treated, so that the infection is not bounced from one area to another.
You want to avoid drug overuse, especially long courses of antibiotics and cortisones. Broad spectrum antibiotic and steroid drug use can kill friendly digestive flora and lower immune defense allowing fungus micro-organisms to keep growing.
Is your itchy skin a fungal infection? If it is, the area will be scaly, cracked, bleeding and tender with a bacterial odor. Ringworm, foot and toenail fungus, mouth (thrush) or nail infections and diaper rash in babies have moist thickened skin patches that do not dry out. Candida fungal infections have excessive belching from gas and allergy reactions and persistent headaches. If your feet always burn, it can be a sign of low iron as well as a fungal infection.
Now not to scare you, but just to inform you, there is even a fungus that has reportedly killed about 10 people in the Northwestern U.S. after an infection with C. gatti (Kathleen Doheny from WebMD Health News April 23, 2010)
This fungus has been dubbed a ‘killer fungus’ and has infected more than 50 people in the U.S. according to the CDC and is expected to spread from the Pacific Northwest where it first surfaced.
But there really isn’t any call for alarm, just concern and awareness. This fungus first surfaced in Canada in 1999 and appeared in the U.S. in Washington in early 2006. Since then, cases have reportedly occurred in Oregon and Northern California.
The fungus species triggering the infection is Cryptococcus gatti, which can cause pneumonia or meningitis. It is an air-borne fungus that is associated with certain tree species. It cannot be transferred from person to person. While it is a microbial pathogen that can cause significant illness and even death, it is very uncommon.
What Can I Do?
For thrush implement good oral hygiene practices. Rinse the mouth with diluted tea tree oil solution. Keep bathroom cup and toothbrush clean. Soak toothbrush in grapefruit seed extract solution.
For ringworm and impetigo: pat on vinegar, or garlic vinegar or a strong goldenseal-myrrh tea; apply a basil poultice to a ringworm patch; take Epsom salts baths for 20 minutes.
For athlete’s foot and toenail fungus: Keep feet and shoes aired and dry; change socks daily; go barefoot as much as possible and where appropriate; dab with vinegar daily; apply baking soda daily and soak your feet in warm Epsom salts water for 10 minutes; dry then apply witch hazel; expose affected areas to sunlight every day possible.
What to Eat?
You want to eat lots of cultured foods like yogurt, tofu and kefir to promote healthy intestinal flora and full nutrient absorption; add lots of fresh fruits and vegetables; increase dietary protein for fastest healing; sea foods and sea veggies, sprouts, eggs, soy foods, poultry and whole grains. Drink 6 glasses of water; avoid foods that promote fungal growth environment – sugary foods are the big ‘baddie’ here, but red meats, dairy foods, cola drinks, caffeine and fried foods can promote fungus as well.
Reduce carbohydrates during healing – no pasta, pastries, breads, nuts and all sugary foods. Veggie carbs are OK!
Fungal skin infections can be spread by shared towels and bathtubs. Disinfect shower area and wash towels regularly. Use different towels to dry off the infected skin area. (You don’t want to spread it to yourself.)
Ten Energy Boosters
April 15th, 2010Energy drain…you are totally wiped out and your get up and go has got up and went? Join the club. Most of us feel that way at times and for women it is one of the most common complaints to their doctor. (Gee, I wonder why?!)
Actually, it is your body’s cry for help..not only can fatigue make you tired but can also make you sick. (Remember the saying, “I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired!”?) There is more truth to that than not.
Your brain needs some down time and your body needs some time to recuperate from all that you ask it to do, in addition to just maintaining autonomic processes.
Here are a few suggestions to help you feel better and have a better quality of life:
Breathe! Breathe from your diaphragm several times each day when you are feeling tired or just about to go into an energy draining meeting. To help you get the idea, put your hand over your belly button. Inhale. Focus on expanding your stomach and chest – pull that air in! Most of us ‘shallow breathe’ where we either do not breathe in deeply enough to fill our lungs or we breathe ‘backwards’ by trying to fill our lungs by contracting our diaphragm rather than expanding it. (If you sing this is probably one of the first lessons you will learn.) You can fill a balloon with more air by expanding it than you can by deflating it.
Move! Stretch, walk, and yawn with your whole body. Take frequent breaks to keep your body alert. Stride to the bathroom. If you look at a computer screen most of the day, relieve eyestrain by focusing on something distant every 30 minutes or so. When watching TV, use the time during commercial breaks to get up, stride to the bathroom and look out the window to relieve eyestrain.
Get Serious about Play! Acting like a serious, responsible adult is no fun and is exhausting! Not to mention all those routines get b-o-r-ing! Your brain needs some downtime.
Mix it up during the day, open email jokes and pass them on, flip through a magazine, call a friend, daydream, play with your kids, buy a CD and play it while your car pooling, waste time! All these little mini-breaks will help make your routine a little less of a well, routine!
Get out and enjoy the sunshine! Guess what?! With the warmer weather finally here I’m getting outside more (walking my dogs). Within just the past few days I’ve gotten more sunshine than I have in probably 3 years at the least! And I am suddenly full of energy! I can’t sit still! (Which is really saying something for the couch slug I was all winter!)
Actually, bright light has caffeine-like effects and makes you feel more energized! If you just can’t make it outside, spend some time in a room that is drenched in natural light! You’ll feel a whole lot better!
Get enough sleep! Return to a regular bedtime and wake-up time and try to stick to it! (Yes, even on weekends.) If you feel you need more sleep on a particular night go to bed 20 or 30 minutes earlier than usual.
Studies have shown that the majority of Americans are sleep deprived and that can also equate to carrying around extra pounds! (Something makes us think, “If I eat some food I will feel less sleepy. Wrong!) What happens on holidays when you eat maybe just a little too much – and try to compete with the stuffed turkey? You get so very sleepy!!
Drink enough water! Again those same studies as above have shown that dehydration is a problem! And it goes hand in hand with overeating. Even being just a little dehydrated lowers your blood volume and affects the functioning of your brain! If you don’t like just plain water, add either a little lime or lemon juice. It also helps to alkalize your body!
Signal your body with light! All during the day you have been energized by natural light and in brightly lit working areas. When it is time to settle in for the night, dim the lights in your house by exchanging those high wattage bulbs with lower watt bulbs or utilize the lower settings on your lamps that have 3 settings. What this lower light does is signal your body to secrete the melatonin so you can get to sleep.
Lower the noise levels. When you lower the lights and turn on the reading lamps, lower the decibels. If you live in an area where it is noisy, carpet can help, as can a white noise machine or even simply turning on a fan to help mask the noise.
It is a proven fact that during the day if we work in an area where we cannot control the sound, we have to work harder to ignore it; which in turn stresses us out and drains our energy.
Eat breakfast! They really aren’t kidding when everyone tells you it is the most important meal of the day! Just look at the word “breakfast”. It tells you exactly what you are doing – breaking the fast from the night time.
And no, sugary cereal does not count as a good breakfast! It is sugar, which will indeed give you an energy boost at first, but then quickly fades and so do you. Eat some protein – it will stays in your stomach longer and gives you staying power!
What’s that you say? You’re not hungry in the morning? Well, you probably ate too much last night.
Lose the pounds. Why does it always come back to that? Sigh* Yes, toting around a few extra pounds will make you very tired. So find some exercise you like and do it. You can even play around with it if you want to, exercise every other day, or exercise everyday during the week then take the weekend off. Just don’t take more than two days off or you might fall off the exercise wagon.
Did you know that it takes 21 days to establish a habit?
Spice Up Your Immune System
April 1st, 2010This “anitoxidant breakthrough” may help boost your immunity, maintain normal cholesterol levels, and put the brakes on aging. And is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin E and stronger than vitamin C!
It is important to select and consume wholesome and unprocessed organic foods and herbs and spices are no different.
Don’t just breeze on down the spice aisle of your grocery store and grab just any herb or spice. It is important to be selective. If the herb, spice or food you’re looking for is processed or not organically grown, you risk missing out on potent active ingredients which provide you with optimum benefits.
India is the home of Ayurveda and is recognized as an authoritative source of knowledge and truth in natural health promotion. Herbs and spices lay at the very heart of Ayurvedic practice.
There is some debate of the timeline of usage of tumeric’s first use as a healthy spice. However, it is certain that thousands of years ago, people in India and China used the spice. Some stories suggest that usage dates back 10,000 years in India when they say Lord Rama walked the earth.
The Ancient Polynesians carried tumaric with them on their incredible voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. Today, they still use this spice in Hawaii, they call it Olena.
When Marco Polo was in China in 1280 AD he wrote in his diary: “There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell and color, and yet, it is not really saffron.”
Tumeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (which is an old world spice) in Europe for over 700 years.
One of the healthful ingredients in tumeric is curcumin which gives tumeric its yellow color. Curcumin can potentially benefit you by:
- Promoting your immune system
- Helping you maintain a healthy digestive system
- Support your skelatal system, bones and joints
- Helping you maintain cholesterol levels that are within the normal range to begin with
- Promote healthy blood and liver functions
Antioxidants are your body’s number 1 way to neutralize free radicals and help you potentially slow down the signs of normal aging; which in tumeric these antioxidants come from active compounds called curcuminoids and may be 5-8 times stronger than vitamin E and also stronger than vitamin C.
Ladies, you are well aware that as we get older one of the first signs of aging is changes in our skin. Curcuminoids support blood and liver functions, healthy joints and overall well-being, which in turn promotes radiant supple skin. Who doesn’t want that?!
Turmeric has been considered to be ‘skin food’ for thousands of years in India and other cultures.*
Turmeric helps to: cleanse your skin and maintain its elasticity; provide nourishment to your skin; balance the effects of skin flora.
Just a few of the ways organic based Turmeric can spice up your life and your health:
1. Boosts your antioxidant protection against free radicals
2. Helps promote healthy skin
3. Supports overal eye health
4. Supports your immune system
5. Helps with skeletal system and joint health
6. Encourages healthy liver function
7. Balances the digestive system
8. Helps maintain blood sugar levels already within the normal range
Today, millions of people use turmeric on a daily basis in their lives. So why not add a little spice (tumeric) to your life?
Humorous Podcast with Good Information
March 21st, 2010
Burdock Plant:
Burdock Root - in the thistle family
Dandelion:
Dandelion Rosette
Fiddle head fern:
The new frond of the fern - fiddlehead fern
The fern that the fiddle head ‘sprout’ came from:
Ostrich Fern in June - what the fiddle head 'sprouts' develop in to
Sassafras Leaf:
Sassafras leaf
Fully grown Sassafras tree: special thanks to the Library of Ohio:
Full grown Sassfras tree - Library of Ohio
Nettle – in the thistle family:
Nettle - close up of leaves - Urtica-Urens
