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

A wonderful, festive holiday salad, good any time of the year.

Everyone bashes kale these days, but it still contains a lot of super nutrients including magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. Also, vitamin A (important for eye health and a strong immune response), vitamin C—also good for immune system and collagen repair, and vitamin K for bones and teeth. Kale also contains lots of absorbable folate, key for mental health and nervous system, alpha linoleic acid (a type of omega 3 fat), and lutein and zeaxanthin, important to prevent macular degeneration and fight aging.

The squash is full of fiber, carotene, and vitamin C as well, and pomegranate is loaded with antiaging, cancer fighting nutrients as well.

I made up this salad for a holiday get-together and it was a big hit! I hope you love it too.

Note: All measurements are approximate.

Ingredients

• 1 Bunch of dinosaur kale or baby kale
• ½ cup or so of pomegranate seeds
• 1 small or half large butternut squash, cubed and baked
• Handful of sunflower seeds, pine nuts, almonds, or pumpkin seeds

Dressing

• 1 orange, squeezed
• ½ lemon or lime juice
• ¼ cup olive oil

Directions

1. Massage kale with a rolling pin. This makes it much more tender to chew. De-stem kale and chop in small bite-sized pieces.
2. Cube the squash and toss in a bowl with a drizzle of olive oil, a tsp or so of maple syrup, salt, pepper, and a tiny sprinkle of cayenne (optional). Bake in a 400F degree oven for 15 minutes or so until soft. May need to be stirred on baking sheet halfway. Remove from oven when tender and still slightly firm, and cool.
3. Add kale to salad bowl with pomegranate seeds, squash, and sunflower seeds. Mix up dressing, toss and serve. This salad works well if you want to make it ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 24 hours.

Wishing you good health and a soaring spirit.

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Diabetes affects over 100 million people living in the U.S. That’s a lot of drugs dispersed daily. So, when there’s a drug recall, it affects millions of people. Drug recalls occur when an over-the-counter or prescription medicine is taken off the market because it’s either defective or possibly harmful. Here’s the latest diabetes drug recall.

Diabetes meds containing carcinogens recalled

Recently, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Issued a national voluntary recall for one lot of the Type 2 diabetes medicine Riomet ER, (metformin). The drug was recalled after lab tests found it contained too much N-Nitrosodimethylamine, more commonly known as NDMA. The contaminant NDMA is a yellow liquid, once used to make rocket fuel. It has no distinct odor but is a known carcinogen, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Here’s what you need to look for:

– Drug: RIOMET ER™
– Lot number: AB06381
– Expiration date: 10/2021

If you’re taking Riomet ER, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) advises you to continue taking your medication. However, contact your doctor for advice regarding another treatment. It’s dangerous to stop taking your medicine without first talking to your health care professional.

Is there another, more natural way to treat diabetes?

Recalls can be scary, especially when you rely heavily on the recalled drug to treat your condition. Several factors can cause drugs to be recalled by the manufacturer, suggests the FDA: Health hazard, incorrect packaging or labeling, and drug contamination. With this in mind, you may want to take a more natural approach to complement your diabetes treatment. However, herbs, supplements, and medicine can be a bad mix if not done correctly, causing blood sugar to drop. Therefore, any changes to your diet and medicine should always be discussed with your health care practitioner in advance.

Diabetes is a “perfect storm”

According to the CDC, over 34 million people of all ages in the U.S. have Type 2 diabetes. Plus, one in three American adults have prediabetes — that’s 88 million people! What’s more, over seven million adults aged 18 years, who were tested for diabetes via lab testing, did not even know they had diabetes. The truth is, diabetes is typically the result of a “perfect storm,” which encompasses poor diet and lifestyle choices mixed with hereditary genes. The following all play a role in the disease, including:

– Eating the wrong foods
– Not exercising
– Being emotionally stressed
– Not getting proper sleep
– Too many toxins
– Hereditary genes

Below are a number of all-natural, self-care remedies that could help improve your diabetes.

Take apple cider vinegar

Several small studies suggest that taking apple cider vinegar could improve blood sugar levels. One study from the American Diabetes Association found that ingesting two tablespoons of ACV before bed can reduce your morning fasting sugar levels. Another study suggests that taking one to two tablespoons of ACV with meals may decrease the glycemic load of a carbohydrate-rich meal.

Exercise regularly and lose that belly fat

Being overweight is the biggest risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Experts agree, regular exercise not only helps you lose weight but also increases insulin sensitivity. Belly fat is particularly risky since the fat that surrounds the abdominal organs and the liver is linked to insulin resistance. You are high risk if you are a woman whose waist measures 35 inches or more or a man whose waist measures 40 inches or more.

Supplement with chromium

Since the 1950s, it’s been suggested that chromium contains a glucose tolerance factor that helps prevent diabetes. Mostly found in brewer’s yeast, research reports that chromium may lower blood sugar levels. Some trials have found that supplementing with chromium increases muscle gain and accelerates fat loss during exercise. It’s also thought to improve serum lipid profile and glucose metabolism in patients with or without diabetes. However, Stamford Health warns to be careful taking this supplement if you have kidney disease.

Add a little cinnamon to your coffee

Some controlled studies suggest that cinnamon may reduce fasting blood sugar. However, while some studies report significant drops in hemoglobin A1c, others show no effect. Nevertheless, sprinkling a little cinnamon each day on your breakfast cereal or in your coffee is a safe, non-toxic way to help lower your blood sugar potentially.

Lower your carbs

Studies show that a low-carb diet often helps prevent blood sugar spikes while reducing blood sugar levels. However, when replacing carbs with protein, make healthy protein choices. Stay away from saturated fats.

Snack on pumpkin seeds

Pumpkin seeds are high in magnesium, which is thought to be the reason why it has positive effects on diabetes. A study that looked at over 127,000 people found that magnesium-rich diets were linked with a 33 percent lower risk of type 2 diabetes in men and a 34 percent lower risk in women.

If you have diabetes, you have nearly double the chance of developing heart disease. You also have a higher chance of developing mental health issues, such as depression. However, type 2 diabetes is preventable in most cases. And in some people, it can even be reversed. Be proactive in your health. Talk to your doctor, change your diet, and start moving.

(The original article source is here)

Speaking of diabetes…If you think that Type 2 Diabetes is irreversible like many misinformed doctors will tell you, then you need to read some of the proof below on how to naturally reverse Type 2 Diabetes…

Although eating “paleo” or even low-carb is a good first step, you’ll also see below other techniques on just how simple it can be to “fix” your diabetes, control your blood sugars, and lose all of that excess fat sitting on your stomach.

> 1 Simple trick to REVERSE your Diabetes, naturally (while getting off drugs ASAP)

The post Diabetes Drug Recalled: Contains Cancer-Causing Ingredients appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

Benefits of pumpkin seeds includes blood pressure, urinary health, immunity, Testosterone, and lots more…

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

One of my favorite salty, crunchy, nutty snacks is pumpkin seeds. I especially love these because they are great if you happen to have a peanut or nut allergy. Pumpkin seeds are also powerhouse snacks full of amazing nutrition that you cannot get elsewhere. They contain great stuff like magnesium, zinc, copper, protein, trytophan, and more. They also contain some very healthy fats and antioxidants, so they fill you up with low-glycemic protein, fiber, and add a powerful nutritional punch as well. And, well this is a great time of year to get some freshly made pumpkin seeds—my favorite!

Rich in Magnesium:

Magnesium is vital to about 300 or more of your body functions, and most of us are short on this incredible nutrient. Magnesium helps to create ATP, which are the energy molecules in your body, it helps to make RNA and DNA, the heart of each of your cells, regulates your heart beat, helps you sleep and relax, creates healthy bones, lowers your blood pressure and keeps you regular. Since about 80% of the population is in need of more magnesium and if you are an athlete, drink alcohol, take blood pressure medicine, need help maintaining your blood sugar, you need even more.

Great Source of Tryptophan:

Tryptophan is a substance in foods that is the raw material for our bodies to make serotonin, the the ‘feel good’ brain neurotransmitter. Serotonin not only helps with depression but it also alleviates anxiety. In fact, most anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs work to preserve serotonin as it is vital to feelings of well-being. Studies have been shown that foods containing tryptophan are definitely helpful in banishing anxiety and depression.

Tryptophan also helps to promote healthy sleep. Melatonin combined with serotonin help to create a restful, relaxing sleep and tryptophan provides the raw materials for both of these desired brain neurotransmitters. Try a handful or two of pumpkin seeds combined with some cherries for a bedtime snack, and you will sleep like a baby and wake rested!

Zinc, Immunity, Testosterone, etc:

Pumpkin seeds also contain a hefty supply of zinc, which not only beefs up your immune system and helps you fight off colds and flu, but also serves as an important nutrient for brain and mood.

Zinc also helps with healthy cell growth and division and faster healing of wounds. Diabetics and overweight individuals should also take note as it helps to regulate blood sugar, and appetite.

And last but not least, zinc is vital to males for healthy sperm and testosterone supply. Pumpkin seeds have been associated with virility for many many years and zinc is also beneficial for prostate health and helps prevent BPH, or enlarged prostate issues.

Men with BPH often suffer from urinary frequency as it is often difficult to empty the bladder with an enlarged prostate. A diet high in pumpkin seeds or pumpkin seed oil can offer dramatic relief from the urinary issues associated with BPH. Studies show a 40% increase in urinary flow and a 30% reduction in urinary frequency compared to a placebo.

Zinc deficiencies are common from crops that are grown in nutrient-depleted soil, vegetarian diets—especially those who eat a lot of soy foods, and those who eat highly processed starchy foods like grains and beans.

Nuts and seeds are often one of the best ways to get plant-based omega 3 fatty acids in the form of ALA. Many vegetarians and vegans depend on this method for omega 3 fats, however it does take quite a lot of alpha-linolenic acid to convert to the usable EPA and DHA that we need, so it is advisable to get some omega 3 fats from animals or fish.

Pumpkin seed oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory effects that increase HDL (good cholesterol), lower the bad LDL and overall cholesterol, fight heart disease, and decrease blood pressure, as well as helping arthritis.

Pumpkin seeds offer a tasty and powerful addition to your diet, and you don’t have to wait until Halloween to eat them. But they are best and at their most nutritious eaten raw. Pumpkin seeds should be eaten organic if possible. The nutrients are the most available if they are sprouted or soaked which helps to remove the natural phytic acid in them that can block nutrient absorption.  If you try to dry your own, it’s a good amount of work to take the shells off of them, so we choose to purchase pre-shelled raw pumpkin seeds such as these at ThriveMarket.

Try throwing a handful of pumpkin seeds into your next smoothie, or adding them to a salad, in your oatmeal or yogurt. They are also great in soups, stews and even meatloaf or cookies.

Here’s another interesting article on pumpkin seeds:

Prevent diabetes and 10 more reasons to eat pumpkin seeds

References:

Mercola, J. (September 2013). 9 health benefits of pumpkin seeds. Retrieved from
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/09/30/pumpkin-seed-benefits.aspx

Protein-source tryptophan as an efficacious treatment for social anxiety disorder: a pilot study Craig Hudson,^ab Susan Hudson,^b Joan MacKenzie^c  October 2007

Dr Sighi Drassinower, “Pumpkin Seed Oil, a remedy for BPH”, www.drsighi.com/php/showatricles.php?nid=21&type=, 30-Nov-2008

Klippel KF, Hiltl DM, Schipp B, “A multicentric, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial of beta-sitosterol (phytosterol) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. German BPH-Phyto Study group.”,  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9313662?dopt=Abstract , 1997 Sep, PMID: 9313662 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE], Department of Urology, Allgemeines Krankenhaus Celle, Academic Hospital, Germany

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