Natural Supplements-Who needs Them? You Do!

March 30, 2009 · Filed under Natural Supplements

My father-in-law is living with my wife and I, God Blessed him with old age but poor health.

What is the point to live long but be constantly sick along the way? Pop is quick to argue the point of his longevity by saying “I never took any supplements and look at me”. Indeed, let us take a look. Cancer, Diabetes, Heart surgery, numerous operations and a host of other medical conditions have plagued him throughout his latter years.

My wife and I supplement with all natural supplements and ‘Wallah no medical ailments of any consequence. My father-in-law is just about 86 and I am 62 years old. I run, jump, climb, and pretty much do what a teenager does. Do I attribute my good fortune to supplementing; You Bet, that and eating nutritious food and having a young forever frame of mind.

Now look, I understand not everyone will be as fortunate as me but for goodness sake it is simply logical that your body needs a daily dose of the right nutrients so why not supplement.

Over farming, soil depletion, commercial fertilizer, hybrid crops and genetic modifications are slashing the nutrients found in your fruits and vegetables.

I intend to be healthy all my life and then die. Death and illness will come to all of us regardless what we put in our body but quality of life means alot to me.

How about you?
http://www.healthylivingwithnaturalsupplements.com/

Leave a comment »

Cholesterol: Good or Bad?

September 22, 2008 · Filed under Natural Health · Tagged

Let’s get something straight from the on start; cholesterol is an essential compound in humans and for that matter in the entire animal kingdom.

The idea that the cholesterol molecule is ‘bad’ is just plain inaccurate. Animals use cholesterol as their building blocks for cell membranes and other structural components. Cholesterol is the basic structural building block for hormones and other molecules essential to humans.

What is Good and Bad Cholesterol?

In actuality there is only good cholesterol until there is an over accumulation of cholesterol in the artery cells and in the peripheral cells.
LDL (Low-Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (notoriously called bad cholesterol) carry cholesterol from the liver to receptor sites on the endothelial and peripheral cells. From the receptor sites the cholesterol is then transported for cellular repair and construction.

HDL (High- Density Lipoprotein) cholesterol particles (commonly called good cholesterol) are the primary reverse transport system which carries away excess cholesterol from the artery and peripheral cells to its destination the liver. The excess returned cholesterol is then either converted by the liver into cholesterol bile acids or excreted into bile as free cholesterol, which is then sent to the colon.

Hence the Problem:

In the delivery of cholesterol there are three (3) pathways or routes to arterial vessels and peripheral cells.
1). Lipid absorption
2). Endogenous (produced by the liver).
3). Exogenous (food intake).

The over accumulation of cholesterol can occur in all three (3) pathways resulting in atheroselerosis in the artery cells. The LDL delivery system from the liver presents the biggest threat for cholesterol buildup. Free radicals found in the bloodstream attack and oxidize the LDL cholesterol and chemically change it so that the receptor sites on the artery cell walls can no longer recognize the LDL, so it is rejected. Hence come the Macrophages, scavenger cells from our immune system which also have receptor sites. The Macrophages recognize that the LDL oxidized cholesterol at the endothelial artery lining. This is where the problem begins with cholesterol. Since the source of macrophages in the blood are for the most part iron and copper, which in turn act as a catalyst taking what is hydrogen peroxide and converting it into a potent hydroxyl radical.

Chaos Factor:

Macrophages analysis the oxidized cholesterol molecule (OXY-LDL) as an enemy or an invader and treat the oxidized cholesterol as if it were bacteria. The macrophages envelop the oxidized cholesterol particle through a process called Phagocytesis. Ultimately the particle is sent back further into the arterial wall or the cholesterol particle appears as a fused fatty nodule on the wall of the artery. Eventually other protectors in our immune system add to the fight and the whole cholesterol particle becomes a foamy cell. Sometimes oxidized LDL in small quantities can be disposed of in the artery by absorption or by breaking down the small nodule. Usually the buildup is too large to be broken down entirely and in fact the buildup continues unabated. This buildup leads to calcification, which invariably produces a bulge in the wall of the artery. If the extended nodule continues to grow, the flow of blood to and from the heart will be dangerously challenged and may result in blockage which can lead to such conditions as coronary arteries and carotid or vertebral arteries leading to the brain.

It has been established through research in patient studies that there are two (2) ways that oxidized LDL cholesterol can be formed.
1). Membrane damage of LDL fatty acids by metal ions (mostly iron in the blood).
2). Enzymatic damage unrelated or independent to metal ions
.
The researchers concluded that there are two (2) forms of oxidized LDL cholesterol.
1). OXY-LDL is a marker for coronary atheroselerosis.
2). MDA-Modified LDL a marker for artery plaque creation.

Antioxidants to the Rescue:

It is important that cholesterol is transported through the blood freely and unobstructed. The antioxidant level of the blood needs to be sufficiently high to abate free radicals before they attack the LDL particle. Additionally fat-soluble antioxidant levels of the LDL particle need to be high enough to thwart the oxidation of fatty acids (Phosholipids). Water-soluble antioxidants are important in the prevention of formation of oxidizes cholesterol in LDL particles and in blood in general.

Some key antioxidants are vitamins A, C, and E. others include green tea, bilberry, rosemary, lutein, and N-acetyl cysteine. Taking a regimented dose of antioxidant supplements has an important role in reducing the damaging effects of lipid oxidation.

Conclusion:

Our body was created perfectly without flaw, only when outside and foreign elements are introduced do we initiate a disease or an imbalance. Cholesterol in its purest form is harmless and essential to our bodily functions. Without the proper amounts of antioxidants in our blood, oxidation of LDL can occur in the blood and on the artery wall and lead to the formation of altherosclerosis. Supplementation of essential antioxidants is critical in an overall healthy body. Natural health products are the purest forms of supplementation.

Natural Health Products

allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

Cancer: Causes and Effects

August 29, 2008 · Filed under Cancer · Tagged

Cancer has ravaged our western societies for many decades but there was a time not that long ago when cancer was not a part of our lexicon. Cancer is a man made disease caused by the introduction of toxic carcinogens, chemicals, pesticides, food preservatives and a host of additives.

Carcinogens attack the human cells attaching themselves to DNA and either altering cellular metabolism or the damaging the DMA directly. Normal DNA that is damaged and cannot repair itself leads to ‘programmed cell death’ a process called Biotransformation in which the damaged cells harmlessly become water soluble and are flushed from our body. Sometimes damaged DNA in a cell has no pathway and the cell has no choice but to become cancerous. Cancer tumors are formed when normal biological processes are hindered and the normally aggressive immune system is weak or has been weakened.

Some common carcinogens are tobacco smoke, asbestos (when inhaled), dioxins, radioactive material such as gamma rays, alpha particles (when ingested or inhaled) and x-rays which are highly carcinogenic due their retention in human organs. Also there are many natural carcinogens one being Aflatoxin B. which grows on stored nuts and grains. Another potent carcinogen is formaldehyde, which is used, in embalming and plastic making. In PCV manufacturing vinyl chloride is used which is a strong carcinogen.

Carcinogens are also produced by cooking foods at a very high temperature or by cooking meats until their well done. Some researchers say that the carcinogens present are so minute that they present no health threat. Others especially those in the natural health community say carcinogens in over cooked food do present a significant health threat and do add to cancer growing cells over a period of time.

The human body has a remarkable disposition to ward off disease through our built in immune system but a weakened immune system allows deadly carcinogens to get a foot hold in our cells enabling DNA damage. Acrylamide, a known carcinogen is created in frying or overheating foods such as potato chips, french fries and any other fried foods.

Smoking cigarettes and cigars may cause irreversible damage to human genes. There are over 4,000 chemical compounds, which are toxic to the human body and are carcinogenic. With all the education readily available on how deadly tobacco smoke is one would think smoking related diseases would be eradicated but that is not the case. Smoking still is a serious health problem.

With the advent of processed foods came innumerable additives that are foreign to the human body. Additives that add color or taste to a food and preservatives that unnaturally extend shelf life of processed foods. All man made additives are unnatural and may conflict with natural bodily functions. I won’t bore you with long scientific names, which can easily be found, on any processed food ingredient list. Suffice it to say all processed foods lend it to diminish. health.

Our water supply has been tragically compromised with the addition of chemicals added to the water in the name public health. Chlorine in massive amounts has been added to most public water supplies to kill off harmful germs when ironically it is the chlorine that is adding a foreign chemical in to millions of trusting people. Remember anything that is not natural in origin becomes a potentially dangerous ingredient in the ‘all-natural human body’. The human body reacts positively to natural wholesome foods and natural supplements and negatively to man made stuff that do not have natural ingredients in them.

In addition to harmful and potentially cancer causing preservatives added to food, pesticides and herbicides are liberally used to kill and deter insects and disease in our produce industry. These chemicals are poinsious to human consumption and studies support an increased cancer risk when consumed. As previously stated, any foreign entity introduced into the human body may potentially be harmful and increase cancer risk.

With that in mind one must place pharmaceutical drugs in the category of foreign material. Pharmaceutical drugs are used like eating candy in a brainwashed society. Every pill taken offers a challenge to our immune system and our naturally created normal bodily functions. Pharmaceutical drugs for the most part are a concoction of man made material created to mask the symptoms of a disease, to temporarily eliviate a medical problem. The pill inevitably is time stamped to ‘work’ or be effective for a period of time thus the masking effect wears off and you need to take another pill.

Our brave new world with boundless good intentions has opened up a Pandora’s box of genetic mutants that have cancer-causing implications. We are self-inflicting ourselves with poisons that immeasurably produce a hostile environment for our wondrously created immune system. Cancer in my opinion is a man made creation and could be eliminated if we all insisted, no demanded, that only all natural ingredients be added to our food, water, products, and medicine. Individually you can create your own ‘Cancer Free Zone’ by living ‘all natural’ and allowing your body to function as it was intended; “Free and Clean of Foreign Poisons”.

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

What is Chelation Therapy?

August 17, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged ,

Chelation Therapy was first used during world war one by the British as a result of arsenic based poison gas used indescrimitively in that war. An organic dithio compound was used to bond with the arsenic in the bloodstream and exiting the body through the kidneys and liver. This therapy reportedly had severe side effects.

During world war two the United States military used chelation therapy on navy personnel who acquired lead poisoning from paint used on navy vessels. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid a natural amino acid) was used as the chelation agent. Later in the 1960’s the chelation agent of choice was DMSA (Dimercaptosuccinic acid is also called succimer and is sold under the brand name Chemet.) for treating arsenic, mercury and lead poisoning.

As with all chelation agents and there are many the underlying purpose and the end result is a chemical bond with metal ions in the bloodstream making the ions less chemically active resulting in a water-soluble solution that is then naturally eliminated via the bloodstream.

Chelation therapy is now widely used to treat toxic metal poisoning. EDTA chelation, which is USDA (United States Drug Administration), approved is the chelation agent most used by our medical industry.

Chelation therapy can be introduced into the body intramuscularly, orally, or intravenously.

As shown chelation therapy is nothing new and has been used extensively throughout the world by many nations including U.S.A., Great Briton, and Russia (Soviet Union). Also conventional medicine has and continues to use chelation therapy albeit on a limited basis.

Chelation Therapy and Alternative Medicine:

I believe it is fair to say that conventional medicine and alternative medicine have been at odds for many years for various reasons and too many to mention here. Having said that both sides of medicine use chelation therapy, the difference is in the agent used. Alternative medicine uses natural agents found in herbs, vitamins, minerals and natural sources. This includes EDTA, which is in fact the standard FDA approved chelation agent used for treating lead, mercury, aluminum, and cadmium poisoning.
Of course there are no patents on naturally found agents such as EDTA thus drug companies have little interest in promoting this type of health procedure. EDTA is the chelation agent most often used by alternative medical practitioners although there are many other agents also used none of which are approved by the FDA.

Alternative medicine uses chelation therapy for a variety of ailments but primarily for treating cardio vascular disease most notably cleansing of arteries.

The U.S National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine is presently conducting a trial of efficacy concerning alternative medicine chelation agents and will be completed in 2009. The FDA and traditional medical institutions such as the American Heart Association are inalterably opposed to this trial calling it “dangerous and unethical”.

Another controversial use of chelation in the alternative medicine world is for treating children with Autism. The theory is that heavy metals in the bloodstream may inniate symptoms of Autism. Recently the alternative medicine community has proposed a link to Thiomersal a vaccine preservative, which contains mercury as a possible if not probable ‘switch’ to igniting Autisim. The traditional medical industry is quick to point out that there is no scientific data to support the claims. Mercury is indisputably a heavy metal that creates havoc in the bloodstream. Thimerosoal the mercury poisoning drug has now been removed from ‘most’ childhood immunizations.

As you would expect, the alternative medicine community cites positive reports from some parents with Autistic children who have participated in some form of chelation therapy. Conversely traditional medicine debunks the use of chelation therapy for treating Autism and points to two (2) children dying due to hypocalemia and cardiac arrest after being administered chelation therapy. Traditional critics also say that prolonged use of some chelation agents may cause liver damage, kidney problems, blood pressure drops, and other health risks. However it is important to note that there is no mention of the risks or side effects of prescription drugs and surgical procedures traditional medicine routinely use in treating patients.

Comparatively new to chelation therapy is its use for treating some cancers. Proclaimed by some as a last hope therapy, this is highly controversial and not without critics on both sides of the proverbial fence. There have been ‘favorable reports’ of “miraculous” reductions in cancer cells and shrinkage of cancerous tumors in some patients. No studies have been conducted to legitimize these claims. The alternative medicine world relays heavily on personal testimonies from individual patients, whereby traditionalists conduct studies and trials often funded by drug companies or institutions that have a vested interest in a favorable outcome.

In Conclusion:

The medical world has begun a paradigm shift from traditional to alternative medicine. Chelation therapy has its pros and cons but undeniably it is now more then ever a viable alternative to surgery and traditional drug prescriptions. Chelation therapy should only be administered by a licensed medical practitioner and only after a thorough physical. Before deciding on any method of treatment for any ailment it is wise to seek out an abundant amount of information and points of view.

As a personal testimony, I have used oral chelation for many years as a form of preventative medicine since heart disease is prevalent in my family, with no apparent side effects. In my opinion chelation therapy is an effect alternative to surgery and is an effective choice in preventing cardiovascular disease by boosting your immune system and effectively cleansing the arteries. Always use any ‘natural supplement’ in moderation and always check with a reputable licensed natural practitioner before implementing any natural supplement regiment. Additionally be sure to consult with your pharmacist concerning interactions with prescription drugs.
Natural Health Products allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

Natural Preventive Medicine

July 25, 2008 · Filed under Preventive Medicine · Tagged

There are so many voices telling us what is good and what isn’t good for us that it can drive you crazy.
We are told one-week coffee has beneficial properties, the next week someone is crying coffee is the devils child!
Enough already with so called experts telling us how to live our lives. These experts are usually money motivated and have a vested interest in a certain product, organization, institution or company. It is a rare event when someone isn’t selling a book or promoting a business and truly has something to say concerning our health. It is a sad commentary but a lot of people only care about their good fortune.

I recently read an article published in the AMA (American Medical Association) concerning preventive medicine written by a doctor who specialized in that field of medicine. BORING! The same old stuff thrown against a wall in hope something would stick. If I sound a trifle upset at our medical industry, I am, our medical industry does little to enhance our good health. Their answer to preventive medicine is to prescribe more and more pills!

Natural Preventive Medicine Basics

Let us cut through the nonsensical and get to basic common sense. Let’s forget what others are telling us to do. We know instinctively what is good for what isn’t and us. The problem isn’t the knowing it is the doing. How many times have you made a New Year’s resolution with great expectations only to see your hopes fall by the way side? Your plans were dashed because you failed to follow through. You know what is good and right so stand fast and follow through with your efforts.

Here are some plain and simple things that I have implemented in my life with great success. Please understand I’m not telling you or suggesting these will all work for you, what I am saying is that they have worked for me and they are a list of common sense practices.

1. Don’t smoke anything.

2. Drink alcohol beverages sparingly. (I drink NO alcohol)

3. Drink few or no soft drinks. They are loaded with sugar. (I drink no soft drinks)

4. Don’t eat meat that has been cooked well done. Red meat, poultry, fish, naturally contains amino acids, sugars, and a protein called creatinine. Cooking, especially under high temperatures, converts these compounds into heterocyclic amines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have been linked to cancer in animal and human studies.

5. Don’t fry your food. Frying food can cause the production Acrylamide that is a neurotoxin of which has been linked to cancer.

6. Limit your intake of carbohydrates to fruits and vegetables that are loaded with enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

7. Meat is rich in nutrients and when eaten non fried and not well done it is good source of protein,
iron and zinc and contributes significant amounts of vitamins. Buy hormone free meat when available.

8. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.

9. Avoid sugar at all costs. Read labels and ingredients before you buy, you may be surprised how much sugar a product contains.

10. Eat three meals day and limit snacks to nutrious foods such as nuts, fruit, and veggies, non-fried snacks that contain salt and low fat ice cream.

11. Exercise naturally by walking, running, climbing, playing sports, and working and just having fun.

12. Drink clean cold natural water free of man made additives. I drink only decaffeinated coffee, tea, and only drink fruit drinks with no added sugar.

13. I absolutely refuse to take any prescription drug.

14. I supplement with all natural health products.

15. I make sure I get a minimum of 30 minutes of unfiltered direct sunlight, every day. (no sunblock)

16. Try in earnest to avoid processed foods containing dyes, preservatives, and additives.

17. Try your best to get a sound 8 to 9 hours of sleep overnight. (This is a tough one but wow what a difference.)

18. Avoid people who have colds and who have a contagious illness.

19. Wash hands frequently with an antibiotic soap.

20. Laughter is good for the soul and body.

21. Stop watching the nightly news which is loaded with negativism and pessimism. Fill yourself up with hope, optimism and set goals for yourself, fill your life up with enthusiasm.

22. Maintain a healthy body weight. Obesity kills!

23. Live life in moderation, too much of anything probably isn’t good.

24. Love the creator of all life and place your life in his hands.

Well there you have it my very own testimonial on what has kept me healthy all these years. I’m not a doctor just an extraordinary (everyone is extraordinary) citizen with a whole lot of common sense. If we all could learn to listen to inner being, logic and common sense might prevail. I sure hope you discover your very own natural preventive medicine plan and when you do you see it through. Life is short so why not live healthy? I am!
Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

How Can I Control Stress?

July 9, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged

Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Stress is a major contributor to many maladies that inflict us humans. Day after day we drudge on worrying about every imaginable thing some so trivial that it’s just plain stupid.

Humans are the only earthly animal that has such a problem.(as far as we know!) Other animals go about go about their business undaunted of stressful situations. We are seemingly addicted to stress. Stress has literally taken over our lives. It is as if we fuel our bodies on a daily basis with stress. Seems ridiculous doesn’t it, but you know exactly what I’m talking about, we thrive on everyday stress. Well if we thrive on it why eliminate it; what’s the point? The point is stress is a killer, it’s out to get you, throw you to the ground and stomp all over you.

Stress is a killer

Talk to any doctor and they will tell you unequivocally that stress damages the body immeasurably in countless ways. Stress is the silent killer that infiltrates and then does it’s damage overtime. Okay you know you are stressful and you don’t like it one bit but how in the world can we eliminate something that is so much of our life? You don’t eliminate stress you control stress. A certain amount of stress is actually good for you, it produces a sense of urgency, a motivation, a driving force. Stress can be compared to an adrenaline rush in as much they both create a burst of energy a sense of urgency. The trick is to harness stress so it works for you not against you.

What is Stress?

Stress is negative energy (worry), bottled up inside with no where to go. Most stress is self-induced. We are a fast paced society, continually trying to go faster. For example, if a speed limit is set at 55-mph invariably most drivers will push the limit and go at least 10-mph faster. It is our nature to push the limit. We are driven to exceed, succeed, and proceed. Unfortunately stress is a part of our everyday lives so we need to deal with it.

Controlling Stress

People make things more difficult then need be. Life needn’t be complicated. Simple is better. Uncomplicate your life. Set a rule of priorities for your day to day life. Make these priorities realistic, simple, uncomplicated. Know your limitations don’t over extend abilities.

Here are some things that can help you reduce stress.

1.Start your day earlier then you normally would. Allow yourself plenty of time to get ready for work.
2.Eat a sensible breakfast allowing enough time to actually relax and enjoy breakfast.
3.Don’t watch the doom and gloom news while eating breakfast start the day on a positive note.
4.Allow a lot of time to comfortably get to work and if your driving listen to some good music and drive within the speed limit.
5.Limit your caffeine intake to one cup of coffee in the morning and 3 cups total for the day.
6.Avoid refined sugar foods such as doughnuts, processed cereals, pop tarts etc.
7.Don’t drink any soft drinks for are loaded with sugar.
8.Stop with all the competition with co-workers do your job to the best of your ability and good things will happen.
9.Be happy for others who succeed in their endeavors.
10.Drink plenty of clean unpolluted spring water. Water naturally detoxifies the body.
11.If possible take a short nap. I personally nap half an hour after my half-hour lunch.
12.Set realistic goals. Too many people try to accomplish too much too quickly. Most good things worth striving for require a lot of nurturing.
13.Stop worrying about things that are out of your control. 90% of everyday concerns are about stuff you can’t do a wit to change.
14.If a particularly stressful moment or situation occurs take a deep breath (or many) reflect on a pleasant memory and then proceed slowly, deliberately, maintaining control.
15.Set time aside everyday for ‘family talk’ where family members can express their thoughts, problems and communicate one to another. This is a solid ’stress buster’.
16.Eat nutrious foods high in vitamins and minerals low in calories. Good food delivers optimum health thus reducing stress.
17.Live within your means don’t buy things you know you can’t afford.
18.Only use credit cards for emergencies and plan on paying dept in full each month.
19.Don’t try to keep up with what others have, (I.e. neighbors, family, and friends.) be happy for them, don’t resent what they have.
20.Ground your life in faith, family, and friends. Express your love for the important people in your life openly, let them know how you feel about them without any expectations.
21.Laugh often, smile alot.
22.Exercise moderately at least 3 times a week.
23.Sleep a sound 8 hours every night this alone will reduce stress dramatically.
24.Finally accept the fact that life is unpredictable and we all will be thrown a curve ball now and then that may flatten us for a time. Find solace in your faith and know that things will get better and always think highly of yourself.

Stress can be controlled however you must take it seriously and make a plan of action. The silent killer is lurking just below the surface and it wants to destroy you. Are you up for the challenge?

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

Tart Cherries-Super Food

July 2, 2008 · Filed under healthy food · Tagged , ,

Strong evidence from research studies indicates that tart cherries may help in pain relief, fight against certain cancers and have neuro protection capabilities.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore Md. discovered that anthocyanins in tart cherries provided a significant reduction of painful inflammation. Scientists believe this is possible because anthocyanins are able to counteract stress brought on by an inflammatory attack.

Anthocyanins occur in all higher plants, including leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits. Anthocyanins are water-soluble vacuolar pigments that may appear, red, purple, or blue depending to pH.

Tart cherries regardless how they are consumed either fresh, canned, frozen or juices are very rich in nutrients particularly in powerful flavonoids. Flavonoids are widely distributed in plants fulfilling many functions including producing yellow or red/blue pigmentation in flowers and vegetables. Consumers and food manufacturers have become interested in flavonoids for their medicinal properties, especially their potential role in the prevention of cancers and cardiovascular disease. Raspberries, blue berries, black berries, purple plums, red grape, oranges, choke berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, redcurrant, red wine are all rich in anthocyanins.

Another possible benefit of tart cherries is that they may help reduce muscle pain. Men who added tart cherry juice into their diet who also exercised vigorously reported a reduction in muscle pain. This indicates a decreasing amount of muscle damage normally found after a hard workout.

Additionally tart cherries hold much promise in reducing the risk of colon and breast cancers. Scientists have suggested through studies that anthocyanins found in tart cherries and other fruits and vegetable rich in flavonids actually stop the growth of cancer cells by depriving them of proteins needed for their development. Studies indicate that tart cherries diminish the growth of 2 human cancer cells lines.

Remarkably tart cherries are also rich in melatonin which is a chemical released in the body by the pineal gland and helps regulate the sleep-wake cycle.

Also, cherries offer protection against gout a painful condition when sharp urate crystals accumulate in the joints. Studies show that women who ate Bing cherries had a significant reduction in their serum urate levels.

Tart cherries are delicious and can be eaten as is or added to a salad. Cherries can be canned, dried, or juiced. Cherries make great pies, tarts or crushed as an ingredient in cakes. Also cherries can made into smoothies with ice and a blender. Personally I like eating them right off the tree.

As with all fruits and vegetables organic is always best and be very sure to thoroughly wash with clean cold water before eating.

Tart cherries are a wonderful way to help your immune system stay strong and at the same time enjoy God’s bounty by eating this wonderful tasting fruit. Enjoy!

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

Child Obesity-Where Have All The Children Gone?

June 26, 2008 · Filed under Childrens Health · Tagged

Where have all the children gone? The simple answer is they have metamorped into little computer and high tech geeks.

Back in the day kids would be up early in the morning raring to get outside and play. Playing meant anything and everything depending on the mood of the day.

The kids on our block were tenacious sports and game players. We would play football or baseball in a vacant lot all day long only going home for lunch and supper. We were inventive creating new games of fun on a whim but always with competition and a great deal of physicality involved.

There were those days when the weather just wouldn’t cooperate and our playing took us indoors but we never missed a beat. We played marbles, marble baseball, board games, and read and traded baseball cards and comic books.

We were never bored and we couldn’t wait for the next day to come so we could get outside.

School was a diversion that we tolerated a necessary evil we thought. School too was fun when neighborhood kids got together to reminisce and plan for after school playtime.

School was also a time for learning and our parents made very sure that we were well grounded in respect for our teachers and the importance of learning.

In today’s world, kids are faced with new priorities and new things to do. There are diversions that today’s child faces that weren’t an issue in my childhood. Life was simple, solid, safe, and secure.

My concern for today’s kids is that they are not getting enough exercise. This was never a problem when I was growing up, it was our lifestyle to be physically active. It was who we were, little dynamos of energy.

Unfortunately few kids today have that driven mindset to get outside and play. The exception may be rural kids who have the great outdoors to explore, to build tree huts, hunt, fish, climb trees and a host of games to play such as baseball, basketball, football, sledding, snow ball fights, ice hockey, roof ball, badminton and the list is never ending.

City kids too can be physically active with an array of sports activities. In addition to the above activities there are games such as street hockey, stick ball, 4 squares ball, box hockey, wall baseball, whiffle ball, dodge ball, capture the flag, just to mention a few.

Many kids are sadly overweight and in poor physical shape. They need to get moving, literally.

They’re certainly is a time and place for computer time, TV, and other passive activities but to a much lesser degree then most kids do today.

Obesity is a serious problem in our society and our children are not exempt from this insidious lifestyle. That’s right obesity with the exception of some legitement medical conditions is a BI product of a lifestyle. Obesity could nearly be eliminated in our culture with a simple lifestyle change. Get your children motivated to get physically active. Going out for sports at school, joining YMCA, YWCA, community centers, church youth groups all offer great fun and interaction.

Parents set a good example for your children by leading the way and becoming physically fit. A healthy fit body can add years to your life and most certainly will increase your stamina, self-esteem, and overall appearance.

Do the fun things in life that require no money just plain and simple fun. Get outside and start playing!

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

What we can learn From the Amish Work Ethic

June 12, 2008 · Filed under Uncategorized

I grew up in the Amish, Mennonite country of south central Pennsylvania. Rolling hills with fertile ground made for excellent farming.

Sundays after church my dad would get us all in the car for a Sunday drive that would invariably take us into the heart of Lancaster county…Amish country.

Horse and buggies could be seen to and from Sunday go to church meeting houses, slowing up traffic along the way although we never seemed to mind. This is the day the Amish and Mennonites ‘rested’ from a long hard workweek. Having lived near these hardy people throughout my childhood I knew even Sundays were ‘busy days’ with little rest.

Work starts early at a Amish household with kids and adults up before the sun to do chores and ‘get things done’. Breakfast comes later with a lot of eggs, scrapple, sausage, and bread. After the early work is complete and breakfast is eaten the children are off to school and the adults start the serious work of plowing and threshing and seeding. No tractors or electric will be found at an Amish household only horses with steel implements being pulled behind them. The women work tirelessly minding the garden with the ‘little ones’ helping too. Housework never ends from sunrise to sunset with rest coming infrequently. It is a long arduous day of work and precious little else.

The Amish cherish family and their way of life and give constant prayers and thanks to God. Most Amish families are large with deep-rooted beliefs grounded in strong moral and ethical values. If you spend anytime with the Amish you will quickly realize how physically fit they are. Hard work pays a good dividend. Without all the creature comforts of ‘our society’ the Amish thrive at work, with family and God.

We can learn from the Amish and Mennonites in as much ‘life principles’ grounded in ethical guidelines produces an environment for a strong body and mind.

I’m happy living in my Internet high tech world and am not ready to take a step back in time as the Amish now live but I do have an admiration for their lifestyle. Most of us could use some hard physical work rather then spending tedious, monadic time at the gym or at home on that dreaded treadmill. Hard work produces something tangible a real accomplishment and your body in turn becomes fit.

I now live far from my childhood home but I never did venture far from the Amish conviction that ‘Hard work is good for the soul…and body’.

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

Staying Young…Yes You Can!

June 10, 2008 · Filed under Motivational · Tagged , ,

I decided when I was a young man serving in the U.S. Airforce that I wasn’t going to succumb to the ravages of old age.

The ‘trick’ I decided was to convince my mind that getting old in the traditional way of accepting the inevitable wasn’t going to happen to me.

I concluded that if the mind was convinced the body would follow. It stood to reason that the body is nothing more then a conduit for the brain and the thinking reasoning mind. After all the brain is our hard drive that controls every part of our body. Mind over Matter!

Steadfastness I found to be my greatest attribute. Never to fall into laziness and despair. Always thinking highly of myself, having that ‘I can do anything attitude’.

This has been ‘me’ for over 60 years now and truthfully I am more determined then ever to grow older ‘my way’.

Essentially I still do what I did as a teenager. I have never stopped running, sprinting, jumping, climbing, just being young.

As I reached my 40th birthday or there about I began supplementing with natural supplement products such as vitamins and herbs and that made an enormous difference in my overall good health.

Hard work like digging holes for new trees, cutting your lawn with a push mower, shoveling the snow, long walks up and down hills will go a long way keeping you fit. Personally I always opt not to take the easy way to do physical work.
Condition the mind the body will follow!

The years will pass all too quickly and before you know it your looking back at what could have been. Begin now to think ‘out of the box’ and take hold of your life. It’s never too late to say at the top of your lungs…..Staying Young, Yes I Can!

Natural Health Products
allnaturalsupplements.blogspot.com

Leave a comment »

« Previous entries
Next Page »