The Hot and Cold of HOT Flushes!

What are Hot Flushes?

Hot flushes, are a vasomotor symptom of menopause. This means that hot flushes can disrupt the usual functioning of the vascular and motor systems of the body, causing intense heat, perspiration, and other symptoms ranging from mild to severe. 

Women with menopause-related hot flushes will usually experience a consistent and unique pattern of symptoms. The duration and frequency of hot flushes varies from woman to woman, but they can occur at any time of the day or night. They are often called night sweats when they happen during sleep.

 Some women experience mild symptoms of hot flushes infrequently, while others have more severe symptoms more than once daily.

 Signs and Symptoms of Hot Flushes

 

The following are the most common signs and symptoms of hot flashes:

• Sudden, intense feelings of heat in the face, neck, arms, torso, and sometimes the whole body.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat and pulse, including heart palpitations.
• Flushing, or reddened face and neck, particularly in lighter skinned women.
• Perspiration ranging from mild to profuse.
• Cold chills often follow hot flushes, though sometimes women only experience the chill.
• Sleep disturbances are characteristic of hot flushes that occur at night, also known as night sweats. Estrogen levels are often lowest at night, which is why women often experience nocturnal hot flushes.
• Other Symptoms can include: Nausea, Dizziness, Anxiety and Headaches.

Some women who experience hot flushes during menopause have experimented with the foods they crave and eat and have found several ways to manage hot flushes in order to reduce their frequency and/or severity by adjusting their diet. In many cases, simple steps can be taken throughout the day to prevent or allay hot flushes, like having cool showers or resting with the fan turned on. Once recognised, avoiding the common triggers of hot flushes is an important way to combat the hot flushes. 

Reducing hot flushes through diet:

The theory of Chinese medicine requires that you consume cold, or cooling foods when you are hot, and hot, or warming foods when you are cold. The definition of "hot" and "cold" foods does not refer merely to the food temperature, but to its energetic properties. It's beneficial to notice the type of foods you eat and whether they are cooked or raw; what color they are; and whether it is spicy or bland and what effects you experience after eating these foods.

Green Salad

This is a brief list of which foods to avoid or include in your diet:


Eat More Cooling Foods

apples
bananas
tomatoes
citrus fruits
watermelon
all leafy greens
broccoli and cauliflower
zuccini
soy milk, tofu and other soy products
mung beans
amaranth
wheat
seaweed
yogurt
peppermint                                                                     

Tofu with Coriander, Mung Beans and Lemon

cilantro / fresh coriander                                          
lemon balm                                                              


include Neutral Foods

rice
rye
corn
peas
lentils
large beans


Avoid Warming Foods
ginger root
oats
spelt
quinoa
sesame
nuts
fennel
anise
carob
cumin
all root vegetables
onions
garlic
spicy leafy greens, like mustard greens
eggs
most meats

This is a relatively simple regime to follow and it is easy to determine quickly which foods aggravate menopausal symptoms and which foods alleviate them. By balancing your diet, you have the chance to cool yourself down and avoid these unpleasant aggravations. Eat to stay cool and don't forget the all important drinking of water. 

Green Barley & Lemon

Moods and Foods

A  diet rich in wholefoods benefits not only our body physically but mentally and emotionally as well...
Recent studies have shown that what we eat influences our moods and psychological behaviours — a link that represents an exciting new frontier for personal health and happiness. Choosing to eat foods that are fresh, with a high nutrient value of vitamins and minerals can be a recipe for success!

Nutritional factors can have a significant impact on brain function, which can result, if deficiencies or imbalances occur, in numerous mental aberrations, such as depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, schizophrenia, autism, bulimia, anorexia and bi-polar disorder.
Linus Pauling Ph.D., a two-time Nobel Prize winner, summed up this perspective well: "It is now recognised by leading workers in the field that behaviour is determined by the functioning of the brain, and that the functioning of the brain is dependent on its composition and its structure" ... ....Read more here...

And the composition and structure of the brain is largely determined by what types of foods and nutrients we ingest, 
for example Vitamins can have a significant impact on brain health:

• A deficiency of B6 is associated with agitation, insomnia, irritability, convulsions, depression, anxiety, confusion and brainwave abnormalities.
  
  
• Vitamin E, for example, plays a significant role in preventing the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease by reducing oxidative stress in the brain.

• Vitamin D might help relieve mood disorders because it seems to increase the amounts of serotonin, one of the neurotransmitters responsible for mood.

• Some of the most common foods to cause mood and mental disturbances are sugar, milk and other dairy products - think of chocolate!
  

As well as the main Minerals that are connected to moods and behaviour:

•   Iron, Magnesium and Zinc

And Spices and Herbal Medicines can also play a part in stimulating brain function:

• Turmeric  [see: Spices that Help the Brain to find out more]

But a good start and convenient course of action is paying attention to our Diet and include foods such as:

• Cranberries and Blueberries, which are a rich source of antioxidants
  
  
• Beets and Cabbages, which contain substances that can destroy the enzymes that lead to the development of Alzheimer’s disease
  
  
• Spinach, which helps with the cognitive action of the brain
  
  
• Fish oil and oily fish contain large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are involved in metabolic processes in the brain, helping to increase the content of “good” cholesterol and reducing the number of “bad” cholesterol.
  

As the saying goes: 'We are what we eat' and if we understand this connection between food, mind and mood, it is easier to choose whole foods that will power our brain, control mood and increase feelings of motivation and overall happiness. :)

Have you heard about Colloidal Silver - Nature's natural antibiotic?

Colloidal Silver

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Colloidal silver is a powerful, natural substance that can be used for all sorts of conditions.  In fact, it is one of the strongest natural antibiotics known to man.  Read on to find out more.

What are Colloids?

Colloids are the smallest biological form of any matter.  They are small enough to pass through membranes and thus they skip past the digestive process and are easily absorbed by the body.
COLLOIDAL SILVER is made of a pH-balanced distilled water base with microscopic metallic silver particles that have been dispersed and held in suspension by an electrical current. It is non-toxic, tasteless, and is completely safe for internal use. COLLOIDAL SILVER offers support for the maintenance of good health during flu and cold season and has multiple uses for good health.

The Benefits of Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has many benefits.  It supports the natural defense system of the body and is powerfully alkaline.  Colloidal silver is made when an electromagnetic process pulls tiny particles of silver from a larger sample of pure silver into (usually distilled) water.  The tiny electrical charge on each atom holds these silver particles in suspension.  This is vital for its effectiveness as it allows the particles to move more easily throughout the body.

Colloidal silver is also a powerful, natural antibiotic.  It works by acting as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that single celled bacteria, fungi and viruses need in order to metabolise oxygen.  This suffocates the harmful cell while not harming human enzymes, resulting in the removal of disease-causing organisms from the body.  It also works through the negative charge on the silver binding with the positive charge on the pathogen.  This causes an interruption of the pathogen’s biological function, which means it is then unable to reproduce.  Various studies have reported that over 650 microorganisms can be killed by colloidal silver.  This does not mean that it can cure disease however.  Nonetheless, it is helpful against acne, allergies, arthritis, athlete’s foot, boils, burns, candida, cystitis, diabetes, eczema, hay fever, indigestion, parasitic infections, psoriasis, ringworm, warts, and yeast infections.

How to Use Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver can be used orally or topically.  Orally, it placed directly under the tongue or put into water and then drunk.  It is recommended that the each dose is held in the mouth for as long as possible before swallowing.  This allows the silver ions and particles to be absorbed through the skin beneath the tongue.  Topically, it is used by spraying it onto cuts, burns, skin infections, and acne.  It can be used as an eye wash, as nose drops, or as ear drops.

Potential Side Effects of Colloidal Silver

Argyria is a condition of excess silver in the body that leads to blue-gray hyper pigmentation.  Colloidal silver is thought to cause this condition when taken in excess but it is silver nitrate and silver sulfide that can cause the condition.  There are actually no known side effects to using colloidal silver.

Article from Natural Therapy Pages 

http://www.naturaltherapypages.com.au/article/colloidal_silver 

Have you had your Greens today?

Everything we eat influences our body's pH level. By consuming too many acid-forming or acidic foods, like a typical continental breakfast, white bread, hot-dogs, muffins with coffee or coke, our body is continuously fighting to neutralize the excessive acid and to retain a pH balance [which is a pH level of 7.356 on the pH scale]. Symptoms of a pH imbalance can be weight problems such as overweight and underweight, as well as other health conditions such as allergies, arthritis, acne and heart attacks.
To optimize our health and well being, the ideal balance of food and food residue in our body is 80% alkaline and 20% acidic, and is referred to as an alkaline diet, also called an acid alkaline balance diet. The theory behind this pH diet is that the pH produced by the food we eat should reflect the pH level of our bloodstream, which is approximately 7.36, and that if it does not, the pH of our bloodstream may be disrupted. Dr. Robert O. Young claims that health depends primarily on proper balance between an alkaline and acid environment - as when our bodies become too acidic, our bodies will take whatever action necessary to regulate the pH and the acid-alkaline balance of the blood. In this environment our bodies will begin to break down and show signs of disease including cancer, obesity, flu, skin disorders, osteoporosis, yeast overgrowth, etc.
Dr. Young is author of several books, e.g. 'The pH miracle' and 'The pH miracle for Diabetes'.
(Source: Wikipedia)

 The logic approach to following an alkaline diet is to eat the things that are good for you - fruits and vegetables, and avoid the things that you know are not - processed foods, sugar, alcohol, tobacco, yeast, etc.
Most fruits and vegetables are alkaline producing foods, as well as Green Superfoods like Wheatgrass, Barley, Alfalfa and Spirulina.

 
Discover how the alkaline
diet works & why alkaline foods are highly recommended for your health: Click Here

Alkalise to Energise!

Understanding How an Alkaline Diet Works

Alkaline diets are a popular choice for people who want to achieve optimum good health. However, many people don't actually understand this diet or how it works. The concept is actually fairly simple - the diet just focuses on regaining the balance that was lost when man started to eat a more domesticated diet. Instead of focusing on foods that are high in sugar, fat, and cholesterol, an alkaline diet primarily consists of fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy whole grains, wholesome protein sources such as soy, beans and legumes, and healthy oils such as canola, olive and flax seed. These foods may be either alkaline or acid in their natural state, but they all produce what is termed as an "alkaline ash" once digested and metabolized by the body. When the body's pH is kept at a slightly alkaline level, all the systems can work more efficiently.

Understanding the Effects of the Body's pH Level

The pH level of the body has the ability to affect every single cell of the body. When the blood has an alkaline pH instead of an acidic pH, it will have a positive effect on how every bodily system functions. The brain, circulatory system, nerves, muscles, respiratory system, digestive system, and reproductive system can all benefit from a proper pH level. On the other hand, when the pH of the body is too acidic, it is susceptible to many diseases and problems. Weight gain, heart disease, premature aging, fatigue, nerve problems, allergies, muscle disease and cancer are all more prevalent when the body's pH is not optimal. Because these problems are all more likely to occur when the body's pH is too acid, it makes good sense to eat a diet rich in alkalizing foods. The primary goal is usually to eat approximately 75-80% alkaline foods along with only about 20-25% acidifying foods. If this level is maintained in the diet, the end result is a slightly alkaline pH in the body, which is perfect for optimum good health.

Choosing Foods for an Alkaline Diet

It's actually quite easy to eat a diet rich in alkaline-producing foods. Most fresh fruits and vegetables are excellent choices. Red meat is not a good choice, but you can add plenty of protein to your meals by using soy products, delicious beans, legumes, and nuts such as almonds. You should eliminate unhealthy fats from your diet, but you can use good fats such as olive, canola, and flax seed oil. High fat dairy products should be avoided, but you can drink soy milk and goat's milk. Cheeses made from soy milk and goat's milk would also be good choices. Replace the empty calories of soda with delicious iced herb tea, green tea and lemon water. Coffee should be avoided, but you can drink hot herbal or green tea. Replace pasta with healthy whole grains such as wild rice, millet and quinoa. When sweetening your foods, focus on natural products such as raw sugar, Stevia and maple sugar. As you can see, you'll have many nutritious choices that are both delicious and high in alkalizing properties.

Discover how the alkaline diet works & why alkaline foods are highly recommended for your health: Click Here!

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Sign the "Do not withdraw Complementary and Alternative Medicine courses from Australian Universities" petition now!

Organic Wheatgrass & Oatstraw

Calcium-rich oat straw has been clinically proven to aid a variety of health issues

Most people who follow a healthy diet regime are aware of the health benefits of oats and oatmeal. Oats are said to help reduce blood cholesterol levels, assist in the removal body fat, and nutritionally provide an excellent source of healthy carbohydrates. Oats have long been a favourite in home-made beauty products in the form of oatmeal baths and facial masks and more recently marketed using the botanical name "avena" in connection with beauty products. However, not as many people are aware of the healing properties contained in oat straw. Calcium-rich oat straw (Avena sativa), is the green oat grass and tops in the "milky" stage before the mature oat grains form a head. Many resources in the alternative health literature promote oat straw for osteoporosis and osteopenia. Oat straw has a long-standing reputation with Medical Herbalists as being a nervine herb, which can be used as a remedy for anxiety. The herb has been recently proven to aid in cognitive performance in the brain. Two studies released in 2011 show the benefits of oat straw extract on cognitive performance. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published a clinical study which showed that oat straw extract might have a positive impact on cognitive performance in healthy individuals.
(NaturalNews)
Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com

Scientists prove the healing effects of wheat grass juice and wheat grass extract

Wheat grass is, by composition, a Superfood. This is due to wheat grass's heavy concentration of chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. Wheat grass is usually consumed either as wheat grass powder or juice. It can be taken orally, or as an effective enema implant for detoxification. Clinical studies have confirmed that wheat grass juice and wheat grass extract do have healing properties. Wheat grass juice has been used clinically to treat ulcerative colitis, aid breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, and act as a potent antioxidant.

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com

You can order Organically grown Wheatgrass direct from NutriGreen - Swan Hill, Victoria

Organic Superfood Is Here! Buy NutriGreenz 100% Natural Super Food HERE!  Nutri-GreenZ 5 Blend Superfood 200g available for a Special Price: $24.50 AUD Why You Should Choose NutriGreen Powders: Australian Grown 100% Certified Organic (NASAA Cert. No 3792P)                  Certified Halal Vegetarian Friendly Gluten Free Mildly Alkaline to Balance Your pH Levels Quick & Easy Supply of Essential Vitamins and Minerals Rich Source of Antioxidants High in Fibre, Protein, Iron & Calcium Aids Digestion 100% Natural Super Food More information on Natural Organic Wheat grass Powders