What is Colon Cleansing & Is It Safe?

Part of the colon's job is to eliminate toxins from the body.  That's why you go to the bathroom!  Therefore, anything indigestible, or otherwise classified as "waste" by the body, is eliminated via the colon.  Of course, other organs, such as the skin, liver, and kidneys, also play a significant role in detoxifying the body.

However, the colon sometimes needs special attention, as experts note how wastes and undigested food matter can accumulate in that organ to an alarming degree.  Some natural health practitioners and nutritionists claim that the natural mucus lining of the colon can harden and putrefy, creating a host of health problems.

So How Do You Cleanse the Colon?

There are a couple of ways to do this, either separately or combined.

Journal of Dietary Supplements (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Supplements/Pills

You can purchase a colon cleansing kit at most health food stores and some drug stores and pharmacies, and just follow the directions.  These kits are comprised of various supplements designed to eliminate toxins from the colon.  You can take the pills and continue with your diet as usual, but some who have tried this say they don't feel really "cleaned out," and sometimes unpleasant side effects can result.

2. Special Diets or Fasts

There are a host of special colon-cleansing diets out there, from the famous "Master Cleanse" or lemonade diet - during which you drink only lemon juice mixed with water and maple syrup for several days - to smoothies.  There are also juice cleanses, and raw vegetable and fruit cleanses.  Some people simply adopt a healthier diet that includes more whole, unrefined foods and fiber.  These dietary changes can be done on their own, or sometimes in addition to supplementation.

But Is It Safe?

Some medical experts warn that colon cleansing can be dangerous due to possible electrolyte imbalances.  If practiced excessively, some experts warn that colon cleanses can stress the kidneys and heart.  The key is to undergo a cleanse with medical supervision and knowledge.  Here are some things to keep in mind to make cleansing safer.

1. Involve your family physician or consult a naturopathic physician
Tell your doctor that you want to undergo a colon cleanse, and he or she can work with you with regard to your state of health and what, if any, method you should use. Your doctor can inform you of the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance or other possible problems so that, if these begin to occur, you can stop the cleanse immediately.

Healthy vegetables. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

2. Use clean techniques
If enemas are part of your colon cleansing regimen, make sure they are done by a professional who uses sterile equipment.

3. Start slowly
Try gentle methods first, such as a one-day juice fast, or a naturally cleansing diet for a specified number of days. For example, the Total Wellness Cleanse includes a very healthy, safe and natural diet that is gentle on your body.

In summary, colon cleansing can be a good way to detoxify your body occasionally.  Before beginning, do your homework, and determine the method that will work best for you, and be sure to consult with a professional before starting. 

Cranberries- The Superfood to Stave Off Bladder Infections

Numerous studies have shown that cranberries may help to fight off urinary tract infections (UTIs). They reduce the power of certain E. coli bacteria to adhere to and penetrate the walls of the bladder.

In about half of the cases of UTIs, the E. coli responsible have special little hairy tips called P fimbria. The bacteria use their fimbria to attach themselves to the bladder so that they can multiply and cause an infection. That's where cranberries--which contain a group of chemicals called proanthocyanidins---come in. They bind to the P fimbria of the E. coli and hinder them so they are unable to sticking to the walls of the bladder. As a result, the E. coli is flushed out in the urine instead of causing an infection. And because cranberries remove rather than kill the bacteria, there’s less of a chance for the E. coli to become resistant.

Dried cranberries (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It’s imperative that those who are prone to UTIs eat cranberries or drink cranberry juice on a daily basis, because once the bacteria are able to adhere to the wall, the infection sets in, and the cranberries can’t help at that point. Juice products sweetened with stevia or other natural sweeteners are probably best, as sugar can actually increase the proliferation of bacteria.

It’s probably best to use cranberry products twice a day if you are prone, as the effects of the cranberries wear off after about 10 hours.

You should also be diligent about drinking lots of fluids in order to flush the bladder out on a regular basis. Citrus fruits and fresh vegetables high in vitamin C are also good, as they help boost the body’s immunity and germ-fighting abilities. Coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages should be avoided, as well as alcohol. Be sure to complement your diet with plenty of foods rich in vitamin B, such as fortified cereals, lean proteins, asparagus, almonds and bananas, as they all assist the body in the digestive process and converting food to energy, which your body will need if it’s working to fend off a UTI.

Want To Be Healthy? Stop Eating These 3 "Health" Foods!

Isn't it ironic that since the introduction of "health" foods over the last 20-25 years, we are fatter and sicker than ever before? 

What gives? Is there something going on that we don't know about?

Well, a few weeks ago my favorite health "guru" and renowned nutritionist Yuri Elkaim decided to buckle down, do some research, and uncover the truth.

And what a scary truth he uncovered!

3 "Health" Foods to STOP Eating

Much of the research he came across confirmed some of which we already know about certain "health" foods, but some new research absolutely shocked him.

And so he channeled my frustration and put together an amazing new report for you that reveals the 3 "health" foods that you should stop eating as of today!

Here's just a small sampling of what you'll discover in this report:

• WHY these 3 foods are dangerous to your health,

• WHY they continue to be "pushed" down our throats,

• How YOU can become a SMARTER consumer to make better food choices,

• How continuing to eat these 3 foods will sabotage your ability to lose weight,

• And much more!

Why am I giving you this report for free?

Because you need to know this information - and there's no time like the present to get started on a path to better health. It's that simple.

So here's my New Year's gift to you - it's totally free - we won't even ask for your email address!

 

Just Click Here to Download Your FREE Report

On your side in good health,

Rose Hillbrand.

How Aromatherapy Can Improve Concentration & Mental Clarity

By now, most of us have probably heard about the benefits of aromatherapy for relaxation.  It seems like there are hundreds of scents you can choose from if you want to unwind at the end of a long day.  Aromatherapy works quickly and effectively because, unlike other senses, scent is connected directly to your brain.  Since you already know aromatherapy works great to relax, why not try it when you need to concentrate?  Aromatherapy can be used to turn your brain back on, perk you up, and sharpen your thought process.  Imagine the work you can get done with that extra invigorating boost!

When it comes to concentration, there are many scents to choose from.  There are minty, fruity, and fresh smells that can help.  This means that you’ll be sure to find one you actually think smells good.  Here are just some of the options available:

* Lemon
* Mango- this can also help to improve concentration by easing symptoms of depression.
* Pine- this helps to increase energy levels as well as concentration.
* Apple- this can also give you an extra energy boost.
* Rosemary-this scent promotes relaxation and alertness at the same time.
* Peppermint- this has always been recommended to improve alertness for long study sessions
* Eucalyptus- this is similar to peppermint, and can be used to provide a slightly different scent.

If you want to use aromatherapy to help you concentrate, there are several options for helping the scent reach your nose.

Aromatic candle (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

* Aromatherapy candles.  These are an easy and simple way to help spread your favorite invigorating scents throughout the house.  They are slightly less concentrated, but they still get the job done.  Just buy the scents you want and light them whenever you’re studying or just need a mental boost.  Just remember that candle smoke pollutes your indoor air so make sure you have a filter in your vents, and use candles with natural ingredients such as soy and essential oils instead of paraffin wax and synthetic fragrances if possible. 

* Humidifier.  Simply find the oil form of the fragrance you want, put a few drops in your room humidifier and let it work.  As the water gets put into the air, the oil gets taken with.  When the droplets evaporate, the room is filled with your favorite refreshing sent.  They also make devices now that use water to disperse scent and clean your air at the same time.

* Rub on oil.  Instead of using the oil in your humidifier, just rub it onto your chest or under your nose.  It works like VapoRub by sending invigorating vapors right up to your nose.  Just be careful, many essential oils are quite strong and may irritate the skin, so you’ll want to mix a few drops with a mild, gentle carrier oil such as light sesame or almond oil.

If you want to study, concentrate more on work, or just feel energized and alert at the end of a long day, try one of these fantastic aromatherapy scents, and see how much more focused you feel!

What Is Your Biorhythm?

In nature, many things run by cycles - the tides cycle, the weather cycles, the season cycles - even the sun goes through an active and passive cycle, or activity like solar flares.  So, if everything around us goes through cycles, shouldn’t we go through cycles as well?  This is what the concept of biorhythms is based on.  The principle is that all humans go through physical, emotional and mental cycles and if we understand these cycles, we can predict them, just like the weather, and use this knowledge to our advantage. 

In the study of biorhythms, our emotions, physical well being, and mental well being are all represented by curves.  There is a midline that is simply the middle state of all these factors.  When a curve goes above the midline, we have a high of the corresponding factor.  For instance, we would be happy if our emotional curve is above the midline, or we would be more physically resilient and better able to heal if our physical curve is above the midline.

The midline is a very important part on the biorhythm scale.  Not only is it important whether you’re above or below the midline, but crossing the midline is a very important time as well.  This indicates a turning point, but it also might be a hard time for you.  You may feel physically or mentally drained, or have emotional ups and downs. 

Biorhythm Chart. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Biorhythm curves also contain an average line.  This is exactly what it sounds like; it’s an average of all three curves.  It simply represents your overall well being.

If you think about it, many people already accept the ideas of emotions and physical properties running in cycles.  Women have a hormone cycle in their body that coincide with their menstrual cycle.  While it’s not necessarily as predictable and precise as some people may suggest, it still occurs.  And many people have theorized that men have a similar cycle. 

Biorhythms run on a different time cycle than this.  In fact, physical, emotional, and mental biorhythms all have a separate time cycle.  As one might expect, the emotional curve has a cycle of 28 days.  The physical curve is shorter at only 23 days, but the mental curve is much longer at 33 days.

Many people hear about biorhythms and think that it sounds like some ridiculous theory that is based on a random idea someone had; however, biorhythms were actually discovered by Dr. Wilhelm Fliess.  He was looking at case studies of his patients and actually noticed that they all seemed to have the same up and down fluctuation in all these factors. 

Some people still think it sounds a bit hokey, because it feels like predicting the future.  But biorhythms don’t predict major illnesses or any future events; they simply predict general well being based on past cycles.  This isn’t going to help you make major life decisions, but you can use it to help decide when to take a vacation, have an operation, or even work your exercise program around it to improve your results and overall health.

For more on biorhythms, see the resources below:
   

Video - Choosing Supplements Wisely

This is a short but excellent video on the importance of choosing the right supplement for you, and how and why supplements can offer important benefits to your health. Her emphasis on getting your nutrition mostly from food is especially important, and if you do take supplements, a "whole food" form (such as Standard Process or Garden of Life) can be much more effective and impactful for your health.

Choosing Supplements Wisely
Americans spend about $14 billion each year on supplements in an effort to correct less than perfect diets, lose weight, or address specific health issues. H...


Examples of Whole Food Supplements: 
   

Video: The Importance of Probiotics for Digestive Health

This short video gives a great introduction to probiotics and how and why they are so helpful for promoting good digestive health and immune function. A vast portion of our immune system is located in our gut, so a properly functioning digestive system, colonized with the right bacteria, is essential for overall health - and is something that is sadly lacking in many Westerners on a modern diet. Some have even surmised that unhealthy gut flora is the cause for many of our modern diseases and ailments.

Check out the video to learn more about probiotics and how they work, and why they are so important - and see below for some of the resources mentioned in the video.

Use Probiotics For Better Immune Function, Digestive Health & Less Gas - Dr. Agrios, ND
www.DrAngelaAgrios.com - Probiotics are friendly bacteria that reside in the gut, and they are essential for optimum gut health and immune function. Lack of friendly bacteria in the gut can lead to an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria, and once that ...


More Helpful Resources:

  

Natural Remedies for Food Poisoning

With all the holiday meals, potlucks, and celebratory feasts of the season, food poisoning is fairly common this time of year. Unfortunately, drugs to combat food poisoning can increase your body's toxic load, and create more of a burden on your already stressed system. And they really aren't any more effective than natural methods of dealing with food poisoning. Here are some natural tips for recovering quickly - if you happen to get sick from something you eat.

Color-enhanced scanning electron micrograph showing Salmonella typhimurium (red) invading cultured human cells (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Food poisoning is an all-encompassing term involving the consumption of contaminated food, whether by bacteria or chemicals, drug interactions, nutrient deficiencies or their excess. It can come on rather suddenly after eating; diarrhea or vomiting can begin 30 minutes to one hour after eating foods that are chemically poisonous; within one to 12 hours with bacterial poisoning, and 12 to 48 hours with viral or salmonella poisoning.

Food poisoning can be serious and a medical professional should be contacted especially if it is accompanied by a difficulty in swallowing, speaking or breathing; if there is a fever of 100 degrees F; if the person can't even hold down liquids; if there is severe diarrhea of more than two days.

The best remedy is to curtail eating until all the symptoms have subsided and the toxins have had the chance to exit your system.

Drink plenty of fluids - vitamin C and blackberry and peppermint teas can be taken then to strengthen the stomach, along with yogurt that contains acidophilus to recolonize the lost flora in the bowel. A good probiotic supplement can also work wonders at helping your body regain equilibrium quickly.

Diluted sweetened drinks can also be consumed to replace the body’s lost fluid and electrolytes, and the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, apples, and toast) can also be helpful in getting the toxins cleared from the body.

Food safety template. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Mint, lemon, raspberry, chamomile or teas might also be helpful in easing the stomach pain associated with food poisoning or stomach cramping. Ginger tea is also good for settling an unsettled stomach, and promotes good digestion. Try to get plenty of rest as food poisoning can be an exhausting and nutrient-depleting chore for your body.

Of course, prevention is always better than a cure, so as a precaution against food poisoning, great care should be taken when preparing foods. Avoid over-handling foods, and when in doubt, throw it out – don’t take a risk with leftovers if you’re just not sure how long they’ve been in your refrigerator.

Once you’re feeling better, be sure to eat a well-balanced healthy diet that includes foods rich in iron, zinc, vitamin C to help your body get back to its old self again, and supply your stomach with a good probiotic supplement to get your immune system back on track.

Video: Introduction To The Total Wellness Cleanse & Detox Program

This quick video gives you a good overview of the Total Wellness Cleanse - my favorite detox program. I like it because it's gentle and natural and supports your body in doing what it does naturally to regain and maintain optimal health. Unlike popping a bunch of weird pills, or going on some extreme diet of vinegar or lemon juice, which is very unnatural and stressful on the body, the Total Wellness Cleanse provides a program for eliminating sugar cravings, and feeding the body with whole, healthy, natural foods that give your immune system and detoxification organs a boost of healthful nutrients.

The video describes the parts of the process, and what the main goals are for the 30-day cleanse. Check it out, and if you are interested in learning more, click the link below the video for more info.

Happy and Healthy New Year to you!

Total Wellness Cleanse and Detox Program.mp4
Total Wellness Cleanse is a 30-day diet developed by a team of registered holistic nutritionists - Yuri Elkaim, Amy Coates, and Adam Elkaim. This is a time-proven detox and cleanse diet plan that will get rid of toxins and other wastes clogging your ...


Click Here for More Info on The Total Wellness Cleanse...