A Reliable, Guaranteed Source of Nutrition

I had an interesting conversation with a health-conscious friend of mine recently. She does everything nutritionally "right"--in fact, she's even more diligent about diet and food preparation than I am, and I'm pretty darn careful in that area!

What I learned from her shocked me. She told me that although she was on the right track with her dietary treatment of her children (who have health challenges), she had found something that had "turned the corner" (so to speak) on their health. Because of this product, she felt that her childrens' health was finally on the upswing; they were treading water no longer.

Having been privy to the information about her childrens' health for several years, I was intrigued. This gal buys food from natural co-ops, bakes her own bread from organic grain, juices fruits and vegetables every day...you name it, she not only knows about it; she does it! She's become a self-educated nutritional authority. I have training in this area too, which qualifies me to make a judgement call on her abilities, and I have to say, she doesn't need any formal training--she's been self-motivated for a long time and it shows.

She introduced me to Juice Plus. It's a whole-food nutritional supplement made from organically-produced or ethically farmed fruits and vegetables. These fruits and veggies have been juiced and then carefully dried, powdered, and put into capsules for daily consumption. You take 2 fruit capsules a day and 2 vegetable capsules a day--that's it. That supplies ALL--100%--of the daily requirement of fruits and vegetables--for any diet, any person. It's backed by tremendous research, too, which appealed to me. Despite the fact that I'm a naturopath, I still deal in the research world--and I believe there's validity in some of the research.

So, where did I go from there? See my website: www.jollmansharesjuiceplus.com. It'll open your eyes, too. You can read the research for yourself, and watch an entertaining little video. Wow--I was shocked, surprised, and now I'm satisfied. I'm on the right track with my health, too. What about you? Are you willing to upgrade your health to its fullest potential? Check it out. You'll be glad you did.

Menopause Hot Flash Spray

This recipe was very helpful when I went through menopause. It is taken from the book, "A Complete Guide to Understanding and Using Aromatherapy for Vibrant Health and Beauty" by Roberta Wilson. She calls is "Cool Flash Spray" and it's on page 164.

8 ounces distilled water
4 drops clary sage oil
3 drops chamomile oil
3 drops geranium oil
2 drops cypress oil
1 drop peppermint oil

Pour the water into a spray bottle, add the essential oils, and shake to blend. Spritz yourself whenever you feel a hot flash coming. Refrigerate the spray for even greater effect. Shake well before each use.

Green Life Nutrition Drink

For one drink:
Mix 2 Tbsp. Green Life powder, 1 cup purified water, 1 cup organic apple juice, 1/2 banana, and 1/2 cup other fruit in a blender. May also add 1Tbsp. ground flaxseed before blending.

Green Life is the finest nutritional supplement possible anywhere. Almost all vitamin and mineral supplements are man made, using ingredients from pharmaceutical companies and chemical manufacturers. Man made, highly processed nutrition created in laboratories is not to be trusted. Man made nutrition is full of holes, incomplete. Don’t risk your health. Green Life is made by nature. I just mix it. Nature is very complex, complete, and was designed and created by God. Plants contain every vitamin, mineral and nutrient known, and all the unknown ones that we haven’t discovered. You can trust nature’s nutrition because it is complete nutrition.
Green Life is the perfection of nature vs. the folly of man. It’s Vitamin A from lush organic Hawaiian blue-green spirulina and chlorella instead of commercial Vitamin A from fish grease or B12 made from activated sewage sludge or dehydrated beef livers. It’s minerals from seaweed and organic root vegetables instead of indigestible pulverized seashells and from organic barley and alfalfa grasses instead of ground stones, animal bones, and metal.
Even in perfect health it is hard to digest and assimilate most vitamin and mineral pills. Green Life was designed for the sickest people, like those anemic with raging diseases that can’t digest or retain any nutrition. Miracles have happened as these people have had their blood built up in days. Vitamins and minerals in single celled plants like the ones used in Green Life are 100% digestible. It is not about how much you take but how much you can assimilate. Smelly fish oils, dead animal organs, sewage sludge, sea shells and bone meal may be high in a particular nutrient, but they can also be high in toxins and poisons. They may be “100% natural” but they are not good foods.
If you are currently taking vitamin and mineral pills, check your bottle. It probably doesn’t tell you the source of each vitamin. Call the manufacturer and ask. You will be shocked if not sickened and immediately switch to Green Life.
But the real bottom line is how you feel after you use it, and if your experience is anything like the many calls and letters I get, it will be life changing.

Vitamins and Minerals:
Green Life contains the two richest sources of Vitamin A Beta-carotene and the three richest sources of B12 and other B vitamins on the planet and many unrecognized B-complex nutrients like Folic Acid, Choline, Biotin, Inositol, Para-aminobenzoic acid, Pantothenic acid, and others. Green Life contains Vitamins D, E, F. (EFA’s), K, P, and others that are on the edge of discovery or won’t be discovered for another 2,000 years. Green Life is almost 100% pure plant minerals by volume and contains all the major minerals from calcium to zinc and over 100 of nature’s trace micro-minerals like boron, chromium, cobalt, copper, germanium, manganese, nickel, selenium, silicon, silver, sulfur, vanadium, and many more.
Green Life is designed, using rose hips and orange and lemon peels, to supply a rich source of Vitamin C Complex nutrients, such as Rutin, Hesperdin, Bioflavinoids, Malic, Citric, and Gallic organic acids. Made according to label instructions, 100% of your daily Vitamin C requirement will be met.

Protein and Amino Acids
Green Life is almost half protein by weight. It has 250% more protein than meat, poultry, and fish with a very high net protein utilization factor. Contains all 8 essential amino acids in large quantity, and many others.

Enzymes, Essential Fatty Acids, and Other Nutritional Substances
No heat is used in the drying and powdering of any Green Life ingredients. I only tumble-mix the ingredients. This assures that the enzymes are still alive. Green Life is rich in free radical-destroying enzymes like (SOD) Super Oxide Dimutase (over 10,000 I.U. per dose) and Coenzyme Q10. Green Life is a rich source of heart protective Omega 3, Omega 6 and other Essential Fatty Acids. Because it is made by nature, Green Life has hundreds of other nutritional compounds that science has not fully recognized or can’t even see that are missing in other supplements. Green Life is a rich source of substances that are essential to all life on the planet, such as natural RNA and DNA. Green Life contains abundant chlorophyll and Xanthophyll, the blood of plants that is nutritionally proven to help you create needed hormones and detoxify your body. It also contains pectins, cleansers such as malic acid, gallic and other organic acids, flavonoids, gums, oils, resins, tannins, and so forth.

Approximate Nutrient amount per serving (2 Tbsp.)
Vitamin A (beta-carotene) 7,000 i.u.
Vitamin B1 6 mg
Vitamin B2 6 mg.
Vitamin B3 31.6 mg
Vitamin B6 5.4 mg
Vitamin B12 8.3 mcg
Iron 3 mg
Zinc 2 mg
Iodine 53.2 mcg
Calcium 50.5 mg

Analysis of Nutrients

Vitamins: (Fat soluble) A and Beta-carotene, D, E, K, (Water soluble) B Vitamins: B1 (Thiamine), B2 (Riboflavin), B3 (Niacin), B5 (Pantothenic Acid), B6 (Pyrodoxine), Folic Acid, B12 (cobalamin), DMG, Choline, Inositol, PABA. Vitamin C.

Minerals needed in substantial amount: Calcium, Chromium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Zinc. Trace minerals needed in small amount: Boron, Cobalt, Copper, Iodine, Manganese, Molybdenum, Vanadium.

Essential Fatty Acids: Omega 3 (alpha-linolenic, EPA, DHA). Omega 6 (gamma-linolenic [GLA], cis-linoleic, and linoleic acid)

Flavonoids: quercetin, rutin, naringin, hesperidin, genistein, baicalin, Pycnogenol, catechin, and bioflavonoid complex

Carotenoids (also anti-oxidants): Alpha-carotene, Astaxanthin, Beta-carotene, Canthaxanthin, Cryptoxanthin, Lutein, Zeaxanthin.

Amino Acids: Nine Essential: Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, , Valine.
Others: Alanine, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, Carnitine or L-Carnitine (a vitamin, but similar to amino acid in structure), Cysteine, Cystine, GABA, Glutamic Acid, Glutamine, Glutathione, Glycine, Di-methyl-glycine, Inosine, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), Ornithine, Taurine, Tyrosine

Antioxidants:
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Chlorophyll, Germanium, Glutathione Peroxidase, Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Methionine. Allylic sulfides.

Hormones: DHEA, phytosterols

Beet Root
A) Vitamins: Folic acid, C, E, Beta-carotene, B1 B2, B3, B6, B5 (pantothenic acid)
B) Minerals: boron, bromine, cadmium, calcium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lysine, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, zinc
C) EFAs
D) Flavonoids
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids: All essential, Arginine, Aspartic Acid, GABA, Glutamic Acid, Betaine
G) Antioxidants
H) Hormones: phytosterols
I) Misc. Nutrients: fiber, protein, carbohydrate, Allantoin

Natural source of folic acid, which reduces spinal cord birth defects. Folic acid is also critical to normal DNA synthesis, lowers risk of atherosclerosis, and cancer. Reduces homocysteine levels, which can reduce heart disease. Recommended for liver cleansing, constipation and hemorrhoids. Betaine is the active medicinal ingredient. Betaine helps vitalize blood and is especially recommended for fatty degeneration of the liver. Beet juice is anti-inflammatory and can help restore organs damaged from alcohol abuse.

Nettle leaf
A) Vitamins: C, B-complex vitamins,
B) Minerals: very high in calcium, chlorophyll and magnesium; High in chromium, cobalt, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A, C and B., and contains significant amounts of manganese, selenium, silicon and vitamins B2 and B3 and vitamin K.
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids: Beta-carotene
F) Amino Acids: High levels of easily absorbable amino acids
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Tannin, Nitrogen

High chlorophyll content detoxifies deposits and stones, drains accumulated fluids and mucous. Dried plant contains ammonia and carbonic acid, histamine (histamine antidote), , linoleic acid (anti-inflammatory), oleic and plamitic acids. High level of minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron, iron phosphate (inflammation), potassium phosphate (brain/nerves), potassium chloride (fibrin solvent), manganese, selenium, silica, iodine, sodium, phosphorus and sulfur.. Ten percent protein, more than any other vegetable. Good for iron-deficiency anemia. It is a powerful blood purifier. Enriches the liver. Stimulates the thyroid. Has a rich blend of balanced minerals.

Astragalus root
A) Vitamins: , Vitamins B1 and B2,
B) Minerals: Calcium, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, sodium, zinc
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Protein

Immune stimulant, producing extra interferon in the body. Lowers blood pressure, increases metabolism, and improves circulation. Antioxidant and vasodilator. Antiviral. Tones and protects the liver. Nourishes exhausted adrenal glands to combat fatigue. Increases disease resistance against repeated infections.

Lemon peel
A) Vitamins: C
B) Minerals:
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids: Beta-carotene
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Pectin

Orange peel
A) Vitamins: Vitamin C
B) Minerals:
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids: Beta-carotene
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Pectin

Spinach leaf
A) Vitamins: Folic acid, B1, C, E
B) Minerals: calcium, chromium, magnesium, boron, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sulfur, zinc
C) EFAs: contains EFAs (find out which ones)
D) Flavonoids: Rutin
E) Carotenoids: Lutein, Beta-carotene
F) Amino Acids: histadine, tyrosine, valine, argenine, tryptophan, glutathione, methionine, quercetin, lysine
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll
H) Hormones: phytosterols
I) Misc. Nutrients: 8% protein, nitrogen, Oleic acid

Rose hips
A) Vitamins: C,
B) Minerals:
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids: Vitamin P
E) Carotenoids Pro-Vitamin A
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Pectin, Tannins

Organic acids, flavonoid pigments (Vitamin P), and carotenoids (pro-Vitamin A)

Wheat grass
A) Vitamins:
B) Minerals: Calcium, chromium, cobalt, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, zinc
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Protein, fiber

Chlorophyll builds oxygen-carrying red blood cells and strengthens cells against carcinogens, detoxifies the liver and blood, and biochemically neutralizes pollutants. Normalizes the thyroid gland to stimulate metabolism. Fifteen pounds of fresh wheat grass has the nutritional value of 350 pounds of vegetables with all their enzyme activity.

Barley grass
A) Vitamins: Vitamin C, B12, Vitamin E
B) Minerals: Calcium, iron, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium
C) EFAs: linoleic acid
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Fiber, lignen, protein

An ancient grain, medicinal uses dating to 7000 B.C. Ten times more calcium than cow’s milk, five times more iron than spinach, seven times more Vitamin C and bioflavonoids than orange juice. Contains 80 mcg Vitamin B-12 per 100 grams powdered juice. Repairs damaged DNA. Antioxidant. Antiviral, neutralizes heavy metals and toxicity of several pesticides. Anti-inflammatory activity heals ulcers, hemorrhoids and pancreatic infections. It has a measurably stronger effect than either steroid or non-steroid drugs, with few if any side effects. Used to strengthen and sooth those recovering from illness. Gives stamina.

Dulse leaf
A) Vitamins: B1, B2, B12
B) Minerals: Iodine, Iron, calcium, chromium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, zinc
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Protein

A red sea plant rich in iron, protein, Vitamin A., Contains 300X more iodine and 50X more iron than wheat. Active against herpes virus. Natural, balanced salts nourish as a mineral without inducing thirst. Excellent non-animal source of Vitamin B-12, needed for nerve and cell development. Boosts metabolism. Sea greens are potent environmental toxin, heavy metals and radiation releasers.

Alfalfa leaf
A) Vitamins: A, D, E, K, B1, B2, B3, K, C, Beta-carotene, Biotin, Choline
B) Minerals: Boron, Calcium, Chromium, Cobalt, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Potasium, Selenium, Zinc
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants: CoQ10, Chlorophyll
H) Hormones: Phytohormones
I) Misc. Nutrients: Fiber

Long roots pull up earth minerals from depths as great as 130 feet. High in chlorophyll and plant fiber. High Vitamin K encourages blood clotting. Other nutrients include, Phytohormones normalize estrogen production. Treats arthritis, skin disorders, liver problems, narcotic/alcohol addiction. Fights infection.

Chlorella
A) Vitamins: All B-vitamins, C, E
B) Minerals: Calcium
C) EFAs: GLA
D) Flavonoids: Quercetin
E) Carotenoids: Carotenes,
F) Amino Acids: Lipoic Acid
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll, Superoxide dismutase (SOD)
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Complete protein

Complete protein (it is 60% protein), with all B vitamins, Vitamins C & E, Lipoic acid, and many minerals high enough to be considered supplemental amounts. Chlorella is 12% chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the most powerful cleansing agent found in nature. Green algae are the highest sources of chlorophyll in the plant world. Eliminates heavy metals (lead, mercury, copper, cadmium). Binds to harmful pesticides and insecticides like PCBs and DDT, and carries them out of the body. Carotenes heal tumors. Strengthens liver. Reduces arthritis stiffness. Reduces fatigue from viral infections. Normalizes blood pressure. Relieves indigestion, hiatal hernia, gastritis, ulcers. Assists in estrogen production. Effective cancer preventative. High in calcium.

Spirulina
A) Vitamins: Entire Vitamin B-complex
B) Minerals: Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc
C) EFAs: GLA
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids: Beta-carotene
F) Amino Acids: All 22 amino acids
G) Antioxidants: Chlorophyll
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients:

Complete protein (60% by weight) with all 22 amino acids, entire Vitamin B-complex, including B-12 (w/more than liver), carotenes, naturally chelated minerals, and EFA’s like GLA. Rich source of chlorophyll. See explanation about chlorophyll under “chlorella”. High digestibility. Reduces cancer risk. Rich source of iron (28 times higher than beef liver) Boosts production of infection-fighting cytokines for enhanced immune protection. Good choice for weight loss, stamina, and to lower cholesterol. High in calcium and iron.

Nutritional yeast (Brewer’s yeast)
A) Vitamins: B vitamins
B) Minerals: Chromium, selenium
C) EFAs:
D) Flavonoids:
E) Carotenoids
F) Amino Acids:
G) Antioxidants:
H) Hormones:
I) Misc. Nutrients: Protein

Rich source of chromium and selenium. Improves blood sugar metabolism, substantially reduces cholesterol, speeds wound healing by boosting collagen production. Anti-cancer activity.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Effects of sea vegetables in a pregnant woman’s diet:
1) Hemoglobin counts rise from 65% to 83%
2) Colds decrease in number and severity
3) Hair color and quality improve; fingernails grow stronger
4) Skin texture improves; capillary strength increase—less bruising
5) Eye conditions improve, especially if there is eye redness or inflammation
6) Constipation lessens and a sense of well-being increases
7) Stretch marks are less during pregnancy and skin heals better afterwards. Many estheticians recommend topical use of a sea greens and aloe vera gel to prevent stretch marks during pregnancy.

Website URL's

Anderson Compounding Pharmacy
www.andersoncompoundingpharmacy.com

Azure Standard natural food co-op
www.azurestandard.com

Coffee Enema Instructions

To make one coffee enema:

3 Tbsp. organic ground coffee (not instant)
32 fluid ounces distilled water

Put the water into a stainless steel, glass or enamel pan.
Bring to a boil.
Add coffee, a little at a time so it doesn’t boil over.
Boil for 5 minutes, uncovered, to drive off the oils.
Cover, lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
Allow to cool and the grounds to settle.
Strain through a fine mesh strainer.
Use at body temperature.

Potassium juice/broth directions

For Juice:
In a juicer, combine stalks celery, 3 unpeeled carrots, 1/2 bunch spinach, 1 Tbsp. dry sea greens, 1/2 bunch parsley, and 1 tsp. Bragg's Liquid Aminos (if desired). Makes a 12-ounce glass of juice.

For Broth:
In a soup pot, cover the following vegetables with purified water. Simmer 30 minutes, then strain and discard solids. May add Bragg's Liquid Aminos or miso to taste. Refrigerate covered.
3-4 unpeeled carrots
3 stalks celery,
2 potatoes WITH skins
1/2 bunch parsley
1/2 head cabbage
1/2 head broccoli
1 onion
Makes a 2-day supply.

Liver/Gallbladder Cleanse #1

LIVER/GALLBLADDER FLUSH – May be used every day for up to 5 days

The liver and gallbladder flush is an important detoxifying instrument which will help restore the normal functional capacity of these vital organs.

Make sure you have a light dinner of vegetable soup/salad or something light.
Mix the following ingredients together in a blender (best) or in a jar, and take just before retiring. It is OK to drink this during the day as long as you have a fairly empty stomach.

Ingredients:
1, 3 Tbsp. unrefined (organic) olive oil
2. Juice of 2 lemons, 1 orange (optional) for taste
3. (optional) 1 medium clove of garlic (beware of garlic breath the next day)
4. Chunk of fresh ginger, chopped fine in a blender or by hand
5. Pinch of cayenne pepper

Go to bed and lie on your right side with your knees up to chest, so that the mixture goes directly to your liver and gallbladder. Some people experience moderate nausea but this passes quickly.

Colon Cleanse Directions

My thanks to Linda Page, Ph.D. for her outline of this cleanse, which I have posted with modifications:

For 3-5 days before doing the colon cleanse, start with this nutrition plan:
Eat a diet high in the following foods:
a) high clorophyll plants for enzymes
b) fruits and vegetables for fiber
c) cultured foods (such as yogurt or kefir) for probiotics
and drink eight glasses of water

The night before: Take your choice of gentle herbal laxatives*. Also, soak dried figs, prunes and/or raisins in water to cover. Add 1 Tbsp. molasses. Cover, leave overnight.

For the next 2-4 days:
On rising, take 1 heaping teaspoon of a fiber drink in juice or water. Add 1000 mg. of Vitamin C with bioflavonoids 3 times a day to raise body glutathione levels, an important detox compound.

Breakfast: discard dried fruits from soaking water and take a small glass of the liquid only. Mid-morning: take 2 Tbsp. aloe juice concentrate in a glass of juice or water.

Lunch: take a small glass of potassiumn broth or juice or a glass of fresh carrot juice. Look on my blog under "potassium juice/broth" for instructions.

Mid-afternoon: Green Life drink or other green drink. Use organic apple juice as the base.

About 5 o'clock: Take another small glass of potassium broth, another fresh carrot juice, or a vegetable drink.

Dinner: Take a glass of apple or papaya juice. (Finish your cleanse with a small raw foods salad on the last night of the cleanse.)

Before bed: repeat the herbal cleansers that you took on rising** and take a cup of pure peppermint tea.

*For Irritable Bowel Syndrome: instead of using the herbal laxative, take an enema using distilled or purified water with 2 Tbsp. aloe vera extract in it. Your IBS will be irritated with herbal laxatives, but will be soothed with the aloe.

** Add 1 Tbsp. liquid chlorophyll to the enema solution at bedtime. Use the aloe, as well.

Take several long warm baths during your cleanse. Dry brush your lower back, abdomen, hips and thighs to help release colon toxins coming out through the skin. Also helpful, add into warm bath: 5 drops lemon and 2 drops geranium essential oils. Also highly recommended: at least once during your clease, get a professional massage to move toxins.

Colon Cleansing

I recommend to my clients that they do not undertake any detoxification program without first making sure that their colon is going to be able to handle the burden of eliminating those toxins from their body. If the colon is not functioning correctly, toxins will build up in the bloodstream and overburden the body. The body will feel quite ill, and it can be a very dangerous situation.

How do I determine if a colon is working correctly? I ask how about a person's bowel habits. Many people consider themselves "normal" if their bowels move once every day or even every other day. Folks, this is not "normal", nor even desirable. What's best for the body is that you have a bowel movement for every meal that you eat during the day, which usually means 3 or more a day. Yep, you read it right.

So, if you're not operating this way, I'd say you're constipated, and I'd put you on a diet to get that colon working more regularly BEFORE we do a cleanse.

Fiber is the key; especially insoluble fiber. That's the kind of fiber that doesn't break down in the digestive process--it acts like little scrubbers as it moves through the digestive tract, carrying waste material with it. You get this kind of fiber from raw vegetables, psyllium seeds and husks, the skins of fruits and vegetables, and seeds. Also important to note: when you're eating a high-fiber diet, drink adequate water! You need water to move the food through your body. Eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day is a good amount.

Liver-Nourishing Foods

Ann Louise Gittleman, M.S., C.N.S., breaks what she calls "Liver-Loving Foods" into five groups: 1) Crucifers, 2) Green, Leafy Vegetables and Herbs, 3) Citrus, 4) Sulphur-Rich Foods, and 5) Liver Healers. I'll expand upon these categories here, recommending that for the seven days before you cleanse your liver that you eat at least one food from each group daily.

1) Crucifers: caggage, broccolli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli sprouts. These help to convert fat-soluble toxins into water-soluble substances that the body can eliminate through the urine. They also contain indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane, which support antioxidant activity and neutralize chemicals and drugs in the liver. That's very important for detoxification.

2) Green, Leafy Vegetables and Herbs: chard, collard, dandelion and mustard greens, cilantro, escarole, parsley, kale, watercress. These foods are full of chlorophyll, which purifies blood. Their high magnesium content also feeds the liver's enzyme-producing function. Cilantro chelates mercury. Isn't that interesting?

3) Citrus: orange, lemon, and lime. The high Vitamin C content supplies the liver with the nutrients necessary for the production of glutathione, an important liver-detoxifying antioxidant. Vitamin C also binds heavy metals and toxic sulfa drugs for elimination from the body.

4) Sulfur-Rich: garlic, onions, egg, and daikon radishes. Sulfation is a process that the liver uses to eliminate toxins. These sulfur-rich foods give the liver the necessary nutrients to carry out this process. Daikon radish also aids in fat digestion and metabolism.

5) Liver Healers: artichoke, asparagus, beets, celery, dandelion root tea, nutritional yeast, whey. These foods will support the liver quite nicely during its detoxification process.

Cleanse to Lose Weight

I've told many of you privately in consultation that the liver is a key element in weight loss. The main idea underlying successful weight loss is detoxification of the body. Since the liver filters the blood of toxins, it's important to make sure it's clean. Our increasingly polluted environment means that our livers have to do more and more work, causing them to store toxins, becoming toxic themselves. When the liver becomes so overburdened that it can't do its work properly, the entire body suffers. Many common health complaints are the result of a toxic liver. Headaches, skin rashes, mood swings, depression, memory problems, high cholesterol and yes, even weight gain, can be linked to a toxic liver.

If you're reading this, you are fortunate. Please don't get caught up in the fad diets. You may lose weight for awhile...and it might only be water weight in the end, but you'll gain it back because the underlying problem will not have been addressed. Permanent, safe weight loss is only possible through detoxifying the body.

So, where do we start? The colon is actually first. That's a subject for another post. After cleansing the colon, then detoxifying the liver is in order. I highly recommend Ann Louise Gittleman's book, "The Fat Flush Plan" and "Fast Track Detox Diet". She, too, believes that the liver is key in losing weight. Her method has been used successfully with many people so it has a good history. Read her book to understand "body burden"--the effect that environmental chemicals have on our liver. She presents the information very well. I'm not going to duplicate her fine efforts here.

What I will do, however, is send you to another post of mine, which is "Liver-Nourishing Foods" so that you can begin to nourish your liver prior to detoxifying it. See you over there!

What's the Best Form of Calcium?

We know we need calcium. Our bones, teeth, nerves, muscles all demand calcium. It's elemental! But there's so much information and mis-information about the subject "out there"--what's a body to do? Good question. In fact, it's such a good question it was one of MY main questions for years. Finally, I think I've managed to sort the fact from the fiction and I'll pass along my findings to you, in the hope that you might something of value for yourself. At any rate, if I can save someone from having to do the kind of research I did--or save someone from osteoporosis because they didn't take the correct kind of calcium for them, it will be worth it.

Please note: bone health is a very complex subject and cannot be fully explored in a blog post, but appropriate calcium sources are definitely part of that picture. This blog post will only address the various forms of calcium and how they are utilized. The rest of the picture comes later, usually with the assistance of a qualified natural health practitioner.

Calcium comes in many forms. There's calcium carbonate, osyter shell, citrate, microcrystalline hydroxyapatite, malate, succinate, and on and on.....Which one should I take? Ah, that's the $64,000 question--actually much more than $64,000 because your future health depends on that decision, and if you don't get the right form of calcium, or if it's inadequately absorbed, it will cost you much more than $64,000 to deal with the after-effects!

Personally, I believe the key to what type of calcium to take is how well it will be absorbed in YOUR body, which is called "bioavailability". Calcium citrate, citrate-malate, and hydroxyapatite have very good bioavailability records. Additionally, sea greens and calcium from dark green, leafy vegetables and herbs such as nettles, have high bioavailability rates, as well.

Knowing the "good" sources of calcium listed above, the next question should be, "How can I tell what MY bioavailability rate is?" Part of the key to that is in your digestion. Hydrochloric acid production is a key factor in the decision as to what form of calcium your body can absorb. If you are under the age of 50 and in reasonably good digestive health, you may safely assume that calcium carbonate (one of the less expensive forms of calcium) will be adequately absorbed. That's because its absorption is dependent upon HCL for breakdown. If you have frequent heartburn, indigestion, or gas (commonly associated with incomplete protein digestion) you may have inadequate HCL production. A very inexpensive supplement called betaine hydrochloric acid can remedy the situation.

On the other hand, if you're over 50 and/or have inadequate HCL production, you might want to consider calcium citrate or calcium citrate-malate. Neither of these two forms of calcium depend upon HCL for breakdown, so they are considered more bioavailable. They are a little more expensive, but if there is any doubt about your HCL production, I would recommend one of these.

Another bioavailable form of calcium is microcrystalline hydroxyapatite (sometimes called MCHC or just hydroxyapatite.) This is a very absorbable form of calcium, and I have seen it combined with calcium citrate in some supplements, which I consider to be a good combination. Some researchers believe that this form of calcium has promise to rebuild bone, halting and even reversing osteoporosis.

Of course, any approach to calcium should include dietary factors. There are many fine herbs available that supply calcium, and no diet should be considered complete that does not include dark, leafy greens at least several times a week. There's a lot of calcium in a serving of collard greens. Our ancestors knew this, instinctively.

Don't forget the magnesium when you take your calcium. Most good calcium supplements supply magnesium along with the calcium. A good ratio is at least one half as much magnesium as calcium.

There are other nutrients that aid in calcium absorption, but that's a discussion for another day.

Eat Breakfast to Lose Weight

There have been some interesting studies lately that have indicated that people who eat a hearty breakfast actually lose more weight and keep it off than people who eat fewer calories for breakfast or skip breakfast. Eating half your daily allotment of calories in a good breakfast consisting of a protein, fruit, and complex carbohydrate, and then eating the remainder of your allotment for lunch and dinner resulted in weight loss that was not regained. This was evidenced in a study conducted by Venezuelan and U.S. researchers who put women on diets where some ate the 610+ calorie breakfasts and some did not. They found that both groups of women lost approximately the same amount of pounds. However, in the four months following the weight loss, those who were eating the larger breakfasts actually were not only able to keep the weight off, but actually lost more weight, while the small-breakfast group gained most of the weight back. Did you realize that eggs are actually very satisfying and contrary to popular belief, when you eat the WHOLE egg, your cholesterol level is not adversely affected? Something to think about....

Introduction

Having decided to join the modern age of computer advertising, I followed a friend's advice and created this blog. I've been "out there" for some time, having been a natural health professional for approximately 20 years, but only recently have realized that I have much to offer that can be shared via a vehicle such as this rather than in my one-on-one consulatations and therapy sessions. One-on-one therapy sessions still hold a valid place with any practitioner,of course, but there is common knowledge that should be available to all.

Therefore, this is my introduction to any of you who care to follow my blog, check back occasionally, or just access it for specific information. I will be posting instructions on cleansing, ideas to think about regarding health issues, my favorite health-related reading list, and other things I feel pertinent to today's particular health challenges. I hope I'll make many friends through this endeavor, and bring enlightenment to the dark places in our current way of viewing health care. Good health to you all!

Flower Remedy Dosage Bottle

Fill a one-ounce glass dropper bottle nearly full of purified water. Do NOT use distilled water. Add a small amount of brandy (1/8 to 1/4 of the bottle), if desired, as a preservative. To the water and brandy mixture, add two drops of each chosen flower essence. Before use, rhythmically shake or lightly tape the bottle in order to keep the essences in a more potent or energized state.

Use 4 drops from the dosage bottle on or under the tongue at least twice a day. I recommend early morning upon awakening and just before sleep, as a minimum.