A diet comprised of 100% uncooked food when used for the purpose of detoxification of the body is referred to as a raw food detox diet. Detoxification or detox refers to the process of elimination of toxins - produced either internally from metabolic wastes or coming from external sources such food and environment - that get accumulated in the body over a period of time, giving rise to a host of diseases.

A raw food detox diet primarily includes vegetarian or vegan foods, though sometimes meat and fish may be allowed too if one can manage to eat them raw. Such a diet promotes the elimination of harmful substances from the body through the body’s excretory organs like kidneys, bowel and skin.

How a raw food diet detox works
The principle behind a raw food detox diet is the belief that food in its natural uncooked form has all the vital nutrients and enzymes intact, whereas cooking by conventional methods devitalizes the food due to breakdown of these substances. In a sense, raw food is a kind of living food, with a latent life force that under appropriate conditions facilitates germination and growth of a new plant from a seed.

Advocates of the raw food diet detox believe that when the body is fed with foods that are rich in life force, digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, while at the same time being deprived of devitalized and toxin-laden foods, it gets into the self-detoxification and cleansing mode.

The problem with cooked foods
When food is heated to temperatures above 117 ºF (47 ºC) for more than a few minutes: (i) a substantial amount of vital digestive enzymes and nutrients get destroyed; (ii) proteins get denatured and coagulated, causing deficiency of many amino acids; (iii) fats when overheated result in the formation of carcinogenic substances.

When the food is cooked in water, the water-soluble minerals get lost due to leaching (even more intensely if one adds salt while cooking), unless one uses the leftover water for gravies or soups. In fact, scientific studies have shown that many of the vegetables lose their antioxidant benefits when boiled or microwaved.

It only gets worse when it comes to ready-to-eat commercially manufactured foods, which may even contain highly detrimental substances like acrylamides. It is for all these reasons that a
raw food diet has emerged as the favorite detox diet.

What constitutes a raw food diet detox
The following foods should be eaten while on a raw food detox diet:

• Whole organic fresh fruits and vegetables(preferred over juices)
• Herbs and wild greens
• Sprouted grains, pulses and seeds
• Nuts soaked in pure water for 12 hours * Sea plants like Nori, Dulse, Kelp, Algaes
• Foods dehydrated at room temperature so as to preserve life force, enzymes and nutrients
• Herbal teas, preferably organic

What to expect while on a raw food detox diet
There could be many health reasons for which people go on a raw food detox diet: e.g., weight loss, general health improvement, and chronic health problems arising from accumulation of toxins in the body (such as joint pains, headaches, chronic fatigue, constipation, etc.).

During the first two weeks of the raw food diet detox when the process of detoxification starts, initially one is likely to experience some negative detox reactions, such as nausea, headache, tiredness, coated tongue, foul breath, skin eruptions, depression, etc. This is because of the released toxins; it is very important to drink lots of water, take plenty of rest, and resist cooked food - otherwise, detox will discontinue. In the next phase, one starts experiencing the benefits of detoxification.

Benefits of a raw food detox diet
The following benefits are experienced after going on a raw food detox diet:

• Feel rejuvenated and energetic with increased stamina
• Improved digestion and stable blood sugar levels
• Reduction in joint and muscle pain
• Improvement in concentration

Conclusion
Sticking to a raw food diet detox plan is not difficult: a whole range of raw detox foods are available in health stores and farmers’ markets. And there is a wealth of information available
on the Internet, books/magazines to motivate and help you. Learn more about detoxification in my brand new free ebook at http://www.thedetoxspecialist.com

Author: Sandy Halliday
About the author: Sandy Halliday, a former nurse, is a nutritionist and health researcher with over 20 years experience with many different types of detoxification. She is passionate about the role of nutrition and detoxification for the prevention of illness and aging as well as the improvement of many health conditions.
Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/wiedmaier/138381828/

This classic PETA video shows graphically why a vegan or vegetarian diet is the only ethical choice. You will be shocked and horrified when you witness the horrific treatment of factory farmed animals.

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/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/how-i-avoided-knee-surgery/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/how-i-avoided-knee-surgery/#comments Mon, 03 Mar 2008 03:00:37 +0000 Natural Health http://health.amuchbetterway.com/2008/03/how-i-avoided-knee-surgery.html I come from a small third world country, without the advanced medical facilities and prescription drugs available in the USA. Why am I saying this? Whenever I had a health problem the first, and probably second and third reaction was to find a “natural” way to address the situation. I have many instances where I was able to “cure” a situation by researching and experimenting, especially by diet or lifestyle elimination to uncover a root cause.

I am a male, in my 50s, 5’ 11”. 190 lbs (I will tell you why this information is important in due course).

As a teenager, I played quite a bit of soccer and represented my country as a sprinter. At about 14, my knees were in such bad shape that I went through the process of consulting an orthopedic surgeon to do some repairs. Fortunately, the medical system was so slow that it took several months to put things in motion. My neighbor, who was a retired professional, European soccer player showed me his scarred knees and urged me to reconsider as his knees had got worse with every surgery.

At that point, one of my few moments of common sense as a teenager jumped in and I told my parents “no surgery”. I then took up hiking and swimming to strengthen the muscles around my knees.

Although this helped considerably, my knees never fully recovered and I was known to use a cane during my bad days in my 20s. Exercise made the situation livable, however, with no major problems until about the time I hit 50 and I hurdled a barrier and landed with a twist on my left leg tearing the inner meniscus (did I mention I weighed about 230 at the time?)

The ensuing few months were extremely painful. The doctors recommendation was to take pain killing medication and live with it. I did so for about 2 weeks until the reality hit me. If I did this, within a few years I would have a messed up my knees, kidneys and liver from the medications. I took the arthroscopic surgery option and the results were successful.

About one year ago I lost my balance on a step ladder. Following a demonstration of senior acrobatics I felt a stinging in my right knee. I should add here that I was one of the 47 million Americans that had no health insurance because I could not afford it. I made the decision to see a doctor, my third visit in 20 years (I have been fortunate in this area, it also resulted in me not taking any antibiotics in more than 20 years).

My doctor did a complete physical examination. I weighed 245 lbs; my cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and AIC (diabetic measure) were all extremely elevated. I was also diagnosed with a torn meniscus; the only cure for which I was told would be surgery. Not having any insurance the thought of prescriptions for hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes, plus the cost of surgery were options that would not even start to consider.

I made the decision, to go the healthy and sensible way. I changed my eating habits using small portion therapy, foregoing red meat and in fact, adopting an almost vegetarian diet. In addition I walked for an hour each morning, covering 4 miles, resting every 3 days or so to give my knee a chance to recover. I noticed however that with each recovery it felt a bit better.

My further research suggested that as we get older, cartilage does not repair itself as the blood supply is reduced. The recommendation was for stretching exercises, using yoga. While I believe in yoga I never really had the proper techniques but gave it my best try anyway. The improvement was very noticeable but there was still enough pain that I could not yet jog on the treadmill.

My next phase was to supplement my diet with calcium and vitamin D as being lactose intolerant, I determined that not using dairy products meant I would need to supplement my diet with calcium. Vitamin D, because I was not getting sufficient sunlight in the winter months.

The results have been dramatic, for the first time last week I actually able to jog during my morning exercise with hardly any knee pain. Now I can hardly wait to get back on that treadmill and see how fast I can go.

Overall, I went from being obese, sometimes walking with a crutch, to jogging, and a much more acceptable weight (the process is ongoing). My cholesterol, AIC, blood pressure are all excellent. I took the Real Age test accessible from this site) and physically, I am 10 years younger than I was when I started this journey.

This site has been my resource for just about all the information I have used to change and extend my life, which is now a lot more fun.

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/how-i-avoided-knee-surgery/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

]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/natural-ways-to-lower-cholesterol/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-raw-food-diet/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-raw-food-diet/#comments Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:24:12 +0000 Natural Health http://amuchbetterway.com/health/2007/08/24/what-is-raw-food-diet/ Author: Karina Jacobsen

Raw food diets have been around for many years, but only recently has this lifestyle hit the mainstream. There are many raw food recipe books on the market now, as well as raw food restaurants. Much information can be found online in the form of support groups, forums, and newsletters.

Many people are drawn to the raw food diet initially as a means of losing weight, since there are many testimonials to be found of amazing weight loss stories using the raw food diet. Others discover the raw food movement while searching for alternative cures for chronic or fatal diseases such as cancer. There are also many testimonies to be found claiming the raw food diet cured various illnesses.

In any case, you wlil soon discover that this is not a new fad diet. Eating raw food has been practiced since ancient times and in fact was probably man’s initial diet. The raw food diet is more of a lifestyle change to a healthier more natural way of eating that supports the body.

The raw food diet is based on eating raw vegan food. This includes such foods as raw fruits and raw vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Raw foodists believe that the more raw food in the diet, the healthier it is, so some eat a 100% raw diet.

It can be extremely difficult for most people to stick to a 100% raw diet so various types of raw foodism have developed. The living foodists eat foods that are alive and full of enzymes such as sprouted seeds and sprouted nuts. Juicarians take their raw food in the form of fresh raw juices.

A small minority of raw foodists go as far as to eat raw meat and raw milk. This practice can be dangerous in today’s world however due to contamination concerns. And another small offshoot of raw foodists will not eat food that has come into contact with a machine at all including juicers, dehydrators, or blenders. Instead they choose their raw food in its natural state.

The underlying principle of raw foodism is the practice of eating living foods instead of dead processed food. Living foods are full of enzymes and thought to have more life force and be better for the body.

About the author:
Karina Jacobsen is a staff writer at Diet Gazette and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including Alternative Health Advisor

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]]> http://health.amuchbetterway.com/what-is-raw-food-diet/feed/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/healthy-vegetarian-diet/ http://health.amuchbetterway.com/healthy-vegetarian-diet/#comments Fri, 17 Aug 2007 18:52:46 +0000 Natural Health http://amuchbetterway.com/health/2007/08/17/healthy-vegetarian-diet/ by Myron Huett

If you follow a vegetarian diet, you’ll enjoy the benefits of a very healthy eating plan. To be truly healthy, however, a vegetarian diet must combine balance, moderation and variety. It’s essential that you also include all of the essential minerals, vitamins and nutrients that your body needs.

Vegetarians are loosely categorized as people who avoid eating all types of meat including pork, beef, chicken, cold cuts and fish.

Vegetarians can be further classified into the types of foods that they will or will not eat. For example, lacto-ovo vegetarians will avoid eating animal flesh, yet they will eat most dairy products and eggs. Vegans, on the other hand, adhere to strict diets that do not include foods that have any traces of animal origin.

The challenge that many vegetarians face is in getting the proper amount of protein in their diets. The average meat-happy American consumes more protein than they actually need on a daily basis. Lacto-ovo vegetarians can easily meet their protein requirements with a diet rich in dairy products. Vegans can obtain protein through soy products, seeds and nuts.

You probably already know that beans are also excellent source of protein. Just one cup of cooked beans can contain the same amount of protein as two ounces of meat. Protein-rich beans include split peas and chick peas, red and green lentils, soy beans and others. Kidney beans make a great meat replacement in chili. Refried beans are a delicious staple for many Mexican dishes. Nuts can also be a good protein source, but they’re also high in fat and should be eaten moderately.

Vegetarians must be aware of diminished levels of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin B12. Meat is the primary source of vitamin B12 in the average North American diet, so vegans should regularly consume soy products or take vitamin B12 supplements to meet the necessarily daily requirements.

It’s easy to get calcium if you are able to consume milk and other dairy products, but vegans don’t have this option. Vegan-friendly options are calcium-fortified soy milk and orange juice. Some vegetables like leafy greens, beans and broccoli are also high in calcium.

Simple food groups make up the vegetarian diet, so it’s important to control the intake of calcium and vitamins. A healthy vegetarian diet, supplemented by additional nutrients, is ideal for maintaining overall wellness.

If you take control of what you eat today, you’ll enjoy good health for many years to come.

Author Myron Huett loves writing for some of today’s best web sites, on health information and health diet fitness themes. Don’t reprint the same version as everyone else. Get your own unique content vegetarian article here.

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