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Top 10 Antioxidants

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 04:43:00 +0000

If you're looking to supplement your diet with serious antioxidant power, here's a must-have list. Sometimes antioxidants are measured by their ORAC score. While it's something to consider, different anti-oxidants do different things. I'm also not saying forget the rest (like vitamin C or beta-carotene). Simply put, if your health goal is to reach optimum health, you'll want to add these to your regimen. Without further adieu, here's the list ...

1) Glutathione (GSH) - this is known as our body's master antioxidant. It can quench the worst of free radicals, detoxify, and help clear bacteria among other things. Many other antioxidants we take in combine with nutrients to form GSH inside our bodies (acting as pre-cursors). However, our bodies produce less glutathione as we age. To increase our levels of GSH, NAC is 1 of the best pre-cursors. GSH levels can also be increased through injections or homeopathic means.

2) Resveratrol - to understand the significance of this antioxidant, I'll explain something known as the French Paradox. The French have a deep connection with food. The dishes are savory, albeit full of saturated fat. As unhealthy as their diet is, why is it that the French are still able to live as long as they do? The answer lies in red grapes. When concentrated into wine or a supplement, you get something that is rich in resveratrol, polyphenols, and other nutrients. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, it is known to have a positive epigenetic effect on the SIRT-1 gene which increases longevity.

3) Astaxanthin - this is 1 of the most powerful antioxidants found in nature. It protects your brain and skin from the signs of aging (even reducing gray hair), improves eye health, and can also improve physical endurance. This is above and beyond its potent free radical scavenging abilities. Next to omega-3's, Astaxanthin has had the most noticeable effect on my personal health.

4) Vitamin D - those brainy researchers at Harvard have made a startling discovery. What they found is that people living above 37 degrees latitude are getting much less sun exposure - particularly in the winter time. And it's that fact which makes them more susceptible to winter colds, cancer, osteoporosis, and general malaise.The RDA is set at 400 IU's, but that is much too low for optimal health. You should be taking closer to 4,000 IU's and even more for seniors. The D3 form is the best form to take.

5) Omega-3 - it's considered an essential fatty acid and is highly touted for its effect on cardiovascular health, skin health, brain function, and reducing inflammation. Key scientific studies that exemplify its benefits looked at the health and diet of Norwegians during World War II. There was a marked reduction in coronary heart disease and corresponding mortality rates. EPA and DHA are the most beneficial compounds in omega-3's. Both can be found in seafood such as salmon, tuna, and sardines.

6) Green/White Tea - there is a long history for cultivation of tea leaves, but green and white tea stand out for their health benefits. They are really 1 and the same leaf, except white tea is made from younger leaves. It is also higher in antioxidants. The primary compounds in tea include EGCG and catechins. It produces a very long list of health benefits which include anti-cancer, increased immunity, mental alertness, increased metabolism, cardiovascular function, and more.

7) L-arginine - this amino acid is the subject of research that led to a Nobel Prize in 1998 and more recently brought to the forefront by Dr. Oz. L-arginine is a pre-cursor to nitric oxide - or NO. When combined with L-citrulline, another amino acid, it can exert a strong effect on the vascular and circulatory systems. NO also improves athletic performance and alleviates sexual dysfunction. Our body's production of NO declines with age, and maintaining healthy levels is key to longevity.

8) Melatonin - this hormone promotes sleep and does a lot to repair the body. In fact if you're not feeling well, you may find yourself naturally sleeping longer hours which increases recovery. Aside from antioxidant activity, Melatonin is known to fight cancer and reduce hypertension. It's a great reason to get 8 hours of sleep in. Unfortunately our melatonin levels fall with age. If you experience restlessness at night, you might consider supplementation. Melatonin is also found in small amounts in red wine.

9) Probiotics - it's been said that digestive health is 80% of your immunity. Reason being, our bodies fight many food-borne bacteria and carcinogens. For example, alcohol and unhealthy food are some things which disturb the balance of healthy bacteria in our digestive system. Probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria, improve immunity, and promote a regular bowel movement. While yogurt is a source of probiotics, you can find supplements that provide much better probiotic support.

10) Dark chocolate - yes, healthy CAN taste good! Chocolate is chock full of antioxidants and flavanoids. For health purposes, select the higher quality chocolate bars with minimum 60% cocoa content. It only takes a few bites to get the benefits. Eating a full bar probably diminishes the benefits due to sugar content.

Diabetes ... 1 out of 3 at risk!

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 17:50:00 +0000

Type 2 Diabetes is a disease that's becoming more of an epidemic. According to the American Diabetes Association, it's estimated that as of 2011 over 25 million of the U.S. population are diabetic. Another 79 million are in the prediabetes stage. Those numbers are staggering; that means 1 out of 3 of us will develop diabetes in our lifetime. True, we have power over these statistics. We can pass that piece of cake to our least favorite co-worker so they're the 3rd person who gets it. Let's see if they wizen up also.

Type 2 diabetes is not hereditary. If your parents have it, you may get it too if family meals involve an inherited recipe for chicken fried steak from grandma. To be clear, diabetes is a disease of lifestyle. You won't develop diabetes if you're exercising and eating right. Something such as staying in the sun too long is easier to grasp, because it has immediate consequences ... you will get a sunburn. But it's difficult for us to visualize how eating that cake or deep fried butter will take 2.7 days off your lifespan - adding up over time and leading to a shortened and debilitating life as a senior citizen. Speaking of deep fried butter, celebrity chef Paula Deen is in the news because that's her recipe. She has come out publicly to say she developed diabetes (and has been for several years now, but us knowing that would be bad for business). Most had to see that coming, but is nevertheless tragic and 100% avoidable. She was also quoted as saying she would not change how she cooks. Sure, it can be tough to summon the willpower to eat healthy most of the time. However I personally don't see a lot of appeal to eating her doughnut burger. Is it just me???

And if you already have diabetes, guess what - it's reversible! ... IF you can commit to a strict healthy lifestyle. My own retired mother was diagnosed with diabetes. That really was rock bottom for her. She was frustrated with her symptoms, and it had an effect on the whole family. But I worked with her to change a few basic things. She has seen many improvements including glucose levels in the healthy range. The plan was simple. Vegetables, not rice and potatoes. Baked fish, not bacon. Natural supplements, not prescription medications (under doctor's supervision). Daily aerobics, not bingo. You get the point. And yes, she still enjoys her life. There's a lot to experience out there, and it's about finding enjoyable foods and activities to replace those that are detrimental to your health. As much as possible try to stick to lean meats, healthy fats especially omega-3's, lots of veggies, some fruits, and limited grains. I prefer to get calcium from veggies, meats, and a small dose via supplementation. But if you must have dairy, keep it limited. Don't believe me? Burt Baskin (owner of Baskin-Robbins) was just as stubborn as Paula Deen with his ice cream. He died at the age of 54.

Being overweight, advanced age, and sedentary lifestyle are some of the things that increase your chances for developing diabetes. Be familiar with the risk factors, and see your doctor if you suspect you might be at risk. A simple blood test every few years can shed great insight on your health. If you hate needles, imagine being diabetic and having to check your blood daily for the rest of your life.

Look at every healthy meal, every workout, as a personal victory for you and your body. We already have that inner strength ... we put Hostess Twinkies out of business!

EMF Radiation in the Household

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 03:51:00 +0000

First, Happy New Year to all my Beyond Organic readers! Back in March of 2010, I published a blog about cell phone radiation. Figured I'd ring in the new year with a follow-up to that post ... except this time, with a review to include other common household items and armed with a gaussmeter - a specialized device that allows you to take actual measurements of EMF emissions. Some of this will surprise you. For purposes of this test, the "Danger Zone" is set at 3 milligauss or mG (where prolonged exposure can cause diseases such as leukemia) and "Exceeds Scale" is anything over 100 mG.

The tests performed validate others' findings with smart phones. While EMF was expected, it was somewhat surprising just how much EMF is produced by laptops. It gives credence to the recommendation not to rest it on your lap. Using a docking station will keep you a safe distance from the base unit. The old CRT TV's are believed to be high in radiation. As you can see below, LCD TV's are manageable. The results show it's also best to keep your distance from microwaves, blenders, electrical boxes, and ... believe it or not ... alarm clocks. I'll be the first to admit I like to slap the snooze button and doze off to sleep again. But it's worth setting it across the room.

Some other items that were not tested but can be expected to produce high EMF emissions include motorized equipment, electrical appliances, inside airplane cabins, near floorboard of cars, power lines, and electrical blankets. Some sources are seemingly unavoidable. But the more you can reduce your constant exposure, the better your health!

And without further adieu ...

- Smart phones
Not detected: <1 in
Danger Zone: on contact
Max: >5 mG on contact and in use; med to high spikes on establishing call

- Laptop computer
Not detected: 1 ft
Danger Zone: 2 in
Max: >100 mG on contact

- AC wall adapters
Not detected: 2 ft
Danger Zone: 1 ft
Max: >100 mG at 6 in

- 42" flat screen LCD TV
Not detected: 1 ft
Danger Zone: 3 in
Max: 8 mG on contact

- Microwave
Not detected: 1.5 ft
Danger Zone: 6 in (not in use)
Max: >100 mG at 2.5 ft

- Blender
Not detected: 5 ft
Danger Zone: 3 ft
Max: >100 mG at 2 ft

- Electrical box
Not detected: 9 ft
Danger Zone: 3.5 ft
Max: >100 mG at 1 ft

- Alarm clock
Not detected: 1 ft
Danger Zone: 9 in
Max: >100 mG at 3 in

Epigenetics

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 05:50:00 +0000

We as humans see patterns in our heredity; susceptibilities in our bodies; and expect that at a future time, we'll have to confront the ailments that we fear. We feel vulnerable and helpless to weaknesses in our genes. But what if you were told it's not quite that simple? What if you were empowered with the knowledge to alter your genes in a way that enables you to fight the onset of obesity, cancer, tumors, and other diseases?

Genetics is, of course, the study of genes. Epigenetics is a relatively new field of research. It's the science of gene expression, or things that influence the turning on and off genes. Think of it as a layer that sits on top of our genes. With its discovery, it became evident that there is more to our genetic blueprint than genes itself. What scientists have learned is that through exercise, environment, and certain foods, we actually have the ability to alter our gene expression. For example, eating specific foods can literally turn on the genes that fight cancer. Similarly, there are carcinogens which can have the opposite effect. Sugar and unhealthy fats have a negative influence on our genes. Interestingly, it is possible to pass on epigenetic traits to our children - a concept known as epigenetic inheritance.

Below is a list of some food sources that deliver positive epigenetic effects. Not surprisingly, most of them also appear in the Superfoods section of our website.
- Any foods rich in B vitamins
- Garlic
- High fiber foods
- Black/ green tea
- Broccoli
- Resveratrol (found in grapes, red wine)
- Blueberries
- Fisetin (found in strawberries)
- Curcumin (found in curry)
- Quercetin (found in apples, onions, tea, berries)
- Butyrate (found in butter)

The role of epigenetics is strong. There are limits to where it applies, but it can override our hard genes in profound ways. This is your ticket to fighting weight gain, prostate cancer, and breast cancer. Incorporate these foods into your everyday diet, as well as a good exercise routine. If you can do this while limiting the opposing effects of carcinogens and sugar, your body will thank you for it!

Cold & Flu: Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 06:10:00 +0000

Always in the pursuit of better immune boosters, I have emerged on the tail end of winter practically unscathed from the cold season. It might be luck, but there is strong science behind what is possibly my first cold-free winter. This post is meant to supplement my original posting on cold & flu.

The Flu
If you're weary of the flu vaccine like myself, natural remedies are the place to turn. A vaccine shouldn't give you the the same ill feeling as the malady it's meant to fight. However, too many people suffer from the vaccine (just my personal observation).

Elderberry extract remains on top for natural flu fighters. It won't prevent you from catching it, but it will speed up recovery.

There is also a homeopathic remedy gaining in popularity called Oscillococcinum. Adding this to the mix should get you over the flu in no time.

The Common Cold
For colds, I propose a long-term and short-term fix. What I'm getting at is vitamin D supplementation throughout the winter months, and oil of oregano at the first sign of a cold.

There have been many studies lately focusing on the crucial role of vitamin D. Supplementing with Vitamin D is good for building up your general immunity. The research shows that if you live north of the southern tip of the U.S., your skin is probably not producing enough D most of the year. Winter is particularly bad, because most people stay inside - causing a further drop in their body's vitamin D stores. The answer is supplementing with vitamin D3. I recommend working with a doctor to watch your levels of D, but the average person is probably safe to take 1,000 IUs/day. I personally take 2,000. Here's a great article by Harvard Medical School on the topic ... http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsweek/time-for-more-vitamin-d.htm

Oil of oregano has powerful antimicrobial properties. Take it as soon as you feel a cold coming on. In selecting an oil of oregano supplement, seek out a standardized tincture for maximum benefit.

I also get a little help from a product called "Bio Vegetarian" by Priority One. It's power-packed with cold fighting herbs. Taking 1 dose of this and 1 of Oil of oregano per day at the first sign of symptoms has knocked out any cold I had before it could take hold.

Wishing you all health in the new year!

Cell Phone Radiation

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:20:00 +0000

Wow, it's been a while. With all the mounting evidence that cell phone radiation is harmful to your health, I thought this would be a fine time to blog about it. The studies contain some alarming findings. Long-term exposure to cell phone radiation can cause anything from brain cancer to tumors, behavioral problems, migraines, and even vertigo.

From all I've read, it seems that children are most vulnerable to cell phone radiation. And if you've been using cell phones since they first came out, chances are the Motorola Brick has you glowing in the dark by now. Next at risk would be those who use internet-capable phones. Phones such as the Droid, iPhone, and Blackberry top the list. Phone radiation levels are measured by their SAR value. The FCC limit is 1.6 W/kg. One such study which compiles manufacturer reports to the FCC can be found on EWG's website at http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/newecellphonesin2010.

What about headsets? Are wired or Bluetooth headsets going to reduce your exposure? The answer is yes ... as long as you don't keep your phone on your person.

Here's how you can calculate your radiation exposure, using myself as an example. But first, a quick tutorial:
- iPhone supports UMTS/HSDPA (850, 1900, 2100 MHz) and GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
- For AT&T service in the US, assume GSM 1900 and UMTS 1900
- GPRS and EDGE = GSM = 2G
- UMTS = 3G

- Baseline SAR for iPhone 3GS: 1.19 W/kg
- Using EDGE instead of 3G: 0.79 W/kg
- With Bluetooth headset: 0.003 W/kg
- With wired headset + EDGE: 0.79 W/kg / 8 = 0.099 W/kg (divide phone to ear SAR by 8 for headset)

Bluetooth SAR values vary from source to source, but generally the figures say that it's the absolute best way to reduce your exposure to radiation. Those who prefer text messaging over talking on the phone are also better off.

There are also other sources of radiation to be aware of:
- Cordless home phones, particularly the DECT phones (0.055 W/kg)
- GPS
- Wireless computer accessories
- WiFi networks (0.81 W/kg, but usually exposed to lower levels unless you keep your laptop on your lap)
- Baby monitor (0.077 W/kg)

These days it's tough to get by without the wireless technology we've come to depend on. But unfortunately it's finally catching up with us, so protect yourself. Turn off or don't use those wireless devices except when you need it. And stay informed of the SAR values emitted by the devices you use.

If you'd like further information on this topic, here are 2 comprehensive studies. Perfect bedtime reading. ;)
- The Controversy about a Possible Relationship between Mobile Phone Use and Cancer (M. Kundi, 2009)
- http://www.ewg.org/cellphoneradiation/fullreport (EWG, 2009)

How to live to be 100

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 05:51:00 +0000

At the risk of sounding something short of prophetic, mankind has been searching for ways to extend our lifespan way beyond what our bodies are capable of. This endeavor goes at least as far back as ancient China when the alchemists of various emperors believed that drinking liquid mercury brought immortality. Boy, were they wrong ... not that anyone since then has made significant progress. Is the answer vitamin C? Noooo. Is it Botox? Certainly not. And so, the search continues.

There's a widely held belief that 120 years is the full lifespan of humans today. To give you a bit of trivia, the longest living person on record is Jeanne Calment who lived to be 122. Most of us don't even come close to that. The current average lifespan in the US is between 77 - 83, with women towards the top of the range. We die sooner due to disease, natural causes, etc. Numerous studies have been devoted to researching the characteristics of those at the top of the bell curve. Some of the studies are simplistic in nature. Imagine 30 scientists, running around in lab coats with pen and notepad in hand, asking centenarians, "Hey, you're really old! How do you do that?" While others have dug a little deeper to find groundbreaking evidence. There is supposedly a special gene present in longer living individuals. It was also found through large scale studies of twins separated at birth and exposed to different environments that genes influence 23% to 33% of a person's life expectancy. That means environmental conditions account for as much as 77% of our lifespan - and that's good news for the rest of us who don't come with a 90 year limited warranty.

So what are these controllable factors? What we DO know - is that eating healthy, exercise, low stress, and limiting exposure to toxins will help us live longer. Things like making sure we take in lots of antioxidants to eliminate free radicals. The French Paradox is a good example of that. How a person can eat that kind of fatty diet and live beyond 60 seems unbelievable. But not entirely, because the red wine they drink is chock-full of powerful antioxidants. The thing that seems to have the most impact on lifespan is what scientists refer to as caloric restriction. I know, doesn't that suck? Limiting your food intake to 700 - 1200 calories depending on body mass can increase your lifespan by as much as 7 years. But what is all this working to do? They help us to attain our genetically pre-programmed maximum lifespan of 120 years. Actually increasing our maximum lifespan is a whole nuther story. The field of cryogenics attempts to answer that, but the technology isn't quite there yet. Basically, you'd be paying lots of money to donate your body to science and become a human popsicle.

Where else has research of longevity taken us? Scientists are of course conducting studies on the ever-present lab rat. It's actually quite interesting to know that elephants live to be about 69 ... swans, 102 ... and the giant tortoise - 152. Or how about a parrot at 80? I sure can't imagine having a pet that outlives me. Although the big question is how does this help us? Is their secret in their eating habits? Is it in their genes or lifestyle? It's not very practical for us to eat bird seed for a lifetime just to find out. Surely I jest, but animal genes have been the subject of extensive research. Yet, it has offered us little insight into our own limitations on longevity. The inherent problem with animal models is, and will always remain, that they're not human. The correlations we can draw from their bodily chemistry only go so far.

Perhaps the most compelling research is that done by Quest Network. They have performed demographic studies to find regions (the so-called "Blue Zones") where people regularly live to be 100 and older. It may come as a surprise to some people that it's not necessarily those in first world countries or with high socioeconomic status that live longer than their parrot. There are 4 behaviors commonly found in Blue Zones: 1) a positive, healthy outlook, 2) moderate physical activity, 3) a healthy diet, and 4) a strong social circle. And the Blue Zone award goes to ...
- The inhabitants of mountain villages in Sardinia, Italy
- The people of Okinawa, Japan
- Seventh-day Adventists in Loma Linda, California
- The people of Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica receive honorable mention
So what are the characteristics of the top 3 cultures? Their lifestyles - and what they share in common - are best illustrated in the Ven Diagram below.

[ CLICK TO ENLARGE ]

NEAT: Answer the short quiz at http://www.bluezones.com/vitality-compass to find out your personalized life expectancy.

Now let's dive into the theories behind death. Some cite free radicals as the underlying cause. However, death by free radical is losing support in the scientific community. That theory was sooo 80's. Others support the theory of mitosis, in which there is a limited number of times our cells can divide. I thought about this 1. But if it was true, all of the regular blood donors would be dropping like flies at an early age. Other theories relate to wear & tear, cellular waste blocking pathways, and the pre-programmed DNA clock I alluded to earlier. And there are many other theories (visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aging if you want to read about more). Maybe they're all right to some degree. Although I think the reason there are so many theories is because none of them fully answer the big question.

As far as I'm concerned, death is caused by the failure of 1 of our organ systems which is brought about by the accumulation of multiple health conditions or a single more serious condition including those mentioned in the theories above. In addition there are medications, physical activities, and other things that may be good for 1 organ system and bad for another. And as we age, we end up in this balancing act of trying to improve 1 at the detriment of another. To me this is a little less abstract and allows me to incorporate it somehow into my own personal health goals. But until technology gets better, my best advice is to take care of your body, try to maintain a positive attitude through stressful moments and hardships, and do the things that make life worth living.

Preventative Medicine

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:52:00 +0000

Scenario: you haven't been to the doctor in years. Maybe you have a couple minor things bothering you, but nothing seemingly major. Or could those minor problems lead to more? You know you should probably be making a visit to see where your health stands. You want to identify any problems early before they get out of hand. But the big question is ... where do you start?

In the past, the health industry and people in general have taken a more reactive approach to health. The tide is turning, and a growing number of people are becoming more educated on health and nutrition. We are even doing our own research and self-medicating; growing our awareness of different types of therapies available to the public. Today more insurance companies are covering preventative medicine than ever before. This is of great value because when it comes to long-term illnesses, you have to catch them early. More people are also opting for alternative forms of medicine such as naturopathy, acupuncture, chiropractic, and other less invasive therapies in lieu of medicating with pharmaceutical drugs that often have harmful side effects and interactions.

In today's blog, I will share with you how I personally went from simply tolerating my own minor health conditions to feeling the vibrant health that I once did in my childhood years.

Supplements
Taking supplements can be beneficial, whether it's for a medical condition or being used as a dietary supplement. They typically have less side effects than pharmaceutical drugs. But if you do decide to go this route, it's very important to research the supplement you plan on taking. Understand its benefits and disadvantages; its efficacy; contraindications; recommended dosage based on your sex, age, weight. Brands are made of varying quality, so look at how it's manufactured if available. Consider the source of your research articles - are they written by a reputable source? Are the studies supporting its efficacy well-designed, or is there a marketing bias in the article? Understand that supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so you must accept this as a risk. However, it can also be very rewarding if you know what you're doing.

Periodic Checkups
Your primary care physician can tell you what sort of tests you should be undergoing given your age, sex, family medical history, and other factors. As a start, go to healthfinder.gov. Here you can find health screening checklists and vaccination schedules.

Blood Tests
Comprehensive blood tests are widely available and can be a quick indicator of problems related to cancer, diseases, inflammation, and more. When done through a wellness clinic instead of through a doctor, the results are even produced in a report that the average person can understand.

[EDIT: I've done general blood panels before, but I just recently did an allergy test to bring my health up yet another notch. The results of this test can be very enlightening for those that can't pinpoint the source of allergic reactions or sensitivities.]

Detoxification
Our bodies eliminate toxins through several means - through the kidneys (as urine), skin (as sweat), lungs (respiration) and bowels (as feces). But we should periodically help it along. This is done in part by not taking in new toxins. The other side to it is eliminating existing toxins in your body by following the detox programs below.

Detoxification Diet - consisting of a good diet, fiber, herbal supplements, probiotics, antioxidants, and enzymes. This type of detox will clear most toxins absorbed through the environment and the food we eat.

Heavy Metal Detox - either done intravenously or through oral chelation. Over time, heavy metals (lead, mercury, aluminum, etc.) build up in our cells and our brain. This can lead to a whole host of medical problems. Heavy metal chelation agents bind to heavy metals, allowing your body to flush them out.

Chemical Detox - Steam rooms (or saunas) are very effective at helping you sweat out chemical-based toxins such as pesticides or formaldehyde. Chemicals can get trapped in the fatty tissue of the body, making it difficult for your body to purge them through other means.

There are other types of detoxification, but these are the ones that I have gone through personally and found to be effective.

Personalized Medicine
And my favorite ... personalized medicine. Simply put, it involves the analysis of your DNA to determine your genetic tendencies. It gives your doctor an inside look to your personal health. It will reveal more clues about your family medical history, your genetic strengths and weaknesses, help to identify additional tests that should be administered, and will tell you how you can compensate for your weaknesses. Genova Diagnostics is an example of a company that works with doctors to offer affordable testing.

Of course, I couldn't undergo all these tests or treatments on my own. I work closely with a naturopathic doctor to provide the guidance I need and get the labs ordered. Some of these treatments are purely in the domain of naturopathy. A doctor of conventional medicine will often turn to pharmaceutical drugs for treatment, and there is arguably a smaller breadth of preventative tests and screenings available. I just think there's a right time and place for conventional medicine. However, it should always be considered as part of a holistic medicine approach. Leave no stone unturned; be proactive; and you too can achieve near perfect health.

Cold & Flu Busters!

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 05:35:00 +0000

It's about that time of year. Anyone living in a town big enough to be colonized by Walmart has a 99% chance of catching a cold. If you're a parent, multiply your risk factor by the number of children you have times the number of classmates they have at school. Just the other day on the news, they mapped the spread of this season's flu virus in the southwestern United States. It's safe to say cold and flu season is officially here.

Is it hopeless? Maybe not. We have the traditional options that may or may not ease our suffering. Here's why I'm not happy about these choices. Yes, flu shots are available. But it seems like half the people who get 1 fall sick to the vaccine. Their immunity isn't strong enough to handle even the weakened (or supposedly killed) flu virus in the vaccination. Antibiotics have never been the answer. From a technical perspective, the overwhelming majority of antibiotics are equipped to fight off bacteria – not viral illnesses like the flu.

Then we have over-the-counter cold remedies. Do not be mistaken. These products don't actually cure you. They only mask the symptoms by blocking your body’s natural response. For example, your body develops a fever to create an inhospitable environment for the virus. You should also note there have been some recent health warnings regarding any cold medicines that contain Acetaminophen. While this ingredient is marginally more effective at relieving symptoms when compared to other over-the-counter drugs, it is very toxic to the body and can even cause organ failure. It’s just not worth it. As the saying goes, there is no cure for the common cold.

However, there are some natural remedies that can fight off the cold and flu (or at least lessen the symptoms) more effectively than drugs and without the side effects. Honey is already known for its antioxidants, soothing an itchy throat, and antimicrobial activity. But there is a special kind called Manuka honey that is revered for having the highest level of immunity-boosting properties and is perfect for colds. There are whole scientific research units dedicated to the study of its health properties (the most referenced being Waikato University in New Zealand). This can be taken preventatively or at the time symptoms occur. Look for 1 with a minimum UMF rating of 10+. UMF 16+ to 18+ is ideal. Averaging $20 for a small bottle, it’s not exactly cheap. So far for me, it has lived up to its hype making it well worth the price. Its far more effective than zinc lozenges, vitamin C, or Echinacea as well. Note: do NOT feed honey to a baby less than 1 year of age. It can cause botulism.

For the flu, Elderberry extract is the best thing to take. This should be taken while symptoms are occurring. The flu will still run its course. Although you should notice a significant improvement in the way you feel. Learn to recognize the difference between cold and flu symptoms. Otherwise you may not see the recovery time you were hoping for. Common flu symptoms include:
• Severe fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches
• Chills
• Fatigue
• Coughing
• Congestion
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

Alternatively, you can take a short quiz on the Mayo Clinic website to assess your symptoms ... http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/flu-symptoms/FU00013.

Hopefully I got this post out to you just in time to beat the cold and flu.

UPDATE: I'm usually 1 of the first to get sick when cold season comes around. I no longer use cold medications because of the bad ingredients and how they work. And I've had no noticeable improvement with zinc lozenges, Airborne, or echinacea. This is my personal experiment to see if my new combination of cold fighters does the trick. From what I can tell, the manuka honey has helped me fight off 3 colds before they could go full-blown. The last 1 had stronger symptoms, so I took some additional steps to make sure I didn't fall ill. First, I began supplementing with Host Defense (made by New Chapter) which is a formula of medicinal mushrooms. There are quite a few recent studies that report the immune-enhancing abilities of mushrooms like Maitake, Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, and others. They are excellent for boosting your body's natural defenses (increased production of interleukins, NK cells, etc). This complements the manuka honey well, which prevents colds with its natural antimicrobial compounds. Second, I took a long, hot shower. Hot showers increase the core temperature of your body, simulating a fever in a way. Most bugs can only handle a small temperature range. The result? The cold didn't stand a chance. I think I figured out the magic formula to beating the cold! ;)

Memoirs of an organic man

noreply@blogger.com (Beyond Organic Admin) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 05:51:00 +0000

I'm the primary author of the Beyond Organic website, and welcome to our blog! I'm sure you're all wondering, is this guy for real? Was he always living this healthy? Let me start with the latter. There was a point in my life when I was the quintessential fast food junkie. Microwave chef of TV dinners. A "save the vegetables" advocate. And coming from Seattle, savant of strong Starbucks coffee. I still looked good based on outwards appearances, and I liked to joke it's from all the preservatives I've been eating. But I had a little problem that amounted to chronic fatigue. After 14 years of living an unhealthy lifestyle, I grudgingly woke up 1 morning and thought to myself ... "I wonder how I'd feel if I just took care of myself for once. Some of my 40-something acquaintances are racking up another health problem, another prescription drug. That's going to be me soon".

So I had this brilliant idea of doing some online research to figure out what the ultimate multi-vitamin would be. Found some other great supplements along the way too. And then I can keep eating what I want, right? But the more I researched, the more I realized that there's a problem with the processed foods I'm eating. I need to start eating better too. I began looking for all-natural food items (which initially was very hard to do, by the way, in a normal supermarket). Your choices are fruits, vegetables, and meat. Almost everything in the other isles is tainted with chemicals, additives, and preservatives. Should I not be surprised? Luckily I found stores that cater more to what I'm looking for. The bigger problem though is I'm no cook. I got to thinking ... my ex-girlfriend could cook. Why couldn't I appreciate that more about her? What have I done? Well, I was willing to give it the old college try. I just hoped that there were no food ingredients that can cause reactions like in chemistry class. Laugh if you want. Hot oil and water is 1 of them, as I learned very quickly.

My research began to take me on different tangents. What do you mean sewer sludge is used in conventionally grown vegetables? What? Plastic is bad for us? No! Not Viagra and pain killers in tap water! So all this led me to start eating organic, then filtering my water, and even switching out my personal care products. It was a quick, but gradual progression.

I'm sure your next question is, "And how did all these changes make you feel"? You know, when you're used to feeling like &#&%! all the time, you never realize you felt bad to begin with. But at the onset, seems like every 3 months some aspect of my health noticeably improved. And seeing each improvement was encouraging. It made me want to get more serious about it, learn more, and just revel in my new healthy feeling. Sure, I still treat myself on rare occasions. Not much you can do when travelling. But now I find that I don't even want fast food anymore. It turns my stomach. So here I am ... the new me. I started the website, because I'm excited about sharing what I know. And if you have some health tips - I want to hear about it. Share it with everyone here at the Beyond Organic Blogspot. Until next week, Ciao.