Refined sugar is lethal when ingested by humans because it provides empty calories. In addition, sugar is worse than nothing because it drains and leeches the body of precious vitamins and minerals through the demand it makes on one’s entire system to digest, detoxify and eliminate from the body.

One of sugar’s major drawbacks is that it raises the insulin level, which inhibits the release of growth hormones, which in turn depresses the immune system. This is not something you want to take place if you want to avoid disease.

An influx of sugar into the bloodstream upsets the body’s blood-sugar balance, triggering the release of insulin, which the body uses to keep blood-sugar at a constant and safe level. Insulin also promotes the storage of fat, so that when you eat sweets high in sugar, you’re making way for rapid weight gain and elevated triglyceride levels, both of which have been linked to cardiovascular disease. Complex carbohydrates tend to be absorbed more slowly, lessening the impact on blood-sugar levels.

Sugar taken every day produces a continuously over-acid condition and more and more minerals are required from deep in the body in the attempt to bring the pH of the body back in balance. As a last resort, in order to protect the blood, so much calcium is taken from the bones and teeth leading to osteoporosis.

Excess sugar affects every organ in the body. Initially, it is stored in the liver in the form of glucose (glycogen). Since the liver’s capacity is limited, a daily intake of refined sugar (above the required amount of natural sugar) soon makes the liver expand like a balloon. When the liver is filled to its maximum capacity, the excess glycogen is returned to the blood in the form of fatty acids. These are taken to every part of the body and stored in the most inactive areas: the belly, the buttocks, the breasts and the thighs.

When these comparatively harmless places are completely filled, fatty acids are then taken distributed among active organs, such as the heart and kidneys. These organs start to slow down, and their tissues degenerate and turn to fat. Due to the reduced ability of these organs, an abnormal blood pressure is created.

Problems Associated With Sugar Intake Refined sugar can invade the lymphatic and circulatory systems, changing the quality of the red blood cells. The immune system is affected, as the body becomes limited, so we cannot respond optimally to attacks whether it is mosquitoes or microbes. Other health problems that can be caused by sugar include:

* Sugar can suppress the immune system * Sugar can upset the body’s mineral balance * Hyperactivity, anxiety, depression, concentration difficulties, and crankiness in children * Sugar can produce a significant rise in triglycerides * Sugar can cause drowsiness and decreased activity in children * Sugar can reduce helpful high density cholesterol (HDLs) * Sugar can promote an elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs) * Sugar can cause hypoglycemia * Sugar contributes to a weakened defense against bacterial infection * Sugar can cause kidney damage * Sugar can increase the risk of coronary heart disease * Sugar may lead to chromium deficiency * Sugar can cause copper deficiency * Sugar interferes with absorption of calcium and magnesium * Sugar can increase fasting levels of blood glucose * Sugar can promote tooth decay * Sugar can produce an acidic stomach * Sugar can raise adrenaline levels in children * Sugar can lead to periodontal disease * Sugar can speed the aging process, causing wrinkles and grey hair * Sugar can increase total cholesterol * Sugar can contribute to weight gain and obesity * High intake of sugar increases the risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis * Sugar can contribute to diabetes * Sugar can contribute to osteoporosis * Sugar can cause a decrease in insulin sensitivity * Sugar leads to decreased glucose tolerance * Sugar can cause cardiovascular disease * Sugar can increase systolic blood pressure * Sugar can cause depression

* Sugar can increase the body’s fluid retention * Sugar can cause hormonal imbalance * Sugar can cause hypertension * Sugar can cause headaches, including migraines * Sugar can increase insulin responses in those consuming high-sugar diets compared to low sugar diets * Sugar increases bacterial fermentation in the colon

* Sugar causes food allergies * Sugar can cause free radical formation in the bloodstream. * Sugar can cause toxemia during pregnancy * Sugar can contribute to eczema in children * Sugar can overstress the pancreas, causing damage * Sugar can cause atherosclerosis * Sugar can compromise the lining of the capillaries * Sugar can cause liver cells to divide, increasing the size of the liver * Sugar can increase the amount of fat in the liver * Sugar can increase kidney size and produce pathological changes in the kidney

* Sugar can increase delta, alpha and theta brain waves, which can deter clear thinking

* Sugar can increase blood platelet adhesiveness which increases risk of blood clots and strokes

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Check out your job or lifestyle and evaluate whether this has put you at risk to such toxins, if so, you are recommended to have a hair mineral analysis (HMA) to measure the levels. In this article I’ll be looking at just one of the levels an analysis may reveal, what problems this may be linked to and what you can do to correct the issue.

If you have a disease or illness, which has not responded to conventional treatment, you may wish to explore other possibilities and an HMA is an excellent place to start. So if you are suffering from ‘unexplained’ problems such as headaches, backaches, weakness or tremors, an HMA may help you to get to the bottom of it.

One of the most important sections of the HMA results is the part telling you about levels of toxic minerals, or anti-nutrients. If toxic minerals are found to be in excess, there are many ways in which a nutritional approach can help.

One mineral which may be raised is copper. Now although high levels of copper have been linked to problems, it must be remembered that copper is actually essential to us.

What are the functions of copper? Here are some of the bodily functions, for which copper is important: formation of red blood cells, connective tissue, skin and hair pigments, cholesterol regulation, enzyme production, energy usage and in the correct functioning of the nervous system.

When might problems arise? Although copper is essential for health, too high or too low levels can cause problems. Continually high levels may be associated with depression, irritability, nervousness, anxiety, phobias, irritability and joint or muscle pains. Copper levels will rise naturally during pregnancy, with use of certain IUDs or when taking the Pill. Levels may also be too high as a result of a vitamin C or B3 deficiency. Copper fights against zinc and inhibits the absorption of iron, both of which are essential minerals - particularly so during pregnancy. Ceruloplasmin, the copper-containing protein, is produced faster in the presence of estrogen and any biological state which increases copper levels is likely to increase the need for vitamin C as high levels of copper have been found to destroy vitamin C. If you have an unusually high reading of copper on a hair mineral analysis, this could be caused by permed hair.

Copper deficiency symptoms include: anemia, blood vessel hemorrhage, hypothermia, depigmentation of the skin. Some people suffer phobias and compulsions due to the high level of histamine, exacerbated by a low copper level. As copper will oppose the effect of histamine, individuals with a high level of copper but low level of histamine may suffer from paranoia and hallucinations,. If the copper/histamine balance is causing a problem, see the section on balancing levels of copper.

What are the sources of copper? Dietary sources of copper include avocado pears, liver, molasses, nuts, olives, pulses, shellfish, sunflower seeds and whole-grains. Other sources include water pipes (watch for blue stains in the sink), copper pans, processed food and pesticide or fungicide residues on non-organically grown produce. Copper bracelets, often used to help rheumatism, are thought to result in copper being absorbed through the skin. This may be helpful or not, depending on your hair mineral analysis result.

Can you correct the level of copper in your body? Calcium and zinc reduce levels of copper - which is good if you have an excess, but not if you have a deficiency. In either case, check whether your multi-mineral includes or excludes copper. If there is insufficient copper in your supplement and you have a deficiency, the calcium and zinc in your supplement may be worsening the deficiency. Switching to a formulation that incorporates copper can be helpful. Other ways to increase your copper levels are eating plenty of the foods listed above and wearing a copper bracelet.

The first priority, if you have a problem with excess copper, is to avoid as many as possible of the sources above. If you do need to reduce copper levels, eat plenty of the foods which contain calcium and zinc: leafy green vegetables, nuts, seeds, Brewer’s Yeast and seafoods. Fiber and pectin (a soluble form of fiber found in carrots, apples, the pith of citrus fruits and bananas) help remove toxic metals from the body, as do foods which include sulphur containing amino acids (the building blocks for protein). These include onions, garlic and eggs. Also, be sure to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables containing vitamin C.

Finally, if a Hair Mineral Analysis shows an excess or imbalance of copper, the recommended supplement program that comes with your report, will be designed to correct the imbalance.

by Gabrielle Martineau

The acai berry is quickly becoming famous in the developed world as an antioxidant ingredient in drinks to boost your health but it has origins of much greater use.

The fruit found atop tall palms near the banks of the Amazon grows in clusters averaging 800 berries. It is harvested by locals that shinny up the trunks of 15 -25 meter palms, in often less than a minute, making the great skill almost appear to be easy. There are about 50-60 berries on a sprig from a cluster. The berry is about the size of a grape and dark purple in color when ripe, an inner pulp is only about 20% of the fruit with a large making up the rest of it.

The natives of the area have long appreciated this palm for its many resources, including its nutrient rich berry.

Berry

• In its simplest form the fruit is chewed off the seed when picked fresh from the tree
• A thick juice made by crushing the berries is very popular with locals of the Amazon
• Berry pulp is used to make sauces in meat & fish dishes native to the area
• A mixture of acai, sugar, and manioc (cassava) 

Trunk

• Wood used in construction

Leaves

• As is common with other varieties of palms the leaves are often found traditional used in house hold items such as brooms, baskets, mats and for thatched roofs

Seed

•  A single seed can produce over 20 individual shoots
• Used in the making of local jewelry

  Palm Hearts

• The tree must be felled for this portion of the palm that is a local vegetable staple as well as an exported product (hearts of palm are harvested from approximately 20 varieties of palm, but mainly in the acai)

Roots 

• Used for traditional medicinal purposes

In order to gain these healthful benefits, be sure to purchase white or pale-green fennel that has clean, firm bulbs. The bulbs should not be split, bruised, or spotted, while the stalks that grow from the bulb should be relatively straight. Additionally, the vegetable’s fronds would be green but not flowering because blooms indicate that the bulb is past maturity. When consumed right away, fennel is at its best. But, it can be kept in the crisper for up to four days. Be sure to wash it before using its base in hors d’oeuvres, salads, and gratins. Also, make sure to reserve its fronds in order to enhance dishes in a potent way. With such versatility in the kitchen, there is absolutely no excuse not to include fennel in your meals this season.

Once you discover that fennel is both crunchy and slightly sweet, you will want to incorporate it into many of your daily meals. Thankfully, fennel can enhance many dishes and make them extraordinary. Here are some quick ideas for using fennel this season. You can thinly shave the desired amount of a fennel bulb and toss it with a bit of olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and a small amount of Parmesan cheese to make a fennel salad at moment’s notice. Another option is sauté sliced fennel with equal parts of onion and bell pepper in order to make a simple vegetarian side dish. One can take advantage of fennel’s ability to enhance flavors by adding fennel with tuna or grilled sea bass. Fennel can also be cut vertically, leaving bulb, stalk, and leaves intact and then brushed with olive oil and grilled until lightly browned. Another idea is to garnish your favorite vegetable soup with coarsely chopped fennel fronds.

Many studies have been done that show the abilities of phytosterols supplements to reduce cholesterol levels significantly. One study conducted at East Tennessee State University, researched both sterol esters and placebos on the same group of sixteen people. The results showed a five percent decrease in total cholesterol and four percent decrease in LDL cholesterol after taking a modest dose of sterol esters for four weeks. Additionally, triglyceride levels decreased by nine percent while HDL cholesterol increased by four percent. Another study in which 2.6 grams of phytosterols were taken daily for 12 weeks resulted in a decrease of 3.5 percent in total cholesterol and 5 percent in LDL cholesterol. Due to this, it is suggested that those wishing to supplement in order to improve cholesterol levels should take 1.3 to 3 grams of sterol esters daily.

Several other studies have found that supplements of beta-sitosterol can significantly reduce urinary symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, which commonly affects men ages 50 and older. The benefits can be long term to those men who continue taking supplements of about 200 mg of beta-sitosterol three times daily.

For those people with moderately elevated cholesterol, phytosterols can be an ideal natural alternative to drugs. Even those people who are already taking cholesterol-lowering drugs can benefit by phytosterols ability to further enhance the benefits of medications. In order to lower cholesterol, it also helps to reduce the intake of hydrogenated vegetable oils and refined sugars and starches, along with increasing physical activity. Dosages between 1.3 and 3 grams daily are likely to reduce cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels. The higher dosage is linked to greater reductions in cholesterol. Take phytosterols capsules along with food, for best results.

Another great way to go for natural colon cleansing recipe is to be on juice diet. A fruit-juice diet is very efficacious way to cleanse the entire gastrointestinal tract. One can get extract/juice of the fresh fruits and vegetables and should include them into daily-diet. It is therefore, store bought juices might not make the cut. It is well known fact that while making juice from fresh fruits or ingredients, all the vitamins and other essential minerals get into it and the pulp remains as a waste. Consuming such rich extract, one can retain the powerful natural fruit/vegetable enzymes that ultimately aid in colon cleansing. Being on a juice diet, one is also asked to drink plentiful amounts of water in order to flush out toxins and unwanted/harmful material from the alimentary canal.

Including Probiotics such as acidophilus would restore the friendly-bacteria into the digestive system making it more capable to digest the food eaten. It is now proven that Yeast flakes or raw eggyolk is quite similar of taking multivitamins as they both are rich in vitamins and minerals. A healthy oil supplements are also important for which, one can go for cod-liver oil, coconut or fish oil. Sunflower oil and oils with omega-3 are also good ton consume as they contain natural colon cleansing properties. Consuming Vitamin C as a daily health supplement helps lessening some unwanted side-effects such as lethargy or dullness.

Simple colon cleansing recipe can also be made using some spices and herbs that we have around us. You can simple take holy basil, cloves, black pepper, ½ tsp lemon juice, rock salt and a pinch of asafetida. Mix them all and put them into the boiling water. Allow it to be a bit cool and when turns to lukewarm solution/drinkable, consume it at once. Do this for about 15-20 days and remain on fruit juice/vegetable juice diet - this works in majority of the cases where natural colon cleansing recipe is required.

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