Variety is the spice of life. When it comes to spices, eating a good variety may be a potent ally in the fight against cancer. Herbs and spices have been used for thousands of years in cooking and as medicine. With cancer at record rates, it may be more important now than ever to incorporate these herbs and spices into a healthy diet. - See more at: http://www.therealfoodchannel.com/videos/healthy-foods/cancer-fighting-spices.html#sthash.rNVEeSb1.dpuf
(NaturalNews) Lately, it seems that every supermarket has a hand-sanitizing station prominently displayed near the doors. In fact, the trend of using hand sanitizers has really ramped up in recent years, with more people carrying around their own personal-size versions of the stuff around with them.
And why not? Hand sanitizers seem like the perfect way to stay clean and disinfect on the go and don't seem to have any downside. Unfortunately, there are some hidden down sides lurking in supposedly "clean" hand sanitizers that could lead to trouble with regular and repeated use. As you'll see below, finding out the real truth about products we use daily is vital, especially when matters of health and well-being are concerned.
Triclosan
Triclosan is antibacterial chemical agent added mainly to soaps and personal care and cleaning products. Strangely, it's also found in clothing, cookware, furniture and toys in an attempt to reduce bacteria levels. Research on triclosan has raised questions about potential hazards to human health. Triclosan has been shown to disrupt hormone regulation, disrupt immune system function and contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (i.e. superbugs). Indeed, the use of triclosan is contributing to an epidemic of antibiotic resistance. This happens when bacteria are regularly exposed to antibacterial agents; the bacteria adapt and grow stronger, more resistant and more immune.
Parabens
Parabens are ubiquitously found in many personal care products such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, soaps, hand sanitizers and lotions for the purpose of discouraging the growth of microbes. If you look at the label of personal care products, you'll see one or more of these names: ethylparaben, butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben. Unfortunately, parabens are linked to endocrine disruption, skin irritation, reproductive toxicity, immunotoxicity and cancer. Parabens also mimic estrogen by binding to estrogen receptors on cells, and they increase the expression of genes regulated by estradiol, a natural form of estrogen. Because parabens are used to kill microbes in water-based products, they inherently contain toxicity for cells in general.
Chemically synthesized artificial fragrances
Most hand sanitizers have a fragrance, and that means that they are very likely to be full of toxic chemicals. Because fragrances are considered to be "trade secrets," companies aren't required to disclose what ingredients they contain. That means that they can be created from just about anything -- including hundreds of dangerous chemical compounds. Artificial and chemical fragrances have been associated with allergies, dermatitis, respiratory distress, hormone disruption and potentially negative effects on the reproductive system. The solution here is to look for unscented hand sanitizers to avoid chemically synthesized fragrances. But even unscented hand sanitizers may still contain triclosan and parabens; if you look at the label and see the word antibacterial, it means that your hand sanitizer likely contains triclosan and you should inspect the ingredients label to make sure.
Better options and solutions
While not as convenient or trendy, getting back to basics and just using soap and water is really a better, time-tested way to clean your hands. But there are also natural hand sanitizers appearing on the market which don't contain yucky chemicals. It's always nice to support companies that create products that have ingredients in them that you can actually pronounce...
About the author: Zach C. Miller was raised from an early age to believe in the power and value of healthy-conscious living. He later found in himself a talent for writing, and it only made sense to put two & two together! He has written and published articles about health & wellness and other topics on ehow.com and here on NaturalNews. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Applied Science.
(NaturalNews) The first step in eliminating an overgrowth of candida is to stop feeding it. Sugar is your worst enemy. This means eliminating all forms of sugar including simple carbohydrates that the body turns into sugar as well as yeast and moldy foods. Also, avoid all allergens. You need your immune system focused on the task at hand, so don't challenge it with any foods or environmental substances that have caused you problems in the past.
Herbs and supplements to fight candida
There is an arsenal of natural herbs and supplements at your disposal to fight Candida and other fungi. Here are some of the top contenders.
Aloe vera
Aloe Vera lowers pH levels creating an inhospitable environment for Candida. It also helps detoxify the liver. The liver filters the byproducts of Candida and deals with toxins from the die off process, as the Candida is destroyed. Aloe Vera juice can be consumed on a daily basis (no more than 1/4 a cup) or capsules can be taken.
Garlic
Raw garlic is a powerful anti-fungal that does not destroy beneficial bacteria in the gut. It does, however, kill bad bacteria while killing 24 out of 26 strains of Candida. It can also be rubbed on fungal skin infections. It can be eaten raw, taken in softgel capsules, or taken as an oil. Warning: can be a blood thinner. Do not use garlic if you plan to undergo surgery or if otherwise contraindicated.
Clove Oil
Clove oil is a powerful anti-fungal that also boosts the immune system. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.
Coconut oil is a strong anti-fungal with many beneficial properties. Take one tablespoon 1-2 times a day.
Tea tree oil
Tea tree oil kills bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Use 15-30 drops in water, 3 times daily.
Oil of oregano
Oil of Oregano is a strong anti-fungal and antimicrobial. You can take 5 or more drops under the tongue or dilute in water 2-3 times a day. It can also be taken by capsule or oregano leaves can be steeped for a medicinal tea. Oil of oregano is also very high in antioxidants.
Colloidal silver
Take 1 teaspoon up to 3 times a day, but do not take it long term. There are many claims that colloidal silver is amazing. We haven't had any luck with it when treating topical bacteria or fungi and there is a lot of controversy about its effectiveness and use, though there are also many claims that it is very effective.
Olive Extracts
Olive oil and olive leaf extract doesn't directly kill fungi; it disrupts the reproductive cycle. It also stabilizes and lowers blood sugars to help starve Candida. It is also an amazing antioxidant that stimulates the immune system. It can be taken in capsule form, as a tonic, or as a tea.
Undecenoic Acid
Undecenoic acid is a very effective broad-spectrum antiviral that is taken in capsule form.
Grapefruit seed extract?
Grapefruit seed extract is effective against 100 strains of fungi as well as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It works well with undecenoic acid and does not harm beneficial bacteria. Add 10 drops to water, 3 times a day.
Please note the warnings for pregnant and lactating women for the following remedies:
Black walnut
Black walnut has been shown to be more effective against Candida than any antiviral drug. It can be taken in capsule form or as an extract.
Warning: it should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.
Pau D'Arco?
Pau d'arco is highly effective against Candida; it both inhibits and destroys Candida. It also stimulates the immune system as well. Use as a tea, as capsules, or as a tincture.
Warning: it should not be used by pregnant or lactating women.
Berberine
Barberry and goldenseal are both recommended for Candida. Berberine is the alkaloid they both contain, which is highly effective in fighting Candida. It also boosts and stimulates the immune system.
Warning: it should not be taken by pregnant women. And limit use to 7 days for adults--3 days for children.
About the author: Kali Sinclair is a copywriter for Green Lifestyle Market, and a lead editor for Organic Lifestyle Magazine. Kali was very sick with autoimmune disease and realized that conventional medicine was not working for her. She has been restoring her health by natural means and is interested in topics including natural health, environmental issues, and human rights.
Today, the magazine Consumer Reportsreleased a report on independent laboratory tests that found inorganic arsenic – a known carcinogen – in some 200 rice products purchased in grocery stores across the United States. The admitted point was to pressure the U.S. Food and Drug Administration into setting a safety standard for arsenic in the American food supply, something the FDA has been embarrassingly reluctant to do.
In a neatly choreographed response, the FDA promptly released its own sample results from – yes – some 200 rice products which turned up a comparable amount of inorganic arsenic in the selected foods, which ranged from baby cereal to rice cakes to bagged rice. As The Washington Post reported, the agency also reiterated that it is still testing another 1,000 rice samples and plans to release a more complete report by the end of the year.
As readers of this blog know, there’s nothing incredibly new in these results; scientists have been publishing studies on arsenic in rice for more than a decade. You can find links to some of that research, in an earlier post, The Arsenic Diet. And as I wrote back in February, there’s a straightforward reason for this. Of all the commercially grown grains, the rice plant is best designed to uptake arsenic – a widespread and naturally occurring element – from the soil, using the same mechanisms that allow it to store minerals like silicon that help strengthen the rice grains. It’s not surprising that Consumer Reports found that inorganic arsenic levels in rice cereals were “at least five times more than has been found in alternatives such as oatmeal.”
Still there are a few points from these latest findings that are definitely worth repeating. As the magazine also notes, “White rice grown in Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri and Texas, which accounts for 76 percent of domestic rice, generally had higher levels of total arsenic and inorganic arsenic in our tests than rice samples from elsewhere.”
What does this mean?
Well, first, “total arsenic” refers to the fact that the tests look at two forms, or species, of the poison – organic and inorganic. Organic, of course, refers to an arsenic compound that includes the element carbon. Inorganic arsenic – as an example, the very poisonous compound arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is notably carbon free. And this matters because, as it turns out, the human body does a very reasonable job of metabolizing organic arsenic. In other words, it’s not nearly as risky to us as arsenic in its inorganic forms. As I wrote in a post titled, “Is Arsenic the Worst Chemical in the World?”, inorganic arsenic is basic bad news.
Second, why is rice from the American south popping here? One of the leading theories is that in these states, rice is now growing in fields that used to be home to cotton. For a large part of the 20th century, the primary pesticides used to beat back insects like the boll weevil were lead arsenate compounds, which have left a long-lasting residue in southern soils. There’s another theory – which the magazine Mother Joneshas been arguing – that this is related to runoff from nearby chicken farms, thanks to the use of arsenic additives in chicken feed. (Use of these organic arsenic additives has been temporarily suspended due to the finding that they may convert to inorganic arsenic.)
Third, although Southern states produce primarily white rice, recent testing found that arsenic levels overall tend to be higher in brown rice species. This is because as white rice is processed, much of the rice hull is removed and that tends to be a place where the mineral is concentrated. The Dartmouth College toxic metals program offers a very helpful FAQ regarding its own findings on arsenic contamination of brown rice products.
Finally - and this is where the FDA has left all of us hanging – do the levels of inorganic arsenic found in rice pose an actual health threat? So far the agency and, not surprisingly, the USA Rice Federation, insist not – that these are only trace amounts in a product generally considered a healthy food. And that’s a valid point although it’s unclear what the agency, at least, bases those assurances on as, so far, the only government safety standard comes from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and is aimed at well water.
Drinking water standards aren’t a reliable measure for food safety – we just don’t consume food and water in the same way. So while, the EPA drinking water standard is 10 ppb in a liter of water and while the rice readings are higher than that – roughly between 20 and 400 ppb total arsenic load per serving - they can’t be measured against each other in a meaningful way. Yes, the EPA standard tells us that we should be wary of low levels of arsenic. But intake of water – which tends to be a steady, all-day consumption – is very different from the on-and-off, usually varied way we consume food.
Of course, this also suggests that we should avoid a rice-rich diet and that some groups who more frequently consume rice – Asians, Latinos, those on a gluten-free diet – may be at more risk. And it’s on this note, I think, that our government is letting us down on the consumer protection front. The general assurances and advice that we eat a varied diet which seems to the current FDA approach is not really a substitute for the very specific answers needed.
Here’s commissioner Margaret Hamberg in an AP story today: “Our advice right now is that consumers should continue to eat a balanced diet that includes a wide variety of grains – not only for good nutrition but also to minimize any potential consequences from consuming any one particular food,” And this is what I call a statement on “one particular food” that raises questions rather than answers them.
As I said, Consumer Reports is largely doing these studies (it focused last year on arsenic in fruit juice) to pressure the FDA into setting a reasonable standard on arsenic in the diet. That end of the year FDA report I mentioned was supposed to be out this spring – I’ve asked about it so many times that the FDA press office has quit answering my e-mails. So let’s hope this tactic actually works. No one – not rice producers, not consumers, – is served by an agency that continues to add confusion rather than clarity to a question of public safety.
Dairy is not a part of a healthy diet. Dr. Mark Hyman counts down the reasons dairy doesn't make sense--and what's wrong with the food pyramid. Very few people are willing to tell the truth about dairy. There are many ill effects documented from eating dairy. The USDA's food pyramid is a bunch of lies that are not based on strict science. It reflects industry interests, not public interests.
Many of us already know that soda is terrible for us: empty calories, cavities, and links to a host of health problems. A new study of 5,000 people shows that soda ages DNA. Diet soda doesn't have the same effect, pointing to sugar as the culprit. (Diet soda may cause cancer, so we don't recommend it as an alternative.) The good news is, soda consumption in the US has been going down for years - good riddance!
(NaturalNews) You make a resolution. You are going to eat your five servings of fruits and veetables a day. No more junk food. And then it hits--those cravings. You have to have chocolate. You'll die without a chocolate!
Chocolate's my thing. So is pasta. For many it's breads, cookies, white rice, yogurt, sugary smoothies, and/or alcohol.
There is no doubt that your blood sugar has a lot to do with sugar cravings, but blood sugar is not the only metabolic process driving you. If you are living with an overabundance of Candida in your system, it wants to be fed. And it's preferred food is sugar. The relationship we have with Candida can create much stronger cravings for sugar and alcohol than blood sugar or other known factors.
Our bodies contain 10 times as many microbes as human cells. Many of these microbes are beneficial. We actually enjoy a symbiotic relationship with many of the bacteria (they help digest food, create serotonin, create B vitamins and more), but other microbes can cause disease, especially when they are out of balance.
In today's bacteria phobic world, we use antibacterial soaps, we pasteurize milk and juice, and we kill as many bacteria as possible in an attempt to create an antiseptic environment with no regard to the healthy bacteria we destroy. In addition, we take antibiotics without considering the indiscriminate destruction of the healthy bacteria we need for optimum health.
Candida is opportunistic. Whenever it sees an opening, like when we consume refined foods, Candida increases its numbers. It flourishes. And when it does, it wreaks havoc on its host. It doesn't just live inside of us, it feeds off of us. It changes from a one celled yeast to grow filaments that bore through our tissues--not only in the gut, but in other organs as well. Enzymes are released from these filaments that digest our tissues. Then the Candida soaks up nutrition from the cells it destroys as well as the food we eat.
The balance of Candida to beneficial flora is ever changing. Beneficial bacteria vie for dominance in the gut. As the balance shifts (like when we aren't eating foods that feed it) and Candida die off, the dying Candida releases 79 different toxins into our system. These toxins make us feel ill. As it continues to attack us from the inside, we eat a little sugar (or a lot of sugar) and we feel better because we have just fed the Candida and ended the die off process. Candida flourishes again (along with bad bacteria, which also likes sugar). You eat a little better, Candida dies off. You feel bad. You eat sugar. The cycle continues.
When the level of Candida rises to the point it causes ear infections, gum infections, sinus infections, vaginal infections, tooth infections, or skin infections, we may put two and two together and realize there is a cause and effect every time we eat sugar because we feel the negative results almost immediately. This is due to a low level of chronic infection that flares every time we feed the Candida.
Foods that feed Candida include concentrated sugars (corn syrup, sugar, agave, fruit juice, etc.). and other refined foods (sugars, flours, bread, pasta, white rice, etc.). Alcohol also indirectly promotes Candida growth. For those with particularly bad Candida, even a lack of sleep and other things that weaken the immune system actually can feed Candida (they feed off of our weakest cells, sleep deprivation depletes individual cell health).
You can rid your body of Candida naturally and get of the sugar roller coaster ride, but it will take time and discipline.
There are a number of herbs and supplements that will boost your immune system, kill off the Candida, and increase your beneficial bacteria.
Once that's over, you'll have no excuses. If you eat that chocolate, it's on you. Check out How to Kill Candida and Bullet Proof Your Immune System. If you're consuming sweets and other refined foods over the holidays, be sure to have a good probiotic and a couple of other items on hand to kill excess yeast. Garlic works great too (see the first source below for more on that amazing herb).
