Five Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats

Valentine’s Day presents a wonderful opportunity to show your loved ones you care, but that doesn’t mean your diet has to suffer. Consider some of the following alternatives to conversation hearts and candy bars. 

1. Fresh Fruit – with health benefits through the roof like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, a display of fresh, decadent fruit is a great choice. You can dress it up by selecting some more exotic, non-traditional fruits and trying them with a little whipped cream on the side.
2. Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds – long considered a healthy snack due to studies showing their ability to reduce cholesterol, lose weight, and provide a great source of protein, almonds are a great choice for Valentine’s Day treats. Smothered in rich, delicious dark chocolate, these candied almonds have the added benefit of being a great source of antioxidants and a way to drop blood pressure.
   
3. Cinnamon Candies – speaking purely from a caloric standpoint, these spicy candies are a great way to indulge your sweet (and spicy) tooth without packing on the calories. A large handful of these bite sized treats can total less than 50 calories.
4. Dark Chocolate Covered Strawberries – a strawberry is a sweet, delicious, low calorie snack. Known to improve your immune system and eye health with vitamin C, as well as being full of antioxidants, strawberries are certainly a super food. Much like almonds mentioned earlier, these delicious fruits have the added punch of antioxidant-rich dark chocolate that will aid in reducing blood pressure.
5. Dark Chocolate – Aside pairing it with fruits, nuts, and other snacks, why not indulge in dark chocolate by itself? Good for blood flow to your heart and brain, an aid in controlling blood sugar, and chock full of vitamins and minerals, dark chocolate has a number of health benefits that can’t be beat.

Indulge your sweet tooth responsibly this Valentine’s Day, and show your sweetheart how thoughtful you are with sweets and candies that are good for their health!

The Biggest Immune System Threats

Maintaining a Health Immune System

Inside your body there is a constant arms race between ever-mutating harmful microbes and your own immune system. Luckily, your body has evolved to be particularly adept at staying on top of this arms race. There are several unhealthy practices, however, that can tip the scales in favor of infectious bacteria, viruses and fungi. By correcting these unhealthy practices, you can help your body help itself and heal itself naturally, without having to rely so heavily on antibiotics and other medication which carry their own risks and side-effects that it can take weeks to recover from.

• Lack of Exercise – daily exercise helps clear your lungs, empower your circulatory system, and decrease your stress levels. It is certainly possible to overdo it, leaving your body too weak to fight off infections, but a regular routine can stave off the dangers that a sedentary lifestyle invites.
• Lack of Sleep – as with exercise, proper sleep is important in keeping your body more stress free. Without a good night’s rest, T-cell levels decrease and your body’s reaction time begins to slow down dramatically.
• Improper Diet – from antibiotic laden meat to diets that sacrifice proper nutrition for the quick fix of excess carbohydrates, everything you eat has the potential to either strengthen or weaken your immune system. Stop thinking of food as only a source of energy and begin looking at food as a vehicle for vitamins and minerals that can improve your body and make it stronger. Simply adding organic fruit and vegetables to every meal can greatly improve the way you feel and the way your body performs.
• Exposure to the Elements – the old wives’ tale about cold weather causing cold actually has a grain of truth to it. Cold weather causes blood vessels to constrict, slowing the body’s reaction process, and warm weather encourages the growth of harmful bacteria. You should not avoid the outdoors, but you should also be prepared and properly clothed when you venture out.
• Being Sheltered from the Elements – while overexposure can be detrimental to your health, a lack of exposure to the elements can be just as harmful. Your body develops a resistance to allergens and microbes when it encounters them in small, but frequent doses.
• An Empty Zoo – your white blood cells are not the only defense your body has against invaders. You are home to billions of beneficial microbes that not only aid in digestion, but also help fight off infectious diseases. Helpful bacteria act in competition with harmful bacteria, and they have the home field advantage. Eating “live” food, such as probiotic yogurt and fermented dairy drinks is a great way to keep your “zoo” flourishing. However, this is not always enough. The best way to make sure that your immune system’s allies are never in short supply is to dedicate part of your diet to a regimen of probiotic supplements.

Reasons to Avoid Wheat

Together with rice and corn, wheat is one of the most widely consumed and widely grown crops in the world. From beer and breakfast cereal to common flour and pasta, wheat products can be found on almost every dining room table at breakfast, lunch and dinner. But what’s not to love? Wheat is a staple source of carbohydrates and a spectacular source of protein and fiber. As attractive as this perennial favorite may be, we at Teraganix have compiled a few major wheat health concerns that may inspire you to look for alternatives.

• Irradiation and Toxins - Irradiation is common in many forms of food production. With wheat, however, production scales are so massive and fast-paced that the grain is consumed only days after being irradiated. Because of this, congressional hearings on the health risks posed by irradiated food have often focused specifically on wheat products. Modern hybridized wheat is also treated with sodium azide, a well-known toxic poison that can be fatal in sufficient quantities.


• Gluten &Allergies - The rise in cases of diagnosed celiac disease has brought the world’s attention to the potential dangers of gluten; a culture of caution has created a worldwide demand for gluten free options in restaurants and on grocery shelves. Celiac disease is not the only concern, however; while only 1% of the population suffers from celiac disease, there are other, more common forms of gluten sensitivity that fall in a wide range of susceptibility and severity. Patients that fall in this spectrum experience symptoms from intense pain to muscle twitches and abdominal disorders. Wheat’s high gluten content combined with the high rate of wheat-specific allergies make the grain a risk to anyone who has not had a physician completely rule out the presence of both.


• Genetic Modification - Wheat, corn and rice, as the most in-demand staple grains of the world, are some of the primary subjects of genetic modification. As the seed supply of each is incorporated into more and more research, it is becoming less and less possible to guarantee that the grains you are consuming are free from genetic meddling. As GM foods become more prominent, so do reports of harmful side effects like new allergies, gastrointestinal disorders, severe headaches, joint pain and other adverse reactions.

Wheat Alternatives

Luckily, alternatives to wheat are widely available. Buckwheat, despite its name, is completely wheat and gluten free; most grocery stores now stock buckwheat flour and tapioca flour in order to offer a gluten free baking option. Quinoa and amaranth, while not technically grains, are also wonderful substitutes for wheat and even boast a better amino acid profile than the enviously high protein grain.

Product Review: Pro EM-1 Probiotic Cleanse

Since being introduced to the world in 1982, Dr. Teruo Higa’s Effective Micororganisms® (EM Technology®) has been at the forefront of the beneficial bacteria industry. These colonies of vital microbes have helped produce larger crops, condition soils, naturally clean surfaces and more. Dr. Higa’s PRO EM-1® daily probiotic cleanse makes this same technology available for your own personal, day-to-day use.

This probiotic supplement is more than just a way to enhance your diet. Each bottle is its own ecosystem and supports no less than 1 million colony forming units (cfu) per ml (cc). Six species of probiotic microfauna live in symbiosis and can be easily and safely consumed on a daily basis, reintroducing microbes to your digestive system that can aid in digestion, support weight loss, boost your immune system and promote overall, holistic health.

What makes Pro EM-1 different is that the microbes are fermented at body temperature. Unlike 99% of the other probiotics on the market, which contain freeze-dried microbes. The fermentation process is a natural process where the microbes of fed sugars (natural honey and certified organic molasses). The sugars are converted by the microbes into a variety of substances including various enzymes, co-enzymes, bio-available vitamins and organic acids and amino acids. Most companies extract these and sell them in isolated forms. Instead, in Pro EM-1 you get them all in their natural state. This natural process is also the reason that Pro EM-1 is stable at room temperatures and does not require refrigeration.

This probiotic cleanse is 100% wheat, gluten, GMO, dairy and soy free. It contains only natural ingredients: the probiotic colonies themselves and a matrix of molasses and honey that promote microbial growth. The colonies digest this molasses and honey during fermentation, making the product safe for those suffering from diabetes and other sugar-related health issues. Try a bottle out for yourself and soon you’ll make this probiotic supplement part of your regular diet with a bi-monthly delivery from Teraganix, EM’s licensed US distributor.

Health Risks Associated with Corn

As with most other kinds of foods, corn should be consumed in proper moderation. What makes corn unique, however, is its ubiquity. Nearly every form of prepared food on the grocery store shelves or in your favorite restaurant makes use of corn in one way or another, whether it is a savory dish full of corn-derived oil or one of the countless entrees that has a corn-based sweetener. “Moderation” in this case becomes a difficult task that involves both identifying and limiting food that contains the grain. However, the health risks associated with excessive corn consumption make such effort all the more necessary.

High Carb Content

Despite the fact that it is commonly thought of as a vegetable, corn is a grain. Like all other grains, it is an excellent source of carbohydrates, which is why it is so often used as a sweetener in soda, candy and other treats. The corn we have today is sweet. It is not the corn that was part of traditional diets. It has been bred over years for more and more sugar content. Carbohydrates are common in western diets, and most Americans and Europeans eat far more carbs than they need to meet their nutritional requirements. Look for opportunities to replace carbohydrates in your diet with green leafy vegetables, healthy fats, and lean proteins for a better balance.

Fat Imbalances

Corn is also rich in Omega 6 fatty acids. In moderation, of course, this would be a good thing, but consuming Omega 6 without an equally adequate source of Omega 3 can lead to an unhealthy ratio of the two fats. An imbalance in Omega 6 and Omega 3 can lead to inflammation and other discomforts throughout the body. Read ingredient lists carefully, and avoid too many foods that contain corn fat. Canola oil contains a much better ratio of the two fatty acids. However, coconut oil is probably the best oil to use in cooking for a variety of reasons.

GMO Concerns

Corn possess a special obstacle for those basing their diet on natural foods. Finding non-GMO corn products is far more difficult than finding other kinds of truly organic food. Even otherwise natural packaged foods can contain additives derived from GMO corn, and these products must be purchased with caution. Many consumers have reported severe allergic reactions and digestive issues after consuming GMO corn. More and more research is coming out demonstrating the connections between digestive issues and GMO foods. The only way to know foods do not contain GMO ingredients is to purchase certified organic foods from that are certified by a reputable certifying agency. Organic foods in the USA will have the USDA Organic seal on them if they contain 95% or more certified organic ingredients.

Protein's Role in Your Diet

Protein in Natural Dieting

 

When it comes to fueling your body, you have three choices: carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Fat has the most energy content, but that higher energy content means a higher body fat potential if that fuel is not burned, and fat rich foods are also often cholesterol rich foods. Carbohydrates are a popular source of quick energy, but carbohydrate rich food is so commonplace that most serious dieters spend more time finding ways to limit their intake.

Even though carbs have become synonymous with “body fuel”, proteins have the same energy content as carbohydrates, and they have nutritional benefits that extend far beyond just their use as fuel.

Adopting a Protein Rich Diet

There are plenty of protein supplements on the market, but getting these nutrients from real food is cheaper, more efficient and encourages a better lifestyle. Meat, eggs and fish are excellent sources of complete protein; in other words, they contain all nine essential amino acids that your body needs. Even though no one vegetable, grain or legume individually has all nine of these amino acids, however, they should still be your primary source.

By eating a variety of beans, cereals, seeds, nuts and fruits, you can easy obtain all of the amino acids that your body needs. Contrary to the popular myth of “protein combining”, it is not necessary to consume all nine amino acids in a single meal. Beans and rice are nutritious, and together form a complete protein, but your body will get the same benefit if you have beans for lunch one day and rice at dinner the next day.

As with any other form of natural dieting, variety is paramount. Strive to get as many colors on your plate as possible and take everything in moderation. Never depend on a single source for your protein, no matter how much you may love a good steak. Also, please look back to our blogs on soy for issues with soy as a primary protein source. If you are a meat eater, be sure to get your proteins from lean meats. Wild game meats are usually the best as they are always lean and have been eating all sorts of wild diets.

Causes of Chronic Constipation

Chronic constipation afflicts nearly 63 million people in the United States, according to uclacns.org. Besides the discomfort associated with it, if ignored, constipation can lead to distressing conditions and a variety of problems. It can also be a symptom of an underlying disorder which could be serious in nature. Chronic constipation is more common in women than men and in older age groups. However, children and adults of any age or gender can be affected by it.

Understanding Chronic Constipation
Incomplete bowel evacuation, straining, passing hard stools, and less than three bowel movements a week characterize constipation. The stool is not released from the colon in a timely fashion and this slowness causes the colon to absorb excessive water from it, leaving it dry and hard to pass.

Primary Constipation
There are several major and minor causes of constipation. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects more than 10% of Americans and is not clearly understood. It presents itself typically as bowel disturbances and abdominal pain which can become disruptive to daily life. Functional or primary constipation is not caused by secondary factors involving underlying medical conditions, medications, or diseases. These are known as normal transit, slow transit, or evacuation disorders. They can be caused by a number of factors, some of which are:

1. Low-fiber diet
2. Low-calorie diet
3. Nervous reactions or psychological causes
4. Anismus - Failure of the pelvic floor muscles to relax while attempting to pass stools
5. Reluctance to defecate 
6. Lack of physical activity, especially following injuries

The psychosomatic causes lead to changes in the water absorption within the colon and digestive disturbances. Socioeconomic factors have also been known to contribute to this type of constipation presenting frequently in sections of population from lower economic and educational backgrounds.

Secondary Constipation
Secondary constipation refers to constipation related to medical conditions or effects of medications.

1. Structural alterations of the colon caused by cancer, narrowing or stricture of the colon
2. Pregnancy
3. Thyroid Disease 
4. Parkinson's Disease
5. Diabetes
6. Blood pressure medications
7. Antidepressants such as amitriptyline and imipramine
8. Anti-seizure medications
9. Narcotic pain medications containing codeine and hydromorphone, for example

Unless constipation is related to serious diseases, there are a number of ways to regulate bowel movements. Dietary changes alone, including eliminating processed foods and increasing water intake, can vastly improve the success in dealing with common constipation. Being physically active also helps to regulate the GI (gastrointestinal) system, along with a high-fiber diet. There are also several mild or natural supplements, such as PRO EM-1, that can boost and cleanse the digestive system if simple changes in diet are not effective. It is important to remember that treating constipation is necessary to prevent complications - hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal prolapse - from arising. A healthy digestive system is an inherent part of overall health and well-being.

Little Known Soy Health Risks

Soy’s Place in a Natural Diet

Packed with amino acids and other valuable nutrients, soy has earned a name as one of the most popular protein sources for vegetarians, vegans, and others who simply want alternatives to meat in their day-to-day diet. Whether eaten on its own, in tofu, or as part of a protein-rich additive, popular culture heralds this bean as a fail-safe super food. As with any aspect of a natural diet, however, moderation is the key, and no one food should be championed as a nutritional panacea.

Potential Soy Health Risks

• Along with peanuts and milk, soy allergies are one of the most common forms of food allergies. Although this is mostly a concern when undiagnosed in children, adults can go undiagnosed for decades, never aware that their favorite food is the cause of their chronic discomfort and malaise.
• Soy contains a significant amount of estrogen. While this is not a health risk when soy is consumed in moderation, choosing soy as your chief protein source means constant exposure to powerful hormones. As with food allergies, this is even more of a concern with young children; always consult a doctor before making hormone-rich food a part of your child’s diet.
• Excessive soy consumption could prove to be a cancer risk. The estrogens in these beans have been linked with tumor growth in women already at risk for breast cancer, and they have been hypothesized to increase risk for prostate cancer in men.

So long as you have no allergies and you are not predisposed to having a higher risk of contracting cancer, moderate soy consumption can be an important and beneficial part of your diet. However, if you find yourself consuming high amounts of soy-rich food, consider adding diversity to your diet with other nutritious staple food. Be mindful of the various foods that contain soy. It is easy to be consuming too much. Please refer to our article on Top 10 Soy Foods.

Fluoride Health Risks

The Negative Side Effects of Fluoride

In low doses, fluoride has a well-earned reputation for strengthening tooth enamel and protecting against cavities. As of now, nearly every major city in the United States participates in a water fluoridation program, intended to use drinking water to ensure that children are regularly exposed to the chemical’s dental benefits. This process, however, has resulted in the fluoridation of natural water supplies and several incidences of over fluoridation. The public outcry against exposure to fluoride against their will and the EPA’s growing concern that fluoride levels are rising too high too quickly have called the practice into question.

Four Areas of Fluoride Health Risks

As with any chemical, overexposure can counterbalance the benefits of fluoride’s use and introduce new health risks.

• Teeth and bones – Despite being universally recommended by dentists, a combination of fluoride-rich toothpaste and heavily fluoridated water can actually cause damage to the enamel, especially in children. Dental fluorosis causes white streaks and spots to mar the surface of the teeth. The same process can also weaken developing bones, making them more prone to breaking and compromising the joints.
• The kidneys – Your body’s purification system is always strained when you ingest chemicals in excess. The kidneys can be compromised due to fluoride toxicity, resulting in difficulty concentrating urine, dehydration and renal dysfunction. As with other chemical concerns, the best way to protect yourself is through limiting your exposure through a strictly organic diet.
• The thyroid – When you visit a physician, you are prescribed a specific type and dosage of medication to address your specific symptoms. By fluoridating water, however, the government attempts to deliver the same medication to a large group of patients with no control over the dosage levels. In extreme cases, the thyroid gland can be suppressed, compromising the entire immune system.
• The brain – The area of greatest concern when it comes to the health risks associated with fluoride, however, is the danger it presents to the brain. Excess fluoride collects in the pineal gland, causing it to calcify and its walls to harden. This tiny gland is the brain’s means of regulating every hormone in your body. Researchers have reported lower IQ test results in countries that fluoridate their water supply, and there is a legitimate concern that it may cause hormonal imbalances in adolescents, causing the age of puberty to be pushed further and further back.

The Benefits of Dietary Fat

The Importance of Fat in a Natural Diet

For years we had been told that in order to lose weight and achieve better health, a low-fat diet was the best approach. Welcome the low-fat diet craze. People began shunning any foods containing fat and food manufactures started rolling out “heart healthy” low-fat and fat free versions of their previously full fat products. So what happened next? People became fatter than ever- obesity rates continued to steadily climb as well as the rates of cancer and heart disease. So, not only were we becoming fatter, but our overall health was declining.

Why does this happen? There are two main reasons:

1. Eating a low-fat diet requires you to forgo a natural diet and choose foods that have been altered from their natural state in order to reduce or remove the fat. When you remove fat from foods you are also removing all of the taste. In response to this, food manufactures add in other things, such as sugar and salt, to make them taste better. Low-fat diets encourage eating processed foods that are high in sugar, salt, and other additives, that are full of empty calories (calories that provide no nutritional value), and have a negative impact on one’s health.
2. When you restrict the amount you eat of one macronutrient (fat) you are naturally going to consume more of the other two macronutrients (carbohydrates and protein) creating a nutritional imbalance. A healthy diet is one that is balanced, including a variety of foods from each of the three macronutrient groups (carbohydrates, protein, fat) as each one provides a variety of different nutrients that are collectively required to sustain health.

Dietary Fat Is Your Friend

Fat plays a vital role in many different processes throughout the body and is required for health.

Fat…

• Is an excellent energy source providing 9 calories per gram; fat is our primary energy source at rest and during lower intensity activities
• Protects our organs and helps to maintain cell membranes
• Provides us with essential fatty acids (essential because our bodies cannot produce them) that help to lower triglycerides, reduce inflammation, and support mental health and function • Helps our bodies to absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, & K)
• Is essential in maintaining hormones, which are the turn-key to the entire body

More important than the amount of fat you consume is the type of fat being consumed. Fats can be placed into one of two groups- “good”(unsaturated) fats and “bad” (saturated, trans) fats. The good fats are the fats found in natural, whole foods (fish, nuts, avocados, seeds, and olive oil) and benefit health by providing nutrients, removing cholesterol from arteries, promoting a healthier heart, and help you to burn fat. The bad fats are the fats that are found in fried and heavily processed foods that increase cholesterol, damage your heart, and increase the risk of certain diseases.

Low-fat diets steer us away from natural, wholesome foods towards processed foods filled with sugar, salt, and other additives that have negative impacts on our health. Focus on eating a balanced diet made up of a variety of naturally-occurring foods (if it doesn’t occur naturally, don’t eat it!). Eating clean is the best, most natural way to lose weight and increase your overall health.