Three Main Reason’s of Hair Loss -Prevention and Action

The three main reasons for hair loss in woman are: low iron, low thyroid and not enough minerals in the diet.

You can’t open a newspaper or magazine without seeing advertisements for hair loss solutions for men, but very few options are offered to women who are losing their hair. Over two-thirds of women suffer hair loss, and hair loss can be quite extreme—from thinning to bald patches. Thank- fully, few women go totally bald like men do, but there is nothing more distressing than watching your lovely locks fall out in abundance. Topical solutions for women rarely reverse hair loss. And the drugs that are available have been predominantly researched in men and do not address the underlying reasons for hair loss in women.

The three main reasons for hair loss in woman are: low iron, low thyroid and not enough minerals in the diet.

Low Iron and Hair Loss

One of the least known causes of hair loss is low iron. You do not have to be anemic to lose your hair. Your doctor may advise you that your iron levels are normal, but we know that low normal levels of iron will cause huge hair loss. Many women after childbirth and women during the perimenopausal years experience heavy periods. Simply being a woman of childbearing age automatically puts you at risk of low iron. Up to 60 percent of women have low iron and it is of ten undiagnosed. Due to higher iron requirements as a result of menstruation, women need 20 milligrams of elemental iron daily yet most of us are only getting 8 mg per day from our diet. Now that we are not eating as much red meat, even postmenopausal women and seniors are suffering from low iron.

Symptoms of iron deficiency may be any combination of the following

1. Skin: dry skin, sensitivity to cold temperature; pale complexion, thin, brittle nails, dull, lifeless hair.

2.Brain: Fatigue, light headedness, headaches, depressed or disturbed mood (anxiety), sleep disturbance.

3.Body symptoms: muscle weakness, aching joints, breathlessness or heart palpitations are, difficulty in swallowing.

Don’t Believe a Normal Iron Test

If your doctor tells you your iron is normal, ask for the test results. There are two iron blood tests: hemoglobin and ferritin. For hemoglobin, the test range suggested as normal by your doctor is 117–160 g/L for women. Yet hemoglobin below 140 g/L will cause significant hair loss. Ferritin, which is your iron storage, has a suggested test range of 15–160 ug/L; but to prevent hair loss and ensure thick hair, your reading should be above 40 ug/L.

In addition, for those who are either on thyroid medication or who have low thyroid but are not on thyroid hormone, there are key nutrients that can help support thyroid function. These include potassium iodide, tyrosine, ashwagandha, gugguls and pantothenic acid.  If you are on thyroid medication, take your medication first thing on an empty stomach and then take this supplement at breakfast. Once the underlying low thyroid is resolved and the TSH drops below 2, hair starts to grow back in six to eight weeks.

Hair follicles contain ferritin. When ferritin stores decline in the hair follicle, it affects the ability of the hair to grow causing non-pigmented
 fine hairs to develop.
  These hairs are often 
mistaken for androgenic alopecia. Low 
ferritin also causes the
 hair to change structure become dry, not hold the curl or color well and break easily. Hair loss can be gradual, a general thinning out over the years, or it can be sudden and startling.

Iron supplements represent another challenge because you will want an iron that does not constipate or cause digestive distress but is effective and fast acting.   Kassandra (Kasia Organics) recommends Premier Research Labs ErythroPro.  ErythroPro features highly bio-available iron (beet and rice bran-derive) that does not promote free radical production such as inorganic (rock) forms or iron (i.e. ferrous fumarate).  Instead, ErythroPro provides key blood factors from natural sources of folic acid, vitamin B12, copper, iodine and more.  Most women notice hair regrowth in as little as six weeks with this type of iron.

Low Thyroid Affects Up to 23 Percent of Women

Like low iron, hypothyroid or low thyroid hormone is an undiagnosed epidemic in Canada. Twenty-three percent of women are currently taking thyroid medication and up to 30 percent of women may also have subclinical or mild hypothyroidism whereby their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is within the “normal” range of 0.5–5.5 IU/mL yet they still experience symptoms. Thinning hair, hair loss and loss of eyebrow hair are common symptoms of low thyroid. A deficiency in these hormones may also result in some of the following symptoms:

• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight • Sensitivity to cold
• Menstrual problems/heavy periods
• Fatigue or lethargy
• Headaches

It is important that you ask your doctor what your TSH test result number is because although it may be “normal,” research has shown that if it is greater than 2.0 IU/mL, chances are it is low thyroid that is contributing to your hair loss.

Mind your Minerals

It is a rare person who eats the recommended seven to 10 half cup servings of fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. Most of us eat only two to three servings a day and, on top of this, the modern lifestyle is rampant with “nutrient robbers”— e.g. stress, medications, the birth control pill, smoking, alcohol— that further deplete our nutritional stores. As a result, deficiencies in the key nutrients required for healthy hair are rampant. Zinc, silicon and selenium, for example, are critical to hair growth yet most people do not get enough.

Everybody should be on a multivitamin with minerals to prevent the nutritional deficiencies associated with not only hair loss but also chronic disease.

Start today with ErythroPro, Thyroven (a thyroid-support formula) if needed, and a great multivitamin with minerals and your hair will start to regain its youthful bounty. It is not normal to look down at the bottom of the tub and see nothing but hair swirling around the drain.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO HEALTH AND BEAUTY:  Kasia Organic Salon is a leading pioneer in healthy beauty to fit your lifestyle. Follow us to ammonia-free /MEA/PPD Color, organic facials, and natural and organic products that support your life. –Kassandra, Owner

Resource: Lorna Vanderhaeghe, MS, is Canada’s leading women’s health expert and has been researching nutritional medicine for over 30 years.

Eating Right for Your Hair Type

What's one of the best-kept secrets for healthy hair?

As an "Informed Beauty" you probably will not be surprised that much of this is directly correlated to a healthy and balanced diet!   It is fundamental  that your grocery list contains  the right mix of high quality protein, veggies, iron, and other non-inflammatory nutrients can help improve the health, look, and feel of your hair.

 

Healthy Hair: Protein Is King

Your hair needs a well-rounded intake both from the outside- and inside that provides all the recommended vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. But it doesn't mean that when it comes to hair, all nutrients are equal, especially when it comes to protein.

A healthy body needs sufficient amino acids, and so does your hair.  A strand of hair is composed of mostly protein, therefore it needs protein to grow.  Protein creates a stronger hormonal and internal energy so your body can efficiently supply strong hair and nails.  There are 22 amino acids that combine to form different proteins, and 8 of these must come from the foods we eat. Our body uses these amino acids to create muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails and internal organs. Proteins help replace and form new tissue, transports oxygen and nutrients in our blood and cells, regulates the balance of water and acids, and is needed to make antibodies.

The Phase of Your Hair Growth

At any given time, about 90% of your hair is in the growing phase. For each individual hair, this growing phase lasts 2 to 3 years. At the end of that time, hairs enter a resting phase that lasts about 3 months before they are shed and replaced by new hair. If you don't get enough protein in your diet, a disproportionate number of hairs may go into the resting phase.

On a normal scalp, there are about 120,000-150,000 strands of hair, and about 50 to 100 strands of that are shed each day. Most people don't even notice that small amount. If a large number of hairs enter the resting phase at the same time, hair loss can become very noticeable.

Many of our clients at Kasia Salon are busy mothers and working women.  It is common to go through bouts of hair loss in ones life.  We often recommend taking inventory of  our guests stress levels and nutritional habits within a 3 month time period.   If this is a  problematic cause, it be reversed. By restoring protein to your diet, whether it comes from plants, such as beans and other legumes, or meat from animal sources, you can restore the normal hair cycle and stop the abnormal hair loss.

Iron and Other Nutrients

Protein isn't the only nutrient needed to maintain healthy hair. Iron, vitamin E, and trace minerals, such as selenium, copper, and magnesium to help keep your hair in good shape. These are all involved in the production of the various proteins that make up your hair.

Protein and Iron

Iron can make a very large impact on the health of ones hair.    This is especially true  for women (heavy menstral cycles)  and vegetarians. Not getting enough iron, like not getting enough protein, can cause hair loss.

Where do you find the best source of iron in your diet?  Meat    The best sources of meat is a organic land ean meat, like fish and chicken.

Good vegetarian sources of iron include pumpkin seeds, white beans, lentils, and spinach.  Keep in mind that iron from non-animal sources absorbs iron less efficiently from plants.

It is best to speak  with your doctor about your diet and hair concerns.  Your doctor can test the level of iron in your body to best determine whether or not you should consider taking an iron supplement.

Vitamin D and Your Hair

Another potentially important nutrient is vitamin D. Mirmirani says that though the evidence still isn't clear, some studies suggest that vitamin D may play a role in the hair cycle. "We can get vitamin D from the sun," Mirmirani says. "But dermatologists don't recommend a lot of sun exposure."

Dietary sources of vitamin D include fortified foods such as milk, orange juice, and cereals. But, Mirmirani says, according to some studies, many Americans aren't getting enough vitamin D. "And the actual recommended dosage is controversial," she says.  As with iron, she recommends talking with your doctor about your vitamin D needs and whether or not you should take a supplement.

Are Hair Supplements Necessary?

It is true that any hormonal, nutritional, or vitamin deficiency will cause hair loss. All the vitamins are important, although a B-complex, C, and E are very beneficial.  Getting the essentials is key and does not mean you need to buy special supplements for your hair.

Less stress, inflammation, and a balanced diet low in GMO grains is a promising return on your health and hair.  Although it will not hurt,  "beware of biotin" claims, as there hasn't been any good evidence that taking zinc or biotin supplements actually offers any benefits for hair.

Hair Health and Weight Loss Diets

Many women put themselves on a very strict calorie-deprived diet or fast detox and will lose weight very quickly.   Much of the time, the yo-yo effect on the body causes physiological stress, which also contributes to hair loss, beside the fact that the needed nutrients for anabolic activity is cut short.  After losing this weight, healthy individuals can expect their hair to  come back after weight stabilizes.

All in the Balance

It is important to remember that just like our work-life, exercise, mind, relationships, and food....."balance" is key.   A healthy diet, well-being, and the highest grade supplements  is best for you, and your hair.

Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services.  Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an "Informed Beauty." 

SOURCES: Mayo Clinic: "Hair Loss." Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, spokesperson, American Dietetic Association. Carolyn Jacob, MD, Chicago Cosmetic Surgery and Dermatology.

Want Better Skin? Take a Look at What You are Eating

You've heard it before......  “You are what you eat”?

What goes into our bodies can make a difference on how we feel and how we look.  A healthy diet, along with exercise and sleep, fuels a healthy body, plain and simple.

Based on the principles of beauty, wellness and education, the Kasia team is dedicated to providing clients with the opportunity to renew and nurture their natural sense of beauty through holistic experiences, mindful services and pure products.

Get Beautiful Health and improve your skin by focusing on eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Next time you go shopping make sure foods with these eleven key nutrients are included in your grocery cart:

1. CATECHINS May reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sun-exposed skin. Foods include: dark chocolate, green tea, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, plums, raw apples & pears…

2. FLAVONOLS May reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. Foods include: dark chocolate, blueberries, black & kidney beans, soybeans, eggplants & tomatoes

3. LYCOPENE This phytochemical helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. Foods include: tomatoes, watermelon, pink & red grapefruits, asparagus & red cabbage

4. NIACIN (Vitamin B3) An anti-inflammatory, soothes irritated skin and red, blotchy skin. Foods include: barley, bulgur, peas, tuna, salmon, anchovies, peanuts & chicken

5. OMEGA 3 FATTY ACIDS Believed to stifle your body’s response to irritation and attract water to skin cells to plump up the skin and reduce wrinkles. Foods include: salmon, walnuts, flaxseed, tofu, shrimp, halibut & soybeans

6. RIBOFLAVIN (Vitamin B2) Involved in tissue maintenance and repair and improves skin blemishes caused by rosacea. Foods include: mackerel, trout, almonds, sesame seeds, cheese, dry roasted edamame & bran

7. SELENIUM Helps preserve elastin, a protein that keeps your skin smooth and tight. Foods include: Brazil nuts, canned tuna, turkey, low-fat cottage cheese & oysters

8. VITAMIN A Maintains and repairs skin cells, a deficiency may result in a dry flaky complexion. Fights free radical damage that can prematurely age the skin and reduces the development of skin cancer cells. Foods include: sweet potato, mango, spinach, cantaloupe, carrots & eggs

9. VITAMIN C Essential to collagen production and the more collagen you have, the less creased your skin looks. May help repair and maintain DNA, basically bolstering cells’ ability to renew. Foods Include: dark leafy greens, broccoli, peppers, strawberries & oranges

10. VITAMIN E Protects skin cells from UV Light and other environmental factors that generate cell damaging free radicals. Its rich oils help protect against skin damage and premature aging. Foods include: olive oil, 100% whole wheat, kale, almonds, papaya & kiwi

11. ZINC Contains anti-inflammatory properties and affects sebum production a deficiency that may contribute to acne. Foods include: oysters, walnuts, chickpeas, cashews, nonfat and low-fat plain yogurt & milk

Don't forget to add your sunscreen (like Kasia Sunscreen), adopting a daily skin care moisturizing regime, and start looking at what’s on your plate. I assure you, some TLC care and nutrients will help your  skin look and age better!

Kassandra Kuehl is the founder of Kasia Organic Salon. Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services.  Visit www.kasiaorganicsalon.com and become an "Informed Beauty." 

Resources: http://www.reneerouleau.com/default.aspx Keri Gans, MS, RD, CDN

Underlying cause of bags and dark circles and.. what causes wrinkles?

Research suggests that the sun is what causes wrinkles and 80% of all of the signs of aging and the other 20% of the signs of aging are caused by toxins and environmental damage.

Free of artificial preservatives, parabens, or other harfmul ingredients, Kasia onCure Eye Cream takes the efficient, but safe approach to treating under-eye wrinkles and the other signs of aging.

The eye area is one of the first regions of the face to show the signs of ageing. The skin around the eyes is deprived of oil glands and is very delicate and that’s why the skin doesn’t have a protection against the environments influences and UV rays.

Other underlying cause of bags and dark circles is poorly circulating fluids due to weakening capillaries.  You can improve the strength of those capillaries, with the right nutrients internally, as well as applied directly in order to quickly get rid of wrinkles, bags and circles.

 

To get rid of eye wrinkles, you also need to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin.  Kasia onCure delivers amino acid protein peptides that have been proven scientifically to help you do just that. 

Kasia OnCure Eye Cream

 

* Reduces dark circles, shadows and fine lines.

* Prevents puffiness and reduces eye bags.

* Reinforces firmness and tone.

Key Active Ingredients

Prunus Armeniaca (apricot) Kernel Oil

Commonly referred to as Apricot Kernel Oil, this oil is pressed from the kernels of the Apricot fruit. It is rich in essential fatty acids, which are vital components of the human organism. As a result, this nourishing oil helps to replenish and rebuild the skin.

Borago Officinalis (borage) Seed Oil

Used to prevent aging and wrinkles by fighting dehydration and the loss of skin elasticity. Borage also stimulates skin cell regeneration and rejuvenation, and is rich in minerals and linoleic acid.

Butyrospermum Parkii (shea) Butter

Kasia chooses shea butter for it’s unique fatty acid profile, which gives the ability to moisturize and retain the elasticity of the skin.

Chrysin

Chrysin is a naturally occurring flavone, extracted from the blue passion flower.  It promotes the elimination of blood originating pigments from under the eyes.   Chrysin eliminates the by-products of hemoglobin degradation, which aids in reducing the appearance of dark under eye circles.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3

Kasia trusts this protein will bring direct action to noticeably reduce under eye puffiness in four weeks.  This product is clinically proven to help correct poor drainage by increasing the lymphatic exchange and achieving proper circulation of the extra cellular fluids. This powerful peptide counteracts skin slackening, perking up and increasing the firmness of the fragile skin area around the eye.

It also decreases irritation that could lead to puffiness.

The skin around the eyes is very delicate and sensitive, and that’s why you should use special eye creams or gels that are specifically made for the delicate eye area. Most of them contain ingredients that relax the muscles, vitamins, retinol and collagen.

Other tips for treating wrinkles

* Always apply sunscreen, especially during the summer months

* Avoid using creamy eye shadows- they may seep into your fine lines and accentuate them even more

* Get plenty of sleep

* Drink lots of water, at least 1.5 liter

* Wear hats and black sunglasses especially during the summer

* Avoid smoking – it makes you squint and deprive your skin from “air”

* Take vitamins and eat lots of vegetables and fruits

Kasia Organic Salon is the pioneer of healthy beauty that delivers results to fit your lifestyle, because only Kasia is the authority in 100% natural products & services.

Learn more about Anti-Aging, and the “Underlying causes of skin health” at  www.Kasiaorganicsalon.com

The Wheat-free "Movement" to Beautiful Health

Do you wish you could have more energy,relief from gastro discomfort, and melt away fat deposits around your abdomen?

Many of our guests at Kasia Organic Salon have read through our "SCD" and "GAPS" books while processing their fabulous  Ammonia Free Hair Color.   Through putting myself on a specific wheat free diet, I have been able to help bridge that gap for others.  These "diets" have been a great blessing to many due to the vast majority of men, women, and families with gluten sensitivites, gut issues, low energy, and weight gain.   Through research and changed clients, I am very much persuaded of why this nation is falling into a nutritional crises .......lack there of.

Back to a flat stomach.....  According to cardiologist Dr. William Davis, you can achieve it. In his new book, Wheat Belly, Dr. Davis lays out a case for eliminating wheat in the diet to decrease systemic inflammation and weight gain.

According to Dr. Davis:

“When you remove wheat from the diet, you’ve removed a food that leads to fat deposition in the abdomen. Factor in that the gliadin protein unique to wheat that is degraded to a morphine-like compound that stimulates appetite is now gone and appetite diminishes. The average daily calorie intake drops 400 calories per day–with less hunger, less cravings and food is more satisfying. This all occurs without imposing calorie limits, cutting fat grams, or limiting portion size. It all happens just by eliminating this thing called wheat.”

If you are familiar with the paleo diet, this is the same frame of thought -  that wheat causes a myriad of health problems is something that you have probably heard before. The paleo community advocates eliminating all grains from the diet.  "Wait, haven't we been told by the government that whole grains are the staple of a healthy diet?  Think again...Dr. Davis’s book Wheat Belly specifically addresses the grain wheat.

Wheat is that the wheat of present day is different from the wheat that our ancestors ate.

How specifically does eliminating wheat from your diet help banish belly fat, according to Dr. Davis?

• Wheat raises blood sugar higher than nearly all other foods.
• Wheat contains addictive compounds, leading to overeating and psychological addiction.
• Wheat contains lectins, which are glycoproteins. Glycoproteins cause inflammation by disarming the proteins that line the intestinal tract that regulate which compounds are absorbed into the blood stream and which are not. This causes inflammatory compounds to enter the bloodstream. This process has been linked to rheumatoid arthritis, skin diseases like dermatitis herpetiformis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, and a variety of other inflammatory diseases, according to Dr. Davis.

Benefits of eliminating wheat:

1) Reduces appetite–”Normal” calorie intake is, on average, 400 calories less per day for the wheatless. The notion that a 50-year old, 150 pound woman needs 1800 calories per day will need to be adjusted . . . downward. 2) Reduces body weight and visceral fat–You might need to shop in the junior dress sizes. Men may find that clothes manufacturers don’t even make trousers for your waist size any more. (Ever try to find 31″ waist pants?) 3) Reduces small LDL particles–Meaning risk for heart attack is dramatically reduced, “need” for statin drugs reduced or eliminated. It means that the fictitious target numbers your doctor treats known as “LDL cholesterol” will need to be readjusted to accommodate the reduction or elimination of the true number one cause for heart disease in the U.S., small LDL particles. 4) Reduces blood sugar–Remove the amylopectin A of wheat and blood sugar drops, HbA1c (reflecting the previous 60-days blood sugar) drops, resistance to insulin drops. 5) Diabetes and pre-diabetes are no longer inevitable–The CDC predicts that 1 in 3 Americans will be diabetic in the coming years, another 1 in 3 pre-diabetic–it is nearly everyone’s fate, according to the numbers. Remove amylopectin A, remove lectin-induced leptin resistance, remove gliadin-induced appetite stimulation, diabetes and pre-diabetes for most go away. 6) Joint and bone health improve–Arthritis, joint pain, and osteoporosis, long considered the inevitable accompaniments of aging, are delayed or simply don’t occur once the acidifying effects of wheat are removed, the inflammatory pus-like properties of visceral fat disappear, and brittle cartilage effects of amylopectin A-induced glycation no longer occur. 7) Glycation comes to a halt–Provided you don’t feast on M&Ms and Coca Cola in place of wheat, irreversible glucose-modification of proteins–that causes hypertension, cataracts, osteoarthritis, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (stiff heart), conduction system disease leading to heart rhythm disorders and pacemakers, nervous system impairment (reduced sensation and coordination), and aging–subsides to its natural slow level.

So should you eliminate all wheat from your diet? If you are having some health issues and you want to get rid of some extra fat, it won’t hurt you to try  eliminating wheat from your diet for just 30 days to see how you do.

What exactly is in wheat that makes it so bad?

1) The gliadin protein of wheat has been modified by geneticists through their work to increase yield. This work, performed mostly in the 1970s, yielded a form of gliadin that is several amino acids different, but increased the appetite-stimulating properties of wheat. Modern wheat, a high-yield, semi-dwarf strain (not the 4 1/2-foot tall “amber waves of grain” everyone thinks of) is now, in effect, an appetite-stimulant that increases calorie intake 400 calories per day. This form of gliadin is also the likely explanation for the surge in behavioral struggles in children with autism and ADHD.

2) The amylopectin A of wheat is the underlying explanation for why two slices of whole wheat bread raise blood sugar higher than 6 teaspoons of table sugar or many candy bars. It is unique and highly digestible by the enzyme amylase. Incredibly, the high glycemic index of whole wheat is simply ignored, despite being listed at the top of all tables of glycemic index.

3) The lectins of wheat may underlie the increase in multiple autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in Americans, especially rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s).

In other words, if someone is not gluten-sensitive, they may still remain sensitive to the many non-gluten aspects of modern high-yield semi-dwarf wheat, such as appetite-stimulation and mental “fog,” joint pains in the hands, leg edema, or the many rashes and skin disorders. This represents one of the most important examples of the widespread unintended effects of modern agricultural genetics and agribusiness.

What can you eat on the diet you advocate? Eat real, natural foods such as eggs, raw nuts, plenty of vegetables, and fish, fowl, and meats. Use healthy oils like olive, walnut, and coconut liberally. Eat occasional fruit and plenty of avocado, olives, and use herbs and spices freely. Eat raw or least cooked whenever possible and certainly do not frequent fast food, processed snacks, or junk foods. While it may sound restrictive, a return to non-grain foods is incredibly rich and varied. Many people’s eyes have been closed to the great variety of foods available to us minus the wheat.

Diet Resources:  GAPS Diet

Reference: William Davis, MD Dr. Davis is a preventative cardiologist by training. He is a 1985 graduate of the St. Louis University School of Medicine and the Ohio State University Hospitals for training in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Diseases. Practicing and writing from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dr. Davis is also the medical director of Track Your Plaque, an online heart disease prevention program.

How to Support Natural Body Detoxification

Over time, our bodies can start to be brought down by the toxins, chemicals, and waste that build up in our systems. Whether it is from external, environmental factors (like pollution or natural exposure to toxins) or something wrong internally (such as a poor diet ofunhealthy foods), it’s important to maintain your health by ridding these built up toxins.

The topic of "detox" is overwhelming and you will come across nearly 56 million webpages. Let’s skip the sales pitch and find out some simple principles of detoxing, shall we

Natural detox: your body knows how

Your body is detoxifying all the time. The natural processes of metabolism create streams of waste, and we’re also ingesting, inhaling, and absorbing pathogens, chemicals, allergens, and other toxins. Our bodies work continually to deactivate and eliminate these harmful substances.

Natural detox is a collection of responses that occur throughout your body, literally without pause. And the human body is remarkably successful at disassembling and removing the majority of toxic substances and metabolic wastes.

What is the source of body toxicity?

In addition to the old-school toxins we’ve encountered for years, we now have an array of allergens, by-products, wastes, chemicals, and organisms that our bodies simply do not know how to process. It’s true that the human body is amazingly adaptable, but our systems have not yet adjusted to these diverse “foreigners to life,” or xenobiotics. Instead, these outsiders become part of an enormous “toxic load” we carry indefinitely.

Where are all these toxins — old and new — coming from? They’re all around us — in the air, water, food, and environment, and they may be disguised in some clever camouflage:

• Air, water, and environmental pollutants (including jet fuel residue)
• Food contaminants, such as pathogens and by-products of certain industrialization processes
• Chemicals we absorb, inhale, or ingest (from construction materials, furniture and flooring, clothing, cleaning supplies, personal care products, and more)
• Pharmaceutical medications (antibiotics, HRT, NSAID’s, etc.), recreational drugs, second-hand smoke, and alcohol
• Radiation and electromagnetic fields
• Heavy metals, aluminum, and toxic halides
• Hormones and endocrine disruptors
• Mold, mildew, and “superbug” pathogens
• Free radicals

In addition, problems with detoxification can occur right inside us. Because the gastrointestinal tract is your body’s initial interface with a large percentage of the toxins it encounters, any chronic digestive issue can interfere with detox. If you have IBS, for example, you may have trouble detoxifying — but an imbalance in your gut flora can also limit your gut’s natural detox function.

What’s surprising is that we ourselves generate some of the strongest, or most reactive, poisons and toxins. Many lifestyle factors have a grave impact on health, including poor diet, low water intake, lack of exercise, and inadequate rest. But emotions can be poisonous, too. Stress, anxiety, depression, and even “toxic” relationships affect you physically and add heavily to the load your body is trying to detoxify.

Some people have innate limitations in their ability to detoxify. In some cases, these factors can be “pathological” (leading to disease) when left unaddressed. Either they’re born with genetic traits that interfere with healthy liver function (such as a GSTM 1 polymorphism) or normal metabolism of nutrients (for example, an MTHFR polymorphism), or they develop detox issues as a result of lifestyle influences or hormone imbalance during perimenopause.

Even under such challenging conditions, toxicity is not your destiny. There is a tremendous amount you can do — right away — to limit and offset the effects of toxins. And of course, stopping poisonous substances from entering your system in the first place should be a top priority.

Natural detoxification systems — the whole-body concept

Detoxification is accomplished by many internal systems and organs working in unison to identify, deactivate, and eliminate toxic substances. These mundane reactions help clear out toxins and purify your internal environment.

• Respiration: breathing (gas exchange), coughing, sneezing, clearing mucus
• Skin: sweating, sebaceous (oil) gland secretion, tears
• GI system: liver function, intestinal tract function (our “first line” defense), including stool excretion
• Kidneys: acid/alkaline balancing, urination
• Circulation and lymph systems: blood flow, lymph circulation, node function

Because all these systems cooperate for whole body detoxification, problems in any one can allow toxins to accumulate, or interferes with the removal of highly reactive compounds, which can then move in and camp out in your organs and tissues.

Let’s take a closer look at how the job of detoxification is divided up.

Liver

The liver is the powerhouse of detoxification, since one of its primary functions is to isolate and biotransform toxic molecules so they can be eliminated. With its ability to create various enzymes and chemicals, the liver quickly deactivates most poisons you take in or create. Our special page on liver function shows how you can provide support to keep this critically important organ functioning well.

Kidneys

Your kidneys act as an advance filtering system to catch wastes and toxins circulating in your blood and eliminate them through urination. If this process becomes sluggish or begins to fail, poisonous substances build up, and your health can deteriorate rapidly. Supporting kidney function involves eating an alkalizing diet, with mineral-rich fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of pure water (distilled, filtered, or spring). Alcohol, particularly in excess, can be very hard on the kidneys.

GI tract

When the gut isn’t healthy...

“Leaky gut syndrome” occurs when the lining of the GI tract becomes porous, allowing food particles to directly enter the bloodstream. Such particles are considered toxins by the immune system, so leaky gut can be the starting point for some food allergies and systemic inflammation.

For natural detoxification, there is nothing more important than good digestive health. Your gut is the gateway for most pathogens, but it is also your initial defense against toxins, germs, and unwanted substances. Taking care of the GI tract starts with choosing non-toxifying foods, and results in better elimination — the prime vehicle for toxin removal.

Your GI tract is lined with a mucous membrane that, when healthy, forms an “intelligent” barrier that helps prevent toxins from entering your bloodstream and allows escaped xenobiotics to pass back into the intestines for elimination (called “antiporter” detox). Good GI health through proper diet can help keep this membrane intact and functioning well. A healthy supply of “friendly bacteria” in the gut helps you handle the food you eat and wards off any pathogens lurking in your food. Gut flora can also stop pathogens from re-entering your system until your body can dispose of the intruders.

Fluidity is Key

First things first: fluidity is key! When it comes to detoxifying the body, you want to provide the body with a simple, seamless route for excavation. By and large, removing the waste and toxicity through fluids is the most promising. (Some argue in favor of “sweating it out”, but this will require keeping hydration levels high as well!). Keep these things in mind:

• Eight 8-oz glasses/day – The normal recommendation is to drink up to eight 8-oz glasses per day. This is quite a bit of water, but it provides the body with just its basic needs for growth, maintenance, and proper health. When detoxing, it’s important to get this and more!
• Be Strategic – When it come to getting enough fluids, be strategic in your approach. Keep water where you send most of your time, mix up your intakes sources (juice, iced tea, coconut water), and consider setting a timer to get you drinking every few hours.
• Hydrate through Foods – Of course, you also want to get plenty of water from your foods. Foods like celery are great for getting nutrition along with hydration – make them a part of your hydrating regimen! Check out the citruses and apples in mind, too!

Sustaining a Healthy Body

When it comes to detoxing, be sure to keep in mind that you are what you eat. It’s actually quite likely you’re feeling groggy, weakened, and frustrated because of the food you’ve been eating. That being said, the next time in detoxing naturally is to supply yourself with the nutrients you need to get full nourishment. Follow these simple tips for better eating:

• Quit the Bad – To start, stop eating the bad foods you’re eating right now! Ward yourself away from processed, refined foods and sugary, non-nutritious ‘meals’ that so often stock the shelves at our local stores. This is also your chance to do some digging with your favorite brands and find out if that snack of yours is contributing to your poor feelings.
• Eat Whole – In replacement of these incomplete foods, start supplying yourself with whole, nutritious foods. Going organic is also the best choice, as the pesticides and chemicals found in artificial fertilizers may be contributing your poor health. Also, avoid GMO foods altogether. With the considerably controversy behind these foods, as well as the adamant stance of companies to not allow testing or labeling, GMO foods cannot be considered safe.
• Increase the Raw – Eating more raw food can also be your ticket to better health. As they say, if you cook it, you kill it. Raw foods are more nutritious, have fewer carcinogens, and can help you push out the toxins currently in your body.
• More Greens – Finally, eat more greens! Getting a few extra servings of fruits and veggies is probably something you need to do anyways, so take your detox as the first opportunity to really implement this change.
• Stretch it out – With simple stretches, you can improve your digestion system, circulation, and energy level. Take time everyday to sit down, relax, and stretch out the bad that has been building up.

I'ts a Lifestyle

Having a healthy, whole body does not need to be hard- make it simple and make it successful.

Reference:  Womentowomen.com

Osteoporosis: Not Just For Your Mother

  Who thinks osteoporosis is a disease that only affects elderly woman because they have fragile little bones due to loss of calcium? Let’s see a show of hands. Whoever has their hands up out there, you’re wrong – possibly dead wrong.

While it’s true that osteoporosis affects more women than men (1 in 4 women versus 1 in 8 men to be exact), when it comes to this disease age is nothing but a number. Bone mass should be at an all time high between ages 27 – 33. While this is well and good, the problem lies with the facts. Cold hard facts and one has proven that most of us don’t start taking bone-building supplements until we’re already past our “prime” and miss out on early preventative measures. Couple that with the sad statistics that 53% of young adults are already so unhappy with their bodies that they take extreme measure to lose weight (particularly the 1% that is anorexic), that a sad 38% of teens and young adults don’t get enough exercise, and that diets are the poorest they’ve ever been (high in sugar and caffeine, low in beneficial nutrients) and you’ve got more people losing bone mass in their early 20’s now than ever before.

And even if you are a pretty young thing, don’t even think osteoporosis cannot lead to death. A very small portion of the public knows that 20% of those with hip fractures die and another 20% will never get out of long term care facilities – no matter what their age.

Osteoporosis Myth Busters

So enough scaring you with the strtling but very honest truth.  The real reason we’re here is to free you from the myths you might’ve heard about osteoporosis and fill you in on more of the facts. Let’s take a look at the top myths surrounding this sometimes lethal disease.

Myth 1: Age Brings on Osteoporosis

This is absolutely false. A strong, healthy woman’s body – regardless of her age – will be able to withstand the day to day stresses her body faces. After menopause, it’s true that bone loss does start to decline but in a very natural way that still allows the bones to renew and mend with ease. As you learned above, age is nothing but a number when it comes to osteoporosis.

What does bring on osteoporosis are some of the aforementioned factors including unhealthy diets, little to no exercise, hormonal imbalances, internal inflammation, unbalanced PH levels, low Vitamin D, Vitamin E and Magnesium levels, chronic stress, and the use of prescription meds.

Myth 2: Low Calcium Intake Causes Osteoporosis

Two of the biggest contributors to low calcium are Vitamin D and Magnesium deficiency. Nearly 68% of us do not get our daily dose of magnesium and with the recent “sun care scare” so many people are coating themselves with so much sunscreen that America is highly deficient in Vitamin D.

Vitamin D, also known as the “sunshine vitamin” is derived from, you guessed it, the sun. While those who are obese, dark skinned, or those who don’t get outdoors enough are obviously at high risk of deficiency, a new crop of people at risk are those who think they’re doing the right thing by listening to their dermatologist. While sun care is certainly preventative of skin cancer and wrinkles, a certain amount of sunshine is a necessity to healthy Vitamin D intake. Even if your body has the right amount of calcium present, if there isn’t enough D around, only 10-15% of the calcium will be absorbed. Those who get the right amount of the vitamin often increase intake by 30-40% and, in these same individuals, osteoporosis prevention rates soar.

While Magnesium can certainly help the body intake calcium, its biggest role is bone formation. It is the co-factor, along with partner calcium, in all bone turnover. Even our buddy Vitamin D needs Magnesium. We now know that Vitamin D is needed for proper absorption but Magnesium is needed in order for the liver to turn the D over into its active form, called calcitriol. If this activation does not occur, the body will have a Vitamin D resistance which will lead to facts we learned about previously; only 10-15% calcium absorption – a leading factor in osteoporosis.

Calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D come full circle in the fight against osteoporosis. You simply can’t have one without the other or the cycle doesn’t complete itself. Aside from supplements, you can get these vitamins from foods like dairy, fruits, veggies, and of course, some SPF free sun time (just don’t go crazy here – 15-20 minutes three times per week will do.)

Myth 3: Osteoporosis is Due to Faulty Bones

For healthy individuals osteoporosis is actually a miraculous response that proves just how intelligent our bodies are. We are all made up with extra bone mass. Thus if mineral loss occurs the body can pull from those additional masses to make up for the lost resources and keep many internal functions, including all important PH balance, in line. And contrary to popular believe, our body can then reproduce bone matter in a just a few weeks to repair the losses.

Unfortunately many individuals fall prey to “doctors orders” when it comes to osteoporosis. Instead of taking a healthier, natural approach, they load up on prescription meds like Fosamax. As you learned earlier, meds can actually begin to deplete the body of calcium for one. Secondly, many of these “bone building” drugs actually stop the natural bone breakdown/buildup process that helps maintain strong bones. Instead a drug like Fosamax will simply harden the existing bone. Although it may look like it is increasing density, many radiographic techniques can’t pick up on the fact that it isn’t new bone but rather the old bones hardened.

Prevention is Key

Early prevention is key. Don’t wait until the osteoporosis has begun to form. Instead, get to know both the risk and beneficial factors and put them to good use as soon as possible.

Start now by cutting out the enemies – refined sugar, caffeine, and smoking. Not only does this trio zap calcium they can also cause weight gain, acne, collagen loss, addiction, PCOS, and other extreme disadvantages within the structure of the body that will begin to show themselves only over time; when you are just too late for early prevention. While you’re at it, quite drinking alcohol and taking antiacids and prescription drugs (if you can). This is a key step in regaining your natural calcium balance.

Your body needs more than calcium alone to restore the skeletal system. It also needs many other minerals and vitamins that help your body absorb calcium and maintain healthy collagen levels. (Note: Collagen isn’t just in the skin – another misinformed public myth. It is like the “glue” that holds our entire skeletal system together.) Magnesium is one of the most important of them all since it helps the bones absorb calcium. Facts lead docs to believe most women with osteoporosis actually have a magnesium deficiency, not a calcium one. Zinc, copper, beta carotene, and vitamins C and E are also particularly important to collagen reproduction.

Add to that a balanced diet. Avoid items like sugary calcium drinks or antacids with calcium. And although supplements are beneficial in aiding bone renewal, getting the right minerals and vitamins shouldn’t be left to supplements alone. Get the real thing from calcium rich resources like snow peas, broccoli, leafy green vegetables such as spinach, kale, beet and turnip greens; almonds, figs, beans,  yogurt and cottage cheese. Get your dose of calcium helper, magnesium, from whole gains, wheat bran, leafy green veggies, nuts (especially yummy almonds), beans, bananas, and apricots.

Finally, add some exercise into your routine. Whether it’s for fifteen minutes daily or an hour three times per week, fit in a brisk walk followed up by some repetitive weight lifting exercises. Not only will these help increase your bone density, extra weight exercise will help you build lean muscle masses and shed a few extra pounds as a bonus to all of your healthy, hard work.

The bottom line is that our bodies require micronutrients and minerals to carry out their daily functions. Our bones are built on these minerals. They’re also maintained by the vitamin D we make from sunshine and by the stimulation of regular movement. If you stop and listen to the wisdom of your body, you’ll see that many of the factors that promote strong bones come instinctually. Just as a plant knows to take water into its roots or open its leaves for the sun, you too have Nature’s prescription for bone health written in your genes. Forget the myths and listen to your body.

Kassie Kuehl is a respected leader in, and advocate for, natural health and beauty care. The founder of Kasia natural line of skin care and stylist for Kasia Organic Salon, Kassie combines her experience as a nutrition coach with her ongoing Functional Medicine research to apply a whole of body “Beautiful Health’ approach to hair care and styling. She can be found at www.kasiaorganicsalon.com.

Your Digestive System -The TRUE ANSWER for Glowing Beauty

Radiant Skin, Both Inside and OUT!  The TRUE ANSWER for Glowing Beauty and Health

Kasia stands behind lifestyle decisions that feel right and create "beautiful health."  Our beauty and health then evolved to achieving RADIANT beauty!

The truth is that your external beauty is a direct reflection of your internal health and therefore, when you clean up and heal the body on the inside, the outside of your body will glow and shine!   Providing external products and services is one part of the equation.  If you do not have a healthy inside, even the most advanced skin care treatments will be fruitless.   Natural health, Functional Medicine, and other modalities help one's ability to get to the root of their inside - out beauty.  The first recommendation to starting this inside-out result, is to achieve a beautiful internal skin and cell cycle.  Where do you start?  The digestive system!

Cleansing the digestion system is one, if not the most important aspect of regaining your health and setting yourself up for radiant health.

This is because you are what you absorb.

Studies have now concluded that the majority of patients with chronic disorders - even when the disorders cause symptoms with no apparent connection to the digestive tract - have digestive and absorptive imbalances.

This is a huge breakthrough because it reveals the vital role that your digestive system plays in almost every aspect of your health. In fact, most people find that once they cleanse and heal their GI tract, the majority, if not all, or their chronic and acute health symptoms and complaints are taken care of.

Therefore, we here at Kasia Organic Salon promote utilizing  Premier Research Labs, a top of the line supplemental digestive support aid that also benefits the hair, skin, and psychological/emotion for anyone looking to achieve their best health ever.  

For additional "Informed Beauty" information how to best approach a healthier digestive track, learn more about ....

THE 5-R PROGRAM

A properly functioning digestive system is critical to good health. In functional medicine we use a program that goes by the simple acronym of the ‘5Rs’: remove, replace, reinoculate, repair and rebalance. When applied to various chronic problems, the 5R program can cause dramatic improvement in symptoms, and sometimes even complete resolution of the problem.

This cuts to the core of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract.   It is becoming increasingly recognized that disturbances in the function of the GI tract can result in a number of symptoms and conditions. These range from symptoms such as fatigue, joint pain, muscle pain, and headaches, to medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, allergies, asthma, autism, ADHD, and chronic skin conditions. It is this association between GI function and ill health that the 5-R Program is intended to address.

The goal of the 5-R Program is to accomplish the following:

1.     To address dietary and lifestyle issues, and to begin the process of dietary education and change.

2.     To normalize digestion and absorption.

3.     To normalize the balance of gastrointestinal bacteria.

4.     To promote a balanced system of detoxification.

5.     To promote gastrointestinal healing.

A full 5-R Program takes approximately three to six months to complete. It is very important that you are prepared to implement the somewhat demanding dietary changes of the program, as without the dietary component you can not achieve anywhere near the maximum therapeutic benefit.

The elements of the 5R program are described briefly below.

1.    Remove Remove stressors: get rid of things that negatively affect the environment of the GI tract including allergic foods, parasites or other bad bugs such as bacteria or yeast. This might involve using an allergy “elimination diet” to find out what foods are causing GI symptoms or it may involve taking drugs or herbs to eradicate a particular bug.

2.    Replace Replace digestive secretions: add back things like digestive enzymes, hydrochloric acid and bile acids that are required for proper digestion and that may be compromised by diet, drugs, diseases, aging, or other factors.

3.    Reinoculate Help beneficial bacteria flourish by taking in probiotic foods or supplements that contain the so-called “good” bacteria such as bifidobacteria and lactobacillus species, and by consuming the high soluble fiber foods that good bugs like to eat, called “prebiotics.”

4.    Repair Help the lining of the GI tract repair itself by supplying key nutrients that can often be in short supply in a disease state, such as zinc, antioxidants (e.g. vitamins A, C, and E), fish oil, and the amino acid glutamine.

5.    Rebalance Pay attention to lifestyle choices – sleep, exercise and stress can all affect the GI tract.

THE FUNCTIONS OF THE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT You have heard it said "you are what you eat."    In Functional Medicine, we take it a step further in our belief that "you are what you eat, and then absorb, and then what you do or do not detoxify."

·       DIGESTION- This is the process whereby our food is broken down into smaller portions that are more easily absorbed by the intestines.

·       ABSORPTION- This is the process whereby the digested food is taken up by the intestine and delivered to the body for utilization as energy, nutrition, and other cellular functions.

·       EXCLUSION- This refers to the barrier function performed by the GI tract as it appropriately excludes substances from entering the body.

·       DETOXIFICATION- This is the complex process involving the liver and GI tract whereby toxins are metabolized for elimination from the body. Toxins include such things as medication we take that must be metabolized, to pesticides, preservatives, dyes, and flavor-enhancers we ingest knowingly in our food, as well as the over 4 million chemicals present in our environment not intended for use in our bodies.

·       ELIMINATION- After digestion has occurred, and the metabolic phase of detoxification is complete, the GI tract must then eliminate the digestive and metabolic wastes of these processes. Some refer to this as excretion.

Good Luck Informed Beauty!  Contact Kassaandra with any questions you may have at 612 824 7611 or kassie@kasiaorganicsalon.com