The lifestyle that has helped Bernando achieve a healthy, long life

LaPallo says he has not been sick one day in his life and accredits this to eating all organic fruits and vegetables, walking every morning, and avoiding red meat, fried foods and fast food at all costs. He says his father instructed him at an early age to stay away from red meat and he has always believed this to be best for good health.

So what are the five foods he eats to stay healthy and age well?

Garlic, chocolate, cinnamon, olive oil, and honey. That’s right, LaPallo eats these foods daily in addition to organic fruits and vegetables and accredits these five special foods to his success.

Garlic is a powerful immunity enhancer, cancer fighter and liver detoxifier. Chocolate has been known to help many people live a long life. It has incredible anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and immune-boosting properties. Cinnamon is a fantastic spice for anti-aging, immunity, blood sugar and heart health. Olive oil is another powerful anti-inflammatory food, as well as a great source of Vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fats for your heart, and contains high levels of cancer-fighting properties. And finally, honey is a powerful miracle food that has been used for hundreds of years for its anti-inflammatory, anti-aging and heart health benefits.

Bernando also loves whole grains, broth and healthy dishes like soups and salads. You can get his recipes on his blog for barley soup, fresh fruit salad and more.

Bernando’s father was a doctor who also lived to 98 years old. Bernando not only took his father’s advice on how to eat well, but also how to live well. Bernando likes to read, do crossword puzzles and other life-enhancing activities daily. He says he has learned and seen so much throughout his life, and always wanted to live healthily so he could age well.

In LaPallo’s words, “As the old saying goes, you are what you eat. And that’s very true.”

Bernando LaPallo lived to 114 years young, his life and vitality maintained through a regiment that he followed for his entire life. He exercised and ate foods that he knew would protect his body and lengthen his life.

Salmon vs Tuna vs Tilapia vs… (The #1 Worst Fish for Your Heart)

Eating wild-caught fish is good for your heart… right? WRONG.

According to Dr. Sam Walters – one of America’s #1 heart specialists – there’s ONE fish you should avoid like the plague.

This so-called “healthy fish” is contaminated with toxic chemicals… that are literally DEADLY for your heart. Yet 97% of Americans eat it at least once a week.

Try to guess which one it is:

1. Tilapia
2. Tuna
3. Atlantic Salmon
4. Sardines

So click on your guess…

Or tap below to get the correct answer from Dr. Sam Walters himself:

>> Never eat THIS fish (it’s DEADLY for your heart).

Original Article by Heather McClees can be found here

Editor’s Note: Bernando LaPallo passed away on December 19, 2015.

The post 114-Year-Old Man Attributed Good Health To These 5 Foods 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

Food prices are going up, across the board — and at levels Americans haven’t seen in decades, according to a very recent U.S. Department of Agriculture update to its Food Price Outlook this year. Food prices are expected to increase on average about 5.5-6.5% this year, the USDA’s Economic Research Service explained.

Unfortunately, some of the biggest increases will include important diet staples such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, and some fats and oils. Meat prices are expected to rise 14-16%. Fresh fruits and veggies are expected to go up as well.

If you are trying to eat a healthy diet, what do you do?

Here are a few tips to help you maintain your healthy diet without breaking the bank:

1. Eliminate all processed foods and drinks—Junky foods have no place in your home or your budget, so eliminate all chips, cookies, crackers, and sweetened drinks. Period. This will help to free up your budget for nutrient dense foods. Junk food is a total waste of money and is full of empty calories, sugar, and chemicals.

Processed foods are foods that come in boxes, wrappers, and bags. Not only are processed foods unhealthy, but the packaging is also wasteful as well, and processed foods tend to make you hungrier—thanks to all the chemicals, preservatives, and taste enhancers they contain

Consider, for example, that buying a bag of potato chips costs anywhere between $2 and $5. Some of the fancier, organic or gourmet chip varieties can cost upwards of $6-$8. That’s big savings to cut those out. Snack on fresh cut up veggies instead and save your money.

I do realize that buying meat and vegetables may seem expensive, but when you compare the nutrient density of meat and vegetables to the nutrient density of chips, crackers, or cookies—there is absolutely no contest!

2. Stop with the grains—Breads, whether gluten free or not are completely unnecessary and generally garbage. Bread is not needed in your diet. And if you are planning on eating low carb, there is no room for bread.

What about breakfast cereal? Another grain product that is incredibly expensive, full of air, sugar, and refined grains. And again, no real nutritional value. Breakfast cereals mostly just jack up your blood sugar, create a quick crash and make you hungrier for more.

Have you ever started on ONE bowl of cereal, and soon find yourself gobbling up your second and third bowl? There isn’t anything good or healthy about processed breakfast cereal, despite the encouraging message on the box about how “healthy” or “natural” it is. Cross breakfast cereal off your list.

3. Avoid “Gluten free” as much as possible. Sure, even us gluten free folks wouldn’t mind having a piece of toast with breakfast on occasion, but these foods are just as bad, just as processed—if not more, than regular processed grains. And they are way more expensive! Most gluten free products are made of super refined tapioca starch, rice flour, or other expensive “no-grain” flours like almond flour.

You are far better off finding a ‘real food’ to substitute for those gluten free products. Wrap your sandwich or taco in lettuce. Rustle up some shredded sweet potatoes to go with your eggs instead of toast, or just avoid all those extra carbs. Perhaps now may be the best time start eating lower carb and start reaping the benefits.

4. Do meal prep instead of buying pre-prepared foods—It really doesn’t take that long to do a little meal prep with leftover foods from meals. Just remember to make extra when you are cooking up a batch of chicken thighs or slow cooking that roast. Throw in some extra broccoli or add the meat to some salad greens for a complete meal. A premade meal from home is far healthier, with no additives, no unhealthy oils, no high price, and it’s all there in fridge when you are ready.

5. Frozen fruits and veggies for the win—Yep, frozen veggies can be every bit as nutritious, or even more so than fresh produce vegetables. Frozen vegetables are picked at peak ripeness and frozen to keep their nutrition locked in. Fresh vegetables often have a long trip on a truck or train to get to the grocery store, and can be week or two old when you get them “fresh” in your grocery store.

Instead, grab some nutrient dense fruits and veggies that are frozen and often on sale. Best picks are broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, spinach, or frozen kale. I love keeping a bag of organic blueberries or mixed berries in my freezer to throw in smoothies, whip up a quick blueberry sauce, or just add to some homemade buckwheat pancakes.

6. Make your own—A lot of so-called convenience foods are made of just a few ingredients that are easy to make on your own. For example, I rarely buy spaghetti sauce. When you look at the ingredients, you will find that it’s super easy to mix up your own batch in the same amount of time it takes to pour out a bottle of pre-made spaghetti sauce.

Buy a can of crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce, add some chopped fresh garlic, a teaspoon or so of oregano and/or basil, and maybe a pinch of palm sugar. Heat and serve. If you want to get really fancy, you can brown the garlic and minced onion in a pan of olive oil, and then add the tomato sauce.

Salad dressing is the same, and it’s most often made of unhealthy, inflammatory omega 6 oils. Salad dressings often have added sugar and preservatives in them as well, turning your healthy bowl of greens into unhealthy glop. Instead, try mixing up some extra virgin olive oil, some apple cider vinegar, a touch of palm sugar, honey or maple syrup, a little bit of Dijon mustard, and some fresh chopped herbs. Mix it all up and keep it on hand for a delicious, healthy dressing.

7. Buy cheaper cuts of meat—Instead of buying steaks, roasts, or brisket, buy ground beef. Good quality ground beef is one of the most versatile foods and can go in many recipes. Buy the chicken thighs instead of the fancy (and lesser nutrition) boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Use ground turkey or chicken if available. Better yet, just pick up a whole chicken, roast it in the oven and use the leftovers for meals the next few days. Chicken salad, chicken soup, chicken on top of your salad greens, etc.

It’s true that grass fed or organic naturally raised meat does have a little bit of nutritional edge over conventionally raised meat, but if you cannot afford to buy grass fed or organic, you are still getting high quality protein with conventional cuts, as opposed to cutting out meat.

One of the best buys in meat is to find a farmer who raises grass-fed meat, and go in halves or quarters with someone. Many cattle farmers will sell their meat this way, and you get some of the highest quality meat without the grocery store overhead.

8. Drink water—Cutting out those sugary or fruity drinks is another great way to create major savings in your grocery budget. Sugary drinks do absolutely nothing for your waistline, or your bottom line. Even the ‘healthy’ drinks like kombucha or probiotic flavored waters are expensive, full of calories and sometimes hidden sugars, and don’t do near as much for your gut health as you think they do. Some of the trendier probiotic drinks can cost $3, $4 or $5 a bottle! That’s a lot of money when a glass of water may do quench your thirst just as well.

9. Prepackaged salad greens—You may be thinking I’m going to tell you to cut out buying the bags of salad greens, but in reality, it may be a better option than buying several different types of fresh lettuce, baby kale or spinach.

Most of these greens are very delicate and can go bad a few days, so unless you can use up all those different varieties of greens, you are probably better off grabbing a bag of mixed baby super greens and eating them while they are fresh.

10. Stick to a list—Changing the way you grocery shop may be a matter of changing your shopping habits. Having a list you’ve thoughtfully prepared ahead of time and sticking to it, will help you avoid grabbing those empty-nutrition foods and drinks that tend to gobble up your food budget. Save your money for the most nutrient dense foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and butter.

Making some changes in your grocery shopping, while adding in more nutrient dense foods will not only make a difference in your shopping budget, but it can also have a major positive effect on your health.

Removing junk foods, processed foods and high carb snacks and drinks will help you stop the munchies, stop the mindless eating, and help you stick to your health and weight loss goals far better. Happy shopping!

References
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/19-ways-to-eat-healthy-on-a-budget
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/eat-healthy-food-on-a-budget/
https://www.npr.org/2022/03/31/1090086246/grocery-store-food-prices-increase-2022-usda-report

The post Ten Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

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

Kale used to show up on people’s plates as a barely edible garnish, but in the last several years, it suddenly skyrocketed to fame as health fanatics everywhere discovered its many nutritious attributes.

Kale now takes center stage as a salad ingredient, a smoothie standby, chips, food additive, or main dish ingredient. Unfortunately however, kale has fallen from grace as the superstar superfood, to one of the “Dirty Dozen”, as one of the most herbicide/pesticide-contaminated vegetables in the United States, according to the U.S. Environmental Working Group (EWG) that rates produce for their herbicide/pesticide content.

This year, kale ranks third, just behind strawberries and spinach. According to the EWG, the average kale sample contains over five different types of herbicides or pesticides, in spite of being thoroughly washed. One of the more contaminated samples actually contained up to 18 different pesticide residues.

Do these pesticides outweigh the value of the nutrients in kale? Well, studies have shown pesticides to be linked to cancer, diabetes, autism, ADD/ADHD, and other serious health issues.

One of the primary pesticides showing up in kale is an herbicide called DCPA, or Dacthal. Dacthal has been used as a weed-killer for strawberries, many other vegetables, beans and cotton. But in 2005, Dacthal use was curtailed because of concerns that it was leaching into groundwater and was toxic. While the European Union prohibited all uses of this herbicide, the United States still uses Dacthal on sweet potatoes, eggplant, turnips and, of course, kale.

The problem with Dacthal, however, is that even the EPA has found evidence that Dacthal can cause cancer. The organization has listed the herbicide as a possible carcinogen based on a two-year study that linked DCPA to thyroid and liver tumors in rats, and while the effects on humans haven’t been tested, it’s a safe bet to believe it’s not healthy for us, either.

The EWG analysis also found that 30% of the kale samples contained bifenthrin and cypermethrin, two other pesticides that have been classified by the EPA as possible human carcinogens based on studies in mice. Exposure to these chemicals could cause nausea, headaches, and neurological issues, such as tingling and numbness.

The biggest problem with kale and these toxic pesticides is that kale is a leaf, so it will absorb these toxic sprays. There is no peel you can remove to help reduce the exposure and washing the kale does not help. These pesticides permeate the kale through and through.

Kale and Your Thyroid

For some people, the thought process goes like this–if a little bit is healthy, then a lot should be REALLY healthy. Unfortunately, for many things, including kale, this is not true. Kale in larger quantities, especially in the form of juicing, can actually be harmful to healthy thyroid function.

Kale is considered a goitrogenic food, meaning that it contains substances called goitrogens that can block proper thyroid function. Cruciferous vegetables, like kale, are considered goitrogenic. Other goitrogenic vegetables include arugula, bok choy, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, mustard greens, turnips, and watercress.

These veggies contain a substance called thiocyanate, which in larger amounts, can interfere with our bodies’ ability to utilize iodine, a key nutrient for production of thyroid hormones. Exposure to high amounts of thiocyanate can interfere with the normal thyroid function and cause hypothyroidism, or low thyroid. This creates symptoms like weight gain, depression, slow hair growth, lowered immune status, and more.

The health benefits of eating kale and other cruciferous veggies generally outweighs any issues with thyroid function, but eating larger amounts of cruciferous vegetables like kale, can definitely interfere. The biggest problem with kale and thyroid function is when it is juiced. Juicing requires large amounts of the vegetable to create a small amount of juice. But juicing creates a very concentrated product with larger than normal amounts of thyroid-interfering goitrogens, among other things.

The risks of lowered thyroid function may be exacerbated in those who are already iodine deficient, especially vegetarians and vegans—often just the folks who are juicing and drinking large volumes of veggie juices with kale.

Other Toxins in Kale

Several years ago, research conducted in California by a molecular biologist by the name of Ernie Hubbard connected complaints of fatigue, brain fogginess, nausea and other symptoms in patients at a health clinic to high kale consumption.

Hubbard found higher than normal levels of the toxic mineral thallium in locally grown kale, as well as in the patients’ urine. Hubbard also found traces of other heavy metals including cesium, cadmium, aluminum and arsenic in other cruciferous vegetables. And it seems that the organically grown kale accumulates more of this heavy metal than conventionally grown kale.

While the source of the thallium was not determined from the soil or the vegetable, it was determined that the complaints from patients, combined with their reported kale consumption, urine test results, and the thallium levels found in the kale and soil suggested low-level thallium poisoning.

Other studies have found similar results. A study by Czech Republic agricultural researchers in 2006 investigated kale’s uptake of thallium from soils with a naturally high amount of the element, and concluded it could seriously endanger the food chain. This Chilean study published in 2009 examines the presence of thallium in potatoes grown in the northern region of the country, and finds an “important risk.” And this Canadian review in 2004 by researchers at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, noted thallium “can be transferred from soils to crops readily and accrues in fuel crops.”

Unfortunately, when it comes to thallium, even low-level exposures can cause symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, stomach pain, hair loss, and peripheral neuropathy. This means that people who eat a lot of cruciferous vegetables, including kale, may be exposing themselves to high levels of thallium.

How Much Kale Can You Safely Eat?

If you are an occasional kale eater, you shouldn’t worry too much about interfering with your thyroid function, or thallium. The most important though, is to choose organic kale.

Kale is jam-packed with nutrients. A single cup of raw chopped kale gives you more than 200% of your daily allowance of vitamin A and almost 700% of vitamin K. It’s also full of vitamins like B6, calcium, vitamin C, and potassium.

Plenty of research also suggests that cruciferous vegetables like kale can protect against certain types of cancer. Kale is also high in antioxidants including beta carotene and vitamin C, along with various flavanoids, and polyphenols.

Kale also contains the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which are found in relatively large amounts in kale. These substances in kale have been studied thoroughly and have powerful heart-protective, blood pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-depressant and anti-cancer effects, to name a few.

Bottom Line

Kale is a very healthy superfood. Just don’t overdo and eat tons of kale on a daily basis, or you may be ingesting large amounts of pesticides, herbicides, thallium, and goitrogens that will have a negative effect on your health and your thyroid gland. Be especially careful of drinking kale juice. It takes a large quantity of kale to make juice, and you end up drinking concentrated amounts of the above toxins. Instead, enjoy a wide variety of superfoods on a daily basis.

References
https://www.endocrineweb.com/conditions/hypothyroidism/news-update-can-kale-cause-hypothyroidism
https://www.sciencealert.com/kale-is-now-one-of-the-most-pesticide-contaminated-vegetables-and-the-dangers-go-beyond-eating-salad?fbclid=IwAR2rA8S0nP76V0fAFPE6Gvp0Qyvh_T_5qkT35oDawZAPSLupY30gv_rQNco
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-kale#section9
https://craftsmanship.net/sidebar/information-research-thallium-gathered-hubbard-dr-rosenblum-click-tap/

The post The Dark Side of Kale appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-seller: The Diabetes Fix

Celery has gone from that boring veggie on the crudité tray to a virtual vegetable superstar overnight! And now celery juice is blowing up social media with all kinds of health claims.

What’s up with celery and celery juice?

Celery and celery juice can be a great way to add concentrated health benefits without a ton of sugar or calories. Celery juice is light, refreshing and enjoyable!

One of the best things about celery juice is that it only has 40 calories. It also contains vitamins A, K, and C, and beta carotene, a powerful antioxidant. In addition, it has calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. Celery is full of powerful antioxidants and flavonoids.

Scientists have identified at least a dozen other types of antioxidant nutrients in celery. The primary antioxidant support we get from celery is largely due to its phenolic nutrients that have been shown to help protect us against unwanted oxidative damage to our cells, blood vessels, and organ systems. These phenolic nutrients include caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, coumaric acid, ferulic acid and flavones and flavonols, apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, kaempferol, and more.

Read on to find out about the health benefits of celery juice.

Celery Juice Health Benefits

1. Quenches Thirst

Celery juice does not contain all that good fiber that celery stalks contain, but the great thing is that celery juice helps you stay hydrated because it is mostly water with lots of healthy electrolytes and antioxidants—so if you are thirsty or dehydrated, celery juice may be just the thing to help you regain your hydration and electrolyte balance.

2. Lowers Blood Pressure

Studies show that celery can have beneficial blood pressure lowering properties. The most effective blood pressure extracts come from celery seed, which contain some specific phytochemicals such as hexanic, methanolic, and aqueous-ethanolic extracts. Celery’s phytochemicals, along with the minerals potassium, magnesium and sodium exist in a perfect balance that relax the walls of your blood vessels. This increases blood flow, lowers resistance and helps lowers blood pressure. We have a full article on how to lower your blood pressure naturally here.

3. Fights Inflammation

As you may already be aware, inflammation is the root of most disease, especially chronic diseases like arthritis, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and on and on. Celery, especially celery juice, fights inflammation with its powerful flavonoids specifically, apigenin.

This study shows how apigenin helps to fight inflammation and helps protect you from diseases. Celery contains flavonoid and polyphenol antioxidants that fight free radical damage (or oxidative stress) that negatively alters genes and leads to inflammation and aging.

Scientists have also identified a dozen different types of antioxidants including phenolic acids as caffeic acid and ferulic acid, and flavanols like quercetin. This makes celery beneficial for health conditions associated with inflammation including, acne, joint pain, gout, kidney and liver infections, skin disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, and urinary tract infections—to name just a few.

4. Protects the Liver

One of the biggest problems with our high sugar (especially high fructose corn syrup) is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. NAFLD is a result of too much glucose in the body, and the liver trying to store it as fat. 17 to 33 percent of Americans most likely have NAFLD. This condition tends to go with obesity, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

This can be a serious health issue and leads to inflammation and cirrhosis . Researchers from Department of Nutrition and Food Science in Egypt studied how a diet that included celery drastically lowered the dangerous fatty acid buildup in the liver. In addition, the celery helped to improve the liver enzymes’ function and blood lipid levels as well.

5. Prevents Ulcers, Helps Heal Digestive Tract

A 2010 study published in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Biology found that celery contains a special type of ethanol that protects the lining of the digestive tracts.

Certain substances in celery have the ability to actually replenish depleted levels of gastric mucus needed in the stomach lining and digestive tract to prevent tiny holes and openings, as in leaky gut syndrome. Celery’s flavonoids, tannins, volatile oils and alkaloids also help to control gastric acid to protect the mucus lining.

6. Boosts Digestion and Reduces Bloating

Celery also contains powerful health benefits including a substance called NBP which has a diuretic effect (makes you urinate more), which helps the body detox better and is good for the kidneys. Celery also helps digestion and relieves bloating and puffiness from water retention.

The compounds apigenin and quercetin have been found in this study to help improve digestion by inducing gastric relaxation which helps to slow things down as food moves through your gut.

Celery juice helps to stimulate the production of stomach acid, easing heartburn, indigestion, and bloating. Many people have low stomach acid, making it more difficult to break down nutrients from food. Low stomach acid can be caused by SIBO or IBS and also drugs such as proton pump inhibitors.

Celery juice stimulates bile, which is necessary for breaking down fats, and similar to hydrochloric acid, it helps to kill off pathogens that have made their way into your body. It also helps to detox the liver from things such as toxic heavy metals and toxic chemicals, like pesticides, air fresheners, detergents, petrochemicals, and preservatives, to name just a few.

7. Helps to Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

Celery helps to reduce uric acid production (helps prevent gout) and stimulates urine production. It also contains substances that help to fight dangerous pathogens and microbes, making it ideal for fighting bacterial infections in the urinary tract. Celery is a powerful preventative for UTI’s, bladder disorders, and kidney problems.

8. Is a Cancer Fighting Weapon

Celery is in the same family as fennel, parsley, carrots and parsnips. This family of vegetables contain compounds called polyacetylenes. Some early studies have shown this compound helps to reduce toxicity of chemotherapy and fight against new cancer cell formation especially in the breast, intestines, and blood (leukemia).

Polyacetylenes have many immune-boosting effects, including their tumor-fighting abilities that stop mutated cells from reproducing. According to studies at the Department of Agricultural Sciences at the Aarhus University of Denmark, polyacetylenes have shown many interesting bioactivities including anti-inflammatory, antiplatelet, cytotoxic, antitumor activity, as well as activity against bacteria and mycoplasma. Celery’s flavonoid, apigenin, also helps to kill off cancer cells.

Buy Organic Celery to Avoid Toxins

Celery has been listed on the Environmental Working Group’s “Dirty Dozen” list for several years. Over 95 percent of conventionally grown celery samples tested positive for synthetic pesticides. Evaluators found up to 13 chemicals on a single sample. Choose organic celery to minimize exposure to these toxic substances.

What to do with Celery?

Besides everyone’s favorite “ants on a log” with nut butter and raisins, celery sticks make the perfect low-carb dipping stick for any type of dip—guacamole, salsa, hummus, etc. It’s bland taste make it a great addition to stir frys, soups, casseroles, salads, and of course, egg and tuna salad.

It’s great in smoothies, where you get to benefit from it’s amazing fiber or juiced with a little squeeze of lemon or lime for added zing. One of my favorite juices or smoothies is celery, cucumber, green apple and lemon. Add a sprinkle of cayenne or a few sprigs of mint for some extra zing!

As we found celery has all of these amazing benefits for the body: Fights inflammation, protects the liver, helps with digestion and can even help lower your blood pressure. Keeping a healthy heart can be tricky, so our Friends from Physio Tru want you to know this…

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).

References
https://foodfacts.mercola.com/celery.html
https://draxe.com/benefits-of-celery/
https://www.healthline.com/health/celery-juice#recipe
https://blog.bulletproof.com/celery-juice-for-digestion/#ref-3

The post The Real Truth about Celery and Celery Juice appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Cancer. It’s one word that strikes fear into the hearts of most people. It can cause you to totally re-think your whole life. Empowering yourself with a plan of action will go a long way towards your health, wellness and mindset. If your lifestyle and diet need an overhaul, now is the time to make some drastic changes.

Foods have the power to strengthen our immune system to fight cancer, increase antioxidants in our body to protect our cells’ DNA and prevent cancer—all the while adding to our overall health. Our bodies have a natural tendency to want to heal, but we must help our bodies return to a point where they are able to fight off disease. We can do this by eliminating cancer-causing foods and toxins, and creating a diet of healthful, cancer-fighting, immune-strengthening foods.

Whether you choose to undergo conventional cancer treatments or decide to follow a more natural route, these tips on cancer fighting foods will help you fight cancer and get back on the road to health.

While conventional medicine downplays the importance of diet and lifestyle changes, it is necessary for you to realize that both your diet and lifestyle are of utmost importance!

The best start is by removing and detoxifying the body from those foods and toxins that are feeding and encouraging cancer, oxidation, and a weakened immune system, and then begin rebuilding the body’s cells—from the ground up—so to speak with super healthy foods that fight cancer.

Starve the Cancer

Adopt a ketogenic diet. Ketogenic diets have been scientifically proven to improve cancer recovery and to have a proven ‘anti-tumor’ effect on cancer cells. A ketogenic diet is a very low carb, lower protein and higher fat diet. Keto diets help to turn the body’s ‘fat burning’ mechanism on, while keeping blood sugar and insulin very low. When the body is able to efficiently break down fat, or ketones as they are called, in the body to use as fuel, the body is ‘fat-adapted’. Cancer cells primarily use glucose as their fuel, and cannot utilize ketone bodies, so they essentially starve and die on this type of diet.

Besides the keto diet’s ability to lower blood sugar and insulin and to burn fat for fuel, this diet is also known in health circles as having some very health-protective benefits. For one, it starves cancer cells, and as we know, this is super important, so it is well worth it to make some major dietary changes. This diet also helps reduce inflammation, another health issue tied to cancer.

The best way to prepare the body for a keto diet is to adopt an intermittent fasting routine. This allows the body to fast for periods of 12-16 hours or more, and helps to begin the fat adaption process.

Contrary to what many of us believe, our bodies do not just fight cancer when we actually have a cancer diagnosis. Cancer takes years to grow in our bodies, and we are actually fighting and killing off cancer cells on a daily basis! So, eating foods that fight cancer is extremely important on a daily basis as well—whether you have been diagnosed with cancer or not.

Says Ty Bollinger, from TheTruthAboutCancer.com website,

“New studies focused on the benefits of using food as medicine have made fascinating discoveries in the last decade. The results from prestigious labs all over the world show us that not only can you improve your general health to prevent disease… you can actively fight disease… with food.”

Yes, in fact, there are foods that specifically target cancer cells, all the while benefiting and strengthening the healthy cells in your body. There are foods available right at your local health food store or farmer’s market that will help you fight and destroy these invading cells.

This article will help you uncover those foods that will help you to:

• Detoxify your body
• Strengthen the immune system and repair cells’ DNA
• Actually kill cancer cells and stop its spread

Top Ten Cancer Fighting Foods

1. Garlic

The #1 most powerful anti-cancer food is garlic. Garlic, especially raw garlic, along with its other close relatives in the allium family including onions, leeks and shallots are some of the most powerful cancer-fighting foods. Garlic and the rest of the allium family contain very powerful antioxidants like allicin that remove free radicals from the body. Garlic is also valuable as an immune booster, is anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and detoxifies.

There are several studies that show an increased intake of garlic with a reduced risk of certain cancers, especially cancers of the stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast. Other cancers that garlic and onions fight include oral, ovarian, endometrial, kidney, and laryngeal cancers.

The cancer-fighting effects of garlic may be related to its antibacterial properties, or its ability to fight cancer-causing substances, help repair DNA, reduce cell reproduction or induce cell death.

2. Broccoli, Broccoli Sprouts and other Cruciferous Vegetables

Broccoli is related to the whole cruciferous cancer-fighting vegetable family that includes cabbage, cauliflower, arugula, kale, collard greens, and brussels sprouts. Broccoli and its cruciferous cousins have proven effective against many cancers, especially breast, cervical, gastric, prostate and liver cancers.

Broccoli is also super high in powerful phytochemicals and the antioxidants glucoraphanin and indole-3-carbinol, which are proven cancer-fighting weapons, which have selective toxicity against cancerous cells, while strengthening the body’s healthy cells.

Cruciferous vegetables are known to be powerful cancer killers and many are rich in glutathione, known as the “master antioxidant” because of its powerful free-radical-scavenging abilities. Most all of the cruciferous vegetables are nutrient-dense sources of a family of phytochemicals called isothiocyanates that are linked to cancer prevention.

Broccoli sprouts actually contain some of the highest levels of cancer fighting compounds. Numerous studies have shown the highest cancer protective properties tend to be concentrated in the sprouts about 3 days after sprouted. Broccoli is also naturally anti-inflammatory, good for the bones and the heart, and nutrient dense, so it benefits overall health as well.

3. Green Tea

Green tea contains some uniquely powerful antioxidants called ‘catechins’ that are strong free-radical fighters and have been shown in lab studies to actually kill or inhibit the growth of existing cancers and shrink tumors. Green tea’s two main anticancer compounds, EGCG and quercetin are powerful weapons in a fight against many types of cancers.

Additionally, green tea helps to promote the production of the antioxidants glutathione and superoxide dismutase (SOD) which drastically lower inflammation in the body. As an added benefit, green tea also reduces the risk of heart disease, lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising HDL (good) cholesterol, and lowers blood pressure.

4. Leafy Green Veggies

Leafy greens are one of the most important parts of any healthy diet since they are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other necessary phytochemicals. Leafy greens, especially bitter greens, like arugula, watercress, kale, collards, mustard greens, and more, are badass fighters in the war against cancer.

Many of these greens—mustard, collards, kale, arugula and more are actually part of the cruciferous veggie family, so they contain the same cancer-fighting compounds as their cousins. Leafy greens are high in vitamin C, methylfolate (an absorbable type of folic acid), and betacarotene—all powerful antioxidants.

Leafy greens are also sources of glucosinolates, which gives them effective antibacterial and antiviral properties, detox the body of carcinogenic substances, reprogram cancer cells to die, and prevent tumor formation and metastasis. These natural chemicals are activated during chewing and digestion into biologically active cancer-killing compounds such as indoles, thiocyanates and isothiocyanates.

5. Ginger

Ginger is one of the most powerful anti-inflammatory cancer-fighting foods you can find! Ginger is known to actually shrink tumors and destroy cancer stem cells, as effectively as some chemotherapy medications. However, ginger has the ability to protect healthy cells while killing cancer stem cells.

Ginger contains a powerful compound, 6-shogaol, that is highly effective in killing cancer stem cells in breast cancer, according to a study done in 2015. Shogaol was compared to the chemotherapy drug, Taxol, and curcumin from turmeric. The compound found in ginger was found to be the most effective, especially against cancer stem cells. Taxol could not match the activity of the shogaol in ginger even at a 10,000X increase!

Ginger extracts have been shown in scientific studies to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects on human cells and cancer cells. Because ginger has such a powerful anti-inflammatory effect on cells, reducing key inflammatory indicators also reduced chances of cancer development, in addition to ginger’s tumor-shrinking capabilities.

Ginger’s anti-nausea action is also very valuable to prevent nausea and vomiting as a result of chemotherapy from standard cancer treatments.

6. Turmeric

The super-food turmeric has been valued as far back as 3,000 BC and is one of the most important anti-cancer nutrients studied today. Curcumin is the yellow pigment that comes from turmeric and is one of three known active ingredients in turmeric. Curcumin has demonstrated incredible anti-cancer benefits. In countries where people eat turmeric daily as a part of their diet, research shows lower rates of many types of cancers.

Over 2,000 researched studies have been published that show curcumin combats cancers of the breast, prostate, liver, colon, lung, pancreas and more. Many of these studies have shown curcumin actually stops cancer cells from multiplying and brings about cancer cell death. Curcumin’s ability to fight cancer is superior to many chemotherapy drugs because it selectively kills cancer stem cells, leaving healthy cells intact.

Curcumin is currently being tested in several clinical trials to treat cancer, including prostate, breast, colon and osteosarcoma. Curcumin can kill a wide variety of tumor cell types through several totally different mechanisms. Because of the varied way curcumin can cause cancer cell death, cancer cells are not likely to develop resistance to curcumin, unlike many chemotherapy drugs.

7. Mushrooms

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for centuries all over the world to fight cancer and enhance or modulate immune response. These mushrooms include shitake, reishi, maitake, mannentake, and cordyceps. Research has indicated these varieties of mushrooms have unique anti-cancer, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and liver protective activities.

Reishi mushrooms have been used in Chinese medicine for cancer treatments for many years. Reishi is also said to improve well being, strength and enhance health. Reishi mushrooms stimulate the immune system, diminish the unpleasant side effects of chemotherapy, and protect the cells’ DNA.

Turkey Tail is another well-known medicinal mushroom in alternative medicine. Studies show it improves survival rates, modulates (balances out) the immune system and has anti-tumor properties. It also enhances the beneficial effects of chemotherapy and reduces side effects.

Cordyceps acts an immune stimulator by increasing cancer-fighting T cells and ‘Natural Killer’ cells, while prolonging the life and power of white blood cells. This increases the body’s ability to fight pathogens, infections and cancer. It has demonstrated anti-tumor properties and also protects the kidneys from chemotherapy.

Maitake mushroom works on the immune system. Studies have shown that it can enhance two different immune system pathways, helping it fight infection and protecting the body from invaders like cancer. Maitake also protects cells with its antioxidant properties and decreases the inflammatory factor COX2 enzyme so common in cancer physiology. Maitake also fights metastases and prevents the the proliferation and spread of cancer.

8. Pomegranate

Pomegranates have been used for many, many years for a variety of diseases and illnesses like cancer. Pomegranates contain strong antioxidants, and are a rich source of anthocyanins, ellagitannins, and hydrolysable tannins.

Studies show that the pomegranate has a multi-targeted attack against various types of cancers, which is one of the reasons pomegranates are so effective. It does this by protecting against DNA damage, stopping the spread of cancer in the body, decreasing inflammation, protecting healthy cells and causing cancer cell apoptosis (cell death). Pomegranate is effective against a wide variety of cancers.

9. Berries

Berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, black raspberries, cherries, elderberries, and bilberries are all loaded with a cancer-fighting substance called anthocyanins. Blackberries, black raspberries and blueberries, in particular, have some of the highest levels of this health-promoting phytochemical. Anthocyanins slow the growth of pre-malignant (cancer) cells and prevent new blood vessels from forming which would feed a cancerous tumor.

10. Orange Colored Vegetables

Bright colored vegetables means that they are loaded with phytochemicals, especially antioxidants called carotenoids which fight cancer. Other carotenoids include alphacarotene, betacarotene, lycopene, lutein, and cryptoxanthin, which are all related to plant-based vitamin A.

Including citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, squash, red peppers, tomatoes and other bright red, orange or yellow vegetables will help to get plenty of these powerful carotenoids in your diet. Betacarotene has been well-studied and is known to be essential for a strong immune system, detoxing the body, and fighting cancers of the skin, eyes and organs. ‘Eating the rainbow’ helps to give your body a full spectrum of these powerful cancer-fighting tools.

This list is by no means complete—there are literally hundreds of foods, herbs and spices that fight cancer, and by eating a variety of fresh, organic, naturally raised foods—along with limiting the toxins in your diet and environment, you can begin the healing process.

In addition to the above cancer-fighting foods, overall nutrition is extremely important. Every bite you put into your mouth should be a nutritious super-food. Strengthening your body, powering up your immune system and optimizing your health as much as possible is key to your health and longevity.

Be sure to include plenty of healthy proteins in your diet. While this is a plant-heavy diet, it by no means is a vegan diet. A healing body needs protein to rebuild itself. Supplement with small amounts of naturally-raised, grass-fed and grass finished meats, organic, pastured raised poultry and eggs, and wild caught fish. Meat, poultry and fish raised in a natural environment without added hormones, antibiotics or grain will nourish and protect your body while it fights cancer.

Add in bone broth to soothe and heal the digestive system while strengthening and fortifying it. Bone broth is valuable to help soothe and remove inflammation in the gut. Often gut issues are a basis for overall inflammation in the body–one of the starting points for cancer growth.

Healthy fats are also key to good nutrition and good health to fight cancer. Avoid toxic, processed vegetable oils and instead consume plenty of natural healthy fats like grass-fed butter, organic, unrefined coconut oil, and high antioxidant extra virgin olive oil. And be sure to add in the cancer fighting healthy fats of unprocessed nuts, avocados, and grass-fed organic dairy products, especially cultured dairy products like organic (unsweetened) yogurt and unprocessed cheeses.

Above all, keep a healthy mindset, meditate, de-stress, and love your body and yourself. Your body needs your attention now to recover and regain health. Give gratitude and appreciation for those supportive people in your life and appreciate living. Every day is a new day. Take care and have faith!

Speaking of cancer…

A top Ivy League doctor has exposed a shocking link between sex and CANCER in people over 60.

If you make love at least once a month, please watch his urgent warning below…

>> See link between sex and cancer here

References
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/diet/garlic-fact-sheet
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/12-ways-to-prepare-detox-cleanse/
https://draxe.com/detox-diet/
https://draxe.com/cancer-fighting-foods/
https://drjockers.com/plant-based-ketogenic-diet/
https://drjockers.com/10-critical-ketogenic-diet-tips/
https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/cancer-fighting-benefits-of-curcumin/
https://www.lifeextension.com/Magazine/2016/11/How-Pomegranate–May-Protect–Against-Cancer/Page-01
https://foodrevolution.org/blog/ginger-cancer-treatment/
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321410.php
https://www.cancertherapyadvisor.com/fact-sheets/cancer-reishi-mushroom-fact-sheet/article/647081/2/

The post The Top Ten Cancer Fighting and Killing Foods appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

You probably think of molasses as that black goopy stuff that sits in the back of the cabinet, or the stuff in those yummy molasses cookies your grandma used to make. If you have some molasses sitting in your cabinet, it may be time to dig it out and start using it again. Molasses, especially ‘blackstrap’ molasses, has some very good health benefits.

Where does this stuff that looks like motor oil come from? Blackstrap molasses comes from the sugar-making process. When sugar cane is mashed and boiled, cane syrup is created. A second boiling crystallizes the sugar and yields molasses, and a third boiling leaves blackstrap molasses.

Since most of the actual sugar is removed from this viscous liquid, the remaining syrupy mixture is somewhat bittersweet. But, unlike sugar, which has no nutrients, molasses contains some pretty powerful vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which help to improve bone health, boost skin and hair health, combat anemia, improve brain health and alleviate PMS.

Blackstrap molasses contains loads of vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron, and selenium. It also has a reasonable glycemic load of 55, making it a better choice for adding some sweetness to foods or drinks, especially for diabetics.

Molasses has been used as one of those ‘cure-all’ elixirs over the years for problems like constipation, anemia and even tummy problems.

As I often mention, nutrients are always better absorbed from whole food sources, because they exist in the perfect balance, along with the various co-nutrients and phytochemicals that come along with them. Blackstrap molasses could really be classified as a whole food supplement.

However, blackstrap molasses should only be consumed in small amounts, since it is still considered a type of ‘sugar’ and ranks fairly high on the glycemic index. Here is a listing of where blackstrap molasses runs with other natural sweeteners:

• White sugar: 64
• Blackstrap molasses: 55
• Maple syrup: 54
• Raw honey: 30

1. Iron

Blackstrap molasses has long been considered as a great source of plant-based iron. Blackstrap molasses is especially useful for menstruating women, as women lose small amounts of iron through their regular menstrual cycle, and many women can become slightly anemic.

Iron actually also works to improve your mood as well. Brain chemicals rely on a balance of hormones — including serotonin, dopamine and other vital hormones — that cannot properly be synthesized in the brain when oxygen levels are low. Iron helps the body to carry oxygen, so low levels of oxygen and iron deficiencies can result in depression or anxiety, poor sleep, low energy levels and a lack of motivation. In addition, the essential minerals in blackstrap molasses including magnesium, manganese, and calcium help maintain the health of red blood cells.

2. B Vitamins

One of the great things about blackstrap molasses is its B vitamin content. B vitamins are vital for brain and nerve health, energy, and mood regulation. Since B vitamins are water soluble and can easily be washed out of the body, and have to be synthesized in the small intestine, many people have a B vitamin deficiency and don’t know it.

Many people who suffer from leaky gut, celiac disease, glutton sensitivity, and other inflammatory digestive disorders, have low levels from B vitamins. Stress can also drastically lower B vitamins, leading to depression and anxiety. It is known that people who suffer from schizophrenia and bipolar disorder have low or imbalanced levels of B vitamins. Vitamin B6 is also known to work in combination with other B vitamins to boost serotonin levels in the brain, which is one of our body’s primary ‘feel good’ neurotransmitters.

3. Improves Hair and Skin Texture

Blackstrap molasses contains lactic acid, along with antioxidants, both of which are very helpful in healing and preventing acne, smoothing wrinkles and other skin conditions. Blackstrap molasses also helps promote wound healing like cuts, burns, and scrapes.

Blackstrap molasses also helps to get rid of frizzy hair, especially hair that is dyed, bleached or permed. This natural conditioner helps to cover gray naturally, but if you have really blonde hair, it may temporarily darken it slightly.

It’s not a great idea to put it straight on your hair but using it in combinations with other healthy ingredients will help to thicken and smooth out hair, bringing out its natural shine and body. Try this natural molasses hair mask from Wellness Mama:

• 1/4 cup plain whole-milk yogurt
• 2 tablespoons organic blackstrap molasses
• 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
• Optional: 2 drops Rosemary essential oil

Directions—Whisk together yogurt, molasses, and ACV. Add essential oil if using. (Tip: rosemary oil helps your hair grow and scalp stay healthier.) Massage into hair and scalp, cover with a shower cap or wrap in towel and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Shampoo out as normal.

4. Bone Health

Blackstrap molasses contains a combination of healthy bone ingredients calcium and magnesium, along with copper, iron, potassium and the trace mineral manganese. It also helps to heal bones faster, and fights osteoporosis.

Manganese plays an important role in bone cartilage and bone collagen formation and is required for bone mineralization. In one study, women with osteoporosis were found to have 25% lower manganese levels of the women who didn’t have osteoporosis. It only takes about two teaspoons a day to get about 20% of the manganese you need to help build stronger bones.

5. Blood Sugar

In spite of the fact that blackstrap molasses is classified as a type of sugar, it has a lower glycemic value than refined cane sugar. Because of this, is often preferred for those with diabetes or those who are trying to keep blood sugar levels low. Blackstrap molasses, unlike refined sugar, contains nutrients including chromium, which is known to increase glucose tolerance. Chromium also plays an important role in stabilizing blood sugar and insulin.

Chromium is an essential nutrient for normal carbohydrate and fat metabolism as well.

Blackstrap molasses also contains plenty of antioxidants which help the body fight diabetes, heart disease and even cancer.

How to Use Blackstrap Molasses

Blackstrap molasses is used as a natural sweetener and a refined sugar alternative, but keep in mind, it is still a form of sugar, and is only slightly lower on the glycemic index as sugar. Molasses has a different, rich, caramel flavor, which makes it great as an additive to your morning coffee, your oatmeal, or used for baking. It also makes a great marinade or base for a sauce.

It’s easy to find blackstrap molasses at your local market or health food store. When purchasing blackstrap molasses, look for products that are organic and unsulfured.

Molasses is generally added to sugar to create brown sugar, but you can make your own by adding a small amount to coconut sugar and mixing. This creates a slightly more nutritious brown sugar that still adds the right amount of flavor to your recipes.

Blackstrap molasses can be used in recipes that call for brown sugar, honey and maple syrup.

References
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/use-blackstrap-molasses/
https://draxe.com/blackstrap-molasses/
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/benefits-blackstrap-molasses
https://wellnessmama.com/62496/molasses-hair-mask/

The post Five Good Reasons to Use Blackstrap Molasses appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

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

Falling asleep in front of Netflix again instead of rolling in the hay? Perhaps you need a little boost. Add in a few of these foods to get things rocking and rolling right away, and you won’t care what’s on Netflix!

While some of these foods have aphrodisiac qualities, others are good for your heart and blood vessels, getting blood to those crucial body parts. All of these foods contain numerous healthy ingredients, helping you look and feel better. And when you look and feel better, you are more attractive!

Here is my list of the top ten foods to rev up your sex life…

Figs

Figs have long been considered as a fertility food and they enhance pheromones, those sexy chemicals we secrete to attract the opposite sex. Figs, especially when cut in half, have a very erotic look and shape, similar to parts of a woman’s anatomy.

Figs have been associated with sexuality in almost every culture. In ancient Greece, the arrival a new fig crop actually initiated sexual rituals. Figs are also full of sexy antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber, and potassium.

Celery

While celery may have a reputation for being a bland and boring vegetable, it is anything but boring.

Besides being full of fiber, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and manganese, each stalk of celery is full of pheromones. Pheromones are released when celery is chewed, the odor molecules travel up your throat to your nose and then the pheromones boost arousal. Once aroused, your body sends out more scents and signals, making you more desirable to the opposite sex. Plus, eating lots of celery is said to make certain bodily secretions taste better.

Parsnips

Parsnips also contain high concentrations of androstanol (the naturally occurring pheromone that stimulates desire in females). These long, phallic-looking light brown veggies taste a little like a sweeter, starchier carrot. They are delicious in purees and mashes.

Parsnips have the added advantage of containing boron, which has been shown to help the body metabolize and utilize estrogen well, and also enhance blood levels of testosterone—good for both men and women! These and other root vegetables are rich in folate, as well as vitamins A and C, and studies have found they boost blood flow to the brain and essential body parts.

Avocados

Avocados were referred as by the Aztecs as “testicles”, probably because of their suggestive shape. But avocados are an aphrodisiac beyond just their shape. They are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, making them great for healthy, soft, smooth skin, and hair.

And internally, they are good for your heart and blood vessels. Keeping blood flowing well is essential for a healthy sex life and healthy blood flow prevents things like erectile dysfunction. Avocados are also high in omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin B6, both of which help to get you in a great mood, all that much better reason to jump in the sack!

Watermelon

Watermelons are a sweet, luscious, juicy, sexy food. They are also full of vitamins A, B6, and C, as well as lycopene, antioxidants and minerals. Lycopene is also present in tomatoes and is a powerful cancer-fighter. And watermelon, another red-colored fruit, is full of this powerful phytonutrient! Watermelon has some of the highest levels of all fruits and veggies.

Watermelon rind (the white part that you usually don’t eat) is also full of a substance called citrulline. The citrulline in the watermelon is then converted into the amino acid arginine. Arginine is very useful to boost nitric oxide levels which help to open up blood vessels. This is also what Viagra does to treat or prevent erectile dysfunction. And, that folks, is a good thing!

Asparagus

Even the very shape of a big fat asparagus stalk is suggestive. Asparagus also contains a variety of nutrients that boost your sex life. Yes, back in the 17^th century even, Nicolas Culpepper wrote about asparagus saying, “…[it] stirs up lust in man and woman.” In the 1800’s in France, brides and bridegrooms were often served three courses of the sexy spears just prior to their nuptials to stimulate—well, you know. Oh, and by the way, the French word for asparagus is “asperge” which is slang for penis.

Asparagus also stimulates a natural body chemical called histamine. Now, most people think histamines are associated with allergic responses, and that is true, but they serve another purpose as well. Histamine actually improves erectile function and has a positive effect on both male and female hormones. Healthy histamine levels mean easier sexual orgasm, for both men and women. Please pass the asparagus!

Chocolate

We all know chocolate is for lovers, but do you know why? Dark chocolate contains something called phenylethylamine that releases endorphins—you know, those feel good brain chemicals. Endorphins are also triggered by exercise or sex, and they increase feelings of attraction between two people. So, eating chocolate around someone you find attractive—and sharing it, may create some sizzle!

Brain scans from a British study show eating chocolate causes a longer, more intense brain buzz than kissing. Well, I guess that depends on who you are kissing, right? Don’t forget to concentrate your love on dark chocolate that is full of antioxidants and healthy phenols, and don’t forget to share it with someone special!

Oysters and Red Meat

Ah, yes, you probably knew I was going to mention everyone’s favorite aphrodisiac, oysters. But what about red meat? Well, if you haven’t noticed, a nice fat red hunk of grass fed steak is pretty darn sexy if you ask me. But the reason both oysters and grass fed red meat are mentioned is because both are great sources of zinc, the mineral that curbs production of a hormone called prolactin, which at high levels can cause sexual dysfunction.

Zinc is also an important muscle-building nutrient, along with high concentrations of conjugated linoleic acids (CLA). Zinc increases levels of testosterone, an important hormone for desire and sexual performance for both men and women. Yes, women need testosterone too! For women, zinc nourishes the ovaries—the source of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, keeping them primed for bedroom action. Research also shows that for men, zinc improves sperm count and swimming ability as well as sexual potency in men. And of course, oysters and steak are full of tons of vitamins and minerals, including iron, which aids in energy and performance.

Honey

Yep, honey is definitely sexy, and it even looks sexy. That thick, sweet, gooey stuff promotes testosterone production in men and women—which we know is essential for desire. And, it also helps to metabolize estrogen in women.

Research shows us that honey can increase nitric oxide levels, opening up blood flow to all important areas! Honey has a long history of an aphrodisiac. This sweet sticky substance has been associated with bliss, romance, marriages, and honeymoons. Indian weddings, use honey as an offering to the groom as a symbol of sweetness in life. And Vikings used honey as a fertility booster, drinking mead (wine made from honey), as newlyweds.

Beets

Beets are considered a superfood and they are beneficial for all parts of the body! Beets not only look and taste sexy (try them dripping with grass fed butter and a squeeze of lemon), but they are full of vitamins and minerals to give you energy and endurance.

Beets are full of nitric oxide which increases blood flow to important body parts in both men and women, enhancing sexual activity, interest and performance. In fact, some studies have compared beets to Viagra, they are so effective. Regular consumption of beets actually opens up blood vessels and has been scientifically proven to be an athletic performance-enhancing food. And as you know, performance enhancement in the bedroom can garner you a first-place award! Enjoy.

There are many foods, herbs and spices that can enhance and improve one’s sex life. This is just a small sampling of some of the top foods that have a positive effect on sex for men and women. Just simply eating healthy foods including organic, colorful vegetables full of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, along with wild caught fish and seafood, naturally raised meats, and healthy fats like butter and coconut oil, all contribute to an energetic and enthusiastic interest in sex with your favorite person.

Speaking of sex…

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References
http://www.thehealthsite.com/sexual-health/eat-beetroot-for-better-erection-and-to-beat-erectile-dysfunction-d815/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3987372/
http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20307213,00.html#figs-1
https://www.menshealth.com/sex-women/a19547316/better-sex-foods/
https://www.eatthis.com/what-to-eat-to-taste-good/
https://www.thealternativedaily.com/eat-and-drink-these-9-things-to-increase-your-sex-drive/?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=N1804231.

The post The Top 10 Foods to Improve Your Sex Life & Boost Libido appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Today’s blog is republished from my friends at TheAlternativeDaily, and I wanted to share it on our blog here because it combines a few different amazing “tonics” you should add to your regular routine.  You don’t need to do all of them daily, but should definitely figure out how to add them to your regular routine…

By Liivi Hess, TheAlternativeDaily.com

As a nation, we’re fascinated with the concept of miraculous healing. Presumably, this miracle can come in the form of a pill, tea or a fantastically labeled elixir of health. Every day, millions of dollars are spent as people search for cures in the form of mystical pharmaceutical remedies that can banish all ailments and protect from disease.

Sadly, no one ever finds it. It seems that fancy packaging and slick marketing aren’t directly proportional to healing abilities. At best, these mass-produced, semi-synthetic, meticulously labeled products have but a minor placebo effect. At worst, they can actually make our health decrease, unbalance hormones and offset vital bodily functions.

It may come as a surprise to learn the mystical health tonic you’ve been searching for is much closer to home. As with many things in the health world, taking a step back and observing how our predecessors did things can be invaluable. The solution lies in simple, minimally processed, raw ingredients — ones that are selected for their natural health benefits, not as a small cog in a great machine comprised of many altered, unnatural ingredients.

Here are two three-ingredient concoctions that may just provide that miracle of health and healing you’ve been searching for.

Apple cider vinegar, honey and cinnamon super syrup

While very simple to make and with no rare or hard-to-find ingredients, this health tonic is wide-ranging in the benefits it bestows upon those who drink it. It can relieve constipation, reduce inflammation, support kidney function, promote heart health, prevent or fight urinary tract infections, protect against bacterial, fungal or viral attack and keep the common cold at bay. As you can see, it is a heavy-hitter in the realm of health care, helping to boost your immune system and support strong heart and organ function.

The key to success with this health tonic is to source only the highest quality ingredients. Now is not the time to worry about your wallet at the supermarket or health-food store. It’s absolutely a worthwhile health investment to buy high-caliber ingredients.

With this in mind, here are the qualifications for each ingredient:

• The apple cider vinegar must be raw and organic. Raw means it still contains the active cultures that support your gut biome and bolster your immune system. Organic means the apples from which it was made are not coated in pesticides, heavy metals and toxins, which would then pass into your system and offset all your hard work.
• The honey must be raw, preferably organic. Organic just implies the bees have not pollinated flowers or plants which are treated with pesticides, herbicides or other nasty applications. This ensures you get only the highest quality honey from known sources. Raw means that the honey has not been pasteurized, a process to increase its shelf life but can render it biologically inactive by killing off the active enzymes in the honey — the reason it’s such a potent ingredient.
• And of course, your cinnamon should also be organic. As with our other ingredients, buying non-organic cinnamon means you’re at greater risk of ingesting harmful toxins and heavy metals, which can negatively impact your health.

Combine two cups of the apple cider vinegar, one cup of honey and two teaspoons of cinnamon in a jar and stir/shake well. Store your super syrup in a cool dry area, keeping in mind that placing it in the fridge will cause the honey to harden and settle to the bottom. A couple of sips in the morning, and again at night are enough to ensure you enjoy all of the nurturing benefits of this tonic.

Warm water, lemon and apple cider vinegar health-aide

That’s right, we’re once again employing the health properties of our friend apple cider vinegar — it’s just that good! This time it’s a simple concoction you can make in seconds if you have the ingredients ready; all you need is some warm or room temperature filtered or mineral water, raw organic apple cider vinegar and half an organic lemon. Simple as that.

Drinking this each morning, as soon as you wake up and before you put anything else in your stomach, is an excellent way to start your day. It stimulates digestion, expels toxins from the liver and supports your digestive enzymes for a busy day ahead.

Once again, the ingredient requirements are strict: your water should preferably be spring water from glass bottles, but if this isn’t available then filtered water will do. This ensures the base for your tonic isn’t introducing new toxins into your body as you drink it — that would be a bit counterproductive. Next, as above, your apple cider vinegar should be raw, organic and unfiltered. When apple cider vinegar is filtered, the health-giving SCOBY or “mother” (an accumulation of beneficial bacteria and yeast that turns the apples into vinegar) is removed, and we definitely don’t want that.

Finally, the lemon should be organic, to ensure its skin isn’t riddled with nasty pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Fill a glass with warm water, squeeze in half a lemon, and pour in a rough teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Sip it slowly and let it work its magic!

These health tonics work best if you keep at it — make sure you drink them as directed for at least a week to begin experiencing the myriad of health benefits they offer.

—Liivi Hess

Liivi is an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and is training to become a doula. She inspires women to find peace and personal power by taking control of health and fertility naturally. Liivi‘s passion is ancestral nutrition and primal lifestyle design. She and her partner Will live between Toronto, Canada and Queenstown, New Zealand.

(Original article source here)

Some red wines are more powerful at fat-burning than others and help boost your metabolism. Take this short quiz to find out.

Quiz: Which Red Wine Boosts Metabolism?

Although hard alcohol like vodka, whisky, gin and tequila can increase belly fat…

Prominent scientists from Greece have found that one of the following red wines actually increases fat-burning when you drink it a certain way.

But which one? Is it…

Sources:
http://www.thealternativedaily.com/natural-health-benefits-of-cinnamon
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160504002053
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814605003262
http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf104912h

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