What Is An Anti-Candida Diet?

If you’ve ever had a problem with yeast then you know how difficult it can be to get rid of. The anti-Candida diet is designed to rid the body of the effects and the presence of this type of bacteria.

What Is Candida?

Mixed Candida species growing on ChromID Candida 2 Agar - detail (Photo credit: Nathan Reading)

The proper name is Candida albicans. It is yeast that can be a problem in the digestive system. When antibiotics are taken for various infections, they can rob the body of the good bacterial flora that are present. In the absence of the good flora, destructive and unwanted bacteria have a chance to grow and flourish.

Candida can be found in different areas of the body. For one you can find it in yeast infections in the vagina, mouth and under nail beds – any place that is warm and dark is a perfect breeding ground for yeast. Candida exists in all of us to some extent, and in small colonies causes no problems. However, when the body is off balance, for example, from taking antibiotics or other medications that disrupt the bacterial balance of the body, an overgrowth of candida can cause problems such as thrush, yeast infections, lowered immune function, and more.

The Diet

Getting rid of a yeast infection can be a vicious cycle. Constant yeast infections in the body can signify a systemic condition. It can affect the health of your immune system. An anti-Candida diet can help to rid the body of the yeast.

The diet is designed to take away the food for the yeast. Thinking of yeast that one would use to make bread rise - warm water helps give the yeast a perfect environment and the sugar activates it.

To get rid of yeast in the body, removing the sugar is the basic idea of the diet. But, there are other places that sugar exists besides simply in the form that we see on the kitchen table. Read the labels. Any food ending in “-ose” is a sugar in disguise and not what you want to eat on any diet designed to rid the body of yeast.

What about natural sugar, such as in fruit? While fruits contain many healthful antioxidants and vitamins, during your anti-candida diet you will want to avoid all sources of sugar - even fruit.

Sugary Pastry (Photo credit: nathanmac87)

What Not to Eat

We have already discussed avoiding sugar in its many forms. Another crucial place where you find sugars is in starchy foods. In the body, these carbohydrates break down into simple sugars. Any sugar is going to keep the Candida infection alive in the body. Avoid refined pastas, potatoes, white bread and anything made with white flour. Basically avoiding all highly processed foods will go a long way towards ridding your body of candida.

Some dairy products can hide sugars. If you like yogurt, be aware that flavored kinds can contain sugar and sabotage your efforts. Go for plain yogurts and those that contain bifidus regularis, acidophilus and other probiotic substances. These are good bacteria that will fight to regain their spot in the intestinal kingdom.

What to Eat

There are plenty of foods left that can tip the scales back in favor of the good bacteria in your body. Eat lots of vegetables, healthy grass-fed meats, omega-3 fatty acids, and garlic.

Drink plenty of water. Water removes toxins from the body. Taking a multivitamin can help rebuild the immune system along with the foods you are choosing to rebuild the bacterial flora. And if you don't eat yogurt, you should take a good daily probiotic supplement every day - even after you are done with your diet, to maintain a healthy balance of good bacteria in your body.

An anti-Candida diet can be followed for as long as you need to, until you are sure that your immune system is back on track. But typically if you are careful and do not eat ANY sugar, 30 days should be about the right amount of time to restore balance to your system.


Supplements That Fight Candida:

   

Think Zinc: Why Your Body Needs It for Good Health

The body is a complex machine that needs lots of different nutrients to perform its daily functions. One of those nutrients is zinc. You may only think of it in relation to keeping you from getting sunburned, but it serves an even greater purpose than that.

Why should we be thinking about zinc? It is an important mineral in the body. Each day, the body performs thousands of reactions that can happen in the blink of an eye. From the foods we eat, the body filters out what it needs and directs it to the right places for use. What we don’t need is eliminated as waste. Each day the process begins again.

The Importance of Zinc

Zinc supplements. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In the body, zinc is responsible for helping with hundreds of reactions in a variety of cells. For one, it plays a very important role in immune function. Zinc is instrumental in stimulating the formation of T-lymphocytes or helper T-cells. These are the white blood cells that rush to the sight of an invading infection to stop the onslaught on the body. It plays a role in wound healing as well.

Zinc stimulates enzyme activity. Enzymes are catalysts for hundreds of reactions, from secreting hormones from glands to stimulating the creation of reproductive cells.

It supports normal growth and development throughout your life. In the womb, it helps to ensure that the neurological systems develop as they should during each trimester of pregnancy. After birth it still functions to support brain development.

Basically the body couldn’t do without zinc and yet, many people are deficient in this mineral. It may not be noticed at first, but over time it can show up in decreased immunity or greater susceptibility to colds and other illnesses. You often see people taking Echinacea and zinc as natural remedies to fight these conditions.

Foods containing zinc. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Foods that Contain Zinc

The best way to get zinc into your system is through your food. This is always a preferable choice to supplements as it is the natural form of the mineral, and is more easily absorbed and utilized by the body. Check your diet. If you are not eating any of these foods, you could be zinc-deficient.

* Oysters
* Wheat germ
* Bran
* Cheese
* Beef
* Lamb
* Other dairy products
* Walnuts

The highest concentrations of zinc come from beef. Eating a few servings a week can boost your zinc levels. On a daily note, try adding nuts or cheese to your dishes. Wheat germ can be added to cereals and yogurt without changing the taste much. If that doesn’t do it, try fortified cereals that contain added zinc.

The average person over the age of fourteen needs eight to eleven milligrams a day. Children need between two and five milligrams depending on age, and pregnant women need eleven or more milligrams.

Zinc is an important mineral used in every cell in the body. Make sure you are getting enough to keep your body healthy and free of illness this winter.

How Stress Affects your Immune System

This time of year is when colds and flu start to run rampant. The decreasing daylight and Vitamin D levels, plus being stuck inside where germs can accumulate and circulate, make fall and winter the hardest seasons on your immune system. But there are things you can do to help keep your immune function high this winter. Eating right, exercising regularly, getting plenty of sleep, and taking supplements when needed can all help you stay healthy this winter. But one of the most detrimental things for your immune system is also one of the things we often ignore or don't think about when trying remedies to boost immunity.

Have you ever noticed that you tend to get sick more often when you’re stressed out?  Scientists have noticed this connection for a long time, but until recently they couldn’t explain it.  While a big project at work or the loss of a loved one isn’t going to give you the flu, it can decrease the functioning of your immune system and make you more susceptible to colds, the flu and other infections. 

It may surprise you, but very short term stress actually boosts the immune system.  Increased immune functioning is associated with the “fight or flight” response related to short term stress you know will end.  This is because our body is still trying to adapt to beat the stressor.  The problem with this is that a majority of our stress is continual over a long period of time - and this is where things get dicey and a number of health problems can result.

Regions of the brain affected by stress. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Long term stress is what actually decreases our immune functioning.  The worst kind of stress is not only long-term, but stress we think we can’t control or see an end to.  For example, while meeting a deadline at work may cause a decrease in our immune functioning; it’s probably not as bad as stress caused by a debilitating accident.  When we think the stressor is beyond our control and may never stop, our body feels it can’t cope with the stress and it begins to take its toll.  This kind of stress causes a drop in almost all immune functioning. 

For regular, long term stressors, the decrease in immune functioning becomes greater with time.  This means even if you feel you are in a position of control, long-term stress such as a job with high levels of responsibility and not enough help, can build up and gradually decrease your disease-fighting abilities.

Another important factor to consider when looking at the immune system and stress is that the decrease in immune system functioning is greater for people who are elderly or already sick.  This is likely why older people who are severely injured or have recently lost a loved one are much more likely to die within a year than those who haven’t had these circumstances. 

You may think, “Well, I’ll drop my stress level and I’ll be fine”.  However, studies have show that traumatic events can stick with us and affect our immune system long after the stressor is gone.  If a person was in an accident, was attacked, or experienced a traumatic loss, they can show decreased immunity even years later.  The best way to increase immunity in this case is to undergo treatment for the trauma. 

In addition to causing a decrease in immune system functioning, stress can also make you more susceptible to other long term diseases, such as cardiovascular disease.  If you want to maintain a healthy body, you should include activities and a proper diet that promote a less stressful lifestyle.

Leaky Gut Syndrome Explained

This week we've got a guest article by one of our favorite health and fitness experts. Yuri is all about natural health, smart fitness, and reducing your toxic load via whole, natural foods that help your body heal and detox naturally. If you've never heard of leaky gut syndrome, or you don't know what it is, you should definitely read this article. This syndrome can promote allergies and food intolerances, increase toxic load, create inflammation within the body, and put a burden on all your bodily systems - leading to many different diseases and ill health consequences.

Read on to find out more about leaky gut syndrome, and how you can avoid this dangerous condition.

Leaky Gut Syndrome Explained

Yuri Elkaim, BPHE, CK, RHN & Amy Coates, RHN, BSc.

What is Leaky Gut Syndrome?

The gastrointestinal tract, also called the digestive tract, alimentary canal, or gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals that takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and expels the remaining waste. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Leaky gut syndrome is the technical name for increased intestinal permeability. As its name signifies, this condition is characterizes by a gut (intestinal tract) that allows far too many substances into the bloodstream.

Normally, the intestinal walls form a semi-permeable barrier, only allowing properly digesting nutrients into the bloodstream, while preventing the uptake of toxins and undigested food particles. Such nutrients are able to pass into the blood through pores located in the intestinal wall.

Under ideal circumstances, these pores are small enough to prevent undigested food particles and other large toxins from escaping the intestinal tract and causing damage in the bloodstream.

However, in the case of leaky gut syndrome, these pores widen, which allows anything and everything to pass through the (now very permeable) intestinal walls and into the blood.

This is a big problem and is one of the biggest factors behind food allergies and auto-immune diseases.

Why is Having a Leaky Gut Dangerous?

Our intestinal tract is obviously semi-permeable for a reason. If is meant to keep out certain substances then there's a reason for needing to do so.

One of the problems with leaky gut is that it allows undigested food particles into the blood. When this happens, the immune system builds up antibodies against the protein in that food and mounts a full-out immune response. The immune system is simply doing its job. If it identifies a "foreign" substance in the bloodstream, then it will take the necessary action to neutralize it.

Unfortunately, since the body has now developed an antibody army against this food, with time as you ingest this food your body will become "hypersensitive" to it. This is how food allergies develop. And the more this occurs with the foods you eat, the more hypersensitive your immune system becomes.

As a result, you become much more susceptible to environmental allergens since your body's immune system is now in overdrive and "paranoid" about everything little thing it is exposed to.

The time-course of an immune response begins with the initial pathogen encounter, and leads to the formation and maintenance of active immunological memory. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With time, a hypersensitive immune system can start reacting in a myriad of unpredictable ways. In many cases, it will actually begin to attack the body itself, creating an auto-immune disease such as alopecia, multiple sclerosis, celiac disease, Graves' disease, endometriosis, and many more.

A substantial proportion of the population suffers from immune diseases, which are often chronic, debilitating, and life-threatening. There are more than eighty illnesses caused by autoimmunity and about 75 percent of those affected are women. It has been estimated that autoimmune diseases are among the ten leading causes of death among women in all age groups up to 65 years.

However, go to your doctor, allergist, or immunologist and they will NEVER even mention the possibility of leaky gut syndrome.

According to "brilliant experts" at USA Today...

"Scientists believe multiple factors such as environmental toxins, heredity, viruses, and certain drugs may play a role in causing an autoimmune disease. Stress, poor diet, lack of exercise, lack of sleep, abuse of alcohol and use of tobacco can also weaken the immune system and may play some role as well."

That's great thanks. And they can say that about pretty much every single disease as well. The fact remains that many of these "causes" are also at the root of leaky gut syndrome.

What Causes Leaky Gut Syndrome?

Well, as was briefly mentioned above, the substances and choices that stress your body and digestive system will have a profound effect on the health of your colon and intestinal tract. Refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol, medications, and stress will negatively impact the colon.

All of these can worsen the balance between good and bad flora in your colon. If the bad are way out of control, then fungi, for instance, can latch onto the intestinal walls and create irritation, inflammation, and eventually widening of the pores.

If food sits in your colon for too long, it too will irritate the intestinal walls and predispose them to becoming more permeable. That is one of the reasons why passing regular bowel movements is so important.

Natural Leaky Gut Remedies

First, you need to cleanse your body of the foods and substances that irritate your digestive and intestinal tract. Second, you need to spend time healing your gut with nutrients such as L-glutamine, essential fatty acids, and vitamin C. Then you need to provide your intestinal tract with a balance of healthy bacteria through probiotics and enzymes, so that it can protect itself against future invaders and irritation.

So if you suffer from allergies, have an autoimmune disorder, have digestive difficulties, or want to improve your overall health then you need to take action immediately. The longer you wait, the worse your condition will get.

The first step is a full-scale natural cleanse which will reduce the toxins and inflammation in your digestive system. The Total Wellness Cleanse™ is a gentle and natural detoxification process that will help heal your gut and cleanse your body of its toxins. To learn more about how the Total Wellness Cleanse can help you just click the link below.

About the Author:
Yuri Elkaim is a renowned fitness, nutrition, and weight loss expert. He is a registered holistic nutritionist and the co-creator of the Total Wellness Cleanse - a 30-day food-based cleansing program that has helped thousands of people lose weight, cleanse their bodies of toxic overload, and restore incredible health. For information on the Total Wellness Cleanse visit www.TotalWellnessCleanse.com.

References:
Noel R. Rose and Ian R. MacKay, “The Autoimmune Diseases” fourth edition
http://www.healthscout.com/ency/68/487/main.html#CausesandRiskFactorsofAutoimmuneDiseasesandDisorders

6 Healthy Benefits of Green Tea

While green tea has been used in Eastern cultures for over 4,000 years, only recently has it been recognized for its medicinal properties in Western culture. Here are just 6 of the many health benefits that green tea can provide. 

Vietnamese green tea leaves (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

1. Protects your smile.  Green tea contains bacteria fighting agents that kill the help stop plaque production.  Less plaque means you have cleaner, healthier teeth and gums.  Another plus, it also kills the bacteria responsible for bad breath.
2. Helps prevent cancer.  EGCG is a powerful antioxidant found in many teas, but is present in much larger concentrations in green tea.  Antioxidants combat chemicals that are naturally produced in the body that can cause cancer and other health issues.  Studies have shown one substance in green tea can slow the growth of cancer cells.  While research hasn’t been done on every type of cancer, green tea has shown that it may reduce the risk of one cancer up to 60 percent.  It has also been shown it may reduce the recurrence of certain other cancers as well.
3. Promotes a health heart.  The EGCG in green tea has also been shown to lower total cholesterol levels.  Specifically, it lowers “bad” cholesterol more than it does “good” cholesterol.  EGCG also helps prevent against heart attack and stroke by inhibiting the production of blood clots.  Green tea also helps to lower levels of stress hormones in the body, leaving you more relaxed.  Being stressed out can cause damage to the heart along with the rest of your body.  Drinking green tea could help keep your heart beating a lot longer.
4. Boosts immune system function.  While green tea can help fight bacteria in your mouth, it can also help fight diseases in the rest of your body.  Green tea contains an amino acid that helps fight bacteria and improve the immune response in your body.  If you regularly drink green tea, you may find you get sick a lot less.
5. Eases/prevents rheumatoid arthritis pain.  Green tea is not only beneficial in easing the symptoms of this painful disease; it has also been shown to help prevent you from ever getting it.  In China, where more people drink green tea regularly, there is a much lower incidence of rheumatoid arthritis.  
6. Promotes weight loss.  When you eat a lot of carbohydrates, your body responds by producing a lot of insulin; leaving you tired and craving more food.  Green tea has been shown to help keep blood sugar at lower levels so you don’t produce as much insulin.  This can help you eat less and lose weight - and also may reduce chances of developing diabetes.  Studies have also found that green tea can speed up how fast your body metabolizes certain foods.  And the faster your metabolism, the faster you slim down. 

Green tea (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

While these are all great health benefits, you should realize that drinking green tea every so often is probably not going to make a big difference to your weight - and you may not see other drastic changes in your health either.  Many of the studies that produced results had participants drinking up to 10 glasses of green tea a day!  If you find you’re just can’t drink enough green tea, there are supplements available that are green tea based; however, the best option is the real thing, and even including a glass or two of green tea in your daily routine can benefit your health in many ways. 

Note: This blog is for informational purposes only, and does not provide or substitute for medical advice. One should consult one's medical care practitioner before adding green tea or any other dietary supplement to your diet.

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:

  

Video - Natural Remedies to Recover from Cold & Flu Quickly

This short video offers a list and descriptions of several helpful supplements to supercharge your immune system and help you recover quickly from cold, flu, or whatever is ailing you.  I don't know that you'll recover in one day, but using all of these should definitely help cut the duration of your illness at least in half!

Be sure to consult with your naturopathic doctor when starting any new supplementation regimen, so you can make sure you are taking what you need, and avoiding anything that may be harmful to you - for example, some people are allergic to echinacea.

Sore Throat? Flu? Sick? Try Natural Remedies For A Fast Recovery
www.thenaturalguide.com - Last week I had a sore throat and in this video I share which natural remedies I took that helped me recover in one day. Natural remedies work by giving the body the nutrition and energy it needs to build the immune system t...

Related Articles on Natural Remedies for Cold & Flu:

• Preventing Colds and Flus, simply and naturally (gingerandgreentea.wordpress.com)
• DIY Cold and Flu Remedies (lewrockwell.com)
• Natural Flu Remedies are Safe to Use (birdflu.typepad.com)
• Thoughtful Thursday: Natural Cold Remedies (dawnathome.typepad.com)
• Proven: Echinacea Can Prevent and Protect Against Colds (activistpost.com)
• Put Colds on Lock-down this Flu Season with Fresh Juice (prweb.com)

Enhancing Your Immune System with Echinacea

As the cold and flu season approaches and media tries to find a new flu virus to promote drugs for, you may be wondering what you can do to improve your immune system naturally.  After all, no one wants to get sick.  The good news is that there are very simple and natural things you can do to start enhancing your immune system right now.

One of the best ways is to take Echinacea.  In fact, according to a study reported on MayoClinic.com, a 2006 study found that the likelihood of experiencing a clinical cold was 55% higher with placebo than with Echinacea.  Here are some tips on using one of nature’s finest additions to your medicine cabinet.

Echinacea purpurea 'Maxima' (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

#1.  Forms of Echinacea 

Echinacea is a relative of the common coneflower.  Echinacea purpurea herb is considered to be the most potent Echinacea species.  They’re actually quite pretty and can be grown in your home garden.  However, eating the flower isn’t going to give you the immune-boosting effects you need.  It is the root of this plant which is said to hold the powerful properties. 

You can take Echinacea in the form of:

* Tea
* Juice
* Extracts
* Capsule or powder, supplement form

You may also find Echinacea as part of an immune booster supplement

#2.  Be aware of its limitations and side effects

Not everyone can take Echinacea, however.  Some people can be allergic and suffer side effects.  This is particularly the case if you’re allergic to ragweed, marigolds and daisies, and chrysanthemums.  These side effects and complications can include:

* Rash
* Asthma
* Anaphylaxis
* Gastrointestinal side effects

(Photo credit: ktpupp)

#3.  Make it part of a routine - but not TOO routine

To take Echinacea, you might think you should include it in your daily vitamin routine. If you feel a cold coming on and rush to drink Echinacea tea, sometimes it may be too late.  However, it is not recommended to take Echinacea daily indefinitely. Instead, first make sure the supplement is safe for use for you - speak with your doctor if you’re unsure, and then find a form that appeals to you. It may be that you absolutely love the tea or perhaps a simple supplemental capsule better meets your needs.

Try taking it every month just for a few days in a row, during cold and flu season. And of course take it right away at the first sign of feeling something coming on. Sometimes you might not always recognize these signs, so pay attention for times when you feel tired or lethargic for no apparent reason, or notice mild symptoms like a dry throat or night-time congestion, and give your immune system an extra boost at these times with a few days of Echinacea.

Echinacea is an herb that is still being studied for its immune-boosting properties.  In the struggle to stay healthy and cold free this winter, it may be the best natural weapon you have.  Take precautions, plan ahead and stay healthy!

Immunizations - Reactions and Responses

In today's world, many see immunizations as just a part of life. They made the difference between life and death for so many children in the world. But, reactions during the process are not uncommon. This makes sense, as a vaccination artificially stimulates an immune response in the body. And we see more vaccinations becoming available all the time - many of which may not be as "proven safe" as you might think....

Image via WikipediaImmunizations are typically given to protect the health of a child. Starting at birth, kids are vaccinated against certain common illnesses that at one time caused fatalities. In many cases, a dead inactivated form of the virus in question is given to the child so that the body can create antibodies to it.

There are no cures for viruses. We just have to treat the symptoms. Vaccinations can reduce the incidence of these diseases ever occurring in the first place, but are they really all they're cracked up to be?

Side Effects Of Immunizations

Whenever you take your child to get an immunization, they make you aware of the risks and potential reactions your child might have. Most are mild and related to the process.

* Headaches – Your child may develop a headache from certain vaccinations. For a baby this may be characterized by high-pitched crying.

* Injection site reaction – There can also be a localized reaction on the skin at the point of injection. This can include swelling, redness, rash and pain. A soothing bath or cool compress may stop the swelling.

* Fever – A child may also experience fever from one or more of their vaccinations. A cool bath can make them feel better when they are hot. Cool compresses on their forehead may help break the fever as well. In general it is best to let a fever run its course, as long as it's not too high, as this is the body's natural way of fighting off infection.

* Diarrhea – If this occurs, try giving your child more fluids. Babies that breastfeed often will feed more after reactions to immunizations. If they are not breastfed and can’t keep down formula, try Pedialyte to replenish fluid levels in the body. Sometimes, plain water in the bottle can work to introduce more fluids back into the body. Let your doctor know if your baby starts to get dehydrated.

If there is a reaction to the immunization it will occur usually within one to three days after the injection. In babies, fussy crying that can’t be soothed is a sign. Call your doctor and let them know what is going on.

Image via WikipediaImmediate serious side effects to vaccinations are not all that common, but some may have possible negative effects, long-term.  Our bodies are designed to fight off infection, so the best method of keeping your child healthy is to build up his or her immune system naturally. Unfortunately this can mean some sleepless nights while they are fighting off illnesses from time to time. But it may be worth it, to build a strong immune system that will serve your child for life, the natural way.

I'm not saying all vaccinations are bad, but certainly the mainstream media view that they are all good, is NOT the case.

And in case you weren't aware, there has been a growing trend of late of lawmakers granting immunity to vaccine manufacturers. What does this mean? It means that the makers of vaccines are immune to lawsuits caused by their products! This sounds pretty scary to me.... If there's no consequence if a vaccine proves dangerous, what incentive does the manufacturer have to run long-term (and expensive) studies to be sure a vaccine is safe?  (See December 2011 issue of Alternatives, by Dr. David Williams.)

Yes, vaccines can save lives (and have, for many years), but just be aware of the potential side effects and possible long-term health problems that may result - while some vaccines have been around for many years and are well tested, many of the newer ones have not. I simply urge you to use discretion and don't jump on the bandwagon for every vaccine that comes along. (And see below for some educational resources on this topic.)

Vaccination Resources:
   

Superfoods for Fighting the Flu

Breakouts of the flu are responsible for millions of lost hours at both work and home each year, not to mention many miserable days trying to recover. If you’re wondering what you can do to naturally boost your immunity and prepare your body’s defenses, study the foods you’re eating, look at your family’s meals, and make the changes needed to ensure everyone is eating a well-balanced diet abundant in nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables (preferably organic), low-fat proteins, and complex carbohydrates.

Image via WikipediaBlack currants are even richer in vitamin C than oranges, containing approximately three times the recommended daily intake for adults. It’s imperative that you get plenty of vitamin C since it helps prevent infections and helps keep the immune system healthy.

Pork has high levels of zinc and selenium, both of which help keep your immune system strong. It’s also one of the best sources of B vitamins and contains only a little more total fat than beef. So be sure to include a few pork entrees in your menu planning (but watch the source - commercially farmed pigs can be raised in really disgusting environments - and what they eat, you eat! For best health, choose free-range, naturally raised pork).

Mix up your morning breakfast with a glass of grapefruit juice instead of orange juice for a vitamin C-rich drink that's both sweet and tart. However, you should check with your doctor if you're on certain medications for blood pressure, AIDS, anxiety, or hay fever, as mixing grapefruit juice with certain drugs can lead to dangerous toxicity.

Brussel sprouts are a great vegetable source of vitamin C, are high in fiber and contain lots of folate as well. They improve anticarcinogenic glucosinolates, which have important cancer-fighting properties. They’re a great addition in a stew to provide lots of flu-busting nutrients.

Yogurt that includes live cultures has a positive effect on your GI tract, and as a result, helps the body purge the germs more quickly and effectively and fight the flu. You want your yogurt to contain the active culture L. acidophilus, which is also helpful in fighting off yeast infections.

Image via WikipediaPotatoes are one of the most affordable sources of vitamin C, and nicely complement any entrée with their high levels of potassium and fiber. The skin contains the most fiber and the flesh just under the skin contains the most vitamin C. Fresh potatoes are the best source of vitamin C. Be careful of how you choose to prepare them, as soaking them in water robs them of their germ-busting vitamin C.

Whole wheat pasta is also rich in niacin, fiber, and iron. Its complex carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet that will keep your immune system strong. Simply substitute recipes calling for traditional pasta with the whole wheat variety instead for a delicious and nutritious twist on your favorite pasta dishes.

But remember, an ounce prevention is worth a pound of cure! The best way to "fight" the flu this year is not to get it at all. Be sure to eat plenty of the foods above to build up a strong and healthy immune system, take some good immune-boosting supplements such as Vitamins C and D, get regular exercise and sleep, and above all, wash your hands a lot! (Recent studies have shown frequent hand-washing to be as effective as a flu shot!)

Related Articles On Fighting Flu Naturally:

• How to Fight the Flu with Vitamin D (nhltoxicloadgreenliving.blogspot.com)
• Superfoods to Stomp out a Cold (nhltoxicloadgreenliving.blogspot.com)
• Here's 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System Before Flu Season (ksfm.radio.com)
• The Best and Worst Flu Season Remedies (fitsugar.com)

Healthy Diet Essentials For A Healthy Body

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (not that I entirely agree with them, mind you), a healthy diet is one that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and is low in saturated fats, trans fats, salt (sodium), and added sugars. But just what minerals and nutrients are vital to our health and well-being? Consider these nutrient-dense foods when you’re looking to improve your vitamin and mineral intake.

Image via Wikipedia

Vitamin A is needed for good eyesight and optimal functioning of the immune system. Cod liver oil, dairy products, sweet potatoes and dark green leafy vegetables are all great natural food sources of vitamin A.

Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is imperative to the body’s ability to process carbohydrates. Whole grain breads, cereals and pastas have high amounts of thiamin, so you likely get quite a bit of this already. 

Riboflavin, or B2, can be found in fortified cereals, almonds, asparagus, eggs, and meat. It’s used in many body processes, including converting food into energy and the production of red blood cells.

Niacin, also known as B3, can be found in lean chicken, tuna, salmon, turkey, enriched flour, peanuts, and fortified cereals. It aids in digestion and also plays a key role in converting food into energy. 

Vitamin B6 can be found in fortified cereals, fortified soy-based meat substitutes, baked potatoes with skin, bananas, light-meat chicken and turkey, eggs, and spinach. It’s vital for a healthy nervous system, and helps break down proteins and stored sugars.

Vitamin B12 is needed for creating red blood cells, and can be found in beef, clams, mussels, crabs, salmon, poultry, and soybeans.

Image via Wikipedia

Citrus fruits, red berries, tomatoes, potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, red and green bell peppers, cabbage, and spinach are all loaded with Vitamin C, which is vital to promoting a healthy immune system, and making chemical messengers in the brain.

Vitamin D can be found in fortified milk, cheese, and cereals; egg yolks; salmon; but can also be made by the body from sunlight exposure. It’s needed to process calcium and maintain the health of bones and teeth.

Vitamin E functions as an antioxidant and is essential to your skin’s good health. Eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, almonds, hazelnuts, and vegetable oils like sunflower, canola, and soybean to get this vital nutrient.

Folic Acid can be found in fortified cereals and grain products; lima, lentil, and garbanzo beans; and dark leafy vegetables. It’s vital for cell development, prevents birth defects, promotes heart health, and helps red blood cells form. Pregnant women need to take special care to ensure they are getting enough of this for themselves and their developing baby.

Dairy products, broccoli, dark leafy greens like spinach and rhubarb, and fortified products, such as orange juice, soy milk, and tofu are all loaded with calcium. Like vitamin D, it’s very important in helping to build and maintain strong bones and teeth. (However, what many people don't know is that milk (especially processed, homogenized, skim milk) is highly acidic, which means it leaches at least as much calcium from your bones as you consume, so be aware of this, and don't make the mistake of thinking that drinking a lot of milk is going to solve your calcium needs.)

Organ meats, oysters, clams, crabs, cashews, sunflower seeds, wheat bran cereals, whole-grain products, and cocoa products are all high in copper, which aids in metabolism of iron and red cell formation. It also assists in the production of energy for cells.

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Iron can be found in leafy green vegetables, beans, shellfish, red meat, poultry, soy foods, and some fortified foods. It’s needed to transport oxygen to all parts of the body via the red blood cells.

Potassium can be found in foods like Broccoli, potatoes (with the skins on), prune juice, orange juice, leafy green vegetables, bananas, raisins, and tomatoes. It aids in nervous system and muscle function and also helps maintain a healthy balance of water in the blood and body tissues.

Red meat, fortified cereals, oysters, almonds, peanuts, chickpeas, soy foods, and dairy products are great dietary sources of zinc. Zinc supports the body’s immune function, reproduction capabilities, and the nervous systems.

Protein is the main component of muscles, organs, and glands. Every living cell and all body fluids, except bile and urine, contain protein. The cells of muscles, tendons, and ligaments are maintained with protein. Children and adolescents require protein for growth and development, and adults need it to maintain cell integrity. It can be found in foods like beans, milk and meat.

The primary function of carbohydrates is to provide energy for the body, especially the brain and the nervous system. Complex carbohydrates are the best choice for a stable blood sugar level. Whole grain breads and cereals, legumes, and starchy vegetables are all good complex carbohydrate sources.

Essential fatty acids play a part in many metabolic processes, and there is evidence to suggest that low levels of essential fatty acids, or the wrong balance of types among the essential fatty acids, may be a factor in a number of illnesses. Good sources are fish and shellfish, flaxseed, canola oil, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, leafy vegetables, and walnuts.

Though this list is far from complete, it gives a good base of knowledge on which to build a healthy, well-balanced diet. And if all this just seems too overwhelming to keep track of, just follow the simple rule in this blog post, and make sure you eat a lot of different colors every day!

Body Detoxification: Naturally Remove Unwanted Toxins

Toxicity is one of the greatest concerns in the 20th century. This is because there are many combined factors now contributing to the buildup of toxins in the human Image via Wikipediabody (also called toxic load),  including increased use of stronger chemicals for a variety of purposes, water and air pollution, and radiation. Many people are ingesting new chemicals, using all kinds of drugs, eating more sugar as well as refined foods, and also filling their systems with various sedatives and stimulants.

These toxins lead to an increased incidence of illness, disease, and general ill health. Some of the most dangerous health issues which can be caused by high toxic load are cardiovascular illnesses and cancer. Others include obesity, allergies, arthritis, and other skin problems. Common symptoms of high toxic load include fatigue, headaches, pains, gastrointestinal problems, coughs, and other problems associated with a weak immune system.

These chronic and acute illnesses can be alleviated through cleansing or detoxification of the body. This process naturally eliminates harmful toxins from the body. It can either be a short-term or a long-term procedure. Those people who are addicted to some substances can also benefit from a detox program. They can temporarily avoid addictive agents and later on withdraw from their abusive habits as their bodies are cleared of the harmful substances.

Take note that toxicity can occur on two major levels. It can either be internal or external. External toxicity is acquired from the environment through breathing, ingesting or physical contacts.  It also includes the chemical characteristics of foods which affect the health. Most food additives, drugs, and allergens create the body’s toxic elements. In fact, substances such as sodium, many nutrients and vitamins, and even water have toxicity in particular circumstances.

Image via WikipediaOn the other hand, internal toxins are internally produced by the body from its daily normal functions. Cellular, bodily, and biochemical activities are constantly producing substances that should be eliminated. These free radicals known as biochemical toxins can cause inflammation or irritation of the tissues and cells which blocks the normal functioning of an organ, cells, or entire body system. All kinds of microbes, foreign bacteria, intestinal bacteria, parasites, and yeasts produce waste products that are metabolic. Emotions, thoughts, and stress also increase biochemical toxins.

Almost everybody in today's society needs to detoxify their bodies to some degree. Detox or cleansing is just one part of maintaining a healthy body and reducing your toxic load. Eating a balanced diet of clean, healthy and natural foods, and avoiding excesses is another part.

Eating a diet filled with artificial or processed fats, refined foods, and dairy products, combined with a typical dose of prescription drugs, can lead to a high toxic load within the body. This is a pretty typical diet for most Americans, so it's easy to see why detox can be very helpful.  

Fasting is one detox therapy that is sometimes incorporated. It is considered as the oldest and most complete natural treatment for humans. Detox processes (including fasting) can help clear dead cells and other waste, and revitalize the natural functions as well as the healing capacities of the body. Many people claim that certain cleansing and detox programs have had incredible positive results on their body.

Eliminating toxins and reducing your toxic load is very important to the health of your body. Although the body can handle certain amount of toxins, the sheer amount of chemicals we are now exposed to on a daily basis poses a high burden on your body, which it cannot always handle without help. A good detox program can help equip you with a well-working and stronger immune system to prevent diseases and prolong your life.

For more information on lowering your toxic load, as well as making your home less toxic, please visit http://www.newholisticliving.com/toxicload.html.