Flax Fights Diabetes
Nutritionists are instructing their diabetic patients to eat flax daily. It has been discovered that the omega-3 fat and high fiber in flax may play a role in the fight against diabetes. In a study conducted by the University of Toronto, participants who ate flaxseed bread had blood sugar levels 28% lower an hour after eating than their counterparts who ate bread made with wheat flour!

Flax Fights Cancer
Flaxseed is high in lignans, up to 800 times the amount as in any tested plant food. Lignans (a phytoestrogen) have been called by H. Adlercreutz (in his article “Phytoestrogens: Epidemiology and a Possible Role in Cancer Protection”), natural cancer-protective compounds. Flax seed is also high in alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which has been found to be promising as a cancer fighting agent. The American National Cancer Institute has singled out flaxseed as one of six foods that deserve special study. Flax seed’s high fiber aspect is also beneficial in the fight against colon cancer. Epidemiological studies note that diet plays a major role in the incidence of colon cancer. Research has shown that increasing the amount of fiber in your diet reduces your colon-cancer risk. Flax seed, high in fiber, lignans, alpha linolenic acid, is a key player in the fight against cancer, particularly breast and colon cancer.

Flax Fights Constipation
Flax is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber. One ounce of flax provides 32% of the USDA’s reference daily intake of fiber. Flax promotes regular bowel movements because it is high in insoluble fiber. Flaxseed’s all natural fiber helps to absorb water, thereby softening the stool and allowing it to pass through the colon quickly. When adding fiber to your diet, it is important to make sure that you are drinking at least eight glasses of water daily. Without enough liquids, fiber can actually cause constipation! In the fight against constipation exercise, eat fruits and vegetables, drink eight glasses of water daily and add two to four tablespoons of flax to your daily regime!

Flax Fights Inflammation
Flax is high in Omega 3 essential fatty acids. That’s good news for people who suffer from inflammatory disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis. Health experts, such as former Surgeon General C. Evertt Koop, recommend eating foods high in Omega 3’s for people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. It is the inflammation within the joints that cause so much of the pain associated with arthritis. The January 1996 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the participants in a study that took flax oil daily reduced inflammatory responses by as much as 30%.

Flax Fights Menopausal Symptoms
Hot flashes, night sweats, irritability, moodiness…ah, the joys of menopause. Can flax really help? Yes it can! Flax, like soy, is a phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are estrogen-like substances that are found in plants. Flax is the richest known plant source of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens act as a natural hormone therapy and help to stabilize hormonal levels. This stabilization of hormonal levels helps to lesson the symptoms of menopause.

Flax fights Heart Disease
Heart disease, the number one killer in America, has claimed the lives of too many of our family and friends. Years of a sedentary lifestyle, super size meals and processed foods has finally caught up with us. Can flax help? Yes it can. Numerous studies have been done on the effect of flax on heart disease, yielding many positive findings. Flax has been found to help reduce total cholesterol, LDL levels (the bad cholesterol), triglycerides. Flax helps to reduce clotting time and thereby reduces the chance for heart attacks and strokes. Regular intake of flax protects against arrhythmias and helps keep the arteries clear and pliable!

Flax and the Immune System
Across the table, your co-worker sneezes, no tissue in sight, you feel a light spray hit your face and shudder. Standing in a crowded elevator, in a busy mall, or in an airplane, you sometimes feel like you can’t escape getting at least one or two colds each year…or can you? Research has found that eating flax daily favorably affects immunity, the body’s ability to defend itself successfully against bacteria and viruses. Two components of flax, lignans and ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), have been found to affect immune cells and compounds that control immune reaction.

Flax fights “The Blues”
It’s that tired feeling that a good night’s rest won’t shake… that listless down in the dumps feeling that you just can’t get rid of. We call it “the blues”, otherwise known as atypical depression, the most common form of depression. Preliminary research suggests that eating a diet rich in flax could slash your risk of ever feeling “down in the dumps”. Follow up studies show that just 2-3 tablespoons of flax daily can help up to 2/3rds of severely depressed women bounce back within eight weeks. Flax, says Udo Erasmus, PhD, has a mood boosting ingredient: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is essential for the proper function of brain cells, yet up to 85% of women aren’t getting enough of it. Early research conducted by Dr. Martha Clare Morris of Chicago’s Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke’s Medical Center notes that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is believed to be important for brain development. She stated that some participants in the study saw a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s from eating a diet high in Omege-3 fatty acids(Flax is the richest source of Omega 3’s in the plant kingdom). More research is needed in the area of flax and its relation to depression and brain function, however preliminary research is very promising.

This Article was taken from golden valley Flaxseed.

Anna R. Dias Nc  Certified  Naturopathy, Health Coach, Reflexology

Stay free! Good Health is Good Living

When our bodies are clean and strong, they are able to eliminate toxins, but when they become overloaded, they become sluggish and more susceptible to disease, as the immune system no longer has the capability of fighting off the invading diseases.

Here are some tools to support your health during and after you’re cleansed:

• Increase fiber intake daily to 30gr, you can even go up to 40gr
• Eliminate/reduce wheat and gluten from your diet
• Stay away from the 3P: pasta( exception of rice paste) , potatoes, pastry
• Check your acidity level (you can buy a dispenser at a store or see your naturopath) normal range should be around 7-7.5 the lower it is the more acidic.
• Drink lots of water & get lots of clean fresh air as you can.
• Take naps and get as much physical and emotional rest.
• Chew your food well , do not over eat and  eat small portion
• Engage in light stretching everyday/ brisk walk nothing strenuous while detoxify.
• Minimize your exposure to exogenous & endogenous; for ex cosmetic use especially around the mouth to prevent accidental ingestion of chemicals, lip balm (used coconut oil instead)/deodorants, antiperspirants, perfumes cologne/ use natural shampoo, and many more.
• Reduce coffee and alcohol to once a week.  Remember that you need to be happy doing this if you are not ready to eliminate alcohol or coffee from your life just minimize until it no longer has control of your life.
• Cleansing is about feeling better, not making your life miserable (add more positive into your life and body than negative.  If you need help follow with your health practitioner.

Anna R. Dias Naturopathy/Reflexology

Good Health is Good Living.  Stay Free!

Obstacle 1:  My weight is the same.

 If you are on a proper food plan and are eating adequate amounts of protein and complex carbs, your body weight may not go down at all.  In fact, it may actually increase.  This is because you are dropping fat and building muscle at the same time.  Hence, the scale may not move.  Instead of worrying about the scale pay close attention to your body composition.  Look at pictures and your image in the mirror.  Notice the way your clothes are fitting.  When beginning a diet, your body weight may actually go up while your body fat goes down, especially if you have never eaten properly before.  If your body weight stays the same or it goes up and you’re getting leaner at the same time, you’re on the right track.  Don’t reduce your calories further.

 Obstacle 2:  I’m supposed to eat every three hours, but I’m not hungry then.

 It may sound a little strange, but with proper nutrition you will not get hungry most of the time, even though you will be losing body fat.  In order for your diet to work properly, it’s important not to skip meals.

 You should consume an adequate amount of protein and complex carbohydrates at every meal.  Don’t drop off parts of the meal and don’t save some food for a later meal.  You should eat all of the food that you have planned for each meal, at the designated times.  It is important to give your muscles a constant supply of nutrients, and keep your metabolism stimulated.

 Obstacle 3:  I don’t  see any changes in my body.

 As I mentioned before, dieting is partly a psychological battle.  Many people have a problem keeping a handle on their self -image.  I recommend starting any diet by taking pictures and getting your body composition measured by the body fat caliper method or some reputable method.  This will help you to objectively gauge your progress.

If you’re not getting leaner, then increase your aerobic exercise slightly.  For example,  if you do aerobics normally for 20 minutes, increase to 30 minutes of aerobics.  However, aerobics should not be overdone.  If you do too many aerobics, you may start loosing valuable muscle, and end up stringy and flat looking.  After increasing your aerobics by 50% for one week, drop 200 calories from your diet and see if this creates the desired changes.  If you don’t get the appropriate response within two weeks, repeat the process again.

 Obstacle 4:  I seem to be holding fluid.

 A little water retention should be of no consequence to you unless you have a physique contest coming up.  Most people try to rid themselves of excess water retention by limiting their sodium intake or restricting fluids.  Both of these techniques fail over the long term because the body is very good at maintaining a balance of sodium electrolytes and water, and will move to compensate for any adjustments that you make.  Don’t get me wrong.  It’s Ok to limit your sodium to a healthy level, but radical sodium restriction will only result as the body adjusts.  The best policy is to drink lots of water and consume foods without added salt.

 Obstacle 5:  I’m getting leaner, but I’ve lost some of my vascularity

 Vascularity is a term used to describe the look of having visible, prominent veins on top of muscles.  It’s a quality that some men covet.  If vascularity is important to you, keep in mind that it is contingent on blood volume and blood volume changes.  Blood volume in turn depends on fluid intake.  Keep water intake as high as possible.  Consume up to one gallon of water per day when undergoing an intense diet.  Low carbohydrate intake may also result in diminished vascularity.  If your muscles are depleted of glycogen, it is important to replenish levels by increasing complex carbohydrates.  I recommend increasing complex carbohydrate intake by at least 50%, one day a week, in order to keep muscles from going flat.

 Obstacle 6:  I don’t have any energy

 This is either cutting your calories back to far or over-training.  Review your training program.  If you are showing symptoms of over-training (unusual soreness, fatigue, lack of appetite, difficulty sleeping, catching colds), take a few days of from your program to recover and adjust.  If taking a few days off doesn’t work, try increasing your calories by 500 to 800 calories per day, primarily from complex carbohydrates, for a couple of days.  Review your supplement intake to make sure that you are getting all of the nutrients you need to support your level of exercise. 

Obstacle 7:  I seem to have lost some muscle.

 Keep in mind that you muscle, or lean body mass, will always fluctuate up in down.  Because muscle is made up of approximately 70% water, dehydration is usually the problem when it appears that one has lost muscle tissue.  Examine your protein intake and make sure that you’re getting enough protein for your body weight.  Recommendation 1 gram of protein per pound of body weight.

Anna R. Dias

Naturopathy/Reflexology/Health Coach

Stay Free! Good Health is Good Living!

How does the HCG work?

In order for the HCG hormone to access abnormal fat reserves, your body must be in “starvation mode.” By definition, “starvation mode” is a caloric intake of less than 800 calories daily.

What is ‘Human chorionic gonadotropin’? Is a hormone produced by the fetus after 3 months, because the pituitary gland in the brain of the mother stops the produce of the hormones ‘FSH’ and ‘LH’? The fetus produces this hormone to stay alive inthe womb.

Interesting comment from client’s diet on HCG:

That’s great- listen to your body. It’s great to hear someone finallysay that maybe HCG isn’t a long term solution. I’m doing it right now through a doctor who doesn’t believe it’s ethical to prescribe more than one round. He says it fries your thyroid- which is why there are so many people who have to be super strict on maintenance after they have done multiple rounds. I was on the verge of having to take meds for blood sugar and blood pressure plus I had metabolic syndrome.

Your best bet is;

Where are you getting your Prescription HCG? If you are ordering random drops premixed from someone else, you don’t know 100% what were in the drops that’s not good. Your best bet is to ask your doctor for prescription HCG or someone who has a doctor that can recommend HCG.

My Opinion  Pro’s and Con’s

• Quick results not a long term solution.
• Eating all the fatty foods, you want/Create bigger problems if you have a family history of cholesterol.
• Skipping breakfast/ Very unhealthy way to start the day; in the morning after many hours without food, it is essential to refuel, or your body goes into starvation mode and will compensate by making sure you overeat during your next several meals.
• Eating breakfast= weight loss
• Keeping off the weight after stopping the medication.
• You start slowly regaining weight when you are off 500 calories a day unless you are committed to a healthier lifestyle by good nutrition, exercise (breathing) and good mental& emotional health.
• Side effects ex: Headaches, dizziness, nausea, bloating…

 If you are still feeling adventurist and wanted to go ahead, I prefer this protocol!

 New Protocol for HCG diet

 The idea is not to go above 800 calories and also incorporate daily multi-vitamins/minerals, eat breakfast (breakfast skippers are 450% more likely to store fat if the body has no fuel), eat more protein (burns fat, curbs appetite), and continue light exercise for 30 minutes daily This new modified protocol is safer, more effective and much more tolerable for patients. The weight stays off long term because the hypothalamus in the brain resets the body’s metabolic rate. Look up 800 calorie HCG diet  

Anna R. Dias Naturopath/Reflexologist

Remember StayFree! Good Health is Good Living.

• Don’t get wrapped up in a numbers game, it is less about counting calories and more about controlling serving size.

• Eat five to six smaller meals per day. Frequent eating will keep you satisfied so you will be less likely to snack on inappropriate foods. Also, make sure that you include protein at each meal.

• Take 20 minutes out for a walk and to breathe fresh air every day. When is there time? Well, most people could watch one less sitcom at night, or you could try walking to the store instead of driving. The bottom line is most people have the time if they choose to find it.

• Don’t over discipline yourself. If you want a chocolate bar or some ice cream, you can have a treat, once in a while. You need to be a bit strict. If you have eaten five healthy meals in a day and you’re still craving a little treat, then give in. If you have missed meals or are late to eat, your body probably wants real nutrition. This is when it is better to prepare a healthy meal.

Stay Free! Stay Real!
Anna R. Dias Naturopathy/Health Coach/Reflexology

 Holidays come with all the food-centered events, followed directly by health-related New Year’s resolutions, such as the promise to lose weight, start exercising, quit smoking, and so on.  Then there is the daily news—today coffee and caffeine are good for you, and then tomorrow they are not.  Next, wine, chocolate, or fruit is getting all the media attention, and so the confusion grows.  Add another million marketing impression and some well meant advice from friends, and pretty soon you are so confused you aren’t sure just what to eat anymore.

 Nutrition does not need to be this confusing; healthy eating is just a lifestyle.  Remember you can’t get anywhere unless you start.  You don’t need to be drastic; just pick one things that you can change now.  What you put into your body will determine how you feel, as well as your degree of success in matters of weight and energy improvements.

Tip no1

 Drink your water- 8glasses per day; This is a building block for success in health.  Proper hydration is imperative for peak performance, energy, clear thinking, detoxification, nutrient delivery repair.  Did you know by the time you feel thirsty, your body is actually begging for water?

 How do you know if you are drinking enough water?

 Your urine should be clear.  If it is yellow or worse, dark like apple juice your body is grossly dehydrated.

Tip no2

 Breakfast is meant to fuel your body after you starved it for six to 12 hours while sleeping.  If you skip breakfast, your body automatically goes into a conservation mode to protect you from running out of  glucose necessary to feed the brain.  If you want to be your best, give your head something to work with before you start your day.

 Will eating breakfast make me hungry all day?

Breakfast  will kick-start your metabolism, and if your body is working at its best, you are supposed to feel hungry every three to four hours.  This also means your body is burning that energy up, so you should not be gaining any excess weight.

Next blog: Simple Rules

Anna R. Dias

Health coach- Naturopathy-Reflexology

Stay Free! Good Health is Good Living!

Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.

- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Seeking to oppose one energy with another until their meeting creates a dynamic motion, much as in the Chinese concept of yin and yang

                                                                                              -Anna Ruth. Dias

 Some people say that joy is entirely different from happiness.  That joy is attitude of the heart.  It is not based on something positive happening. Unlike happiness is something that is temporary. When happiness fades away, joy remains.  Joy is something that is bigger than you and I and our current circumstances.  Joy brings us peace in the middle of a storm. 

I would like to think that happiness is one step into being joyful, it is not different but intertwined. I also believe that being happy within your self is a definitive correlation to your health.  I have made a pact with myself to be healthy.  I have realized that suppressed emotions, such as anger, can cause bodily functions to cease operating properly.  The by-products of healthy expression are easily recognized; by the products of unhealthy expression are often masked as minor irritations, aches, and pains and they can ultimately result in extreme pathology

Discovering what would make us happy can help us through any difficulty in life. It can help us through the quieter moments of our day.  It can help us make larger, more significant decisions.  It can help us in our work.  Looking into our hearts and answer honestly. What are we searching  for?  It is a simple question but one with profound consequences.  A path leading to our dream by looking into hearts.  The Destiny of joy!

Anna R. Dias Naturopathy/Reflexology

Stay Free! Good Health is good Living.

How to recuperate from holiday stress

 Christmas Holidays are supposed to be festive and a time of relaxation.  Yet for many, this season is the most stressful time of the year.  Planning meals, vacations, buying presents, and everything else can wear the mind and body down.  As a result, we can suffer from fatigue, infections, depression, anxiety, digestive problems, and many other ailments.  This Christmas, soothe away the effects of stress with the help of natural remedies.

Multivitamin

First, start by making sure you have adequate nutritional support.  A high potency multivitamin rich in B vitamins help supply basic nutrients that retard the effects of stress.  Studies also show that regular multivitamin supplementation helps prevent the common cold. (See special info for colds and flu)

Omega High potency of epa/dha

Increase serotonin levels in your brain which is responsible for feelings of calm and well being.

Calcium and magnesium

 Consider taking 250 milligrams of calcium and 250mg of magnesium in the morning and evening, as they relax tight muscles and promote relaxation of the nerves.  These minerals are especially helpful if you are prone to tight muscles or headaches.  As a bonus, magnesium works wonders for energy production.  Also, supplementation of these minerals is helpful for many people who experience insomnia as the result of stress.

 Kali phosphoricum

 If you are experiencing “brain fog,” “jangled nerves” or anxiety, I highly recommend this homeopathic remedy.  It acts as a nerve tonic to relax the nerves and also improves concentration. Take 4 pellets of the 6X potency three times daily.  It has no toxicity and can be taken for extended periods of time.

 St John’s Wort

 If you are feeling the holiday blues and need a cost-effective natural elevator, I recommend St. John’s Wort.  This versatile herb has also been shown to be effective for anxiety.  Take 900mg of a 0.3 percent standardized extract daily.  To avoid any herb-drug interactions, do not take St John’s Wort if you are currently taking an antidepressant.

 Astragalus

 Many people come down with respiratory infection such as the common cold or flu during Christmas.  Stress and lack of sleep have been shown to suppress the immune system.  To guard against infection and enhance immune function, I recommend taking 1000mg of this Chinese herb in the capsule form daily or 30 drops of liquid from twice daily.

Digestive enzymes

 During this holiday season, many of us consume foods that we would not normally eat.  Also, gatherings usually involve larger amounts of foods than our digestive system can handle.  Try to be wise with your food selection but still enjoy some of the “goodies.”

This is more easily done by taking a full –spectrum digestive enzyme with larger meals or hard-to-digest foods (i.e., fatty, creamy foods).

Ginger Root

 If holiday foods are causing an embarrassing amount of flatulence, try ginger root.  This digestion wonder herb reduces gas formation as well as intestinal cramping. Drink a fresh cup of ginger tea as needed.  It is also available as a supplement in capsule or liquid form.

 Passionflower

 Worrying about planning all your family festivities or long nights staying up with friends or family members can contribute to insomnia.  Passionflower is a great herb to safely relaxation of the nervous system and a good night’s sleep.  This herb is not known to cause the drowsiness or hangover feeling in the morning that some people experience with pharmaceutical sleep aids.  Take 500mg of the capsule form or 30 drops a half hour before bedtime.

 Nux vomica

 For those who overindulge in the alcohol and are prone to nasty hangovers, I recommend the homeopathic remedy Nux Vomica.  It is the most effective remedy to relieve the headaches, digestive upset, and fatigue associated with hangovers.  It is much better option than pharmaceutical pain relievers that can potentially cause liver and brain damage when combined with alcohol.  Of course, drinking in moderation or not at all is the best treatment.

 Remember,

 Don’t need to take all of these supplements at once.  Start by listening to your body first and choose what is appropriate for you.  I always recommend an omega fish oil, digestive enzymes and vit B (not necessarily in vit b form) can be royal Jelly or other herbs that have great amounts of Vit B.  If you have a hard time making a choice, see your health practitioner to help facilitate your choice.

 Wishing you happy festive holidays!

Anna R. Dias Stay free! Good Health is Good Living!

Anna R. Dias/Naturopathy-Reflexology-Coaching

  A strong throat chakra is recognizable by the rich tone of his or her voice.

Disturbances in the proper functioning of the throat chakra can lead to a feeling of pressure in the throat or speech defects.  Problems with the jaw or teeth also point to a weakened throat chakra, since this chakra supplies the jaw with energy. The throat chakra is closely connected to the thyroid and the parathyroid glands.

Lists of some ailments related to blockages in the throat chakra:

• Throat pain/tonsillitis
• Speech defect(stuttering)
• Overactive thyroid or underactive thyroid
• Dental or Periodontal
• Neck and shoulder pain

The treatments that are mostly effective in harmonizing the energies of all chakras are aromatherapy, herbal remedies, healing with reflexology, gemstones, and Bach flower remedies. Others include vocalization, affirmation.

Use these following techniques to harmonize and gently stimulate the energy flow in the throat chakra.

Check up: when you need to work on your throat chakra:

• If you have a hard time expressing yourself
• If you say things that you regret later
• If you often cannot find the right words to express your feelings
• If you often tell little white lies(telling the truth)
• If you are shy

The most effective essential oils that have a stimulating effect on the throat chakra:

• Eucalyptus
• Camphor
• Peppermint

*Use your intuition to choose the essential oil that suits you best, if the intuition is not clear, choose the one that you like the smell best.

Healing Plants:

• Peppermint tea
• Sage
• Coltsfoot

Back Flower Therapy: Bach flowers work on a psychic level

• Agrimony, Cerato and Mimulus

Reflexology points for the throat: Reflexology can help bring a homeostasis to the whole of the body, meridian line, and help recover from stress.

• The Thoracic area (the ball of the foot), correspond to the lungs, thyroid, parathyroid, the diaphragm and solar plexus also a few others.
• The big toe( teeth, tonsils area)
• The Inner foot( spinal cord area)

Affirmations: you can choose one of the following affirmations and repeat it throughout the day. The best time is in the morning when you wake up or before going to bed.

• I speak from the heart and let the truth be my guide
• I use the power of words to make the world a better place
• Every day it becomes easier to express what I think and feel

Anna Dias Naturopathy/Reflexology

Strength  Balance & Vitality  Stay Free!