We Love Spinach!

"I'm strong to the finish

'Cause I eats me spinach.

I'm Popeye the Sailor Man."

-- Popeye the Sailor Man

Spinach is one of our best sources of nutrition. It can be grown as a back yard crop or bought from your local market at affordable prices. It is a source of vitamin A, B6, C, folate, niacin, and traces of many other nutrients including thiamine and riboflavin. Spinach is rich in beta carotene, lutein and xanthene and chlorophyllin. It's also low in fat.

Spinach offers a wide range of benefits to most of our physiological processes, whether taken raw or cooked, such as:

• Good Eyesight: Spinach is a rich source of beta carotene, lutein and xanthene, all of which are beneficial for eyesight. Beta carotene is supplied to the eyes by cooked spinach. It can prevent vitamin A deficiency disease, itching eyes, eye ulcers and dry eyes.

• Age-related Macula Degeneration (AMD): AMD or Retinitis pigmentosa is responsible for causing blindness. It is due to the degeneration of lutein and xanthene which form central part of the retina. According to research conducted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, consumption of spinach can result in regaining of the two pigments and preventing AMD effectively.

• Blood Pressure: Spinach has high content of potassium and low content of sodium. This composition of minerals is highly beneficial for high blood pressure patients, as potassium lowers and sodium raises the blood pressure. Folate contributes in reducing hypertension and relaxes blood vessels, maintaining proper blood flow.

• Strengthens Muscles: A component of spinach, factor C0-Q10 which is an anti-oxidant, plays important role in strengthening muscles especially heart muscle which continuously pumps blood to all parts of the body. As per the Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, C0-Q10 can be used to prevent and treat many cardiovascular diseases like hyperlipidemia, heart failure, hypertension and coronary heart diseases.

• Cataract: Lutein and zeaxanthin present in spinach act as strong antioxidants thus preventing the eyes from harsh effects of UV rays that lead to cataract.

• Atherosclerosis and Heart Attack: Atherosclerosis is caused due to hardening of arteries. A pigment named lutein found in spinach has been shown to reduce the occurrence atherosclerosis, heart attack as well as stroke. This is due to the fact that spinach proteins tend to reduce the cholesterol and other fat deposits in the blood vessels.

• Neurological Benefits: Several components of spinach like potassium, folate, and various antioxidants are known to provide neurological benefits. According to Neurology, folate which reduces due to occurrence of Alzheimer's disease can be revived by spinach.

• Bone Mineralization: Spinach is a good source of Vitamin K, which functions in retaining calcium in the bone matrix thereby leading to bone mineralization. Minerals such as manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus also help in building strong bones. This in turn can aid in the prevention of osteoporosis of bones.

• Anti-Ulcerative: It has been found that spinach and some other vegetables have the ability to protect the mucous membrane of stomach thereby decreasing the occurrence of gastric ulcers.

• Anti-Cancerous Property: Spinach made up of various important constituents has been found to be promising in fighting various types of cancer, such as bladder, prostate, liver and lung cancer. Different constituents in spinach like folate, tocopherol, and chlorophyllin act via different mechanisms to treat and protect patients suffering from cancer.

• Skin Protection: Different phytonutrients and pigments have been shown to protect the skin from harmful rays of sun including the UV rays. These not only protect, but also repair the damaged genes to some extent, thereby preventing skin cancer in the long run.

• Fetus Development: Folate found in spinach is needed by the growing fetus for proper development of new nervous system. Defects like cleft palate or spina bifida may occur due to deficiency of folate. Vitamin A offered by spinach is advised to be consumed in more quantities by the mother. Vitamin A is required in lung development of fetus as well as during breast feeding.

Protein Rich for Infant’s Proper Growth: Popeye the Sailor Man is known for his obsession for spinach. The cartoon was deliberately shown to eat spinach and get strong. Infants are advised to be fed with spinach which is a rich in protein, vitamins minerals and phytonutrients. These will result in proportionate development in their growing stages.

Raw or cooked, spinach is versatile. Use it as a salad base, toss some in a Vitamix for a smoothie base, add it to an egg scramble, and make it the last thing you add to a batch of soup. Breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can count on spinach as a source of vital nutrition. Remember, spinach "shrinks" as you cook it, so be generous in your portion. When cooking, we suggest steaming or "wilting" by cooking in low temperatures.

As always, we suggest organically grown produce to reduce your body's toxic burden.

OC

Just Say NO to CaNOla Oil

It's in the name.....ca-NO-la.

It's true that canola oil (also known as 'rapeseed') is high (55-65%) in monounsaturates, and between 28-35% polyunsaturated fat, with only a low percentage of saturated fat. But there are more problems with canola than there are health benefits.

Like corn and soy, canola is highly processed and refined, is largely GE and GMO (genetically engineered/genetically modified organism which contains toxins and have no nutritional value), and is highly unstable under pressure, heat and light, which increases free radicals (unstable molecules) in your body. These unstable molecules set off inflammatory responses in the body which can lead to weight gain, heart disease, and other degenerative diseases.

Canola is refined using high heat, pressure and highly toxic petroleum solvents (hexane), and goes through a process of refining, degumming, bleaching and deodorization -- all using high heat and chemicals. High heat and high pressure forces some of the omega-3's in canola oil to turn to trans fats. So you see, canola isn't any better than corn or soybean oils, which are also highly processed and largely GE and GMO.

By comparison, olive and other oils are cold-pressed without the use of heat and solvents during extraction. Use for lower temperature cooking, but olive oil is best used on salads.

Virgin coconut oil is stable enough for high heat, is a great source of good saturated fats and supports immune function.

So now that you have better choices, just say NO to caNOla!

OC

Beat Sugar Addiction! Which Type Are You?

The average American consumes approximately 150 pounds of sugar per year -- the weight of a whole person! Back in the day, sugar used to be pretty much limited to our desserts. We all know that food manufacturers have continued to add considerable sugars to processed foods over recent years, forcing pre-packaged food-lovers to consume more sugar 'round the clock. Not only does this add to our empty calorie count, but it also lends to the escalating and alarming number of obesity, heart disease, chronic pain and diabetes cases.

Dr Jacob Teitelbaum discusses four "sugar addict" types in this 2:41 minute video. According to Dr Teitelbaum, I was a Type 2 sugar addict --- and he's right --- as a teenager and into my 30's, I'd get the hungry horrors, behaving like the Tasmanian Devil until I ate something -- anything -- which was usually an unsatisfying, low quality nutritional choice -- cookies, bagel -- whatever was the quickest fix. I'd get too busy with my day, then wait too long, and crash -- hard. Sound familiar? My adrenals were shot 10+ years ago, living a 'go-go-go-non-stop-never-drop' lifestyle -- which eventually catches up with all of us at some point -- many times after we have caused further damage and prematurely age the body. I have since learned to get my adrenals in order and no one calls me "Taz" anymore!

Check it out and see which "sugar addict" type you are at:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/10/09/beat-your-sugar-addiction-now.aspx

OC

10 Ways Sugar Harms Your Health

Food needn’t even taste all that sweet for it to be loaded with sugar. When it comes to convenience and packaged foods, let the ingredients label be your guide, and be aware that just because something boasts that it is low in carbs or a ‘diet’ food, doesn’t mean it’s free of sugar. How could something so sweet leave such a bitter mark on your health? 

1. Sugar causes blood glucose to spike and plummet.

Unstable blood sugar often leads to mood swings, fatigue, headaches and cravings for more sugar. Cravings set the stage for a cycle of addiction, in which every new hit of sugar makes you feel better temporarily, but a few hours later, results in more cravings and hunger. On the flip side, those who avoid sugar often report having little or no cravings for sugary things and feeling emotionally balanced and energized.

2. Sugar increases the risk of obesity, diabetes and heart disease. 

Large-scale studies have shown that the more high-glycemic foods (those that quickly affect blood sugar), including foods containing sugar, a person consumes, the higher his risk for becoming obese and for developing diabetes and heart disease. Emerging research is also suggesting connections between high-glycemic diets and many different forms of cancer.

3. Sugar interferes with immune function.

Research on human subjects is scant, but animal studies have shown that sugar suppresses immune response. More research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms. However, we do know that bacteria and yeast feed on sugar, and when these organisms get out of balance in the body, infections and illness are more likely.

4. A high-sugar diet often results in chromium deficiency.

It’s sort of a catch-22. If you consume a lot of sugar and other refined carbohydrates, you probably don’t get enough of the trace mineral chromium, and one of chromium’s main functions is to help regulate blood sugar. Scientists estimate that 90 percent of Americans don’t get enough chromium. Chromium is found in a variety of animal foods, seafood and plant foods. Refining starches and other carbohydrates rob these foods of their chromium supplies.

5. Sugar accelerates aging.

It even contributes to that telltale sign of aging: sagging skin. Some of the sugar you consume, after hitting your bloodstream, ends up attaching itself to proteins, in a process called glycation. These new molecular structures contribute to the loss of elasticity found in aging body tissues, from your skin to your organs and arteries. The more sugar circulating in your blood, the faster this damage takes hold.

6. Sugar causes tooth decay.

With all the other life-threatening effects of sugar, we sometimes forget the most basic damage it does. When it sits on your teeth, it creates decay more efficiently than any other food substance. For a strong visual reminder, next time the Tooth Fairy visits, try the old tooth-in-a-glass-of-Coke experiment -- the results will surely convince you that sugar isn’t good for your pearly whites.

7. Sugar can cause gum disease, which can lead to heart disease.

Increasing evidence shows that chronic infections, such as those that result from periodontal problems, play a role in the development of coronary artery disease. The most popular theory is that the connection is related to widespread effects from the body’s inflammatory response to infection.

8. Sugar affects behavior and cognition in children.

Though it has been confirmed by millions of parents, most researchers have not been able to show the effect of sugar on children’s behavior. A possible problem with the research is that most of it compared the effects of a sugar-sweetened drink to one containing an artificial sweetener. It may be that kids react to both real sugar and sugar substitutes, therefore showing no differences in behavior.

What about kids’ ability to learn? Between 1979 and 1983, 803 New York City public schools reduced the amount of sucrose (table sugar) and eliminated artificial colors, flavors and two preservatives from school lunches and breakfasts. The diet policy changes were followed by a 15.7 percent increase in a national academic ranking (previously, the greatest improvement ever seen had been 1.7 percent).

9. Sugar increases stress.

When we’re under stress, our stress hormone levels rise. These chemicals are the body’s fight-or-flight emergency crew, sent out to prepare the body for an attack or an escape. These chemicals are also called into action when blood sugar is low. For example, after a blood-sugar spike (say, from eating a piece of birthday cake), there’s a compensatory dive, which causes the body to release stress hormones such as adrenaline, epinephrine and cortisol. One of the main things these hormones do is raise blood sugar, providing the body with a quick energy boost. The problem is, these helpful hormones can make us feel anxious, irritable and shaky.

10. Sugar takes the place of important nutrients.

According to USDA data, people who consume the most sugar have the lowest intakes of essential nutrients -- especially vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B-12, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and iron. Ironically, those who consume the most sugar are children and teenagers, the individuals who need these nutrients most.

LNH

                                                                          

Health Care vs. Sick Care: Prevention and Integrative Health Care

I have been a proponent of integrative health care since I began studying Natural Health. We all want the best care when we're sick, so it just makes sense to have people with many levels and courses of training available to take care of us. Why limit oneself when health, well being and quality of life is at stake. It's sensible to keep ALL options open.

The truth is that we don't need to choose between allopathy and naturopathy, as the integration of the two is best for most of us. After all, we (usually) don't need to have our lives saved every day (allopathy), but we do need to learn to take care of ourselves through means of disease prevention as well as to live and be well on a daily basis (naturopathy). With escalating health care costs, it makes sense for all of us to become educated in Self-Care. The current state of health care in the US is indicative of my point.

Dr Dean Ornish recently testified at a senate hearing that $2 Trillion was spent on medical care last year. From that, 95 cents of every dollar went into treating disease after it already occurred. 

75-80% of all health care costs is being spent on 4 diseases:

- diabetes

- breast and prostate cancer

- obesity

- heart disease

THESE DISEASES ARE COMPLETELY PREVENTABLE!

When we are educated to live well balanced lives, health care costs will lower and people become able to better care for themselves. I am not anti-pharm, but pharmaceuticals are not the answer in all cases. Medical professionals are trained to use pharmaceuticals as the 'fix'. Although they can be helpful in treating disease and saving lives, drugs aren't the answer for all health issues.  Nor are drugs without a laundry list of negative side effects.  One of our nation's top MD's admitted, "When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail".

As a point of clarification, the US does not have a Health Care system, we have a 'Disease Management' program. This thinking needs to shift to become that of Prevention and Health Care vs. Sick Care. Integrative health care and public education to assist with self care (prevention) are two helpful steps to achieve an improved health care and an improved economic climate in the US.

I never thought of myself as an activist, but I do have compassion for our people, and concern for the future of our country and the world -- and I'm not alone in this boat. My generation grew up in a time of 'plenty'.  In 2009, many of our natural resources are rapidly depleting. It's time for each of us to give back in our own way before there's nothing left to pass to our children.  

My contribution to this end is Health Education.

What will you commit to giving back?

ocnaturaldoc