Why you may be suffering from digestive issues

 Fiber - Digestive Health

You might be confused why something with zero nutritional value provides so much benefit. Yes, I'm talking about fiber. Fiber is what makes up the bulk of the food you eat. It helps in many ways with the digestive system and without it you will surely see some serious health conditions.

In this page I want to make you aware of the benefits fiber has to you and your body and why you should make sure you get enough everyday.

Fiber is a carbohydrate that can't be broken down by enzymes in the digestive system. There are two different types of fiber, soluble (able to be dissolved in water) and insoluble.

Soluble Fiber absorbs water and becomes a kind of gel that helps lower blood cholesterol and glucose. Good sources of insoluble fiber: Apples, citrus fruits, oats, carrots, beans, peas, barley and psyllium seed. 

Insoluble Fiber adds bulk to your intestines and helps move foods and toxins through the intestines. A lack of Insoluble fiber can lead to constipation, hemorrhoids and toxin build up. Good sources of insoluble fiber: whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans and vegetables, green beans and potatoes.

Fiber helps fill you up faster so you don't eat too many calories. This is very helpful if you're trying to lose weight. Fiber slows the absorption of sugar in the blood stream to keep from raising your blood sugar too fast.

The digestive system is the root to a healthy life but can also lead to many serious health conditions if not properly taken care of. Making sure you get enough fiber in your diet is one of key elements to a healthy digestive system.

Click here for Herb-Science herbal formula high in fiber.

Why some fat is harder to lose

The Digestive System.

The body is designed to rid itself of toxins and does a pretty good job at keeping them at bay as long as you don't constantly over load it with them. Avoiding toxins all together is impossible since they are everywhere, but there are a few thing you can do to help yourself and prevent harmful damage.

Unfortunately, most of us, 74%, are dealing with health problems from having too many toxins in our body. Eating and drinking unhealthy foods and drinks keep us in a constant battle within. Like I said earlier, "your body is able to handle toxins", but when you overload it with a poor diet and a lack of exercise, your body is forced to store them in fat cells to keep you alive. Although it's still not healthy to have these toxins stored, the alternative would be much worse.

What does this toxic overload look like for you? The list of health issues goes on and on. Every cell in your body can be effected by toxins. Lets take a quick tour through the digestive system: Your digestive system breaks down what you consume and converts it into usable energy. If the energy created in this processed isn't used within the day, it's stored into fat cells to be used later. If you continue this process every day, the stock pile of fat cells grows. This is a survival mechanism designed for times that food wasn't so plentiful.

Even though fat cells are mainly energy stored for a later time, they also have other uses as well. For instance, if you eat food that has an unrecognizable molecule (toxins), the body will create a fat cell to put it in so it doesn't cause any harm to other cells. If you've ever had a really hard time losing fat in certain areas of the body, it's because the fat is full of toxins and your body is trying to keep them from escaping and causing damage. These fat cells aren't like other fat cells and are a lot harder to get rid of. This is also a reason why people still gain weight from eating fat free foods or drinking diet soda. If you are consuming toxins faster than your body can safely expel them, fat cells will be created and they will be stored.

Another very common problem caused from unhealthy eating, is backed up fecal matter. Studies show that the average person has 5 to 20lbs of it stuck to their intestinal walls. This causes all sorts of digestive issues as well and can make it harder for your body to rid itself of toxins.

I recommend a routine detox every six months if you don't have a stellar diet. Too many foods are full of chemicals that are harmful to you and will overtime, even if you're storing the toxins, will cause health problems. The Herb-Science Intestinal Tune Up is formulated to break lose and expel the backed up fecal matter and toxins from the intestines. If you are suffering from digestive problems, this should be your first step. Click here to learn more about intestinal tune up. The majority of toxins are removed from your body through the bowels, if they're blocked, you will have a hard time getting rid of toxins in other areas.

What's causing your headache?

Headaches are the worst. It doesn't matter what you're doing, if you have a headache, you are going to be miserable.

Many things can cause headaches but if you suffer from them on the regular, it might be something a little more serious.

Dehydration is one of the main reasons people get headaches. The brain is about 73% water and floats in it. If you're dehydrated, the brain will rest on the bone inside your head causing a headache. You should be drinking 6 to 8 - 8oz glasses of water everyday and getting enough electrolytes from fruits and vegetables, not sports drinks.

Caffeine is wonderful if you need a quick pick me up but if you're consuming it daily, you may get headaches from the withdraw of it. Studies show that caffeine is actually good in low doses but just like everything else, in moderation. A healthy diet, exercise and staying hydrated will increase your energy naturally so you don't have to use as much caffeine.

Toxins are molecules that harm the body and too much of them can cause all sorts of health problems, headaches being one of them. Processed sugar and artificial sweeteners are the two most common toxins consumed by humans. Your body's main source of sugar should be from natural sources such as fruits and vegetables. Toxins come in all sorts of forms, the air we breath, the fluids we drink and the foods we eat all have them. If you are unable to get rid of them faster than they're coming in, your body will store them in cells throughout the body. I like to do a detox every six months to make sure I'm avoiding cell damage and deficiencies caused from them.

Deficiencies are the catalyst to most health problems. Your body requires certain nutrients every day to stay healthy and operating. If you fall short, the body tries to make them up from other areas of the body. If you go long periods without these nutrients, your body runs out of the material used to make them up and you become deficient and start suffering from it. A Vitamin B2 deficiency will cause constant headaches. If this is the cause, a Vitamin B2 Supplement is the quickest way to overcome the deficiency.
 

The quickest way to relieve stress!

What does 15 minutes of brisk walking do for you?

Exercise benefits out weigh the negative so much it doesn't even compare but for some reason only 5% of people get enough physical activity, daily.

If you are like most people, you have a busy schedule with too much stress to add exercise to your daily regimen. But did you know that exercise is one of the quickest ways to get rid of stress?

I learned this years ago dealing with a break up. Some mornings I would wake up in an anxiety attack that would ruin my whole day. It wasn't until I discovered exercise that I was able to take control of these situations.

On these mornings of dealing with high levels of stress, I would immediately strap on my running shoe's and head out the door for a quick run around my neighborhood. Not only does this bring me out of the stress but I also feel accomplished early and the rest of my day follows with higher levels of productivity.

The reason I bring up 15 minutes of walking is to get you in a better mindset. A 15 minute walk isn't a ton of exercise but it is enough to improve your mood, lower blood pressure (if done daily), increase quality sleep, but most importantly, give you a start to something better.

Walk your way to better health

• Increases brain function. I know you know what I'm talking about when I say, "stress keeps you in a fog". If you're stressed, it's hard to get out of that thought process and everything outside of that stress is really hard to concentrate on. Immediate action towards some form of exercise is the quickest way to reset your mind and get away from the stress.
• Better rest. Sleep is so important for your health and we can all agree that the day goes by much better when you get enough of it. Exercise is big in detoxing the body and opening up airways so you can let your mind naturally set itself at ease when it's time for bed.
• Balances hormones. A hormone imbalance plays all sorts of tricks with your mind and can throw you into an anxiety attack immediately. Exercise helps increase oxygen and blood flow which stabilizes the pituitary gland and the adrenal glands.   

Supplements that go great with exercise:

• MSM - A formula great for joint health. Click the link to learn more
• Vitamins - Everyone needs Vitamins to stay healthy but active lifestyles burn more and therefore need to be replenished more frequently. Click Here to learn more
• Calcium - A mineral the body needs daily for healthy bones, muscle and joints. Click to learn more
• Mineral Complex - All your needed minerals besides sodium and calcium. You get enough sodium from your daily diet and calcium and magnesium should be taken separately for maximum absorption. 

Capsicum (Cayenne Pepper) Health Benefits

Capsicum (Cayenne Pepper) Health BenefitsAre you constantly working to improve your health or just trying to maintain what you have? Either way, capsicum is an herb you should definitely check out.

After researching more about this amazing herb, I found that not many herbs have as much going for them as capsicum. Although each herb has several health benefits on their own, capsicum's list just keeps going. And it acts as a catalyst for other herbs!

Capsicum aids in digestion, improves circulation, helps with weight loss and stops bleeding from ulcers. Amazing for your heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen and stomach. Helps ward of colds, sinus infections and sore throats. Good for pain if used topically. Capsicum acts as a catalyst for other herbs. I take capsicum with echinacea to step up my immune system during the cold and flu season.

Pick up your bottle of capsicum today!

Are you getting a balance of the right nutrition?

B-Vitamins

There are eight water soluble B Vitamins you need and since your body doesn't store them, they need to be taken daily. Your body uses what it needs and flushes the excess out with the urine. 

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) -  is the first vitamin discovered and plays a big part in living a healthy lifestyle. The Vitamin enhances circulation, blood formation, breaking down carbohydrates and  helps with the production of hydraulic acid that's used for proper digestion. 

1. Food sources: Fish, flax seed, navy beans, green peas, acorn squash, brown rice, asparagus and eggs. 

2. Deficiencies include: beriberi, constipation, edema, enlarged liver, fatigue, forgetfulness, gastrointestinal disturbances, heart problems, irritability, labored breathing, loss of appetite, muscle atrophy, nervousness, numbing in the hands and feet, pain and sensitivity, poor coordination, weak and sore muscles.

3. recommended dietary allowances (RDA) – Infants 0-12months 0.3mg, Children 1-8 years 0.5mg, 9 – 14 years 0.9mg, 15 – adult 1.2mg.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)  -  is necessary for red blood cell formation, the production of antibodies and cell growth. It’s very important to maintaining eye health. Is necessary for regular digesting and needed to break down fats, carbohydrates and protein.

1. Food sources: Eggs, avocados, salmon, beef, dairy, almonds, broccoli, dark leafy greens and mushrooms.

2. Deficiencies include: cracks and sores at the corners of the mouth, eye problems, inflammation of the mouth and tongue, skin lesions, dermatitis, dizziness, hair loss, insomnia, sensitivity to light, poor digestion, growth problems and slow mental response.

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) – 0-12 months 0.3mg, children 1-14 years 0.6mg, 1.3 mg daily for men and 1.1 mg for women. Larger doses are used to prevent cataracts and migraine headaches.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)  - Proper circulation, healthy skin and the nervous system all need niacin. The digestive system uses niacin to break down carbohydrates, fats and proteins into glucose to use for energy. The vitamin is needed for proper secretion of bile and other stomach fluids. Improves sex hormones.

1. Foods sources: Turkey, chicken, beef, liver, brown rice, avocado, brown rice, tune, salmon, asparagus, sweet potato, peas and peanuts.

2. Deficiencies Include:  canker sores, dementia, depression, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, halitosis, headaches, indigestion, insomnia, limb pain, loss of appetite, low blood sugar, pellagra, inflammation, weakening of the muscle. 

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) - 17mg a day for men and 13mg a day for women.

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)  - Known as the ant -stress vitamin because the adrenal glands need B5 in producing hormones. Proper adrenal gland function rely on vitamin B5. The adrenal glands produce hormones that help regulate blood sugar and blood pressure. Every cell in your body requires vitamin B5. Also is necessary for the production of neurotransmitters and may help with depression and anxiety. 

1. Food sources: Sunflower seeds, eggs, avocadoes, corn, salmon, mushrooms, cauliflower, tomatoes, sweet potatoes and yogurt.

2. Deficiencies include: Fatigue, headache, nausea and tingling in the hands. 

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) - Infants 0-6 months, 1.7 mg; infants 7-12 months, 1.8 mg; children 1-3 years, 2 mg; children 4-8 years, 3 mg; children 9-13 years, 4 mg; men and women 14 years and older, 5 mg; pregnant women, 6 mg; and breastfeeding women, 7 mg.   

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)  - One of the most used nutrient in the body, effecting both mental and physical health. The Vitamin is needed for the production of hydrochloric acid, the absorption of fats and proteins, and balances potassium and sodium in the body. Red blood cells need it to form, along with the nervous system and brain. Regular cell development accurse when the RNA and DNA (Genetic code) have proper amounts of B6. Certain enzymes (on and off switches to bodily functions) need the vitamin to activate. If you have trouble absorbing Vitamin B12, you may be deficient in Vitamin B6.

1. Food sources: Poultry, tuna, salmon, eggs, beef, carrots, dairy, peanuts and potatoes.

2. Deficiencies Include: anemia, anorexia, arthritis, conjunctivitis, convulsions, cracks and sores around the mouth, depression, dizziness, fatigue, headaches, hyperirritability, inflammation of the mouth and gums, impaired memory and memory loss, nausea, flaky skin, sore or tender tongue, trouble healing from wounds, trouble learning and tingling sensation.

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) - Infants 0-6 months, 0.1 mg; Infants 7-12 months, 0.3 mg; Children 1-3 years, 0.5 mg; Children 4-8 years, 0.6 mg; Children 9-13 years, 1 mg; Males 14-50 years, 1.3 mg; Males over 50 years, 1.7 mg; Females 14-18 years, 1.2 mg; Females 19-50 years, 1.3 mg

  

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)  - Needed for proper fatty acid production, a way your body deals with inflammation. Hair nails and skin need Biotin to stay healthy and strong.  Your body is made up of cells that need Biotin for proper growth. Used to relieve muscle pain, prevent hair loss and absorb other B – Vitamins. Promotes healthy sweat glands, nerve tissue and Bone marrow.

1. Food sources: Beef, liver, whole eggs, salmon, avocado, sunflower seeds, almonds, sweet potatoes and dairy.

2. Deficiencies Include: anemia, depression, hair loss, high blood pressure, inflammation of the skin, insomnia, loss of appetite, muscular pain, nausea and a sore tongue. Biotin is an amazing Vitamin for hair, skin and nails.

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) – 0-6 months 5mcg, 7-12 months 6mcg, 1-3 years 8mcg, 4-8 years 12mcg, 9-13 20mcg, 14-18 years 25mcg, 19 years and up 30mcg, pregnant women 30mcg, breastfeeding women 35mcg.

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)  - is used in the cell division and replication process (each cell dies and duplicates itself every so often). It’s an amazing brain food and help with focus and learning. Folate is very important for pregnant women for proper nerve development. Avoiding deficiency in early pregnancy can help prevent certain birth defects and may help reduce the risk of premature birth. Waiting until you’re pregnant to start taking the vitamin may be too late and you may still have problems. Make sure to add plenty of folate to your diet months before you plan to get pregnant. It’s recommended that women in their child barring years to take folate to avoid deficiency just in case they become pregnant unplanned.

1. Food sources: Asparagus, broccoli, spinach, avocado, Brussels sprouts, oranges, eggs, liver, romaine lettuce and beets.

2. Deficiencies Include:  anemia, apathy, digestive disturbances, fatigue, graying hair, growth impairment, insomnia, laboring breathing, memory problems, paranoia, weakness, and birth defects. Folate is very important in the first few weeks of pregnancy. A sore, red tongue is the most common sign of deficiency.

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA)  - 0-6 months 65mcg, 7-12 months 80mcg, 1-3 years 150mcg, 4-8 years 200mcg, 9-13 years 300mcgs, 14 years and up 400mcgs, pregnant women 600mcg, breastfeeding women 500mcg.

Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) - is needed to protect the nervous system, neurological deterioration and to protect against neural toxicity. Used to help with Bell’s palsy, multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. The vitamin helps with digestion in breaking down carbohydrates, fats and proteins in to glucose to use for energy. Also helps the body absorb iron.

1. Food sources: Liver, beef, fish, dairy. The body can create Vitamin B12 in the gut if enough intestinal flora is present, but depends on the person and how the bacteria is maintained. Vegans and vegetarians may need to supplement the vitamin since the main food sources are animal products. 

2. Deficiencies Include: numbing and nerve pain. Other deficiencies include abnormal gait, bone lose, chronic fatigue, constipation, depression, digestive disorders, dizziness, drowsiness, enlargement of the liver, eye disorders, hallucination, headaches, inflammation of the tongue, irritability, labored breathing, memory loss, moodiness, nervousness, neurological damage, palpitations, pernicious anemia, ringing in the ears, and spinal-cord degeneration. 

3. Recommended dietary allowances (RDA) - Infants 0-6 months, 0.4 mcg; infants 7-12 months, 0.5 mcg; children 1-3 years, 0.9 mcg; children 4-8 years, 1.2 mcg; children 9-13 years, and 1.8 mcg; older children, adults, 2.4 mcg; pregnant women, 2.6 mcg; and breast-feeding women, 2.8 mcg. For vitamin B12 deficiency: between 647-1032 mcg daily.

Heart Health - Are you taking care of the most important muscle in your body?

The heart is a muscle that pumps nutrient rich blood throughout the body. Your digestive system breaks down the food you eat and delivers it to the blood to be distributed to all parts of the body. So basically everything you eat will at some point travel through your heart. This is why it's important to make sure what you're eating is heart friendly.

You should be getting at least 30 minutes of cardio every day. I'm not talking about shredding the gym, that may not be your thing but you should do an inclined speed walk or a light run. Finding the time to exercise will motivate you to do other healthy things, like eating healthier.

Diet is huge and can either make you or break you. Have you ever heard the saying, "You eat to live not live to eat"? I think we all (even people in really good shape) love to eat. There is so much pleasure in it. But with so many healthy new recipes, you can enjoy your food while benefiting greatly. You may have to plan your meals a little better and take the time preparing them but I promise you, it will be worth it. Those who choose to avoid the convenience of a microwavable meal and take the time preparing their meals are the one's you see in good shape, living a happier life. Doesn't mean you can splurge and eat a crappy meal every once in a while, it just means don't do it all the time. Everything in moderation.

Foods you should be eating: Leafy greens, whole grains, berries, avocados, fish oils, nuts and seeds, beans, and dark chocolate. These foods provide key nutrients that are healthy for the heart such as: Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fatty acids.

The earlier you take action with your health, the more likely you can avoid future problems that could result in being forced to live a super restricted lifestyle. Adopting these habits early on will also help you pass them on to your children.

Herbal and Vitamin Supplements that are heart healthy.

1. B-Vitamins - There are eight essential B-Vitamins, each the body needs to maintain health. B-Vitamins are water soluble, which means, your body uses what is needed and flushes the rest out with the urine. The word "Vitamin" means " Vital to Man", you must have them or you wouldn't be here. If you're not getting enough from the food you eat, then your body will try to make what is need from intestinal flora (another reason you should be taking probiotics daily) or take them from other parts of your body, resulting in deficiency. Click Here to shop B-Vitamins.
2. Fat soluble Vitamins - protects arteries, promotes proper blood clotting, and provides omega 3 fatty acids. These vitamins can be found in leafing greens, vegetables and fatty fish. Click Here to shop fat soluble vitamin Supplement
3. Hawthorn Berry- an herb that's healthy for blood vessels and helps restore heart muscle. This herb should not be taken if you're taking medication for heart disease. Click Here for Hawthorn Berry Herbal Supplements.
4. Garlic - Resent studies show the herb supports a healthy heart by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure. Adding garlic to foods you eat or taking a supplement is highly recommended for those with heart conditions. Shop Garlic Herb. 
5. Green Tea - used to reduce inflammation and protect the heart from cell damage. Drinking a cup of green tea every day will provide many health benefits. 

Taking steps to improve your heart health will also provide other health benefits throughout the body. Changing your diet, adding exercise, and taking heart healthy supplements are all ways you can start today and better your hearts health.