Avena Originals Articles

Avena Originals Articles

7 Steps to Reclaim Your Health

7 Steps to Reclaim Your Health, A Lifestyle Guide

We have adopted the motto “One who has health has hope, and one who has hope has everything” – in many ways. Too many people suffer from degenerative diseases that are ‘PREVENTABLE '. We offer here some simple information on alternatives to this increasing dilemma. These are step-by-step, common-sense approaches to your road to, returning to, or improving towards, optimum health.

Step 1: START BY UNDERSTANDING WELL-BALANCED NUTRITION . We all know that ‘junk' and ‘fast' food is typically not nutritious. We also know that chemicals, preservatives, treatments (irradiation, pesticides, etc), and food additives & colourings can and do adversely affect our health. These things can be avoided. If we are conscious of our health, we should try to eat a large variety of nutritious foods, and have a proper ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. What we can do is eat less processed and packaged foods—and eat more natural wholesome foods. This ‘balancing act' in nutrition is not always easy, however many of us are striving to make it work. What many of us do not know, nor thoroughly understand, is that even cooked foods we may consider to be ‘good' for us can often create digestive stress—because our bodies have to use more metabolic energy to deliver nutrition from these foods when they are cooked. Table salt also diminishes enzyme viability.

Step 2: PROVIDE DIGESTIVE SUPPORT FOR COOKED FOODS . “Temperatures needed for cooking foods destroys their enzymes.” Alternatively, fresh fruits and vegetables, in their natural un-cooked state, pre-digest themselves quite quickly and effectively, mostly using their own enzymes. This is most evident by watching how quickly the bruise on an apple liquefies as the disturbed enzymes begin their work. And what about meat? Unless we want to risk food poisoning, we do not typically want to eat it raw. So, since we will probably continue to cook many items for safety (and most of us cannot always consume a wide variety of fresh uncooked foods rich in their natural enzymes) we should consider supplementing enzymes into our cooked-food diets. This reduces digestive stress and helps deliver optimum nutrition. Enzymes also help with other processes in our bodies thus multiplying their benefits. They are the catalyst (kick start) for the chemical reactions involved in every process in your body such as breathing, digestion, growth, reproduction, blood coagulation, healing, and making sure that all your other nutrients are doing their jobs.

Step 3: CONTINUE WITH INTESTINAL SUPPORT . Living microorganisms (bacteria) in our intestines typically out-number our own body's cells. The friendly ones (as in Avena's Friendly Flora – L.Salivarius and L.Plantarum) offer a large variety of benefits such as i) defense against and suppression of infectious germs, ii) digestion and delivery of micronutrients, and iii) synthesis of key vitamins, nutrients, and other beneficial elements. Friendly bacteria (probiotics) are the ultimate form of intestinal support. If their numbers are reduced (by trauma, stress, antibiotics, chemicals, etc), infectious bacteria can take over and cause severe health complications. The best way to avoid this intestinal imbalance is to provide a continuous influx of new populations of probiotics . Avena Originals offers the best probiotics , with benefits far in excess of other strains. Our L. Plantarum OM is patented in its proteolytic activity (digests protein), anti-tumoral capabilities, anti-viral, anti retro-viral, and anti-bacterial activities, along with survivability in the HUMAN gastrointestinal tract. It is heat stable up to nearly 100°F, thus it is not necessary to keep it in the refrigerator. It is second to none in this emerging new field of intestinal health maintenance.

Step 4: SEEK OUT HIGH POTENCY, EASILY DIGESTED WHOLE FOODS. If you really want to give your digestive system a well-deserved break, it needs to receive whole foods that are high in nutrition, low in mass, and easily digestible. Avena's TOCO and Super Food are exactly what your body can utilize in this regard. Our electrically-formulated TOCO is a whole-food drink of stabilized rice bran, fortified with a full compliment of amino acids and anti-oxidant fruits and vegetables. Our powerful Super Food contains dark-green veggies, sea greens, fruits, and herbs—all high in natural vitamins, minerals, and nutrition. These two products can greatly reduce digestive stress and deliver optimum whole food nutrition in a convenient way. These whole foods are also quite beneficial in helping to maintain our probiotic populations. Also try to buy fresh un-cut as cutting initiates enzymatic changes, and also may provide an opening for bacteria to enter.

Step 5: IF NEEDED, ADD VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND ANTI-OXIDANTS. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are known to put the health of people at risk. Recent studies link anti-oxidants to the prevention of cancer. Life's stresses, including digestion of improper ‘foods', often tax our system of these support agents even when we believe we are obtaining a seemingly adequate amount from our diet. Also, active people often need additional supplements to maintain their energy levels. The supplements from Avena Originals are designed to add an additional boost to even a good diet. They provide a wide spectrum of nutritional supplementation to address potential voids created by diet deficiencies, system stresses, loss of physical activity, and other contributing factors.

Step 6: PASS THE BENEFITS ON TO YOUR FURRY LITTLE FRIENDS. Our pets' diets often mirror our own. In the wild, dogs and cats do not typically eat rice or corn, but take a look at the ingredient list on the pet food bag. It is not that the common pet foods are not nutritious; it is a matter of the animal's system not being designed to properly assimilate the nutrients provided in the pet food's matrix, and also the fact that these foods are cooked. That is why Avena Originals has its Pet Enzyme supplement and its Pet Flora probiotics , all specifically for pets. Our pets need and deserve the same nutritional benefits that we do. Since we alter their ‘native' diet, we should also provide a way for them to obtain the most out of what we feed them. These pet products deliver the same nutritional benefits to our pets that we get by using Avena Originals products for us.

Step 7: ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE AND PASS ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. With the quality of your life improving, tell us and tell a friend. Being healthy improves not only our vigor and well-being, but also our attitudes and emotions. Sharing good things with each other is the foundation of humanity and is ‘nutrition' for our souls.

Avena Originals Articles

I have being study with Avena for many years.

Avena Originals Articles

7 Steps to Reclaim Your Health

7 Steps to Reclaim Your Health, A Lifestyle Guide

We have adopted the motto “One who has health has hope, and one who has hope has everything” – in many ways. Too many people suffer from degenerative diseases that are ‘PREVENTABLE '. We offer here some simple information on alternatives to this increasing dilemma. These are step-by-step, common-sense approaches to your road to, returning to, or improving towards, optimum health.

Step 1: START BY UNDERSTANDING WELL-BALANCED NUTRITION . We all know that ‘junk' and ‘fast' food is typically not nutritious. We also know that chemicals, preservatives, treatments (irradiation, pesticides, etc), and food additives & colourings can and do adversely affect our health. These things can be avoided. If we are conscious of our health, we should try to eat a large variety of nutritious foods, and have a proper ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. What we can do is eat less processed and packaged foods—and eat more natural wholesome foods. This ‘balancing act' in nutrition is not always easy, however many of us are striving to make it work. What many of us do not know, nor thoroughly understand, is that even cooked foods we may consider to be ‘good' for us can often create digestive stress—because our bodies have to use more metabolic energy to deliver nutrition from these foods when they are cooked. Table salt also diminishes enzyme viability.

Step 2: PROVIDE DIGESTIVE SUPPORT FOR COOKED FOODS . “Temperatures needed for cooking foods destroys their enzymes.” Alternatively, fresh fruits and vegetables, in their natural un-cooked state, pre-digest themselves quite quickly and effectively, mostly using their own enzymes. This is most evident by watching how quickly the bruise on an apple liquefies as the disturbed enzymes begin their work. And what about meat? Unless we want to risk food poisoning, we do not typically want to eat it raw. So, since we will probably continue to cook many items for safety (and most of us cannot always consume a wide variety of fresh uncooked foods rich in their natural enzymes) we should consider supplementing enzymes into our cooked-food diets. This reduces digestive stress and helps deliver optimum nutrition. Enzymes also help with other processes in our bodies thus multiplying their benefits. They are the catalyst (kick start) for the chemical reactions involved in every process in your body such as breathing, digestion, growth, reproduction, blood coagulation, healing, and making sure that all your other nutrients are doing their jobs.

Step 3: CONTINUE WITH INTESTINAL SUPPORT . Living microorganisms (bacteria) in our intestines typically out-number our own body's cells. The friendly ones (as in Avena's Friendly Flora – L.Salivarius and L.Plantarum) offer a large variety of benefits such as i) defense against and suppression of infectious germs, ii) digestion and delivery of micronutrients, and iii) synthesis of key vitamins, nutrients, and other beneficial elements. Friendly bacteria (probiotics) are the ultimate form of intestinal support. If their numbers are reduced (by trauma, stress, antibiotics, chemicals, etc), infectious bacteria can take over and cause severe health complications. The best way to avoid this intestinal imbalance is to provide a continuous influx of new populations of probiotics . Avena Originals offers the best probiotics , with benefits far in excess of other strains. Our L. Plantarum OM is patented in its proteolytic activity (digests protein), anti-tumoral capabilities, anti-viral, anti retro-viral, and anti-bacterial activities, along with survivability in the HUMAN gastrointestinal tract. It is heat stable up to nearly 100°F, thus it is not necessary to keep it in the refrigerator. It is second to none in this emerging new field of intestinal health maintenance.

Step 4: SEEK OUT HIGH POTENCY, EASILY DIGESTED WHOLE FOODS. If you really want to give your digestive system a well-deserved break, it needs to receive whole foods that are high in nutrition, low in mass, and easily digestible. Avena's TOCO and Super Food are exactly what your body can utilize in this regard. Our electrically-formulated TOCO is a whole-food drink of stabilized rice bran, fortified with a full compliment of amino acids and anti-oxidant fruits and vegetables. Our powerful Super Food contains dark-green veggies, sea greens, fruits, and herbs—all high in natural vitamins, minerals, and nutrition. These two products can greatly reduce digestive stress and deliver optimum whole food nutrition in a convenient way. These whole foods are also quite beneficial in helping to maintain our probiotic populations. Also try to buy fresh un-cut as cutting initiates enzymatic changes, and also may provide an opening for bacteria to enter.

Step 5: IF NEEDED, ADD VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND ANTI-OXIDANTS. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are known to put the health of people at risk. Recent studies link anti-oxidants to the prevention of cancer. Life's stresses, including digestion of improper ‘foods', often tax our system of these support agents even when we believe we are obtaining a seemingly adequate amount from our diet. Also, active people often need additional supplements to maintain their energy levels. The supplements from Avena Originals are designed to add an additional boost to even a good diet. They provide a wide spectrum of nutritional supplementation to address potential voids created by diet deficiencies, system stresses, loss of physical activity, and other contributing factors.

Step 6: PASS THE BENEFITS ON TO YOUR FURRY LITTLE FRIENDS. Our pets' diets often mirror our own. In the wild, dogs and cats do not typically eat rice or corn, but take a look at the ingredient list on the pet food bag. It is not that the common pet foods are not nutritious; it is a matter of the animal's system not being designed to properly assimilate the nutrients provided in the pet food's matrix, and also the fact that these foods are cooked. That is why Avena Originals has its Pet Enzyme supplement and its Pet Flora probiotics , all specifically for pets. Our pets need and deserve the same nutritional benefits that we do. Since we alter their ‘native' diet, we should also provide a way for them to obtain the most out of what we feed them. These pet products deliver the same nutritional benefits to our pets that we get by using Avena Originals products for us.

Step 7: ENJOY A HEALTHY LIFE AND PASS ON WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED ABOUT YOUR HEALTH. With the quality of your life improving, tell us and tell a friend. Being healthy improves not only our vigor and well-being, but also our attitudes and emotions. Sharing good things with each other is the foundation of hum

Grape seed extract

Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract


The more information that is gathered, the more it becomes apparent that Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract is one of the most useful supplements on the market today. Its applications are broad and varied as a health food supplement, but grape fruit seed extract also has plenty of household uses.



What is Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract


Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract is derived from the pulp and seeds of grape fruit. It may sound outrageous that the seeds of a grapefruit can be of any real use, but doctors, veterinarians, gardeners, farmers and the average consumer have noticed its usefulness.

Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract contains Citricidal a proprietary, trusted brand name blend of natural grape fruit seed and pulp from organically grown grapefruit. It can come in various forms for more flexible usage. Not only does grape fruit seed extract have a wide variety of health benefits, it also has practical applications around the house and for your pets.

Grape fruit seed extract has a remarkably long shelf life, with batches that were six years old testing as potent as the day they were bottled. In addition, grape fruit seed extract does not interact with any prescription drugs and the only known side effects are those associated with people who are allergic to citrus fruits.



Health Claims of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract


Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract can be used in the battle against a wide variety of single-celled and multi-celled bacteria, parasites and fungi. It also can be used in the fight against viruses and the improvement of the overall well-being of your body.

Grape fruit seed extract has many general health benefits, such as an improving immune system, increasing pH of your body and detoxifying your body. There is also more specific health claims of grape fruit seed extract like the following:

Candida (Candidiasis)
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Cold sores
Gingivitis
Montezuma’s revenge
Sinusitis
Sort throat
Ulcers


These are only a few of the health claims associated with the use of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract. Grape fruit seed extract has been compared in studies to more common antimicrobials such as alcohol, bleach and colloidal silver and been shown to be more effective than all of them and without the dangers of dealing with these chemicals.



Internal Uses of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract


Grape fruit seed extract can come in capsules or in a liquid concentration. The liquid concentration offers more flexibility in use as it can be used externally and for uses around the house. Either preparation can be used internally, though the liquid concentration should be diluted before use.

The liquid concentration of grape fruit seed extract can be used internally in the following various ways.

Ear rinse
Mixed with water as a daily supplement
Nasal rinse
Orally (mouth rinse)
Throat gargle
Vaginal rinse


Remember to dilute before use, generally water is a proper diluter, though it is recommended to dilute it with rubbing alcohol or glycerin if using grape fruit seed extract as an ear rinse. Also, most of the above applications are fine for use by children with the exception of the nasal rinse.

External Uses of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract
Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract in the liquid concentrated form is the highest concentration of grape fruit seed extract available. It does mean that you should be cautious in its application and never use in full strength.

It is safe for external use on infants, however, and can be very helpful in the relief from diaper rash, abrasions and even ear infections.

Uses for liquid grape fruit seed extract for adults and teenagers include the following:

Facial Cleanser
Nail treatment
Scalp treatment
Skin rinse


These should all be diluted as well, normally with water again, but as a scalp treatment, you can dilute the grape fruit seed extract simply by mixing it in with your shampoo.

Household Uses of Grape Fruit Seed Extract


The applications for Nutribiotic grape fruit seed extract extend to the rest of the household. It is an excellent all-purpose cleaner on virtually any item in the house once it has been diluted.

Here are some of the more common household uses of grape fruit seed extract:



All-purpose cleaner
Food cleaner (meats, fruits, vegetables)
Kitchen utensil cleaner (can be used in dishwasher)
Tool cleaner
Toothbrush cleaner


By mixing Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract in a spray bottle with water, it can become a very effective and convenient cleaner around the kitchen and because it is all-natural there is not the worry that comes along with other household cleansing chemicals.



Other Uses of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract
The uses of Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract keep mounting as more people find a new and interesting application. Here are a few more ways in which grape fruit seed extract can be helpful.

Grape fruit seed extract can also be used for your laundry by added a few drops to the final rinse cycle of your wash.


Put into your hot tub or pool to reduce the amount of chlorine necessary in the water.


Grape fruit seed extract can be used in humidifiers to prevent the growth of algae in the stagnant water.


By putting grape fruit seed extract in carpet cleaners, you can kill pathogens such as Staph, Salmonella and Strep


There is truly no end in sight when it comes to uses of grape fruit seed extract. It’s general effectiveness in killing over 800 types of bacteria and viruses, along with it ability to fight off parasites and fungi, mean that more and more uses will be found.

A Final Thought Concerning Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract


Nutribiotic Grape Fruit Seed Extract combines many benefits into one product to make it certainly a supplement to consider. Not only does it have its benefits and uses, but it also can be purchased in many forms, has a long shelf life, is safe in most forms for children and can be taken at any time. This makes it an ideal purchase to place in your medicine cabinet so it is there when the need arises.

With all the benefits being discussed, it should be kept in mind that grape fruit seed extract is still in its infancy as far as laboratory studies are concerned. There is still much to be learned about grape fruit seed extract. Though no drug interactions are known and side effects and rare and minimal, you should still consult your physician before using grape fruit seed extract, particularly the potent liquid concentration.

Alkaline

Avena Originals Articles

Alkaline

Alkaline Balanced Bodies are Healthy Bodies!

Alkaline? Acidic? This is determined by the pH (potential hydrogen) of a substance. The pH is the measure of the number of OH ions, which are negative and alkaline-forming, or the number of H+ ions, which are positive and acid-forming. You could say that pH is the measurement of electrical resistance between negative and positive ions in the body. You are what you eat, assimilate, and eliminate! A healthy body is an alkalized body.

Acid wastes, that are not eliminated when they should be, are reabsorbed from the colon into the liver and put back into general circulation and end up deposited in the tissues. It is these residues in our tissues that help determine our sickness or health. Too much acidity in the body is like having too little oil in your car-it just grinds to a halt one lazy Sunday afternoon and you are stuck. Our bodies do the same thing, creaking to a stop along the byways of life putting us in some kind of discomfort. Acid wastes literally attack joints (might result in arthritis), muscles (effect can be aching muscles), organs & glands (might result in a myriad of illnesses). Meat eaters and vegetarians are not exempt.

Each person is different and will have a different level of acid toxins already stored that can, in some cases, be released by increasing the amount of alkaline-forming foods consumed. Newly-released, acid-mineral residues can alter the urine test reading, which otherwise would have been okay. If a person had eaten a great deal of alkaline-forming foods the day before the test it too would alter the pH results. These two situations illustrate the natural cleansing mechanism of the body, and why the pH test may not be indicative of the true state of alkaline/acid balance.

Foods that contain Magnesium , Sodium, Potassium, Iron, and Manganese usually yield an alkaline urine residue. Therefore these foods are called alkaline-forming. Acid-forming minerals (alkaline-binding) are Phosphorous, Sulphur , Chlorine, Iodine, Bromine, Fluorine, Copper, and Silicon, which all usually result in an acid residue. All ingested substances, and all situations (physical, emotional, or mental), that affect the body leave either an alkaline or acid ash residue in the urine. This is a general rule because our feelings (emotions and thoughts) will also produce variable hormone reactions that influence the pH of our bodies. We are a system of highly organized, electrochemical reactions. The amplitude of body electricity alters in exact proportion to the amount of alkaline and acid-forming chemicals internally present.

So what does this alkaline or acid condition do? It either provides energy to, or takes energy away from the body. In terms of body energy, taking into account these variables, alkaline and acid-forming reactions are more correctly defined as:

1) Alkaline-forming reaction: Any chemical alteration in the body that produces an increased ability to energize the system, and leaves an alkaline residue in the urine.

2) Acid-forming reaction: Any chemical alteration in the body that produces a decreased ability to energize the system, and leaves an acid residue in the urine.

Although the common thought that a urine and saliva pH of 6.4 is best for body function, this method of measuring alkalinity/acidity of the overall body is often too arbitrary and unpredictable. A new Values and Scale for foods and situations has been developed (1991) by Dr T A Baroody of North Carolina, in view of his comprehensive research and clinical findings that proved that illness and disease are most often directly linked to over-acidity in the system.

Thankfully, our bodies actually have an alkaline reserve (largely sodium bicarbonate ions) built from ingesting more alkaline-forming minerals than are needed at one time. If mineral elements from the digestion process are freed simultaneously, the alkaline ones immediately neutralize the acid ones. If not, the alkaline reserve (the back-up system) is called upon, thus there must always be a stored alkaline reserve. An overindulgence in acid-forming food (especially fried, processed, sweetened foods) can actually sicken the body even though the body tries to rebalance by expelling acid-forming residues as quickly as possible. Reserve gone-death follows.

To replenish and sustain alkaline reserves, it is recommended that we follow the 80/20% Rule: eat 80% of our foods from the alkaline-forming list and 20% from the acid-forming list (8 out of 10 food choices in a day should be alkaline). The nutritional 'greats' and competent practitioners (even as long ago as Hippocrates!) have been using this ratio to help heal known unhealthy conditions.

Actually, the hotter and drier the environment, the more the body produces acid-forming (3.0 - 0.5pH) reactions, so in those conditions 95/5% might work better. Alkaline-forming (5.0 - 7.5pH) foods have a cooling effect on the system and digest quickly. The colder and wetter the environment, the more the body produces alkaline-forming reactions. Natural acid-forming meats have a heating effect upon the system, digesting slowly. Thus a person living in a harsh, cold, wet climate near the North or South poles requires 80% acid-forming natural flesh foods during the long winter, and 50% alkaline-forming during the slightly warmer polar season. A good example of our Creator's provision for this moment-to-moment need is the abundance of animals in the north for the acid need and the abundance of dates in the Sahara desert to serve the alkaline need. Grains become alkaline-forming when sprouted.

The following is an abbreviated list (neutral foods are not listed).



ALKALINE FORMING FOODS (RAW)


ACID FORMING FOODS (RAW)

Almonds


All antibiotics, prescription drugs, All fried foods

Apples, Apricots, Berries, Rhubarb, Watermelon


Alcohol, liquor, wine, beer

Avocado,


Asparagus

Baking Soda


Beans: Kidney, Navy, Red, Pinto, Lentils, etc

Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Turnip


Blueberries

Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Mangos, Peaches, Pears, Grapes


Barley, Cornmeal, Oats, Rice, Rye , Spelt, Wheat

Carrots, Corn, Green beans, Peas, Cukes, Radish


Breads, Cooked cereals, Oat bran, Wheat germ

Cinnamon


Brazil nuts, Cashews, Filberts, Peanuts, Pecans, Walnuts, etc

Coconut


Brussel Sprouts

Garlic


Cheeses, Yougourt, Ice Cream, Butter

Grapefruit, Oranges , Limes, Nectarines, Papayas


Coffee, Cocoa , Chocolate, Soft drinks, Tea

Herbal Teas


Eggs, Custards,

Juices - Fruit, Veggie


Fish, Lobster, Crab, Shrimp, Oysters, Scallops

Kale, Spinach, Mustard greens, Parsley


Gelatin

Kelp, Sea salt, Sea veggies, Soy sauce


Ketchup, Mayonnaise, Mustard, Nutmeg, Table salt

Millet, Amaranth


Meats: Red, White, Wild

Mineral Water


Oils: Almond, Coconut, Corn, Olive, Safflower, etc

Molasses


Pastas

Onions, Leeks


Pastries, Cakes, Cookies

Parsnips, Pumpkin


Plums, Prunes

Peppers


Popcorn, Cheezies, Chips, Crackers

Squash, Sweet potatoes, Sauerkraut


Seeds: Pumpkin, Sunflower

Tomatoes


Sweeteners: Artificial, Barley Malt, Honey, Maple, etc

Watermelon


Tapioca

*Cooked, frozen or canned food affects pH by ±0.5. Foods grown with chemicals, or with preservatives or sweetening added, affects the pH by ±1.0-the fresher and sweeter the food tastes, the higher its alkalinity.

An Influx of Hormones

Written by Avena- http://avenaoriginals.com/


Do you ever feel your heart start pounding and your
blood rushing through your veins? Your senses seem
heightened - ready for whatever your body needs.
Your muscles contract, waiting for action. If you have
ever felt this way, most likely it is caused by the
hormone adrenaline running through your
veins. This hormone is just one of many
messengers used to send messages to
various organs to produce a desired
response. Hormones are often talked and
complained about, yet little is truly
understood about what roles they play, how
they work, and why they do what they do.
We should all take the initiative to discover why these
changes are happening and how to safely and naturally
work to prevent major hormonal issues.
Hormones are the body’s means of communicating
with and directing itself. By using a process known as
negative needback, the body has the ability to regulate
itself. This works because the body is constantly
monitoring itself for various levels of different
components. A well known example of this is the
regulation of blood sugar levels. If the blood glucose
levels are too high, the body produces and releases
insulin, a hormone that has amongst its many roles the
slowing down of the body’s conversion of blood
glucose. If it's the opposite, and the levels of blood
glucose are too low, glucagon is released, thereby
sending the signal for the body to create more glucose.
This negative feedback system is a great way for the
body to maintain balance and harmony, otherwise
known as homeostasis.
Hormones are created throughout our body in a variety
of areas. Most hormones are produced by an organ
that is part of the endocrine system (for
example, the thyroid and adrenal glands).
Once the signal has been sent for the body
to create a specific hormone, then the
search begins for the necessary ingredients
to make it. Products that should be in your
body ready to make hormones are amino
acids, minerals, vitamins, healthy bacteria,
healthy fats (like cholesterol) and water. Even with
your body having these raw ingredients, it still needs
enzymes to convert these supplies into the desired
hormone. All of these are requirements to make
hormones; if your body is low in any of these
nutrients, your hormone levels will be affected.
An easy way to tell if your hormones are in tune is
to imagine that each component of your body is an
instrument and together they all combine to form an
orchestra. If any of these instruments are not playing
correctly, the whole symphony will sound out of tune.
In much the same way that it can be hard to tell whichinstrument is out of tune, it is not always easy to
discern which area of the body is causing the
disruption.
A hormone imbalance within the body can be
very hard to discover. This is essentially so because
much of hormone production relies on outside
factors such as stress, sleep, protein
(amino acid) levels, mineral balance
and production, and medications. Not
only do these outside factors impact the
hormones naturally found within our
bodies, they can also create situations
that deplete your hormone levels even
further. Side effects from a hormonal
imbalance often mimic other health
problems that many people associate
with something else. Two great
examples of this are headaches and acne. Both can
have multiple causes; yet, each one can also be
caused by hormonal disturbances.
A key point to remember is that everything in the
body comes from the food that we eat and the
lifestyle that we lead. Therefore, if your diet is high in
foods that are naturally high in estrogen (soy, some animal
flesh, dairy, flax, yams, and chickpeas to name just a few),
the estrogen levels in your body will naturally increase. In
the same way, if there are foods that are missing from
your diet, this can also affect the body in a negative way.
Foods that most people can directly see
affecting their hormone levels are those that
are high in sugar and have the effect of raising
their blood glucose levels. These foods can
cause reactions such as nervousness, jitters,
accelerated heart rate, short term memory
loss, and difficulty concentrating. This
response is then followed by a 'crash' which
can result in headaches, moodiness, dizziness
and a host of other symptoms.
There are two types of hormones that your
body manufactures -- peptide and steroid hormones.
While both are produced by the body, each type of
hormone has its own niche and role. The main differences
between the two types of hormones are that steroids have
the ability to enter into the cell and desired area, whereas
the peptides affect the surrounding region. Secondly,
peptide hormones can be manufactured in multiple areas
of the body (thyroid, liver, pituitary, pancreas, etc.) and
steroid hormones are created mainly through the adrenals
or sex organs (testes/ovaries).
Finally, while the steroid hormones can be affected by
weak or damaged adrenals, the peptide hormones require
greater amounts of amino acids for proper formation.
Steroids are hormones that work in many different areas
of the body, but they are most well known for their effectsthe body’s natural abilities. In some cases this is done
for health benefits, while in other circumstances
steroids can be misused and lead to harmful side
effects if done over a long term. Most people associate
the term steroids with athletes -- something that makes
the body run faster, stronger, harder
and overall better than your average
person and even in some cases better
than an above-average athlete.
Because of this, many competitive
sports leagues now have routine
testing done to ensure an even
playing field where only players’
natural abilities are showcased.
Although not all major sport leagues do this testing,
some sports such as bodybuilding actually have
designated fields for those who have chosen to use
steroids. There is such a vast array of hormones that
work in this area (even some that are not limited to
‘steroids’) that the developers of the technology to
discover them are continually challenged just to keep
up with those that are creating them.
One more steroid used commonly, and may have a
recognizable name, is cortisol, or cortisone. This
hormone has the ability to break down damaged tissue
so that it can be replaced. It is also a great antiinflammatory
agent. Cortisol is known as the stress
hormone because its production is increased during
times of stress. This is often the hormone that is
administered by way of a cortisone shot. This injection
can greatly reduce swelling and inflammation in the
affected area. Cortisol is also known to help lower the
incidence of pain. Therefore, these injections, when
combined with a mild anesthetic, can help reduce the
feeling of pain for a period of time. Some people find
that an injection of cortisone, while helpful, is a
temporary fix. Avena suggests that it is always
better to work with the body as a whole rather
than just to target isolated areas and instances
such as these cortisone injections do.
Probably the most recognizable hormones
for adults would be any one of the sex
hormones -- estrogen, progesterone, and
testosterone being the main three. Sex
hormones are secreted by the body at puberty
and continue to be created on a regular basis until
menopause/andropause. This new release of hormones
causes all sorts of confusion on the soon-to-be adult,
causing many uncomfortable moments for both males
and females. These hormones cause a variety of actions
each unique to the hormone. Sex hormone production is
responsible for the differences between boys and men,
and girls and women, both in appearance and body
chemistry. This change not only enhances the
differences within the same sex but increases the visual
differences between male to female. These hormones
play one of the biggest roles in every adult’s daily life.
This combination of hormones is what helps to make
reproduction possible.
While most would assume that after puberty the main
group of people affected by hormones are women, thisis not true in the least. The effects may be much more
prominent and visual in women (on a recurring,
monthly basis), but men are not immune to hormones.
The advantage that women have over men is that they
have a regular reminder as to how the hormones in
their body are working. The hormones men produce
are being made on a regular basis (daily or hourly,
compared to monthly in a woman). This is why it is
generally much easier to discover a (sex) hormone
problem in a women’s body compared to a man’s.
Sex hormones do play a major role in our daily lives.
Still, there are also many ‘unseen’ hormones that
have just as prominent duties, yet they go unnoticed
for the most part. These behind-the-scenes hormones
are the ones that do all the little things that we may
take for granted. This can include hormones like
dopamine, an important hormone in nerve function
and communication; serotonin, the ‘feel good’
hormone; and melatonin, the hormone relating to
proper sleep. All of these hormones are very important
for regulating how the body moves and functions, yet
are often ignored in favour of other higher profile
hormones.
You need to treat your adrenal glands (and your
whole endocrine system) well. These small glands that
reside just above your kidneys pack a powerful
hormonal punch. The adrenal glands are responsible
for monitoring a lot of hormone function and are an
important part of your endocrine system. These glands
are also very susceptible to outside stimulation.
Caffeine is the most commonly used ‘drug’ that has a
major effect on the adrenal system. The effects of this
‘drug’ use are really amazing to consider in the light
of the fact that most of the steroid hormones are
produced by the adrenals. So many men and women
with hormonal issues could feel so much healthier and
improve their hormones naturally just by treating their
body’s adrenal glands better!
The main reason our hormones go out of balance is
our lifestyle. Living in a highly stressful environment
causes a major drain on the body as a whole, but
especially on our enzyme and hormone levels. If you
were to create a list of those people who have healthy
hormone levels, you would have to remove those who eat
diets full of highly cooked or over-processed foods with
little nutrition. Doing so would shrink this list by a
dramatic number. You can also subtract the people who
do not receive the recommended 8 hours of sleep each
night, or who do not exercise regularly and the list
dwindles. Those people going through puberty or through
a change of life will have an even greater demand on
their body’s hormone production and because of this,
they should be adjusting their diet and lifestyle to their
body’s changing hormonal needs.
For those who have found out that yes, they do have a
hormone deficiency, the question then becomes what to
do. There is now an ever-expanding market for Hormone
Replacement Therapy, or HRT. This is supplementation
specifically with an isolated hormone. The most common
hormones supplemented this way are sex hormones.Even women who are taking prescription
contraceptives are giving themselves synthetic
hormones. Often the sources of these hormone
supplements are questionable (pregnant horses). By
adding artificial hormones to one’s body you can
create an imbalance of the hormones already present.
Because the body works on the negative feedback
system, supplementing with hormones can create a
dependency. This is true for most, if not all
supplemented hormones, and not just the sex
hormones (insulin is another
example of a supplemented
hormone). If your body already
‘sees’ that the hormone is there, it
won’t try to produce it. Ideally,
you should aim to encourage your
body to produce the hormone on
its own, usually by supplying
better nutrition to ‘feed’ the
production of that hormone. This
is why at Avena we always
suggest to keep it simple and just to ‘Clean and Feed’
the body.
An often talked about hormone when it comes to
supplementation is Human Growth Hormone, or HGH.
This hormone is touted as being the fountain of youth,
something to make you look and feel ageless. (The
effects of HGH on ‘anti-aging’ are still being disputed
and have not been clinically proven through multiple
unbiased trials.) This hormone helps encourage your
body to grow muscles and bones. While this hormone
has many advantages, the problem in supplementing
with hormones like this (and others) is that it is very
easy to over-stimulate the glands. In the case
of a peptide hormone such as HGH, while in
the short term you may not notice any side
effects, in the long term there can be many. It
should always be looked at as a last resort
option to supplement with any hormone. It is
always better to help the whole body first and
use any hormone additions only as a temporary
fix. Working with the body as a whole to solve
hormonal issues may take longer, but it is the
far more natural and recommended method.
Products that over-stimulate the body can wreak
havoc on your hormones. Caffeine and alcohol are the
most common products that have a noticeable effect on
both your adrenals and liver (and thus, on hormone
production). Food and lifestyle choices like these will
put more stress on your body, and a body that has a high
stress level is one that has to work twice as hard to
produce anything. Sleep also plays a major factor in
hormone levels. Your body repairs itself while you sleep
(uninterrupted). Plus, some hormones can only be
produced in darkness (melatonin). Improving your
sleeping habits will create a noticeably big difference
not only in your hormones but in your overall health as
well.
Avena can help to supply your body with the
required raw materials to create hormones. Enzymes,
combined with concentrated whole food products and
Electrically Formulated™ supplements, greatly enhance
your body’s natural ability to generate vital hormones.
Taking healthy supplements regularly will help to
ensure that when your body calls for any hormone to be
built you will have a sustainable supply of resources
from which to draw. Products that are especially important are Enzymes, Toco®, Avena Minerals, Herb
Cocktail and Friendly Flora. Avena’s Toco® carries
such potent hormonal building blocks as tyrosine and
tryptophan, two essential amino acids that are used to
create many hormones. The combination of these raw
amino acids with bio-available vitamins and high
levels of anti-oxidants makes Toco® an excellent
product, not only for assisting in hormone production
but for the health of the body as a whole.
By naturally increasing the amounts of usable
amino acids, vitamins and minerals in your diet, you
can really help regulate hormone production.
However, most importantly, when looking at your diet
as a whole, it’s not the foods that you add or increase
that make the greatest difference, but rather the nonnutritious
foods that you eliminate. You can improve
your lifestyle and health by providing your body with
a vast array of the necessary nutrients that it requires
not only to function on a daily level but also to
provide you with adequate amounts of hormones.
Simply eating enough raw proteins (amino acids),
vitamins, minerals, healthy fats and water in your diet
will give you a significant improvement. A good clean
diet that is full of fresh and raw foods will give your
body maximum nutritional benefits. If you combine
this diet with a lifestyle full of whole food
supplements to cover all areas of ‘cleaning and
feeding your body,’ you are well on your way to good
overall health and good hormone health as well.
As most hormone imbalances are not easy to discover, it
is best to take a balanced and whole body approach to
improving your levels naturally. Also, a little bit of
exercise is never a bad thing! Keeping your body moving
and in shape is a great way to stay healthy, and as an
added perk, exercise has been shown to increase your
endorphins, the body’s natural ‘feel good hormones’!
One factor often overlooked in the area of health is sleep.
Try to make sure you are getting adequate levels of sleep
in a darkened room to both recharge your body and help
your body produce melatonin (which your body only
makes during the 'dark hours'). Melatonin is just another
of the important hormones your body manufactures to
help keep you healthy.
Everyone should recognize how important hormones
are to health. The big job now is to do what we know we
need to do, instead of just knowing what to do. Make
today, not tomorrow, the day you are going to make your
change for a healthier life! Hormones are a major part of
everyone’s life and need to be just as understood and
accepted as the need for healthy vitamins and minerals.As stated earlier, it is usually what you eliminate from your diet or lifestyle that can have the greatest impact on your health.
An important area to look at is the quality of the food you are eating. If you are aware, or have a suspicion, that you may have
a hormonal imbalance, a close inspection of the food you eat is a great place to begin. Foods which are high in sugar can affect
your blood glucose. Becoming familiar with a food’s Glycemic Index or Glycemic Load can help you regulate your blood sugar
with better efficiency. You may even notice that eating good foods at regular intervals (every 2-4 hours) will also help you
naturally balance blood glucose levels.
Next to insulin, the other hormones most affected by the food we eat are, surprisingly, the sex hormones. There are plenty
of foods that are naturally high in Estrogen (a female sex hormone), in the form of phytoestrogens. The most recognized of
these foods is soy. There are many people who experience adverse reactions to eating soy and don’t even realize it. Symptoms
can be something as mild as sweating, hot flashes, mild fever, jitters and more.
(For more information on soy, Avena suggests the book, The Whole Soy Story, by Kaayla T. Daniel)
After soy and sugar, the largest area of impact for food hormones is in meat products in all forms. Factory farming and high
consumer demand for larger portions has resulted in animals being fed a continuous diet of hormones. Chickens are given
growth hormones so that they mature much more quickly and grow larger breasts (the most desirable part of the chicken). This
mentality has also resulted in the need to mass-produce eggs to meet consumer demand. Even cows are not immune. Many
dairy cows are fed large amounts of hormones to boost milk supply so that more milk can be produced for the everyday
consumer. (Two great documentaries for more information about food and food quality are “Food Inc.” and “Food Matters.”)
To help make sure you are getting food that isn’t full of hormones, it is important to carefully read the labels and know
where your food is coming from. Organic meat and dairy products are highly recommended. If you eat meat or dairy products
on a regular basis, it may be advisable to switch to organic or, at the very least, to hormone-free products. A key area to watch
for is labeling. Organic meat does not mean that the product is hormone-free. The ‘organic’ label only refers to the feeding and
processing aspects of meat production. Always read labels carefully, and if you are unsure, ask! The cost of organic and
hormone-free foods may be higher, but it is always better to have a higher quality food going into your body to help keep it
running at a higher quality level!

Grape seed extract

I have started to use Grape seed extract and will comment on my experience in time.


Grape seed extract
Description
Grape seed extract is the primary commercial source of a group of powerful antioxidants known as oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs), also generically called pycnogenol, a class of flavonoids. Laboratory studies have indicated OPCs are much more effective than vitamin C and vitamin E in neutralizing free oxygen radicals, which contribute to organ degeneration and aging in humans. The primary sources of OPCs are pine bark extract and grape seed extract. However, the grape seed extract is more widely recommended for its lower cost and because it contains an antioxidant not found in pine bark.

General use
Grape seed extract is a mixture of complex compounds. It has a wide range of therapeutic uses, from preventing cancer and cardiovascular disease to alleviating symptoms of allergies , ulcers, and cataracts . Its antioxidant properties are believed to help slow the aging process. Procyanidins, a group of compounds found in the extract, are thought to increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants, especially vitamin C and vitamin E, by helping them regenerate after neutralizing free radicals in the blood and tissue. OPCs in the extract are water-soluble, making them easily absorbed by the body. They also are able to cross the stubborn blood-brain barrier, providing antioxidant protection to the brain and nervous system. Most of the research on grape seed extract has been done in Europe, so many of its reported benefits have not been reviewed or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It is available as an over-the-counter supplement. According to Varro E. Tyler, dean emeritus of the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacal Sciences, the procyanidin compounds found in grape seed extract are useful in treating vascular disorders They also are antioxidants, or freeradical scavengers, that help prevent some age-related cancers and atherosclerosis . Grape seed extract is a relatively new supplement in the United States, although it has been used in Europe for several decades. Its antioxidant properties were realized in the 1980s with the socalled French paradox, in which researchers discovered that the French had low rates of heart disease even though their diet was high in cholesterol . This was credited to their widespread consumption of red wine. Further research led to the OPCs concentrated in grape seeds. More recent research suggests that grape seed extract may work at the genetic level, activating a gene that stops oxidation of bad cholesterol. A 2003 study found that grape seed extract worked well in replacing estrogen and blunting hypertension in postmenopausal women.

Cardiovascular disease
European studies have shown procyanidins to be useful in treating blood vessel disorders, such as fragile capillaries and poor circulation in the veins. Components bind to the walls of the capillaries, making them less likely to break down with the effects of aging. In one European study, researchers found that treatment with grape seed extract quickly relieved a chronic condition of poor circulation in the veins. Grape seed extract also has been beneficial in treating edema , an excessive accumulation of fluid in tissue. Another use of grape seed extract is reducing blood pressure in people with hypertension. A study published in 1998 by cardiovascular researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that flavonoids in the extract helped increase flow in blood vessels, contributing to better regulation of blood pressure.

Cancer
A study published in 1998 by a team of researchers at Creighton University, Georgetown University Medical Center, and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, reported that grape seed extract significantly inhibited and sometimes killed human cancer cells, while promoting the growth of normal healthy cells. The extract was effective in killing 34–48% of breast, lung, and stomach cancer cells. It was not effective in destroying leukemia cells. Other studies have shown grape seed extract, combined with other antioxidants, can reduce the overall risk of developing cancer.

Respiratory conditions
Grape seed extract has been found to be beneficial in treating several respiratory conditions, including asthma, emphysema , allergies, and sinusitis. Pycnogenol helps inhibit the production of histamines, which decreases sensitivity to pollens and food allergens, thereby reducing allergic reactions.

Other conditions
OPCs in grape seed extract have shown effectiveness in treating a variety of other conditions. As an anti-inflammatory, it helps prevent swelling of joints, heals damaged tissue, and eases pain in people with arthritis. Studies have shown OPCs can stop cataract progression, treat and prevent glaucoma , and aid in treating several types of retinal disease. One of the extract's most popular uses is in treating the effects of aging, including preventing wrinkles by protecting the skin against ultraviolet radiation damage from sunburn , improving skin elasticity and tone, and helping reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. A wide range of anecdotal reports tell of grape seed extract helping treat or reduce the effects of headaches, hemorrhoids , diabetes, prostate enlargement , and cellulite , although no clinical research supports these claims.

Preparations
Grape seed extract generally is available in 50 mg (milligram) and 100 mg capsules. The acceptable adult daily dosage has been estimated at up to 150-200 mg, or 50 mg per 50 lb (22.7 kg) of body weight. In Europe, OPCs usually are prescribed at 300 mg a day to treat medical conditions such as varicose veins , edema, allergies, inflammation, and skin aging. The extract contains varying amounts of proanthocyanics, although the label should indicate about 75–80% proanthocyanidins to be effective. Research in the United States and Europe has shown it is most effective when used in combination with other antioxidants, especially vitamin C and vitamin E. Grape seed extract is fully absorbed by the body within one hour after consumption. One-half the original dose is still functional within the body after seven hours.

In 2003, a liquid grape seed extract was made available in the United States. This version can be used in a number of beverages, including bottled water, without changing their taste. A 2003 trial at Ohio State University found that lotions made with grape seed extract helped cuts heal more quickly than they would on their own. The lotion helped improve blood flow to the wound site.

Precautions
There are no known precautions associated with grape seed extract. However, persons with serious conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease should not substitute grape seed extract for their existing treatments without first consulting with their doctor. There is no clinical evidence that grape seed extract can cure any of these conditions. Since grape seed extract is water-soluble, any excess intake that is not used by the body is eliminated in the urine. Studies have shown it is not carcinogenic, does not cause birth defects, and does not cause cells to mutate. Pregnant women and those with autoimmune conditions should probably avoid grape seed extracts. It is best to check with a clinician to ensure the safest dosage is being taken, as reports may vary on the latest research.

Side effects
Nausea and upset stomach have been reported on occasion. More rarely, allergic reactions in the form of temporary skin rashes have occurred in persons sensitive to grape products. There are no reported serious side effects associated with taking grape seed extract. It is non-toxic, even at high dosages.

Interactions
There are no reported negative interactions associated with grape seed extract. However, several studies done in the United States and Europe show the extract has a positive reaction with vitamin C and vitamin E. Studies have shown that OPCs in grape seed extract are as much as 50 times more potent than those in vitamin E and up to 20 times more potent than OPCs in vitamin C.

Health Benefits of Dates

I have eaten dates for some time now and I love them and there benefits...


Health Benefits of Dates

Health benefits of dates are uncountable, as this fruit is affluent in natural fibres. Dates are even rich in several vitamins and minerals. These natural products contain oil, calcium, sulphur, iron, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, copper and magnesium which are advantageous for health. It is said that consumption of one date daily is necessary for a balanced and healthy diet. Dates help in fighting constipation, intestinal disorders, weight gain, heart problems, sexual weakness, diarrhoea and abdominal cancer.



Health benefits of dates have made them the best nourishment for muscles development. People consume dates in several ways, like mixing the paste of the dates with milk, yoghurt or with bread or butter to make the food tasty and healthy. This paste is beneficial for both adults and children, especially during the time of recovery. According to the modern medicine survey, it is known that dates are useful in preventing abdominal cancer. It is also seen that many Muslims break their fast by eating dates and water according to their traditions. Breaking fast with eating dates helps us to avoid overeating of the food after the fast. When the body absorbs the nutritional value of the dates, the feeling of hunger gets pacified.

Dates are termed as a crown of sweets and ideal food which easily balances and digests food. It gives extra energy to a tired human body within half an hour after taking it. Dates are considered to be the best diet for confinement of the women. American Cancer Society recommends intake of 20-35 grams of dietary fibre in a day, supplied through dates. It is said that taking one date in a day will help you to maintain your healthy eyes for your lifetime. They are quiet effective in guarding the night blindness problems.

Benefits of dates

Constipation: Date is termed to be a laxative food. This is the reason that dates are beneficial for people suffering from constipation. For getting the laxative effect from dates, you need to soak dates for one full night in water. You should consume these soaked dates in the morning like syrup to get their actual advantages.