Category: Nutrition & Herbs

Review: Organic Root Cider by Barrier Island Organics

Barrier Island makes Mother’s Earth Organic Cider, which to me is very much a tonic. It reminds me of Shillington’s Total Tonic, but it’s better IMO. I told Mark Welch it was “rich,” and he said, “Yeah, there’s a lot of product in that cider; I can tell you that. We put for every nine pints of vinegar, we put ten pounds of roots and vegetables in there to start the process.”

If you have a sore throat or that tickle in your throat that could be the onset of a new bug to fend off, this is what you want to sip on. I would pour myself an ounce and sip on it for an hour like a fine scotch. It doesn’t taste as good, but you can play with the complexities and pretend.

People report wonderful testimonials including, “My inflammation seemed to be getting better every week,” and “No more knee pain, stiff neck, or swollen Achilles tendon.” They even report weight loss and blood sugar control. It makes sense, considering the ingredients:

  • Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar provides essential nutrients that aid in digestion, metabolism, the lymphatic system, oxygen transport, and energy production. It balances the bodily pH levels and maintains them.
  • A whole lemon (with peel) cleanses and detoxifies the liver, flushes the digestive system, and provides tons of vitamin C.
  • Horseradish root provides lots of nutrients and minerals, aids in digestion, increases immunity, lowers blood pressure, increases metabolic function, and helps kill pathogens in the body.
  • Ginger root provides a strong antioxidant effect, boosts immunity, has anti-inflammatory compounds, and alleviates gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, which is imperative in this concoction!
  • Turmeric root “increases the antioxidant capacity of the body” which increases the cider’s anti-inflammatory properties, improves brain function, increases heart health, and fights cancer.
  • Garlic increases metabolism and lowers cholesterol while strengthening the immune system, especially against colds and upper respiratory infections.
  • White onion improves our absorption of vitamin C, regulates blood sugar, and helps protect us against chronic illness and disease.
  • Beets clean the blood and the circulatory system, lower blood pressure, boost stamina, and provide valuable phytonutrients to combat disease. They are high in fiber and offer anti-inflammatory properties for the body.
  • Serrano, habanero, and poblano peppers are rich in nutrients and vitamins and contain capsaicin, which lowers the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. They also have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties so they may provide relief for pain related to arthritis, fibromyalgia, skin aging, and psoriasis.

As a daily tonic, take at least a tablespoon daily. Sip on it if you have a sore throat or at the first sign of illness. Take it for digestive issues. Take it to prevent illness and to help return the body to health. It helps aid detoxification and adds tons of nutrition to the body. I’m hooked. We’re always going to have this is one in the house.

The Green Wonder: 5 Things You Want to Know About Matcha Tea

Organic Green Matcha Tea in a Bowl

Matcha tea is rapidly becoming a cult drink. Artisan coffee, Earl Grey, and generic green tea are all very popular in certain circles, but if you want to cause a stir at your next dinner party, offer your guests some Matcha tea.

So what is Matcha tea and what do you need to know about it?

Matcha is the preferred beverage of the rich and famous. Models drink Matcha shots at catwalk shows and health-conscious celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Victoria Beckham buy jars of the stuff.

Matcha tea originates from Japan and for centuries, Matcha has been used in traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. The best Matcha tea comes from a very specific shade of green tea known as Tencha tea. It is well known for its health and wellness benefits, so if you are looking for a nutrient-rich beverage, Matcha tea is a good choice.

1. Match Tea Contains Caffeine

Unlike regular green tea, Matcha tea contains as much caffeine as a cup of brewed coffee. However, whereas drinking strong coffee will give you a serious buzz, a cup of Matcha tea promotes a sense of calm alertness. This is because Matcha tea contains a natural substance called I-theanine, which promotes relaxation. So if you need to chill, ditch the coffee and drink Matcha tea instead.

2. Matcha Offers Health Benefits

We all know green tea is good for us, but are you aware of how many health benefits you get from drinking Matcha tea? Matcha tea is made from whole leaves, so it contains much higher levels of nutrients. Matcha is an excellent source of antioxidants and some studies have found that Matcha can slow the growth of cancer cells.

3. It takes Ages to Make Matcha Tea

Grinding Matcha tea is a labor-intensive process. Traditional Matcha tea is ground using stone mills and it can take up to an hour to grind up to 40g of tea. Unfortunately, traditional tea grinding methods are the only way to make Matcha, as food processors and spice grinders would produce a different flavor of tea – and you probably would not like it half as much.

4. Lower Grade Matcha Tea May Be Contaminated

Tea plants in certain areas are exposed to pollution and may contain high levels of lead, so always buy the best grade of Matcha you can afford. High-quality Matcha tea products are more likely to be cultivated in rural areas free from contaminants.

5. Matcha Tea Powder is Very Versatile

Traditionally speaking, Matcha tea is prepared with a tea bowl and a bamboo broom, but you can use Matcha powder in your baking, for smoothies, and in lattes. (Although you lose many of the health benefits if you add it to cookie dough!) If you do decide to bake with Matcha powder, buy a cheaper product.

Part of the enjoyment of drinking Matcha tea comes from preparing it the traditional way, so have a Japanese tea making ceremony and enjoy your Matcha.

Related Products:
Sources:

Beautiful Skin from the Inside Out with Vitamin C

Who doesn’t want radiant, clear skin? Unfortunately, as we age, that healthy glow isn’t always so easy to attain. As our skin ages, it becomes thinner and more fragile. Fine lines begin to show.

While a “less perfect” appearance of skin is completely normal and a healthy part of aging, it’s important to note that we do have the ability to greatly influence our skin’s appearance and health through the food and beverage choices we make. One starring role in creating healthy, beautiful skin is the ever present and often abundant vitamin C.

Understanding Skin Damage

Skin damage happens because of stressors such as age, pollution, and UV radiation due to a process called oxidization. Oxidization occurs when a molecule that has been exposed to a stressor such as tobacco smoke becomes unstable. This molecule then seeks to steal an electron from a healthy cell in order to become stable. This is where vitamin C steps in.

Vitamin C is an Antioxidant

According to Gabriella Weisbom, Certified Nutritional Practitioner (CNP) at Elements Wellness Centre in Vancouver, Canada, antioxidants are our body’s natural mechanism to help neutralize free radicals. Weisbom explains that free radicals are reactive and unstable atoms that can damage cells throughout the body and that vitamin C and other antioxidants help prevent that damage. “Antioxidants protect skin by limiting the production of free radicals which reduces damage to the skin cells,” Weisbom says.

Basically, an antioxidant donates an electron to a free radical to prevent oxidization from occurring, so that a free radical becomes stable and leaves the healthy cells alone.

Vitamin C Helps to Synthesize Collagen

Collagen is an important part of our skin’s health. It’s a protein that creates our skin’s firmness, and as we age, we produce less of it. However, increasing your vitamin C intake helps collagen production because “Vitamin C is required for the synthesis of collagen, which is a structural component of skin,” according to Weisbom.

One thing to keep in mind: vitamin C is water soluble — meaning it’s not stored in our bodies — and needs to be replenished daily.  “If you don’t get the proper amount of vitamin C, collagen production will slow, making skin more susceptible to wrinkles and aging,” states Weisbom. Therefore, increasing your intake of vitamin C, will greatly help the production of collagen in your skin, as well as neutralize the harmful effects of antioxidants.

What are the best sources to get vitamin C? The grocery store is a great place to start. Weisbom mentions that oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, papaya, strawberries, pineapple, kiwifruit, and cantaloupe are all excellent sources of vitamin C. Vegetables like bell peppers, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, squash, and green beans also provide vitamin C, according to Weisbom.

Because vitamin C is heat sensitive, “…it’s best if you consume these foods raw to get the most benefit! If you prefer them cooked, I suggest cooking them at a low heat without exposing them to too much water,” says Weisbom.

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is a great starting point for many who wish to up their intake of vitamin C; however, what if someone isn’t able to eat enough of these regularly? Is the average vitamin C tablet a good option?

Vitamin C Tablet

Weisbom strongly suggests that consumers do their own research on tablets as a form of vitamin C supplementation. Along with double checking the vitamin C tablet’s ingredients, to make sure you’re not allergic or that other medications (you may be on) won’t negatively impact you, “You also want to be certain there are no filler chemicals added as binding agents,” says Weisbom. In order to figure out which tablet is best for you, always talk to your health care professional or nutritional store staff.

Traditional oral supplements don’t always provide the best vitamin C absorption because the vitamin is held in a capsule that is rapidly disintegrated by the acids in your stomach. This poses a threat to your body’s ability to absorb vitamin C, according to natural health’s website DrMercola.com.

There’s an alternative to tablets called liposomal vitamin C, which, because of its make-up, presents bioavailability advantages over traditional oral C supplements. It is more easily and fully absorbed by your body, explains Weisbom. In addition, with high levels of traditional oral vitamin C, gastrointestinal distress can occur, and liposomal technology reduces this.

With all of this in mind, how can the average person fit more vitamin C into their life? Weisbom suggests these three strategies:

  1. Be prepared. Always have fruit high in vitamin C on hand for snacking. Fruit such as oranges, grapefruits, and kiwis are a hand held one stop shop for increasing your intake of vitamin C.
  2. Supercharge your breakfast with vitamin C.  Add fresh or frozen berries to your smoothies.
  3. Get cultural. Eat fermented vegetables (such as kimchi and sauerkraut) because they are an excellent source of vitamin C.

What should you expect if you increase your intake of vitamin C? According to Weisbom, “Tighter, smoother and glowing skin.”

Recommended Reading:
Related Products:
Sources:

The Importance of Vitamin K2 and What Foods Have It

Most people don’t know much about K vitamins. If they are familiar with the name, they only know of the vitamin K1. If they are knowledgeable enough, but not experts, they will probably simply call it ‘vitamin K’ and will also be able to tell you it’s good for blood clotting. While vitamin K1 is indeed useful and blood clotting is among its chief benefits, K vitamins in your body have many other benefits.

Image courtesy of Deposit Photos

Why Is Vitamin K2 Important and Why Haven’t You Heard of It

The reason you’ve probably never heard of vitamin K2 is due to the current Western diet. K2 is rarely found in the traditional diet of the average American, and too few studies were done on this topic in the last century. The medical awareness surrounding vitamin K2 was unfortunately lacking, and only recently have doctors and researchers started focusing on this vitamin’s amazing potential. In Eastern countries, and especially in Japan, not only does the traditional diet offer higher concentrations of vitamin K2, public health officials have realized its importance and have included it in their list of recommended supplements.

Vitamin K2 may be one of the ‘missing links’ between diets and the incidence of diseases. Even though several studies have pointed out the connection between the Western diet and the high prevalence of chronic and degenerative diseases versus the lower incidences of these diseases for those following Eastern diets, doctors are still unsure of the exact causes and factors which weigh in this effect. We know our diet isn’t healthy in the long run, but don’t really know how much of this harmfulness is due to red meat or how much it is due to industrially processed vegetable oils and so on. Vitamin K2 is turning out to be quite the neglected factor in this equation.

Main Benefits of Vitamin K2

Both types of vitamin K (K1 and K2) are important to your health, and both play an active role in the way your body metabolizes calcium. However, their exact roles are quite different, insofar that they could very well be classified as completely separate nutrients.

While vitamin K1, has an active role in activating the calcium-binding proteins that help in issues like blood clotting, vitamin K2 is essential for activating the proteins that tell your body how to use this properly absorbed calcium. Basically, the vitamin K2 is crucial for your body’s ability to efficiently manage itself, allowing it to use resources in a smarter way. Therefore, vitamin K2 has the following benefits:

  • May prevent osteoporosis. In Japan, the state has already approved vitamin K2 supplements as a treatment for this condition, and it has been reported that the vitamin is able to prevent the incidence of new fractures by 87%.
  • May prevent heart disease. A main cause of heart disease is the build-up of calcium residue in the arteries. By helping your body use calcium more efficiently, vitamin K2 ensures your arteries will be freer.
  • May improve dental health. Osteocalcin, the same protein involved in bone metabolism, is also crucial for the health of your teeth. Vitamin K2 is known for triggering an activation of this protein, making your teeth stronger and less prone to disease.
  • May help in preventing and fighting cancer. While a vitamin K2 rich Eastern diet lowers the risk of cancer, there aren’t that many studies yet to confirm the link. However, some studies have started to be conducted on the matter, and one of the definite conclusions is that the vitamin reduces the recurrence of liver cancer and increases the survival rates and life expectancy of patients.

More studies about vitamin K2 and the way it prevents diseases and treats conditions already contracted are on the way. Soon, the scientific community will know more about this wonderful and previously neglected vitamin, and more official programs of including it in people’s diets will begin.

How to Include More Vitamin K2 in Your Diet

Until official vitamin K2 promoting strategies are contoured (so you can get your prescription directly from the doctor’s office), there can be only two ways of including this vitamin in your diet more. One of them is through supplements you independently buy (they can be found online), but you should know that these aren’t yet FDA approved. Vitamin K2 supplements are expected to become officially approved soon, as they are in other countries, so there’s probably nothing to worry about if you go ahead and take them anyway.

The second method is one we’d actually support more since the natural way is always best (unless you’re dealing with the need of treating an actual and serious condition). That method is to get vitamin K2 through your diet. Here is what you need to know. Vitamin K1 is mainly found in leafy greens like salad, spinach and so on. Vitamin K2 can be found in animal products and fermented foods. These are the main natural sources of vitamin K2:

  • Dairy from grass-fed cows (especially high-quality butter);
  • Fermented cheeses (anything produced naturally and matured for a long time, but not with the help of moulds);
  • Egg yolks
  • Fermented foods like brine pickles, sauerkraut, miso and natto (another traditional Japanese food which provides a huge chunk of the vitamin K2 present in the diet of modern Japanese people).

The bottom line is that you can find significant amounts of vitamin K2 in most animal foods and in naturally fermented foods as well. The vitamin is produced by the fermentation of gut bacteria, so small amounts are also produced in your body, but you still need to find extra sources. Be careful to only look for vitamin K2 in foods fermented with the help of bacteria, not yeasts or moulds (those produce other types of beneficial substances). If you’d rather keep your diet vegetarian or vegan to a higher degree (and understandably so), then such fermented foods like sauerkraut, miso soups, and natto (a fermented soybean product) are ideal sources of vitamin K2.

Recommended Reading:
Related Products:

Powerful Herbs That Fight Flu

Are you still thinking about getting the flu shot this season? According to research published in The Lancet, getting the flu from a flu shot is not only possible, but probable. Over the course of 12 flu seasons, researchers analyzed studies and found that 41% of study participants contracted the flu after being given the most commonly administered flu shot. So what should you take away from these statistics? Have a plan B.

Herbs as Medicine

Herbs have been used medicinally for centuries. Even in the last century herbs were being used by physicians to treat influenza. In 1918, the flu pandemic known as the “Spanish flu” broke out across the globe and killed 20 to 60 million people. At the time, advances in modern medicine were just being discovered, and many physicians still relied on herbs and other natural therapies to treat sick individuals. According to the written material published by these herb-wielding physicians of the early 1900’s, patients suffering from the Spanish flu who were treated with herbs had above average survival and recovery rates. There is now a renewed interest in the medicinal properties of herbs and, again, there are many physicians who are using herbal protocol to prevent and treat seasonal flu symptoms. The best part is that herbs are readily available and don’t require a prescription.

Elderberry

This herb yields amazing results when it comes to fighting the flu. Israeli researchers published a study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine that confirmed that elderberry extracts inhibited the growth of influenza. In fact, when study participants took 500 mg. twice a day, 90% recovered within three days.

Garlic

People in the ancient world have always held garlic and other members of the allium family in high regard because of their medicinal attributes. In more recent news, garlic is garnering some positive attention because of the antibacterial and antiviral properties of its main chemical component, allicin. Studies done at the University of Maryland Medical Center confirm that consuming garlic helped to prevent the onset of the flu and also helped hasten recovery times of those individuals who already had the flu.

Olive Leaf Extract

Another ancient remedy of note is olive leaf extract. With its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal capacity, olive leaf extract is a broad spectrum herbal medicine used to treat a number of ailments including influenza. Interestingly, some European physicians are now using olive leaf extract instead of traditional antibiotics to treat their patients. Many naturopathic practitioners recommend taking olive leaf extract for several months before flu season begins in order to strengthen the immune system.

Echinacea

Hailing from the purple coneflower native to North America, echinacea has been part of Native American herbal medicine for centuries. University of Maryland Medical Center studies confirm that echinacea does, indeed, ease flu symptoms by relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and enhancing the immune system.

Ginger

Long coveted for its pungent culinary offerings, ginger has an extensively history of medicinal use by Asian, Arabic, and Indian cultures. As well as being a go-to therapy for anything related to stomach discomfort, ginger also soothes flu symptoms such as a sore throat, nasal congestion, cough, and body aches. Ginger is best taken as a tea.

Remember that even natural medicine can interfere with both prescription and over-the-counter medicines like Tylenol. Always consult your physician before starting an herbal protocol for the flu.

Recommended Reading:
Related Products:
Sources: