NaturalNews) When Ron and Nadine from the Living Libations beauty care and chocolate company (www.LivingLibations.com) attempted to fly to the United States in August of this year, they ran into something completely unexpected: Drug-sniffing dogs at the Toronto airport. When their dogs took a special interest in their raw, unrefined chocolate with hemp seeds and superfood extracts, they were arrested, handcuffed and put through hours of tortuous interrogation. Such begins the journey of Ron and Nadine, the chocolate freedom fighters from Canada.

Accused of trafficking two and a half pounds of hashish (which was really just raw, homemade chocolate), Ron and Nadine were arrested, physically separated into interrogation rooms and handcuffed to chairs. Their six-month old baby was forcibly taken from them, and they were immediately subjected to intense interrogation.

Their chocolate looked suspicious, they were told, because it wasn’t in a commercial wrapper. If it’s not Hershey’s, it must be drugs! An on-the-spot drug test from the NIK company (which makes portable drug testing kits) returned a positive result, the Canadian police claimed, and that’s all the evidence they need to arrest anyone.

As you’ll learn later, however, it turns out the NIK drug testing kits return false positives nearly 100% of the time if the results are interpreted incorrectly, as they were in this case… (see photos below).

Is this Canada, or Gitmo?
Emboldened by the positive drug test on the two pounds of raw chocolate, Canadian drug agents scrambled to action. They hadn’t seen a big drug bust in a long time, and excitement was brewing over the possibility of nabbing someone with a whopping two pounds of hashish! Thus, the tyrants of law enforcement went to work on Ron and Nadine, using Guantanamo Bay tactics to try to force them to admit to being hashish drug traffickers.

Over the next several hours, Ron and Nadine were interrogated by the Canadian equivalent of FBI agents who verbally assaulted them using every lying, deceitful police interrogation tactic in the book. They screamed at Ron and Nadine, threatened them with years in prison and even told each of them that the other had already confessed to drug trafficking, trying to trick them into admitting to crimes they never committed. (There is no law that says police have to tell the truth when they are interrogating you, even for false arrest, by the way.)

Through the entire episode, Ron and Nadine resisted the tactics, held their ground and continued to hold positive intentions. “As I was sitting in the cell,” Ron told NaturalNews, “I kept focused on light and truth. I felt like no matter what was happening around me, I was opening up a gateway of light and total truth.”

After the interrogation, the threats of “life in jail” and other dishonest tactics used by law enforcement to try to get them to “admit” to drug trafficking, they were finally released on bail. Their baby son was returned to them, and they went home. For the next 30 days, they were subjected to surprise visits by Children’s Aid employees (the Canadian version of Child Protective Services), who were told by law enforcement authorities that Ron and Nadine were drug smugglers.

Over this 30 day period, as felony drug trafficking charges were pending against them, Ron and Nadine managed to connect with legal help. Their lawyer, Marcy Segal, was able to persuade the Crown Attorney to send the chocolate “hashish” sample to a proper lab for testing. And wouldn’t you know it: The test showed that chocolate is chocolate, not hashish.

The charges were dropped, but no apology was ever offered to the couple. Instead, Canadian law enforcement authorities declared, “You must have been smoking something before you came to the airport.”

(No doubt someone in this story was on crack, but it doesn’t seem to be Ron and Nadine…)

NaturalNews has acquired the actual document delivered to law enforcement official in Toronto, declaring there to be absolutely no drugs in Ron and Nadine’s possession. You can view the PDF of this document here:

http://www.naturalnews.com/investigatio…

Let’s try this again
Following their being cleared by the lab tests, they were determined to return to the United States and attend the Raw Spirit Festival in Sedona Arizona. Their lawyer had contacted U.S. authorities in advance, advising them that Ron and Nadine were bringing chocolate through their security checkpoints as they crossed from Canada to the United States. “Watch out, it’s chocolate!”

They were told everything was understood, and the chocolate would be allowed through. Imagine their surprise, however, when Ron and Nadine were once against arrested at the airport and accused of — guess what? — smuggling hashish disguised as chocolate!

U.S. law enforcement authorities boost their careers when they take part in big drug busts, and 2.5 pounds of hashish was a huge bust by anyone’s accounting. So they had every incentive to try to make this bust stick.

Desperate to prove themselves right, the American drug enforcement police ripped though Ron and Nadine’s luggage and clothing, opening every vial, asking questions about all the “strange” things they found there.

What kind of strange things? Sea salt. Zeolites. Tea tree oil. Essential oils. Hemp seeds. Probiotics. Raw cacao nibs. You know, dangerous superfoods and supplements.

They were questioned at great length about all these “strange” substances. Apparently, law enforcement personnel have actually never seen superfoods! Subsisting on a diet of processed foods and diet soda, they apparently believe real food is a foreign substance… a criminal substance, in fact. It is a strange world, indeed, when those who claim to uphold the laws of the land have zero familiarity with food harvested from the land…

The field kit drug tests produce false positives!
So why did the NIK drug test reveal a positive result when the cacao was tested?

To answer that question, NaturalNews purchased a portable narcotics drug test kit from CopQuest.com, an online supply source for law enforcement. The product we purchased is the Narcotics Identification System, part # 6060. It is manufactured by NIK Public Safety, Inc. in Jacksonville, FL.

The test we used is test “E” — which claims to offer “presumptive identifications of Marijuana, Hashish, Hash Oil and THC.”

According to the instructions, the test reveals a “positive” for Marijuana (or the other substances listed) when it turns purple. As is stated on the NIK Instructions for Use, step 5:

“5. Break middle ampoule and agitate gently. A blue-violet (or purple) color will develop within a few seconds to a minute if Marijuana, Hashish, Hash Oil or THC is present. Allow sufficient time for the blue-violet (or purple) to develop for a positive test.”

Visit Natural News to see the original article with detailed description and images of the kitchen “drug test”.

That’s all it takes, folks: Just one person shaking this plastic test kit and believing he sees a “purple” or “bluish” color. And this is the test the border police are using to arrest raw foodies and charge them with felony crimes! Anything they don’t recognize gets put to the NIK test, and just about everything I’ve found produces a similar result.

Here’s another important point: Color is a SUBJECTIVE thing. One person might say it’s dark blue, another could say it’s brown, and a third could say it’s purple. All it takes is one crack-smoking idiot with a badge to utter the word, “purple” and suddenly you’re arrested at gunpoint, thrown into a jail cell and interrogated for ten hours. Welcome to the USA!

It is the belief of NaturalNews that the NIK Narcotics Identification products produce false positives or, at the very least, misleading results that are frequently misinterpreted by law enforcement authorities as positives.

NaturalNews has learned that NIK drug tests show positive results for THC for all the following natural substances:

• Organic tea tree oil
• Frankincense oil
• CoQ10
• Raw chocolate

It is important to note that NIK tests carry zero weight in a court of law. But they have the power to arrest, and law enforcement authorities are now openly abusing that power, using these “false positive” to arrest and detain anyone they wish to target (such as raw foodies).

$22,000 in legal bills and growing
After being charged with felony crimes, accused of trafficking illegal drugs, interrogated, isolated from his family and denied the right to travel as a free citizen, Ron Obadia is now facing over $22,000 in legal bills.

Even after the real drug test conclusively proved there were NO drugs in the raw chocolate, there was no apology from Canadian law enforcement officials. No offer to reimburse Ron and Nadine for their legal expenses. They were simply let go and told to go home. Charges are still pending from the American side (they were about to board an international flight), and it may require another $10,000 in legal bills just to clear their names in America.

As a result, Ron and Nadine are virtual prisoners in their own country. Accused of crimes they did not commit, these raw foodies only committed the “crime” of daring to carry real food that wasn’t packaged in a brand-name wrapper.

At one point, one of the police officers screamed at Ron, saying, “If you wanted chocolate, why didn’t you just buy a Snickers bar!” The proper answer to that question, of course, is so far beyond the intellect of typical law enforcement personnel that I won’t even bother explaining it here. To these cops, Burger King is fine cuisine, candy bars are superfoods and hashish is anything that looks brown and unusual.

Ran and Nadine were never able to attend the Raw Spirit Festival. They spent the day being interrogated for crimes they did not commit.

Buy Chocolate for Freedom!
Ron and Nadine desperately need your support to not just pay off their legal bills, but to sue Canadian law enforcement officials for false arrest.

We need to raise $50,000 in order for this to be pursued. It’s an important mission, and if successful, it could send a message to border agents everywhere to keep their hands off the chocolate!

SunWarrior (www.SunWarrior.com) has already pledged $1,000 in help. You can help support Ron and Nadine by buying their delicious chocolate from www.LivingLibations.com

It doesn’t actually contain hashish, by the way. It’s made from wholesome superfoods and delicious, raw ingredients! They also carry some outstanding beauty products made with high-grade essential oils and all-natural ingredients. Check it out.

Please Buy Chocolate for Freedom and help support Ron and Nadine right now: www.LivingLibations.com

Get Ron and Nadine’s story out to the world
The next thing you can do is help get Ron and Nadine’s story out to the world! If you’re an author, website owner or radio show host, contact them for an interview, and help them get the word out about this tyrannical attack on raw foods by ignorant law enforcement personnel.

You can contact them at:
ron@livinglibations.com
416-920-8471

You also have permission to copy and post this story everywhere. Simply give credit to NaturalNews for this investigative story, and you can openly post it on your website, use it in your book, quote it in a documentary, newspaper or magazine.

Donate money to help Ron and Nadine pay their legal bills
The third way you can help is to directly donate money to Ron and Nadine.

To help provide publicity to those individuals or companies willing to support Ron and Nadine, NaturalNews will publish a follow-up article listing the names, websites and donation amounts of all individuals and companies donating $1,000 or more.

I’m willing to bet Nutiva will likely be on that list, and perhaps even Ruth’s Hemp Foods from Canada. Get the word out, and ask companies for generous donations. We need to help protect our natural foods community from police state tactics.

Here’s how you can donate right now:

Send via PayPal to: chocolate@livinglibations.com

Donate via ChipIn.com at: http://livinglibations.chipin.com/super…

Why the War on Drugs is out of control
What Ron and Nadine experienced here is just one symptom of a War on Drugs that’s utterly out of control. While completely ignoring the real drug dealers (Big Pharma and psychiatrists who put kids on amphetamines), tyrannical law enforcement personnel target innocent natural health advocates who refuse to eat Snickers bars and Big Macs.

Carrying “unusual” food with you at the airport is now a crime that can get you thrown in jail and cost you $20,000 or more in legal bills. And that’s when you’re innocent!

The War on Drugs has done virtually nothing to stem the tide of illegal street drugs, but it’s sure given lots of money and power to another group: The DEA and other drug enforcement tyrants whose careers (and paychecks) depend on continuing their politically-motivated crusade against innocents.

Marijuana arrests are out of control, with nearly 8 million Americans having been arrested for pot possession over the last decade (http://www.projectcensored.org/top-stor…). Meanwhile, the U.S. spends between $10 and $12 billion a year enforcing those laws, and that doesn’t count the exploding prison population, where now an astonishing 11 percent of all black men between the ages of 30 and 34 are in prison. (http://www.hrw.org/english/docs/2008/06…)

A startling 2.3 million Americans are sitting in prison cells right now, and many are there for victimless crimes such as smoking marijuana. And yet, amazingly, powerful institutions in society directly promote highly addictive drugs to virtually everyone:

• Daily caffeine through coffee and energy drinks for teens
• “Speed” amphetamines for children diagnosed with ADHD
• Highly addictive painkillers like Oxycotin, which are now openly abused by teens
• Over-the-counter cold medicines, now widely used to manufacture meth (crank, ice, etc.)

The real point to all of this, of course, is not to stop Americans from using drugs; it’s to force Americans to use patented drugs that earn profits for powerful corporations. The job of the DEA is primarily to eliminate Big Pharma’s competition by criminalizing non-patented drugs while protecting patented ones.

In order to concentrate power into their own hands, they must create fear and terrorize the population, which is why the DEA keeps raiding California medical marijuana clinics, by the way… even though they are legal in the State of California!

Who are the real criminals?
The real criminals in society today are not the lazy pot heads toking up a joint in the basement. The real criminals are those who terrorize us, take away our freedoms and steal our money while bailing out the rich. And guess who does all three? Your government, of course!

Ron and Nadine are unwittingly playing a Ghandi-like role in this grand governmental comedy. By perservering their arrest and interrogation and proving their obvious innocence in the face of outrageous stupidity, they bring focus to the idiocy of modern law enforcement and the real threat posed to innocents by our nation’s ill-fated War on Drugs.

Real power comes from health and wisdom, and yet the people running our governments today have neither; so they must fabricate false power through the use of firearms, fear and intimidation. These are the weapons of the weak, and they will ultimately fall to the strength and courage of enlightened, health-infused individuals like Ron and Nadine from Living Libations.

Because when this whole grand house of cards comes crashing down, with systemic financial collapse, crop failures, water depletion, and infectious disease, all those parasitic employees of the federal government are going to find themselves utterly incapable of surviving in the real world. Without their diabetes meds, diet sodas and processed junk foods, they will quickly find themselves irrelevant to life on Earth, swept under the carpet of life like the dust from which they came.

Those who are too stupid to recognize real food are ultimately doomed to become food. For the worms, that is.

Resources
See related Counterthink Cartoons:

“Meth Labs”
http://www.naturalnews.com/021943.html

“Mental Treatment”
http://www.naturalnews.com/021430.html

“The Birth of Big Pharma”
http://www.naturalnews.com/020840.html

Additional Resources for Ending the War on Drugs

www.StopTheDrugWar.org

www.MPP.org

How to contact Ron and Nadine

ron@livinglibations.com
416-920-8471

A New Paradigm for Dental Health
Here is the problem. The recipe does not work. Virtually 100% of people in modern society have some form of tooth decay or gum disease. Tooth loss, dentures and bridges are considered a normal and inevitable part of growing up and aging. Is is possible that tooth decay and gum disease have a different cause than we always believed and therefore a different approach to treatment?

According to a growing group of natural health advocates, everything you have always been taught about dental health is wrong. They believe that your teeth and gums are an excellent reflection of your overall nutrition levels and overall state of health. Your teeth are not an island, simply reacting to sugar, brushing and fluoridated water.

Your teeth and gums are living body parts that respond to vitamins, minerals and fatty acids just as your skin, hair, muscles and organs do. Sugar harms your teeth by displacing vital nutrients rather than only having an exterior effect on your dental enamel as is commonly believed. True dental health comes from within your body and teeth via your nutrition levels and enamel hardness comes from the nutrients in your diet.

The majority of followers and researchers that subscribe to this line of thinking, are using the work of Dr. Weston Price as a starting point. Dr. Price made the observation that certain groups of people who lived primitive rather than modern lifestyles and never brushed or flossed, had perfectly healthy teeth with no gum disease or tooth decay. The common denominator he found in those with perfect teeth, was a primarily raw food diet high in quality fats, specific nutrients and the absence of processed foods.

“The world became his laboratory. As he traveled, his findings led him to the belief that dental caries and deformed dental arches resulting in crowded, crooked teeth and unattractive appearance were a sign of physical degeneration, resulting from what he had suspected —nutritional deficiencies.” Realmilk.com

While the primary cause of poor oral health is nutrient deficiencies, some other causes and risk factors for modern tooth decay and gum disease include stress, pacifier use, chewing aspirin, prescription drugs, sports drinks, low fat diets and other similar unnatural behaviors and dietary choices. Oral health is also caused by or a symptom of certain diseases and conditions, such as poor circulation, digestive ailments, allergies, diabetes and hypoglycemia.

Nutritional deficiencies have been proven to cause a number of dental problems. Periodontal disease for example, is linked to a zinc, iron, copper, potassium, magnesium or maganese deficiency. Sugar, alcohol and caffeine all make it impossible for your body’s nutrients to be in balance and therefore have no part in a regime for oral health.

Nutrition for Dental Health
Dr. Price discovered that all of the primitive societies he studied ate similar foods with a similar nutritional makeup. They received huge quantities of vitamins A and D from shellfish, fish eggs and the organ meats and butter from grass fed cows. It is interesting to note that these societies also used the exact same foods in very large quantities for optimal preconception, pregnancy and breastfeeding health. The same societies experienced tremendous increases in tooth decay and deformed dental arches when they adopted a “modern” diet.

Fats are crucial for oral health. If you want optimal health and oral health in particular, then you must eat lots of good, high quality fats such as cod liver oil, butter from grass fed cows and ghee. Skim milk will not work even if it is raw. Neither will low-fat butter even if it is organic. The best choice is organic, raw, full fat, non-homogenized, grass fed animal products such as dairy, cultured dairy and eggs if you can get them.

You cannot be afraid of animal products, animal protein or fat to subscribe to the research of Dr. Price. More than one non-sugar eating vegetarian with inexplicable cavities has switched sides much to their delight and continually improving dental health. Eating raw is very important for both overall health and dental health, but without high quality animal fats that contain A, D and K, your dental health will suffer tremendously. This should only be a problem for hard core vegans, because many vegetarians will still consume dairy and eggs.

One additive your body does not need however, is fluoridated water. Pharmaceutical grade fluoride does have some benefit in cavity protection when applied directly to the surface of the tooth (topically). Ingested fluoride does not provide any benefits to your teeth and is incredibly toxic to your body in a myriad of ways. The fluoride dripped in our water supply (without our consent) is a toxic, industrial waste product that has been scraped from the inside of smokestacks, that is too toxic to “dump” anywhere else so they drip it indiscriminately in our water supply and only those who can afford to buy filtered water can afford to “opt out” of this mandatory drugging. Have you ever wondered why “they” aren’t placing vitamins and minerals in our water supply if they care so much about our health?

Additional nutrients that natural dental health experts recommend are large doses of C0Q10 (300-500 mg daily) and Vitamin C. Other people take Vitamin E, calcium phosphates, monosodium phosphate, B complex (for stress), cranberries and fermented foods. Supplements are fine to take but the results will never match that of whole foods. You can spend time in the sun for your Vitamin D, but that will also not replicate the benefit of high quality animal fat. The company Standard Process makes products specifically designed on the principles of Dr. Price for dental health. You should also take colloidal minerals daily for both your overall health and your dental health.

Topical care for Dental health
Nutrition and dietary choices will keep your teeth healthy from the inside out, but what about keeping them clean on the outside? It is still important to keep your teeth clean even if you have an excellent diet. Avoid traditional toothpastes however. They are loaded with chemicals, sugar, additives and other no-nos. Stick with water, baking soda, salt or bar soap . Advocates of brushing with bar soap recommend Ivory, pure olive oil soap or any other bar soap from your health food store that does not contain sodium silicate or fragrance. Commercial toothpastes will leave a glycerin film on your teeth that will prevent remineralization, so even if you are eating the right minerals in your diet, they cannot help rebuild your teeth and using bar soap keeps your teeth really clean and film free.

Some other topical treatments people use for oral health are Tea tree, Neem, oil of oregano and Magnolia tree bark. You can also try increasing gum circulation with Bayberry root bark, Echinacea root, Peppermint oil or Cayenne pepper. Other dental care options include oil pulling and using a magnetic pulser.

• Use un-waxed floss and rub it back and forth across your teeth like you are shining shoes to really clean the surface and leave it ready for remineralization.
• Brush first thing in the morning before you eat anything.
• Always drink fluids while eating. Water is ideal but milk or coffee will work fine as well.
• Be sure to stay hydrated. Adequate saliva production is imperative for dental health. Avoid prescription drugs for the same reason. Over 600 have been proven to reduce saliva which in turn will lead to tooth decay.
• Try Xylitol gum. Xylitol has been proven to halt and even reverse tooth decay. An important caveat; Please never, ever chew gum if you have any amalgam fillings. It will increase the rate at which your fillings leak mercury to dangerous levels. This is even more important during pregnancy.
• Gum massage Massage your gums 3-4 times a day. This is required for excellent gum circulation and health. Raw vegetables and other foods that stimulate the gums are also excellent (as opposed to soft,chewy processed foods like cereals or breads).
• Try using a Sonicare toothbrush with your bar soap and add some hydrogen peroxide in your Waterpik.

Bottom line: Keep your teeth clean and ready for remineralization. Eat lots of good fats so you can absorb the minerals you eat. Avoid processed foods that will displace minerals you eat. Eat high quality animal protein and colloidal minerals which will give you strong healthy teeth from the inside and also allow your teeth to remineralize and pinpoint cavities up to 2millimeters can reverse and remineralize.


Spry gum with Xylitol

Additional Resources:
Campaign for realmilk
Dental Supplement Chart
Purchase Standard Process Dental Supplements
3 Part video series; Cure Tooth Decay and Cavities
Good Teeth, Birth to Death

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/missellie/210850207/

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/natural-dental-health/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/organic-sprouting/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/organic-sprouting/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 07:10:37 +0000 Natural Health http://health.amuchbetterway.com/2008/05/organic-sprouting.html “Have you ever heard of a vegetable which continues to gain vitamins after you harvest it? Sprouts do this. Sprouts are LIVING foods. Even after you harvest your sprouts and refrigerate them, they will continue to grow slowly and their vitamin content will actually increase. Compare this with store-bought vegetables and fruits, which start losing their vitamin content as soon as they’re picked and often have to be shipped a thousand miles or more in the winter.” Sprouts for your Health; Healingdaily.com

By: Joel

Sprouting has long been known to provide numerous health advantages to individuals that incorporate fresh, organic sprouts into their daily diet. Organic sprouting is the process of soaking seeds in pure water, properly draining and then rinsing with more pure water until they mature into sprouts. There are many varieties of seeds that can be sprouted for food. The following outlines a few of the most common:

• Alfalfa
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Garlic
• Mustard
• Wheat
• Peas
• Radish
• Soybean

Health professionals everywhere agree that sprouts are excellent for providing the body with key nutrients. These nutrients, such as various vitamins, proteins, important amino acids and minerals, are the building blocks of life for the various functions within the body. Furthermore, when sprouts are grown organically, the seeds are not introduced to any common chemicals. This means that when they are consumed, dangerous toxins are not introduced to the body.

The raw food lifestyle continues to grow in popularity as doctors and dieticians agree that it is safe and effective. When a person consumes the diet that consists of raw foods, they are less likely to experience various sicknesses, diseases, and similar conditions. Organic sprouts are a very successful component of a raw food lifestyle. Sprouts can assist in weight loss, preventing heart disease, as well as preventing many different kinds of cancers.

“In a nut shell (no pun intended) the main benefit of sprouting is that it takes a seed or nut in the dormant state and brings it to life. During the sprouting process new and higher quality proteins and other nutrients are produced. Tests have shown that the nutrients in seeds and nuts are anywhere from 50% to 400% greater after sprouting or soaking.” The Benefits of Sprouting; EZhealthydiets.com

Many people enjoy growing their own sprouts. When you grow your own sprouts you can create sprouts that you like for a fraction of the cost of buying sprouts in the store. To begin your own organic sprouting, you may like to try the Easy-Sprouter. With the Easy-Sprouter you do not have to have any experience and it requires no rinsing. The Easy-Sprouter is inexpensive and efficient and allows anyone to perform organic with NO experience.

The Easy-Sprouter creates an ideal environment for growing for a wide variety of seeds. There is no need to have a strong knowledge of sprouting and you can grow healthy sprouts with no experience. I believe, using this method of sprouting, you are saving yourself a lot of time and money and making a useful contribution to the environment.

If you are interested in reaping the health benefits associated with organic sprouting, there are many ways to do so. You can purchase these sprouts locally, at your local grocery store or simply grow your own. The growing process can be relatively frustrating if you have little or no experience, so, if you choose this method, it is best to use a sprouter. The Easy - Sprouter will make doing your own organic sprouting easy and convenient! Those who have no experience whatsoever in organic sprouting can greatly benefit from using this particular instrument. This will allow you to enjoy your food relatively cheaply, and share your creations with those that you are close to.

“More and more people are discovering the benefits that can be received by adding to the diet the condensed energy hidden within the seed and released in the form of sprouts. The Western Wisdom Teachings stress the importance of nutrition, not only for the health of the physical body, but also as an aid to one’s spiritual sensitivity. Therefore, anyone aspiring to the higher life should be aware of the healthful benefits to be obtained by the use of sprouts.” Sprouting for Health; rosicrucian.com

Purchase the Freshlife Automatic Sprout Grower
Purchase the EasySprouter

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

Don’t Miss!! Outstanding ,no cost Information from Gene Monson. Gene Monson is the inventor of the EasySprouter. Don’t reprint this article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/organic-sprouting/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/get-more-e-to-avoid-parkinsons-and-alzheimers/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/get-more-e-to-avoid-parkinsons-and-alzheimers/#comments Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:41:05 +0000 Natural Health http://health.amuchbetterway.com/2008/04/get-more-e-to-avoid-parkinsons-and-alzheimers.html According to the article, “Foods Rich in Vitamin E Lowers the Risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases” over at Natural Health Blog, eating more Vitamin E can help prevent two devastating diseases that prey on seniors in record numbers.

“According to the studies conducted by the National Institute of Aging (NIA), foods rich in vitamin E content may aid in protecting individuals against the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. The recommended dietary allowance (RDA) in the case of vitamin E estimates as 22 IU on a daily basis. Although vitamin E supplements offer potential health benefits, dosages higher than 2000 IU in a day may heighten the risk of bleeding due to the anticoagulation property of vitamin E.” Natural Health

We all know that fruits, nuts and green, leafy vegetables are a critical part of a healthy diet, and this study just gives us more proof of what we already know, and more incentive to keep up the good diet.

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/get-more-e-to-avoid-parkinsons-and-alzheimers/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-resveratrol/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-resveratrol/#comments Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:26:05 +0000 Natural Health http://health.amuchbetterway.com/2008/03/what-is-resveratrol.html Newspapers, magazines and TV over the last few years have been filled with news of the anti-aging, antioxidant and seemingly miraculous properties of red wine. Many believe that the proven benefits of red wine explain the “French Paradox” in which the French have lower rates of heart disease yet consume a high fat diet.

The primary health component of wine that researchers have uncovered is called resveratrol. It is a compound found in the skin and seeds of grapes and created during the fermentation process. Therefore if the juice is never fermented (as in grape juice) or if wine is made from juice concentrates that contain no skins (as in home winemaking kits), then you will not be receiving much of the incredible benefits of this tremendous antioxidant. In addition, white wine has lower amounts of resveratrol than red wine because the grape skins are removed earlier in the winemaking process.

Apparently, resveratrol exists in the skins as a protective mechanism for the grapes. It is a built in antibiotic to protect the plant against disease and infections and that protective ability carries over to our bodies when we consume it in the right form. Because colder climates have a higher incidence of fungus, grapes grown in colder climates have more resveratrol than their warmer grown counterparts.

Resveratrol is also found in a number of other foods and berries, such a peanuts and blueberries but grapes, particularly winemaking grapes such as Muscadine, are the clear winner. Resveratrol nutritional supplements are either made from the powdered and ground skin and seeds of grapes or more likely they are made from Japanese knotweed which contains a fairly high amount of resveratrol.

Researchers have studied the benefits of resveratrol extensively and found it to be a very potent antioxidant. Mice who take it live longer and essentially become olympic athletes without the training. It can prevent, slow or reverse coronary heart disease, cancer, high blood pressure and aging. According to Wikipedia, resveratrol has been proven in scientific studies to extend the lifespan of worms, mice, and fruit flies. The mice not only lived longer, but the resveratrol actually counteracted the effects of a high fat diet.

As a cancer preventer, resveratrol is most effective in studies when it comes in direct contact with the cancer, such as skin cancer or gastrointestinal tumors. According to resveratrolnews.com, “Other new discoveries show it [resveratrol] does still more — repairs alcohol -damaged livers, slows bone loss (osteoporosis), boosts endurance, promotes hair growth, and re-energizes cells.” In addition, resveratrol also seems to have anti-viral properties and can enhance the benefits of retrovirals use to treat HIV, and has been proven to block the Herpes and influenza virus. It is unclear whether resveratrol needs to be taken orally or topically to enjoy these benefits.

The alcohol itself may offer heart healthy benefits as well, which are not exclusive to red wine.

Various studies have indicated that moderate amounts of all types of alcohol benefit your heart, not just alcohol found in red wine. Some heart-healthy benefits of alcohol include:

• Raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the “good” cholesterol
• Lowers blood pressure
• Inhibits the formation of blood clots
• Helps prevent artery damage caused by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol Mayclinic.com

Dr. Mercola has a different take on alcohol because he believes that alcohol is a neurotoxin which damages our brains and that it can easily disrupt our hormonal balance. He does not recommend alcohol in any amounts but suggests we should take our resveratrol in the form of grape skins. He also notes, that unless you know the source of your wine and it is organic, then it may not contain any resveratrol anyway.

If you are interested in adding resveratrol to your nutrition and supplement routine there are a number of great resveratrol products on the market but you might also consider purchasing organic winemaking grapes and making your own. You can also eat grape skins as Dr. Mercola suggests or if you enjoy having a glass of red wine with dinner, then continue to do so but do not start drinking a bottle a night looking for increased health benefits.

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-resveratrol/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/can-we-live-past-120/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/can-we-live-past-120/#comments Wed, 19 Mar 2008 02:13:38 +0000 Natural Health http://health.amuchbetterway.com/2008/03/can-we-live-past-120.html

About 15 years ago my friend, a self avowed health nut loaned me a tape based on a presentation by Dr. Joe Wallach extolling the virtues of natural healing and the alternatives available to us. His estimate is that we have the ability to live 120-140 years. Before you roll your eyes, let me give you some background information on Dr. Wallach.

Joe Wallach grew up on a farm in the Midwest and questioned the different way farmers cared for their livestock as opposed to how we humans cared for ourselves because he noted that livestock never came down with the same illnesses as humans because farmers always found ways to prevent disease with nutrition. Dr. Wallach went on to study agriculture and eventually became a Veterinarian. He worked in Africa with Marlin Perkins of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom for 2 years specializing in the treatment of rhinos and elephants. During that time, a special grant was setup to study the effects of the environment on animals at the St. Louis Zoo, and subsequently other zoos in the area. Over the next 12 years, Dr. Wallach performed 17,500 autopsies on animals and 3,000 on people that lived in the area.

His next stage in life was what he described as a “license to kill”, he became a Physician. In the course of his practice, he wrote seventy-five scientific articles, wrote 8 multi-author textbooks plus one on his own, 1700 newspaper interviews television appearances and the gamut of media, but his message of applying the same successful dietary knowledge of preventative nutrition used for animals to humans fell on deaf ears. That was in the 1960s, fortunately more people are listening today, and we generally call them liberals.

Dr. Wallach challenged conventional medicine and supported his hypothesis that the average lifespan of the population during his studies was 75.5 years of age while that of a medical doctor was only 58. In his studies, he learned that the main difference in longevity was that people who received their water supply from glaciers or had their fields flooded, both sources depositing and re enriching mineral depleted soil, received the essential nutrients, improving their health, and ultimately their longevity. The primary reason for the increased longevity in areas with mineral rich soils is because our bodies need about 90 nutrients and they are most readily available through plants grown in this wonderful soil. Most soil throughout the world is tremendously depleted so Dr. Wallach strongly recommends supplementing our diet, specifically with colloidal minerals (the only kind we can readily absorb)

Some of his conclusions were:

• A senior that dies, after a fall in fact dies form osteoporosis
• Arthritis can be cured by ingesting cartilage
• Kidney stones are caused by a calcium deficiency.
• A copper deficiency will cause grey hair, skin wrinkles and other aging symptoms
• Diabetes, Cardio Myopathy, Alzheimer’s, cancer and even male pattern baldness are preventable through diet and nutrition

I deal extensively with seniors and quite often I am amazed when I ask health related questions and look at their lifestyles. Approximately half of them have the triple American whammy: diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Looking around at their environment there is an abundance of processed food, cakes, ice cream, white bread and the smell of grease, evidence of their cooking habits. They have obviously put their faith in the ability of their medications to keep them alive. As they get older, the dosages increase and their livers and kidneys need even more drugs to make them work. The other half of seniors I meet are remarkably disease free, have diets rich in fruit and vegetables and exercise on a regular basis.

Recently, I listened to a talk radio show and the topic focused on African Americans in the southern states, notably Georgia, who regularly ate small amounts of dirt. I have also read that poor Hatian people sometimes make cookies out of dirt that are duly baked and consumed, supposedly to stave off hunger. This is known as pica and originated in Africa, more as a dietary supplement. . This condition also occurs during pregnancy as the body’s way of getting needed minerals for the developing fetus. According to Dr. Wallach, our bodies will let us know to a large extent what we need, we just need to learn how to listen and that is where his conclusions are so important. We as humans have the ability to make choices (unlike the farm animals), unfortunately we seem to look for the easy path, not addressing the underlying causes.

You can learn more about the work of Dr. Wallach through this link or you can purchase his book, Dead Doctors Don’t Lie at Amazon.com.

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/can-we-live-past-120/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/evening-primrose-and-coq10-dynamic-duo/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/evening-primrose-and-coq10-dynamic-duo/#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2007 20:06:29 +0000 Natural Health http://amuchbetterway.com/health/2007/10/17/evening-primrose-and-coq10-dynamic-duo/ Coenzyme Q-10 and Evening Primrose Oil are super supplements that have a host of potential benefits for women from regulating hormones to reducing the risk of heart disease and breast cancer.

By: Jane Arnold

During the past few years, I’ve become more interested in the subject of health and wellness. During this time, I’ve found the amount of information and variety of supplements overwhelming. The rows of jars and bottles that line the shelves at health food stores and supermarkets seems infinite.

I believe that it’s essential, in our pill popping society, to be judicious when choosing to start a new supplement routine. It’s imperative to do research and speak to your doctor or health practitioner before making a final decision.

Every individual needs to assess their own needs and restrictions before choosing a supplement. Personally, I’m in my early 30’s, increasing my exercise levels, and dealing with a bit of mood irregularities and depression. I was already taking a multi-vitamin, but looked into two supplements that I had heard a lot about but had never tried: Evening Primrose Oil and Co-Enzyme Q-10.

Co-Enzyme Q-10 or vitamin Q10, is sometimes referred to as ‘the fountain of youth’. It was identified in the 1950’s and occurs naturally in the body. It protects the body from free radicals, which are nasty chemical elements that can damage the body’s cells. Co-enzyme Q-10 is considered an anti-oxidant that has been prescribed to help treat and prevent various forms of cancer. Found in varying levels in different body organs, the heart happens to have high concentrations of Q10. A deficiency of this energy nutrient can lead to hypertension, angina, and fatigue. It has been shown to increase stamina in athletes, and keeps the cells of the body in good working order.




“Heart disease. Cancer. AIDS. As unbelievable as it might sound, each of these deadly diseases often responds to a coenzyme Q10, a little known nutrient that can make a big difference in your health. Granted, such “cure all” statements leave people wondering whether CoQ10 is just the latest panacea of the month. Rest assured: the benefits of this nutrient are well documented in the medical journals. It’s one of the most frequently prescribed heart “drugs” in Japan and widely used in Europe-and one company even owns the patent for the CoQ10 treatment of AIDS.”
TheNutritionReporter.com


As a bonus there is also evidence to suggest Co-enzyme Q-10 can help to prevent gum disease. I look at this supplement as an oil change for my body. It helps with regular maintenance and keeps me energized. My sister is a chiropractor and this was the one supplement she highly recommended. A recommended dose for daily maintenance is 30 mg, three times per day. Keep in mind that Co-Enzyme Q-10 is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.

“But the reason it’s particularly good for women–perhaps even the number one supplement for women–is because it appears to help prevent breast cancer. A recent Swedish study found that 39 percent of the female study participants with breast cancer also had low blood levels of co[Q.sub.10].” Findarticles.com

I’ve recently learned about and started using another supplement called Evening Primrose Oil. This supplement is ideal for women and can help with the symptoms of PMS, ease arthritic joint pain and swelling, prevent diabetes, help skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and exzema, protect against the effects of aging, counter female infertility, and nourish nails, scalp and hair. Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the seed of the Evening Primrose flower. It it chock full of the fatty acid GLA or gamma-linoleic acid which exerts anti-inflammatory and other healing actions.

Our own bodies produce GLA which aids in prostoglandin production. Prostoglandins are required for proper cell function and rejuvenation, but need to be restored regularly. Everyday stresses on the body such as aging, high cholesterol, alcohol use, poor diet can lead to a deficiency in prostoglandin, and it has been shown that good GLA levels can help the production of this hormone. Usually 3 doses of 1000mg per day is recommended, but check with your doctor or health practitioner.




“While the evening primrose itself may be unknown to many, the benefits of evening primrose oil for a variety of health problems are renowned, particularly for women’s health. Three of the most common complaints it has been known to relieve are premenstrual syndrome (PMS), fibrocystic breasts, and menopausal symptoms.” FindArticles.com


Perhaps you don’t need every supplement you’re currently taking, or maybe there are areas of your health that need more attention. Assess your individual needs, research the product and speak to your doctor or health practitioner. Take control of your health!

Buy: Nature’s Bounty CoQ10
Buy: Puregels Evening Primrose Oil

Jane Arnold is a freelance writer and part-time health buff. You can get more health and beauty tips at her website at: http://www.girlyside.com/girlyside.html The website is a girl’s guide to health, beauty, love and leisure. Sign up for the free newsletter at http://www.girlyside.com/newsletter.html

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/evening-primrose-and-coq10-dynamic-duo/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/natural-ways-to-lower-cholesterol/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/natural-ways-to-lower-cholesterol/#comments Wed, 29 Aug 2007 19:35:06 +0000 Natural Health http://amuchbetterway.com/health/2007/08/29/natural-ways-to-lower-cholestero/ Have you been diagnosed with high cholesterol? Cholesterol is basically the fat component of your blood and is indicative of the modern, processed, Western diet. If you have been diagnosed with cholesterol readings over 200 or if you just want to take a proactive stance to minimize your own risk of stroke or heart disease then have a look at some natural ways to reduce your cholesterol levels.
By: Sophie Cosic

Cholesterol is a wax-like substance that is present in the cell membranes of body tissues and is carried in the blood plasma. It is a sterol; a combination of alcohol and steroid and is also called atherosclerotic plaque. The body requires cholesterol in order to form and sustain cell membranes, help with the production of bile and aid the metabolism of fat soluble vitamins.

Over time, cholesterol builds up on the artery walls and this condition is known as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis was thought to be an affliction of the elderly until the 1950’s when American pathologists were sent to Korea by the Pentagon to study the bodies of servicemen who died during the conflict. They autopsied around 2000 soldiers and found that approximately 75% had waxy, yellow deposits on the walls of their arteries; a shocking statistic considering the average age of the soldiers was 21. Their findings astonished the scientific community as it highlighted the onset of heart disease in the very young.

LDL and HDL Cholesterol
There are two different types of cholesterol; low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). HDL is commonly known as ‘good’ cholesterol and LDL is recognised as ‘bad’ cholesterol. LDL has been markedly linked with heart disease, whereas HDL is thought to reduce the chance of a heart attack. It has been estimated that approximately 25% of Americans are at risk from heart disease due to atherosclerosis, and around 10% have such high levels that doctors are left no choice than to prescribe cholesterol reducing drugs.

Foods that Lower LDL Cholesterol
There are a number of foods which are believed to significantly lower LDL cholesterol. Fiber-rich foods are said to be particularly beneficial and will not only lower ‘bad’ cholesterol, but also help the bowel to function properly, lowering the risk of colon and bowel cancer. There are many other foods that can help the body fight back against these dangerous deposits.

• Fiber-rich foods, particularly oat bran, barley and wheat bran. They can be eaten as a cereal for breakfast and sprinkled onto other foods. Pearl barley can be added to soups. Apples and pears also have considerable amounts of soluble fiber and should be enjoyed on a daily basis
• Beans and legumes are high in fiber and low-fat. They also contain lecithin, a nutrient that lowers cholesterol. Try to incorporate kidney, fava, borlotti and other dried whole-foods into your diet; there are many different types of lentils and legumes that are delicious in soups and stews
• Avocado contains prolific amounts of monounsaturated fat, which helps to reduce LDL cholesterol and has many other health benefits including anti-cancer properties
• Raw carrots are rich in a fiber called pectin that is renowned for minimizing cholesterol. There are a number of fruits that also contain pectin, including; apples, citrus fruits, strawberries, raspberries and other red or black berries




You will not find many (if any) medical doctors who believe that diet changes can lower cholesterol. They are trained and ingrained to prescribe Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, and Crestor. There are many possible side effects to taking these drugs and some believe while they may actually lower your cholesterol, they do not prevent heart disease. Isn’t that the point? Diet and cardiovascular exercise can reduce cholesterol levels. If you are still not convinced then go ask a vegan what their cholesterol level is.

• Shitake mushrooms are widely used by the Japanese and include a compound called lentinan, which not only lowers cholesterol, but is also thought to be anti-cancerous and may help to boost the immune system
• Garlic is a super food and is well known for its blood-thinning properties. It also contains a substance allicin which is thought to prevent the body retaining LDL cholesterol and research has shown that the equivalent of one clove per day can lessen ‘bad’ cholesterol by 10-15% in the majority of people
• Root ginger has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries and has numerous health benefits. It can be added to stir-fry’s (using healthy sesame oil) and other vegetable dishes
• Nuts are naturally high in omega-3 fatty acids and are known to significantly reduce blood cholesterol; walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds are especially beneficial
• Sesame seeds are rich in phytosterols. These compounds are said to substantially lessen LDL cholesterol. Other foods containing phytosterols include; celery, lettuce, asparagus, spinach, tomatoes, ginger, squash and strawberries
• Safflower, canola, soybean, and olive oil are monounsaturated and are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids. Research indicates that they can decrease atherosclerotic plaque by up to 15% when eaten regularly
• Salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel contain considerable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, which have many health benefits and are essential for brain and eye function
• Prunes are a wonderful source of antioxidants and fiber, which is known to reduce LDL cholesterol
• Alfalfa sprouts contain a substance called saponin, which is thought to obstruct and inhibit the formation of atherosclerotic plaque in the arteries

If you have high cholesterol or a family tendency towards atherosclerosis it is best to avoid processed and prepared foods, fried food, food containing animal fats or animal products, high-fat dairy products and food containing either saturated fat or trans fats. Research has revealed the key to lowering LDL cholesterol is a healthy, balanced diet that incorporates plenty of soluble fiber and at least five portions of fruit or vegetables a day. This combined with regular cardiovascular exercise should help keep the heart healthy and provide numerous other health benefits as well.

Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles

In addition to the nutritional items mentioned in the article, there are a few more cholesterol busters that you must try if you are trying to lower your cholesterol naturally. The first powerhouse is Red Yeast Rice which has been shown to lower cholesterol more than dangerous statin drugs. Other cholesterol warriors are Omega 3s in the form of fish or flax oils, Plant Sterols, Oolong Tea, Aloe Vera and Apple Cider Vinegar. Check out www.earthclinic.com for the testimonials of those who use ACV regularly to lower their cholesterol. You should also take CoQ10 for the heart benefits that statins do not provide despite lowering your number or to replace what the statins stole while you were on them. Please visit the Natural Cholesterol Cures section of A Much Better Store to find all the products we discussed on this page.

About Author:
Sophie Cosic is the mother of twin girls and author of numerous articles on childcare, education, natural health, parenting and pregnancy. She is a European distributor of Colic Calm, the acclaimed Gripe Water available for babies with colic, infant gas and reflux. More information can be found at www.coliccalm.com or contact us if you have questions.

Buy the Book: Controlling Cholesterol the Natural Way

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