Insulin Resistance: A Culprit In Today's Health Crisis

You may have heard of insulin, but do you really know all of its functions in the body and what insulin resistance is doing to you?

Insulin: An anabolic hormone for growth and repair.

Insulin:

• Stores excess nutrients
• Stores blood sugar for future energy requirments
• Stores Magnesium
• Retains Sodium
• Mediates blood lipids (fat)
• Stimulates cell division
• Stimulates sympathetic nervous system

You may be saying, so what, insulin does all these great things, what's the big deal? Here's the problem.

When we eat carbohydrates (sugar, pasta, bread, grains) the body converts them into glucose. The liver only stores about a one day supply of glucose (stored as glycogen). What do you think happens to the rest of it? It's stored as FAT (about 98% is Palmitic acid---a saturated fat).

SORRY TO GET SO TECHNICAL

So, a high carbohydrate diet is really a high glucose (SUGAR) diet. Insulin needs to be secreted to help store this added glucose and there is a large secretion of insulin. However, the cells try to protect themselves from the toxic effects of insulin (which in large amounts is irritating to the cells) and they down regulate their receptors and the number of receptors.

When this happens, the pancreas secretes more and more insulin because the receptors aren't sensing that there is so much insulin circulating in the blood. Finally the pancreas gets tired and Type 2 Diabetes can result.

Negative Affects of Insulin Resistance

Now that you understand why so much insulin is secreted due to our diets, I want you to understand the negative affects of insulin resistance, so that YOU will resist from eating so many carbohydrates in the form of pasta, donuts, muffins, cake, bread, sugar, cereal, etc.

Insulin is involved in the storage of magnesium. When the cells are resistant to insulin, magnesium is secreted in the urine. One of magnesiums major jobs is to relax muscles. With lower magnesium levels the smooth muscles in the blood vessels can't relax and they constrict, causing--high blood pressure.

To add insult to injury, magnesium also is involved in intracellular energy, so you also feel weaker and tired all the time.

Insulin is also involved in sodium retention. With the added sodium, you get fluid retention and you guessed it, yet higher blood pressure.

Insulin also stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and you get further vasoconstriction (higher blood pressure), increased heart rate, increase in ability for blood to clot, increased respiration and an increase in blood sugar and cholesterol in the blood.

Since insulin is a mytogenic hormone, you also get increased cell division, which leads to increase in cancer and aging.

There is so much more insulin does, but I think you are getting the idea by now.

There Are Things You Can Do

Doesn't it sound like many of the medications you or your family and friends are on are designed to reduce the effects of insulin resistance?

Think of these: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attack, stroke, cancer.

These are all preventable illnesses that have nothing to do with our genetics. It's our lifestyle that is killing us. There is hope if you begin now to change your lifestyle.

You must eat right, exercise right and think right to be a healthy human being. It is easier than you think. It's a lot harder to be sick than healthy.

Begin by:

• Drinking 2-3 liters of pure water each day
• Stop Smoking
• Eat fresh fiber throughout the day---veggies, fruit
• Limit your intake of sugar and other carbohydrates
• Eat Grass Fed Meats---high in Omega 3's...nothing wrong with good fat
• Take Cinnamon Bark or GTF Chromium to help lower your blood sugar
• Exercise 30-60 minutes EVERY DAY...you must get your heart rate up
• Meditate or Pray Daily.
• Love yourself, and your friends, family and the planet.

If you are not physically fit, you should always discuss with your doctor before beginning exercise or changing your medication.

More information on Diabetes Remedies...

Importance of Probiotics--Best Probiotic Available

Probiotics are the live, beneficial bacteria that are nature's way of maintaining proper balance in the intestinal tract.

There are over 400 species of bacteria, weighing more than 4 pounds, in the normal adult colon. Many scientists report that the intestinal tract should contain approximately 85% good bacteria and only 15% of the harmful microorganisms.

Balancing the micro-organisms in the gut is not possible in many people, because of their lifestyle of poor diet, chronic stress, pollution and antibiotics.

The word 'probiotic' originates from the Greek meaning 'for life'. Some common names for probiotics include:

• Friendly bacteria
• Beneficial bacteria
• Healthy bacteria
• Normal flora

What Do Probiotics Do?

These natural probiotics help to digest our food, produce vitamin K and several B vitamins, promote normal absorption of nutrients, improve intestinal blood flow and even detoxify our body.

In addition, they are an integral part of our immune system, helping to kill the harmful microorganisms that find their way into our gut.

You may have already experienced the signs of killing the good bacteria:

• Stomach discomfort
• Gas and bloating
• Loose bowels
• Vaginal yeast infections

It is important to take a complete spectrum probiotic supplement so that you replenish the good bacteria as soon as possible following a course of antibiotics, stress or poor diet.

Fundamental Probiotic- Complete Spectrum Probiotic Blend

Although most of us were raised to think eating yogurt provided the good bacteria, unfortunately it only contains 2 strains of the healthy normal flora and only 100 million or so active cultures per serving. This just isn't good enough.

Although 100 million sounds like a lot, in the bacteria world, it's an insignificant amount. Scientists tell us the lowest amount that would really be effective is about 10 billion bacteria per day. Ideally you should be getting more, and doctors may recommend up to 100 billion per day in some cases.

The other problem with yogurt is that humans were not designed to consume dairy products into adulthood. Dairy makes our bodies acidic, further deteriorating our health and possibly leading to osteoporosis. In addition, most yogurts are loaded with sugar, further increasing the body's acidity and increasing the chance of a yeast infection or type-2 diabetes.

Using just one Fundamental Probiotic ™ supplement on a daily basis will provide you with over 25 billion healthy bacteria that will go to work for you to promote health.

While most yogurt contains only 2 strains of bacteria, Fundamental Probiotics contains:

• 12 different strains of friendly bacteria
• More than 25 BILLION CFU's in every vegetarian capsule

There is not a better Probiotic capsule available that is Made in the USA and that contains such a wide variety of bacterial strains.

More Information About Probiotics

Americans are the Corn People

Eat a steak, drink a soda, milk or beer and you've eaten corn.

Corn is what feeds the steer that becomes the steak and feeds the chicken, turkey, pigs and lamb. Even the catfish, tilapia and salmon are now raised on farms and fed corn.

Your cheese, milk, yogurt--all corn, from cows formerly grazed on grass to Holsteins living indoors tied to machines and eating corn.

Let's look at a chicken nugget. Chicken, from corn, glued together with modified corn starch, battered with corn flour and fried in corn oil. Also included the leavening, lecithin, mono-glycerides, di-glycerides, tri-glycerides, and the citric acid to keep them "fresh".

You then wash down your nugget with soda sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.

Continue to read labels in your supermarket and you'll find all of these products....made from Corn:

• Modified or unmodified corn starch


• Glucose syrup


• Maltodextrin


• Crystalline fructose


• Ascorbic acid


• Dextrose


• Lactic acid


• Lysine


• Maltose


• HFCS-High Fructose Corn Syrup


• MSG


• Polyols


• Caramel color


• Xantham Gum

Coffee whitener, cake mixes, soups, candies, TV dinners, canned fruit, snacks, frosting, mayo, ketchup, mustard, hot dogs, bologna, margarine, shortening, fake maple syrup, salad dressings, relishes, etc....ALL MADE WITH CORN!

So...Why is Corn So Bad?

Corn is mostly omega 6 fatty acids.
The average American diet consists of food products with Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratios of about 30:1. Nutritional scientists report that chronic diseases are detectible when the ratio exceeds 4:1.

The ratio of Omega 6:Omega 3 should be closer to 1:1.

What Can You Do?

• Start decreasing eating foods derived from corn.
• Eat Grass-Fed Beef (CLICK HERE for Info) and
• Eat Wild Caught Fish
• Start taking Omega 3 Fish Oil supplement

Omega 3 is Vital to Your Health

In my most recent post, I discussed the preventative power of the Omega-3 fats found in fish oils in treating high cholesterol and heart disease. However, Omega-3 is beneficial to the human body in many other ways as well.

Recent studies suggest that children with Omega-3 deficiency are substantially more prone to having learning disorders, and they are also more likely to display signs of hyperactivity and behavioral problems.

Research has also indicated that low Omega-3 intake may also be connected to the following health conditions:

• Depression
• Weight Gain
• Violent Tendencies
• Heart Disease
• Allergies
• Cancer
• Eczema
• Inflammatory Diseases
• Diabetes
• Arthritis
  Dyslexia
• Loss of Memory
  

There have been over 2,000 studies documenting the correlation between Omega-3 insufficiency and the wide range of health problems mentioned above.

One of the reasons that Americans are so at risk for many chronic diseases may be because our diets are almost completely deprived of Omega-3 fatty acids. An estimated 60% of Americans have an Omega-3 deficiency. Furthermore, it is estimated that about 20% of Americans have such a significant lack of Omega-3 that it is incapable of being detected in their bloodstream.

Obviously, our bodies need fat, but instead of consuming the fats that are necessary to keep our system running properly, like Omega-3, we fill up on man-made fats. Most Americans today eat an exorbitant amount of saturated fat and trans-fats, in addition to vegetable oils that are high in Omega-6 fatty acids. All of this inhibits the body’s ability to utilize its "good fats," like Omega-3, and results in what researchers have described as fatty acid imbalance.

Fatty acid imbalance is particularly problematic in its tendency to impact learning capabilities. One of the problems with consuming high levels of man-made fats instead of essential Omega-3 fatty acids is that the body uses the man-made fats as a replacement. DHA is one particular Omega-3 that is imperative to the proper functioning of our neural networks. When the brain attempts to replace DHA with an alternative kind of man-made fat, it slows down the body’s ability to process incoming stimuli and consequently impacts memory and learning.

The following are additional signs and symptoms of an improper balance of Omega-3 fatty acids:

• Dry skin
• Dandruff and/or dry hair
  Eczema
• Irritability
• Fatigue
• Lowered immune system, which can be detected by frequent infections and/or delayed healings from wounds and sickness
• Hyperactivity
• Dry eyes
• The need for frequent urination
• Allergies
  Soft or brittle nails
• Attention Deficit
• Learning disabilities
• Cracked skin on sensitive areas like the heels, fingertips and back of arms
  

Because many of the foods we eat contain refined sugars and man-made fats, it is important to be sure that we are consuming an adequate amount of Omega-3 fatty acids to give our brain and our body the proper nourishment it needs.

Some natural sources of Omega-3 fatty acids include green, leafy vegetables, fruits and nuts, fish, and free range chicken and beef. Free range animals are fed diets of grass and green leafy vegetables, which significantly increases their source of Omega-3, as opposed to farm raised animals that are fed lots of grains.

If you are not able to boost your intake of Omega-3 through your diet alone, dietary supplements such as fish oils are an excellent way to naturally prevent an Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency.

Even if you don’t experience any of the symptoms of Omega-3 deficiency listed above, it is best to take preventative action before it is too late. Adjusting your diet and increasing your intake of natural fats, as opposed to those that are man-made, will improve your health and decrease your risk of chronic disease in the future.

Exploring Natural Alternatives to Treating High Cholesterol

With sales approaching nearly $13 billion in 2006, Lipitor, used for lowering cholesterol, is the highest selling drug in the world. Lipitor belongs to a class of cholesterol inhibiting drugs known as statins, and it is highly effective in lowering the body’s level of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. However, what the pharmaceutical industry fails to tell you is that Lipitor poses a serious threat to your health in the way that it may affect your heart and your immune system.

If you are interested in lowering your cholesterol naturally or preventing yourself from being susceptible to high cholesterol in the future, there are so many natural alternatives to taking a volatile, prescription drug like Lipitor. While Lipitor may be successful in lowering LDL cholesterol, it does not actually cure the fundamental problem that is causing the high cholesterol in the first place. Statin drugs like Lipitor treat the symptoms, but not the disease. They also have been known to depress the immune system, and exhaust levels of Coenzyme Q10, which can cause muscle weakness, fatigue and even heart failure. Lipitor may also increase your risk of atherosclerosis, a disease that results in the chronic inflammation of the arterial walls.

A recent study suggests that fish oils are actually more effective in contributing to high levels of HDL, or “good” cholesterol than Lipitor in insulin-resistant and obese men. In this six-week study, 48 men were given separate and combined dosages of fish oil and Lipitor. When taken together, the Lipitor/fish oil combination proved effective in raising HDL levels. But only the fish oil alone impacted HDL cholesterol by transforming the rates of catabolism, which is the metabolic breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones, of HDL apolipoproteins. This phenomenon did not occur as a consequence of taking Lipitor alone.

There is significant evidence to suggest that the omega-3 fats in fish oil supplements will impact HDL cholesterol in a much safer and effective way than taking a prescription drug like Lipitor, and it is much more economical as well. A 30 day supply of Lipitor currently runs at about $90, while a 30 day supply of all-natural, chemically free fish oil supplements can be purchased for under $10.

Aside from taking fish oil supplements, there are also other, completely natural ways to normalize cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease. Many people experience high cholesterol due to elevated insulin levels, which can be the result of poor diet and exercise habits. By engaging in regular exercise and restricting your intake of grains and sugars, you will lower your blood pressure and regulate your insulin levels, thus resulting in healthier cholesterol levels.

Although some people are more genetically predisposed to high cholesterol, we each have the power and the resources available to decrease our likelihood of becoming a victim of heart disease. Before turning to a prescription drug, think about the safer alternatives to treating a cholesterol problem.

Top Rated Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep

Top Rated Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep

If you are one of the millions of Americans that suffers from sleep related problems, whether it is chronic insomnia, difficulty falling asleep, a tendency to wake up frequently throughout the night, or simply a pervasive sense of feeling exhausted throughout the day, you may want to try one or more of the following techniques to improve the quality and quantity of your rest.

A current favorite insomnia aid is Formula 303. Formula 303 is an all-natural sleep aid that promotes gentle, relaxing sleep without any harmful side effects.

1. Sleep in as dark an environment as possible. Exposure to light while your body is at rest can potentially disturb your pineal gland’s production of melatonin and serotonin, which are important sleep aids, and it may also throw off your circadian rhythm. If you need to get up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom, be advised to use as little light as possible. Turning on a bright light after your body has been at rest may completely terminate your body’s production of melatonin for the remainder of the night which will inhibit your ability to fall back asleep.
2. Go to sleep as early as possible. It is in our nature to sleep with the rise and fall of the sun, which is what nearly all humans did for centuries before electricity was invented. Therefore, going to bed at 3 a.m. and getting 8 hours of sleep is not the same as going to bed at 10 p.m. and getting 8 hours of sleep. Most of our systems recharge predominantly between the hours of 11 p.m. and 1 a.m., which occurs at the same time that our gallbladder is releasing toxins. If you are awake during this process, it can back up your entire system and jeopardize your health as well as your sleep.
3. Use an eye mask. If you aren’t able to sleep in total darkness, wearing an eye mask can block out light and increase your body’s production of melatonin and serotonin, as described above.
4. Try listening to a soothing CD as you fall asleep. Today, there is a large market for this type of sleep aid, and there are a host of relaxing CDs available geared specifically toward this purpose. Whether it is listening to the sounds of a rainforest or the ocean waves, many people find that experiencing the calming sounds of nature helps ease them into a peaceful sleep. Gentle music may also help.
5. Avoid watching television before bed. Contrary to popular belief, having the television on as you lie in bed does not make it easier for your body to relax. The TV’s stimulation will overwhelm your brain and interfere with the proper functioning of your pineal gland, in the same way that bright lights will disrupt your body’s production of melatonin and serotonin.
6. Try reading material that is relaxing. Reading something that contains a lot of action, like a mystery novel, may make it difficult for your body to settle down when you eventually decide to try and fall asleep. You may also unintentionally get in absorbed in something that keeps you preoccupied for hours, therefore preventing you from getting a good night’s rest. Instead, try reading material that will help you to unwind, such as a book that is spiritual or religious in nature.
7. Keep a nightly journal. It is very common for people who have difficulty falling asleep to feel that their mind is racing before bedtime. Putting down your thoughts on paper may help you to detach from the stress of your day, and it may also put your mind in a more relaxing state.
8. Avoid working before bed. Putting your work away at least an hour or two before bedtime will prevent you from lying awake due to anxiety and stress.
9. Refrain from eating before bedtime. Consuming late at night, especially grains and sugars, will raise your blood sugar and make it difficult for your body to relax as it is digesting the food. It also may cause you to wake up in the middle of the night when your blood sugar drops too low, therefore impairing your ability to fall back asleep.
10. Use the bathroom right before bed. This will decrease the likelihood that you’ll have to get up in the middle of the night.
11. Keep your socks on. Your feet are the first area of your body to get cold, as they have the poorest circulation. Studies have shown that keeping your feet comfortable will prevent you from experiencing a disturbed sleep.
12. Sleep in a temperature of 70 degrees F or cooler. Many people keep their bedrooms too warm, which actually inhibits sleep. The best sleeping conditions are a cool (not cold) room with enough covers to remain comfortable.
13. Supplement your sleep with the hormone melatonin. This can be induced orally through a pharmaceutical, which I would advise against, or you can try it naturally, by increasing your exposure to bright light during the day, and avoiding exposure to light when you go to bed. Sleeping in complete darkness is ideal.
14. Eat a snack that is high in protein, as well as a small piece of fruit a few hours before going to bed. High protein foods such as fish, poultry, nuts and eggs contain tryptophan, which can be an effective sleep aid. Consuming the fruit will enable the tryptophan to cross the blood-brain barrier and contribute to your body’s production of melatonin and serotonin.
15. Avoid using drugs whenever possible. There are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that have serious sleep related side effects. Whenever possible, try using natural remedies like the ones suggested on this website to avoid relying upon these types of medications.
16. Reduce your caffeine intake. Many people will experience the effects of caffeine long after they’ve consumed it. If your body is not able to metabolize caffeine efficiently, you may find that an afternoon cup of coffee or tea can impact your sleep even hours later. Also be sure to take note of any medications that you use that contain caffeine, as these will inhibit sleep.
17. Try to maintain a healthy weight. Studies have shown that obesity can increase your risk of sleep apnea, a condition where your body has difficult breathing while you are asleep, which can seriously damage the quality of your rest.
18. Exercise regularly. Studies have shown that exercising for at least 30 minutes a day will improve the quality of your sleep, and make it easier for you to fall asleep at night. However, this should not be done right before bed, as your body needs time to return to its normal state.
19. Stay away from foods that disagree with your system. Certain foods, like dairy and wheat products, can cause gastrointestinal problems and congestion for people who are sensitive to them, therefore causing discomfort while sleeping.
20. Avoid alcohol. Although alcohol is often treated as a nightcap, its effect is short lived. Alcohol interferes with your body’s sleep cycle and when consumed in excess, it may prevent you from entering the stage of REM sleep, which is essential to your health.
21. Enjoy a hot bath or shower before going to bed. If you increase your body temperature before bedtime, as it falls back down it may help your body relax into a state of sleep.
22. Avoid electrical devices. Keeping an alarm clock or cell phone close to your bed will disturb your sleep if it goes off, so it is best to keep electrical devices as far away from your sleep area as possible.
23. Remove any clocks from your line of vision. If you have trouble falling asleep, staring at the time will only increase your anxiety and make it even more difficult for you to achieve a state of rest. It is best to keep the clock as far away from your bed and your mind as possible.
24. Avoid using your bed for non-sleep related activities. Many people tend to engage in other activities, such as watching TV or using the computer, while they are in bed. Doing this may cause you to dissociate your bed from the notion of sleep, and therefore make it difficult for you when it is actually time to go to bed.
25. If you are premenopausal or menopausal, consult a physician. Sleep problems caused by hormonal changes may create more severe, long term problems if not addressed. Try a natural menopausal formula to help with menopause symptoms.
    
26. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time everyday. Establishing a sleep rhythm will make it easier for your body to relax at night and get up in the morning.
27. Create a bedtime routine that works for you. Find something that relaxes you, and try to engage in it every night before going to sleep. This could mean a hot bath, aromatherapy, meditation, or maybe a massage from your partner. If it works, repeat it each night and see if it helps you to achieve a more peaceful sleep.

HPV Vaccine for Girls?

Once again the drug companies using their herd mentality want to vaccinate young girls for HPV. They claim this will prevent thousands of girls from getting cervical cancer.

What they don't tell you is that the risk of a girl to get cervical cancer is related to the age at which she begins sexual activity and the number of partners she has.

According to a government website, cancer.gov, "in 2006, an estimated 10,000 women in the United States will be diagnosed with this type of cancer and nearly 4,000 will die from it." The site also explains that most of the abnormal cell changes caused by the HPV go away on their own. Of course pap smears can also detect cervical cell changes and those abnormal cells can also be removed.

Vaccinating millions of young girls who are not at risk with a vaccine that no one knows the long term effects of is insanity. Think long and hard before allowing your daughter to get vaccinated. Instead, when appropriate, teach her the risk behaviors associated with contracting HPV.

Is the Wave Here?

What's the wave?

It's the idea that health comes from within. That health won't come in a prescription bottle. That we must take responsibility for our own lifestyle choices which will dramatically influence our health and well-being.

At times it's frustrating blowing the warning horn; letting folks know that the 'mountain is falling on the city of the blind', then, I am reminded and thanked on a daily basis for providing health information and products that people are using to save and improve their lives.

For anyone that has read some of the EarthTurns Blog or gotten our newsletters, you know, that repeatedly I encourage everyone to take Omega 3 Fatty Acids. My personal favorite way to achieve this is by consuming only grass-fed-beef and using Salmon oil capsules. This assures I get enough Omega 3's each day.

But it can't stop there. You must drink 2-3 liters of water per day. Read spiritual work on a daily basis. Then there's the one that most people don't find the time to do...exercise some how, some way, a little each day.

Is that all, no!

• If you smoke. Stop!
• Be kind to your friends and family
• Help others
• Limit or stop soda drinking. Stop completely drinking diet soda or diet drinks of ANY kind!
• Help others. Remember, we're here to lessen the burden of others. Receive for the sake of sharing. Don't worry...this will help you in the long run.

There is no better time then now to start taking responsibility for your own health. Begin today. No more excuses! There is a higher power behind you all the way.

Pain Management

Millions of Americans are suffering with pain on a daily basis. These pain sufferers fall into one of two categories; either acute pain or chronic pain. Most of us however don't understand much about pain.

For those with chronic pain of arthritis or fibromyalgia the daily suffering can be quite frustrating. Understanding your pain is the first step in managing it appropriately.

I've found a site that is very detailed and explains the:

• causes of pain
• types of pain
• assessment of pain
• traditional treatments of pain
• alternative treatments of pain

This site is easy to navigate and the information regarding pain is so thorough that even doctors can learn something; or at least review what they forgot. You can even buy books and products relating to pain directly from Amazon.com on the site.

Visit Pain-Management-Info.com for more information.

11 Prescriptions for Every American

Many people blame their genes for their ill-health, thereby removing any guilt or responsibility. It is literally blaming your parents and grandparents for being overweight, having Type 2 diabetes or coronary artery disease.

Nothing can be further from the truth. Our genes have changed only .02% in 40,000 years. So how can the dramatic rise of obesity, ADHD, heart disease, cancer and Type 2 diabetes during the last few years be related to genes? Answer: they can't be.

Recently, I read that we spend $5000 for each man, woman and child in America on health care. In fact, there are enough prescriptions written in the USA alone that it equals 11 prescriptions for every single person. President Bush spoke the other night about the importance of getting health insurance for every American. Does anyone really believe, that taking more drugs or cutting out more organs will make us any healthier?

As it is, we are shamefully low on the totem pole when it comes to health compared to other industrialized nations. NO, we are not missing out on new, or more drugs; in fact, we are taking too many.

These powerful drugs have many side-effects that create new symptoms for which more drugs are given. It is a terrible consequence for relying on health doled out by the drug companies.

We are either toxic, or deficient. Eliminate all toxins and deficiencies and you will have true health. More prescriptions are not the answer, more drugs can only make us sicker.

If you are truly sick and tired of being sick and tired, then take responsibility; start by:

• eliminating soda & drinking more water (2-3 liters per day)
  
• eliminating salt and white flower
• take a good multiple vitamin every day
• take 3 grams of fish oil per day to decrease cardiac death by 80%
• exercise at least 30 minutes EVERY day
• read daily
• keep your relationships healthy
• do some spiritual reading daily

By doing the above daily, you will help decrease your stress, eliminate toxins and begin to eliminate deficiencies as well. Remember, you can be deficient in relationships, exercise, spirituality as well as vitamins, etc.

Please take responsibility today. If you are on medication, talk with your doctor and have them work with you to get off the drugs as you improve your lifestyle.

Best of luck.

Great Grass Fed Beef Site

We've been talking about Grass-fed beef for some time now. Well we finally found a site that is clear, concise and gives many of the health benefits and environmental benefits for choosing to eat grass fed beef.

The disadvantages of eating grain fed meats is also clearly explained.

You will find links to many grass-fed-meat ranchers so that you can compare prices. Prices vary greatly, so buyer beware.

To help you decipher all of the information about grass-fed meats, we highly recommend visiting OrganicGrassFedBeefInfo.com

You will be amazed about what you didn't know.

Treating Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Naturally

5-10% of women in the US suffer to some degree with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS. Although many women with PCOS do not know what is wrong with them, they all understand that something is not quite right.

Symptoms of PCOS include:

Infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods at all, and/or irregular bleeding during menstrual periods
Infertility, lack of ovulation
Increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes
Acne, oily skin or dandruff
Pelvic pain
Weight gain or obesity, usually carrying excess weight around the waist
Type 2 diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood sugar
Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
Patches of thickened and darker skin on the neck, arms, breasts or thighs
Skin tags in the armpits or neck area
Sleep apnea or excessive snoring

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition in which women's bodies have high levels of male hormones, or androgens, they have an irregular menstrual cycle or none at all, and they may have many small cysts in their ovaries.

No cause has been found for PCOS, and there is no way of knowing who will have it. There may be a genetic link, but this has not been proven. There also may be a link to insulin resistance, the body's inability to properly produce and use insulin to regulate blood sugar.

Life with PCOS is often miserable, with severe menstrual pain, excruciating pain when large cysts develop, irregular menstrual cycles, mood swings, obesity, and a general feeling of things not being right.

What's more, not only is PCOS itself difficult to live with, causing major problems for the women who suffer from it, but it creates long-term risks as well.

Irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation produce estrogen but not progesterone, which cases the endometrium to shed each month. This can eventually lead to endometrial hyperplasia or cancer.

Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

The earlier in life the symptoms are brought under control, the better the prognosis for a healthy life.

There are several natural supplements and vitamins which can help with PCOS symptoms and bring the condition under control, improving not only the PCOS but also overall health, and decreasing the risks for serious long-term illnesses.

First, a good multivitamin and mineral are called for to increase overall health.

Chromium is well-known as a PCOS treatment because it helps with insulin usage by encouraging the formation of Glucose Tolerance Factor (GTF), a substance produced by the liver which makes insulin more effective. A deficiency in chromium can lead to insulin resistance, which seems to be a lead factor in PCOS.

B Vitamins help control PCOS symptoms, including controlling weight and hormone balance.

Zinc is necessary for the correct behavior of many hormones, including insulin, and is crucial to overall health.

Magnesium deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance, which is a major element in PCOS.

Agnus Castus (chastetree berry) helps to regulate pituitary gland function, and is very important for PCOS treatment.

Saw Palmetto, which is often used for treatment of prostate conditions, functions to prevent excess levels of testosterone.

PCOS is a miserable and potentially very serious condition, but there are natural treatments available, and it can be treated effectively.

The Unrecognized Disease: Insulin Resistance

Before discussing what insulin resistance is, it might be useful to explain exactly what insulin is, because there is a very low awareness among most people about this hormone. We hear the term "insulin-dependent diabetes," but we don't really know what insulin is.

The hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas, helps the body use glucose, or blood sugar. Insulin binds with receptors on cells, much like a key fitting a lock. Insulin resistance is a condition where, to continue the metaphor, the doors have too many locks. The cells cannot accept the insulin.

When the insulin is not accepted by the cells, the pancreas secretes more insulin to maintain healthy blood sugar. The more insulin resistance, the more insulin the body creates. In about 1/3 of the people with insulin resistance, when the cells do not respond to the higher levels of insulin, glucose builds up in the blood. This high blood glucose is known as Type 2 Diabetes, and is a direct result of insulin resistance.

Not everyone with insulin resistance develops diabetes, and researchers have not discovered what causes some individuals to develop the disease while others do not.

However, the risk of diabetes is clearly high for those with insulin resistance.

While insulin resistance is still not widely known, it is becoming more recognized as more people in the U.S. become obese and/or physically inactive, and this is being reported more by news organizations and healthcare agencies.

Obese/physically inactive people are more likely to be insulin resistant, which can lead to an increased level of blood fat, or triglycerides, and a decrease in HDL, which is the good cholesterol. These two imbalances can increase the risk for heart disease.

Thus, insulin resistance can directly influence heart health, and that has become a focus for health reporting.

Another problem related to insulin resistance is Syndrome X, a collection of risk factors for heart disease, including hypertriglyceridmia (high blood lipid), low HDL-cholesterol, hyperinsulinemia (high blood insulin), and often hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) and hypertension (high blood sugar). All of these conditions are influenced by insulin resistance and the group together poses a high risk for heart disease.

Insulin resistance is present in almost all individuals with Type 2 diabetes and in many with high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and obesity. Women with polycystic ovarian disorder are generally insulin resistant. About 20-25% of "healthy" people may actually be insulin resistant.

There are natural treatments which can greatly decrease insulin resistance and the health risks that go along with being insulin resistant.

Vitamin E improves glucose metabolism and insulin absorption.

Chromium lowers glucose levels as well as cholesterol levels, and is best taken as chromium picolinate.

The B Vitamins, especially B6 and B12, and folic acid, help prevent complications in those with diabetes.

Magnesium deficiency is one of the most common health problems, and since diabetics especially do not absorb magnesium well, this supplement is recommended for anyone at risk for diabetes.

Lipoic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant, also improves insulin sensitivity and is a must for anyone with insulin deficiency.

Vanadium is believed by some experts to be the most important supplement for insulin resistance. It activates the insulin receptors in the same way insulin does, and can effectively lower glucose levels.

American ginseng, in recent studies, has been proven to prevent the spike in blood sugar that follows a meal.

Because many diabetics are deficient in the hormone DHEA, fish oil has been found useful in blood sugar control.

Supplements, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can greatly increase overall health and reduce insulin resistance, also reducing the risks of diabetes and heart disease.

Alzheimer's: Don’t Be a Victim

There is a misconception, particularly in the United States, that Alzheimer's disease is a normal part of aging. Because of this misconception, the disease is accepted as something you will definitely face as you age, and you might as well get used to the idea.

The fact is, Alzheimer's is not unavoidable, and it is not just a normal part of aging. Alzheimer's disease is just that--a disease. No one knows what causes it or who will be affected by it, but we do know what it is, and we know ways to reduce our risk.

We do not have to live in fear of developing Alzheimer's disease.

First, we should know exactly what Alzheimer's disease is. It's a progressive, degenerative disease affecting the brain. Cells in the brain shrink, or disappear altogether, and are replaced with plaque. Thread-like structures of plaque choke off healthy brain cells.

All of this causes the brain to cease functioning correctly, which results in loss of mental and physical abilities and changes in behavior.

You're probably very familiar with the advanced symptoms of Alzheimer's, including loss of memory and inability to function on one's own.

You may not be aware of some of the warning signs of Alzheimer's, including:

• Memory loss
• Difficulty in performing routine tasks like balancing a checkbook
• Forgetting simple words more often than before
• Difficulty being understood when you speak
• Misplacing items, i.e. putting the phone in the refrigerator
• Mental confusion, such as getting lost on your own street

Many of these are things we all do occasionally; of course the point at which they become warning signs is the point at which they become abnormal for you.

Avoiding Alzheimer's is not as easy as one would hope, because no one knows what causes it or who is likely to get it. But there are things you can do to help reduce your chances of getting Alzheimer's.

Exercise, according to a 5-year study in Canada, cuts the risk not only of Alzheimer's but of other forms of mental decline and dementia, particularly in women. The more you exercise, the more your brain is sheltered from the risks of Alzheimer's.

According to the study, those who exercised the most were half as likely as inactive people to develop Alzheimer's disease and 40% less likely to suffer other forms of mental decline and dementia.

But even low levels of activity decreased risk for mental decline, dementia and Alzheimer's.

Doctors believe that medications designed to lower blood cholesterol may protect against the development of Alzheimer's. One natural supplement used for cholesterol, red yeast extract, is a natural statin; the very substance doctors believe can reduce chances of Alzheimer's.

Folic acid and vitamins C and E are believed to help prevent the occurrence of Alzheimer's, as well, and are very good for overall health. The antioxidant properties of these vitamins help prevent neuron damage in the brain and reduce the risks of mental decline.

One of the best things you can do to prevent Alzheimer's is to keep your brain active. Read, take courses, play games, do crossword puzzles, and have intellectual conversations. Keep your brain active; keep developing new connections in your brain.

There are no guarantees against Alzheimer's, but there are steps you can take, naturally, to protect your brain, and your mind, against this horrible illness.

Nutrasweet-Not So Sweet After All

While sugar is often seen as "bad" these days, and aspartame as "good"-- it is useful to look at the real facts surrounding this food additive.

It is also useful to point out that sugar, after all, is a natural substance, one that our bodies know how to deal with. Rather than substituting another, chemical, substance for sugar, it might be far better to limit our sugar intake and improve our overall diets to make better use of the natural foods available to us.

It is not well-known that aspartame, which may also appear on food labels as "acesulfame-k" or "sunette" can cause a variety of health symptoms, including:

• seizures and convulsions
• dizziness
• tremors
• migraines and severe headaches
• memory loss (common toxicity effects)
• slurring of speech
• confusion
• numbness or tingling of extremities
• chronic fatigue
• depression
• insomnia
• irritability
• panic attacks (common aspartame toxicity reaction)
• marked personality changes
• phobias
• rapid heart beat, tachycardia (another frequent reaction)
• asthma
• chest pains
• hypertension (high blood pressure)
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• swallowing pain
• itching
• hives / urticaria
• other allergic reactions
• blood sugar control problems (e.g., hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia)
• menstrual cramps and other menstrual problems or changes
• impotency and sexual problems
• food cravings
• weight gain
• hair loss / baldness or thinning of hair
• burning urination & other urination problems
• excessive thirst or excessive hunger
• bloating, edema (fluid retention)
• infection susceptibility
• joint pain

Aspartame disease, or chronic aspartame intake, can also mimic many serious illnesses, including:

• fibromyalgia
• arthritis
• multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Parkinson’s disease
• lupus
• multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS)
• diabetes and diabetic Complications
• epilepsy
• Alzheimer’s disease
• birth defects
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• lymphoma
• Lyme disease
• attention deficit disorder (ADD and ADHD)
• panic disorder
• depression and other psychological disorders
  

While aspartame seems safe, and while many organizations promote its safety, most of these organizations are in some way sponsored by or related to the companies that manufacture and use aspartame.

The best way to know the truth about aspartame is to get completely off of all aspartame products for at least 60 days, and measure the positive difference in your health and well-being at that point.

When you're avoiding aspartame, make sure you read labels carefully, because even items you would not expect to have aspartame in them may contain this substance. Almost any "light" or "diet" food, from soda to salad dressing, is a good candidate for aspartame and should be avoided.

Remember, rather than trying to avoid sugar by substituting aspartame, try eating more natural fruits and vegetables and less processed food. This is the best way to avoid aspartame and other harmful substances.

Once you've been off of aspartame for 60 days, if you're still not convinced of the health effects, try going back on it for 10 days and see how you feel then. You'll see a marked difference after just a short time of going back on aspartame.

If you are a diabetic and wish to balance your sugar levels naturally, go to our Blood Sugar Formulas to read more about various all natural products that can help you.

We recommend, NEVER using NutraSweet. It is a poison and neural toxin.

AGING, OBESITY and INSULIN

Many of us are aging too rapidly. Perhaps you've seen someone that told you they were 50 and you thought to yourself, "wow, I thought they were 62"---of course, the opposite can be true, but unfortunately it is usually that someone looks older than they really are. One of the best ways to slow down aging is to have normal insulin levels.

Interestingly, this is precisely what is responsible for most people being overweight. Their insulin levels are too high from eating too many carbohydrates.

One of the things that happen with too many carbohydrates, is that as more and more insulin is secreted to handle the carbohydrates, receptors called insulin receptors start to down regulate, or turn themselves off because of all the 'noise' from too much insulin. As this happens, the pancreas secretes more insulin because it doesn't realize there is so much insulin in the blood already. Remember the receptors have started to turn themselves down...just as you would a loud radio. This leads to the pancreas working too hard and eventually shutting down. We call this Type 2 diabetes. The old name was Adult Onset Diabetes.

All of us should be taking the following:

• Fish oil---I've found Salmon Oil to be best.
• BioChromate -- has an important role in regulating appetite, reducing sugar cravings, and lowering body fat.
• Alpha Lipoic Acid --may enhance the glucose lowering action of insulin and a powerful antioxidant
• IF you have sugar problems, you may want to add Cinnamon Bark Capsules as well.

Unfortunately, there has been a childhood obesity epidemic in our country and many of these children are developing Type 2 diabetes which is why the name was eventually changed. Obesity in children is now at 30% and growing.

This is NOT genetics, this is lifestyle choice. This is very controllable. We were given free will, and we live in a free country. The choices we make ultimately decide what how healthy we will be.

Obese people will more rapidly degenerate and come down with diseases of aging such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis. We must reverse this trend or for the first time in human history, we will begin to have children living shorter lives than their parents.
One way to get started is to do the following:
reduce the amount of time you and your children spend in front of the TV
eliminate all refined sugars and carbohydrates from your diet
no salt
no white flour
do not buy candy (it should be a RARE treat)---get healthy nuts (walnuts, almonds, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) and have them have daily as snack
start walking with your children
STOP all soda drinking, yes, diet too, it's a poison---(what do you give your dog to drink?)---well, start giving your kids water too!
don't give your kids milk (type "dangers of milk" in google)---where do cows get calcium
give your child raw vegetables at EVERY MEAL
Reduce the amounts of GRAINS they are eating
start eating GRASS FED BEEF (read my article on the EARTHTURNSBLOG )
No one said it will be easy. But the alternative is a disaster. You are paying $90 a pound for Tic-Tacs so lets get real and not complain that healthy meat is $10 or $12 a pound and that fruits and vegetables are getting more expensive.
I welcome your comments for a lively discussion on this topic. More info to follow.
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Omega 3 Study Reveals May Influence Mood

New Study Reveals Omega 3 Fatty Acids Influence Mood, Impulsivity and Personality

An exciting new study presented recently by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine revealed that adding Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EFA=essential fatty acids) may influence mood, personality and behavior.

This is huge. Research continues to prove what many of us have known and understood for quite some time. Americans are deficient in Omega-3 fatty acids and a myriad of chronic health conditions have emerged that are not genetic and not due to lack of drugs in their bodies, but due to lifestyle choices.

In the study of 106 healthy volunteers, the researchers discovered that participants who had lower blood levels of omega-3 essential fatty acids were more likely to report mild or moderate symptoms of depression, a more negative outlook and be more impulsive. Conversely, those with higher blood levels of omega-3s were found to be more agreeable.

"A number of previous studies have linked low levels of omega-3 to clinically significant conditions such as major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, substance abuse and attention deficit disorder," said Sarah Conklin, Ph.D., a postdoctoral scholar with the Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine Program in the department of psychiatry at the University Of Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. "However, few studies have shown that these relationships also occur in healthy adults. This study opens the door for future research looking at what effect increasing omega-3 intake, whether by eating omega-3 rich foods like salmon, or taking fish-oil supplements, has on people's mood."

Due to mercury in our waters, it is imperative to take molecularly distilled fish oil supplements to get enough EFA’s. Unfortunately if you eat large quantities of fish, you run the risk of mercury toxicity.

Another great source of Omega 3 fatty acids is grass-fed beef. Read our article below about the benefits of grass fed beef.

Good luck and keep educating yourself about the role Omega 3’s play in your health.

Importance of Omega 3's and Fish Oil Great Source!

Though Lipitor is a common method for treating high levels of cholesterol, the drug is not nearly as efficient as Omega-3 fatty acids, found mainly in fish oils. Both Lipitor and Omega-3 fatty acids aim to raise levels of HDL cholesterol—known as “good” cholesterol.

The higher the level of this HDL cholesterol, the less the risk a person would have of acquiring a cardiovascular disease. HDL also removes any excess cholesterol from cells within the arteries, protecting against conditions such as atherosclerosis.

In several studies, both the drug and the fish oils successfully decreased plasma triacylglycerols and increased HDL cholesterol levels, but only the Omega-3 fats in the fish oil also affected the rates of the production and molecular breakdown of HDL apolipoproteins.

Not only did Lipitor have no such effect, but it was also found to do more harm than good. Statin drugs such as Lipitor deplete levels of bad LDL cholesterols, but they do nothing to modify the original cause of the rise in such cholesterol. Statin drugs also deplete the body of certain requirements, such as Coenzyme Q10—which can ultimately result in heart failure. Lipitor is more likely to depress your immune system than improve it and even manages to increase your risk of atherosclerosis.

While hurting your body, Lipitor also hurts your wallet in significant way. Omega-3 rich supplements or foods can be purchased without prescription for less than a prescription co-payment of Lipitor. Even though insurance companies pay for most of the bill, prescription companies such as Pfizer continually raise their prices to acquire more funding to make this harmful product. Omega-3 fatty acids are a safer, cheaper, and more natural way to solve health problems than by purchasing an expensive, dangerous little pill.

With drugs that have such setbacks, it is important to realize that there are simpler methods to normalize your cholesterol and move towards a healthier lifestyle.

One effective method to lower your cholesterol is to keep an exercise regimen. By doing so, you can easily lower your insulin levels and lower your risk of heart disease.

Diet is also by far one of the most important methods to lower insulin levels. Unless a person is coping with a genetic defect called familial hypercholesterolemia, an individual’s cholesterol is heightened by a rise in insulin levels.

A rather easy and effective change in your diet would be to detract from sugar and grains. Grains are harmful to your cholesterol because they quickly break down into sugars in the body and heighten insulin your level along with other sugars you ingest. By cutting down on sugar and grains not only do you normalize cholesterol in your body, but you also normalize your weight and blood pressure, as well as heighten your energy levels.

Getting a considerable amount of Omega-3 fatty acids into your body can be beneficial in improving cholesterol, but that’s merely the tip of the iceberg of what if can do for your health. As long as you make sure to find Omega-3 supplements that meet strict purity guidelines, these fatty acids have been known to improve conditions in all parts of the body. They have been known to aid in disorders such as anxiety, depression, and weight gain, along with life threatening conditions such as heart disease, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and diabetes. Omega-3 fatty acids can improve allergies and skin problems such as constant dryness, abundant thick patches, and eczema.

Since Omega-3 fatty acids are naturally required by the body, a lack or imbalance of Omega-3’s can also be detrimental to your health. The dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain that influence both mood and attention deficit disorders are made up of a certain type of Omega-3 fatty acid known as DHA. If there is a lack of DHA in the blood, the body may use man-made trans-fats (known as hydrogenated oils) to build into some of these receptors, causing these receptors to become seriously deformed. For a child who is still growing, this problem could ultimately cause health problems such as depression and ADD. This is why hydrogenated oils should be avoided. If your body does not have the proper building blocks...it will use what it finds.

Within a child whose brain is still developing, new neural pathways are constantly forming as the child is learning new things. DHA is needed to create delicate neural synapses and if there is a lack in DHA, other types are fats are used, and a child may develop memory problems.

Without a considerable amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in a diet, it is possible to harm a growing mind that needs DHA to build it. The imbalance has a serious effect on moods, memory, and concentration in both children and adults. Omega-3 deficiencies have also been known to be an influence in other conditions such as diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, allergies, arthritis, violence, cancer, inflammatory diseases, and various skin diseases.

Today, it is simple to still find foods that contain significant amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, but the American diet is almost devoid of them. Rather, we eat excessive amounts of man-made trans-fats that are high in Omega-6 fatty acids, which block our body’s effort to thrive on the few Omega-3’s that it obtains. Though the human brain is made up of more than 60% structural fat, we no longer eat the correct types of fats that we used to, but rather we ingest fats that deflect any helpful substances.

Centuries ago, men who lived as hunters and gatherers had diets rich in Omega-3’s, as they ate grass-fed meat along with fruits and vegetables, and rarely ate any grain. Certain components of their diets such as green leafy vegetables, nuts, and seeds are very good sources of Omega-3’s. (See our Post about Grass-fed meats)

Omega-3 fatty acids can be found in types of high-quality fish or krill oil and in meat that has been raised to eat “free-range,” or grass-fed. Research has shown that wild animals are much healthier to eat than grain-fed animals. Such animals that have diets lacking greens and grasses have significantly low or non-detectable Omega-3 levels, while those that eat only leafy greens and vegetables have considerably high Omega-3 levels and are a much leaner and healthier contribution to one’s diet.

Such meat cannot yet be found in your local grocery store, but it can be ordered online and shipped overnight. It has been predicted that within the next 10 or so years, the population will become more aware and concerned for the need of Omega-3 fatty acids and the production of food will change drastically to meet such requirements. For now, only some companies are taking steps to market Omega-3 rich foods by introducing not only free-range meat, but also tuna and eggs from chickens fed with Omega-3 rich foods. The Gerber baby food company has also begun to formulate foods with more Omega-3’s.

As the pressure rises to increase Omega-3 content in foods, the FDA also has announced that within a few years they will enforce a new rule that will require the trans-fat content of foods. For now, we will have to wait and continue to seek out the purest Omega-3 sources that we can.

Grass Fed Beef in Panama

I just got back from a wonderful trip to Panama. The people are friendly, the temperature constantly hovers in the high 80's...and guess what? All of their beef, yes even at Wendy's, is grass-fed.

At a wonderful steak house we visited, they had Omaha steaks on the menu for $25, but why buy grain-fed beef when for $9.00 you can have a healthier Panamanian grass-fed steak.

Panama is a great place to think about for retirement for many reasons. Visit http://www.retireinpanama.info/ to get more information about why Panama is a great destination.

NutraSweet--Silent Killer

Aspartame (the generic name) or NutraSweet (the brand name) is an innocuous killer that is finding its way into the fabric of many foods. NutraSweet has been linked to leukemia and lymphoma, migraine headaches, seizures, memory loss and even psychotic episodes.

Would you believe that at one time, the Pentagon listed aspartame as a biochemical warfare agent? Who would ever think that it would eventually wind up in our foods, chewing gum, sodas and even some prescription and over the counter meds?

If you are not paying attention to labels, then you and your family are probably consuming aspartame. I would imagine that numerous symptoms that you and your family are suffering from can be attributed to aspartame. In fact, you are probably going to the doctor and getting prescription meds to cover up symptoms created by taking aspartame. This is insane.

You must act now and stop allowing your family to be poisoned by NutraSweet. Read the labels; if it says aspartame or NutraSweet on the label, do not buy it. Make healthy choices. Instead of soda, try water. Instead of gum, try nibbling on some carrots. The choices you make now will affect you and your family for years.