Pink Eye Strikes, Again: HOOORAY for Homeopathics!

At 5:00 a.m. yesterday morning, I awoke with my left eye severely watering. Something was definitely off. I tried to wait to check it out, since I was half asleep. But, that nagging feeling of: "No! Don't wait!!! Take your contact lenses out NOW!!!!!!!! ...and look in the mirror. So, I did. I finally did.

Low and behold... there it was.... a pink eye. Was I going to be stuck in the dark for the entire day, or two? If you've ever had this condition, you know sunlight hurts ...like a bitch. "Pink Eye" is no fun.

Since I am someone who literally has a pharmacy of homeopathics, flower remedies, tinctures, herbs, vitamins, minerals, phytoplankton.... I whipped open my box of "Similasan" PINK EYE RELIEF eye drops. Every 15 minutes, or so, I'd drop a few drops in. And, by the time the Sun came up, the pain was gone... the eye was still extremely pink, but I found that tolerating Sun Light was not as painful as I know it could have been.

A few hours after that, my eye looked 1/2 as bad as it did at 5:00 a.m., but it felt a whole lot better!!! So, I stopped using the drops. This morning I woke up and discovered my left eye was perfectly clear...not even 24 hours later! And, no doctor's visit nor prescription needed!!!

Yeah Team!!!

USDA Dietary Guidelines UNDER CONSTRUCTION

I wrote this letter, today. These are my recommendations to the USDA Advisory Committee on revising the Dietary Guidelines For Americans and the USDA Food Pyramid or "My Pyramid", which is done on a five year routine basis. So.... here's what I had to say:

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Dear Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Members:

Please allow me to introduce myself. As a registered dietitian [Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 1984], I have practiced medical nutrition therapy for 25 years. I am also a health reporter and publisher of healthypeople.com

I do believe the predicament with The USDA Pyramid is grains at the bottom. Thankfully the solution is simple: place VEGETABLES at the Base of The Pyramid …especially, the leafy green ones to help manage inflammation and pH Balance within the system. Simply shift this paradigm. It is quite easy.

We have medical visionaries amongst us. Pioneers in Integrative Medicine, such as Andrew Weil, M.D., Dean Ornish, M.D., Caldwell Esselstyn, Jr. M.D., T. Colin Campbell, M.D., Neal Barnard, M.D., all of whom would agree USA’s health care dilemma stems from diseases of lifestyle. Since inflammation precipitates most medical conditions, it stands to reason if we manage inflammation we can manage any chronic condition. This includes heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, hypertension, cancers, immune disorders, depression, etc.

Thanks to these integrative medical pioneers, we now know the basic challenge for us all boils down to condition coined by Andrew Weil, M.D. as “low grade inflammation”. And, we can measure our progress with hemoglobin A1C tests.

The question is: How do we manage inflammation?

Part of the answer is consuming alkaline foods [like green leafy vegetables] and alkaline beverages [like green drinks, phyto-plankton based beverages], or consuming foods which break down into an alkaline ash [e.g., like grapefruits].

Including Omega 3 fats or foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids [unprocessed soy, salmon, walnuts, grass-fed meat and “Omega-3 rich” eggs, flax seeds, hemp seeds, hemp milk, grasses, etc.] is another method to manage inflammation. Naturally occurring COX 2 inhibitors: Some foods, like black cherries, manage inflammation with COX 2 inhibitors. Cannabis also contains COX 2 inhibitors, which is why marijuana pills are now being prescribed for chronic pain.

Consumption of antioxidants and phyto-nutrients is yet another strategy to control inflammatory reactions. Most fresh or frozen fruits, vegetables and whole grains are naturally rich in phyto-nutrients and antioxidants.

Another priority is to identify foods, beverages and other variables which aggravate inflammation. Refined oils and sugars, pesticides, herbicides, fungicides all trigger inflammation. Cookware can be toxic, such as heated plastic which seeps into foods and beverages. Or, Styrofoam molecules which float into hot coffee or tea via osmosis. It does not take a rocket scientist to decipher that petro-chemically based ingredients [like artificial colors] and plastics ingested will aggravate inflammation …or that rocket fuel in our water is not such a good thing. It is not just about what we eat, but how we live.

Education is the key. We must educate the public [employees, patients, children, parents, students, the elderly, etc.] on a variety of timely topics:

- Manage pH/Acid-Base balance with leafy greens & alkaline cuisine.

- Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load as tools to manage blood sugars. Excess sugars and starches trigger inflammation, as well as insulin and hyper-triglyceridemia. They should be considered key contributors to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancers, etc. The more nutrient-dense versions of carbohydrate will contain vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants which helps compensate for the inherently high glycemic index, and can be consumed with protein-rich cuisine to slow the rate carbohydrate will enter the bloodstream.

- Most artificial sweeteners have a high glycemic index and elicit an insulin response, even though they contain very few Calories. [By the way, Stevia is not an artificial flavor. It is a sweet tasting herb which contains no carbohydrate, so does not trigger insulin response.]

- Processed oils trigger inflammation. Learn to select raw nuts, expeller pressed or unrefined oils not subjected to extreme temperatures. Oil in clear bottles exposed to light accelerates rancidity, creating more peroxides (free radicals) further igniting inflammation. Recommend oils be stored in tinted glass bottles (instead of plastic, which seeps into the fluid it contains, especially when temperatures rise.)

- Petro-chemically based ingredients must be managed: artificial food colors and dyes, fungicides/herbicides/pesticides all trigger the inflammatory process and be monitored by parents concerned with ADD/ADHD.

Well… this should keep us busy for the next five or ten years… until the next big breakthrough on the final frontier of Integrative Medicine comes to light.

Respectfully submitted,

Helene Berk, M.Ed., R.D.

Registered Dietitian, Health Reporter, Publisher of healthypeople.com

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Here's the link to see other people's comments:
http://usda-cnpp.entellitrak.com/etk-usda-cnpp-2.8.0-prod/tracking.dashBoard.do

My comments might take a day or two or three to post.
They probably review them before they post them... and it is Friday!

Cocoa: Africa's greatest commodity can heal its children

Who knew cocoa, cacao and non-alkalized [un-dutched] dark chocolate are among the healthiest foods on the planet? Who knew the very region where cacao is cultivated, and where it is desperately needed most, is where it is exported out to be processed in Belgium and other parts of the world to distribute for all to savor and enjoy.

Just a few cups of hot cocoa could nourish the children of Africa!!! It would manage diarrhea due to contaminated water resources. It's a no-brainer, people. But these kids don't even get to benefit from their greatest export commodity. It's all about greed.

Raw Cacao, Cocoa and Dark Chocolate are a medicinal foods. Let's review the nutrient density and therapeutic properties. You can try raw, unprocessed, un-dutched cocoa, raw cacao "niblets" or select at least 71% dark chocolate.

http://www.dagobachocolate.com/ is one example of a therapeutic chocolate company which offers a variety of nutrient-dense selections you can experiment with.

Here's the nutrient and phyto-nutrient breakdown of dark chocolate:

• Amino Acids: arginine, glycine, histadine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, tryptophan, tyramine, tyrosine
• Cold Pressed Fats: essential oils linoleic acid & linolenic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid
• Phospho/Waxy Fats: phosphotidylcholine, sitosterol, salsolinol
• Antioxidant Vitamins: Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C) and Vitamin E
• Minerals: Copper, Calcium, Chromium, Phosphorus, Iron, Magnesium, Zinc, Manganese
• B Vitamins: Thiamine (B1), Riboflavin (B2), Niacin (B3), Pantothenic Acid (B5), Pyridoxine (B6), B12
• Loaded with Fibers: soluble and insoluble
• Antioxidant Phytonutrients: polyphenols like phenolic acids, simple phenols, quinines, stilbenes, xanthones, flavonoids or bioflavonoids (Flavanol or flavan-3-ols). They act like hormones, anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, antibacterials, anti-virals, anti-cancer agents, fight tooth decay, and relieve allergies
• theobromine in dark chocolate helps with breathing
• Dark chocolate raises Dopamine, Serotonin, Endorphins: helpful with depression, anxiety, addictions, ADD, ADHD
• Weight Loss: [NOT an issue for the children of Africa] one ounce of dark chocolate 15 minutes before a meal will reduce the amount of food you eat at that meal by 50%, according to Dr. Mike Roizen, M.D., and you will be satisfied sooner. Dark chocolate also reduces cravings for carbohydrates.
• Dental Health: reduces gum disease and bleeding

So, chocolate-cocoa-cacao, is a food. Savor the flavor. Buy the best. And, eat between meals!

...and let U2's Bono and Oprah know they need to serve a cup of cocoa or cacao with that Red Campaign...to the children of Africa!!!

Go Tyra! Go Tyra!!

I've never watched Tyra Banks' show

before the latest cries about her thighs

...but, I do have two things to say to you, girl:

1) KUDOS for Expressing Your Frustrations

and standing up for models, and for those who model them.

I saw the tears streaming down faces of guests. I noticed tears falling from my own eyes. I suffered from bulimia for 18 long years. I am liberated now. I share my own healing process via my FREE METABOLIC MAKEOVER CHECKLIST. It's posted on my web site: www.healthypeople.com


2) Tyra, your nutrition tip is absolutely brilliant :

"Save tonight's dinner doggy bag for tomorrow's breakfast with eggs."

First, it promotes under-eating at restaurants ...which is a good thing... since portions are usually twice as big as they need to be. Plus, the protein rich egg breakfast is loaded with ingredients to support your nervous system and stabilize blood sugars for hours!!!

Yes... eggs are good. The organic kind. The "cage-free" varieties are not always organic, which is fine. Just make certain the carton states: "No-Antibiotics"!!! You pay a little more at $3.25 or so per dozen, but at .27 cents per egg and 7 grams of protein, it's quite a deal. Believe me, you want to eat eggs from chickens with good quality living conditions. It only makes sense, doesn't it? In my humble opinion, freaked out chickens produce toxic eggs...

YOU GO, Girl!!!

P.S.
Regarding waking up in the middle of the night, worrying about what people think of you... use this time to be productive ...like express thoughts in a blog! ...or clean the house ...or read something to put you back to sleep... OR JUST TURN OFF ALL THE LIGHTS, place a pillow under your knees, or between your knees. This is good for your back.

SWEET DREAMS ! ! !

CRUSH CRAVINGS FOR CARBS - Top Ten Strategies [strategy #1]

Serotonin is the "feel-good brain hormone". When blood sugars drop sharply, serotonin does, too. Your mood becomes cranky and your mind obsesses on carbohydrates to boost serotonin and ease tension. The goal, then, is to manage blood sugars to control cravings and moods.

This is the first of ten strategies to crush cravings for carbs...

STRATEGY #1 - SELECT NUTRIENT DENSE

VERSIONS OF YOUR FAVORITE CARBOHYDRATES

If you want chocolate chip cookies, breads, breakfast cereals or your favorite carbohydrate-rich [i.e., "HIGH GLYCEMIC"] snacks, get a small dose of a NUTRIENT DENSE version of your favorite food or beverage. For example, try a few fiber-rich chocolate chip cookies, ...perhaps...made with oat flour and sweetened with fruit juices. Whole grain cookies contain non-digestible fibers to fill your belly. Digestible oat fibers would clean your bloodstream. The micro-minerals and B vitamins would boost metabolism and strengthen immunity. Simply, watch the dose! Enjoy every bite. Savor the flavors, the aromas, the textures... and watch how your mood shifts.

All I am suggesting is to raise serotonin with a small serving -- AND I DO MEAN SMALL SERVING -- of a healthier version of your favorite carbohydrate-containing food or snack!

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We all need just a touch of decadence.

I say, get your daily dose!

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When you crave carbohydrates, remember, what you truly need is more serotonin, the "feel good" hormone. You can actually raise serotonin without ingesting any sugars, starches or alcohol -- and we will soon get to those strategies... in later blog entries...

However, sometimes, nothing but a comfort carb will do. Nutrient-dense versions of your favorite foods will fortify health and boost vitality. They will leave you feeling more satisfied and "in balance". Fiber-rich selections have at least 3 grams per serving. More fibers mean more overall nutrients. In time, I will be highlighting a variety of these foods and beverages in my therapeutic grocery blog. [Both of my blogs are new. It will take time to get through all of the products I intend to review.]

Nutrient-rich carbohydrates contain: water, fibers, vitamins, minerals, trace minerals, proteins [i.e., amino acids] and/or cold-pressed oils. Whole grains are rich in B-vitamins and a spectrum of trace minerals. Chromium is an example of a trace mineral often processed out of carbohydrate-rich convenience foods. If chromium remains in the grain, it helps your body manage blood sugars. If the carbohydrate-rich food happened to contain cinnamon, this spice would also help stabilize blood glucose.

If the carbohdyrate is rich in fibers, you can bet all of the vitamins and trace are still in tact. Plant fibers will vary among carbohydrate-rich convenience foods. More fiber is better and a good indicator the product is less processed. As previously mentioned, one slice of bread, a portion of pasta, 3/4 cup of dry breakfast cereal or a serving of healthy cookies should contain at least 3 grams of fibers to be considered "fiber-rich" in my new therapeutic grocery guide [blog]. Remember: digestible fibers clean the blood. Non-digestible fibers clean the gut. Pre-lignin fibers help balance hormones.

HOW TO CUT DOWN ON REFINED CARBOHYDRATES:

Limit portions of refined carbohydrates made with bleached sugars and flours. If your product contains the word, "hydrogenated or partially-hydrogenated", then toss it. If it contains that kind of garbage, you can bet the rest of the ingredients are virtually worthless, too.

Refined carbohydrates have lower concentrations of vitamins, minerals, trace minerals and plant fibers. They are supplemented with cheap synthetic supplements not absorbed as well as natural supplements. Refined, glycemic, carbohydrate-dense cuisine promptly raises blood sugars and dramatically numbs the senses with a tidal wave of serotonin. Candy, cookies, sugary sodas, pretzels and alcohol have this in common: they all have drug-like effects in large doses*

IF YOU ARE DIABETIC...

*To tightly control blood sugars, limit the dose of all carbohydrates -- whether or not they are nutrient-dense -- to 100 grams per meal. If you are diabetic, or suffer from metabolic syndrome, the ratio of carbohydrate to protein would be: 15 grams of protein to every 20 grams of carbohydrates. For example, have an open-faced sandwich and save the second slice of bread for another meal. If at all possible, include protein with every meal or snack to stabilize blood sugars for a longer period of time.

[See strategy #3 for more on including protein to manage blood sugars over time]

Are You a S.A.D. Serotonin Junkie?

Do you crave carbohydrates all day long? Are you yearning for more sugars, starches or alcohol? It may be a symptom of "Seasonal Affective Disorder" or "S.A.D.", which kicks in around the Fall Season in areas where residents get less sunlight.

Or, perhaps you have been craving more carbohydrates since you lost your job, got a promotion, got engaged or moved to a new town. Whether the stress is a positive or a negative event, stress in and of itself will trigger a desire for carbohydrates to raise serotonin. Serotonin is a feel-good hormone. When you feel "bad" (anxious, nervous, angry) it may be a symptom you actually need more!

The feeling of being stressed or agitated is your body's way of saying levels of serotonin are too low. Keep in mind: carbohydrates do raise serotonin. However, think: nutrient density

• fresh fruit
• dried fruit
• 100% whole grains
• dried or canned beans
• vegetables

Throw a little protein into the mix to slow down the rate of absorption of the carbohydrates. Avoid overdosing on carbohydrates to manage the "glycemic load" on your bloodstream.

Keep in mind, too much serotonin will make you very sleepy and unproductive. You want to go through life feeling energetic, right? Eat small portions of carbohydrates with a source of protein to manage the glycemic response, subsequent glycemic load and to stabilize blood sugars!

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The goal is to manage blood sugars. Stabilizing blood sugars helps to prevent the development of triglycerides, protects your immune system and helps to manage inflammation. Yes, balancing your blood sugar is that important!

We are a nation on the run. We eat for any reason at all to ease our emotions. Have you been feeling just a bit desperate, anxious, nervous or perhaps moody? Do you reach for sugars, starches, sweetened drinks or alcohol when feeling on edge? Do you find yourself wanting to escape with a bag of chips, a plate of pasta, a cola, a beer, or a pocket-full of candies and cookies? Once again, craving carbohydrates is a symptom you need more serotonin, the "feel-good" brain hormone. When serotonin levels rise, cravings for carbohydrates do vanish.

Just keep in mind that you don't need carbohydrates to raise serotonin. Alternative strategies include:

• 15 minutes of sunshine
• a brisk walk
• a snack rich in tryptophan and Vitamin B-6 [soy, peanuts, dairy, turkey]

Now you can relax, knowing craving carbohydrates or alcohol when feeling anxious, nervous, depressed or even angry is perfectly NORMAL. You are not a serotonin junkie, after all! Your body and mind simply need a serotonin fix ...from time to time. In other words, carbohydrate cravings are a sign it is time to raise brain and gut levels of serotonin concentration.*

• *Unless, of course you suffer from CANDIDA, where the overgrown fungus in your body is craving carbohydrates to thrive. CANDIDA's excrements and waste products then break down your immune system. If that is your problem, then... well... that's a different article. Just do a search on Google or your favorite search engine for some immediate answers.

This is why it is important to ALWAYS stay aware of your body's instincts. Notice your emotional states. When you feel anxious, sad, depressed, emotional, and notice a craving stirring within ...a yen for something sweet, salty, crunchy or even alcoholic, this is your body's instinct and yearning for more serotonin. Nevertheless, you may find yourself in the grips of an old habit; Overdosing on refined carbohydrates when your body truly needs nutrient-dense carbohydrates ...or more sunshine ...or a walk.

Your old habit may be to overdose on sugars, starches, alcohol, or perhaps a mind-altering drugs like "ecstasy" to flood the brain with serotonin for a relaxing, euphoric feeling. The question is: how much serotonin do you really need to feel fabulous? The brain only requires a slow drip, not a tidal wave! Overdosing on serotonin causes sleepiness. You feel "out of it". Staying focused is impossible. Prevent fuzzy-headedness!!! Get the right dose of the right stuff!

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My next article will focus on ten strategies to balance blood sugars, manage serotonin response, and ease carbohydrate cravings. But, in the mean time, you can visit my web site: www.healthypeople.com and click on the "metabolic makeover" tab. That will bring you to my famous checklist: 11 habits of lean, healthy, energetic people!

I get phone calls from doctors who download it for their patients, authors who want to quote it... and plenty of comments from readers about the common sense of it... and that it works!!! AND, MY METABOLIC MAKEOVER CHECKLIST IS FREE. So, have fun with my it, find a support group to help you integrate it into your life and remember: it's okay to NOT do it perfectly. Imperfection is what life is about.

Life is also about appreciating "the good things" that come your way. So, pat your Self on the back every time you do something really nice for your Self... like... implementing a new habit from the metabolic makeover checklist to energize your life!!!

Being joyful is a symptom you are getting enough serotonin.

Are you feelin' it?