DIY Kale Chips: Easy and Delicious Healthy Skin Snack!

"Oooh ooh, I just have to share a recent favorite snack!"  Kale Chips!!!!!

They can be homemade or purchased at the store.  if you’ve never made these before, it's quite easy.   Yup, the entire process takes less than 15 minutes!   Affordable and quick!

Tip:  I like to add all sorts of seasonings and cold pressed oils to my kale chips. Experiment!

Kale is an excellent source of phytonutrients as well as Vitamins A, C, and K, and calcium, which represent some of the requisite nutrients for skin health. Kale is also one of the richest sources of lutein and contains beta- carotene, which improves skin elasticity and firmness.

The 7 Most Common Symptoms of Low Thyroid Function

While a healthy thyroid helps support hair growth, thyroid imbalances can negatively impact it. It's estimated that as many as 59 million Americans have a thyroid problem, but the majority don't know it yet. The thyroid, a butterfly-shaped gland located in the neck, is the master gland of metabolism. When your thyroid doesn't function, it can affect every aspect of your health, and in particular, weight, depression and energy levels.

The thyroid does not affect the scalp itself, but it can interfere with the hair growth cycle. If you are experiencing scalp problems alongside a thyroid imbalance it is probably coincidental.

WHAT IS THE THYROID AND WHY DOES IT AFFECT HAIR GROWTH?

Your thyroid is a gland at the base of your neck that regulates your bodies’ metabolism via the production of ‘thyroid hormone’. It also controls the production of proteins and tissue utilisation of oxygen – which is why it affects hair follicles and hair growth.

Thyroid disorders occur when your thyroid gland produces too much or too little hormone. This is classed as either ‘hyper’ (high) or ‘hypo’ (low) thyroid, whereby your thyroid is either over or underactive. Either a hypo or hyperthyroid can cause hair loss – and in fact a hypothyroid is known to cause hair loss in up to 50% of people.

 

7 most common symptoms of low thyroid function are:

1. Severe fatigue/loss of energy: If you suffer from a thyroid issue, you may feel highly fatigued and sleep more than average — but even after the extra sleep you don’t feel rested or have any energy.

2. Weight gain/difficulty losing weight: When your thyroid slows down — even a bit — so does your metabolism. That’s why unusual and unexplained weight gain and changes to body shape can be the first noticeable symptoms.

3. Dry skin, brittle nails: New wrinkles, dry or cracked patches, and itchy rashes are signs of imbalance in your thyroid hormones.

4. Brittle hair, itchy scalp, hair loss: Your thyroid plays a role in your hair’s growing and resting cycle. Without proper thyroid functioning, your hair follicles stay in the “resting” phase rather than growing actively. In addition to brittle hair or hair loss, thyroid issues can also cause premature graying of the hair.

5. More sensitivity to cold and lower body temperature. Always feeling cold is a telltale sign of a problem with your thyroid hormones, which greatly influence body temperature.

6. Diminished sex drive: Imbalances in your thyroid can affect your reproductive hormones, and lead to lower levels of desire.

7. Puffiness in face and extremities: Another telltale symptom of hypothyroidism is puffiness in the face, most often around the eyes.

As one of the centers of your endocrine system, your thyroid influences how your other hormones are used. That’s why an underactive thyroid can influence so many functions in your body — and lead to such a wide range of symptoms.

Thyroid disorders are easily diagnosed during a routine blood test.  Read more about Thyroid biomarkers, tests, and what they mean here. 

Reference:  Womentowomen.com

The Toxic Truth About Gluten-Free Food

Enjoy this is a guest post from Jordan Reasoner and SCDLifestyle. 

Today, even the smallest grocery stores across America are beginning to carry gluten-free foods in a “healthy living” section, right next to the green tea.

Gluten-Free foods are becoming ubiquitous and synonymous with living a healthy lifestyle… even for people without Celiac Disease.

But is gluten-free really healthy? Will it make Celiac Disease a distant memory?

I’m here to tell you no… and there’s a lot to talk about.

The gluten-free diet is the wrong prescription for Celiac Disease

Evidence is piling up that high inflammation, poor vitamin status, and leaky gut persist on a gluten-free diet, which leads to one thing: untreated Celiac Disease…

But what could possibly be wrong with a gluten-free diet?  Doesn’t gluten cause Celiac Disease?

Yes, gluten causes Celiac Disease and it must be eliminated to treat Celiac Disease… in fact, research suggests that even an acute gluten exposure triggers a 70% increase in intestinal permeability (leaky gut) and a spikes inflammation for as much as 6-months^[1].

But there’s a laundry list of other foods that drive inflammation and keep the gut leaky.  Don’t get me wrong, gluten is the worst offender.  But a Celiac’s gut is severely damaged and highly susceptible to poor food choices.  If you don’t remove the “other dietary triggers” contributing to the disease, you’re going to end up sick and pissed off like I was.  Going gluten-free isn’t enough… and here’s why.

Eating gluten-free is usually toxic

Mainstream literature on Celiac Disease tells us that eating gluten-free is a healthy lifestyle choice and Doctor’s regularly explain it as the only way to treat newly diagnosed Celiac Disease patients.  But the treatment plan is dripping in the same conventional wisdom that created the current Standard American Diet (SAD).

That’s the rub: the average gluten-free diet is built on the same foundation as the SAD… both are low-fat, highly processed diets made up of toxic foods.

The biggest problem with the Gluten-free diet is the reliance on processed foods that are low in nutrients and high on toxins.

The standard gluten-free diet typically contains 4 specific food toxins that contribute to leaky gut, inflammation, and poor vitamin status:

• Cereal grains (like corn, rice, and oats)
• Soy (soy milk, soy protein, soy flour, etc.)
• Industrial seed oils (Canola oil, grapeseed oil, safflower oil, and sunflower oil)
• Sugar (especially high-fructose corn syrup and table sugar)

Even though the worst offending food toxin, gluten, is removed – the gluten-free diet relies heavily on the other four agents of modern disease to create a diet that “looks” very similar to the Standard American Diet.  In fact, many types of gluten-free pasta and other packaged foods are loaded with higher concentrations of these 4 food toxins than their original counterparts.

Gluten-free cereal grains are waging war on your gut

In “How Gluten Causes Celiac Disease” I explained that the main reason we don’t eat wheat and other gluten-containing grains is that they contain a protein called gliadin, which is a prolamine that increases zonulin production, causing leaky gut and inflammation.

And remember when I said that plants carry weapons of mass destruction?

It’s no joke… plants are concerned about their survival just like we are.  They don’t want to die, which is why they have defense mechanisms to protect them, like toxic antinutrients and proteins that should deter any living being from eating them.

Most cereal grains contain a toxic protein called “prolamines,” which are knurly, tough proteins that humans can’t digest.  The research is very clear: we aren’t equipped to “digest” or break down prolamines small enough to absorb any nutrients^[2]

Toxic prolamines give the plant a protection mechanism for their survival (since they can’t get up and run away).  These proteins irritate the gut lining and sneak their way past the intestinal wall in humans and animals that eat them.

Gliadin is the prolamine in wheat, but other cereal grains common on the gluten-free diet have similar proteins that also cause problems:

• Zein, the prolamine in corn, has been shown to be problematic for Celiacs^[3]
• Avenin, the prolamine in oats, triggers a powerful inflammatory response in Celiacs^[4]
• Orzenin, the prolamine in brown rice, can cause inflammation in the gut of children^[5]

Prolamines are the big guns defending the plant from being eaten alive… but that’s not the only part of these cereal grains that cause problems.  They contain another secret weapon just as powerful…

Plant lectins in gluten-free cereal grains are toxic too

If prolamines are weapons of mass destruction, then plant lectins are the plants special forces executing individual suicide missions against your gut lining.  These toxic sugar-binding proteins don’t get digested either, and they bind to the cells on the gut wall (enterocytes) and prevent them from completing their normal healing processes (causing them to die). Not only that, but research shows they weasel their way past the intestinal wall and cause leaky gut… and trigger our old friend inflammation^[6].

These so-called “healthy, gluten-free grains” are waging war inside your gut because they don’t want you to eat them either… just like gluten.  And so far we’ve talked about how these cereal grains promote leaky gut and inflammation…

But remember earlier when I made the point that a gluten-free diet leaves many Celiacs with inflammation, leaky gut, andnutrient deficiencies?

Phytates steal vitamins and minerals right under your nose

Phytates are not for plant defense – they’re for self-fertilization of the plant.  They’re specially designed to keep the plant supplied with the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to stay alive

When we eat them, they bind to metal ions inside us, so they can impair the bioavailability of critical minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc^[7].  Not only that, but they inhibit the enzymes we need to properly digest foods and extract nutrients from them.

These toxic assaults all add up… and they begin to paint the picture that the gluten-free diet doesn’t work. Even Quinoa, a frequent staple of the “healthy” gluten-free diet, contains large quantities of Saponins.  Saponins are another plant defense chemical that severely damages the gut wall and causes leaky gut^[10].

Soy disrupts your hormones and your thyroid

Soy is another food that gets coined as “healthy” in mainstream media.  It’s found in many gluten-free foods and is even touted as an alternative to eating animals.   The Soy industry has spent a TON of time and money trying to convince us soy is healthy.  The reality is: Soy’s filled with toxins.  Here are the 4 main problems with soy in regards to Celiac Disease:

1. Soy screws up your hormones because of the presence of phytoestrogens.  This is important because these phytoestrogens are linked to cancer growth and infertility problems.  Your hormones need to be working correctly to recover from illness.
2. Soy messes up your thyroid.  We already covered that if you have Celiac Disease you’re chances are extremely high of getting other autoimmune conditions of the thyroid (like Graves Disease).  The same phytoestrogens messing with your hormones are also implicated in hypothyroidism and potentially thyroid cancer^[11].
3. Soy is high in phyates, which means it robs you of valuable minerals like calcium, magnesium, zinc, and iron.^[12]
4. Soy increases the need for more vitamin D, which we already know contributes to leaky gut.

For a complete listing of the toxic effects of Soy, check out this PDF from the Weston A. Price Foundation.  Just like grains, soy contains toxic chemicals that don’t support recovering from Celiac Disease.  Simply put: there’s much better quality food to put in your mouth.

Industrial seed oils inflame your body

Consumption of industrial seed oils (corn, cottonseed, soybean, safflower, sunflower, etc.) has dramatically increased in the last century and the gluten-free diet is no exception.   Many processed food off the shelf contain these seed oils that are high in omega-6 fatty acids.  In fact, you might even think that some of these oils are “healthy”.

Here’s the thing: when Omega-6 and Omega-3 fatty acids are in a balanced ratio, they don’t promote inflammation.  But when Omega-6 fatty acid consumption increases without a corresponding increase in Omega-3 fatty acids, the ratio is out of balance and inflammation occurs.  It’s common for a gluten-free diet to be high in omega-6 fatty acids from industrial seed oils and low in omega-3 fatty acids.  That’s a recipe for an inflammatory cascade…

Sugar fuels the fire roaring in your body

Carbohydrates and Sugars are the primary food for the bacteria in our gut. Bacteria live on sugar, that’s normal.  What isn’t normal is the type of bacteria found overgrowing in the gut of a Celiac patient.  Normally there’s a balance between good and bad bacteria.

When the delicate gut flora balance gets upset, opportunistic or pathogenic bacteria can quickly take over and cause ”Gut Dysbiosis” or small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO).  One reason Celiacs frequently have gut dysbiosis is a result of thedamage to the villi of the small intestine.  During the active stages of Celiac Disease, the villi aren’t working properly and carbohydrate malabsportion can occur (meaning there’s suddenly a ton of extra food for the bacteria to feast on).

Here’s where the gluten-free diet fits into all this…

The most common sugar consumed in the standard gluten-free diet is sucrose (or table sugar).  Sucrose is made-up of one glucose molecule and one fructose molecule bonded together to create a disaccharide (2 sugar molecules).  Sucrose gets broken down by the digestive process into mono-saccharide molecules to be absorbed by the gut.

Here’s the catch: the main “splitter” for these chemical bonds is the micro-villi, which we just discussed are damaged and not able to do their job.  This leaves us with a surplus of sugar molecules hanging around in the intestine feeding bad bacteria (Read this article for in-depth info on the different kinds of sugar).

In general, the standard gluten-free diet is primarily made-up of processed carbohydrates and processed sugars, which are mostly di- and polysaccharides that need to be “split” in the gut before  they can be absorbed.  Having a ton of undigested carbs and sugars hanging out in your gut creates the perfect recipe for digestive problems and SIBO…

SIBO makes your gut leak

Researchers have identified small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) as the only other stimulus powerful enough to trigger zonulin release and create leaky gut the same way gluten does^[14].  In fact, they theorize that the body responds to SIBO by opening up the tight junctions as a defensive immune response intended to flush the bad bacteria from the body^[15].

SIBO is overgrowth condition that drives leaky gut syndrome and the gluten-free diet is the fuel to feed the overgrowth.  In one study, researchers took small intestinal biopsies from children with Celiac Disease to understand the role bacteria played in the disease.  Their results were frightening: they not only found SIBO, but they discovered these children had 42 different rod-shaped bacteria, 30 of which had never been found in the human small intestine before… 18 of which were completely unknown^[16]!

Another study looked at adult Celiac patients that weren’t getting better on a gluten-free diet and found that, “SIBO affects most Celiacs with persistence of GI symptoms after gluten withdrawal.”^[17]

How can SIBO cause so much trouble? 

Pathogenic bacteria produce toxic byproducts that get released in the gut and the bloodstream, (like lipopolysaccharides – LPS).  These toxins can severely damage the intestinal cell surface, triggering an inflammatory response as the body attempts to fight off the perceived bacterial threat and cause difficulty digesting and absorbing certain carbohydrates.  They can also find their way into the bloodstream and wreak havoc on the liver^[18].

Not only that, but while they happily feed on undigested sugars and other carbohydrates that are supposed to feed you, they release gases like hydrogen and methane.  The end result is gas, bloating, and diarrhea or constipation… and perpetually untreated Celiac Disease.

The inflammation-leaky gut cycle

The bottom line is: If you have Celiac Disease, you have leaky gut and bad gut flora.

We’ve talked about how prolamines and lectins cause inflammation and leaky gut.  We’ve talked about how SIBO causes inflammation and leaky gut… and all within the confines of a gluten-free diet.

When your gut flora is out of balance and your gut barrier is damaged, your gut is going to be inflamed.  Inflammation triggers leaky gut and leaky gut triggers inflammation^[19].  They all feed on each other in a vicious cycle that looks like this:

The only way to begin treating Celiac Disease is to break this inflammation-leaky gut cycle… and the first step is to recognize that gluten-free isn’t enough.  There’s a better way to eat that can begin to halt this process.

So what can a Celiac eat to feel better?

The answer is: eat easy-to-digest, low-toxin, real foods.  Foods that don’’t feed bad bacteria or promote inflammation… but at the same time provide adequate nutrition and improve intestinal permeability.

In other words the ideal Celiac Disease diet:

• Doesn’t contain processed foods filled with added sugars, vegetable oils, additives, or dyes that damage health
• Eliminates disaccharides and polysaccharides to starve out overgrown bad bacteria (SIBO)
• Eliminates the most toxic food groups: cereal grains and soy
• Encourages consumption of low-toxin whole foods in their natural state
• Encourages plenty of nutrient dense animal products filled with protein and healthy fats
• Encourages plenty of good bugs (probiotics) through fermented foods or supplements

The gluten-free diet doesn’t fit the bill…

Simply eliminating cereal grains that promote inflammation and leaky gut is a step in the right direction.  But if you remove the other 3 toxic foods I mentioned above (soy, industrial seed oils, and sugar) you’ll be one step closer to recovery.  At that point, you’ll be eating a whole food, non-processed diet – which is ideal for optimal health based on what we know.

Is that the same thing as a Paleo or Primal diet?

The SCD diet is a form of low-carb paleo/primal that removes common irritants that are problematic in the gluten-free diet, but it also limits the availability of carbohydrates as a food source for bad bacteria and starves them out over time.  As the small intestine improves, Celiacs can begin to properly absorb nutrients again.  The volume of sugars that are allowed to ferment in the digestive tract becomes less and the symptoms of bloating, gas, and diarrhea start to go away.

About the author

Jordan Reasoner is a health engineer and author. He was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007 and almost gave up hope when a gluten-free diet didn’t work. Since then, he transformed his health using the SCD Diet and started SCDLifestyle.com to help others naturally heal stomach problems.

Kasia Medi-Facial for Anti-Aging Skin: The Types of Chemical Peels

The  Kasia Skindeep Organic Medi-Peel and/or Facial have a 2.0% Retinaldehyde, making it the only non-acid peel that will infuse the dermis with fibroblast stimulators, immune boosters, antioxidants, pigment lighteners, and calming anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial ingredients. 

Kasia Professional Medi-Facial 

We believe this is the most effective peel and/or procedure on the market.

Instead of wounding the skin, Kasia's Skin Specialists work with a med-peel that is potent in liposomal delivery.  It delivers by activating calming, antibacterial, lightening and (8) dermal remodeling ingredients, which are great for every skin condition. It is extremely safe because it is free of any alpha/beta hydroxy acids and it is therefore tolerated by all skin types.

What to expect:  You will see mild to moderate exfoliation 2-3 days after the peel which lasts for another 2-3 days usually. The peel is gentle but the results are significant!

 Learn more about our facial series and services HERE.

Types of chemical peels

There are several different types of chemical peels.  Chemical peels remove dead skin cells in order to allow newer skin to regenerate itself. Essentially, it is a form of exfoliation.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). AHAs are a group of mild organic acids most often derived from fruit, sugar cane and milk. AHA peels promote increased epidermal sloughing and are best for clients who want to improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of fine lines, acne scars and other dark marks. The most common AHAs are glycolic, lactic, tartaric and malic acids.

Beta hydroxy acid (BHA). BHA (also known as salicylic acid) treats the same skin conditions as AHAs; however, it penetrates the epidermis more deeply than AHA peels. Salicylic acid is found in wintergreen leaves and birch bark, and it has been used for decades to treat conditions, such as acne, warts and psoriasis. BHA peels are considered anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. These peels work well with sensitive, oily and acne-prone skin. It is important to note that because salicylic acid has properties similar to aspirin, it should not be used on clients with aspirin allergies.

Jessner’s. Stronger than BHAs, the Jessner’s peel is also good for treating oily skin, acne and fine lines. Still considered a light peel (unless multiple coats are applied, in which case it is a deep peel), Jessner’s often combines salicylic acid, resorcinol and lactic acid in an ethanol solution--depending on the manufacturer. This peel removes dead skin throughout a period of six to 10 days. This treatment works especially well for clients with pigment irregularities, including melasma.

Trichloroacetic acid.TCA is a standard agent in medium-level chemicals peels. As TCA is a deeper peel than Jessner’s, it must be performed under a physician’s supervision unless the peel is less than 10% TCA. This peel works to coagulate skin protein in order to treat skin imperfections, discoloration, fine lines and wrinkles. This peel needs to be used with caution when treating darker skin tones, because there is a risk of the peel causing hyperpigmentation.

It is our goal at Kasia to give you  the best results possible by providing detailed pre- and post-care instructions to reduce the chances of irritation.  Our Professional Med-Peel series is great for all skin types and requires no "down time."  The other peels recommended in this article can be beneficial, but the key piece to remember is that as the skin get's older, it grows more sensitive, produces less collagen for repair, and becomes thinner.

Our Med-Peel is one of the newest peels on the market, and is a key asset to "YOUTH-i-FYING" one's skin.

Contact our skin care specialist today at 612.824.7611

Beautiful Health with Summer Alkaline Foods

Enjoy Alkaline Foods and Increase your Beautiful Health this summer.  

  Less inflammation in the body creates a better environment for healthier hair and skin.  

The body is always striving for health, continuously cleansing itself of waste material. It’s a self-cleaning, self-healing, self-maintaining, and infinitely forgiving wondrous creation. It will always regenerate itself if given the proper natural material.

There is a difference in surviving and thriving. Our brains, body, and soul can flourish with the proper fuel!

To maintain beautiful health, an alkaline diet should consist of 60% alkaline forming foods and 40% acid forming foods. To restore your health, your alkaline diet should consist of 80% alkaline forming foods and 20% acid forming foods.

Healthy, Alkaline-Forming Fruits & Vegetables

Some fruits are highly alkaline foods…

Including apples, apricot, avocado, bananas (high glycemic), blackberries, cantaloupe, fresh coconut, real cherries, dates and figs, pears, oranges, pineapple, peaches, raisins, grapes, grapefruit, honeydew melon, lemons and limes (citric acid? more on this shortly), nectarines, raspberries, tomato, tangerine, most tropical fruits, watermelon and strawberries.

Vegetables Foods with High Alkalinity

Including most green vegetables, such as asparagus, dandelions, wheat grass, alfalfa sprouts, seaweed, sea vegetables and salt, watercress, broccoli, spinach, celery, fresh green beans, sweet potato, pumpkin, peas, peppers, onion, lettuce, mushrooms, Brussels sprouts, green beans, eggplant, garlic, escarole, cucumber, cabbage, carrot, fennel, beets, chestnuts, almonds, chili pepper, tamari, ginger and cinnamon.

Additional high alkaline-forming foods

Other food products are alkalizing or become alkaline once they are eaten.  Alkalizing sweeteners include rice syrup, unprocessed maple syrup and stevia.  Millet, whey protein powder, almonds, chestnuts and fermented tofu are alkalizing proteins.  Alkalizing beverages include pure or mineral water, almond milk, vegetable broth, non-sweetened soy milk, fresh vegetable juice, lemon water and herbal tea.  Lemons are naturally acidic, but they become alkaline after digestion.

Summer Hydrating Acid/Alkaline Food List

Hydration is so important because every organ in our bodies relies on water to function properly. Drinking water is good, drinking alkaline, ionized water is vital to keep yourself hydrated. However, food also provides hydration, in fact about 20 percent of your daily fluid needs. Some foods are better sources of hydration than others.

Watermelon

Watermelon is one of the most hydrating foods out there. It’s made up of mostly water, but it also has essential hydrating salts, calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. It’s perfect for those hot summer days when you need to replenish your body.

Cucumber

Composed of 95 percent water, the cucumber is a good hydrating food choice. A 4-oz. serving of cucumber contains just 7 calories and 50 ml, or 2 oz., of water. Not only is the cucumber a good source of fluids, but it is also a good source of fiber and vitamin C.

Oranges

Like cucumbers, oranges also have a high water content, consisting of 87 percent water. A 4-oz. portion of mandarin oranges provides 110 ml, almost 4 oz., of fluid. Oranges are higher in calories than cucumbers, with about 40 calories in a 1/2-cup portion, but are also a good source of fiber and vitamin C.

Green Beans

Green beans also make a low-calorie hydrating food. A 1/2 cup serving of cooked green beans contains 20 calories and 115 ml of fluid.

Apples

Apples are also a good hydrating food. One medium apple contains 110 ml of fluid. Applesauce can also help you meet your daily fluid needs, with 110 ml per 4-oz. serving. Choose the unsweetened applesauce to limit calorie intake.

Berries

Also packed with water, berries contain high levels of antioxidants, which can help the body naturally detoxify itself. Berries also deliver tons of fiber, which can help you stay satisfied in between meals.

Red Bell Peppers

All bell peppers are hydrating sources of some of the best nutrients for the body. They contain vitamin C, thiamine, vitamin B6, beta-carotene and folic acid. Red bell peppers are even better because they contain lycopene.

Pineapples

Pineapples are a delicious summer fruit. On top of the hydrating elements of pineapple, it is packed with bromelain. Bromelain has many health benefits, mainly helping with digestion. Pineapple is a great fruit to eat to help the body naturally detoxify itself and lose weight.

Organic Celery

Celery gets a reputation for being “negative calories.” That’s because it’s almost all water, and it takes a lot of energy to crunch and swallow! But the refreshing veggie also provides lots of mineral salts, vitamins and amino acids. Celery is a great snack to rehydrate and rejuvenate the body and the skin.

Green Salad

Most lettuce contains more than 90% water. So not only do green salads make for a delicious appetizer, snack, or lunch, but they also keep you hydrated in the summer weather.

Cabbage

Cabbage is an amazing vegetable to eat anytime. It’s known to lower cholesterol, and its packed with tons of vitamin C, making it an amazing beauty food. It also helps repair the body from the inside out. Incorporating cabbage into your diet can help you lose weight because its packed with fiber and natural probiotics

Carrots

Carrots may seem like a dense vegetable, but they are actually very hydrating. They are almost 90 percent water. And they have tons of beta-carotene, more than any other vegetable. Beta-carotene helps the eye sight, along with helping to protect against cancer.

Enjoy!

  Reference: http://www.healthalkaline.com

“No milk?! But how will you get CALCIUM?”

The following post is duplicated and being shared from Cave Girl Eats.  The perspective is shared from a " Paleo Diet" point of view.   

Many of us have been there. Those who choose to limit dairy as part of their Paleo-style eating plan are asked by terribly concerned family and friends:

“No milk?! But how will you get CALCIUM?”

 

Whether you’re concerned about calcium intake or things like osteoporosis, realize that it’s not about quantity anyway. It’s about giving your body the tools to use calcium efficiently and properly. I do this by getting the co-factors that MAINTAIN quality bone. Co-factors are everything from balanced blood sugar to other vitamins and minerals, fatty acids, and even exercise.

We’re incredibly bone-centric when it comes to this issue – understandably so, since 99% of our calcium is stored in our skeletal system. Your entire body uses calcium, however, and that storage system is important – it allows the body to recruit the calcium it needs, when it needs it. We’ve got a built-in system of bone remodeling that keeps those bones strong as they give-and-take calcium over time.

The truth is, it’s not about how much calcium we take in. It’s about balancing bodily systems with Real Food so that the body can maintain homeostasis, optimize nutrient absorption and utilization, and – of course – maintain excellent bone health.

With that…

---

The Calcium Answer

The  TRUE STORY about Calcium…

The most important thing to understand is this: the way your body uses calcium – including how your bones maintain density and quality – is entirely dependent on co-factors.

Here’s a rundown:

Co-Factor 1: Hormonal & Blood Sugar Balance.

The body obsessively regulates both blood pH and blood sugar balance. These are both modulated by hormones.

Buffering blood pH involves the alkalinizing properties of calcium. The parathyroid gland releases parathyroid hormone, which initiates osteoclastic activity – releasing calcium from the bones - which buffers blood pH. Calcitonin (released from the thyroid) counter-balances this process by inhibiting osteoclastic activity. Estrogen and progesterone “check-and-balance” one another in calcium utilization as well.

(Another problem in modern life? Xenoestrogens. Estrogen-mimicking substances like soy and plastics can skew this balance.)

The body prioritizes blood sugar balance so highly because it profoundly affects your hormonal balance and signaling. If your blood sugar is out of control, nothing else will fall into place – including calcium balance. Elevated blood sugar, stress, and resulting cortisol dysregulation and adrenal stress (also hormonal) increases calcium mobilization from the bones – as in, they reduce bone density.

The hormone-deploying parathyroid gland also signals the body to produce specific binding proteins for the minerals it needs – for example, calcium. (Yet another signaling loop that’s inhibited by a bad diet.)

A good way to prove that the modern governmental dietary recommendations are a breeding ground for dysregulated blood sugar – and therefore dysregulated hormones – is my side-by-side comparison of the glycemic load of two plans: the first, a Standard American “healthy” plan; the second, a sample “Paleo” plan. (And this plan doesn’t include bone broth – imagine how many minerals it would add!)

Co-factor 2: Hydration (Water & Electrolytes)

I won’t obsess over this, since we all know how important hydration is to health. Water, broth, and water-dense foods like whole proteins and vegetables are extremely hydrating. Soda, however, is not – it’s important to note that the orthophosphoric acid in soft drinks may cause bone breakdown, especially with high consumption over time. A balance of electrolytes is in the body is important. Himalayan or Celtic sea salt is a great addition to the diet, although adding excess refined salt to a Standard American Diet filled with packaged and processed foods is not recommended. (6)

Co-factor 3: Don’t Take Counterproductive Drugs.

I’m not talking about the fun kind of drugs (although you should probably toss those as well). Big Pharma has created some truly gnarly “solutions” to osteoporosis ( like Boniva). These drugs literally inhibit osteoclastic activity. This means they keep bones from breaking down – and stop the natural, necessary and constant process of bone remodeling. OsteoBLASTIC activity without osteoCLASTIC activity means bones become more dense, but NOT stronger. In fact, Dr. Mercola calls these drugs “poison.” Sorry Sally.

Co-Factor 4: Digestion.

The body must have adequate HCL (stomach acid) to absorb calcium. Modern acid blockers like Nexium and Prilosec literally stop the production of stomach acid, and because of this, nutrients can’t be absorbed properly. This wreaks havoc across all bodily systems, because they all require adequate nutrients to function properly. (In fact, you want MORE stomach acid, not less!)

Additionally, dietary factors – like the consumption of gluten and grains – can interfere with nutrient absorption in the gut. (See this post - USDA: Proud Sponsors of Nutrient Deficiency.) Specifically, the phytic acid in grains and beans can bind to minerals like calcium, magnesium and zinc, rendering them indigestible. (6) This becomes a marked problem in a Standard American Diet, which is dangerously rich in these “mineral binders.”

Co-factor 5: Other Minerals & Vitamins

Your ability to absorb and utilize minerals is absolutely mediated by the components of the foods you eat (see my USDA post for more on this).

Adequate intake of magnesium and vitamin D are the co-factors you’ll hear about most often. But it’s not about hammering your body with one at the exclusion of another. Calcium, Magnesium and Vitamin D are not the Three Musketeers. They’re more like the Executive, the Legislative, and the Judiciary: they’re not always friends, but they keep one another in check. They even inhibit one another – but only when necessary.

Vitamin D works with parathyroid hormone to increase blood calcium. It also regulates the depositing of calcium in the proper areas to protect the body from improper calcification (like arterial calcification – also known as clogged arteries). If the body isn’t pulling adequate calcium from the diet, it’ll come from the bone faster than the body can replace it.

Magnesium is involved in calcium transport, but it will also block calcium pathways as needed – acting as a counter (a “relaxer”) to calcium’s properties of contraction. Magnesium also helps convert vitamin D to its active form, which allows for calcium absorption. (1)

I write at length about the extremely important, often deficient VItamin K2 in my post “Why You Need Vitamin K2.” Check it out – Vitamin K2 is active in everything from bone synthesis and formation to fertility and skin health. You can supplement with it, you can choose grass-fed, full-fat dairy products like butter and ghee, or you can buy the ancestral food High-Vitamin Cod Liver Oil/Butter Oil Blend, which provides vitamins A, D and K2 in proper proportion. While most “Paleo” folk don’t do dairy, this post may shed some light on why certain types of dairy may be good to go.

Other minerals are critical as well. Calcium must also be in-balance with potassium and trace elements like boron, copper and zinc. (3)

This balance is critical, and nearly impossible to achieve definitively using supplements and a Standard American diet. Step back, eat well, and let your body fall into balance based on its innate ability to prioritize and utilize the nutrients from Real Food (and Sunlight – vitamin D is created through the sun’s action on the skin).

Co-Factor 6: Fatty Acids

Fatty Acids are responsible for the transport of calcium across cell membranes. Polyunsaturates decrease the stability of the cell membrane, and saturated fats strengthen it. That’s why both – in natural form – are critical to homeostasis. Natural polyunsaturates are found in abundance in oily fish, and saturated fats are found in coconut oil and ghee. Lard and tallow are great sources as well.

Additionally, fats and cholesterol are critical in the creation and synthesis of hormones (discussed above), although not all Fatty Acids are created equal. A study from Purdue University indicated that high levels of free radicals from linoleic acid (an Omega-6 fatty acid found in excess in the Standard American Diet because it’s found principally in unhealthy, highly processed fats like corn and soy oils), interfered with bone-building. (2)

Co-Factor 7: Exercise.

So there you have it: The Calcium Rundown.  Processed foods and the Standard American Diet are NOT high in these co-factors.

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(1) Katherine Czapp. Magnificent Magnesium. Wise Traditions in Food, Farming and the Healing Arts. Quarterly Publication of the Weston A. Price Foundation, Fall 2010. (2) BA Watkins et al, “Importance of Vitamin E in Bone Formation and in Chondrocyte Function” Purdue University (3) Sally Fallon and Mary G. Enig. Do High Protein Diets Cause Bone Loss? Myths & Truths about Osteoporosis. The Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation quarterly journal (4) Dr. Mercola, Mercola.com. (5) Wright, Jonathan and Lane Lenard. Why Stomach Acid is Good For You. (6) Lindeberg, Staffan. Food and Western Disease.

90% of Women with Fatigue are Deficient in Iron

Iron is the most deficient mineral in the world.  And even today, most supplements do not contain iron.  Iron has gotten a bad rap due to one small inconclusive study that iron may cause heart disease.

• 50% of all pregnant women are deficient in iron.
• One out of every five menstruating women is deficient in iron.
• Highly active people and athletes may be deficient in iron.
• A combination of iron, magnesium, zinc and copper produce a substance in the body called EPO (erythropoietin).Our bodies, with the right nutrients, will produce EPO which creates oxygen rich red blood cells.  This is one of the dirty secrets of some athletes and bikers who inject EPO or have a blood transfusion because it increases oxygen rich red blood cells.  Due to strenuous exercise and loss of iron and other nutrients, red blood cells are lost and those that remain carry less oxygen.  By injecting EPO, it dramatically increases endurance and stamina.  For anyone who is less active but wants to feel fantastic, these nutrients when taken orally can provide the body with our own extra EPO, not artificially or synthetically injected, but healthy nutrients that can give renewed vitality.

Beautiful Health Recommends..

ErythroPro®: is a premier quality blood support formula featuring live-source iron (beet and rice bran-derived).

Natural-Source Iron for Healthy Blood* Iron is Essential For Healthy Blood. Iron is the mineral found in the largest amounts in the blood. It is essential for the production of many enzymes, for cell growth and for healthy red blood cells. Sufficient amounts of iron are required for a healthy immune system and for energy production. Many individuals become deficient in iron at some time in their lives, especially menstruating women and the elderly. Research shows that large segments of the U.S. population are deficient in iron. Insufficient intake of iron can cause iron deficiency. However, iron deficiency may also result from poor digestion, excessive coffee or tea consumption, prolonged use of antacids, strenuous exercise and heavy perspiration.Iron Deficiency Symptoms.Symptoms of iron deficiency include anemia, digestive disturbances, fatigue, listlessness, fragile bones, brittle hair and nails, dizziness, irritability, pallor, low tolerance to cold, impaired antibody production and reduced red and white blood cells. Excessive amounts of zinc and vitamin E can interfere with iron absorption. Insufficient iron may also contribute to high levels of fat in the blood and liver, and may have a negative effect on learning ability and endurance. In fact, research studies show that iron supplementation of iron-deficient children improves their ability to learn. A classic symptom of iron deficiency is a craving for ice. The Best Source of Natural Iron. The human body is able to assimilate iron from the beet root more easily than any other known food - unlike manmade sources of iron, especially ferrous fumarate which should be avoided (see chart below). In addition to iron, beets contain many other natural minerals such as potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium, sulfur and iodine, as well as soluble fiber and a full spectrum of naturally occurring vitamins, especially vitamins A, C, niacin, folic acid and biotin. Beets not only supply iron, but also the broad spectrum nutrients listed above (and much more) to help build healthy red blood cells and other blood factors. Beets also supply many other critical factors including nucleic acids which help nourish cells. Beets also contain betaine and folic acid, which are methyl donors. Methyl donors combat homocysteine, produced by our bodies from the demethylation of methionine. Elevated levels of homocysteine are now recognized as a risk factor in heart disease.

Premier Ingredients:  South American Beets Premier Blood Max is a potent, concentrated, nutritional product. It takes 20 tons of beets to make 1 ton of beet powder, so all of the beet’s natural nutrients are present at 20 times the normal amounts. The beets used in this product are premier-state nonhybrid South American beets, low-temperature, air-dried to retain maximum content of living enzymes, vitamins and mineral factors. Beets also support healthy gallbladder function and ideal fat metabolism.In addition to the key nutrients listed, Premier Blood Max also contains a wide spectrum of synergistic nutrients to support healthy blood factors and the organs that interface with optimal blood production and regulation, including the liver, thyroid, kidneys and spleen. Pink Urine: The red-colored beet pigment, betacyanin, is excreted by the kidneys, and may color the urine so that it looks pink to deep red (called beeturia). Approximately 14% of normal people may develop visible beeturia after ingesting beets. The red color should not be mistaken for blood and is not medically significant.Kelp Organic Iodine and Minerals. Premier Blood Max contains unheated kelp (two varieties) which is one of the highest sources of natural minerals and vitamins. Kelp contains many vitamins, essential amino acids and chelated minerals. (“Chelated” means the mineral is bound with an acid such as an amino acid, the building block of protein, and can be easily absorbed by the body). Kelp is especially high in natural iodine which supports healthy thyroid function. Iodine is a key mineral element, and is essential for the production of the hormones, thyroxine and triiodothyronine, which are required for the maintenance of metabolic rate, cellular metabolism, and the integrity of connective tissue. Kelp’s minerals and enzymes also support the nervous system and immune system, and promote normal weight by stimulating the metabolism to burn excess calories. The micronutrient values of kelp greatly exceed those in typical soil based crops. More importantly, the trace minerals in kelp are in organic forms which the body can readily absorb and use. Young Barley Grass Premier Blood Max contains young green shoots of barley grass (picked at 12 to 14 inches high) which are so rich in nutritional factors that they can supply sole nutritional support from birth to old age. Barley grass contains all the vitamins, minerals, and proteins necessary for the human diet, plus rich amounts of chlorophyll. These naturally occurring nutrients are highly alkalinizing and are easily assimilated throughout the digestive tract. Barley grass’s leaf proteins contain polypeptides, which are short chains of proteins that can be directly absorbed by the blood where they promote ideal cellular metabolism and neutralize toxic substances. Barley grass contains 18 amino acids, including the 8 essential ones - that is, amino acids that we must obtain from our diets because the body cannot produce them itself. The precious barley grass also contains a multitude of enzymes, the body’s spark plugs. Enzymes supply the spark that starts the essential chemical reactions our bodies need to maintain life. Astounding amounts of vitamins and minerals are found in green barley leaves, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese, zinc, beta carotene, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, folic acid, and pantothenic acid. A new antioxidant, 2-0-GIV, has been isolated from barley grass which has been shown to have antioxidant activity equal to or superior to vitamin E. Wild Blue-Green Algae Blue-green algae is included for its powerful, broad-spectrum nutrients, including natural vitamin B12, 60% high quality protein, the highest beta-carotene content per gram of any food, the richest known source of chlorophyll (for cellular rejuvenation and blood purification), fatty acids and nucleic acids to supply RNA/DNA blood factors. Aloe Vera Concentrate(200:1) Scientists have identified over 75 phytonutrients in Aloe Vera that act as active, immune-stimulating compounds in the body. The synergy of these complex nutrients is what has made aloe so famous throughout the centuries as premier support for the intestines, immune system and blood purification. Aloe is especially rich in acemannan, a mucopolysaccharide proven by research to stimulate the body’s macrophages to produce interferon and interleukin, which helps the immune system stop internal invaders. Other special compounds in aloe called anthraquinones boost immune system function. Aloe cleanses and detoxifies the digestive system, helps lower stomach acidity, alkalinizes the blood and body, helps raise energy levels and promotes a sense of well being. South American Irish Moss Irish Moss is a highly alkalinizing sea vegetable which contains significant amounts of iodine, essential for healthy thyroid and glandular function, including blood production. It also contains a broad range of minerals, including potassium chloride which helps to dissolve mucus; polysaccharides and carrageenans which soothe the intestines and digestive system; and sulphate esters which support superior immune system function. Synergistic Nutrients Premier ErythroPro also contains Wild Mountain-Grown Asian Reishi (the fermented mycelial extract) which supports the immune system and protects the liver. European Bilberry is a rich source of anthocyanidins, powerful antioxidant phytonutrients which support healthy liver and blood factors. South American Lycopene is a powerful carotenoid antioxidant that increases potent antioxidant values in the blood; it has also shown protective benefits for the immune system. Stabilized Rice Bran (SRB) contains over 100 different antioxidants including Coenzyme Q-10, ferulic acid, etc. SRB also contains phosphatidylcholine for healthy blood factors and blood production. Highly Purified Plant Enzymes (protease, lipase, amylase, cellulase, invertase, lactase, maltase) support the body’s efficient digestion and assimilation of all the above phytonutrients.

The Beauty of the B....Vitamin! It's Best Complex!

 

The benefits of B vitamins are great:

-- Ease Stress -- Treat anxiety and depression -- Aid memory -- Relieve PMS -- Reduce heart-disease risk

The 11 members of what's known as the vitamin B complex are critical nutrients for all things mind-related: mood, memory, even migraines can benefit from the B's. In the right amounts, the B's can quell anxiety, lift depression, ease PMS, and boost your energy. And getting them couldn't be easier.

The B vitamins are a chemically related family of nutrients that work as a team. Their mood-boosting and other health benefits (see chart below) result from intricate behind-the-scenes work in the body.

Some B vitamins help cells burn fats and glucose for energy. Others help make neurotransmitters like serotonin. And some B's assist with the production and repair of DNA.

Many of us don't get enough B's; according to the USDA, deficiencies in folic acid, B12, and B6 are especially common. Ensuring that your diet contains plenty of B-rich foods -- dark-green vegetables, protein from animal sources, and whole grains -- is critical.

But if your stress level is high or your mood feels off-kilter, or if your diet is low in B's, you'll benefit from the higher amounts found in supplements.

Breaking down the B's The dosage ranges shown in the chart below are commonly used for prevention and treatment of specific conditions. Be sure to consult a physician if you're interested in taking B's for medicinal use.

Thiamine (B1) Requirements increase with diets high in carbs and sugars 10-100 mg

Riboflavin (B2) Higher doses shown to reduce migraine headaches 10-400 mg

Niacinamide (B3) Helps increase energy; needed for DNA repair; niacin form can cause flushing 50-100 mg

Pyridoxine (B6) Needed for neurotransmitters, such as serotonin; may relieve PMS 10-50 mg

Pantothenic Acid Speeds wound healing; high doses of panethine form can reduce cholesterol levels 10-100 mg

Folic Acid (B9) Lowers risk of heart disease, stroke, and birth defects; colon-cancer prevention 400-800 mcg

Cyanocobalamin (B12) May improve memory and reverse mental fogginess 20-1,000 mcg

Biotin High dosages, combined with chromium, improve blood-sugar control 30-100 mcg

Choline Needed for normal brain and memory function 50-200 mg

Inositol Helpful for depression and anxiety attacks 50-200 mg

Para-Amino Benzoic Acid (PABA) One of the few nutrients beneficial in scleroderma, a connective-tissue disease 30-100 mg

Find the best B complex

Kasia Organic Salon suggests Premier Research Lab's B Complex.  This is a liquid that is encapsulated in a pre-pro biotic to assure you are assimilating and taking it in!  

To get the most benefits from any of the B's, you need all of them, so start with a B-complex supplement that contains all 11. With the right B complex as a foundation, you can add larger amounts of individual B's depending on your health concerns.

The B's are best taken with food -- they can cause nausea when taken on an empty stomach -- and early in the day. (Vitamin B6 increases neurotransmitter activity; when taken late in the day, it can lead to increased dreaming, resulting in a restless night's sleep.)

Reference:  Whole Living