SUGAR SUPRESSES IMMUNE SYSTEM!

Recently my husband and I attended a gluten-free baking demo at our local Whole Foods Market. The certified nutritionist mentioned that sugar disables white blood cells. Being a research nut I decided to look for the research and was shocked! Here is an excerpt from an article I found along with a link to the rest of the article. The irritating part is that this research was reported in 1973!! I don't know about you but I hadn't heard about it. Check it out for yourself.

First of all, in 1973 the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study by A. Sanchez et al, "Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis", November, 1180-1184, showing that ingesting 100 grams of simple sugar lowers white blood cell activity for up to five hours. He got this result using processed honey, table sugar, and processed orange juice. This translates into a 50% reduction in the ability of white blood cells to engulf bacteria. The immune suppressing effect begins within ten minutes of ingesting the sugar. Lowered white blood cell activity means your immune system and it's ability to fight infection, is impaired.

White, refined sugar is also bleached with Chlorine Bleach, a substance that many people are sensitive to. Chlorine, when it combines with organic compounds, converts to Dioxin, a lethal chemical. No one should ever consume any substances that have been exposed to chlorine or chlorine bleach, nor use paper products that have been bleached.

Read more at http://www.unhinderedliving.com/sugardanger.html

Wishing you wellness,

Regina 

MINERAL MAKEUP IRRITANTS

Quite a few people have been asking me about Mineral Makeups lately. Specifically some have been asking why most mineral makeups cause them to break out. My research has shown a couple of common ingredients in mineral makeup that could very well be the culprits if you have experienced breakouts, irritation, redness, and dryness from your mineral makeups.

Bismuth Oxychloride an inorganic ingredient found in the majority of mineral cosmetics. In some brands it is the main irritant that often causes itching, rashes and mild to severe cystic acne. If you have had a reaction to mineral cosmetics in the past it is likely because of the bismuth oxychloride in the product.

Bismuth oxychloride is a by-product of copper and lead refining and it can be found on the periodic table. What surprised me is that bismuth oxychloride resembles arsenic and antimony chemically. It is also considered a heavy metal. Cosmetically, bismuth oxychloride is considered a pearlizing agent and produces a high shine.

An article from PreventCancer.com reveals that Talc is closely related to the potent carcinogen asbestos. Talc particles have been shown to cause tumors in the ovaries and lungs of cancer victims. For the last 30 years, scientists have closely scrutinized talc particles and found dangerous similarities to asbestos. Responding to this evidence in 1973, the FDA drafted a resolution that would limit the amount of asbestos-like fibers in cosmetic grade talc. However, no ruling has ever been made and today, cosmetic grade talc remains non-regulated by the federal government. This inaction ignores a 1993 National Toxicology Program report which found that cosmetic grade talc, without any asbestos-like fibers, caused tumors in animal subjects. Read more from PreventCancer.com

Another concern I have read time and again is "nano-particles." There is much concern that particles too small will be easily absorbed into the skin and become a health concern.

As with all your products, reading the label is important but knowing what to look for is even better. If you have a question about an ingredient and aren't sure where to look, let us know. We're happy to help.

Wishing you health and wellness!

NATURAL ENERGY

The older I get the more I want to find things that help keep my metabolism going strong and keep my energy level up. As you know I do Tai Chi and Qigong of a morning. Among all the wonderful things this does for me, it wakes up my metabolism giving me energy for my day. Nutrients that should be a part of our diet can also provide energy for our bodies. Recently I came across a list of some and wanted to share them with you.

Amino Acids: Amino acids are building blocks to protein. They help to maintain muscle mass and tissue and provide fuel for the body. They also help metabolism.

Pyruvate: Pyruvate improves endurance by enhancing the transport of glucose into the muscles, increasing energy and stamina, allowing you to exercise, work, and play harder and longer. This aids in burning more calories.

Ubiquinone: A nutrient that aids the body in transforming food to energy.

Biotin: helpful in metabolizing protein, fats, and carbohydrates.

Magnesium Citrate: helps convert blood sugar into energy.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid): is essential in producing, transporting, and releasing energy from fat.

Niacin: helps to metabolize fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

These statements are not intended as medical advice, and have not been evaluated by the FDA.

Wishing you wellness,

Regina

TAI CHI & QI GONG

I have been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong for almost six years now. I originally started because I was looking for something I could do that would not cause my heart arrhythmia to flair up. I had always been active and when the cardiologist said I needed to not allow stress of any kind because it could kill me I was motivated to find an activity that would help heal me and my heart.

I searched the Internet and found Tai Chi and Qigong. According to articles on WebMD and Mayo Clinic there is research showing the benefits for both body and heart. (See article links below.) I even found an article from a local hospital about the success they have had using Tai Chi for their heart patients. I decided to give it a try.

Since then I am not the only one who has noticed a difference. Tai Chi and Qigong gets my engine running in the morning. Routine practice along with nutrition has allowed me to be off my heart medicine and arrhythmia is a rarity and much less severe when it does occur.

If you are looking for a relaxing yet effective exercise to promote health and wellness I would encourage you to take a look at Tai Chi and Qigong. Check your local listings for an instructor. In order to practice when I want without leaving my house I use Gaiam DVD's.

Wishing you wellness!

Regina

http://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-tai-chi-qigong
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tai-chi/SA00087
http://www.gaiam.com/

GOT LEMONS? MAKE HAIRSPRAY!

This is one of those recipe finds that I tried because it sounded so ridiculous. Guess what? I love it! I have fine, limp hair and this holds well without feeling like a helmet head. Word of warning! If you use a fine mist sprayer (I did) then trust that it is on your hair - don't keep spraying until you see it on your hair! By then it's too late and you may as well wash and start over. Enjoy!

2 - 4 Organic lemons
Pure Water - enough to cover lemons

Slice lemons and simmer for about an hour. Add water to keep lemons covered with water. Cool, strain, and put into spray bottle. Lasts about a week refrigerated.

Wishing you wellness,

Regina

NATURAL POISON IVY RELIEF

The first thing you should do after exposure or possible exposure to poison ivy is to clean the affected areas with cold water or rubbing alcohol right after exposure can help control any reaction. You should also wash any contaminated items or clothing with soap or detergent, and bathe your pets to get the oil out of their fur.




Natural solutions for treating poison ivy rash include:
1) Witch Hazel - Apply to all exposed sites topically to reduce itching and swelling
2) Oatmeal - Add colloidal oatmeal to a cool or lukewarm bath can calm and soothe your skin.
3) Aloe Vera - has soothing, anti-inflammatory properties. Apply to exposed site to help heal irritated skin.
4) Menthol-Based Creams - Use an organic compound sourced from peppermint and other mint plants. Menthol has a cooling effect on skin.

See a doctor immediately if you experience severe poison-ivy symptoms (such as a fever higher than 100 F, difficulty breathing, yellow fluid oozing from blisters, or irritation in sensitive areas like eyes and mouth).

QUOTABLE QUOTE

So many things have made living and learning easier. But the real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful, to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures and to be cheerful and have courage when things go wrong.

- Laura Ingalls Wilder