High Fiber Diet and Your Colon

In a story that makes me say, “Well, we could have told you that!” WebMD has a note about the benefits of a high fiber diet and colon disease.

High-Fiber Diet Linked to Lower Colon Cancer Risk – Research Shows Fiber From Whole Grains and Cereals Associated With Reduced Colon Cancer Risk

“Nov. 10, 2011 — Eating a high-fiber diet is linked with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer, according to new research that analyzed 25 different studies.

Total fiber intake, as well as fiber from whole grains and from cereals, was most strongly linked with a reduction in colorectal cancer risk, the researchers say.

The evidence was weaker for fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes, says study researcher Dagfinn Aune, a research associate at Imperial College London.

‘It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat your fruits and vegetables,’ he tells WebMD. He found fewer studies on the impact on colon cancer risk of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and legumes than studies looking at the other foods, he says. ‘It’s possible that we did not have enough statistical power.’

He says, too, that the study looked only at the effect of fiber.

Overall, the link found between fiber intake and risk reduction was small. Aune’s team found a 10% risk reduction in colorectal cancer for each 10 grams of fiber eaten a day. However, the more fiber people ate, the more risk reduction was found.”

Natural health practitioners have long known the benefits of fiber from natural foods, and the impact that they can have on colon health. For instance check out the recent article on psyllium for more information.

Coconut Water Reduces Blood Pressure Effectively!

I am always pleased to see articles like this! A natural food that reduces Blood Pressure as well as any pharmaceutical drug! When my own BP was higher than I liked, I started taking an Ayurvedic herb called, Coleus Forskohlii. Now, it is important to point out that I am not on ANY pharmaceutical drugs! Coleus Forskohlii is very effective at lowering blood pressure, so it would NOT be appropriate to take it while on a blood pressure reducing drug! Anyway, my blood pressure came down to textbook normal levels, with NO side effects, or adverse interactions. To me, this is a great example of using an herb, which is basically just a food, to address an issue in the body. Now, coconut water shows just as much promise! This is awesome!

Coconut water shown to significantly reduce high blood pressure

“(NaturalNews) While doctors may be quick to write a prescription for blood pressure medication if your numbers are a little high, research shows coconut water is a highly effective natural remedy for lowering blood pressure in patients with hypertension.

A study published in the West Indian Medical Journal looked at whether coconut water and mauby (a tropical drink made from buckthorn tree bark) were effective in treating high blood pressure. Researchers tested the blood pressure of twenty-eight individuals for two weeks without treatment, and then again for two weeks during treatment.

Participants were divided into four groups: one control group received only bottled drinking water; one group received coconut water; one received mauby; and the last was given a combination of coconut water and mauby. Each participant drank about 10 ounces of their assigned formula twice daily.

Although it’s easy to tell the difference between drinking water and coconut water or mauby, none of the participants knew exactly what they were drinking or that it could have an effect on their blood pressure.

The findings revealed interesting results. In the coconut water group, 71 percent of participants showed a marked decrease in systolic blood pressure and 29 percent showed a significant decrease in diastolic pressure. The group drinking mauby or the combination of coconut water and mauby also showed significant improvement.

The group drinking ordinary water actually showed an increase in systolic pressure in 57 percent of the participants, with no significant change in diastolic pressure.

These results may be explained by coconut water’s unique nutritional content. Coconut water is rich in potassium, magnesium and vitamin C. All of these nutrients are linked to health benefits, including lowering high blood pressure. They also make coconut water an excellent way to hydrate your body without depleting vital minerals. Many health-conscious athletes choose coconut water over commercial sports drinks to replenish water, minerals and glycogen lost during heavy exercise.

The best coconut water is found in fresh young coconuts, which are green in color. This coconut water is fresh and raw, retaining its natural benefits in the purest form. Young coconuts can often be found in health food stores and international markets, but of course are most readily available in tropical regions. Commercial packaged coconut water is available as well, but these products are processed and pasteurized, and should be considered inferior to fresh coconut water.”

US Government Attacks Organic Farmers in Nevada

What could possibly be wrong wrong with farm-fresh, organic, direct from nature food? Well, obviously, the ‘Big Food’ lobbies have apparently convinced “Big Brother” (otherwise known as the US government) to support the food industry by helping destroy local, organic farms! This is ridiculous!

Health department tyrants raid local ‘farm to fork’ picnic dinner, orders all food to be destroyed with bleach

“(NaturalNews) It is the latest case of extreme government food tyranny, and one that is sure to have you reeling in anger and disgust. Health department officials recently conducted a raid of Quail Hollow Farm, an organic community supported agriculture (CSA) farm in southern Nevada, during its special ‘farm to fork’ picnic dinner put on for guests — and the agent who arrived on the scene ordered that all the fresh, local produce and pasture-based meat that was intended for the meal be destroyed with bleach.

For about five years now, Quail Hollow Farm has been growing organic produce and raising healthy, pasture-based animals which it provides to members as part of a CSA program. And it recently held its first annual ‘Farm to Fork Dinner Event,’ which offered guests an opportunity to tour the farm, meet those responsible for growing and raising the food, and of course partake in sharing a meal composed of the delicious bounty with others.

But when the Southern Nevada Health District (SNHD) got word of the event and decided to get involved, this simple gathering of friends and neighbors around a giant, family-style picnic table quickly became a convenient target for the heavy hand of an out-of-control government agency. And Monte and Laura Bledsoe, the owners and operators of Quail Hollow Farm, were unprepared for what would happen next.

Laura Bledsoe explains in a letter to her guests written after the fact that two days prior to the event, SNHD contacted the farm to say that, because the picnic was technically a ‘public’ event, the couple would have to obtain a ‘special use permit,’ or else face a very steep fine. Not wanting to risk having the event disrupted, the Bledsoes agreed to jump through all the demanded legal hoops even though their gathering was really just a backyard picnic.

But the day of the event, an inspector from SNHD, Mary Oaks, showed up and declared that all the food the Bledsoes would be serving was ‘unfit for consumption,’ and that it would have to be destroyed. Though there was no logical or lawful reasoning behind this declaration, and the Bledsoes had complied with all the requirements, Oaks insisted that the food be discarded and destroyed using a bleach solution.

One of the so-called reasons for this action included the fact that some of the food packaging did not contain labels, even though labels are not necessary if the food is eaten within 72 hours. Oaks also cited the fact that some of the meat was not US Department of Agriculture (USDA) certified, that the vegetables had already been cut and were thus a ‘bio-hazard,’ and that there were no receipts for the food (which was all grown on the farm, not purchased from a grocery store).Unaware of their rights, the Bledsoes initially complied with Oaks’ unlawful demands and destroyed the food. But shortly thereafter, Laura’s husband Monte remembered that they had an emergency contact number for the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF) on their refrigerator.

Shocked that they even had to resort to this desperate measure, the Bledsoes called FTCLDF for advice and spoke with General Counsel Gary Cox, who instructed them to ask Oaks for a search and arrest warrant, which of course she did not have. The Bledsoes then asked Oaks to leave the property, upon which she allegedly stormed off in anger and screamed that she was going to call the police.

Police eventually arrived, but unaware of why they had been called and what the alleged crime was, they, too, left and offered their apologies to the Bledsoes. Fortunately, the Bledsoes were able to improvise with the chef to create a whole new meal for their guests, which ended up turning out to be a type of blessing in disguise, according to Laura.

The entire shocking incident serves as a reminder to know your rights when it comes to food and health freedom. Without a proper search or arrest warrant, so-called health inspectors or law enforcement officials have no business on your property. And if they ever try to pull a stunt like what happened at Quail Hollow Farm at your gathering, you have every right to demand that they vacate your property as well.”

Traditional Naturopath Podcast #51

The Traditional Naturopath Podcast – 51 – (11/05/11)
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Show Notes:
The difference between traditional naturopathy, and some modern ‘twisted’ types. Yoga beneficial in the treatment of lower back pain. Ginger root reduces digestive inflammation to lower colon cancer risk; new reasons for supplementing alpha lipoic acid.

The Benefits of Alpha Lipoic Acid

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a supplement that I take regularly. I fell a few years ago, and damaged my sciatic nerve. I was prescribed Gabapentin for the nerve pain, but as soon as possible, I got off that, and I am now taking ALA in place of the pharmaceutical drug. Better long term results, no side effects… a “win-win!” Plus, I get the added benefits mentioned in this article!

New reasons discovered for supplementing with alpha lipoic acid

“(NaturalNews) Alpha lipoic acid – a.k.a., ALA, linolenic acid, or a-lipoic acid – is a potent, versatile antioxidant that also serves to convert blood sugar into metabolic energy. Recent research has shown lipoic acid’s power to help repair nerve damage and possibly protect against Alzheimer’s as well as declining vision. And there are many more health issues covered by ALA than most know.

The more it is researched, the more it appears to be a miraculous substance that’s easy to supplement. The term ALA will be used throughout this article.

Unlike most other antioxidants, ALA functions in cellular water or fat. Though it is produced in our bodies, production wanes as we age. So supplementing with ALA is yet another approach to anti-aging.

It is unusual because it can actually recycle glutathione, considered the master oxidant because it recycles other antioxidants after they are used up from capturing free radicals. The ALA antioxidant even recycles the master oxidant.

That master oxidant, glutathione, is also critical for liver and overall health. Glutathione cannot be introduced into our systems directly because it can’t get past the GI tract. Its normal production from the liver can only be stimulated externally by precursors. So recycling glutathione is very helpful for maintaining high glutathione levels…

It chelates heavy metals, balances blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, protects against and repairs nerve damage for eye health, adds to bone density and cardiovascular health, protects the liver, offers cataract protection, and restores the master oxidant glutathione while capturing free radicals itself. Who could ask for anything more?”

Ginger Helps Relieve Inflammation Markers in the Colon

Ginger RootI have always been fascinated by Ginger as an herb. It has remarkable properties! It is well known as a remedy for travel sickness, nausea, and indigestion. Due to it’s antispasmodic characteristic some people have used it to help ease menstrual cramps. In her book ‘10 Essential Herbs‘ author Lalitha Thomas describes the properties: ‘The major active ingredients in ginger are terpenes (quite similar to the chemical action of turpentine) and an oleo-resin called ginger oil. These two, and other active ingredients in ginger, provide antiseptic, lymph-cleansing, circulation-stimulating, and mild constipation relief qualities along with a potent perspiration-inducing action that is quite effective in cleansing the system of toxins.’

Ginger root reduces digestive inflammation markers to lower colon cancer risk

“(NaturalNews) Since ancient times, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects. The result of a new body of research published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, demonstrates the specific anti-inflammatory action of the spice on the colon. Health-minded individuals will want to include ginger as part of their regular diet or include an organically harvested supplement to dramatically lower inflammatory risk markers for colon cancer.

Dr. Suzanna Zick, a research assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, and her team assembled 30 patient participants to conduct the study. Each was provided with two grams of ginger root supplements per day or a placebo for a period of 28 days. After the test timeframe, researchers measured standard levels of colon inflammation and found statistically significant reductions in most of these markers. They also found trends toward significant reductions in a number of other colon cancer biomarkers.

A critical inflammation marker in the colon is known to be PGE2, a naturally occurring prostaglandin also called dinoprostone. PGE2 is the prostaglandin that ultimately induces fever, and is therefore an important marker researcher’s monitor to determine inflammatory levels in the body. Inflammation has been implicated in prior studies as a precursor to colon cancer, and ginger root supplementation effectively lowers blood levels of the prostaglandin to reduce colon cancer risk.

Dr. Zick is a Naturopathic Doctor developing plant and naturally occurring compounds that specifically promote health without the need for deadly pharmaceutical interventions. She noted on the research findings, ‘We need to apply the same rigor to the sorts of questions about the effect of ginger root that we apply to other clinical trial research.’ Dr. Zick concluded, ‘Interest in this is only going to increase as people look for ways to prevent cancer that are nontoxic, and improve their quality of life in a cost-effective way.'”

Yoga As a Treatment for Lower Back Pain

Yoga may be beneficial in the treatment of lower back pain. A major study from the U.K., published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, saw a real improvement in movement, and a reduction of pain.

Yoga Is Better for Back Pain Than Standard Medical Care, Study Finds

“Yoga is better at treating lower back pain than conventional medical treatment, according to a large-scale British study published Tuesday.

People with long-term back pain who undertook a 12-week course of yoga experienced more improved back function than those who received standard medical care, researchers from the University of York found.

The study, published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, saw 156 patients take part in yoga classes while a control group of 157 patients received standard care from the U.K.’s National Health Service (NHS).

After three months, participants in the yoga group were able to undertake 30 percent more activities compared with those receiving NHS care, and also experienced a reduction in pain.

The main advantages were improved confidence when performing everyday tasks such as ‘walking more quickly, getting dressed without help or standing up for longer periods of time’ but not necessarily pain relief, the researchers said.

Dr. David Torgerson, from the university’s health sciences department, said, ‘Back pain is an extremely common and costly condition. Exercise treatment, although widely used and recommended, has only a small effect.’

He added, ‘Our results showed that yoga can provide both short- and long-term benefits to those suffering from chronic or recurrent back pain, without any serious side effects.’

Professor Alan Silman, medical director of Arthritis Research U.K., which funded the study, said, ‘This trial is part of our larger commitment to seek self-help solutions to this common musculoskeletal problem. There are compelling explanations why yoga may be helpful, and this trial lends powerful support to the wider use of this approach.'”

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