What you Should know about Yeast Infection & The Four step Plan To Treat and Prevent

Yeast infections occur when Candida albicans overgrows -- frequently as a result of using antibiotics, which disrupt our bacterial balance, leaving yeast to grow and flourish. Other causes of yeast infections include poor dietary habits like excess sugar or alcohol consumption; weakened immunity; corticosteroids or other immune-suppressing medications; hormonal changes associated with menopause, pregnancy or menstrual cycles; and health conditions like diabetes or cancer.

Here is a Four Step Plan to treat Yeast Infection:

1. Digestive detox with yeast-free foods

Le'Vive Green Detox Solution

Your nutrition habits are an important component of your treatment plan. Yeast feeds on particular foods, so avoiding them will help with long-term relief. These foods should be eliminated for a period of four to twelve weeks. However, if you experience a flare-up of symptoms upon reintroduction of these foods, you should extend your candida diet.

Here is a list of the foods to avoid on the candida diet:

• Sweets: Barley, corn or rice syrup; sugar; honey; maple syrup; dairy products (they contain lactose); any foods containing concentrated sweeteners
• Foods that easily convert into simple sugars: Melons, dried fruits, fruit juices, refined flours and white rice
• Yeasts and fermented foods: Yeast (bakers, nutritional, brewers); moldy cheeses; soy sauce; all types of vinegar; pickled products; smoked meats and smoked fish;  and malted products
• All alcoholic beverages

Foods that trigger yeast growth:

• Mushrooms
• Melons
• Peanuts
• Pistachios
• Corn

2.  Step 2: Restore bacterial balance
 Follow any series of antibiotics with acidophilus supplements for twice the amount of time you took the prescription of antibiotics. Taking a 10- to 15-billion capsule, one to two pills on rising and before bed, away from food.
3. Test your levels of stomach acid
Stomach acid, technically known as hydrochloric acid, is essential for proper functioning of the digestive system. Low acidity may result in improperly digested food, leading to gas, bloating, belching, diarrhea or constipation. Candida can grow out of control when the acid levels in the stomach or the vagina change. Normal levels of stomach acid also help to keep the digestive system free of bacteria, yeast and parasites.

4. Attack yeast with an anti-fungal agent
Because there are different strains of yeast and some are resistant to certain anti-fungal agents, more than one agent is required for successful treatment. Treatment is recommended for four weeks to six months, depending on the severity of your symptoms.

• Oregano oil is effective anti-fungal agent for all types of yeast infections. Typical dose is two to three drops under your tongue two to three times a day, with or without meals.
• Psyllium husks are an effective source of fiber for digestive cleansing, while capryllic acid is an anti-fungal agent that kills candida. These products can be easily taken before bed, on an empty stomach.
• Preliminary results from laboratory studies suggest that cinnamon oil and cinnamon extract have anti-candidal properties. Consume 1/2–3/4 teaspoon (2–4 grams) of the powder per day.

To avoid this stressful problem with men and women, stay clear of all foods that induce this discomfort and Detox your body periodically. Remember staying healthy is your responsibility.

Finding The Right Balance Of Carbs, Fat and Protein For Weight Loss

It should not really matter where the source of your calories come from. What is important is that they are all  created equally. Whether they are from carbs, fat or protein. Really, a calorie (also known as kilocalorie or kcal), is the amount of energy required to raise one gram of water one degree Celsius.

Should We Eat More Proteins To Balance Hormones And Reduce Belly Fat? 
Good question, what do you think? Here are the facts -
Protein is a necessary building block for many hormones including serotonin, melatonin, growth hormone, thyroid hormone and dopamine. If we fail to get enough in our diet, we can experience mood disorders, memory loss, increased appetite and cravings, decreased metabolism, sleep disruption, muscle loss and weight gain. 

It is also proven that a protein-rich diet helps us to shed stubborn belly fat. Researchers compared a high-protein diet with a low-protein diet in 54 obese men and women with type-2 diabetes. Those on the high-protein diet had significantly greater reductions in total and abdominal fat mass and a greater reduction in LDL cholesterol. 


Do You Think Cutting Carbs Can Be More Effective Than Cutting Calories?  Let's see -
Carbs trigger the release of insulin, the one and only hormone that is always telling our body to store energy as fat. As you can see then, consuming all of your calories from carbs in any given day would illict a completely different metabolic response than that caused by the consumption of fat or protein.
Insulin imbalance does not always means obesity, sometimes fat remains in the liver where the dangers are not seen. Curbing carbohydrates is more effective than cutting calories for individuals who want to quickly reduce the amount of fat in their liver.

Do You Think Fats Help To Control Appetite and  Prevent Cravings?
Let us check out the facts here - Every single cell membrane in our body is made up of fat.
Fats also help us feel full and satisfied because of their effects on our appetite-controlling friend, leptin . They prevent cravings and actually help us to lose weight when we consume them in the right forms and amounts.
 


In Conclusion -  You should focus on eating foods that have the least impact on glucose levels in order to keep insulin in check. Enjoy plenty of protein, low glycemic fruit, green leafy vegetables, healthy fats and stick only to the carbs that keep your weight, mood and cravings in check.

So the next time you sit down to eat, look at your plate and ensure that you have enough protein and healthy fats to balance your hormones – because it is the source of the calories in your meal that matters most, not just the calories alone!


Keep Balancing Until Next Time. Please feel free to leave a comment if you learn something of value
here.


Hortense Stewart

Parenting: Children, Colds, Flu and Fevers... Oh My!

Parents are often faced with the situation of having to deal with their children having colds, flu and fevers. I am sure every parent experience awakening to cries in the night, only to find your children flushed, hot and sweaty. The question now is what can you do to make them feel better?

Crying child with fever, cold or flu

Here are few suggestions:

• Dress your children  in lightweight clothing
• Cover them with a light sheet or blanket
• Provide plenty of fluids, including water, diluted fruit juices, herbal teas and chicken soup to keep throat moist and body hydrated

• For sore throat offer popsicle with fruit juice and lozenges.
• Sponge baths in  warm water can help children feel comfortable and  reduce fever.

• Add eucalyptus oil to a room humidifier.
• Use chest rubs to increase circulation and relax chest and respiratory muscles.

• Encourage plenty of rest.

  Natural Health Products For Their Immune System   

Support your children immune system with a sugar-free multivitamin which includes, Vitamin C, Vitamin D and Zinc. When they are sick, try herbal echinacea,  crush garlic and let it sit for about five minutes to release immune-stimulating oils, then mix with butter and spread onto bread for yummy garlic toast.

Prevention is the key to avoid repetitive cycles of antibiotics or other medications. A powerful preventative measure is to introduce breastfeeding to infants. Start them off with good nutrition and as growth increases, introduce them to Natural Health Products, emotional well being, a non-toxic environment and plenty of rest and exercise. These key elements will keep your children healthy for most of the time.

I will leave all parents with this thought:

A strange mixture of fear and joy comes with driving off from the hospital with your firstborn in the vehicle. There's a powerful sense of transition and new beginning, and yet fear as well. It's a fear closely attached to the question, "What do I do with this little bundle of joy?"  It's a healthy fear born out of an awareness of the fragility of new life.

I hope this blog was informative to parents especially. If you found the information helpful, please leave a comment. Please come back soon.


Hortense Stewart

Anemia: What Is It? Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

We often heard of the term Anemia, or hear someone say that they may be anemic. So what really does that term mean. Let me try to explain that as simple as I possibly can. Say someone you know is constantly feeling cold even when everyone in the same room is about to strip down. It is possible that  person could have a case of Anemia. What happens there is that the blood doesn’t have enough hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body.

Strange enough,  anemia, which some people refer to as “low blood,” can starve your body of the oxygen it needs to survive. Aside from being chilly all the time, when you're anemic, it can make you feel weak, dizzy and irritable.

Causes: Usually anemia is caused from lack of the mineral required to make hemoglobin in the blood, this is called Iron. When anemia is the result of low iron levels, it’s called iron deficiency anemia. Most women that experience heavy monthly periods and women during pregnancy may experience low blood count due to insufficient iron  in their diet. For this reason, women need a higher concentration of Iron in their diet than men.

Symptoms: An anemic person usually looks pale and tired, experience shortness of breath during exercise and have an accelerated heartbeat. 
Most times  your doctor will review your medical history, conduct a physical exam and order blood tests, including a complete blood count (CBC) to measure the level of red blood cells and hemoglobin in your blood. 

Green Leafy Vegetables

Treatment: A dietary change is recommended. Eating foods rich in Iron would be the first thing to include in the diet. Foods like green  leafy vegetables, liver, sardines and meats. Remember women who are pregnant and breast feeding mothers, do need  larger portions of iron rich foods.
Natural Supplements are highly recommended at times.
If anemia results from low B12, vitamin B12 shots may be required


Prevention: Eat plenty of Iron rich foods.
If you’re a vegetarian, a frequent dieter or you have heavy periods, you may need a multivitamin that contains iron or an iron supplement daily to prevent anemia.

A good diet, natural supplements and frequent visit to your Family Physician helps to keep your health in check.

Thanks for visiting. Please feel free to comment.
Come back Soon!
Hortense

Can You Fight Osteoporosis?

Osteoporosis is often referred to as the silent, bone-thinning condition that can lead to fractures, back and neck pain, and a loss of up to 6 inches of height over time. The good thing is, we can fight against osteoporosis.
Osteoporosis is no respecter of persons, race or gender.  Both men and women can get osteoporosis, 

but it's more common in women, especially after menopause. About one in five women over age 50 in the United States and other parts of the world have it.

I will try to list some ways that we can try to fight this destructive disease called osteoporosis:

• Start  The Fight Early - If you are aware that you are at high risk, start the fight early.
• Exercise - This is one of the most important thing you need to do to prevent the disease.
• Cut Back On Salt - Whether there are proof that salt affects osteoporosis, there does seem to be a relationship between high sodium intake and bone loss, particularly for people with high blood pressure. That's why your doctor will monitor you and ensure you have a bone density test periodically. 

•  Watch Your Soda Intake - Many sodas, including colas, contain phosphorus, a mineral that we need. But phosphorus intake has to be balanced with calcium - if not,  it may increase your risk of bone thinning.

• Cut Down on Caffeine -  Moderate intake - for example 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (which is about one cup of coffee or two cups of tea)-is probably not a problem as long as you are getting enough calcium. 
• Absolutely No Smoking - Smoking is terrible for your bones, it  impedes the healing of fractures and reduces the body's ability to make bone.
• Pay Attention To Your Medications - Some medication such as Anti-inflammatory can increase the chances of getting osteoporosis.
• Limit Or Avoid The Use Of Alcohol - Excess alcohol consumption can actually deplete the absorption of calcium, deplete calcium reserves, and reduce the level of hormones such as estrogen that are involved in bone production. Alcohol in the body can prose risk of fall and injury to bones, exercise caution at all times.

• Ample Doses of Vitamin D -Vitamin D helps the body absorb, retain, and use calcium. Sunlight triggers vitamin-D production in the body, and dietary sources of the vitamin include fortified foods such as milk, orange juice, and breakfast cereals.

• Calcium - Very important in your diet, whether in natural foods or natural supplements. (Ensure your doctors know what you are taking). It is claimed that Adults should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). And the recommendation goes up to 1,200 milligrams for women over 50 and men over 70.

I am sure there are many other things you could apply, but let's leave it to your doctors discretion.

Eat properly and apply all preventative measures to keep the bones healthy and strong and avoid falls.
Healthy bones means no osteoporosis.

Please feel free to leave a comment if you gained some worthwhile info from this post. Come back soon for more info. Thanks
Hortense Stewart

The Power Of Food Combinations

 Lately Nutritionists are discovering that certain foods combined,  not only adds more nutrients, but become strong enough to fights off certain diseases.
Sometimes the combinations recommended may look weird, or even taste weird,  but the benefits received when taken together, makes much sense. 

Epidemiologist David R. Jacobs, Ph.D., of the University of Minnesota calls it food synergy, "The complexity of food combinations is fascinating because it's tested in a way we can't test drugs: by evolution," says Jacobs, he adds, "it's tested in the most complex of systems: life." 

So let us dare to look at some of the recommended combinations:

Peanuts And Whole Wheat

According to Diane Birt, P.D., a professor at Iowa State University and a food synergy expert, the specific amino acids absent in wheat are actually present in peanuts. You need, and very rarely receive in one meal, the complete chain of amino acids (the best form of protein) to build and maintain muscle, especially as you get older. In short, while this combo exhibits only what Birt calls a "loose definition" of food synergy, it gives good evidence that a peanut-butter sandwich isn't junk food if it's prepared with whole-wheat bread (not white) and eaten in moderation (once a day).

So enjoy a peanut-butter sandwich right after a workout instead of drinking a terrible gym-rat shake. Just make sure the peanut butter doesn't have added sugar, chemical ingredients you can't pronounce, or cartoon characters on the label. (Find out if you have
peanut allergies first). 

Garlic And Fish

  Most seafood lovers don't realize there's a synergy of nutrients inside a piece of fish: Minerals such as zinc, iron, copper, iodine, and selenium work as co-factors to make the best use of the natural anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-reducing fish oils. If you are not a fish lover, try natural supplement of  Omega 3-6-9 for inflamation and normal blood consistency.


 What's more, cooking your fish with garlic lowers your total cholesterol better than eating those fillets or cloves alone. A study at University of Guelph, in Ontario, found that garlic keeps down the small increase in LDL cholesterol that might result from fish-oil.

Almonds And Yogurt

 We already know that good fats help increase lycopene absorption. But did you know that many essential vitamins are activated and absorbed best when eaten with fat?

Vitamins that are considered fat-soluble include A, D, and E. Carrots, broccoli, and peas are all loaded with vitamin A and should be paired with a healthy fat such as the kind found in olive oil. Vitamin D—rich products include fish, milk, yogurt, and orange juice.

So toss some almonds into your yogurt, eat full-fat dairy foods, and pair your morning Orange Juice with a slice of bacon. To get the most vitamin E with fat-soluble foods, try baked sweet-potato slices or spinach salad topped with olive oil.

Start eating combinations of food for a healthier you. There are many more combinations of foods that you can try on your own.
Have fun!


Hortense Stewart

Health And Wellness Tips

To stay healthy and well, it is of vital importance to pay attention to your physical and mental health and  live a more balanced life.

Everyone at sometime believe that to be truly healthy, it takes more than medication. 

There are lots of small, yet powerful things you can do to stay healthy.

· We can start by paying better attention to what we eat.

• Every bite counts! Fuel your body for optimal health.

• Strengthen your mind and body

Fruits and Vegetables

• Improve your physical and mental strength, regardless of your age or fitness level.

• Manage stress

• Take a deep breath and learn to manage the impacts of a fast-paced lifestyle.

• Be in charge of your own health care

• Learn how to manage your own health care and interact better with your health care professional team.

• Knowing  More about Antioxidants and it's Health benefits:

Natural Supplements

 Antioxidant substances include beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, selenium and vitamins A, C and E. These compounds found in many foods, including fruits and vegetables, nuts, grains, and some meats, poultry and fish. Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables and Natural Supplements are recommended to gain maximum benefits from antioxidants.

Remember - Keeping healthy and well is your responsibility!

Hortense Stewart