vitamin c Archives - Amazing Health Advances

60% Of Sunscreens Would Fail Federal Safety Tests!

The AHA! Team — Mon, 06 May 2024 18:43:37 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – Here in South Florida, spring break is in full swing. Temperatures are in the mid-to-high-80s, and tourists are flocking to our beautiful, sunny beaches. Of course, that also means it’s prime time for sunscreen companies to kick up their marketing efforts in an attempt to whip up more fear over the sun. They want to scare you into thinking that each time the sun strikes your unprotected skin, you risk malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. If you’re a regular reader, you know that I’ve been vocal about Big Retail’s money grab and how they put out misinformation because they profit each time you slather on their toxic sunscreens. But here’s what they’re not telling you… Two-thirds of all sunscreens on the market wouldn’t even pass the safety tests proposed by the FDA.1 According to a study by the Environmental Working Group, the nonprofit organization found that more than 60% of the products evaluated either didn’t offer adequate sun protection or they contained potentially harmful chemicals. And worse yet, these harmful chemicals that you apply topically are being absorbed into your blood. A recent clinical trial funded by the FDA and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association confirms this. Researchers studied the effects of the active ingredients in four popular sunscreens applied topically and found that the chemicals were absorbed into the bloodstream. And at higher concentrations than an established FDA threshold. Yet the FDA continues to tell us that sunscreen is safe, despite the toxic chemicals. Sunscreen delivers chemicals and known carcinogens onto your skin and into your bloodstream — chemicals that are banned in other countries. One of the main chemicals used in sunscreens to filter out UVB light is octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC). This toxic compound can be found in the vast majority of sunscreens on the market, even though studies found it can kill mouse cells — even at extremely low doses. Other harmful chemicals include benzophenone and avobenzone. These attack the cells in your body, causing premature aging. They are also estrogen mimics that can create hormonal imbalances, cause allergic reactions and skin irritation, and are known to promote the onset of breast cancer.2 Additional chemicals commonly found in sunscreen that you should avoid include: Parabens. A well-known endocrine disruptor, parabens mimic estrogen, upset hormonal balance, and cause reproductive cancers in men and women. PABA (may be listed as octyl-dimethyl or padimate-O). Para-aminobenzoic acid attacks DNA and causes genetic mutation when exposed to sunlight. Mineral oil, paraffin, and petrolatum. These agents coat your skin like plastic. This clogs pores, traps toxins, slows skin cell growth, and disrupts normal hormone function. They’re also possible carcinogens. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). Sometimes listed as “from coconut” or “coconut-derived,” when combined with other chemicals, it becomes nitrosamine, a powerful cancer-causing agent. SLS penetrates your skin’s moisture barrier, allowing other dangerous chemicals to enter your bloodstream. Phenol carbolic acid. Animal studies show this is toxic at even low doses. It can cause circulatory collapse, paralysis, convulsions, coma, and death from respiratory failure. Acrylamide. Animal studies show it can cause breast cancer, testicular cancer, and reduce sperm count. Propylene glycol. A major component of antifreeze, this common skincare additive, can lead to dermatitis, as well as kidney and liver abnormalities. PEG, polysorbates, laureth, ethoxylated alcohol. These are potent carcinogens containing dioxane. Short-term exposure to this forever chemical causes eye, nose, and throat irritation, while long-term exposure to leads to kidney and liver damage, as well as cancer. How to build a safe sun barrier using 2 natural ingredients I recommend natural compounds that allow you to have fun in the sun without burning. If you’re planning a summer beach vacation, now is the time to start supplementing! Take tocotrienols, your sun-protection powerhouse: Vitamin E is actually eight vitamins in one — four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Research shows that tocotrienols are the real powerhouse. Studies reveal consuming tocotrienols halts sun damage that may have been triggered during the day and reduce the likelihood of any skin cancer cells forming.3 One study found that the more tocotrienols you have in your diet, the more it accumulates in your skin. That means you’re constantly building up your own personal natural sunscreen.4 Most people can’t get enough tocotrienols in their diet, so I recommend supplementing with 50 mg of tocotrienols twice a day. Like all fat-soluble vitamins, take them with a meal. And make sure you get supplements that contain natural vitamin E — not its synthetic form. Vitamin E in the form of all-rac-alpha-tocopherol-acetate or dl-alpha tocopherol should be avoided. There are serious questions about their safety. Get sunburn protection with SOD. Superoxide dismutase, or SOD, is your body’s master antioxidant. It works by neutralizing dangerous superoxide radicals in your body called “anions.” Ultraviolet rays from the sun can create these anions. Most antioxidants can’t help. But SOD has 3,500 times the antioxidant power of vitamin C. It triggers the conversion of these superoxide radicals into hydrogen peroxide, a less harmful oxygen-based free radical.5 In other words, they become harmless oxygen and water. SOD then remains “on site” to extinguish the fiery rampage of inflammation that follows. In one study, 15 people who were hypersensitive to the sun took SOD. They all reported a higher tolerance to the sun. They also had fewer tendencies to redden or have skin irritation from the sun.6 Another study showed that SOD allowed fair-skinned people to get eight times more sun before burning.7 I recommend supplementing with 500 mg superoxide dismutase formula. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. LaMotte S. “Majority of sunscreens would flunk proposed FDA safety tests, report to say.” CNN. May 15, 2019. Available at: https://edition.cnn. com/2019/05/15/health/sunscreen-fda-safety-standards-study/index.html. Accessed on March 25, 2023. 2. Hanson K, et al. “Sunscreen enhancement of UV-induced reactive oxygen species in the skin.” Free Radic Biol Med. 2006;41(8):1205-1212. 3. Yamada Y, et al. “Dietary tocotrienol reduces UVB-induced skin damage and sesamin enhances tocotrienol effects in hairless mice.” J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2008;54(2):117-123. 4. Ghazali N, et al. “Effects of tocotrienol on aging skin: A systematic review.” Front Pharmacol. 2022; 13: 1006198. 5. Faraci F, Didion S. “Vascular protection: superoxide dismutase isoforms in the vessel wall.” Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2004;24(8):1367-1373. 6. Laverdet C. “Glisodin sun study pilot.” Attachee de Consultation des Hopitaux de, Paris. July-September 2003. 7. Mac-Mary M, et al. “Evaluation of the effect of glisodin on the intensity of actinic erythema.” Presented at the CARD (Annual Congress of Dermatological Research) meeting in Brest, France. Accessed on March 25, 2023. To read the original article click here.

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What Is the Best Food for Gingivitis and Periodontal Disease?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 07 Dec 2022 03:16:57 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What would happen if you stopped brushing your teeth but ate more healthfully? Experimentally, when study participants stop brushing their teeth, plaque starts to build up and, within a few days, their gums start to get inflamed. Though nothing may be visible just yet, if you take a biopsy at the gum line, you can see the inflammation beginning to spread. Within a few weeks, overt gingivitis becomes apparent with gums that can get red and swollen and bleed easily. If you don’t do anything about it, you can develop periodontal disease, where the inflammation creeps down into the supporting structures of the tooth—the bone and ligaments—setting you up for tooth loss. How did we get along for millions of years without brushing our teeth? “Dental disease is almost universal” these days, but skulls from thousands of years before the invention of the toothbrush have perfect teeth. Admittedly, that was also thousands of years before the invention of candy bars. Does food play a role? You don’t know…until you put it to the test, as I discuss in my video Best Food for Periodontal Disease and Gingivitis. How do you get people to stop brushing their teeth and also stop eating processed junk? Researchers designed a study where participants were forced to live under Stone Age conditions without “toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss, toothpicks, or other oral hygiene products” for a month, and “security guards ensured that all subjects maintained the appropriate lifestyle for Stone Age humans.” They could use a twig or other natural material to try to clean their teeth, but were pretty much on their own. (The participants didn’t get any candy bars either.) The researchers were attempting to replicate the diet from about 4000 BCE, so the subjects got a lot of whole grains with supplemental “salt, herbs, honey, milk, and meat from domestic animals (goats and hens),” and were allowed to pick berries or see what they could catch. What happened? With no oral hygiene, their plaque built up, as you can see in the graph below and at 1:53 in my video, but their gums got healthier, as measured by bleeding on probing. (Gums bleeding when poked with a dental tool is a measure of gingivitis.) In almost every case, the participants’ gum health improved. How is it possible that their gums were actually healthier despite buildup of plaque? Many of the more disease-causing bacteria seemed to have disappeared from their mouths. The researchers suggested this could be from the lack of refined sugars, but the participants were eating honey, so they weren’t on a sugar-free diet. They were, however, eating a lot of whole grains and berries rich in antioxidant phytonutrients with anti-inflammatory properties. So, maybe it was restricted sugar intake combined with the intake of really healthy foods. Thus, all of those experimental studies where people stop brushing their teeth and their gums inevitably get inflamed “may only be applicable if the subjects maintain a Western diet rich in sugar and low in anti-inflammatory foods,” such as whole plant foods. What about the role of nutrition in periodontal health? Gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth, which, if left untreated, can lead to the progressive loss of the bone that holds our teeth in place. Part of the development of periodontal disease may involve oxidative stress, so not only do we need to reduce our intake of pro-inflammatory foods, such as refined carbohydrates and saturated fats, but it may also help if we seek out foods that are antioxidant-rich. Is there an association between periodontitis and dietary vitamin C intake? Apparently so, as you can see in the graph below and at 3:34 in my video. Increased risk of periodontitis has been associated with lower levels of vitamin C intake. What effect might vitamin C depletion and supplementation have on periodontal health? Researchers provided controlled amounts of vitamin C to study participants for three months and found that measures of gum inflammation were directly related to the subjects’ vitamin C status. On about one orange’s worth of vitamin C a day, their gums improved; down around only 5 mg a day, though, their gums got worse. On ten oranges’ worth of vitamin C a day, they got better and then worse once again when the vitamin C level dropped down to five oranges’ worth, as you can see in the graph below and at 4:01 in my video. The study was pretty convincing, though 5 mg a day is down at scurvy level. We know our gums start bleeding and our teeth can fall out if we have scurvy, but that doesn’t mean taking extra vitamin C helps. Indeed, 1,500 mg of vitamin C a day did not seem to help prevent gingivitis and even 2,000 mg a day failed to help periodontitis sufferers. Is it possible that vitamin C is just too weak an antioxidant? What about lycopene, the powerful antioxidant pigment that makes tomatoes red? Lycopene worked! But that was from injecting it directly into the gum pocket with a syringe. Does it still work if you simply eat it? A randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trial investigated the efficacy of lycopene in the treatment of gingivitis. After two weeks of standard dental treatment with either a single daily tomato’s worth of lycopene or placebo, the placebo group had a 10 to 20 percent reduction in gingivitis, but the lycopene group had a nearly 30 percent improvement within just one week. How much lycopene? The amount found in just one and a half teaspoons of tomato paste a day. So, tomatoes may help with gingivitis, but what about periodontitis? Another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial again treated subjects with a typical dental cleaning plus either one daily tomato’s worth of lycopene or a placebo for two months. Researchers found significant improvements in the lycopene group in plaque, gingivitis, and bleeding, though not probe pocket depth and clinical attachment. You can see the difference in how much better their gums looked as you can see below and at 5:59 in my video. The researchers concluded that “supplementation with lycopene seems to have augmented the healing sequence of inflamed gingival tissues,” but that was with a whole tomato’s worth a day. How about half a tomato’s worth or just three quarters of a teaspoon of tomato paste’s worth of lycopene a day? Neither worked. There was no difference. It looks like you have to go the whole tomato. It should come as no surprise that healthy foods can benefit all parts of the body, but I still love to see the data! I talk more about the red pigment in tomatoes in Lycopene Supplements vs. Prostate Cancer and Tomato Sauce vs. Prostate Cancer. Key Takeaways Although dental disease is nearly universal today, skulls from thousands of years before the toothbrush was invented have perfect teeth Researchers had study participants live under Stone Age conditions for a month without any oral hygiene products, though they could use twigs or other natural materials to clean their teeth. Dietarily, they were given whole grains with “salt, herbs, honey, milk, and meat from domestic animals (goats and hens),” and could pick berries or see what they could catch, in an attempt to replicate the diet from about 4000 BCE. Without oral hygiene, the subjects’ plaque built up, but their gums got healthier. Much of the disease-causing bacteria seemed to have disappeared from their mouths, thought perhaps because they were not consuming refined sugars and were consuming a lot of antioxidant- and anti-inflammatory-rich whole grain and berries. Development of periodontal disease may involve oxidative stress, so we should reduce consumption of pro-inflammatory foods like refined carbs and saturated fats, while also increasing intake of antioxidant-rich foods. Increased risk of periodontitis has been linked to lower levels of vitamin C intake, but 1,500 daily mg of vitamin C did not seem to help prevent gingivitis and 2,000 daily mg didn’t help periodontitis sufferers. Lycopene, the antioxidant pigment that makes tomatoes red, did work, however. Researchers found that one daily tomato’s worth of lycopene may help with gingivitis, plaque, and bleeding, but not probe pocket depth and clinical attachment. To read the original article click here.

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How to Treat Canker Sores

AHA Publisher — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 07:00:22 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutritionfacts – Vitamin C, turmeric, beta-glucan fiber, and vitamin B12 are put to the test for recurring canker sores (aphthous ulcers). Canker sores can be “a painful and often recurrent inflammatory process of the oral mucosa,” the lining of our mouths. Similar to other chronic inflammatory conditions, DNA damage due to oxidative stress caused by free radicals is thought to play a role. Normally, free radical production is balanced with antioxidants, but if the concentration of free radicals gets too high and our antioxidant enzymes and the antioxidants we get in our diet “cannot compensate for these radicals, the balance changes in favor of the oxidants”—that is, in a pro-oxidant direction. This can lead to oxidative damage within our body. Does that mean that people who experience recurring canker sores—also known as recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS)—have fewer antioxidants, more oxidation, and more DNA damage? Yes, yes, and yes. As you can see in the graph below and at 0:51 in my video Best Supplement for Canker Sores, they exhibit more pro-oxidants and more oxidative stress in their bloodstream, lower antioxidant status, and more DNA damage. This suggests it might be possible for antioxidants to help improve the DNA damage caused by recurring canker sores, but you don’t know until you put it to the test. Sixteen boys and girls around age 12 with recurring canker sores were given a whopping 2,000 mg (2 g) of vitamin C a day. That’s considered the tolerable upper daily limit for adults before you start getting diarrhea, and 1,200 mg may have that effect on a 12-year-old, but it’s all about risks versus benefits. How did they do? As you can see in the graph below and at 1:33 in my video, 15 out of the 16 kids cut the number of canker sores they were getting at least in half. In the three months before they started the vitamin C, they had averaged four canker sores each, but in the three months they were on it, they each had less than one on average. When they stopped the vitamin C for another three months, the ulcers started coming back. Then, when they once again added the vitamin C, the canker sore rate dropped again. What about directly applying antioxidants, like a turmeric gel? Let’s find out. A turmeric gel containing 2 percent curcumin, the yellow pigment in the spice turmeric, was swabbed directly onto canker sores twice a day and “significantly reduced pain intensity and size of the aphthous ulcer [canker sore] compared to placebo,” which was a gel containing no active ingredient. Okay, but wouldn’t it be nice to see a comparison to an active treatment from an independent research group, rather than this study without an active treatment that was funded by the curcumin gel manufacturer? Yes, and here we go. This randomized clinical trial compared a generic 2 percent curcumin gel to a prescription steroid gel and found that the curcumin worked just as well. This provides “strong evidence that [topical] curcumin gel can be used as an effective and safer alternative to steroids in treatment of RAS.” You may remember I’ve previously discussed that topical honey beat out the same steroid for both ulcer healing and pain reduction, as you can see in the graph and at 2:46 in my video. So, if you’re going to use something topically, honey seems better, but what if, instead of a topical application, you just want to swallow something like vitamin C but want something that doesn’t give you diarrhea? Thirty-one patients with recurring canker sores were split into two groups and received either 20 mg a day of placebo or yeast beta-glucan fiber, which is the amount found in just an eighth of a teaspoon of brewer’s yeast or nutritional yeast. As you can see below and at 3:17 in my video, the placebo group experienced no significant change, whereas ulcer severity in the yeast group was cut nearly in half. So, now you have another useful alternative. If it’s all about antioxidants, can’t you just treat recurring canker sores by eating a plant-based diet high in fruits and vegetables? That hasn’t been put to the test, but keep in mind a plant-based diet could also make things worse if one is not ensuring a regular reliable source of vitamin B12 through supplements or fortified foods. For example, a 30-year-old women had recurring canker sores for four years. She ate few animal products and didn’t supplement with vitamin B12, so she became B12-deficient and began experiencing weakness, tiredness, numbness, and tingling. She was immediately started on vitamin B12, and her deficiency symptoms got better. Her canker sores also improved and she experienced “a rapid and complete recovery” within weeks of starting vitamin B12 after years of suffering. We’ve known since the 1970s that vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to canker sores—so much so that it’s recommended to consider B12 deficiency any time a patient has with recurring canker sores. In fact, a number of nutrient deficiencies may contribute. A study compared the lab tests of those with recurrent canker sores to those without and found that more than half of the canker sore group showed evidence of hematinic deficiencies—that is, blood-forming nutrient deficiencies. In contrast, less than one in ten in the non-canker sore group exhibited these deficiencies. In this case, we’re talking about iron and folate deficiency in addition to vitamin B12 deficiency. When the study participants were given supplements, their canker sores improved and this was more pronounced among those who had no family history of canker sore problems. You can see how vitamin and mineral supplements might help people who are deficient, but might a supplement like vitamin B12 help people who are not vitamin B12 deficient? Apparently so. As the title of the study states, “cyanocobalamin”—the most common form of supplemental B12—“may be beneficial in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers [canker sores] even when vitamin B12 levels are normal.” The researchers took a group of 72 patients with frequent canker sores and gave them vitamin B12, regardless of what their levels were. Ninety-six percent of the participants got better regardless of whether they started out vitamin B12–deficient or with normal vitamin B12 levels in their blood, as you can see below and at 5:37 in my video. In this case, there was no control group, though, so we don’t know how many would have gotten better without the vitamin B12 supplement. In addition, the researchers injected the vitamin B12, and injections can have an even greater placebo effect than pills—especially with something like a syringe of vitamin B12, which has a striking mad-scientist-looking ruby red color, as you can see below and at 5:57 in my video. If only there were a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of oral vitamin B12 for canker sores. And, here we go. In this case, 1,000 micrograms of sublingual vitamin B12 were taken every day for six months. It took five months, but, eventually, the duration of canker outbreaks, the number of ulcers, and the level of pain were significantly reduced, “regardless of initial vitamin B12 levels in the blood.” So, whether you are vitamin B12–deficient or not, B12 supplements seem to help. By the end of the study, twice as many in the vitamin B12 group appeared to have been cured. The researchers concluded that “vitamin B12 treatment, which is simple, inexpensive, and low-risk, seems to be effective,” but don’t forget that it appeared to take months before it started working. In another randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a vitamin B12 ointment applied directly to the canker sores, a significant reduction in pain was demonstrated within only two days compared to placebo, regardless of whether the participant was vitamin B12–deficient or not. Here’s a link to the video on the remarkable honey results I mentioned: Flashback Friday: Topical Honey for Canker Sores. Key Takeaways A canker sore can be a painful and recurring inflammation of the lining of the mouth, and DNA damage from oxidative stress caused by free radicals may play a role. Antioxidants typically balance free radical production, but oxidative damage within the body can result from changes in a pro-oxidant direction if free radical concentration gets too high and our antioxidant enzymes and the antioxidants we get from food consumed cannot compensate. People with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (recurring canker sores) exhibit more pro-oxidants and more oxidative stress in their bloodstream, lower antioxidant status, and more DNA damage. A daily 2,000 mg of vitamin C resulted in 15 out of 16 kids with recurring canker sores cutting the number of ulcers at least in half. After stopping the vitamin C, the canker sores began reappearing and then dropped back down after the C was re-added. A generic 2 percent curcumin gel worked just as well as a prescription steroid gel, and a topical honey also beat out the same steroid for both ulcer healing and pain reduction. Taking a daily dose of the amount of yeast beta-glucan fiber found in an eighth of a teaspoon of nutritional or brewer’s yeast also nearly halved ulcer severity, while those in the placebo group experienced no significant change. Vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to canker sores, as can hematinic (blood-forming nutrient) deficiencies. The most common form of supplemental vitamin B12, cyanocobalamin, may benefit individuals with recurring canker sores—even with normal B12 levels. When taken sublingually, though, it may take months before it starts significantly reducing the duration of canker outbreaks, the number of ulcers, and the level of pain. Directly applying vitamin B12 ointment to canker sores, however, was found to reduce pain significantly in only two days, compared to placebo, regardless of previous B12 status. To read the original article click here.

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What Are the Best Foods for Your Hair Care Routine?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:00:10 +0000

Maggie Gama, MD via Dr. Axe – We’ve all wondered about the secret to luscious, shining hair. Perhaps we’ve even tried to emulate shiny haired models by trying specially formulated shampoos for our exact hair type and texture, with little effect. Instead of spending money on haircare products that produce lackluster results, consider how your overall health impacts the quality of your hair. Following a healthy hair diet can help you grow thicker, more lustrous tresses. What we eat impacts every aspect of our health, including the top of our heads. Best Foods for Healthy Hair Growth and Thickness Hair loss or thinning can be a distressing prospect, and it results from a variety of factors. The natural hormonal changes that occur as we age, for example, can lead to hair thinning. Certain medications and treatments can also contribute to balding or alopecia. Stress and nutritional deficiencies also play a role in our hair’s quality and thickness. Knowing what food helps grow hair can improve your hair’s overall health and condition. Consider adding these foods to your diet to stimulate hair growth, strengthen your hair follicles, and improve the overall quality and health of your tresses. Adding some of these foods to your diet can also help address the root causes of your hair loss, such as nutrient deficiencies or even hormonal imbalances. 1. Seek Out Antioxidant-Rich Foods Antioxidant-rich foods, such as fruits and vegetables, are the perfect food for growing hair. Antioxidants fight inflammation and boost red blood cell production, all of which help facilitate repair in the body. Strengthening hair follicles through diet can help promote hair growth and prevent further loss. Berries Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are among the most nutrient-dense fruit, prized for their antioxidant profile. Vitamin C naturally boosts collagen and aids in the absorption of iron, a must for red blood cell production. With increased circulation to the scalp, follicles remain strong and reduce the risk of damage and balding. A handful of berries each day can help keep thinning at bay. Avocado Avocados have an excellent reputation as a health food for good reason. A rare source of natural vitamin E, they help prevent free radical damage and improve the way your body uses oxygen, which can increase circulation to your scalp. A dash of B vitamins and omega 9 fatty acids also help provide luster. Aim for 1 medium avocado 2–4 times a week — tossed in salads, sandwiches or crushed as guacamole. Leafy Greens Veggies such as Swiss chard, spinach, kale and cabbage are high in vitamins A, C, and K – musts for hair growth. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and circulation, promoting the flow of oxygen-rich blood to your tissues. Snack on kale chips, eat a salad with Swiss chard, or whip up a crunchy coleslaw with apple cider vinegar for a hair healthy boost. 2. Embrace Food Containing Natural Silica You may notice that many shampoos are silicone-based, as it coats the hair and makes it appear shiny. However, this only adds protection to the shaft of the hair. Eating foods that have natural silica compounds can help strengthen the follicle, prevent breakage and promote wellness from within. Mango The orange flesh of this tropical fruit is abundant in the mineral silica, an essential part of a diet for hair growth. Try slicing and eating the mango whole as a sweet after-dinner snack, or blending into a green smoothie for breakfast. Whole Grains Grains such as wheat, barley, oats and brown rice all contain silica, a natural building block of collagen. Enjoy slices of whole wheat toast, overnight oatmeal with berries, or a stir fry with brown rice and veggies to compound the effects of food for strong hair. 3. Don’t Be Afraid of Healthy Fats Last but not least, a diet rich in omega 3, omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids helps increase hair strength. A study of 120 women found that incorporating more omega 3 fatty acidscombined with increased antioxidants improved hair density. Salmon High in protein and an unrivaled source of omega 3s, this superfood really is an essential part of a healthy diet. Opt for wild-caught salmon varieties and mix with a green salad with berries. Herring An underrated fish, herring is a great source of lean protein and is good for more than just pickling. Try sautéing, coating in lime juice and folding into tacos. Nuts A plant-based, vegan friendly option for nutritious fats, certain healthy nuts like walnuts, almonds and pecans pack a nutrient-heavy punch. Process them with lentils to make burgers and sauté to make sandwiches with a satisfying crunch. Cooking Oils The preparation of foods can add essential fats and nutrients to your diet that create a synergistic effect promoting hair growth. Canola oil and avocado oil are both nutrient-dense sources of essential fatty acids. Sautéing vegetables or scrambling eggs in them can give you an extra nutrient boost and promote a diet that strengthens your hair from within. Combating Hair Loss with Diet the Natural Way We can’t always prevent hair loss or thinning from happening. A number of factors — such as genetic disposition, medical conditions, treatments such as chemotherapy, or hormonal imbalances — can all contribute to alopecia. However, taking a holistic approach by eating healthy foods can help improve hair health and promote growth. Try incorporating some of these hair superfoods into your wellness plan. Dr. Maggie Gama founded Synergy Lifestyle Medicine to reflect values of unparalleled comprehensive and personalized patient care that focuses on understanding and addressing each patient’s unique healthcare needs. Her greatest passion is in disease prevention. Many of today’s chronic diseases are associated with poor lifestyle choices, environmental toxins, and various infectious diseases that can wreak havoc on our bodies, even years later. Dr. Gama believes that wellness is the result of a synergy between the mind, body, and spirit, which can only be established through genuine, compassionate, and unbreakable bonds established through compassionate care and genuine patient partnership. To read the original article click here.

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Load Up On THESE Plant Foods to Boost Your Iron Intake

AHA Publisher — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:18:20 +0000

News Staff via NaturalHealth365 – We’ve all heard about the importance of including iron in our diets. However, it can be hard to know how to up your iron intake without eating tons of meat. Dialing back your meat intake, even if you don’t completely cut it out, has been shown to reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. But lowering your meat intake doesn’t mean sacrificing iron. Several powerful plant foods rich in iron can help ensure you’re giving your body what it needs. Iron Maintains Optimum Health in MULTIPLE Ways Iron is a vital mineral that plays a role in good health. One significant function of iron is that it helps your body make hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is pivotal for transporting oxygen throughout your bloodstream. But that’s not all. Iron is vital for the immune system and cell function. Without iron, you could be at risk of anemia, a condition where you don’t have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to transport oxygen to your cells very well. Pregnant women are especially at risk for anemia. While the required iron intake varies from person to person, typically, men need about 8 milligrams a day, women 18 milligrams, and growing infants need 11 milligrams. Eat These Plant Foods to Boost Your Iron Intake So the question is, how can you maximize your dietary intake of iron? Several animal foods are rich in iron, such as meat, wild game, poultry, and seafood. There are two types of iron – heme and non-heme. The difference between them is that it’s easier for your body to absorb heme iron. So if you’re not getting dietary iron from meat, it’s a good idea to get plenty of vitamin C, which helps you absorb non-heme iron. Minimizing your toxic (factory produced) meat intake can benefit your overall health and lower your risk of certain chronic diseases. Luckily, several tasty plant-based foods provide essential iron. Nuts and legumes are good sources of iron for plant-eaters. Green leafy vegetables are also ideal sources of the mineral. For example, spinach contains 4 milligrams of iron in just one cup. It can be used in soups, salads, and more. You might even make it in a smoothie or use it as a pizza topping. What’s even better is that it also contains many other beneficial nutrients. Beets are also among iron superstar vegetables. These purple-hued root vegetables and their greens contain magnesium, calcium, potassium, and vitamin C for even more wholesome nutrition. Dark, leafy greens are another great source of plant iron. Kale is versatile and packed with good vitamins and minerals, including iron. Collard greens are also a delicious iron-rich choice. Or you could opt for sweet potatoes, broccoli, or peas to liven up your meal and give you some iron. With so many scrumptious plant-based recipes available, you can’t go wrong by adding these iron-rich plant foods to your meal plan. Sources for this article include: LiveScience.com To read the original article click here.

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Frontline Doctors Develop Protocol to Help Those Injured by COVID Jab

AHA Publisher — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 07:00:16 +0000

Sara Middleton via NaturalHealth365 – Since the late 1980s, the number of petitions filed with the United States National Injury Compensation Program (VICP) seeking compensation for injury or death caused by vaxxes has increased considerably. Last year’s total (2,057) neared the historical peak of 2003 (2,592). It’s yet to be seen how the trend will play out over the next few years. Incredibly, more than half of these petitions have been dismissed, and not all cases that received actual compensation were necessarily able to “prove” that a vax caused the purported injury or illness (although one could safely surmise that the entire VICP process is bogged down with bureaucratic red tape and other behind-closed-doors decisions that protect the best interests of anyone but the vax-injured). Regardless, the point is clear: people have and will continue to be injured by the COVID shots currently authorized for use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Thankfully, while many public health officials, Big Pharma folks, and conventional healthcare providers are sticking their heads in the sand, some frontline doctors are taking a stand – and possibly risking their medical licenses by doing so – to help those who are harmed. No Conspiracy Here: Children and Adults Are Getting Hurt by COVID-19 Shots… But Are They Being Listened to? It’s hard to claim that we’re still in an “emergency” state when it comes to the pandemic (although that certainly isn’t stopping the FDA from authorizing the “emergency” use of the gene-based COVID shots for virtually everyone in the United States older than 6 months old). Meanwhile, data continues to emerge that muddies the water for anyone trying to make informed decisions about these injections. For instance, getting vaxxed seems to increase your risk of getting COVID-19 (a painfully ironic phenomenon known as “negative efficacy,”) which we can infer from the observation that highly vaxxed countries suffer from soaring infection and death rates compared to low vaxxed countries. Additionally, as summarized by Dr. Joseph Mercola in a recent newsletter, official vax safety surveillance data confirm that the mRNA jabs have “caused more harm in 18 months than all other vaxxes on the market, combined, over the past three decades.” And that’s even leaving alone the likelihood that VAERS is not capturing the true incidence of adverse effects from the COVID jabs due to the frustrating reality of adverse event underreporting. Of course, acknowledging that people are suffering serious and sometimes fatal issues because of these heavily propagandized drugs in no way ignores the fact that people have also been suffering because of COVID-19. But bringing to light this issue hopefully will encourage more providers to at least put vax injury on their radar when seeing people suffering from problems such as strokes, fall-related injuries after fainting episodes, heart inflammation, worsening chronic illness, “sudden unexplained deaths,” and more. Because truthfully, if doctors aren’t even considering the possibility that their patients’ suffering could be related to recent jabs due to ignorance or fear of professional repercussions, how would a potential link ever be uncovered? If patients aren’t listened to when they show up to urgent care clinics and emergency rooms, if their concerns are downplayed or ignored, or if their symptoms aren’t reported to VAERS, then how exactly will ongoing safety monitoring of these shots ever be appropriately carried out? Here Are Some Things You Can Do If You Develop Post-Vax Syndrome Following a COVID Shot, According to Frontline Experts The Frontline COVID-19 Critical Care Alliance (FLCCC) is a group of healthcare providers – led by esteemed Pulmonary and Critical Care Specialists Dr. Pierre Kory, M.D., M.P.A., and Dr. Paul E. Marik, M.D., FCCM, FCCP – who have created and shared life-saving, evidence-based protocols for patients throughout the pandemic (protocols that often go against mainstream messaging and are therefore frequently censored). Now, they’ve developed a protocol specifically for people who have suffered illness or injury following a COVID jab. The FLCCC endorses the importance of such a protocol given that “a temporal correlation between a patient receiving a COVID-19 vaccine and beginning or worsening of clinical manifestations is sufficient to diagnose as a COVID-19 vaccine-induced injury when the symptoms are unexplained by other concurrent causes.” If you’re curious, here are some “first-line” treatments from the FLCCC Alliance’s “I-RECOVER POST-VACCINE TREATMENT PROTOCOL” (the protocol includes many more treatments as well, including several non-pharmacological options): Intermittent daily fasting Vitamin C, D, and K2 Magnesium Melatonin Quercetin Nigella Sava Omega-3 fatty acids Ivermectin Aspirin Readers note: the FLCCC encourages patients to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new treatment protocol, and that any treatment protocol should be individualized based on each patient’s needs. Keep this in mind as you search for a healthcare provider you can trust with your family’s health and wellbeing. Sources for this article include: Statista.com Rumble.com COVID19criticalcare.com Mercola.com Mercola.com To read the original article click here.

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Natural Sunburn Relief, Including 5 Home Remedies

AHA Publisher — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:00:50 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Summertime: trips to the beach, family cookouts, warm nights and … sunburn? Unfortunately, even if you’ve slathered on sunblock religiously, those UV rays can sneak through and leave you with a painful, itchy red burn. While I believe some sensible sun exposure is essential for your health to prevent vitamin D deficiency, too much of a good thing can lead to damaging sunburn or sun poisoning that could increase your risk of skin cancer and premature wrinkles. If after a long summer day, you’ve spent too much time outdoors under the hot sun, thankfully there are many natural sunburn remedies that actually work. How do you make a sunburn go away fast? If you’re wondering how to treat sunburn fast, you don’t have to go further than your kitchen cabinets with natural sunburn treatments like black tea and oatmeal. Are you fan of essential oils and keep them around your home? If the answer is “yes” then that’s great news since essentials oils are another great form of natural sunburn treatment. What Is a Sunburn? So what is a sunburn, anyway? A standard sunburn definition: inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight. How long does a sunburn last? Typically, it lasts several days. A sunburn occurs when the sun or another ultraviolet light source hits your unexposed body and exceeds what your skin can handle. This prompts your skin to release melanin, its protective pigment. Here are a few interesting facts: A fair-skinned person can get a sunburn in less than 15 during intense midday sun. It could take hours for a dark-skinned person to get burned in that same type of sun exposure. Interestingly, the sunburn process starts setting in before it’s even visible to the naked eye; the first effects may not show up for several hours. Blisters related to sunburn could take hours to days to develop. It could take a full 24 hours for a sunburn’s full effects to surface. Causes If you spend too much time in the sun without clothing or sunscreen to protect your skin, it can cause your skin to burn or tan. What causes some people to burn while others are more likely to get a suntan? It depends upon the level of a pigment called melanin in the skin. People with fairer skin have less melanin while people with darker skin have more. When the rays of the sun cause damage to the skin, the skin manufacturers more melanin in an effort to protect it from further damage. This causes skin tone to change color. For lighter skinned individuals, the skin is more likely to turn red. Do sunburns turn into a tan? Sometimes a sunburn will naturally turn into a tan if peeling can be avoided. However, you should never allow a sunburn for the sake of hopefully getting a tan eventually because you are damaging your skin! Symptoms Sunburn symptoms include: Skin pinkness or redness Skin that feels warm or hot to the touch Pain and tenderness Sunburn itch Swelling Small fluid-filled blisters, which may break Headache, fever, nausea and fatigue (if you have severe sunburn) A sunburn rash or “sun rash” (hives and blisters on top of a sunburn), sunburn chills or fever, and nausea are all signs of sun poisoning. Diagnosis For your doctor or dermatologist to diagnosis a sunburn, he or she will likely examine your body, ask about your symptoms and history of sun exposure. Conventional Treatment What is the best treatment for sunburn? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, many dermatologists will recommend conventional sunburn treatment that looks something like the following: Take cool baths or showers often to decrease pain. When drying off, leave a small amount of water on the skin and then apply a moisturizer to help trap water in your skin and increase skin hydration. (This is a great natural sunburn remedy, too!) Aloe vera and soy are helpful ingredients to look for in a conventional sunburn cream. If you’re dealing with something worse than a mild sunburn or you’re experiencing discomfort, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream is another conventional sunburn treatment. Using conventional pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen to decrease sunburn swelling, redness and discomfort. Drink extra water to prevent dehydration. (Also, makes the list of natural sunburn treatments for sure!) If your skin blisters, this means that you have a second degree sunburn. Leave the blisters alone (in other words, do not pop or pick at them!) because they are helping your skin heal and guarding against infection. How long does it take for a sunburn to heal? According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), “Unlike a thermal burn, sunburn is not immediately apparent. Symptoms usually start about four hours after sun exposure, worsen in 24–36 hours, and resolve in 3–5 days.” According to the Mayo Clinic, treating sunburn with even the best sunburn relief does not heal your skin, but it can help to improve pain, swelling and discomfort. Natural Remedies How do you make a sunburn go away fast? If your sunburn is not severe, using home remedies for sunburn promptly and consistently can really help to improve a burn fast. 1. Pantry and Fridge Staples (Used Topically) If you’re trying to figure out how to heal sunburn naturally, you may be surprised to find out that many items in your kitchen can help when used topically! Here are some common food items that can help relieve sunburns: Oatmeal is proven to relieve itchy dry skin and reduce inflammation as burns heal. Enjoy its healing effects by blending dry oats in a blender or food processor until its finely ground and smooth. Add a cup of oatmeal to warm bath water (not hot!) and spend some quality time soaking. Milk can also help to reduce skin pain and heat. You can either create a cold compress by dunking a washcloth in chilled milk and applying it directly to burnt areas or by adding about a cup of cold milk to a cool bath and soaking. Make sure its whole milk so you can benefit from the helpful natural fat content. Black tea isn’t just delicious to drink, it’s also great at reducing sunburn’s redness and quickening the recovery process. In a pitcher, soak a few bags of black tea. You want to do this until the water is super black. Then use a washcloth to apply it to the affected areas and don’t rinse. The tannic acid in the tea, which gives it the dark color, eases the heat and provides much-needed relief. Yogurt contains probiotics and lactic acid, which make it an excellent choice for reducing redness and soothing the skin. Choose a full-fat, plain yogurt and apply it gently on the sunburnt areas. Let it sit for about 10 minutes and then wash off in the shower. Cornstarch can reduce the painful chafing that occurs when your inflamed skin sticks to the bed sheets at night. While using it means you’ll be doing laundry the next day, sprinkling cornstarch over the sheets will reduce friction and create a barrier between your skin and the sheets, allowing for more comfortable sleep during sticky nights if your sunburn is exceptionally painful. 2. Aloe Vera and Coconut Oil When you’re in the midst of your natural sunburn treatment, your body is desperate for moisture. Applying moisturizers like pure coconut oil and aloe vera gel can really help to improve a burn. Aloe vera is so helpful that it’s a common conventional recommendation as well. It’s even sometimes called the “burn plant” because it’s such an effective natural remedy for a bad burn. You can buy a bottle of pure aloe vera or you can use a leaf of an aloe vera plant by splitting it open and applying the sap to your skin. Hint: Store a bottle of aloe or an aloe vera leaf in the refrigerator for an extra blast of soothing coolness upon application. 3. Hydrating Foods There are a lot of natural topical remedies for sunburns, but if you want to know how to get rid of sunburn fast, you don’t want to forget some internal help as well. It’s a great idea to “moisturize” from the inside out by eating foods with high water content. Snack on fruits like oranges and watermelons, which are high in vitamin C and promote healing. In fact, watermelons are about 92 percent water. Also drink plenty of water and electrolyte-rich drinks like coconut water. While healing from sunburn, avoid alcohol and sugary foods, which can increase inflammation and slow down the relief process. 4. Apple Cider Vinegar Did you know that you can use apple cider vinegar for sunburn? You might not smell great, but you’ll likely feel a whole lot better when you include apple cider vinegar (ACV) in your sunburn-fighting routine. Apple cider vinegar uses cover many health areas, but ACV will also soothe burnt skin. Add a cup to a cool bath along with ¼ cup of coconut oil and a few drops of lavender essential oil for a healing soak. No time for a bath? You can also make a 1:1 solution of vinegar and water in a spray bottle or dip a washcloth into the solution and dab on the affected areas. 5. Essential Oils They’re not just for helping your home smell nice or easing stress and anxiety, there are also essential oils for sunburn. I recommend two common favorites: Peppermint oil is a natural analgesic, or painkiller. It also helps soothe burnt areas by providing a cooling sensation. Bonus: because peppermint oil is also effective at alleviating headaches, it can help with the after-sun headache some people suffer from. Lavender oil is another essential oil go-to for sunburns. It can help to reduce the sting of burns and decrease redness. With its antioxidant, pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties, it’s the perfect choice to speed up healing, allowing your body to recover faster. Are you wondering how to treat a sunburn with essential oils? This home remedy for sunburn incorporates both lavender and peppermint essential oils, along with aloe vera juice and coconut oil for sunburn relief. How to Prevent It’s possible to get a burn from the sun even when it’s cloudy or cool outside. It’s also important to note that UV light is stronger at high altitudes and the sun’s rays are easily reflected onto the skin when you’re near sand, water or snow. Key tips for avoiding a burn from sun exposure: Aim to be in the shade if you’re going to spend extensive time outdoors, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Apply a natural sunscreen to all exposed skin (and make sure your sunscreen isn’t expired). Put on additional sunscreen every 40 to 80 minutes, or sooner if it has washed off from swimming or sweating. Wear clothing and hats to protect skin. Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. Stay hydrated with non-alcoholic fluids, especially water. Nutrients found in specific foods are also known to help prevent sunburns, often in a time-dependent manner: Vitamin C and E: Vitamin C can be found in citrus fruits, peppers, guava and broccoli while many nuts like almonds and sunflower seeds are great sources of vitamin E. Beta-carotene: Foods like carrots, pumpkin and sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene. Lycopene: Delicious summer time foods like tomatoes and watermelon are high in lycopene. Fish oil: The sunburn response may be reduced by dietary fish oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Final Thoughts According to the CDC, you should seek medical attention for a bad sunburn with sunburn blisters that cover over 15 percent of your body, you have a high fever, experience dehydration and/or you feel extreme pain for longer than 48 hours. Of course, it’s always best to avoid sunburns in the first place. However, I don’t advocate completely barring yourself from the sun. Usually a few minutes is all someone needs to get sufficient vitamin...

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Mango Butter for Skin Repair, Healthier Hair & More

AHA Publisher — Fri, 15 Apr 2022 07:00:02 +0000

Christine Ruggeri, CHHC via Dr. Axe – When you think of mango, the first thing that likely comes to mind is the sweet yellow-orange flesh of the fruit that instantly brings you to the tropics. You may be surprised to learn that there’s more to mango than that. The woody kernel in the center of the fruit is jam-packed with healthy fats and nutrients that are extracted to make creamy mango butter. Like popular shea butter, mango butter can be used on hair and skin for its moisturizing effects. It has a creamy, buttery consistency at cooler temperatures and becomes a light, odorless oil when rubbed into the skin. Once you know a little bit more about this body and hair care ingredient, it’ll become one of your favorite DIY recipe ingredients. What Is Mango Butter? Mango butter is what you get after cold-pressing the fats from mango’s kernel, which creates a creamy butter that can be used on the skin and hair. It has almost no aroma, so it can easily be used as a base in DIY body care recipes or all by itself. What really makes mango butter special is its nutrition content. It boasts natural antioxidants, vitamins A and E, and essential fatty acids. It’s known for its light texture that doesn’t leave your skin or hair feeling greasy. At cooler temperatures, mango oil remains solid, but when it warms or is rubbed into the skin, it becomes a protective oil that’s often used as an alternative to cocoa butter. Benefits The benefits of mango butter for skin and hair come from its nutrient profile and nourishing effects. Here’s the rundown: 1. Moisturizes Skin and Hair Mango butter has a semi-solid consistency, but it quickly melts into a rich oil when it touches the skin. It has a lighter texture than many other vegetable oils or butters, so it won’t leave you feeling greasy. It does, however, hydrate both skin and hair, soothing dry areas. It provides a protective barrier, keeping bacteria and environmental chemicals from entering your pores. 2. Helps with Skin Repair The nutrients in mango butter have healing properties, so it can be used to promote skin repair and provide skin protection. A study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences found that a foot cream made with mango butter was able to completely repair worn and cracked skin in human volunteers. Researchers found that the ingredient works as an effective emollient that provides skin protection. 3. Features Antioxidants The antioxidants found in mango butter help reduce free radical damage that can lead to early aging. Research indicates that oil extracted from mango kernel has a greater phenolic content than many commercial vegetable oils. Applying it to your skin helps minimize the impact of environmental stressors, like UV rays and pollution exposure that can cause fine lines, wrinkles and other signs of aging skin. 4. Doesn’t Clog Pores Mango butter works as an emollient that provides a protective barrier on the skin, but it won’t clog your pores, so fear not of breakouts. In fact, the butter melts into a light oil that doesn’t leave you feeling too oily. It’s considered non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog pores and can be used on all skin types. It also has a very mild, even non-detected smell, so people who are sensitive to certain aromas may prefer this one over other options. 5. Reduces Hair Breakage The nourishing fatty acids in mango butter help reduce hair breakage that naturally occurs overtime and when hair becomes dry. The fats in mango oil seal hair strands and protect it from environmental damage. It protects your hair from the damage caused by blow drying or using a hot iron, too. You can also massage it into your scalp to prevent dandruff, flaking and irritation. How to Use Use mango butter the same way you should shea or cocoa butter. Simply scoop a pea-sized dollop, rub it into your hands and apply it to your skin. Rub it into dry or damaged areas in circular motions, especially after bathing or using a cleanser. You can apply other skin products, like makeup, after the butter has been absorbed. When using mango butter for hair, rub a dime size of butter into your hands, and massage it into the ends of your strands. If you have a dry, flaking scalp, rub a small amount into the area. You can use it for pre-poo treatments, too. Pre-pooing involves applying hydrating oils or butters to your hair and letting it sit for 30 minutes before shampooing. This helps keep your hair healthy and shiny. Recipes Mango butter serves as an alternative to shea and cocoa butters and can easily be swapped in to DIY body care recipes. You can use it as a base in body butter or hair mask recipes. For instance, combining it with jojoba oil and lavender essential oil makes for a nourishing skin moisturizer. Try using ½ cup of mango butter instead of shea butter in this Homemade Body Butter Lotion recipe. Wondering what other skin and hair care ingredients mix well with mango butter? You can combine it with: Coconut oil Jojoba oil Apricot oil Argan oil Olive oil Aloe vera gel Beeswax Vitamin E oil Gentle essential oils (like lavender and frankincense) Risks and Side Effects Mango butter is generally safe for topical use. Although it is sometimes consumed, the extraction process may be done at high temperatures that alter the oil’s chemical composition, so sticking to topical use only is recommended. If you experience redness, itchiness, burning or irritation after using mango oil, discontinue use immediately. People who are allergic to mango should not use the butter, as it’s directly extracted from the fruit’s kernel. Conclusion Mango butter is made by cold-pressing oil from the fruit’s kernel. It becomes a hard, creamy consistency at low temperatures and turns into a light oil when heated. The butter or oil is used to promote skin repair, moisturize dry areas or nourish hair strands. It can also help reduce scalp flaking and serves as a protective barrier, working to prevent damage to your hair and skin. Using mango butter is easy. It can be applied directly to your skin or hair or combined with other nourishing ingredients, like coconut oil and lavender essential oil. Diy Mango Body Butter Recipe The nutrients in mango butter have healing properties, so it can be used to promote skin repair and provide skin protection. INGREDIENTS ½ cup mango butter ⅛ cup jojoba oil ½ cup coconut oil 20 drops essential oil (lavender oil or tea tree oil are good choices) medium-sized glass jar INSTRUCTIONS Put mango butter, coconut oil and jojoba oil in glass bowl, then place that bowl in sauce pan that is filled with water. Do not allow any water to get into the bowl. Heat stove to medium and mix oils together. Whisk until completely melted. Remove the glass bowl from the stove and let it cool for 30 minutes. Add the essential oils and whisk again. Once mixed, put in refrigerator for an hour or until solid. Remove from the fridge. With a regular mixer or hand mixer, beat the oils until they are whipped and fluffy. Fill container with body butter mixture and store at room temperature. Apply it after taking a shower or bath, when your skin is still wet. Enjoy! To read the original article click here.

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Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe: A Great Holiday Drink!

AHA Publisher — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 08:00:04 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – As the weather changes in the fall and winter months, we begin to look for warming and comforting foods and beverages. My cranberry apple cider recipe is the perfect drink to sip on during those cold nights. It’s packed with antioxidants and serves as a great alternative to mulled wine yet packs more flavor than simple apple cider. Try it out — it’s easy to prepare and undeniably delicious. The Perfect Fall to Winter Drink What makes the perfect fall to winter drink? It’s a drink that makes you feel warm, at ease and fulfilled. It also contains warming spices, like cinnamon, cardamon, ginger and clove. That’s exactly what I added to my cranberry apple cider. It’s made with a combination of apples, cranberries, oranges, maple syrup and these warming, antioxidant spices. It’s easy to drink, but that’s okay because it’s full of free radical-fighting antioxidants and works to improve your health. So next time you’re looking for the perfect cold weather drink to enjoy, opt for making your own cranberry apple cider. Not only does it make you feel good in the moment, it has long-term health benefits that will keep you energized and healthy for the coming months too. Key Ingredients Here are some of the top health benefits associated with the ingredients in this cranberry apple cider recipe: Apples: Apple nutrition contains fiber, vitamin C, potassium and vitamin K. Apples are also an excellent source of strong antioxidants (like quercetin and catechin) that can help to fight free radical damage and signs of early aging. Cranberries: Did you know that cranberries are packed with disease-fighting antioxidants? Like apples, eating cranberries can help to fight inflammation and reduce your risk of heart disease. Plus, cranberries can work to help prevent urinary tract infections because the antioxidants found in the fruit can change the bacteria so they don’t stick to the urinary tract. Orange: Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin B6. Eating oranges or adding fresh orange juice to your water, smoothies or homemade beverages can help to strengthen your immune system, increase your energy levels, aid digestion and boost circulation. Cinnamon: Like so many of the ingredients in this cranberry apple cider recipe, cinnamon is also packed with disease-fighting antioxidants. Consuming cinnamon (and using cinnamon oil) helps to fight infections, strengthen your immune system, reduce inflammation and even fight diabetes. Ginger: Did you know that there are 115 different chemical components found in ginger root? Ginger has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which contributes to the many ginger health benefits that you receive when cooking and baking with ginger. How to Make Cranberry Apple Cider To begin preparing your cranberry apple cider, start chopping the fruit into wedges. You’ll need six Granny Smith apples, six Honeycrisp apples and two oranges. Place the fruit wedges into a large pot and add a 10-ounce bag of fresh or frozen cranberries. Next, add 3½ quarts of water to the pot. Now add in your spices: ½ teaspoon whole clove, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cardamom and ½ teaspoon allspice. Next, place four cinnamon sticks into the pot, ½ cup maple syrup … and one sprig of rosemary. Now that all of your ingredients have been added to the pot, you’ll bring it to a boil and let it simmer on low for one hour. Once time is up, with a potato masher, crush the fruit in order to release the juices. This will make your cranberry apple cider super flavorful. After mashing the fruit, let it simmer for another hour and let it cool. Now it’s time to strain your cider. Using a cheesecloth, strain out the fruit fibers and herbs so you only have the liquid left. And just like that, your cranberry apple cider is ready! Store it in a sealable container and you can store it in your refrigerator for about one week. Reheat your cider before drinking or serving it. I hope you enjoy this comforting and warming cranberry apple cider. Cranberry Apple Cider Recipe My cranberry apple cider recipe is the perfect drink to sip on during those cold nights. It’s packed with antioxidants and serves as a great alternative for coffee, tea or hot cocoa. INGREDIENTS 6 Granny Smith apples 6 Honeycrisp apples 2 oranges 10-ounce bag cranberries, fresh or frozen 4 cinnamon sticks ½ teaspoon clove, whole 1 teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon cardamom ½ teaspoon allspice ½ cup maple syrup 1 sprig rosemary 3½ quarts water INSTRUCTIONS Chop fruit into wedges. Combine all ingredients in a large pot over high heat. Bring to a boil. Simmer on low for 1 hour. With a potato masher, crush the fruit to release the juices. Simmer for at least one more hour. Allow to cool before straining. Strain out the fruit fibers and herbs with a cheesecloth. Store in a sealable container in the fridge for about 1 week. Heat before serving. To read the original article click here.

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