Natural Ways to Treat Constipation

There are several natural ways to reverse constipation that you should consider before taking a prescription drug for it. Let’s first look at dietary lifestyle.

·        In January 2011, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) came out with dietary recommendations. They wrote, “Americans are experiencing an epidemic of overweight and obesity. Poor diet and physical inactivity also are linked to major causes of illness and death. To correct these problems, many Americans must make significant changes in their eating habits and lifestyles.”

·        Therefore, take a serious look at what you eat in regard to the amount of fiber you consume. In 2008, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommended that we adults should consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber daily. Americans reportedly consume only about 15 grams a day on average. However, in terms of preventing (and reversing) chronic disease, it is now recommended that we consume 75 grams of fiber daily at a minimum. It is recommended much more if you want to treat constipation. This corresponds with the new recommendation to consume nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily, which should easily put you past the 75 grams of fiber per day goal.

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Daily Habit to Lower Blood Pressure and Improves Cholesterol Level

New research from Villanova University proves that ONE daily habit, we should be doing anyway, drastically lowers blood pressure and improves cholesterol level.

Between the years 2000 and 2010, researchers studied over 500,000 people with periodontal disease as well as over 200,000 subjects as a control group and found that those who had regular dentist visits/teeth cleanings and no periodontal disease as well as those with treated periodontal disease, had a significantly reduced risk of stroke, versus those with untreated periodontal disease.

In another study, people who brush their teeth and floss regularly, have been shown to have a reduced risk for heart disease, which can cause stroke or heart attack.

Why would simply visiting the dentist regularly (every 6 months) for cleanings and treatment and brushing and flossing one’s teeth prevent heart disease?
Researchers have found links between increased levels of disease-causing bacteria in the mouth and atherosclerosis in the carotid artery (neck).

Clogging of these arteries can cause stroke. Additionally, blocked arteries in other locations of the body can lead to heart attack.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Better Sleep

Put down that glass of warm milk. British researchers have found the food that really can help you sleep better and wake up more refreshed.

A study at the University of Oxford shows that eating more fish is associated with better sleep. The omega-3 fatty acids in fish help the brain make melatonin, a hormone linked to deeper sleep.

The research on children showed that kids with higher blood levels of the long-chain omega-3 DHA (the main omega-3 fatty acid found in the brain) are less restless in their sleep, don’t resist going to sleep and experience fewer sleep disturbances.

The study showed that a daily supplement of omega-3 (as in a fish oil capsule) produced about an extra hour of more sleep ever night. The children also experienced seven fewer waking episodes nightly.

Red Wine for Gut Flora Balance

You've probably heard that red wine can be a very healthy drink option, but you most likely only heard about generic benefits of the antioxidants and resveratrol in red wine. 

But here's another MAJOR reason below why red wine in moderation (1-2 glasses per day max) can be a super healthy part of your routine. 

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Am J Clin Nutr. 2012;95:1323-1334) reported that people who drank 2 glasses of red wine per day (dry red wine, not sugary dessert wines) had higher levels of beneficial bacteria in their gut and lower levels of pathogenic bad bacteria in their gut.  This is great news as you know from reading this newsletter how vastly important your gut flora balance is to everything from your digestion, immunity, metabolism, skin health, and much more.

The study concluded that while red wine consumption decreased pathogenic bacteria in the gut, it actually had a prebiotic effect in the gut in that it supported the growth and colonies of healthy gut microbes which protect your health.

Fiber to fight Diverticulosis

Diverticulosis is the formation of tiny pouches in the lining of the colon. These growths are called diverticula. They are weak spots in the bowel wall, and can rupture when the pressure rises too high.

Having diverticulum does not mean you have a disease — it means you have an aging colon. If there are no problems, you need not worry about it. However, you can suffer from infection and other issues due to diverticula. Some may have to be removed through surgery.

Conventional medicine recommends a high-fiber diet to keep stools soft and regular, as it is best to avoid constipation when you have diverticula. There is no question that increased pressure can elevate the risk of rupture of diverticula.

It is best to increase your fiber intake by increasing your consumption of fruits and vegetables. Also, taking vitamin C (2,000 to 5,000 mg per day in a buffered powdered form) and magnesium (200 to 400 mg per day) is a good way to ensure regular, soft bowel movements.

Cruciferous Vegetables to improve odds for Breast Cancer Survival

Regularly eating Brussels sprouts, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower may improve  women odds for breast cancer survival, according to a new study from Vanderbilt University researchers. Women who ate the most cruciferous vegetables were 62% less likely to die of breast cancer-and 35 percent less likely to have a recurrence of the disease. Study data showed that an average of 3 ½ ounces of the vegetables were consumed daily