November 2012

Hello, and welcome to this edition edition of my Natural Alternatives Newsletter!

I hope you will enjoy reading this issue.

If you like this e-zine, please do a friend and me a favor and pay it forward!

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“The natural healing force within each one of us is the greatest force in getting well.” ~Hippocrates

IN THIS ISSUE:

1) TOP 10 PROBIOTIC FOODS TO ADD TO YOUR DIET

2) COCONUT WATER

3) MINDFULNESS ACADEMY: 6 STEPS FOR BALANCED LIVING

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1) TOP 10 PROBIOTIC FOODS TO ADD TO YOUR DIET
By Dr. Edward Group

Probiotics are beneficial forms of gut bacteria that help stimulate the natural digestive juices and enzymes that keep our digestive organs functioning properly. In addition to taking a probiotic supplement, you can also support your probiotic intake through eating foods that are hosts to these live bacterium.

We all know of the great health benefits of probiotics, however, not all of us know how to take advantage of these health benefits. Below is a list I put together to outline the best probiotic foods for you to add to your diet. I would also recommend buying the organic version of all these probiotic foods.

1. Yogurt
One of the best probiotic foods is live-cultured yogurt, especially handmade. Look for brands made from goat milk that has been infused with extra forms of probitoics like lactobacillus or acidophilus. Goat’s milk and cheese are particularly high in probiotics like thermophillus, bifudus, bulgaricus and acidophilus. Be sure to read the ingredients list, as not all yogurts are made equally. Many popular brands are filled with High Fructose Corn Syrup, artificial sweeteners and artifical flavors.
2. Kefir
Similar to yogurt, this fermented dairy product is a unique combination of goat milk and fermented kefir grains. High in lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria, kefir is also rich in antioxidants. Look for a good, organic version at your local health food shop.
3. Sauerkraut
Made from fermented cabbage (as well as other vegetables), sauerkraut is not only extremely rich in healthy live cultures, but also aids in reducing allergy symptoms. Sauerkraut is also rich in vitamins B, A, E and C.
4. Dark Chocolate
Probiotics can be added to high-quality dark chocolate, up to four times the amount of probiotics as many forms of dairy. This is only one of the health benefits of chocolate.
5. Microalgae
This refers to super-food ocean-based plants such as spirulina, chorella, and blue-green algae. These probiotic foods have been shown to increase the amount of both Lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in the digestive tract. They also offer the most amount of energetic return, per ounce, for the human system.
6. Miso Soup
Miso is one the main-stays of Japanese traditional medicine, and is commonly used in macrobiotic cooking as a digestive regulator. Made from fermented rye, beans, rice or barley, adding a tablespoon of miso to some hot water makes an excellent, quick, probiotic-rich soup, full of lactobacilli and bifidus bacteria. Beyond its important live cultures, miso is extremely nutrient-dense and is believed to help neutralize the effects of environmental pollution, alkalinize the body and stop the effects of carcinogens in the system.
7. Pickles
Believe it or not, the common green pickle is an excellent food source of probiotics. Try making your own home-made pickles in the sun. Here’s a great set of instructions for making your own probiotic-rich dill pickles.
8. Tempeh
A great substitute for meat or tofu, tempeh is a fermented, probiotic-rich grain made from soy beans. A great source of vitamin B12, this vegetarian food can be sautéed, baked or eaten crumbled on salads. If prepared correctly, tempeh is also very low in salt, which makes it an ideal choice for those on a low-sodium diet.
9. Kimchi
An Asian form of pickled sauerkraut, kimchi is an extremely spicy and sour fermented cabbage, typically served alongside most meals in Korea. Besides from beneficial bacteria, Kimchi is also a great source of beta-carotene, calcium, iron and vitamins A, C, B1 & B2. Kimchi is one of the best probiotic foods you can add to your diet, assuming you can handle the spice, of course.
10. Kombucha Tea
This is a form of fermented tea high in healthy gut bacteria. This probiotic drink has been used for centuries and is believed to help increase your energy, enhance your wellbeing and maybe even help you lose weight. However, kombucha tea may not be the best fit for everyone, especially those that already have a problem with candida.

Other Sources of Probiotics

Besides from the list of probiotic foods above, you can also get plenty of beneficial bacteria by taking a probiotic supplement. I personally would recommend taking Latero-Flora, but Garden of Lifes Primal Defense Ultra is also a great option.

2) COCONUT WATER
By Cathy Wong

Coconut water is a liquid extracted from very young coconuts. As coconuts mature, they produce coconut milk rather than coconut water.

In recent years, coconut water has gained popularity as a beverage. Some proponents suggest that drinking coconut water can provide a number of health benefits.

Coconut Water and Nutrition

Coconut water is rich in electrolytes, a class of minerals that carry an electric charge. Maintaining a balance of electrolytes is essential to staying hydrated. In addition, electrolytes affect your blood acidity and muscle action. Coconut water is particularly high in potassium, an electrolyte that helps build muscle and regulate heart health.

Uses for Coconut Water

Coconut water is widely touted as a healthy way to rehydrate after exercise or excessive drinking. In fact, coconut water is sometimes marketed as a sports drink or hangover remedy. Additionally, some proponents claim that coconut water can help treat health problems such as high cholesterol, kidney stones, and liver disorders. Coconut water is also said to promote weight loss, stimulate the immune system, improve circulation, and aid in detoxification.

Benefits of Coconut Water

To date, few scientific studies have tested coconut water's health effects. However, there's some evidence that drinking coconut water may offer certain benefits. Here's a look at several findings from the available research:

1) Coconut Water and Exercise
Sodium-enriched coconut water may help you rehydrate after exercise, according to a small study published in The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health in 2007.

The study involved 10 healthy males, each of whom ran for 90 minutes in a room with a temperature of nearly 90 degrees Fahrenheit. After their exercise session, participants sipped plain water, a sports drink, coconut water, or sodium-enriched coconut water for two hours.

While all subjects were still somewhat dehydrated after the two-hour period, those who drank the sodium-enriched coconut water and the sports drink experienced a significantly greater degree of rehydration (compared to the other participants). In addition, the sodium-enriched coconut water caused less stomach upset than the sports drink did.
2) Coconut Water and Cholesterol
Preliminary research shows that coconut water holds promise for treatment of high cholesterol. In a 2008 study from Food and Chemical Toxicology, for instance, scientists gave either a coconut-water-enriched diet or lovastatin (a drug used for lowering cholesterol) to a group of rats with high cholesterol. After 45 days, both groups showed a significant reduction in LDL ("bad") cholesterol and an increase in HDL ("good") cholesterol. Although the study's authors suggest that coconut water may have a cholesterol-lowering effect similar to that of lovastatin, there is currently a lack of studies testing coconut water's effects on high cholesterol in humans.

Where To Find Coconut Water

Coconut water can be found in most natural-foods stores and in many grocery stores and drugstores, as well as for purchase online. When using coconut water for hydration, look for products that contain no added sugar.
Source: about.com

3) MINDFULNESS ACADEMY: 6 STEPS FOR BALANCED LIVING

The Mindfulness Academy is a flexible, entertaining way to hone your focus and concentration, increase and maintain your energy, even if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Very quickly, you begin to see how to live a life that’s less about your stress, and more about realizing your dreams…less about what you MUST DO and more about fulfilling your ever-expanding potential to THRIVE in every part of your life.

You will learn to defuse challenging situations, people, emotions, and thoughts faster, easier, and more naturally. So you can get back to your life. Go from over-stressed to energetic. Have better relationships. Be more productive. Feel more balanced and focused. Have more fun!

What’s in Mindfulness Academy:

* 6 All New and Entertaining Mindfulness Exercises to keep you engaged and learning faster;

* Difficulty levels you can tailor to your mood, your skills and needs, so that you never get bored ;

* Just as you are unique—Mindfulness Academy allows you to adjust your own personal breathing cycle so that you get the best results possible;

* Personalize your efforts—we help you set, and appreciate your goals and affirmations with worksheets to inspire and focus- helping you achieve more personal growth;

*Visualize your own Positive Affirmations because you can customize them to fit your dreams—and help make them true.

The Mindfulness Academy Introductory Bundle is everything you need to begin your journey to training your mind and body.

You will get the iom Training Hardware, along with 3 software titles including our newest release, Mindfulness Academy: 6 Steps for Balanced Living, the online version of The Grapher and the very special program Deepak Chopra’s “Secrets of Meditation”.

The FREE bonuses include the Music CD downloads (MP3′s, iPod ready) of the “Songs of Success” series I, II and III. Plus your own special travel Carry Case from Wild Divine to bring your iom anywhere you go.

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PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE!

Thank you for reading.

Livia
https://www.natural-health-and-healing.com
Brampton, Ontario, Canada

P.S. If you have a comment or suggestion, just reply to this e-mail. Your feedback is important to me.

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This newsletter is for educational purposes only. It is your right to educate yourself in health and medical knowledge, to seek helpful information and make use of it for your own benefit, and for that of your family. You are the one responsible for your health. You must educate yourself in order to make decisions in all health matters. My views and advices are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medicine, but simply a help you to make educated changes in order to help your body heal itself. If you have a medical condition or concern you should consult your physician.