Immune system booster

Do you feel like you are always getting colds, skin rashes, headaches, fatigue or sinus infections? Well, maybe you need to do a cleanse that focuses on boosting your immune system, so your body can defend itself better from bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. A good time to start thinking about boosting your immune system is before flu season comes around, or before any airplane travel.

Our immune system is supposed to protect us from these everyday illnesses, but our lifestyle choices can weaken this protective shield, leaving us vulnerable to disease and infections. A lot of the food we ingest is man-made, processed junk that put stress on your body and immune system. We should really be focusing on fresh, natural food. By cleansing out some bad lifestyle habits and junk food you can have your body fighting off every germ that comes your way!

Here are a few foods to eat and foods to avoid while you’re doing an immune system cleanse. Remember to be realistic - cutting out 100 percent of the bad stuff is probably not going to happen! However, if you try to stick to the plan for 2 weeks and work out a diet and lifestyle that work for you, then you’ll start to see some real improvements to your health.

Immune System Suppressors

These are the foods and lifestyle choices that actually weaken your immune system.

Alcohol and Coffee

Both alcohol and coffee lower the amount of white blood cells in your bloodstream. This weakens your body’s defenses against illness. They both impair the body’s absorption of vital nutrients, weakening the body and making it more susceptible to illness.

Cigarettes

Cigarettes contain arsenic, cadmium, formaldehyde, to name just a few of the toxic chemicals that enter your system whenever you light up. All of these will impair your immune function - irritated lungs are much more vulnerable to infection.

Sugar

Too much sugar can also suppress your immune system. Avoid sugar, honey, syrup, chocolate, and check labels for anything ending in “ose”. Avoid white flour and white flour products too - they affect the immune system in much the same way.

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If you have a sweet tooth, you might think this is going to be an impossible task, but stick to it for a coupe of weeks and your cravings will go away. You can have a piece of fruit to curb your craving, but stay away from artificial sweeteners, as they are very toxic, even worse than sugar.

Trans Fats

Trans fats are very toxic, damaging to your body and will certainly weaken your immune system. The main culprits are foods like cookies, cakes, donuts, pizza, fried chicken and most fast foods. When you’re shopping for food, be careful of shortening, margarine, cereal and cereal bars. But remember - the only sure way to avoid eating trans fats is to read labels!

How to Boost Your Immune System

Sleep

When you have a cold people will often tell you to get some sleep, and its true that adequate rest is one of the most important factors in a healthy immune system. That’s why we feel so tired when we get sick. When we sleep, our immune system repairs and rebuilds, ready and armed to fight off all those germs that we encounter throughout the day. Don’t rest only when you get ill - try to aim for a consistent 7-8 hours of sleep per night.

Sunlight

Research has shown that getting 30 minutes of vitamin D from sunlight or daylight strengthens the immune system to fight off disease. Don’t go overboard though. Sunlight is great for your health but you shouldn’t put your skin at risk for skin cancer.

Skin brushing

This is an unconventional technique for boosting blood circulation. Skin brushing stimulates the immune cells to move more rapidly throughout your body and also helps carry toxins out of the body.

Exercise

Exercise stimulates your lymphatic system, which helps fight germs and remove toxins. It also increases oxygen in the body and raises your body temperature, both of which play important roles in boosting immunity. Over-exercising can actually suppress the immune system though, so don’t go overboard.

Immune-Boosting Foods

To boost your immune system, it is important to eat a variety of whole foods. However, there is a small group of foods that you should put particular emphasis on.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

These immune boosters contain antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber, all important for keeping your immune system in order and your body free from disease. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables will nourish your body, however there are some that are super immune fighting.

Vitamin C

Try to include a serving or 2 of these super immune-boosting fruits and vegetables every day. Here are the ones that are highest in vitamin C:

Guava

Citrus fruits

Kiwi

Cantaloupe

Strawberries

Bell peppers

Brussel sprouts

Parsley

Vitamin E

Make sure you get enough of this immune boosting antioxidant. The best sources include lean meats, poultry, nuts, beans, grains, fortified cereals and leafy greens.

Beta-carotene

This is a strong antioxidant, which boosts your immune system and can even fight cancer. Beta-carotene converts to vitamin A. Sweet potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, cantaloupe, squash.

Garlic

Garlic contains an antimicrobial compound, Allicin, which encourages the multiplication of germ-fighting white blood cells. Studies have shown that people who consume garlic supplements, or consume garlic everyday, suffer from significantly fewer flus and colds. Two minced cloves of fresh garlic per day, either with food or mixed with water, should do the trick.

PROTEINS

Zinc

Lean meats contain Zinc, which plays a big role in activating the white blood cells that fight bacteria and viruses. Good sources include oysters, beans, turkey, lamb, eggs, fortified cereals, nuts and seeds (especially pumpkin seeds).

Buy Organic

All meat and eggs that you buy should be organic, to avoid unnecessary toxins like pesticides. Only eat wild-caught fish, and also avoid large fish that contain high levels of Mercury (e.g. shark, swordfish, tilefish, albacore and king mackerel).

Yogurt

Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria that populate the intestine and prevent fungal infection. Studies have shown plain yogurt stimulates the immune system and improves overall health. Make sure you buy plain yogurt though - the sugar in most yogurt brands will actually suppress your immune system.

GREEN TEA

Green tea contains a compound named EGCG, a powerful antioxidant that protects the body from cancer. Green tea also has powerful anti-bacterial properties, helps to control dental plaque, stimulates your immune system cells and helps to fight off infection.

WATER

Staying constantly hydrated will ensure your body’s waste fluids are removed quickly and efficiently. Be sure to drink lots of water throughout the day, a glass every hour if possible.

Coconut Benefits

The scientific name for coconut is Cocos nucifera. Early Spanish explorers called it coco, which means "monkey face" because the three indentations (eyes) on the hairy nut resembles the head and face of a monkey. Nucifera means "nut-bearing."

The coconut provides a nutritious source of meat, juice, milk, and oil that has fed and nourished populations around the world for generations. On many islands coconut is a

Harvested coconuts lined up on the beach.

staple in the diet and provides the majority of the food eaten. Nearly one third of the world's population depends on coconut to some degree for their food and their economy. Among these cultures the coconut has a long and respected history.

Coconut is highly nutritious and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. It is classified as a "functional food" because it provides many health benefits beyond its nutritional content. Coconut oil is of special interest because it possesses healing properties far beyond that of any other dietary oil and is extensively used in traditional medicine among Asian and Pacific populations. Pacific Islanders consider coconut oil to be the cure for all illness. The coconut palm is so highly valued by them as both a source of food and medicine that it is called "The Tree of Life." Only recently has modern medical science unlocked the secrets to coconut's amazing healing powers.

Coconut In Traditional Medicine

People from many diverse cultures, languages, religions, and races scattered around the globe have revered the coconut as a valuable source of both food and medicine. Wherever the coconut palm grows the people have learned of its importance as a effective medicine. For thousands of years coconut products have held a respected and valuable place in local folk medicine.

In traditional medicine around the world coconut is used to treat a wide variety of health problems including the following: abscesses, asthma, baldness, bronchitis, bruises, burns, colds, constipation, cough, dropsy, dysentery, earache, fever, flu, gingivitis, gonorrhea, irregular or painful menstruation, jaundice, kidney stones, lice, malnutrition, nausea, rash, scabies, scurvy, skin infections, sore throat, swelling, syphilis, toothache, tuberculosis, tumors, typhoid, ulcers, upset stomach, weakness, and wounds.

Coconut In Modern Medicine

Modern medical science is now confirming the use of coconut in treating many of the above conditions. Published studies in medical journals show that coconut, in one form or another, may provide a wide range of health benefits. Some of these are summarized below:

Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.

Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.

Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.

Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.

Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.

Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.

Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.

Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.

Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.

Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.

Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.

Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.

Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.

Helps protect against osteoporosis.

Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.

Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.

Improves digestion and bowel function.

Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.

Reduces inflammation.

Supports tissue healing and repair.

Supports and aids immune system function.

Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.

Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.

Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.

Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.

Functions as a protective antioxidant.

Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.

Does not deplete the body's antioxidant reserves like other oils do.

Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.

Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.

Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).

Reduces epileptic seizures.

Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.

Dissolves kidney stones.

Helps prevent liver disease.

Is lower in calories than all other fats.

Supports thyroid function.

Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.

Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.

Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.

Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.

Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.

Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.

Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.

Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.

Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.

Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

Helps control dandruff.

Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.

Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.

Is completely non-toxic to humans.

See Research to read some of the published studies regarding the above mentioned uses of coconut products.

Coconut Oil

While coconut possesses many health benefits due to its fiber and nutritional content, it's the oil that makes it a truly remarkable food and medicine.

Once mistakenly believed to be unhealthy because of its high saturated fat content, it is now known that the fat in coconut oil is a unique and different from most all other fats and possesses many health giving properties. It is now gaining long overdue recognition as a nutritious health food.

Coconut oil has been described as "the healthiest oil on earth." That's quite a remarkable statement. What makes coconut oil so good? What makes it different from all other oils, especially other saturated fats?

The difference is in the fat molecule. All fats and oils are composed of molecules called fatty acids. There are two methods of classifying fatty acids. The first you are probably familiar with, is based on saturation. You have saturated fats, monounsaturated fats, and polyunsaturated fats. Another system of classification is based on molecular size or length of the carbon chain within each fatty acid. Fatty acids consist of long chains of carbon atoms with hydrogen atoms attached. In this system you have short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), and long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Coconut oil is composed predominately of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFA), also known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCT).

The vast majority of fats and oils in our diets, whether they are saturated or unsaturated or come from animals or plants, are composed of long-chain fatty acids (LCFA). Some 98 to 100% of all the fatty acids you consume are LCFA.

The size of the fatty acid is extremely important. Why? Because our bodies respond to and metabolize each fatty acid differently depending on its size. So the physiological effects of MCFA in coconut oil are distinctly different from those of LCFA more commonly found in our foods. The saturated fatty acids in coconut oil are predominately medium-chain fatty acids. Both the saturated and unsaturated fat found in meat, milk, eggs, and plants (including most all vegetable oils) are composed of LCFA.

MCFA are very different from LCFA. They do not have a negative effect on cholesterol and help to protect against heart disease. MCFA help to lower the risk of both atherosclerosis and heart disease. It is primarily due to the MCFA in coconut oil that makes it so special and so beneficial.

There are only a very few good dietary sources of MCFA. By far the best sources are from coconut and palm kernel oils.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome-- Natural Cures

Herbal Medicine and CFS

Herbal medicine is a useful tool in the management of CFS.  However, while herbal medicines are useful, it is important to note that they will not start to work instantly.  To completely resolve the symptoms of CFS, it may take as little as four to six weeks or as long as twelve to eighteen months, depending on the severity of the CFS and any other health issues that the person is suffering from.  Some herbs that are helpful with CFS include:

• Echinacea – this herb helps to protect cells during infection and it stops bacteria and viruses from entering the cells.  It is useful for strengthening the immune system.
• Licorice – is an antiviral herb that is useful in the chronic phase of CFS.  Licorice root also supports the endocrine system.
• Lomatium
• Astralgus – enhances the immune function and it is good for cold and flu symptoms.  It strengthens the production of white blood cells which are needed by the body in order to fight off infection and inflammation.
• Gingko Biloba – improves circulation and brain function.
• Chinese Ginseng – helps the body to fight stress and it also increases energy.  As well, it fights off viral infections and supports the immune system.
• Siberian Ginseng – increases the body’s resistance to stress, fatigue, and disease.  It also helps to improve mental alertness and is a powerful antioxidant.
• Goldenseal – is useful for helping to control infection.
• Milk Thistle – protects the liver.
• Pau D’arco – is helping for treating infections of candida.
• St John’s Wort – has antiviral properties and is also helpful for depression.
• Skullcap/Valerian Root – improves sleep, as insomnia is another problem that is associated with CFS.
• Ashwaganda – is a tonic that can improve strength, stamina, vigour and sexual energy.
• Cat’s Claw – is anti-inflammatory and also helps to promote the immune system.
• Kava Kava – is calming and helps ease the anxiety that is often associated with CFS.
• Olive Leaf – is both antifungal and antiviral.

Homoeopathy and CFS

There are many homoeopathic remedies  that are useful in the management of CFS.  You will need to consult a practitioner to find the best remedy for you but some remedies that are useful include:

• Kali phos – is helpful for fatigue that is accompanied by trembling caused by stress or overexertion.  
• Arsenicum album - is helpful for exhaustion that is accompanied by anxiety, as well as a constant feeling of cold with joint and muscle pain.
• Nux vomica – is helpful for fatigue that is caused by lack of sleep, overwork or fatigue.
• Argentum nitricum – is helpful for a person that feels fear, has anxiety, and is secretive.
• Phosphoricum acidum – is helpful for those that feel emotionally or physically drained, or apathetic.
• Picricum acidum – is helpful for those that feel dreadful even after slight exertion, especially mental exertion.
• Silicea – is helpful for headaches and exhaustion that is caused by overwork.
• Zincum metallicum – is helpful if you are forgetful and tend to repeat things.

Acupressure for CFS

Acupressure can help to improve your physical condition as well as helping you cope with the tired, weak feeling associated with CFS.  Some useful acupressure points are:

• CV6 (Sea of Energy) – this is located three finger widths below the bellybutton and pressing on this point can alleviate dizziness and confusion as well as help you to feel better overall.
• Gallbladder 20 and 21 – help to bring energy from the head and keep it circulating throughout the body.  Pressing on these points can relieve fatigue and depression, as well as helping the immune system.
• Gallbladder 41 – helps to regulate the function of the hormones.
• Back bladder points – all of the points on the back bladder help to relax and tone the nervous system.
• Kidney 3 – regulates kidney function (in TCM, a general feeling of a lack of energy is associated with an imbalance in kidney function).
• Large intestine 4, 10, and 11 – pressing on these points stimulates the large intestine so that toxins are properly disposed of.
• Liver 3 – pressing on this point relaxes the nervous system.
• Pericardium 6 – helps to relax the chest and the mind.
• Spleen 6 – helps to strengthen the blood.
• Stomach 36 – helps to improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients.

Bach Flower Remedies

Bach flower remedies are especially good for treating the emotional aspects of CFS.  Aspen is a good remedy if you are feeling fearful but you cannot explain why you are feeling that way.  Holly is helpful for relieving anger and mood swings.  Hornbeam can help to relieve fatigue and a feeling of exhaustion.  Impatiens is good for calming impatience, tension, nervousness, and irritability.  Finally, mimulus is good for those people that are shy and timid.

Exercise and CFS

Exercise is one of the most important things in the management and treatment of CFS.  This is because people that suffer from the condition do not exercise because they feel weak, and like they continually need to rest.  This rest leads to muscle wastage which results in a person feeling even more tired.  In time, this becomes a vicious cycle and exercise helps to break this cycle.  Gentle exercise leads to stronger muscles which leads to increased performance, so that people feel less tired and so that they are able to do more.  Exercise also releases endorphins in the brain, making us feel better emotionally.  It does not matter what type of exercise you choose as long as it is gentle and can be started slowly at first.  It is important to build up the amount of exercise that you do as too much exercise too soon can actually be counterproductive.

Nutrition and CFS

Nutrition is an essential part in the management of CFS.  If you suffer from CFS, you should avoid sugar and sweet foods, as these cause the blood sugar to raise and drop dramatically.  An unstable blood sugar level leads to fatigue.  If there are any foods that you are allergic or intolerant to, be sure to eliminate these from your diet.  Remember to drink plenty of water each day to help flush toxins from the body.
Eating essential fatty acids such as those present in cold water fish, nut and seed oils (such as flaxseed oil) help to strengthen the immune system.  Eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, and whole grains.  These are high in fibre which alleviates constipation, a factor in fatigue.  It is interesting to note that 60 percent of people that suffer from CFS also suffer from candidiasis.  To help with this, eliminate all forms of sugar, and take probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria.
B vitamins are depleted in stressful situations, so it is worthwhile considering taking a supplement or eating more foods that are rich in these vitamins.  Vitamin C is helpful for immune system, while vitamin A is necessary for the production of antibodies that help to fight off viral infections.  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that stops vitamin A from being destroyed by oxygen and it helps to improve the supply of oxygen to the body’s cells.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for CFS

TCM uses a combination of acupuncture, herbs, moxibustion and lifestyle changes in helping to manage CFS.  The emphasis is on strengthening and protecting the immune system and also on conserving and generating energy.  TCM suggests that the immune system can be improved by working on the way that the body makes energy from protein sources.  In CFS, the immune system may be using as much as 60 percent of an energy storage compound in the body called ATP (adenosine triphosphate).  ATP manufactures protein to make immune antibodies and when the immune system is using all of the ATP, there is little energy left for the rest of the body, leaving you feeling very tired.  If this is the case, then acupuncture is used on the points that relate to autoimmunity and also the meridians in the body.
Herbal formulas that are useful in managing CFS include bu zhong yi qi wan, xiao chai hu wan, and astralgus ten formula.

Liver Detox Diet

Liver Detox Diet – Your complete diet plan

Liver detox diet can be of great help to enhance liver health. Liver is responsible to complete a lot many functions in the human body. Even after suffering from innumerable abuse because of alcohol and several other drugs, it doesn’t fall short of its functions. Still it is quite a neglected organ of the human body. Hence, it is imperative that the toxicity levels of the liver should be bought down with an effective liver detox diet, so that the liver is better able to perform its function and bless you with good health all through your life. 

Getting prepared

Before you get started, the body of an individual should first be prepared for the liver detox diet, for maximum benefit. So, a person must stop consuming caffeine, fatty food, alcohol, meat, junk food and decaf at least a week before they plan to get started with their detox diet.

Switching over to vegetables and fresh fruits along with increased intake of water, wheat bread and less consumption of sugar is the right thing to do. You may include turmeric powder and rosemary tea in your diet and start taking artichoke and dandelion supplements.

The one week liver detox diet

The duration of a liver detox diet is one week.

1-3 days

During this time, you have to take entirely liquid diet. This would mean drinking 10-12 water glasses everyday along with freshly squeezed lime juice. It is advisable not to take any beverages at this time, including milk, milk shakes, yoghurt and others. 

You may feel fatigued in these three days as the toxins are flushed out fro your system. Little exercise or walk will be a good idea. This speeds up the elimination process of toxins.

4-6 days

You can now take freshly squeezed fruit juices that are prepared from organically matured vegetables and fruits. The intake of water remains the same as in the previous phase, though the addition or elimination of lemon juice is your call now.

Prepare a juice every morning, using celery, oranges and apples and carrots. Continue with drinking rosemary tea, twice or thrice, everyday. 

Boil four different kinds of vegetables every afternoon, such as broccoli, carrots, spinach, celery and potatoes and prepare their vegetable broth. Once you have chopped the vegetables, boil them, filter them and drink its broth after an interval or every three hours.

7th day

Fresh vegetables and fruits that are grown organically can now be included in your diet. You may steam them or consume them raw. Rosemary tea and intake of water remains the same. Do not forget to take your dandelion supplement.

This is a perfect liver detox diet. Now, you can gradually switch over to your normal diet, though it is good to restrict alcohol beverages for at least one more week after the completion of diet.

After  I go through 7 day program, I use  Liver-Nano detox .

Quantum Liver Nano-Detox supports rapid pain relief, often clearing pain within minutes.  It also supports the body's natural histamine process and cellular DNA repair.  Most importantly, Liver Nano-Detox facilitates optimal liver and gallbladder cleansing especially when used in conjunction with liver and gallbladder cleansing programs.  Additionally, Liver Nano-Detox helps stimulate the flow of bile, aids in fat digestion, encourages healthy blood lipids and promotes the rejuvenate of the liver.

Nanized, grade 10, ayurvedic Indian turmeric; Promotes pain relief and DNA repair, aids fat digestion, helps rejuvenate the liver. Supports the bodies natural histamine process. Enourages healthy blood lipids.

Raw Vegan Diet-- Cure to Lyme, Cancer, Autoimmune

The Amazing Benefits

Of The Raw Vegan Diet

Since I have moved to San Diego, I turned to raw vegan (I have been a vegetarian for years...)

Forget cooked or gourmet vegan, if you really want to be healthy -raw vegan is the way to go. The key word here is RAW. Anything that is cooked, fired, or heated above 118°F, and processed, is unhealthy for you, even if it is labeled "vegan". LIVE foods, in their natural untampered state is what it's all about. Cooked food is dead food and quickly spoils and becomes toxic in your system. Live raw food does not spoil or decompose quickly and is packed with energy, minerals, vitamins, and everything you need to stay healthy.Most of the world's population still thrives on a plant-based diet, much of it raw. It is largely here in the "modern" Western world where the animal-based diet dominates. Animal-based diets which include meat, dairy, and eggs, are responsible for most of our modern diseases and illnesses. Meat and milk alone, especially in their processed states, are the primary causes of a slew of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, and a host of other maladies. Grains, which are plant-based but artificially farmed or produced, can also be problematic, especially wheat and white-flour based products.

Most of these foods cannot be eaten raw and must be cooked, processed, or treated before we can ingest them, and that is where the problem begins. Cooking not only kills the food destroying its nutrients or enzymes, it changes its composition and makes it very difficult for the body to digest or process. Perhaps even worse than the cooking are the chemicals and additives(sugar and salt being major) in our food which are extremely harmful and addictive. Most foods are becoming increasingly tampered with both chemically and genetically. That is why it is best to go to a local farmer's market and buy fresh and/or organic rather than rely on your supermarket. Corporate mass-producers of food are only interested in profit, not health.

Even better than relying on farmers is growing the food yourself. If you have a garden or plot of land, count yourself lucky. Turn that useless lawn into a fruit and vegetable garden. For those in the colder climates, greenhouses, solariums and indoor crop growing are becoming increasingly feasible. Compost makes the best fertilizer. Most of us, however, still need to rely on the markets, so be picky and demand fresh quality produce, free of any pesticides or other chemicals.

The raw vegan diet is plant-based and basically includes raw fruits and vegetables, nuts and nut pastes or butters, seeds, grain and legume sprouts, plant oils, herbs, and fresh juices -preferably organic. Organic produce, though more expensive, is much sweeter-tasting and healthier than non-organic. Switching to a raw vegan diet from the modern cooked diet can be a huge step and may produce a serious detox crisis so it is advisable to first take intermediate steps like going vegetarian or vegan and getting off of refined sugar and salt and other harmful or addictive chemicals. Bread, baked goods and flour or grain products in general are perhaps the most addictive foods of all. Our modern Western diet is very taste-oriented and we are basically all drug addicts, so this is the hardest part to get over before you can enjoy the benefits of a natural raw diet, but the fight will be worth it. It usually takes about a month or two for the old food cravings to subside or vanish, depending on your particular state, or method of transition.

One of the first effects of the raw food diet is the weight you will lose. No matter how much raw fruits or veggies you eat you will never gain weight. You will in fact LOSE weight, especially if you are unhealthy or overweight. It is the perfect weight loss diet! The reason we gain a lot of weight on cooked or processed foods is because the body must retain more water to neutralize all the toxins you accumulate on suc a diet. When you eat raw and organic there are no toxins to dilute or neutralize so all that water(toxins included) is flushed out. Also, raw live foods are much easier to digest or assimilate putting less burden on your digestive system and more time into cleaning or repairing your body. For those of you who can't chew or digest properly, a blender or processor is the solution. Smoothies are alright, especialy in the mornings or start of your day, but eating your fruits and veggies whole is always best(as nature intended). All that chopping and grinding chases away much of the life force and there is always the danger of metal or plastic residue going into your food. Many complain about becoming too skinny on the raw vegan diet, but that's usually because there's a lot of damage, addiction, or repair to take care of. Once the cleansing and repair work is done you will naturally regain some weight or whatever your body deems is ideal for you. Most of us are much heavier than we should be.

The other effect of the raw food diet is of course the way you look and feel. Once you're past the detox phase, your energy or strength will soar and so will your alertness or concentration. Gone will be your aches and pains or whatever was chronically ailing you. Your eyes will become brighter, your skin softer, and your gait or step faster and better coordinated. Best of all you will slow down or even reverse the aging process, especially if you combine this diet with fasting. Sometimes special cleanses are necessary to get rid of those tough and pesky parasites or deeply inbedded toxins which can impede or slow down your healing process.

Healthier, of course, also means happier. You will radiate joy and confidence and will wonder why everyone else is not eating this way. But you must persist. Most people give up too early, often after a few days or weeks into raw diet. It takes at least a month or two to start appreciating the benefits. Things start to stablize after two or three months. If you are old or in bad shape it is only natural that you will have to wait longer to correct or reverse all those years of indulgence, neglect and abuse. For such, the cleansing and rebuilding process could take anywhere from a several months to several years.

Not only will you be doing yourself a favor on the raw vegan diet, but the planet as well. Can you imagine if everyone was a raw vegan? No more disease or pain. No more pollution, industry, or corruption. Everyone would be healthy and happy and the animals and the planet itself would benefit enormously and be greatful. Real food is raw and live and good for you and produced and packaged by nature herself, ready to be eaten and enjoyed. Everything else is man's perversion or experimentation and carries with it a high price. Be smart, be healthy, be a raw vegan!

30 day challenge to a better health!

Simple Steps to Ease Symptoms of Lyme Disease

3 areas where you can help yourself while healing from Lyme Disease:

1.Diet. Eat only healthy, whole organic foods whenever possible. Choose more fresh veggies, more alkaline foods. Read all packaged food and drink labels before you buy. I know that the mere mention of spaghetti and garlic bread makes you salivate, however, reduce (or eliminate) your intake of pasta and carbohydrates. They break down into sugar in your system. Sugar will feed the Lyme bacteria you're trying so hard to kill. Drink plenty of pure water, it will help you detoxify and stay alert. Drink green tea instead of coffee - you have no tolerance for coffee now anyway.

2.Exersice. Yeah, I know.  You can barely drag yourself out of bed. However, the top Lyme experts recommend daily exercise...to help increase your energy level. That's right! Run, dance, ride a bike. Walk. Jump on your mini-trampoline. Most Lyme patients feel about as strong as melted butter. Build muscles. You'll gain strength, and being strong will also build your confidence. Unless you're in an acute stage, start sweating. Every Lyme patient tells me that regular exercise makes them feel better, even when they felt so wobbly they could barely manage to drag themselves around the block.

3. Sleep. While you're deeply snoozing, each one of your cells is being repaired and replaced with a new healthy cell. You need more rest than you think. Who cares if you need 10, 11, 12 hours of sleep? It takes what it takes. Go to bed by 10 pm. If you can't sleep, meditate. Meditate anyway. It helps you gain perspective. Then first thing upon awakening, take a shower (dry brush first, to help slough off icky toxins excreted during the night). Brew a cup of hot green jasmine tea. Sip while sitting in the morning sun. Stretch. Yawn. Pet your cat. Hug your significant other. Breathe deeply. Give thanks.

Top Tips to Boost Immune System Naturally and Quickly

Boost immune system with these top natural remedies that exist in food, herbs, lifestyle and supplements that will destroy and remove your foreign invaders and add the key nutrient ‘players’ needed for best functioning of the immune system. 

• Water - single most important nutrient, helps your cells to properly communicate the healing messages, critical for an effective detox, vital for all your body systems to function correctly to boost immune system, helps maintain healthy energy, dehydration promotes cancer cell growth, drink ½ your weight in ounces of pure water, if using distilled water add minerals back to it, Click here for ‘More Water Facts’
• Whole food diet - eat food found in nature as close to original form as possible without added toxins (a toxin is anything not currently useable by the cells and includes pesticides), a whole food diet has many known and many ‘hidden’ benefits that will boost immune system, is our natural source for whole food vitamins and minerals, for help in balancing diet between healthy and enjoyable see ‘Natural Diet of Percentages’
• Raw produce - in a review of 206 human-population studies, raw vegetable consumption showed the strongest protective effect against cancer cells of any beneficial food, is the original diet God gave man in Gen. 1:29, will give the best immune system boost of any food catagory, high enzyme levels remove the ‘covering’ from foreign invaders (bad bacteria) and renegade cells (like cancer cells) so the immune system can destroy them, raw retains 100% of nutrients, enzymes and protein integrity, leaves behind no harmful residue and takes toxins out with them as they exit, the higher the raw the more you will boost immune system
• Greens (raw leafy) - the one food scientific research has shown to have a strong positive association with an increased longevity, helps bring acid pH (disease state) to alkaline pH (vitality state), loaded with phytonutrient protection, antioxidants, natural minerals like calcium and magnesium, Chlorophyll, food sources: romaine lettuce, kale, collards, Swiss chard, spinach and parsley
• Carotene-rich produce - probably the most important nutrient to boost immune system, many immune benefits occur even before they are converted to vitamin A, increases number and function of white blood cells, increases T3 and T4 cells, enlarges the thymus which shrinks tumors, protects healthy cells from carcinogens (cancer causing substances) that would turn them into a cancer cell, zinc is required to activate vitamin A, high yield foods: sweet potato, carrot, spinach, cantaloupe, kale, turnip greens, papaya, broccoli, apricots, mango, peaches, butternut squash, DON’T take synthetic forms of beta-carotene and vitamin A (retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A increases HIV cell reproduction) or isolated/single carotenes - only in food or whole food supplements.
• Apples and cilantro - both have very special abilities to remove heavy metals (which weakens the immune system) from the body, excellent fiber source, many other great nutritional qualities that will boost immune system
• Juicing - fresh raw vegetable juice is the most bio-available and concentrated whole food source of nutrients, will give the best immune system boost because it is not only raw but also has concentrated nutrients, a carrot that is eaten contributes about 30% of nutrients to cell use while a carrot juiced contributes 90% of nutrients to cell use, an excellent source of carotenes and enzymes when juicing.
• Lifestyle Factors
  The choices you make in your daily routine will determine your health. These factors are crucial for boosting immune system.
  
• Sleep - the time when the body does the most repairing, the amount of sleep is directly related to the amount of energy we have the next day, for best immunity average eight hours per night
• Exercise - increases response time of antibodies, increases body temperature which improves macrophage ‘munching’, stimulates production of beta endorphin that latch onto killer T-cells increasing their ability to destroy invaders by an average of 63%, relieves stress, MOST IMPORTANT - it mobilizes the lymphatic system which collects and removes ‘unwanteds’ from the body (rebounding is excellent for this), top immune booster for oxygenating the body (low oxygen levels breed cancer cells and bacteria), stimulates T lymphocytes
• Alkaline body pH - cancer cells cannot live in an alkaline body pH but thrive in an acid pH (body pH should be 7-8 alkaline), to boost immune system you must have an alkaline pH, factors that effect body pH are stress, hydration, and anything you put into your body including medication, smoking, drinks and diet, green food supplements including sea vegetables are good for alkalizing.
• Protection From EMF's - Electromagnetic field radiation, especially wireless radiation from fast-growing technology, is virtually everywhere in our environment and wreaks havoc on our immune system. Because it is completely invisible, we don't know how much we are being exposed to until we check our envirnment. Learn more about this fast growing problem and the diseases associated with it .

• Fasting - resets DNA, detoxifies, reduces fat cells that store toxins, causes an increase in the ability of white blood cells to destroy harmful bacteria, increases antibody levels of IgA, Igm and IgG (immunoglobulins that fights disease), DO NOT start a water only fast without first preparing the body and working up to it slowly, regular fasting will boost immune system. 
• Relaxation technique - increases antibody levels by reducing effects of stress which is vital for boosting immune system (stress is the most dominant factor over everything that affects your immune system whether good or bad)
• Sunshine - increases killer T cells and adds vitamin D3 which has many anti-cancer properties including helping to protect against colon cancer, too much or too little weakens immune system (don’t burn)
• Fever - one of God’s natural defenses of healing, cooks off bad microbes, stimulates circulation so tissue is visited by immune cells, produces interferon which is a protein that inhibits viral replication in the body’s cells, up to 103 degrees is considered safe without intervention in normally healthy children and adults (excludes babies, elderly and those in a chronically weakened state who should seek medical advice for fevers and for anyone when accompanied by headache, rash, red spots, breathing difficulty or worsening condition), you can also boost immune system by replicating a fever with home saunas and hot baths (less than 105 degrees for 20-30 minutes per day).
• Journaling - writing out troubling feelings on a regular basis increase T-cell response and reduces effects of stress
• Laughter - shown to increase antibodies and boost immune system
• Attitude - the cells of the body derive hope and motivation from the mind... the reason a positive attitude and speaking positive words is so important, a great attitude actually boosts the immune system, try Joel Osteen’s books and t.v. programs to support positive mind, Spirit and body
• Prayer and meditation - scientifically proven and biblically stated that prayer improves your healing chances, of course, praying helps to bring you in line with God’s will for you and your health, God says to ‘think on these things’ that are good and positive as stated in Phil. 4:8 which is meditation on God’s Word and the good things in life, and meditation reduces our overall stress levels physically, mentally and spiritually
• Detox - initial and regular internal cleansing is imperative for a strong immune system and will eliminate bacteria, viruses, fungus, bad cells, parasites, heavy metals and other invaders that weaken the immune system, include colon cleaning (important to cleanse first so everything else can exit quickly), liver detox, kidneys, blood, gall bladder, etc., be proactive and careful about what goes into your body so you don’t need to cleanse as often
• Charity - helping others puts a blanket of underlying fulfillment in our life that is powerful for boosting immune system, try it today!

Lyme Disease Natural Cure – Get Fruity and Be Symptom Free

Are you shopping for an easy and effective lyme disease natural cure? You will be surprised that thousands of folks will cure their lyme disease using natural alternative treatments like dieting, vitamins, herbs, minerals and even simple lifestyle changes.

Because the indicators of lyme diseases can spread over numerous symptoms, it is very important treat the disease immediately. Lots of individuals wait weeks to months and allow this disease to ruin their summer, fall and even year.

However, research everywhere is showing find out how to cure this annoying disease with a more fit lifestyle and some simple remedies.

Fruits and Your Immune System

Your immunity is essential for healing lyme disease. Many natural health experts believe that an immune system at 100% capacity can immediately destroy the disease. However, most of us are probably working at 75%.

Fruits and a healthy diet offer your body vitamins, minerals, nutrients which contribute to higher overall health. Many experts believe that the epidemic of lyme is attributable to a worse overall health of most Americans.

In case you analyze the statistics of cases of this disease, you can find per annum this disease becomes increasingly prevalent. Whenever you suffer from this disease, listed here are some easy methods to let you treat it naturally.

A Lyme Disease Natural Cure

1. Begin to eat numerous vegatables and fruits. Both fruit and veggies contain vitamin C in order to boost your immunity. You need to aim to get 5-7 servings a da

y of numerous colored fruits and veggies. It is advisable also supplement 1000-3000 mg of vitamin C daily.

2. Water! Water! Water! Water has thousands of benefits and you wish to immediately start drinking more. Water can flush toxins, infections, pollutants, and all of the other junk your body collects. It’s worthwhile to try and drink in any case 10-12 glasses daily.

3. Supplementing vitamin A can assist relieve lyme symptoms naturally. Start supplementing today.

4. You need to also be taking a gender specific multivitamin twice a day to get the precise nutrients for the day. I might recommend taking a morning and afternoon multivitamin.

5. Finally, be sure you also educate yourself on the advantages of salt (unrefined). Many experts have found that an easy remedy involving salt can completely wipe away your lyme symptoms and expedite a whole cure.

Food Matters

A Meal To Die For

Bill Geist visits the Heart Attack Grill in Chandler, Ariz., where you can almost feel your arteries clogging.

YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT!

Americans dig their own grave with their own knife and fork.
We all know about healthy diet. We all know that junk food and processed sugars are bad for us. We all know that we should eat plenty of fresh vegetables and drink at least 8 ounces of water a day. We all know that we should exercise. Lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. And knowing is NOT enough! You MUST take action!