Showing posts with label Antioxidants. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Antioxidants. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Sensational Cinnamon

Would you eat something that protected your brain, balance your blood sugar, fought off cancer cells, decreased blood pressure, prevented wrinkles and was full of powerful antioxidants? I hope your answer is YES!

Cinnamon is amazing. I was blessed to speak with Dr. Richard Anderson from the USDA in Beltsville, MD. He has been researching cinnamon for years.  It was inspiring to hear his passion as he shared the most recent discoveries with cinnamon and Alzheimer's. When Alzheimer filaments were removed from a deceased  person with dementia, cinnamon extract broke down those filaments. This showed the possibility of reversing Alzheimer's damage. More research needs to be done to see the full potential. We do know that insulin resistance leads to memory impairment and cinnamon definitely helps with improving insulin sensitivity. Research link.

In order for cancer to spread it must create a blood supply.  Cinnamon was found to hinder new blood vessel formation to the cancer cells.  The high levels of antioxidants appear to protect the body from cancer growth.Research link.

As we age and as we eat refined sugar foods and high fructose corn syrup we see the results in our skin. Wrinkles and sagging all increase due to the reaction of the sugar with proteins in our body, especially collagen. This reaction is called glycation and usually begins to show up on our faces around age 30 or 35. Cinnamon helps improve insulin function which helps balance blood sugar levels, thus decreasing the amount of glycation.  Cut back on your sugary treats and increase your cinnamon to protect your skin.

Diabetics and those with heart disease appear to get the most benefit from cinnamon.  Not only does it help increase insulin sensitivity, balance blood sugar levels, reduce weight gain and triglyceride levels, but it also helps lower blood pressure and inflammation.Research article link.

How much cinnamon do we need to see big changes?  Just 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp a day has been shown to reduce serum glucose, triglyceride levels, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol in studies of people with type 2 Diabetes.Link to this study. Get that cinnamon off the spice rack and keep it by the stove so you can add it to oatmeal, Indian dishes, fresh fruit, smoothies and teas. If you plan to take cinnamon daily for a long time, look into standardized cinnamon extract. Learn to love your cinnamon.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

FOR MOTHERS COMBATING CANCER

When I thought about how I could honor Mothers,  I decided to share information that could help them be at their best for as long as possible.  If you know someone with cancer or who wants to prevent cancer, then please share this with them! If you would like more information, you can invite me to speak to your Women’s group or I can give you an individual consultation.                                                                                                           Contact   HLS@nancyparlette.com

Happy Mother's Day!      

Here are steps you can take to keep your immune system strong. There have been thousands of studies that support the same conclusion - we can cut our chance of getting degenerative diseases by at least 50%!!  How? All you have to do is get 7 + servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day!  You will want to eat the rainbow of colors of fruits and vegetables to get all the different nutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants. 
1.  Fruits and Vegetables - Get 7+ servings of fresh fruits and vegetables a day!  We especially want to include dark leafy greens like kale, collards, chard, spinach and leaf lettuces. Other powerful cancer fighters are the cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower. For fruit, think apples, avocadoes, red grapes, berries, pineapple, etc.  Juicing and Green Smoothies are GREAT ways to get concentrated nutrients into the body. 
2.    Sleep  – Adults need 7-8 hours a night in order to restore, cleanse, and rejuvenate our cells.  We need time for the body to focus on fighting disease and it can’t do that if we are always pushing it to the limit with physical and emotional activity long into the night. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant hormone that is active when you sleep.
3.       Exercise – Getting 30 minutes or more 6 days a week will strengthen your overall health & immune system. A good aerobic (huffing and puffing) workout boosts the hormone serotonin which helps us feel relaxed and happy.
4.      Deep breathing – cancer hates oxygen.  Another reason to exercise and do Hatha yoga.
5.   De-stress – Take time to relax and allow the body to restore and rejuvenate. Emotional and physical stresses initiate an inflammatory reaction in the body.
6.   Healthy fats-  Adding the good for you omega 3 fats such as flax seeds, avocado, olives, raw nuts and seeds, and fatty fish like salmon helps reduce inflammation which helps fight cancer, as well as protecting your heart, skin, cognitive function, and more.
7.   Herbs & Spices – Add these powerful antioxidants to your diet to help fight off the free radicals that cause cancer.  Use plenty of garlic, fresh ginger, onions, turmeric, rosemary, paprika, parsley, curry, cinnamon, etc.
8.    Add Essential Oils – Plants have so many amazing qualities that protect and help us heal!  Oncology departments in over 50 hospitals, such as the Mayo Clinic, Duke Univ. and Sloan Kettering, are using essential oil aromatherapy.  Frankincense is extremely powerful as are
       Oregano, Myrtle, Sandalwood, Tsuga, Lemon, Orange and more.  My friend Linda can help you at http://www.gogreengal.org/.
9.   Maintain a healthy weight  -  By doing all of the above plus drinking plenty of water and eating a high fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes & whole grains you will easily keep a good weight. The more fat you have the more estrogen you make, which can lead to cancer.
10. Avoid saturated animal fats (especially smoked, fried or processed meats),  and trans fats (hydrogenated oils) -    A study of over 3,000 Chinese women between the ages of 25 and 64 was written up in the Journal of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.  It tells the women who changed from their traditional vegetable-soy-fish diet to a more western diet rich in meat and sugary foods doubled their chance of getting breast cancer!
Eat more plant based with lots of beans and legumes instead of dairy or animal protein. Organic Edamame is great! The phytoestrogens bind to our receptor sites keeping away the stronger human estrogens so there is a decrease in cell division.  Plus, they are quickly broken down and actually help more estrogens to be excreted in the urine.
11.  Avoid refined sugar – White sugar and high fructose corn syrup found in beverages, candy, baked goods, canned goods, etc. all suppress your immune system.  They also raise your blood insulin level which stimulates fat storage and weight gain.  They also lack fiber which helps reduce cancer.
12. Avoid chemical additives –  Additives like Monosodium Glutamate (MSG), preservatives, fried foods, artificial flavors, colors, and sweeteners all are toxic to our body. READ labels!! 
13.   Cut alcohol – I don’t care how many “experts” say one glass a day is good for you.  It’s the phytochemicals and antioxidants in the grapes that are good for you - NOT the alcohol.  So eat grapes or make some fresh grape juice.  The alcohol elevates estrogen levels and increases your cancer risk!
14.   Stop smoking – a no-brainer! All the research evidence is there.  It’s only bad news!
15.   Avoid environmental pollutants and toxins – occupational (such as asbestos) and environmental; like pesticides, household cleaners, lawn chemicals, etc. 
16.  Breastfeed your babies Ladies - Nothing is better to provide our babies with the immune system and digestive system they need to stay healthy than breast feeding AND it protects you from getting breast cancer. Do it for a year, at least in the morning and night if that’s all you can manage.
REMEMBER! My Busy Mom's 10 Minute Guide to a Happy Healthy Family is available on my website! A GREAT Mother's Day gift!  www.nancyparlette.com 

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

GREEN Smoothies

In honor of  St. Patrick's Day, I wanted to share with you the power of GREEN smoothies.  Everyone needs more greens in their diet becaue they are so full of minerals.  From colds to cancer, greens are powerful healers.  Greens consist of the leaves of plants such as lettuces, spinach, collards, kale, chard, dandelion, arugula, watercress, parsley, sorrell, cilantro, etc. The problem, however, is that most of us don't LIKE the taste of greens! No need to fear! Using a blender to combine lucious ripe fruit with the greens, you can create amazing, delicous, antioxidant rich smoothies to enjoy every day.
What do Green Smoothies do for you?  They -
  • boost your immune system, helping to preventing and heal disease
  • improve digestion and elimination (who wants to be constipated?)
  • support weight loss
  • boost your mental and physical performance
  • reduce cravings
  • support your liver and kidneys
  • balance your body pH to help reduce aches and pains
  • increase energy and focus
  • hydrate your cells creating clearer and smoother skin
How do we make a Green smoothie?
You start with a blender. (Depending on it's strength you may find you need to put the greens in at the beginning with the liquid rather than at the end.)  Have your greens and fruit washed and ready to go. In the blender you will put:
  • 1 cup of either water,  juice, or nondairy milk
  • 1 medium banana; the riper the sweeter. (You can use frozen ones too.)
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen fruit (frozen makes it thicker so you may need more liquid)
  • 1 scoop of plant based protein powder (optional).  I like to use Juice Plus Complete Powder.
  • 1 handful (about 1 cup) of  torn up fresh or frozen greens (spinach, kale, chard, or frozen wheat grass cubes). The more you make these the more greens you are able to add.
  • some people find if they need more sweetness they can add a pitted Medjool date.  I also sometimes add a dash of cinnamon or other spice.
Put the lid on the blender and start low and then go to high and blend it until it is smooth, but not so long that it gets warm.  Depending on the blender, you may need to stop and push down the greens to get them all mixed in.  This will make about 16 ounces.  You can easily double or triple the recipe depending on how many hungry people you have standing by.  Below are a few of my recipes.  There are more in my book, The Busy Mom's 10 Minute Guide to a Healthy Happy Family.

Pineapple Escape 
1 cup water or coconut water
1 tip of fresh ginger (1/2 tsp)
1 cup fresh pineapple chunks
1/2 cup strawberries
1 cup spinach leaves
1 scoop vanilla powder

 Berry Yummy
   1 Banana
   ½ cup strawberries (or 1/3 cup raspberries)
    1 hand size piece of Romaine or spinach
    1 cup water, soy, rice milk, or coconut water
  

 Minty Melon Medley
  1 cup water
     1 or 2 sprigs of fresh mint
     1 cup chunks of cantaloupe
     1 scoop of protein powder
     1 cup spinach

    Peanut Butter Sip
     2 cups water
     2 Tb all natural smooth peanut butter
     1 banana
     1 cup berries of choice
     1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder
     1 cup torn kale leaves (stem removed)
   
DISCLAIMER:  The information in these pages is presented for educational purposes only. The publication of this information is not intended as medical advice nor does it constitute the practice of medicine.  Any changes you make in your diet or lifestyle due to this information is your personal privilege and your responsibility to discuss with your health care provider.

 


Monday, January 27, 2014

Protecting My Brain!

Sometimes I think there are just too many words in my head that I can't keep them all straight! Well, it's either that, or I have to claim yet another "senior moment"!  I used to think that those moments of forgetfulness were supposed to be just for the over 65 crowd, but then they started happening to ME! YIKES!  This gave me all the motivation I needed to do some research on protecting my brain so I can stay smart, focused and with a strong memory for a LONG time to come! Let me share what I've learned with you.

1. Don't avoid a check-up!  You want to make sure that your blood pressure and blood sugar are at healthy levels because high levels of either of those can impact your brain function.  Ideally you will avoid medication by eating healthy and exercising to get the levels back in place.
2. Don't worry, be happy! - In this hectic fast paced world we live in, it becomes all the more necessary to take time to relax and de-stress.  Find ways to be in the moment and breath slowly and deeply.  Life is too short to let every little thing ruffle your feathers.  High stress impacts the circulation to your brain and  is associated with memory loss.  Whether it's walking with a friend, going to church, taking a yoga class, getting out in nature or finding a quiet spot to pray, do something that will help you release and find peace.
3.Do eat and juice your veggies! In research done with 4000 senior adults, those who ate 2 or more servings of vegetables a day showed a significant decrease in mental decline compared to those who ate less.  Juicing is also a powerful way to get your nutrients. One study found that 3 glasses of fresh vegetable or fruit juice a week provided a 76% lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease.  Leafy greens like Romaine lettuce, spinach and Kale are great to add to green smoothies and to eat in salads.
4. Dance, walk, and just get active!  Exercise is vital for maintaining mental health. Get outside with a friend and walk in the fresh air and sunshine 30 minutes every day.  A Harvard study found, when tracking 469 seniors over the age of 75, that those who danced regularly decreased their risk of dementia by 76%! Dancing involves both physical and mental effort.  Martial arts such as Qiqong also so great promise.
5. Eat healthy fats! We hear all about inflammation these days, well healthy Omega -3 fats help fight that inflammation. Eating olives, avocados, raw nuts and seeds along with fatty fish like wild caught salmon are not only good for our brains, but our hearts as well.  
6. Chow down on fruit! All fruits are rich in antioxidants - those things than fight off the free radicals that can harm our DNA and brain cells!  But berries are especially good for our brains. Apples, which contain the antioxidant, Quercetin, are also protective.
7. Spice it up! Research has shown that Cinnamon and Rosemary are powerful brain protectors, especially against Alzheimer's disease.  Turmeric and  Paprika are great to use too.