Some of these oils are healthy and some are VERY unhealthy — soybean oil, olive oil, coconut oil, corn oil, etc… Let’s take a closer look.

by Mike Geary, Certified Nutrition Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer
Author of best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen & The Top 101 Foods that FIGHT Aging

Today, I wanted to give you my take on a confusing subject to most people:

Why some oils and fats you may use in cooking, baking, or other food use are actually harmful to your body, and why some are healthful.

Here’s the deal…

A lot of people seem to think that anything labeled as “vegetable oil” is good for you. NOT A SHOT!

Most of what is labeled as “vegetable oil” is simply heavily refined soybean oil (processed under high heat, pressure, and industrial solvents, such as hexane)… sometimes perhaps it may also be heavily refined cottonseed, safflower, corn, grapeseed, or other oils too.

In most instances, almost all of these processed oils are NOT HEALTHY for you. I’ll explain why below…

If you buy processed food or deep fried food, you can usually be certain that these unhealthy oils are used to prepare your foods (or worse, it may use hydrogenated versions of these oils… aka – trans fats).

You may have even bought some of these oils for your own cooking or baking at home.

The problem with soybean oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, safflower oil, and other similar “vegetable oils” is that they are mostly composed of polyunsaturated fats (the most highly reactive type of fat) which leaves them prone to oxidation and free radical production when exposed to heat and light.

Processed polyunsaturated oils are the most inflammatory inside our bodies because of their high reactivity to heat and light. This inflammation is what causes many of our internal problems to develop such as heart disease, cancer, and other degenerative diseases.

Note: It’s ok if a polyunsaturated fat source isn’t processed such as in whole foods like various nuts and seeds… In that case it’s usually not inflammatory (as long as it’s not been exposed to high heat), and nuts are usually a great source of healthy polyunsaturated fats. By the way, omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are both polyunsaturates, and a healthy balance of approx 1:1 to 3:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 is considered healthiest.

Your best bet is to choose raw nuts and seeds whenever possible to avoid the oxidation of polyunsaturated fats that can occur during roasting of nuts and seeds. Keep in mind though that some nuts are mostly monounsaturated, (for example, macadamias), so the issue of roasted vs raw nuts is less of an issue for highly monounsaturated nuts.

However, all of the vegetable oils listed above are generally heavily refined during processing, so that makes them already inflammatory before you even cook with them (which does even more damage).

Here’s the actual order of stability of a type of fat under heat and light (from least stable to most stable):

1. polyunsaturated
2. monounsaturated
3. saturated

Here’s something that mainstream health professionals will never tell you…

Saturated fats are actually the healthiest oils to cook with!

Why? Because they are much more stable in cooking conditions and less inflammatory than polyunsaturated oils with cooking.

This is why tropical oils such as palm and coconut oils (and even animal fats such as lard and butter) are best for cooking… they have very little polyunsaturates and are mostly composed of natural saturated fats which are the least reactive to heat/light and therefore the least inflammatory in your body from cooking use.

That’s also why natural butter (NOT margarine) is one of the best fats for cooking. This all goes directly against what you hear in mainstream health talk… because most health professionals don’t truly understand the biochemistry of fats, and falsely believe that saturated fats are bad for you… when in fact, they are actually neutral in most instances… and saturated fats from tropical oils are actually good for you as they contain mostly medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) which are lacking in most people’s diets.

In fact, lauric acid is one of the abundant MCTs in tropical oils and is known to strengthen the immune system. Lauric acid is even being studied currently in medical studies for controlling contagious diseases.

To summarize… your best cooking or baking fats are generally butter or tropical oils such as palm or coconut oil.

Olive oil (extra virgin preferably) is okay for lower cooking temps as it’s mostly monounsaturated, so moderately stable. I also like avocado oil and macadamia nut oil for baking as they are mostly monounsaturated and relatively stable for baking, plus add great flavor!

The mostly polyunsaturated oils such as soybean, corn, grapeseed, cottonseed, safflower, etc, are the least healthy for cooking or baking.

My choices for top healthy cooking oils that I use:

• Virgin Coconut Oil (very stable at med-high temps and healthy fats)
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil (only for low temp cooking)
• Real Butter (grass fed butter is actually healthy and contains important nutrients like vitamin K2, omega-3’s, and CLA. Kerry gold is a popular brand of Irish butter that’s grass-fed and readily available in most grocery stores)

Of course, with all of that said… we should keep in mind that trying minimize our cooking with oils can help to reduce overall calories. Cooking with oils in moderation is okay and can actually help satisfy your appetite more, but be careful not to overdo it as the calories can add up fast.

Also, please don’t be fooled by deceptive marketing claiming that canola oil is healthy for you — it’s NOT!

So enjoy your coconut oil, grass-fed butter, and delicious extra-virgin olive oils knowing that you’re doing your body GOOD! But just make sure to stay FAR AWAY from dangerous inflammatory vegetable oils like soybean oil, corn oil, and cottonseed oils which are used in so many processed foods these days.

Also remember that most salad dressings you find at the store are loaded with unhealthy soybean or canola oils usually, so make your own with healthy olive oil instead.

But BEWARE…

Although using real butter, coconut oil, & extra virgin olive oil can be a super-healthy choice for a lean, healthy, & strong body as well as fighting the aging process, if you follow the tips you just learned…

Did you know THIS Popular Cooking Oil May Erase Brain Cells?

If you cook with this popular oil

You could be ingesting a toxic substance that slips past the brain’s blood barrier…

Clogging blood vessels and starving your brain cells of the fuel it needs.

Day by day… worsening brain fog, slowing down activity in your brain, and completely deleting memory banks…

👉 Click here to see if this brain-killing oil is in your pantry right now

The post Which of these cooking oils are destroying your health? (the truth may surprise you!) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day.

By Susan Patterson, TheAlternativeDaily.com

Coconut oil has been gaining a lot of popularity in the fast growing community of health conscious people. People in Asia and the Pacific Rim have used coconut products for thousands of years. They drank the milk, ate the flesh, turned the tree sap into sweet syrup, and weaved baskets with the leaves of coconut trees. In the 1950s, coconut oil, which you receive when you press the meat of the coconut, could be found in every household.

With the low-fat craze that swept through the Western world, coconut oil gave way to margarine and vegetable oils. The “experts” demonized saturated fats. People touted highly processed vegetable oils as heart-healthy, but only in very small amounts.

Fortunately, coconut oil is seeing a comeback of epic proportions. From slathering your baby’s bottom to cooking up some fabulous-tasting eggs, coconut oil is making its way to the top of the charts. How about putting some coconut oil into your morning cup of coffee?

Of course, those who have been using coconut oil for years never truly believed the lipid hypothesis that said saturated fat was bad for us. More and more evidence is being uncovered to say just the opposite.

What is coconut oil?

Coconut oil is a medium-chain fatty acid with a high saturation level. The main fats in coconut oil are caprylic acid, lauric acid and capric acid. Most fats take much more effort from the body to be digested (26 steps), whereas coconut oil is digested much easier (3 steps). Because it is a medium-chain fatty acid, coconut oil is processed by the liver, so it is converted into energy rather than stored as fat.

Coconut oil is a solid at room temperatures and it has an amazing shelf life due its saturation. It is also an ideal oil to cook with because medium-chain fatty acids are much more stable and will not break down during cooking.

Healthy saturated fat is not only good for us, but essential for numerous bodily functions. Did you know that more than half your brain is made up of saturated fat? Coconut oil is described as one of the healthiest saturated fats on the earth.

Coconuts are revered by people all over the world for their amazing medical and nutritional properties. They have been used for ages by diverse cultures and races, all of whom respect the magnificent qualities of this tree-growing nut. Fortunately, the Western world is quickly catching on. Now there are even numerous studies supporting some of the health claims that so many of us already know to be true.

Medicinal uses for coconut

In traditional medicine, people use coconut for a wide number of health problems. These include kidney stones, nausea, rash, scurvy, infections, wounds, asthma, colds, constipation, cough, earaches, fevers, jaundice, kidney stones, lice and ulcers, to name a few.

Modern medicine is finally coming alongside traditional medicine and echoing the amazing health benefits of coconut. Published studies in a number of prominent health journals note the benefits of various forms of coconut.

Several studies have confirmed that coconut oil has the ability to increase the good cholesterol HDL. In other studies, women and men were fed a diet containing coconut oil and butter. Researchers found that coconut oil increased energy in study participants and was able to help with weight maintenance or weight loss.

What is even more amazing are the results of a study of women with stage III and stage IV breast cancer. The 60 women were fed a diet containing virgin coconut oil and experienced an overall improved quality of life. Coconut oil also reduced the side effects of chemotherapy.

Other benefits of coconut oil

As you can see, saturated fat isn’t necessarily the bad guy, when it is from a good source like coconut oil. The lauric acid in coconut oil can actually prevent high blood pressure. Below, find a list of other proven health benefits of coconut oil which will make you want to run to the store and stock up on this amazing fat.

Proven treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

The brain produces its own insulin in healthy people. In people with Alzheimer’s disease, this function is limited or stopped. The ketones produced through coconut oil consumption increase energy for people with Alzheimer’s and can help improve brain function.

Reduces inflammation markers

A study conducted in India found that the antioxidants in coconut oil were able to reduce inflammation in study participants when taken regularly. Researchers have also found coconut oil to be of great value to people with arthritis.

Antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties

It is the lauric acid present in coconut oil that has been credited with helping treat parasites, like candida. It is necessary to use coconut oil on a daily basis and usually several times a day.

Improves endurance

The liver processes coconut oil, so it provides a quick boost of energy and endurance. This makes it extremely valuable for athletes, especially those needing a lot of energy for longer workouts.

Helps slow down aging process

The antioxidants in coconut oil can slow the aging process, as stress on the liver is decreased and detoxification is increased.

Prevents osteoporosis

The antioxidants in coconut oil fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, both of which count as the main culprits for osteoporosis. Additionally, coconut oil increases calcium absorption. Researchers have found that bone loss due to osteoporosis decreases in patients who take coconut oil regularly.

Coconut in coffee

Replacing processed coffee creamers with organic coconut oil is a smart move. Although it may sound strange, the result is actually quite delicious and highly nutritious. The combination of caffeine and saturated fat gives the body a lasting energy boost.

Prepare a tropical twisted coffee drink by brewing a high-quality organic cup of coffee and place it in a blender. Add in one tablespoon of organic coconut oil, blend and enjoy.

The resulting coffee drink is frothy and rich, with a wonderfully smooth taste that is very satisfying. If you like your coffee sweetened, add one teaspoon of coconut crystals.

Add coconut oil to your coffee for a great way to supercharge. Give your body a burst of energy to make it through the day, not to mention all of the other amazing health benefits of coconut!

Supercharging your morning can be as simple as adding coconut oil to your coffee—and believe it or not, a unique form of chocolate can regulate blood sugar levels as well as your appetite.

Did you know there’s one form of chocolate that can nearly DOUBLE your GLP-1 levels in a matter of hours?

See if you can guess which one it is:

A) 85% dark chocolate
B) Ceremonial cacao powder
C) Milk chocolate
D) Sugar-free chocolate bar

While Hollywood celebrities pay $1,200/month for injections…

Over 157,423 people are already using this “chocolate trick” to melt fat fast.

I don’t know about you…

But I’d much rather eat chocolate to lose weight than poke myself with needles.

Click your choice above to see if you’re right…

Or click HERE to skip to the answer.

Original article is found here.

The post Coconut Oil In Your Morning Coffee? Absolutely appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Sixty-five percent of people have trouble digesting regular milk. Lactose usually gets blamed for this widespread “milk intolerance,” but lactose is only part of the problem. The other problem is a milk protein called A1 beta-casein.

A1-beta casein is the biggest problem food nobody’s ever heard of. Studies suggest it causes digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and stomach pain in a significant number of people.

Most regular milk contains A1 beta-casein because most cows have A1-producing European genes. But there’s a fix. You can breed cows to produce a more digestible milk protein called A2 beta-casein, the original protein produced by cows. The milk from these specially-bred cows is called A2 milk. (By the way, Pioneer Pastures cows are A2 cows, and our milk protein shake is lactose and A1 beta-casein-free.)

Here’s the big takeaway. Regular milk contains A1 and A2 beta-casein, but A2 milk contains only A2 beta-casein. Science suggests that A2 milk is easier to digest for some people and may be better for long-term health.

At Pioneer Pastures, we want more folks to drink A2 milk so the benefits ripple through society. It’s why we got into this business.

Below, explore the digestive benefits of A2 milk and dive deeper into the research by clicking the links. You’ll learn why regular milk causes gut issues for some and how A2 solves them.

Why Regular / Non-A2 Milk May Cause Digestive Issues

Two components of regular A1 milk give folks the most digestive trouble:

1. Lactose
2. A1 beta-casein

Lactose intolerant people lack the enzyme (lactase) that digests lactose, the primary sugar in milk. Without lactase, you can’t break down lactose before it reaches the small intestine. When lactose reaches the small intestine intact, it meets gut bacteria that ferment this milk sugar, causing gas, diarrhea, and other GI symptoms.

Most people, including many doctors, blame lactose intolerance for all milk digestion issues. But many folks with so-called “lactose intolerance” don’t actually have problems absorbing or digesting lactose. And so, there must be another cause for milk digestion issues. That cause may be A1 beta-casein from regular milk.

Here’s why A1 beta-casein may be problematic for some. When we digest this milk protein, it turns into another compound called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7). (Digesting A2 beta-casein, by the way, doesn’t create BCM-7.) The European Food Safety Authority flagged BCM-7 in a 2009 scientific report, noting its wide-ranging adverse effects on the gut and other organ systems. Since then, the scientific research against BCM-7 has continued to mount, especially in the realm of digestion in animal studies.

5 Ways A1 Beta-Casein May Impair Digestion

Regular milk contains A1 beta-casein, which you digest into BCM-7. BCM-7, in turn, may impair digestion via several mechanisms.

As you read this section, understand that most of this mechanistic evidence has been shown in animals, not humans. Human evidence suggests A1 beta-casein causes more digestive symptoms than A2 beta-casein, and researchers are still unraveling why. With this in mind, here are five possibilities based primarily on animal research.

#1: Reduced gut motility

Gut motility refers to the movement of food and fluids through your digestive tract. Proper gut motility keeps you regular and prevents food from lingering in the gut, fermenting, and causing gas, loose stool, and other symptoms.

Specialized “opioid receptors” in the gut control this system. BCM-7 interacts with these receptors, reducing gut motility. Opioid drugs have a similar effect, which is why these drugs cause constipation.

In a 2014 study, rats fed regular milk had reduced gut motility compared to rats fed A2 milk. A 2016 human trial involving 45 Chinese people had a similar finding.

#2: Increased inflammation

In this context, inflammation refers to an unnecessary, damaging immune response that causes digestive symptoms. The gut houses – most of the body’s immune cells, making it an inflammatory hub.

Mice given regular milk (or BCM-7 directly) showed higher levels of gut inflammation. These mice had more immunoglobulins, inflammatory cytokines, and white blood cells — markers of inflammation linked to digestive distress. Mice given A2 milk did not have these problems.

#3: Altered gut microbiome

The trillions of microbes in your gut (your gut microbiome) can either aid or impair digestive health. Everything you consume influences this massive colony.

In mice, drinking A2 milk led to a healthier gut microbiome vs drinking regular milk. Specifically, A2 mice made more short-chain fatty acids, beneficial compounds produced by gut bacteria. Conversely, regular milk drinking mice had more inflammation, possibly because the regular milk encouraged the proliferation of a family of bacteria called Ruminococcaceae.

Bottom line? We need human studies, but animal evidence suggests that A2 milk is better for gut critters than regular milk.

#4: Excess mucin production

Mucin is a protein that structures mucous (mucous lines your gut, lungs, and other organ systems). Proper mucin levels keep your gut running like a Swiss clock. Accordingly, too much mucin impairs gut motility and disrupts the balance of gut bacteria, causing digestive symptoms. In rats, the administration hub of casein hydrolysate (which contains A1 and A2 beta-casein) led to higher mucin production, though the effect wasn’t statistically significant. In the isolated rat intestine, BCM-7 administration increased mucin production, suggesting A1 beta-casein is to blame for the excess production.

#5: Lactose intolerance

Not everyone with milk intolerance has lactose intolerance. Some folks may react to A1 beta-casein instead. Others may react to both lactose and A1 beta-casein in regular milk.

Researchers believe BCM-7 from A1-beta casein may contribute to lactose intolerance via mechanisms we covered earlier:

• Inflammation may decrease lactase production
• Altered gut bacteria may affect lactose absorption
• Reduced gut motility gives lactose more time to ferment

Will switching to A2 milk cure lactose intolerance? Science hasn’t answered this question, but it may be worth a personal experiment.

A2 vs. Regular Milk for Digestion: Clinical Evidence

The strongest evidence for A2 milk improving digestion comes from randomized controlled trials (RCTs), the gold standard of science.

In RCTs, researchers randomly assign human participants to experimental or control groups. This method reduces researcher bias while allowing science to test one condition vs another.

These RCTs looked at consuming A2 milk (experimental condition) vs. regular milk (control condition) to compare effects on digestion:

1. 2024 RCT from the Journal of Cancer Prevention. Forty people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had less abdominal pain, diarrhea, stomach gurgling, and fecal calprotectin (a marker of inflammation) than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.
2. 2016 RCT from Nutrition Journal. Forty-five people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had less digestive discomfort, better bowel motility, reduced inflammation, and enhanced cognitive function than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.
3. 2014 RCT from European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Forty-one people who drank A2 milk for two weeks had firmer stool and less inflammation than when they drank regular milk for two weeks.

The takeaway? The science strongly suggests that A2 milk causes fewer digestive issues than regular milk in some people.

Running Your A2 Experiment

A well-run human study doesn’t prove that A2 milk helps you. You have to test it in the laboratory of your body.

If regular milk is bothering your gut, run an experiment. Switch to A2 milk for at least two weeks and note any changes. Are things running smoother down there? Do you have less gas, bloating, or stomach pain? If you answer yes to any of these questions, consider permanently switching to A2 milk.

It doesn’t have to be a perfect experiment. If you’ve been avoiding dairy for years, you don’t have to reintroduce regular milk as a control condition. Just try A2 milk and see how you feel.

A quick note. If you have a milk allergy (vs. milk or lactose intolerance), stay away from dairy products altogether, including A2 milk. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns. Allergies are serious business.

Assuming you don’t have a dairy allergy, it’s easy to bring A2 milk into your life. Pioneer Pastures makes the world’s first ultra-filtered A2 milk protein shake that is also lactose free. It’s a simple and delicious way to get more protein in a highly-digestible format. Getting more protein (from A2 milk or other sources) helps support muscle mass, hormonal health, and weight management. It’s a win-win.

Remember, our cows are special cows that only produce A2 milk. There’s no A1 beta-casein to worry about. A better cow, a better milk.

The A2 Revolution is Just Beginning

The A2 revolution is just beginning. It will get much bigger.

Over half the world has trouble digesting milk. If we can change that number by a few percentage points, we could improve hundreds of millions of lives.

Start with your diet, though, because that’s the only diet you have complete control over. Good luck with your A2 experiment.

Link to original article: A2 Milk for Digestion: Why It Beats Regular Milk

Try these delicious Pioneer Pastures High Protein, Low Sugar, A2 protein shakes (easier on your digestion)

The post A2 Milk for Digestion: Why It Beats Regular Milk appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

You’ve been told that bacon is “unhealthy”, but is it really? Let’s inspect the nutrition of bacon, and also the topic of nitrates and nitrites, HCAs, and more. As you’ll see, in some cases (not all), pork fat can even be considered healthy!

by Mike Geary – Certified Nutrition Specialist & guest author, Nick Pineault, aka – “The Nutrition Nerd”

Most people think that their favorite “fatty” foods, like bacon, should only be an occasional treat because they’ve been told that it will it will “clog up” your arteries and kill you because of the saturated fat.

But as you know from reading this newsletter, the scientific community has pretty much fully agreed in recent years that saturated fat is actually not bad for you at all… and is really just a natural part of the human diet just like it has been since the origins of us homo sapiens.

In reality, scientists have begun to collectively agree in recent years that highly processed polyunsaturated fats from vegetable oils like corn and soy are the REAL killers (along with too much sugar and starch, both of which also cause arterial stress if blood sugar levels are too high, too frequently).

However, what most people don’t realize is that pork fat (aka, lard ) is actually only 40% saturated, 48% monosaturated, and 12% polyunsaturated (varies based on what the pigs ate), while coconut oil is 92% saturated fat, and we all know that coconut oil is super healthy for DOZENS of reasons for our bodies!

This isn’t to say that bacon fat is always bad or good per se… it really all depends on what the pigs were fed and how they were raised . Confinement factory-raised pigs that never saw the light of day and ate nothing but GMO soy and corn based feed will have a more unhealthy fat profile than free-range pork that grazed outdoors, got a lot of sunshine (which increases the vitamin D content of the pork fat), and ate a wide variety of natural foods.

In fact, free-range (or pasture-raised) pork fat can even be a really good source of vitamin D if the pigs really did see a good amount of outdoors time and sunshine…and we all know how vitally important vitamin D is for our immune systems and overall hormonal balance. Unfortunately, the vast majority of pork and bacon sold these days is from confinement factory conditions where the pigs get very little sunshine, if any at all. Yes, our grandparents and great-grandparents in the early to mid 1900’s were eating pretty much 100% pasture-raised bacon back in the day, but the factory farm industry in recent decades has ruined a good portion of the quality of our foods.

So make sure to look for pasture-raised or free-range pork if you decide to eat bacon or other forms of pork. At the very least, look for organic bacon if you can’t find pasture-raised, because at least you know they didn’t eat GMO feed in that case.

But what about Nitrates and Nitrites?

Aside from the fat content of bacon, which we just discussed can actually be healthy if you choose the right form of bacon, the biggest reason people think they need to avoid bacon is that they’ve been told that Nitrites and Nitrates can be really bad for you.

But is that really the truth?

Well, it can be a complicated subject, so I’ll let my fellow colleague, “The Nutrition Nerd“, Nicky P. simplify it for you…

Are Nitrates and Nitrites Really Dangerous?

(Do we really need to fear bacon?)

First of all, nitrites and nitrates are not exactly the same, but I’ll use them interchangeably for simplicity’s sake in this article.

Well, the consumers fear it so much that companies have started selling “nitrite-free” products in grocery stores. After all, even the Mayo Clinic says that sodium nitrite could possibly increase your risks of heart disease. (1)

But is the fear of nitrites overblown?

Should You Fear Your Saliva?

Avoiding all sources of nitrites and nitrates would involve you having the driest mouth in the history of mankind. You see, as Chris Kresser puts it…(2)

“[…] nitrites are produced by your own body in greater amounts than can be obtained from food, and salivary nitrite accounts for 70-90% of our total nitrite exposure. In other words, your spit contains far more nitrites than anything you could ever eat .”

And when it comes to food, I’ve got “bad” news for you.

Veggies contain way more naturally-occurring nitrites than processed meats like bacon. In fact, one serving of arugula contains more nitrites than 467 hot dogs…(3)

(Sorry if that made you spit out your arugula, goat cheese and walnut-salad in shock.)

“Nitrite-free” Is Misleading:

If you’re paying more for “nitrite-free” meats, you’re getting mislead.

Instead of being cured with sodium nitrite, these meats are cured with celery salt. And guess what? Celery salt gets transformed into nitrites during the curing process. (4)

In plain English… the “nitrite-free” meats probably contain way more nitrites that the regular version. (Not that it matters, because like I said nitrites are not very dangerous to begin with.)

All in all, I don’t think there’s much difference to your health whether you get the bacon containing nitrites vs the celery salt bacon since they both yield nitrites to your body.

Breaking News: Nitrites And Nitrates Are NOT A Threat:

The fear of nitrites and nitrates is overblown. There are a ton of other things you should worry about more when it comes to food, like GMOs, trans fats, and high fructose corn syrup.

– On the science side, there’s a ton of research showing that nitrites and nitrates do not accumulate inside the body, and are quickly flushed in the urine: (5)

– 25% of the nitrates we consume is converted into salivary nitrite, 20% converted into nitrite, and the rest is excreted in the urine within 5 hours of ingestion. (6)

– Any nitrate that is absorbed has a very short half-life, disappearing from our blood in under five minutes. (7)

– Some of the nitrites in our stomach reacts with gastric contents, forming nitric oxide which may have many beneficial effects. (8)

What About Nitrosamines?

The fear of nitrites and nitrates comes from the fact that some of them can transform into nitrosamines while cooking. Nitrosamines are potentially carcinogenic, so that’s definitely a legit concern. But that’s exactly why manufacturers use vitamin C (ascorbic acid) when curing their meats.

It turns out that vitamin C or even vitamin E (9) offers a protective antioxidant effect on the meat, and prevents the formation of nitrosamines.

On top of that, my recommendation of sticking to pasture-raised pork as much as possible still stands, for many reasons… One of them being the fact that grain-fed, commercially-raised pork has been shown to create way more nitrosamines when cooked than its pasture-raised cousin. (10)

The reason is simple in my mind: lard from pasture-raised animals that eat a highly variable diet outdoors contains a healthier fat profile than the fat from grain-fed confinement animals.

Conclusion

Here’s the simple conclusion… There are a ton of things you should worry about when it comes to food, but nitrates/nitrites are simply NOT one of them.

That being said, try to eat traditionally cured, pastured-raised meats from local farms as much as possible. They are much healthier, and a LOT safer.

Enjoy your bacon,
Nick
___________

Mike’s additional comments:

Before I introduced Nick’s article on whether nitrites and nitrates are worth worrying about in bacon, I discussed the fat profiles of healthier pasture-raised or free-range pork vs factory raised, and also that the vitamin D content of pasture-raised pork be as much as 5-10x higher than factory raised pork that never gets any sunshine.

I also discussed that saturated fat has been proven in recent years to not really be bad for us at all, and in fact, most forms of saturated fat are either neutral for our health, or even beneficial to our health. And besides that, bacon fat is mostly monounsaturated fat (48%), which is the same heart-healthy fat that’s raved about in olive oil, avocados, etc.

But what about Carcinogens in browned meat like bacon?

You’ve probably seen me discuss the fact that when you fry or bake any starchy foods such as grains (bread, cereal, etc), or potatoes in the form of french fries, that a carcinogen called acrylamides forms. This is a legitimate concern regarding cancer and one of the many reasons I choose to avoid breads, fries, cereals, and other browned starchy foods (aside from cheat meals) …

But there’s also a carcinogen called heterocyclic amines (HCA’s) that forms on the outer surface of meats when you brown or char meats. I’ve talked about how to counteract these carcinogenic HCAs in meat in this article .

Since bacon is a meat that’s fried in a pan at high heat, there will be small amounts of carcinogenic HCA’s, but as I’ve mentioned before, if you’re also having some high antioxidant tea or coffee with your meal, along with some veggies and/or avocado, you’ll have plenty of antioxidants to counteract the HCA’s in your body. I don’t know about you, but I almost always eat my bacon with eggs, veggies, avocado, and some form tea or coffee (all of which are great sources of antioxidants), so HCA’s just simply aren’t much of a concern if you’re counteracting them with a few sources of powerful antioxidants.

One last thing about pork fat that helps fight against any carcinogens in bacon…

According to Dr. Kaayla T. Daniel, PhD, CCN, “Pork fat also contains a novel form of phosphatidylcholine that possesses antioxidant activity superior to Vitamin E. This may be one reason why lard and bacon fat are relatively stable and not prone to rancidity from free radicals.” This is yet another reason why our grandparents were actually smarter than we give them credit for… they used bacon fat or butter to cook with most times, instead of today’s inflammatory vegetable oils.

Fun Fact about Pig Diets: Did you know that some of the most expensive pork in the world comes from a region of Spain where the pigs FEAST on almost nothing but acorns. These pigs produce meat that is MUCH healthier than the corn/soy fed pigs from typical factory farms. Not only that, but apparently the absolute BEST whole-hog barbeque in the southern US traditionally came from pigs that fed on acorns as well, and this type of pork has a signficantly superior taste compared to factory farm pork, which is sadly 90% of today’s pork. It’s too bad that corporate profits are the top priority of the pork industry these days, and not the health of the pigs or the nutrition of the meat.

Did you know along with consuming meat that is pastured raised and organic, you can lower your risk of a heart attack by avoiding grains, starch, sugars and vegtable oils. Our friends over at Physio Tru, backed by the research of renonwned heart specialist Dr. Sam Walter, have come up with this simple test.

If you want to avoid a devastating heart attack, also don’t miss this simple test…

Heart Attack Test: Touch Your Feet Like THIS (for 7 seconds)

Can you really predict a heart attack?

According to America’s #1 heart nutrition expert, Dr. Sam Walters… this 7-second “feet test” can reveal if your heart is dying.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Just sit on a chair.

2. Touch your right foot.

If THIS happens… then your heart is desperately starving for oxygen (but most people only realize when it’s too late).

>> 7-second “feet test” can predict a heart attack (this could SAVE your life).

The post The TRUTH about Bacon appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at RealDaily, a leading publisher of alternative health tips that I personally read every day…

We just can’t stop talking about raw honey. This incredible natural remedy has so many uses, we feel like we can’t live without it!

Here are 15 of the best uses for natural, unpasteurized honey.

1. Soothes allergies

One of the best ways to soothe allergies is with locally sourced, unpasteurized honey. It is said that the compounds in the honey improve one’s tolerance to the pollens found in the local area. Try mixing the honey into cooled nettle tea for an excellent remedy.

2. Fights infection

Feel a sore throat coming on? Have a teaspoonful of honey; its natural antibacterial properties will help fight the bad bugs.

3. Clears acne

Honey fights infection, balances moisture, and heals wounds effectively, so it’s basically the ideal acne fighter! Simply dab a small amount of raw honey onto affected areas to help prevent and heal acne.

4. Natural energy drink

We recommend avoiding commercial energy drinks which are laden with sugar and artificial ingredients. Drink water with raw honey instead.

5. Assists with memory loss

Studies have indicated that consuming raw honey can help prevent hormone-related cognitive decline in older people.

6. Suppresses a cough

If you have a dry, tickly cough, there is no better cure than a spoonful of raw honey. This amazing remedy also reduces inflammation and fights infection, so a respiratory infection or even chronic asthma will certainly benefit from regular honey consumption.

7. Supports better sleep

Raw honey promotes blood sugar stability to keep you sound asleep all night long. It also increases the production of the brain chemicals serotonin and melatonin to assist with well-being and overall healing.

8. Natural shampoo

Did you know that you can wash your hair with raw honey? Try mixing a tablespoon with a little warm water to create a gentle shampoo that is moisturizing and smells great. Don’t worry, it rinses clean and won’t leave hair sticky.

9. Antibiotic for wounds

Honey has been used on wounds since ancient times. It fights infection naturally and can be used as an antiseptic. Hospitals even use honey on bandages to prevent infection.

10. Natural face wash

There is no need to buy expensive skin-care products, which are full of chemicals and perfumes. Raw honey cleanses the skin while also providing moisture. In addition, it contains antioxidants that fight the signs of aging. What’s not to love!

Honey is the best natural face wash. To use, wet your face with warm water, then smooth on about half a teaspoon of honey. If you want an exfoliating scrub, mix a little baking soda, salt or sugar into the honey before applying in circular motions. Leave on for a minute or two, then rinse with warm water.

11. Healthy baking ingredient

Try sweetening recipes with honey instead of refined sugar or other “healthy” sweeteners. Honey is a functional food — it’s our top choice for a naturally healthy sweet flavor. Use in coffee, tea, grain-free baked goods and smoothies.

12. Reduces inflammation

Raw honey is known to reduce levels of an inflammatory marker called homocysteine. This is considered to be an important indicator of protection against chronic inflammatory illness such as heart disease.

13. Treats dandruff

Since honey is known to be antibacterial and antifungal, it is effective against flaky skin conditions such as dandruff and eczema.

14. Preserves food

Honey’s natural antibacterial properties make it the perfect food additive to prevent spoilage.

15. Improves digestion

Raw honey is rich in prebiotics, which provide fuel for healthy bacteria in the lower digestive system. It is also known to fight nausea and indigestion because it does not ferment in the stomach.

Try making a digestion-boosting drink by mixing a teaspoon each of lemon juice, raw apple cider vinegar and raw honey into a tall glass of water and drink two or three times daily. Add a little freshly squeezed ginger root juice if nausea is an issue.

Risks of raw honey

Sometimes, eating raw honey can cause a form of food poisoning called botulism, which results in muscle weakness and breathing problems. This is due to bacterial spores that can contaminate unpasteurized honey.

However, this is only a concern with infants younger than 12 months old, or people with a compromised immune system. Children and adults can safely consume raw honey because they have a more robust digestive system, which is not disturbed by the presence of spores.

Here is link to the original article.

Remember to always purchase and use raw, unfiltered honey for the best results. You can find raw honey in your favorite health food store. If you’d like local honey, check your community farmers’ market for the best results.

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The post 15 Health Benefits of Raw Honey appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

It’s called, “phlegm,” “mucus,” “snot,” “loogies,” or even “boogers,” and some of us have more than others. We sniff, snort, clear our throats, cough, and spit it out. And it can be pretty gross.

We all have about 1 to 1.5 liters of it that pass through our system every day, and some of us have more mucus than others. It can be thick, green, yellow, brown, or clear and thin. It’s all mucus and it serves some vital functions in the body.

What is this slimy stuff?

Mucus is a lubricating, protective substance made mostly of water and a gel-forming molecule called mucin. Mucus lines the nose, sinuses, the eyes, the mouth, the digestive system, the vagina and more.

Mucus serves to protect the sensitive areas, remove dirt, pollen, and other pathogens, and keep tissues moist. Mucus also lubricates organs and cavities in the body, allowing you to move freely without things sticking to each other. Ouch!

Some of the cells in these areas of your body release a mixture of proteins, salts, fats, and immune molecules, and other cells covered with tiny hair-like projections called ‘cilia’ sweep the mucus along. Sort of like automatic house cleaning in your body.

We tend to notice the mucus in our nasal passages and throat the most because this is the stuff that catches dirt, dust, pollen, and pathogens and gets thick and gooey. Sometimes it can run down your throat, causing you to have to clear your throat often.

Phlegm is also mucus that ends up down in your lungs due to breathing irritating air, having a cold or lower respiratory infection or pollen that you breathe in. Phlegm helps you cough up some of those things you’ve inhaled.

Phlegm also happens when you are sick, and a virus gets down in your lower respiratory passages. This irritating virus and the resulting immune reaction cause thick mucus to deposit in your bronchial tubes and lungs. Result— you cough up, thick chunks of yellow, green, or brown mucus, called phlegm.

Our bodies make mucus all the time, but we only tend to notice it when it’s excessive and thick. In fact, your body normally produces about 1 to 1.5 liters of mucus a day.

What causes excess mucus?

• Dairy products, especially conventional dairy
• Inflammation from grains, i.e., gluten
• Nightshade sensitivity
• Vegetable seed oils, like sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, soybean, corn, canola, etc.
• Colds, flu, covid, and other respiratory infections
• Inhaling smoke, dust, animal dander, mold spores, and air pollution
• Certain medications, like birth control pills, or blood pressure medications
• Pregnancy
• Acid reflux
• Smoking
• Asthma
• Cystic fibrosis
• COPD
• Dehydration
• Alcohol
• Excess inflammation, anywhere in the body

Stop the constant drip, drip, drip…

Many people have ongoing mucus issues and don’t understand the cause—nor understand that it can be eliminated. But you can reduce and/or eliminate this annoying goo.

There are a variety of ways to reduce or thin your mucus secretions, both naturally and medically. Let’s dig in…

1. Diet

Diet is the biggest factor in causing excess mucus secretions, and this can vary from person to person. However, there are a few foods that create more mucus for most people.

These include conventional, processed dairy, which can be a big issue, especially if you tend to have an allergy or sensitivity to dairy. Dairy can cause everything from stuffy nose, to blocked sinuses, and even coughing up phlegm. Switching to raw dairy, or even A2 type of dairy can eliminate this mucus clogging food.

Other foods that contribute to mucus include all grains, especially gluten, corn, and soy. Processed, refined grains are the worst for mucus production. Grains are highly inflammatory to the entire body, and this causes excess production of mucus.

An often-overlooked food that causes excess mucus are nightshades. Many people are sensitive to one or more of these foods, and don’t even know it. You don’t have to have a dramatic reaction to these foods. In fact, the mucus production may be the only reaction you notice. Nightshades include white potatoes, all varieties of peppers, tomatoes (often canned or cooked ones are more of a problem), eggplant, okra, and even goji berries.

Other foods that can cause excess mucus are certain fruits and vegetables like leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables. While you wouldn’t think of these foods as causing inflammation, for many, these foods can inflame the digestive system, creating more mucus or phlegm. Examples of fruits or vegetables that increase mucus include spinach, kale, cabbage, bananas, and potatoes.

One of the worst offenders for causing mucus and inflammation includes vegetable seed oils such as sunflower, safflower, cottonseed, corn, canola, soybean, grapeseed, or just ‘vegetable oil’. These oils are known to be highly inflammatory to the body and the lungs. Many people who have asthma report increased inflammation and difficulties breathing when ingesting vegetable oils.

Refined cane sugar can really exacerbate inflammation as well as mucus production. On top of that, sugar can totally knock out or reduce your immune system responses to viral and bacterial infections. Lowered immune function results in catching more colds, flu, and bacterial infections—all of which cause increased mucus and phlegm.

Alcoholic beverages—especially beer and wine can increase mucus production as well. Because alcohol inflames the digestive tract, this causes excess mucus to be produced. The worst alcoholic beverages for mucus and phlegm are dark beers and red wine. Both contain high quantities of yeasts and molds, along with histamines that create a stuffy nose and sinuses.

2. Irritating Allergens in Your Environment

This may be easier said than done, but when pollen, dust, animal dander or other allergens are floating around in the air, it’s best to reduce your exposure. If it’s pollen from plants and trees that bothers you, spending time indoors with air conditioning or an air filter may be best. If it’s indoor allergens, vacuuming and dusting frequently may help.

One thing that makes a huge difference during allergy season, is eliminating any foods that increase inflammation and mucus. I personally have found that avoiding eating any grains or sugar, as well as certain nightshades makes a huge difference in my reaction to other environmental allergens. So, before you lock up the dog and lock yourself inside, make some healthy tweaks to your diet, and you may find that your runny nose, cough, and watery eyes disappear during allergy season if you are avoiding inflammatory foods.

Another helpful practice is to use a Neti pot during allergy ‘season’ or when exposed to allergens in the air. It can wash out the irritating substances and reduce the mucus in your nasal and sinus pathways.

3. Medication

Conventional medical doctors will want you to try taking decongestants, antihistamines, and nasal sprays. However, I am not a big believer in these remedies as they often have unwanted side effects (no surprise here).

Decongestants–Common decongestants can be effective but also are extremely drying to your body and can cause dehydration, since they work systemically. Decongestants even dry out your eyes and make them feel irritated and scratchy.

Decongestants have a common side effect of making you feel jittery and anxious—kind of like having too much caffeine. While feeling this way is not fun at any time of the day, feeling jittery at night can wreck a good night’s sleep. Decongestants also constrict blood vessels, causing a possibly dangerous increase in blood pressure.

Antihistamines–On the other hand, antihistamines can not only be very drying, but they have the added side effect of making you feel extremely groggy and drowsy. While you may have less mucus, you may not even be able to function with these medications.

Nasal Sprays–The three most often used types of nasal sprays are steroid, antihistamine, and decongestant. While nasal sprays can temporarily clear your nose, you can actually become physically addicted to them—very quickly.

Nasal sprays have a ‘rebound’ effect, and while they can constrict the blood vessels in the nose, helping to shrink your nasal tissues and helping you breathe easy, once they wear off, breathing and mucus production will be worse. Nasal sprays, like decongestants, can also dangerously raise blood pressure, so beware. A saline nasal spray may be the best option to thin mucus.

Expectorants–Expectorants can help to loosen and break up phlegm in the chest, helping you cough up and clear out your bronchial tubes and lungs. Conventional medical expectorants can encourage a cough, while other cough suppressant medicines stop a tickling cough. Elderberry cough medicine, which is a natural-based cough medicine, uses elderberry extracts to help break up the phlegm for a more productive cough.

4. Natural Solutions

Besides dietary changes, there are a few effective treatments you can do to reduce the amount of mucus secretions and the viscosity (thickness).

Hydration—The simple act of drinking more water or fluids can help to thin out secretions. Since mucus is a body fluid, anything that helps to increase bodily fluids will help to thin mucus. Approximately 60% of the human body is water–plus or minus 15%. Losing only 3% of your weight in water can result in dehydration.

Neti pot—Neti pots help to clean allergens, dust, and animal dander out of the nose, while flushing out the sinuses. Neti pots clean the nasal passages with a salt and water solution and are easy to use. You can also purchase an over-the-counter saline nasal spray which basically works the same as a Neti pot.

Essential Oils—One of my favorite methods is to use essential oils to help clear the sinuses, and even the bronchial tubes and lungs. Eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil and oregano oil all work well to help reduce congestion and mucus. One of the best ways to use these oils is to put several drops into boiling or almost boiling water, lean over the pot and cover your head with a towel to trap in the essential oil and steam. Breathe deeply.

Natural Supplements—Anything derived of elderberries works well to break up and reduce mucus. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is a popular lung supplement that has been found to help patients with advanced COPD by reducing phlegm and thinning mucus. Ginger—either fresh ginger, or in a capsule is also effective at reducing mucus. Bromelain and pancreatic enzymes are often recommended to reduce and thin out phlegm and mucus in the body.

Making the above changes in diet and lifestyle along with adding in the necessary natural supplements will help you reduce your production of mucus and stop that annoying urge to clear your throat or blow your nose.

References
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324570
https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/08/marvels-mucus-phlegm
https://www.respiratorytherapyzone.com/vegetable-oils-are-damaging-your-lungs/
https://www.healthline.com/health/cold-flu/how-to-get-rid-of-phlegm
https://ezyschooling.com/parenting/expert/five-foods-that-flush-out-mucus-from-the-body
https://www.everydayhealth.com/sinus-health-guide/sinus-congestion-and-mucus.aspx

The post Why do I Have So Much Mucus (Snot) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Your body is a host to many types of bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. Some good, some not so good. One of the most common types of fungi in the body is candida albicans.

Perhaps you’ve heard of candida before, maybe in passing conversation or reading a health magazine, and dismissed it as another health buzzword. However, it may be time to pay attention because this opportunistic fungus could be quietly taking over your body! Candida, specifically candida albicans, is a yeast fungus that naturally resides in your body, usually without causing any harm.

Don’t let its benign presence fool you, though. When left unchecked—or when the conditions are right, this crafty organism can quickly overgrow, leading to a condition known as candidiasis, or candida overgrowth. This can wreak havoc on your health, causing symptoms ranging from digestive issues to depression. It’s not fun, and can be serious at times—especially those with a compromised or weakened immune system.

Candida has a unique ability to adapt and thrive in various areas of your body, including your mouth, digestive tract, skin or nails, vagina, and even your bloodstream. Its versatility and opportunistic ability to grow in dark moist places is what allows it to cause such a wide array of health problems.

Our immune system and healthy gut bacteria generally keep candida in check. However, candida is a very opportunistic type of yeast, so when conditions are optimal, it can turn into an uncomfortable overgrowth almost overnight. Conditions that encourage candida growth include:

• High carb, high sugar diet
• Broad spectrum antibiotics
• Corticosteroids
• Food sensitivities/food allergies
• Alcohol—especially wine and beer
• Environmental allergies
• Weakened immune system
• Inflammation
• Stress
• Fighting off another illness
• Vegan diet
• Anemia and other nutritional deficiencies
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes/pre-diabetes
• Oral contraceptives/the ‘Pill’
• Smoking
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Cancer
• Being in warm, humid weather
• Mold infestation in home
• HIV/AIDS
• Artificial nails

Like a stealthy invader, Candida often slips under the radar because its symptoms are wide ranging and frequently mistaken for other health issues. In fact, many people live with candida overgrowth without even realizing it. How can you tell if this unpleasant guest has taken over your body?

Candida naturally ‘lives’ in the vagina and the digestive system. When one—or more of the conditions listed above are present, candida can quickly start multiplying—often in the gut and the vagina (for women).

Candida overgrowth affects energy levels, brain function, skin, digestion, and moods. Sufferers often report severe brain fog, fatigue, dizziness, joint pain, sinus infections, rashes and weakened immunity. None of this is surprising really, when you consider how closely your gut health is linked to every part of your body.

What Happens if I Have Candida Overgrowth?

1. Yeast Infections–For women, recurring vaginal yeast infections are a sign of candida overgrowth that often starts in the gut and spreads to the vaginal area. Symptoms of a vaginal yeast infection typically include redness, intense itching, pain during intercourse, thick white discharge, and ‘yeasty’ odor. Yeast infections in the vagina can be transmitted to your partner (men or women) as well. Yeast overgrowth can also occur in the mouth, causing thrush. Thrush causes painful red, raw patches in sensitive mouth tissues, as well as white patches of fungus, making it painful to eat or drink certain foods.

2. Extreme Fatigue–Candida can interfere with the way your body absorbs nutrients. Healthy bacteria in the gut help break down and metabolize food. Candida overgrowth slows this process down, and causes additional gut inflammation, leading to nutrient deficiencies. Candida overgrowth has been linked to low magnesium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B6. Low levels of these nutrients often lead to poor energy. People who have chronic fatigue syndrome may be suffering with a candida overgrowth.

3. Brain fog–Candida produces a toxin called acetaldehyde. This is the same toxin that comes from drinking alcohol (ethanol). Acetaldehyde is a known neurotoxin and carcinogenic as well. The toxic chemical that contributes to bad hangovers is the very same toxin released by the candida living in the gut. With a candida infection, you may feel like you have a bad hangover: foggy head, headache, can’t concentrate, extreme fatigue, difficulty concentrating. Acetaldehyde also overloads the liver, making it work overtime. Candida infections can also cause moodiness, depression, and irritability.

4. Food sensitivities and digestive disorder–Yeast infections in the gut can cause leaky gut. Once candida is able to root down into your gut lining, it can create a “leaky gut” situation. Partially digested food particles then leak into the bloodstream, causing inflammation and a weakened immune system. This leaky gut condition then creates increased reactions to many foods, nutrient deficiencies, bloating, gas, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea.

5. Cravings for starchy sugary foods–Candida living in the gut can influence the body to send signals to the brain and cause you to crave the very foods that candida yeasts feed on—sugary, starchy foods. The best thing to do is to avoid all foods with any added sugar, all grains and grain products, fruit, wine, and beer until the overgrowth clears.

6. Skin Problem–Many people suffering from candida overgrowth have skin problems—itchy, peeling skin, dry patches, acne, or rashes. Candida can grow in the folds of your skin as well, such as under the breast area, the buttocks, or in the groin. This dark moist environment is the perfect place for candida to flourish and is difficult to eradicate.

7. Sinusitis– Chronic sinus problems are often the result of fungal infections like candida or mold. These little organisms like to hang out in dark, moist areas inside the nose. Your sinuses are the perfect place for them to multiply, causing you to have a stuffy nose, red, raw patches inside the nose, and sinus headaches.

8. Hormonal imbalances– can be a symptom of candida as well. It is important to recognize that a candida infection can cause worsened menopause/perimenopause symptoms, PMS, low sex drive, migraines, endometriosis, water retention, mood swings, and an inability to lose unwanted pounds. Candida overgrowth causes your body to become inflamed, as the yeast spreads beyond the digestive tract. One of the byproducts of candida can mimic estrogen, leading to a serious hormonal imbalance.

Getting and Keeping Candida Under Control

While it can be nearly impossible to fully eradicate this sneaky fungus, you can take steps to get it—and keep it—under control. Candida generally always lives in your gut—and in small amounts, as it is beneficial. The important thing is to keep it under control.

There are medications that can help kill off candida, but these antifungals often have harsh side effects such as liver toxicity, and candida ‘die-off’. What is candida die-off? Candida die-off may cause symptoms of your yeast infection to temporarily worsen, or it may even cause new symptoms, such as a fever or stomach pain. It is often called the “Herxheimer reaction.” Scientists do not fully understand what causes candida die-off, but it is thought that as the candida cells break open and die, they release harmful substances that temporarily make the symptoms worse.

While medication may temporarily kill of candida, without the necessary lifestyle and dietary changes to keep candida in check, it will just return.

Making dietary, nutritional, and lifestyle changes to keep candida levels low and in balance with the other friendly gut bacteria is the best way to reduce the overgrowth and get candida in check. Preventing candida overgrowth means supporting a healthy immune system in the gut, religiously avoiding sugars and refined carbohydrates, and taking specific probiotics and nutritional supplements.

Here are some simple rules to follow on a Candida Cleanse diet:

1. Avoid all added sugars—sucrose, fructose, cane sugar, beet sugar, glucose syrup, high fructose corn syrup, maple syrup, agave, etc.
2. Avoid processed foods—they are almost always high in carbohydrates, inflammatory seed oils, processed starches and grains, and sugar.
3. Eat non-starchy vegetables—avoid carrots, beets, potatoes, parsnips, squash, corn, etc.
4. Eat low-sugar fruits—strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cherries, and blueberries okay in very small amounts. Avoid bananas, mangoes, pineapple, watermelon, apples, peaches, plums.
5. Enjoy healthy proteins—grass fed meat, organic free-range poultry, wild caught fish, pastured eggs.
6. Use healthy fats and oils—Avoid all omega 6 processed vegetable oils.
7. Avoid all grains.
8. Fermented foods are ok to eat: plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchee, cheeses.
9. Avoid alcohol—especially wine and beer or sugary mixed drinks.

It is most important to avoid all types of sugar. Candida albicans uses the sugar in your diet for fuel and to multiply. It also uses sugar to create biofilms that disguise it from your immune system.

Where possible, you should also avoid inflammatory foods like processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine as much as possible while on your anti-candida diet. By doing this, you can lower inflammation, boost gut health, and speed up your recovery.

You can also help your immune function by getting regular sleep of 7-8 hours nightly, getting outside, and getting 30-60 minutes of exercise daily.

Supplements that Help Fight Candida

Any supplements that help boost the immune system are also helpful in regaining control of candida. Over the last decade, common fungi like candida albicans are beginning to develop resistance against prescription antifungal medications. Many people are resorting to natural antifungals instead. These tend to be well-tolerated, have fewer side effects, and are highly effective.

Caprylic acid–Coconut oil is made up of three fatty acids: caprylic acid, capric acid and lauric acid. Of these, caprylic acid is the most important. Taking caprylic acid during your treatment can get your gut health back in balance and help to prevent candida overgrowth again. Studies have shown caprylic acid’s potency to be similar to prescription antifungals.

Caprylic acid damages the cell walls of Candida yeast cells. The short chain fatty acids penetrate the cell wall, where it enters the cell membrane and ruptures it, destroying the entire yeast cell. Multiple studies have found caprylic acid to be effective at killing Candida albicans yeast cells, as well as reducing symptoms in those with chronic Candida infections.

Oregano Oil– Oregano oil capsules may improve gut health in several ways due to its anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antiparasitic, and antibacterial properties. Research shows that the compounds in oregano oil, carvacrol and thymol, can help to treat small intestine bacterial overgrowth, as well as candida overgrowth. Oregano oil is especially effective in killing off candida albicans in the gut. Yeasts and fungi do not develop a tolerance to oregano oil.

Probiotics—Adding healthy bacteria to your gut can help crowd out the unwelcome guests, and protect your digestive system from further invasions. A high-quality probiotic helps restore the healthy diversity of good bacteria in your intestine. There are also several fermented foods that are also very beneficial, if they do not contain any added sugars. Those foods include plain unsweetened yogurt, kimchee, sauerkraut, and some cheeses.

While probiotic supplements can be an individual fit, the best probiotics to battle candida include:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• L. acidophilus
• L. casei
• L. fermentum
• L. paracasei
• B. lactis
• Bifidobacterium

Berberine—This popular blood sugar-lowering natural supplement is also powerful as an antifungal agent. Berberine is the active ingredient found in barberry, Oregon grape and goldenseal.

A 2016 study found that berberine has antifungal activity against several types of yeast, including antifungal-resistant Candida. Berberine killed off the yeast cells by breaking down the yeast’s membranes. Berberine can also be used alongside antifungal medications to enhance its overall antifungal activity.

Berberine can also be used as an immune stimulant. Its ability to activate macrophages (white blood cells) has been shown to enhance the body’s overall defense system, allowing it to fight not only Candida infection but other invading pathogens.

After your symptoms have subsided, you should continue eating a diet that is high in protein and low starch vegetables, while limiting or avoid grains, fruits, sugar, and high-starch vegetables like white potatoes. Continue to consume fermented foods to help keep your gut in balance and prevent any more candida invasions. Prevention is the key to good gut health.

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References
https://www.mygenefood.com/blog/which-probiotic-strains-get-rid-of-candida/
https://draxe.com/health/candida-symptoms/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21513811/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3667795/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4860025/
https://www.apathtonaturalhealth.com/blog/is-your-sugar-addiction-feeding-your-intestinal-candida
https://www.thecandidadiet.com/why-does-candida-need-sugar/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/candida-die-off#causes

The post Candida overgrowth – This Sneaky Fungus Can Take Over Your Body appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day… The original article can be found here:

You’re probably getting a little tired of people telling you that the things you’ve been eating or using for years are bad for your health. Some you’ve accepted; you do your best to stay away from gluten and you eat organic when you can. Some you’ve strategically chosen to ignore; your favorite dairy-based ice cream, for example, or that supposedly toxic non-stick frypan which makes the best pancakes.

But here’s one you should probably avoid like the plague: aluminum foil. Believe it or not, every time you use aluminum foil in the kitchen, it’s seriously harming your health. Here are three reasons to keep aluminum foil out of your kitchen, and some healthier alternatives to use instead.

1. Aluminum foil is a neurotoxin

Aluminum has long been scrutinized by the scientific community for its potential role as a neurotoxin. Researchers maintain that, due to the fact that aluminum has no physiological role in the human body, it has the potential to cause significant detrimental effects when consumed.

This theory was unequivocally proven when a 2014 study showed that a 66-year-old man who died with Alzheimer’s disease had significantly elevated aluminum content in his brain, following eight years of occupational exposure. While the study noted that it was the respiratory system that was exposed to aluminum dust, we now know that there is a direct link between aluminum ingestion and Alzheimer’s disease, a debilitating neurological disorder.

The fact also remains that aluminum foil is not fully inert; food cooked or prepared in it has been shown to have significantly higher levels of aluminum than if they were prepared in another medium. The takeaway is simple: aluminum foil has the potential to cause neurotoxic effects, including Alzheimer’s disease.

2. Aluminum foil can contribute to bone disease

Research shows that aluminum from sources like foil can increase a person’s risk of developing bone disease. A study that examined the effect of hemodialysis, which causes buildup of aluminum in the blood, found that 37 percent of dialysis patients had developed aluminum-associated bone disease. The study proponents concluded that “long-term oral aluminum intake in hemodialysis patients results in a high prevalence of aluminum-associated bone disease.” It was theorized that aluminum either directly or indirectly impacts osteoblast production, which in turn leads to bone wasting.

The key here is that little statement about “long-term oral aluminum intake.” Many would argue that using aluminum foil regularly for years would equate to long-term oral aluminum intake. This means that using aluminum foil in the kitchen can contribute to bone disease.

3. Aluminum foil can promote pulmonary fibrosis

Using aluminum foil to prepare, store or cook food can increase a person’s risk of developing pulmonary fibrosis, a form of lung disease. A study that performed lung tissue analysis of nine workers exposed to aluminum oxide found alarmingly high levels of aluminum in the lung tissue, suggesting that aluminum exposure contributed to their development of pulmonary fibrosis.

While aluminum foil might not contribute to lung disease at the same rate as breathing in aluminum oxides, there is still a very real risk that cooking with aluminum foil may cause pulmonary fibrosis and other diseases of the lung.

Why aluminum may be leaching into the food you eat

In a 2012 study, a faculty of engineering team from the University of Ain Shams in Cairo examined the different ways in which aluminum foil and other cookware interacts with food. Leaching of harmful aluminum compounds was by far the highest when acidic foods like lemon juice or tomatoes were coming into contact with aluminum foil, and this was often further exacerbated by the use of spices.

In essence, aluminum foil is not inert. When exposed to certain foods, it has been shown to leach a portion of its metallic compounds into the food, whereupon people ingest it. From here, it can build up in the blood, muscles and organs and contribute to all manner of health problems. Science is only just starting to understand just how negative these consequences may be.

The onus is simple: keep aluminum foil out of the kitchen, and well away from the food you eat. Here are some healthier alternatives for cooking and storing your food that won’t have any ill health effects.

Healthier alternatives to aluminum foil

Personally, I’ve never been much of a fan of aluminum foil and aluminum cookware anyway. If I want to store food in the fridge or pantry, I’ll almost always use glass storage containers. Glass is completely inert and doesn’t transfer any harmful chemicals or metals into food, no matter how acidic they are. This way, we’re also minimizing waste, as the glass can be used over and over again… unlike aluminum foil!

For cooking, where one might use foil to enclose baked potatoes or fish, I simply used a ceramic dish with a lid. The effect is exactly the same, it’s just that ceramic doesn’t leach compounds into our food! And for baking, I either use glassware or high-quality silicone bakeware that doesn’t require any sort of lining. These materials are much nicer to use, usually produce higher quality dishes and don’t create excess waste. That’s a win-win, if you ask me!

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The post 3 Scary Reasons To Ditch Aluminum Foil (And What To Use Instead) appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Don’t you love spring? The days get longer, the sun is warmer, and the birds are chirping. What’s more, everything is budding and flowering.

And that brings us to…allergies. If you have seasonal allergies, instead of enjoying the beauty of spring, you may be busy dealing with itchy, watery eyes, a runny nose and lots of sneezing. Spring becomes the enemy if you have bad allergies.

Seasonal allergies are our bodies’ response to pollen in the air. Your innate immune system interprets pollen as a dangerous pathogen, and it sends out an army of Immunoglobulin E to mount an attack. This attack takes the form of histamine which produces the watery eyes, runny nose, the itching, and sneezing, and sinus headaches. What’s more, climate change and increased CO2 have created longer, more powerful pollen producing plants.

Why do the immune systems of people with seasonal allergies have the tendency to overreact to pollen?

Back in primal days, humans often had populations of parasites such as hookworms, pinworms, roundworms, tape worms and others. While that sounds pretty gross, those parasites kept the immune system busy instead of going after innocent things like pollen.

What’s more, kids who grew up in a less-than-sterile environment, like they did back in our ancestors’ days, exposed to outside dirt, pets, livestock, dirty dishes, poor hygiene, and no hand sanitizer, had stronger immune systems as well.

Genetics also is part of the picture. Neanderthal fossilized feces show evidence of a lot of parasites taking up residence, and their DNA has evidence of immunity genes that fought off the parasites. When ancient humans interbred with Neanderthals, these genes carried over into the offspring. Populations with the most Neanderthal DNA, such as those from Europe or Asian descent seem to have the most hay fever and allergies. It seems having powerful immunity doesn’t do as well in a modern sterile environment.

Inflammation is a big reason why so many people have allergies—whether they are seasonal allergies, food allergies or environmental allergies. Excessive inflammation due to a poor, high sugar/starch diet, refined and processed foods, too much alcohol, or exposure to environmental toxins all increases overall inflammation. When inflammation is high, reactions to other potential allergens is also going to be bigger. The key is to reduce inflammation and reduce allergic reactions.

My allergy doctor once likened this to “the straw that breaks the camel’s back.” In other words, you can load your body up with various types of things that cause or increase inflammation, until it breaks the camel’s back, and you start having bad reactions. Those reactions can take the form of rashes, eczema, brain fog, achiness, stuffy nose, sinusitis, asthma, wheezing, sleeplessness, anxiety, irritability, depression—or any combination of the above.

Nutrition also plays a big part, especially vitamin D levels, vitamin C levels, B12, iron, and zinc deficiencies. Each of these nutrients play an important part in your immune and inflammatory response and deficiencies of any of these can increase inflammation and lower your immunity.

How does one naturally reduce seasonal allergies?

First, the obvious answer is not to load up on over-the-counter allergy prescriptions. These medications have undesirable side effects. Antihistamines often cause dry mouth, dehydration, drowsiness and/or agitation, reduced co-ordination, reaction speed. They can also cause blurred vision and constipation.

The better choice is to reduce overall inflammation, which not only aids your allergies, but is great for your overall health. How do you start reducing inflammation?

Cutting out sugar, processed foods, inflammatory vegetable oils, and removing all grain makes a huge difference. It’s known –at least anecdotally–that people who give up grains often report their seasonal allergies go away. I know, I tried it and was shocked to see my previously severe seasonal allergies suddenly fade into the background. Along with that, my aches and pains receded, as did brain fog, rashes, stuffy nose, and congestion. It works!

Getting your gut health back in shape is super important too, so the next step is to calm your gut. Food allergies and intolerances not only increase inflammation, but are also the consequence of poor gut health. When the gut is inflamed, there is an increased risk of gut permeability, and that allows for additional allergens to circulate in your system further stimulating an immune response.

Remove potential food allergies and sensitivities, at least during allergy season. If you aren’t sure which foods are provoking problems, you can do a short 7-day elimination diet, and remove dairy, gluten, corn, white potatoes, and any other problem foods you may be aware of.

Eat More Omega 3 Fats

Wild caught fish are known to have a good amount of omega 3 fats in them. Omega 3 fatty acids are made up of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) components; both of these have been shown to lower inflammation. This study also shows that increased intake of omega 3 fatty acids reduces seasonal rhinitis.

100% grass fed beef also contains higher amounts of omega 3 fats. Additionally, cod liver oil would help as well, since it provides omega 3’s, vitamin D, and vitamin A—all of which modulate the allergic response.

Raw Local Honey

Raw, local honey contains small amounts of local circulating pollen and by introducing small amounts of this pollen, it can lower the reaction to certain pollens and reduce sensitivity. Researchers have found that eating honey from local pollen prior to allergy season commences reduces allergy symptoms, resulting in less need for other allergy medication. But in order for this to work, the honey must include pollens you are allergic to.

Reduce Alcohol Intake

Reducing alcohol or avoiding alcohol will help improve allergies in two different ways:

1-Alochol is highly inflammatory to the gut, so cutting back or completely eliminating alcohol calms inflammation in the gut. This helps you repopulate your gut with healthy bacteria, lowering overall inflammation in the gut and system wide. Because inflammation is reduced, allergic reactions improve.

2-Alcohol especially beer and wine, contains large quantities of sulfites and histamines. Histamines initiate the process to remove allergens from your body. Histamines can cause sneezing, eye watering, itching and more.

Histamines are a big part of your body reacting to allergens, so reducing your levels of histamines helps to reduce allergic response overall.

Reduce Stress

High stress levels can cause worsening allergic responses and while it may seem counterproductive, getting outside and getting some exercise can reduce overall allergy reactions, while reducing stress. Pollen levels are highest mid-morning so if you do want to get out, getting out early in the day or later in the early evening may be the best time. Meditating, believe it or not can also reduce stress and help allergy symptoms.

Lifestyle

Lifestyle makes a huge difference in allergy reactions. One of the first things to do is to stop your exposure to toxic chemicals in commercial home cleaning agents, laundry detergents, personal care items, antibacterial cleaners and hand sanitizers, and switch to a more natural approach, Apple cider vinegar makes a safe and effective natural cleaner for most all surfaces, and washing your hands with a natural soap instead of harsh antibacterial soap is just as effective at removing harmful germs and is far gentler to your system.

Getting a good night’s sleep is also effective at calming cortisol levels and counteracting stress, as well as aiding your allergic reactions.

Overall, I noticed a huge reduction in my seasonal allergies when I switched to a Paleo diet, removed grains and sugars, got better sleep, and removed all other inflammatory foods from my diet.

Supplements for Seasonal Allergies

Vitamin D

A vitamin D deficiency has tied to allergies, including seasonal allergic rhinitis, asthma, eczema, and even anaphylaxis. Vitamin D is important for regulating immune system cells and slowing down the release of histamines.

There are several studies that suggest vitamin D supplements may reduce inflammation and allergic reactions. One study had the participants who were low in vitamin D take vitamin D supplements along and antihistamines. Those participants showed much improved allergy symptoms after just eight weeks. And this study also showed that adding in vitamin D supplementation improved allergy symptoms as well.

Probiotics

I am generally not an advocate for probiotics. Each of us has a unique microbiome and it’s somewhat difficult to ‘guess’ as to which probiotics will benefit your particular health needs. However, getting a good general probiotic mix can help lessen allergy symptoms and reduce inflammation in the gut. Specific probiotics have been shown to improve seasonal allergies, including B.longum, B.lactis, L.paracasei, L.rhamnosus, B infantis, and L.acidophilus.

Magnesium

There are a few studies have found that magnesium supplementation in people with seasonal allergies reduces IgE levels and allergy symptoms. Because many people are magnesium deficient these days, this can be a safe and easy thing to try—with plenty of other good health benefits as well. There are many forms of magnesium that will work but magnesium glycinate is often one of the best forms for overall health—without the digestive complaints.

Spirulina

Spirulina is a type of microalgae that comes from Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Spirulina has been highly valued as a nutrient-dense supplement that is abundant in protein, vitamins, fats, and minerals. It’s also a potent immunomodulator –meaning that it works to calm the immune system without suppressing it. It has shown some efficacy in reducing the symptoms of seasonal allergies, even compared to an over-the-counter antihistamine drug.

Quercetin

In studies, quercetin prevents immune cells from releasing histamines, which are the chemicals that cause allergic reactions. This means that taking quercetin may help reduce symptoms of allergies, including runny nose, watery, itchy eyes, hives, and even swelling of the face and lips. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables and it has quite a few health benefits including lowering inflammation, fighting heart disease, and protecting against cancer.

Black Seed Oil

Black seed oil is considered a powerful medicinal substance that has been used for thousands of years to treat chronic diseases, inflammation, and allergies. In one study, people put black seed oil drops in their noses to treat mild, moderate, or severe cases of allergic rhinitis, aka hay fever. After 6 weeks, 9 out of 10 people said their sneezing, itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and other symptoms got better or went away completely. In addition, black seed oil promotes wound healing, hair growth, reduces acne, heals psoriasis, improves blood sugar, and helps with weight loss.

There you go, that is your seasonal allergy toolbox. Hopefully this will help you avoid sneezing, watering eyes, and itchiness that goes along with seasonal allergies. To your health!

References
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/seasonal-allergies-treatment/#ref-14
https://www.healthline.com/program/allergy
https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-allergy-remedies-89245
https://cell.com/…/abstract/S0002-9297(15)00485-1
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1241165
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20497148
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17456213
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31464382
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20158528/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31464382/
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3269601
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34166843/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26874366/
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16015268
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17634174
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34920650/
https://hindawi.com/journals/ja/2014/983635
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6202731
https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21196761
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279538706_Magnesium_Supplementation_in_allergic_diseases_Rhinitis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32773785/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093815/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15878494/

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Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, a leading publisher of daily alternative health tips that I personally read every day… The original article can be found here:

I bet if you looked in the mirror you wouldn’t say to yourself, “I look a little fungusy today.” More than likely, you don’t really know what it looks like to be fungusy.

Truth be told, you can’t really look like fungus (or a mushroom for that matter), but there is a good chance that fungus, to some degree or another, is compromising your health.

Don’t get too wigged out when I use the word fungus. We are all covered in fungal communities; they take up residence on us and within us, forming tight-knit colonies according to their kind. Many of these fungi are harmless, and a good number are quite necessary for health. However, when the bad guys move into the neighborhood, things get funky.

Fungi vs. bacteria

Before I go on, let’s first take a quick look at the difference between fungi and bacteria. Both are minute organisms that are found in almost every ecosystem on earth, and both can associate with other groups of living things. As mentioned above, they can either be harmless and necessary in biological processes, or they can be highly dangerous.

The main difference between fungi and bacteria is their cellular structure. Bacteria are prokaryotic organisms, meaning they do not possess a nucleus, while fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning they have a very well-defined nucleus. While both organisms have cell walls, what makes up these cell walls is different. Fungi, for the most part, have long hollow tubes that form networks (hyphae).

Each of these tubes is bordered by a strong wall made from chitin — the same substance that forms the exoskeletons of insects. Hyphae grow from their tips and reach out in a branching manner to form a network called mycelium. As the mycelium grows, it produces fruiting bodies and other structures that are rich with reproductive spores.

Bacteria multiply by binary fission when parent bacterium divide to make the same sized daughter cells. Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually by a process of branching fragmentation and budding (as in the case of yeast).

Fungi are scavengers, feeding off dead stuff — kind of like the buzzards you see cleaning up roadkill along the highway. Bacteria, on the other hand, are a little more sophisticated in the fact that they can actually manufacture their own food.

Types of fungal infections

There are several fungal infections that result from different types of fungi entering the body.

For instance, Aspergillus fungi can be inhaled through the mouth or nose and can cause fever, cough and wheezing. In very severe instances, this fungal infection can spread to other organs including the brain, skin and bones.

Cryptococcus neoformans is found in the soil or in bird droppings. This fungus also enters the body through the mouth or nostrils and can cause a lung infection resulting in a cough or chest pain.

Histoplasma capsulatum is a fungus that is commonly found in eastern and central United States in soil that contains bird and bat feces. When spores are disturbed, they can be inhaled and can cause flu-like symptoms, body aches, fever and cough.

Candida albicans

Yeast, also known as Candida albicans, is a type of fungus that is present in all humans. The fungus is found on both the skin and mucus membranes. In small amounts, it is harmless to the body.

However, when the growth of yeast increases dramatically, the results can be absolutely devastating. Did you know that yeast overgrowth is considered to be one of the most prevalent, yet unrecognized conditions to man?

When you have a healthy body, the yeast is kept under control by the healthy bacteria within your body. However, medical antibiotics — and those found in much of the meat we eat — will upset the balance of your friendly bacteria. Since antibiotics are nonselective, they work to weaken the good bacteria that keep yeast in check.

The yeast then begins to flourish, and before you know it, it’s completely out of control. Antibiotics are not the only contributor to the upset of your healthy bacteria; cortisone, some birth control pills and certain drugs have an effect on it, as well.

Once the yeast has overgrown in your body, it thrives on sugar, carbohydrates, moldy foods, fermented foods and vinegar. If you’ve ever noticed that your cravings for any of these are very strong, chances are, you have a yeast overgrowth in your body.

When the level of yeast is elevated in your body, toxins are released into your bloodstream in high amounts. These waste products have a profound effect on your well-being and are linked to many health problems.

Signs of yeast gone wild

The effects of yeast overgrowth will worsen over time, and will seriously compromise physical, mental and emotional well-being. According to researchers, hidden, deviant fungus may be the reason for any number of seemingly unrelated health complaints.

Just another reason why it is so important to not look at symptoms in isolation. Very often, you will find that two seemingly unrelated things, like muscle twitches and frequent bladder infections, are the result of yeast gone wild.

Here are 32 signs that yeast may have moved in and is slowly taking over your body. If you suffer frequently from more than three of these, it may be time to learn more about yeast.

• Fungal infections on skin or nails
• Athlete’s foot
• Toenail fungus
• Fatigue
• Fibromyalgia
• Constipation
• Bloating
• Diarrhea
• Bad breath
• Dry mouth
• Joint pain
• Numbness
• Hair loss
• Headaches
• PMS
• Heartburn
• Burning eyes
• Lack of impulse control
• Hyperactivity
• Poor concentration
• Brain fog
• ADD, ADHD
• Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis or multiple sclerosis
• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Strong cravings for sugar or refined carbohydrates
• Eczema or psoriasis
• Hives
• Seasonal allergies or itchy ears
• Urinary tract infections
• Vaginal or rectal itching

The spit test

Yeast overgrowth is one of the most difficult health issues to detect because of the small amount that is present in everyone. The best way to determine if you have yeast overgrowth is by taking a look at your lifestyle and diet.

Do you crave sweets and carbohydrates, experience constant illness, have a mental illness that doesn’t respond to medication, or generally feel “unwell?” Chances are you’re experiencing yeast overgrowth and need to make some changes to your diet.

You can also try the spit test. Yeah, we know, it sounds a little gross, but a spit test offers a really good analysis of what is going on inside your body and may show signs of a yeast overgrowth. The best time to take this test is as soon as you wake up in the morning, before you even get out of bed.

How to do the spit test

• Gather as much spit as possible in your mouth.
• Spit into a clear glass with room temperature filtered water.
• Watch carefully.

1. The saliva will float at first. Watch to see if there are thin projections extending downward into the water after 15 minutes or so. They may look like hairs or strings. If this happens you may have a candida overgrowth problem.
2. If your saliva is very cloudy and sinks to the bottom within a few minutes, or parts of the saliva slowly sink, yeast overgrowth is a possibility. The particles are yeast colonies which band together.
3. If your spit is still floating after about an hour, it is likely that your yeast is under control.

The downward spiral

Candida can be linked to serious health problems. Once this fungus begins to thrive in the body, general health will spiral downward. The cravings for sugar and other foods that nourish the yeast will get stronger, and on and on it will go.

Eventually, the immune system becomes so weak that the symptoms are no longer tolerable. Often physicians will prescribe antibiotics to treat the symptoms, thus killing off the last of any friendly bacteria. When yeast is in this advanced state, depression and suicidal thoughts are very common.

How to kick the bad fungus to the curb

According to the National Candida Center, if you have symptoms and your spit test is positive for yeast, it is a pretty good indication that you have a candida overgrowth problem. The first step in addressing the problem is to adjust your diet.

Eliminate all processed foods and sugar, and begin eating only wholesome, organic foods if possible. The following foods also help the body heal from the assault of candida overgrowth and encourage the proliferation of healthy bacteria:

1. Coconut oil

This tropical treasure has strong antifungal properties, which will kill the bad bacteria and support immune system functioning. Replace your other cooking oils with coconut oil and add liberally to foods or your coffee. Aim for two tablespoons daily to start.

2. Garlic

Garlic also has strong antifungal properties and will destroy unfriendly bacteria while encouraging the growth of good bacteria. It detoxifies and encourages healthy liver and colon functioning. Use garlic liberally to jazz up your food or chew freely on two to three cloves per day. Note: Raw garlic is far superior in its efficacy.

3. Seaweed

It may not be too appealing to look at, but seaweed is a highly nutrient-dense food that can fight against yeast overgrowth. Many times, people with yeast overgrowth suffer from hyperthyroidism, and seaweed is rich in iodine, which helps balance the thyroid gland. In addition, seaweed is a detoxifier and helps to flush toxins out of the body while cleaning the digestive system. Eat fresh seaweed or take high-quality kelp supplements for best results.

4. Pumpkin seeds

These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which have antiviral and antifungal properties. They help to reduce the inflammation caused by yeast and fight depression as well. Add pumpkin seeds to your cereal, salads or even eat them as a tasty snack.

5. Ginger

Ginger is a powerful detoxifier that increases circulation and flushes toxins out of the liver while supporting the immune system. It helps reduce intestinal gas and soothes inflammation from yeast overgrowth. Make ginger tea by grating a 1-inch piece of ginger root and adding it to two cups of boiling water and a fresh slice of lemon.

Once you get your diet under control and introduce foods that fight the bad bacteria, you can consider taking a high-quality probiotic or eating a little bit of fermented food daily to keep your healthy bacteria count in good order.

Exercising daily and learning how to manage stress in your life will also help to keep fungus from taking over your body.

If you are not able to make these dietary changes, and you want to wipe out fungus completely and never have it return again, take a look at this fungus hack below…

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