Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Progesterone



We usually think of hormones and problems associated with them as something that only women need to worry about. Wrong guys! Men can have a hormone imbalance as well. Sometimes it is so subtle you don't recognize it. Progesterone is the hormone that is the basis for estrogen and testosterone. Both male and female need all three of these hormones; the difference is females have more estrogen and males have more testosterone. But progesterone is the key ingredient needed to produce both hormones. So both women and men need progesterone. With our current diets and environments many people do not produce enough progesterone to have a good balance of hormones within their bodies. Which means it is sometimes necessary to supplement the progesterone that your body struggles to produce. The closest we can come to the human progesterone in the plant world is in wild yams. Progesterone derived from wild yams can be purchased in a cream form from most health food stores.

Women will find that what they consider "normal" doesn't have to be. PMS, cramping, headaches are symptoms of lack of progesterone in the body. Men will sometimes feel fatigue and lack of sexual drive. These are not symptoms that should be considered "normal", they are symptoms to be avoided. What has become "normal" is not normal, but common. Women, why not try giving your body what it needs to deal with life. Men, why not add a little lead to your pencil (did she just say that?)?

Women should use a small amount of wild yam cream for 3 weeks of each month, taking a break during week of their menstrual cycle. Menopausal women would pick a week to take off. Men don't need to take a break and should use the cream all month.  Sometimes the answer is so simple we dismiss it. It is so simple and it is worth a try!



Saturday, January 12, 2013

Salt

Himalayan Salt


Salt is the second major 'ingredient' in the body next to water. We need adequate amounts of salt for our adrenal glands to function normally. The adrenal glands are sensitive to the sodium and mineral levels of the body. Adrenal dysfunction is a problem for many people. The best way to rectify this problem is with the use of unrefined salt.

Many diets are salt restrictive. If we were talking about just table salt, that might be a good thing.  However, since our bodies need sodium (salt) we must have adequate amounts of unrefined salt in our diets. Standard table salt - the pure white stuff that is so common, can be very processed and harmful. There are only a handful of minerals in the standard table salt. Sea salt has more minerals and is less processed than table salt. Himalayan salt has 75 minerals in it and Celtic salt has 82 minerals. These minerals in unrefined salt are essential to our diets. Celtic salt provides the body with a host of well absorbed minerals in the perfect balance to help improve adrenal problems as well as immune system and other disorders.

Himalayan salt usually is pink in color. You can get it in a fine or rock form.



Celtic Salt




Celtic salt is usually a gray color and moist. Sometimes it is hard to get out of a shaker so having it available to "pinch" works well.
Celtic salt works well in all my recipes.



Unrefined whole salt, just like whole foods, is the best option for our bodies.






Healthier salts don't have to be expensive. Shop around and you can find a good deal.


 If you have kidney disease, you must consult with your doctor before adding salt to your regimen.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Daniel Diet continued....


Today is Day 4 of my Daniel Diet fast. So far, so good. I am amazed at all the food I start to pop into my mouth without even thinking. With this diet I am committed to eating only fresh fruits and vegetable, nuts, seeds and whole grains. I thought my diet was pretty good. After all, I read labels. But since giving up all processed foods (for me that would be corn and potato chips, crackers, fries - fried in what?), I realize that just keeping out high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, and MSG may not be enough. Since being on this diet I feel like I am going through a detox. I have had a headache and I'm not sleeping well. I think I am going through withdrawal from all those things on the label that I can't pronounce. Day 5 will be better. This has been a good experiment for me. I'd be interested to hear your experience with your New Year "promises". Oh, bonus for me is 2 lbs. lost!