What is an intuitive energy session?

I consider myself an intuitive energy translator. I am able to read and interpret the body energetically and then translate that to you in meaningful ways. I also act as a channel for the spirit guides that wish to assist us with our physical experience.

Why would you come for an energy session?
When a client comes to see me usually they are working on an area of pain or discomfort in their physical body, have unresolved emotions that they are unsure how to release, feel stuck or dispassionate about their life, or posses a desire to feel more peaceful in how life unfolds. Some just feel disconnected to their soul, their purpose, their inner knowing and intuitive self. Really you can come for any reason that makes you want to ask the question why or fosters a desire to move on with your life in a greater state of connection and joy.

What is the session like?
I start with a foot bath of various salts and essential oils. We start by talking about goals of the session or what is on your mind or what you are feeling currently. Please see my how to prepare for a session section on my website to ensure we have the best success for your intentions.  It is helpful if you know what you want to cultivate or release. For example, I want to feel less stressed. I want to be inspired. I want to feel less emotionally unstable. I start sensing your energy and I am led by what your body tells me.  I will channel information from your spiritual guides. These guides will sometimes talk to you directly through me or they will pass along helpful information to me about you or suggestions for your well being. I will start helping your body release stagnant energy, old habits, stuck emotions and such by touching your feet or body either directly or indirectly or by allowing you to hold crystals, mudras or by using your intention. Truly, each person and session is unique as I am guided by what makes you feel at ease and what will work best for you that day.

How will I feel after a session?
Some people feel very relaxed right after similar to a massage and some feel sleepy, tired and feel the need to go home and rest.  Others feel energized and grounded. Everyone responds differently. I advise not having to go back to work or to workout or doing anything stressful or strenuous after a session. Sessions work best if you can arrive and depart without having to rush. The next day and following days you may experience some soreness or heightened states of awareness in your body. I compare this to doing a new workout and being sore the following day. You may also find that you experience vivid dreams after the sessions as well.

How long will it take to "work"?
Each person of course in unique in their readiness to make positive changes their your lives.  After the session you will have some tools to work with on your own to continue you healing process. Sessions are team work between me as your guide/translator and you as the director/captain of your healing process. I am not present to "heal" you or "fix" you but to help you clearly open to yourself in the present and to compassionately identify obstacles that prevent you from experiencing your true self.

What is my role in the session?
Your role is to remain aware and present in whatever you are experiencing. You can ask questions or share what you are experiencing or you can be inside with your experience. At times I will give you directions or suggestions to assist in moving energy. Sometimes you are only to hold to space or to set the intention.

How is this type of work similar to massage or other therapeutic body work?
Many different modalities work on the energetic body. My sessions are are similar to a massage or an acupuncture session but with the massage often happening without direct touch and with more awareness at times as to what the physical sensations of tightness, pain, etc are related to on an emotional or experiential level. You may feel afterwards similar to a massage or acupuncture. As with any healing modality your openness and belief in your ability to manage your energy and heal your body is the key.  The physical body is your reflection of how you are managing your energy.

Can you do phone sessions or sessions at my home?
Yes! I can work with you to accommodate your situation.

More information is on my website!

Allergy Relief..from a natural remedy lense

Seems like many of you are experiencing some discomfort these days from allergies. Normally, I am in this boat with you but not this year thankfully.  I wanted to share my favorite treatments for allergies that have eased my discomfort in years past.

 I want to state that this is just my opinion based on my experience and that I am not a medical professional..

1. Homeopathy: I use Sabadil when I think symptoms are starting (itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy throat, runny nose). For me within a day I see a reduction in symptoms. You can purchase this at New Seasons or Whole Foods. If you are not familiar with homeopathy and how it works check out this link from the manufacturer of Sabadil.
2. Essential oils: You can purchase some already blended versions from doTerra (Breathe) and Snow Lotus (Sinus Clear) that I have used and enjoyed. I have started making my own blend using the oils that have helped me as well as some help from my intuition. I do sell my blend in small sizes. Message me if you are interested. You can apply the oil blends to your feet, your sinus area, or you can diffuse the oil.  Essential oils need to be applied frequently to reduce and eliminate symptoms.
3. Acupuncture- For me this type of therapy works for about everything! If you need a recommendation I would be glad to give you some. Otherwise, NCNM clinic has group acupuncture and clinic hours where students treat you for reduced costs.
4. Western herbs: Quercetin and Stinging Nettles which you can again buy in capsules at New Seasons or Whole Foods. You must keep taking these herbs and from my experience they work best when taken for prolong periods before allergies start.
5. Use the neti pot to remove allergens from the nasal area and lubricate the nasal cavity with neem oil or ghee. This is an ayurvedic remedy.

Hope this helps!

The Yoga Pants dilemna

By request of a participant in one of my yoga classes...
Yoga pants are everywhere. How the heck does one sort out which ones are worth our hard earned money? Considering that I live in yoga pants most days I feel that hopefully I can provide some guidance. This is only my opinion based on my experience of course.

Tip #1: Good yoga pants are not cheap but worth it. Buying what is cheapest will result in a pile of them in your drawer that you never wear because they fit horribly and are not comfortable nor cute.
Tip #2 :Check out local studios for sales. You save on shipping and support local business.
Tip #3: Try on a few brands to find a brand that really fits you well and then splurge and buy a good pair. Maybe start with one and go from there. Honestly, I wear mine more than once before washing them. Just being honest.  Some brands are not built for some frames. It will really depend on your body.

My favorite all times pants are by Beyond Yoga. Yoyo Yogi sells them as well as Yoga Pearl and I am sure many other studios in the Portland area. These pants are flattering, feel amazing and are offered in many styles and colors. I have had some of mine for several years. I would sleep in them if it were not weird. I know both of the studios I referenced have sales on their apparel so you can often find them on sale locally. These pants stretch well yet maintain their form. LOVE them!

Lululemon has a large variety of styles, patterns, colors and such. They also have a great sale rack.  You are gonna pay though. I feel their pants last a reasonable length of time. You must care for them carefully to allow this to happen. No dryers!

Lucy has a large variety as well. They have a much larger sale rack. Their pricing is slightly better than Lululemon. I feel the wear is about the same as any other pants..but again you must take care of them. My older Lucy pants would last me many years...I think they were on to us and more recent pairs do not go that long.

Prana is another good brand. Not as many options but some good solid ones for a great price. There is a local store here too to try them on. I am an Influencer with them and have had several of my pants for more than a couple years. The fit is good and some of their materials are really super soft. Yoyo Yogi and Yoga Pearl also carry this brand.

I am sure there are other brands that are equally amazing but these are the brands that I wear and enjoy. I have some other fun yoga pants with some groovy patterns but they are not the best fit and they are not as comfortable so I trade that for style I guess. :)
Happy shopping!

Migraines: Sometimes What Doesn’t Kill You

 www.imbuebody.com

By Dr. Peter Borten, LAc, DAOM, Acupuncturist and Herbalist at The Dragontree Spa and Creator of Imbue Pain Relief Patch I was working an office job about 20 years ago with a nice guy about ten years my senior. We were getting to be friends, and this helped break up the dreary routine of the place. Then he started missing work. A day here and a day there, at first. Then a few days at a time. Then he was absent more days than he showed up. I assumed something was wrong, but I didn’t want to pry. Finally, he told me he had been having severe migraine headaches. They were so crippling, he was considering quitting his job. This was just before I started school in Chinese medicine. I didn’t have anything useful to tell him. I just remember feeling bad for him, and being surprised to find out that migraines could be that bad. I wish I knew then what I know now. My attitude toward migraines has changed quite a lot. Nearly every case is completely treatable with natural medicine. In this article, I’m going to share a handful of key approaches that can make a huge difference. Here they are: Acupuncture. I’d estimate I can control 80% of migraine cases with acupuncture alone. Other acupuncturists may fare better or worse than that. Ask if this is an area of focus for your acupuncturist. If not, you might consider someone else. Massage. Get regular deep tissue massages. Have them focus on the base of your skull, the front, sides, and back of your neck, and especially the upper back, between your spine and shoulder blades. Between massages, or instead, get a lacrosse ball, lie on your back on a carpeted floor with bent knees, and place the ball under you, against the inside edge of your shoulder blade. Find every tender spot, put the ball there, relax for about 2 minutes, then go to the next one. Hydrate. Drink half the number of pounds you weigh as ounces of water each day, evenly over the course of the day. (For instance, if you weigh 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water a day.) Avoid Caffeine. Even though caffeine is an ingredient in some headache medications (because it constricts the blood vessels in the head), it is a known trigger of migraines. Many migraine cases improve when caffeine is cut out. Figure Out What Foods You’re Sensitive to, and Avoid Them. The only reliable way to figure out your food sensitivities is by doing an elimination diet (ask a natural healthcare provider knowledgeable in this area for guidance) and then systematically reintroducing foods, one at a time, to see what your reaction is. It’s a good idea to reintroduce foods at least 2 days apart, since the migraine may be delayed by a day. Figuring out your sensitivities and eliminating those foods is often a total cure for migraines. It’s worth the work. Clean Up Your Diet. Cut out processed foods and eat more live, fresh, healthy, chemical-free foods, prepared by you or someone with a good heart. Avoid Getting Hypoglycemic. Many migraines are triggered by a drop in blood sugar. This is common a few hours after eating a meal with lots of simple carbs or sugar. In some folks, the blood sugar goes way up and then comes crashing down, in what is known as “reactive hypoglycemia.” Besides potentially triggering migraines, reactive hypoglycemia can be an early precursor to diabetes, so there are multiple reasons to get this under control. Each protein with every meal, and eliminate juice and sweets. Avoid Aspartame (Nutrasweet). Some migraines are triggered by this toxic stuff. Avoid it even if it doesn’t give you migraines. Reduce Your Stress Level. Exercise, breathe, do yoga, have fun, get counseling, take breaks, get acupuncture and massage . . . just do whatever you have to do to reduce the impact of your stress. Avoid MSG. While not a trigger for all migraine sufferers, many people have fewer headaches when they cut MSG out of their diets. Anyway, it’s not good for anyone, so it’s worth avoiding. Try Magnesium. Many migraine sufferers have low levels of magnesium. Try taking 600mg (you can gradually go up to 1000mg) in divided doses over the course of each day. (Watch out for bowel loosening. If it gives you loose bowels, reduce the dose or spread it out more evenly over the course of the day.) Try Direct Pressure on Your Head. One study had participants with migraines wrap an elastic band (with Velcro at the ends, so that it could be secured tightly) around their head, covering the most tender spots. They would then place soft rubber discs under the head band at the places of greatest discomfort to apply extra pressue in these areas. Eighty percent of the headaches were improved by more than fifty percent. Of these, seventy-three percent improved by more than eighty percent. Take a Good B Vitamin Complex. Several of the B vitamins have been shown to be useful for migraines. Just take all of them in one capsule, once or twice a day. Try a Chinese Herbal Formula. This should be not just any Chinese herbal formula, but one chosen specifically for you by a practitioner of Chinese medicine. The only thing I’ve seen consistently work as well as acupuncture is Chinese herbal formulas I’ve made and ground myself for my patients. They may not be the tastiest thing in the world, but they’re effective. These aren’t the only things that are helpful for migraines, of course. I had a patient who used to stick Q-tips up her nose – the whole way up – and felt that made a huge difference. Others like essential oils, cold compresses, or decapitation. I encourage you to give my suggestions a try. Then let me know what happens, or share your own favorite remedies, on our blog. Be well, Dr. Peter Borten

Top 7 Side Effects of Soda

Challenge of the Week-Drink more water!

Water makes us 60% of our body weight and is essential to keeping us alive yet somehow I tend to have a hard time finding time to drink enough of it! Dehydration can lead to headaches, loss of focus, increased appetite (you falsely believe you are hungry), sleepiness, dry/sticky mouth, constipation, and decreased urine output. None of those sound fun. Drinking adequate water can help clear your skin, eliminate cravings and unnecessary snacking, improve your digestion, and flush out toxins. Remember that tea and any beverages that add things to water is not considered part of the daily water intake that you need. Yes, they count as fluids but they do not support your body as well as clean water especially if what you are adding to your water is full of chemicals. How much water do you need? We all heard 8 glasses a day and that is easy to remember but it varies depending on your activity level, environement, gender and diet. A better way to tell if you are drinking enough is to check your urine..if is is light yellow to clear then you are most likely hydrated. I have heard the rule of thumb to divide your body weight by 2 and that is the number of ounces you need. I know when I drink enough water because I feel better and can tell that I am hydrated. Play around with it and for the most part we could all drink more!
Here are some tips to help you drink more water:

-Wake up and drink a glass of warm lemon water. This is a great way to get some vitamin C and to help cleanse the body of toxins (See one of my posts on this topic)
-Sip on a glass with breakfast
-Drink a glass of water mid morning
-Drink a glass of water 30 minutes prior to lunch
-Sip on some water with lunch
-Drink a glass of water in the afternoon
-Drink a glass of water 30 minutes prior to dinner
-Sip on water with dinner
-Drink a glass of water an hour before bedtime..maybe even warm to calm you down.
-Always drink room temp water if possible with meals. This helps your digestion working at its best!
-Add lemon oil, orange oil, or peppermint oil to your water. Ensure that your oil is of the grade that can be ingested. It adds great taste and can help with digestion.
-Add cucumbers, oranges, lemon wedges or lime wedges to your water for taste.
-When you are craving a snack, drink a glass of water first and decide if you are still hungry.
-Freeze your water for a popcicle after a run.
-Add in some watermelon juice after slicing one and freeze for popcicles or a tasty variation.

Here's to more water this week!

Don’t Use These Oils

 

Posted by: By John Douillard DC | July 3, 2012

 
When you buy a “cold pressed” cooking oil, do you assume that the seeds were pressed safely at a cool temperature to protect the oil from rancidity, trans fats, and other toxic processing chemicals?
Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth!
Modern cold pressing heats the oil multiple times to staggering temperatures, rendering most oils rancid.
Additionally, unrefined oils are so delicate that even just one photon of daylight will trigger a chain reaction of free radical damage that creates trans fats and other by-products that experts believe to be even more harmful than trans fats!!

“How can they sell cooking oils in clear plastic bottles that are exposed to the light?” you may ask.
Well, they shouldn’t— but they do!
You will be disturbed to find out what happens to a seed on its journey to become your favorite cooking oil. Join me this week for a detailed look into the process, and learn how to choose oils that are good for you.

RBD Oils: Refined, Bleached, and Deodorized

Udo Erasmus, author of the book, Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, claims that, “Cooking oils are highly processed, using manufacturing methods that are destructive to oil molecules. These practices are utilized primarily to lengthen and stabilize the shelf life of oils.”
He goes on to explain the manufacturing process:
“After oils are pressed or solvent extracted from seeds and nuts, they are degummed, refined, bleached, and deodorized. The result is known as an RBD (refined, bleached, deodorized) and these oils, as a result, become colorless, odorless, and tasteless.”
In addition, valuable beneficial ingredients are removed during processing, including:
• Antioxidants – like naturally occurring vitamin E, carotene, and others, which protect the oils from oxidizing as bad cholesterol in the blood.
• Phytosterols – which support and protect immunity and cardiovascular function.
• Chlorophyll – which fertilizes the gut with pre-biotic support for the proliferation of good bacteria, and is a rich source of magnesium, which is essential for heart, nerve, muscle, and blood sugar function.
• Lecithin – which helps to emulsify fats, making sure they are easily digested.
• Naturally occurring flavor molecules, color molecules, and other oil-soluble beneficial molecules.

Cooking Oils – Then and Now

Traditionally, seeds were hand pressed under very low temperatures and delivered to homes like milk, in dark amber bottles due to the volatility of these oils. Today, as a result of such massive processing, most vegetable oils are so refined that they can be sold in clear bottles. In my opinion, these should be thrown away.

Modern Cooking Oil Processing

Note: Cold pressed oils can legally state that they contain no additives, preservatives, or special flavorings, because the vast majority of the chemicals added during processing are subsequently taken out. The question is: which chemical residues remain, and how many nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are lost?
Step 1: Cleaning and Grinding
During this process, the seeds are washed, cleaned, de-hulled and de-skinned. The coarse material is then ground into a matter from which the oil will be pressed. The grinding process adds significant heat from the grinding friction, rendering volatile oils rancid.
Step 2: Cold Pressing
The material is then put in a screw press, where temperatures can reach anywhere between 130-200 degrees Fahrenheit. Most oils go rancid when temperatures exceed 125 degrees.
Step 3: Solvent Extraction
Most seeds are not suitable for cold pressing, because it would leave many undesirable trace elements in the oil, causing it to be odiferous, bitter tasting, or dark. Because of this, a solvent extraction technique is commonly used.
Hexane is typically used as a solvent to dissolve the oil out of the seed cake after pressing, and is then reabsorbed through evaporation and distillation.
Step 4: Refine, Bleach, and Deodorize

• The oil is then refined to remove color, odor, and bitterness, along with many minor but important constituents of the oil. Refining can heat the oil to between 107 and 188 degrees, and involves mixing chemicals, like sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate, into the oil.

• Oils are also degummed at this time by treating them with water heated to dangerously high temperatures—between 188 and 206 degrees Fahrenheit—with steam, or a combination of water and acid. The natural gums, most of which are phosphatides, precipitate out.

• The oil is then bleached by filtering it through bleaching clay, which absorbs certain pigmented material from the oil, making the oil tolerant to light, and thus stable enough to be packaged in a clear bottle. Again, so many more vital nutrients, minerals, and other beneficial components are lost here.

• The oil is then deodorized, because processing incurs rancidity from significant free radical damage, giving the oil a terrible smell. The deodorizing process involves passing steam over hot oil in a vacuum at between 440 and 485 degrees Fahrenheit.

• The oil is now dead! It is refined, odorless, tasteless, colorless, indigestible, and void of most any nutritional value.

The Good Oils

According to Dr. Erasmus, all oils, except extra virgin olive oil, have been processed by these destructive methods. Extra virgin olive oil, while not damaged by processing, is a poor source of essential fats, as it contains less than 1% omega-3s and only 10% omega-6s.
When extra virgin olive oil is fried, it is extensively damaged. It should not be used for cooking, but can be added to foods after they are removed from the heat.
Oils made with health (rather than shelf life) in mind are:

• Pressed from organically grown seeds and nuts.
• Protected from light, air (oxygen), and heat during pressing, filtering, and filling.
• Sold in dark glass bottles that say “unrefined” on the label.
• Look for expeller pressed (screw press) oils by manufacturers that make an effort to keep the pressing temperature low. A manufacturer concerned about overheating oils will mention expeller pressure temperature on the label. Look for pressing temperatures below 122 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the European standard for cold (expeller) pressing.

These oils are safe and desirable – but are not to be used for cooking!
The best oils to safely use for cooking are:

• Coconut oil
• Palm kernel oil
• Palm oil
• Cacao oil
• Shea nut oil
• Ghee
• Butter

These oils are the most heat tolerant.
Sources
1. Fats That Heal, Fats That Kill, Udo Erasmus. Books Alive. 1993
2. www.madehow.com
3. www.udoerasmus.com

8 Awesome Uses for Coconut Oil

 

By Linnea Jensen

My new favorite pair of words to drop: coconut oil. I can't stop talking about it, using it, smelling it, and eating it. And it seems, I am not alone. Whether you're a self proclaimed health nut, or a skeptic, the beneficial properties are undeniable. Below are eight of my favorite ways to use this godly grease:

1) Make up remover. Ladies, this one will blow your mind. I put this on my eyes nightly to remove mascara, and then rinse, and then, (drum roll please)....put it on again as an eye cream. Coconut oil also has anti-aging and anti-wrinkle properties.

2) Massage oil. Talk about sweet and sultry. Who doesn't love an edible massage oil? Your lover will thank you with macaroon kisses for this one. For extra stress relief, use it on your temples and rub in a circular motion. (My personal favorite)

3) Pre-shave and aftershave. Coconut oil will moisturize pre and post shave for a affordable and organic, clean shave without clogging pores. Your skin will thank you.

4) Deep hair conditioner and split end treatment. I am a sucker for hair products. There is nothing that makes me feel more feminine than awesomely soft and voluminous hair (besides some red hot lipstick, of course). I've been experimenting with putting this on my ends instead of Moroccan argon oil. The result? It works just as (if not more) effectively for about 1/4 the price. If you do nothing else with coconut oil, use it on your hair. It works miracles.

5) Burn relief and scar reduction. I had a recent run in with a coffee press. The end result....well, ended up all over me. It was not pretty, but thanks to coconut oil, my burn healed better than ever. Coconut oil in itself has a cooling effect on the skin and when applied generously will keep skin supple, moisturized and will prevent peeling, blistering and scarring.

6) Toothpaste. Holy sparkle, your teeth will love this. Measure equal parts baking soda and coconut oil and mix together. Store in refrigerator to keep it at a favorable consistency.

7) Oil Pulling. Think of it like a total-body-detox-mouthwash. Our mouth is like a dive bar for toxins. Toxins linger in your mouth waiting for that perfect other half to walk in and take home (into your body), often blocking other important minerals from being absorbed. The oil pulling method pulls bacteria and toxins from the mouth. You are not only drawing out toxins from the mouth but from deep within crevices between teeth and gums and also from the teeny tube-like structures inside of your teeth, which are rarely tended to. When toxins are absorbed through the oil, the body can start to absorb proper minerals and heal itself. Oil pulling can improve conditions such as allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, migraine headaches, PMS, and chronic skin problems. I have also known people with cancer to use it in their natural healing process. To do this, stick a spoon full of oil in the mouth (weird at first, I know), and pull it through your teeth. Repeat twice a day for about 20 minutes and rinse. Like anything, consistency is the only way to get results.

8) Put it on your plate. If taking a straight spoonful is not your thing (oil pulling), try working it into your pallate. Replace standard cooking oils with coconut oil. The thing about coconut oil that has my vote: it can replace almost any fat without feeling like a compromise or loss. In fact, it tastes better, more full and well rounded.

And there you have it. Happy coconut-ing grease gods and goddesses!

Published June 29, 2012 at 9:10 AM

 

About Linnea Jensen

I believe in authenticity, laughter, and telling the truth. I believe being yourself is the best business. Sweating is godly. Green juice heals. Tension creates new pathways for expansion. I teach you how to play and glow, one chaturanga at a time. I love connection. All kinds. "Like" Linnea Jensen Yoga, Follow on Twitter.

Protect Your DNA: New Anti-Aging Discovery

 

Posted by: John Douillard DC | June 19, 2012

It’s no surprise that stress has detrimental effects on our bodies, including premature aging. New research is providing valuable insights on ways that we can protect ourselves from stress on a level as deep as our DNA. learn how in my latest article, below.

This Week’s Article

Science has now begun to make profound advances in health and longevity by working on the most subtle levels of the body – the chromosomes, which are threadlike linear strands of DNA and proteins.
Ayurveda acknowledges that the more precise a therapy is on the subtle level, the more powerful the effect is on the gross and physical levels of the body.
A new study has linked “chronic depressive stress” to the shortening of the protective caps of the chromosomes, called telomeres. (1) Damage to, or shortening of, the telomeres is directly associated with accelerated aging and chronic disease. (3)
Scientists have discovered 3 Ayurvedic herbs with unique stress-fighting properties that provide support for the body from chronic and depressive stress. (2)
Keep reading to learn how you can reap the anti-aging benefits of keeping stress at bay.

Stress and Your DNA

At the end of each chromosome is a protective cap called a telomere. It is like the plastic cap on the end of a shoe lace. When the cap gets damaged, the telomere becomes non-functional, shortens, ceases to divide, and dies.
Luckily, there is an enzyme in the body that replenishes the telomeres, called telomerase reverse transcriptase. However, scientists have found multiple biochemical pathways of chronic stress that deplete this enzyme. Without it, the telomeres will shorten. Shortened telomeres are directly linked to aging. (3)
In other words, chronic stress –> shortened telomeres –> promote rapid aging
In fact, stress has become such a major threat that one study reported that 75-90% of visits to primary care doctors were related to the effects of stress. (4)
The body’s natural defense to cope with stress is called “homeostasis,” an inherent function that makes instantaneous physiological adjustments when we are under stress, thereby maintaining a harmonious equilibrium in our bodies.

Overwhelmed: The Chemistry of Stress

Within seconds of a stressful event, the stress hormone, cortisol, is released, triggering a “fight or flight” response. This creates a particular chemistry in the body which turns off the digestion, stores fat, raises blood sugar and blood pressure, and causes the heart to race.
Within minutes, and lasting for days or weeks, stress responses occur that are more deadly, such as inflammation, free radical damage, decreased memory and cognition, decreased sexual function, high blood sugar levels, the release of degenerative stress hormones and the depletion of the good, mood-stabilizing hormones.
When the homeostasis pathways are overwhelmed by stress, the resultant degenerative chemistry can linger for hours, days, weeks, or longer. When the stress response is chronic, the homeostatic pathways break down and more and more telomeres become damaged and shortened.

Protect Your DNA Naturally

These degenerative stress pathways are so diverse that researchers have found not one, but a combination of herbs that may be needed to protect all of the body’s natural homeostasis pathways when under chronic stress.
Three Ayurvedic herbs were found to support the full range of homeostatic pathways:

• Ashwaganda
• Bacopa
• Tulsi

Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera)

Ashwaganda may be the world’s most powerful and well-documented adaptogen. An adaptogen is an herb or supplement that supports the homeostatic pathways to cope with the degenerative impact of stress. Ashwaganda supports the following homeostatic pathways:

• Supports mood-stabilizing neurotransmitters (2)
• Protects against lipid peroxidation (2)
• Supports the natural anti-inflammatory response (2)
• Promotes antioxidant activity (2)
• Helps regulate balanced blood sugar (2)
• Supports balanced cortisol levels (2)

In one study, 98 chronically stressed men were given 500mg of ashwaganda for 60 days. The results supported: healthy moods, cardiovascular health, healthy blood sugar levels, healthy stress hormone levels, and a healthy inflammation response. (5)

Bacopa (Bacopa monniera)

Bacopa, also known as water hyssop, has been found to support homeostatic pathways in the following ways:

• Promotes mental clarity (2)
• Supports cognition (2)
• Supports memory (2)
• Supports stable mood (2)
• Helps regulate normal cortisol levels (2)
• Is a natural antioxidant (2)
• Supports neurotransmitters for mental health (2)
• Promotes healthy cell membranes (2)
• Promotes healthy protein structures in the body, which play a key role in healthy neurological function (2)

In an unpublished, but well executed double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 20 men between the ages of 60 and 75 were given 300mg of bacopa extract a day (roughly equivalent to 1000mg of whole herb bacopa per day). After 4 months, the participants experienced a 23% support in focus and attention, a 24% support for learning and memory, a 15% support in overall intelligence, and a 30% support for mental health. (6)

Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)

Tulsi, also called Holy Basil, has been used successfully for thousands of years like bacopa and ashwaganda. Tulsi has been found to support stress-related homeostatic imbalances in the following areas:

• Promotes healthy cell membranes (2)
• Supports the natural anti-inflammatory response (2)
• Stimulates antioxidant activity (2)
• Helps regulate healthy blood sugar (2)
• Supports healthy cholesterol levels (2)

In a double blind, placebo-controlled study, 79 individuals took 1200mg of Tulsi a day for 6 weeks, while 71 individuals took a placebo. Both groups were tested for stress-related issues including cognitive function, energy, forgetfulness, sleep and sexual health. Tulsi was shown to support stress-related issues by 39% over the placebo. (7)

Conclusion

Scientists have found that a combination of herbs may be needed to mitigate the degenerative effects of stress due to the complex nature of the chemistry of stress, the numerous homeostatic pathways that the body employs to protect against stress and the consequent shortening of telomeres.
References:
1. Biol Psychiatry. 2012 Feb. 15;71(4):294-300
2. Downey, New Reasons to Avoid Stress, Life Extension Mag. 2012 June. 71-79
3. Mol Ecol. 2012 Mar;21(6):1307-10
4. www.stress.org/americas.htm
5. JANA. 2008;11(1):50-6
6. University of Montana – unpublished (data provided by vender)
7. Evid Based Complement Altern Med. 2012:894509. Epub 2011Oct 3

Summertime Cleansing

The temperature is rising outside…have you checked your internal gauge lately? If the heat is rising, and if signs of pitta imbalance are starting to appear, or you notice that toxic residues may be building up from poor digestion, it may be time to do a summertime cleanse. Not only will it help you have a more enjoyable summer, you will also be preparing your immune system for the health challenges that come with fall and winter!
A gentle whole foods cleanse at home can be the perfect way to get rid of any left-over kapha imbalances from the spring, prepare your system for the upcoming pitta season, or wash away any pitta imbalances that have already started accumulating.
A whole foods cleanse is a simple way to reset your entire system by removing accumulated toxins and strengthening digestion. In the summer, it is especially important to give the digestive system a boost, because the digestive fire is naturally low during this season as the body seeks to keep cool by dispersing heat throughout the body. That’s why nature provides lighter and easier to digest foods in the summer season. Summer fruits and vegetables also play a role in detoxifying your liver and cleansing the digestive tract. Healthy digestion actually supports immunity, since a major part of your immune system is found in the gut (in the form of lymphatic channels). And by keeping the digestion strong and healthy in the summer, these lymphatics stay clean and ready to go when cold and flu season rolls back around in the fall.

So how is a summer cleanse different than other times of the year? The basics are the same. For more detailed reading on how you can benefit from an Ayurvedic cleanse and a basic 7 day home regimen, download our free cleanse Ebook, Ayurvedic Cleansing: Waste Be Gone! . Below are some tweaks that you can apply to customize your cleanse for the summer:

• For your massage, consider Pitta Massage Oil instead of plain sesame, as this will give you the benefits of soothing herbs. Or, for a really cooling experience, try mixing it with coconut oil.

• Add sweet vegetables and greens to your diet. You can do this throughout the summer; during the actual cleanse, be sure to eat them in a cooked form. Enjoy asparagus, beet greens, cabbage, broccoli, celery, cucumbers, kale, collard greens, summer squashes, and bell peppers. Garnish your foods with some yummy cilantro and a touch of coconut. You can also try Everyday Greens to supplement the greens in your diet.

• Make a cooling detoxification tea by boiling ½ tsp each of cumin, coriander, and fennel in 2 cups of water. Add a few leaves of fresh mint for a refreshing treat.

• Also try a cleansing tea made from dandelion greens boiled in hot water. Before drinking, add a little honey and lime to taste if desired. Great for the liver!

• Use supplements to support the tissues where imbalanced pitta tends to build:

• Blood and Skin: Cooling and cleansing herbs like neem and manjistha are great during this season. Try them together in Blood Cleanse.

• Liver: As a predominant part of the cleansing system of the body and the major seat of pitta, the liver is not only affected by physical pitta imbalances, but also mental and emotional pitta imbalances, such as anger and hatred. You can also support a healthy liver with Liver Formula or for and added boost try the powerful effects of Kutki Liquid Extract.

• Intestines: Pitta can accumulate in the intestines, especially the small intestine, which can lead to abdominal discomfort. Amalaki, known for its immune supporting benefits, also has an affinity for cleansing pitta from the intestines.

Once you are done with the cleanse, enjoy the light and sweet things that summer has to offer, including berries and other sweet fruits. Ayurveda recommends that summer is also the time to enjoy the company of friends and family who are also sweet and refreshing; cooling colors like green and blue; soothing yoga and cooling pranayama; and calm evenings in the moonlight. Now doesn’t that sound like just what your pitta needs?
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/summertime_cleansing

Maximize Your Summer Health

 

Constitution Specific Suggestions for a Cool & Blissful Pitta Season

Light. Fire. Heat. Intensity. It’s summertime! Do you worship long days of bright sunlight? Do you welcome a renewed feeling of lightness and expansive consciousness? Maybe you just can’t get enough of the hot summer temperatures. Or, do you dread the heat and go out of your way to avoid the summer sun? Perhaps a dark, air-conditioned movie theater is more your speed on a hot, summer day.
Summer, like each of the seasons, arrives with its own distinct personality. Depending on your constitution, summer may increase your internal sense of harmony, or it may aggravate one of your innate tendencies. For example, a hot-natured individual who prefers a cool climate may love the winter, but will feel hotter than most – to the point of discomfort – as the heat of summer intensifies. On the other hand, someone with chronically cold hands and feet, who never seems to be able to stay warm in the winter months, will experience exactly the opposite: long, cold winters will be a challenge and s/he will relish the heat of summer. But the seasons need not be an intrinsic source of fluctuating dread and euphoria.
One of the fundamental principles of Ayurveda is that our habits, routines, and dietary choices should ebb and flow with the seasons. We can support an improved state of balance throughout the year by making a conscious effort to live in harmony with the cycles of nature and by regularly adjusting our lifestyle and habits to accommodate the arrival of each new season. While this idea may at first seem daunting, many people find that the recommended seasonal adjustments come quite naturally and that a few simple changes can dramatically increase health and vitality.
In Ayurveda, it is said that like increases like and that opposites balance; this helps to explain why summertime stirs something different in each of us. If you know your constitution, you can actually take even more personalized steps to harmonize your internal landscape with the changing nature of the seasons.
If you are unsure of your Ayurvedic body type, try this Banyan Botanicals questionnaire to help you determine your constitution.
Summer: The Pitta Season
The most striking characteristics of summer – the heat, the long days of bright sun, the sharp intensity, and the transformative nature of the season – are directly in line with pitta, which is why summer is considered a pitta season. And, despite the fact that some climates are exceptionally humid this time of year, the cumulative effect of intense heat is to dry things out, so summer is also considered dry. On a more subtle level, summer is a time of expansion and mobility – traits more characteristic of vata. While there is plenty to celebrate about summer’s unique personality, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. A summer seasonal routine is aimed at fostering diet and lifestyle habits that will help to prevent the over-accumulation of summer qualities and allow you to enjoy the unique gifts that summertime has to offer.
Negotiating a Blissful Summer: General Recommendations for the Pitta Season
Your primary focus through the summer months will be to keep pitta balanced by staying cool, mellowing intensity with relaxation, and grounding your energy. It may also be helpful to learn to recognize early signs of pitta imbalance so that you can take steps to address those quickly, if they arise. But summer has some distinctly vata characteristics as well, so you’ll also want to stay hydrated, foster stability, and balance vata’s natural expansiveness and mobility with quiet, restful activities. The following recommendations for pitta are appropriate for most people during the summer. For additional considerations specific to your constitution, see the sections addressing each of the seven Ayurvedic body types below.
Pitta Predominant Types
Vata Predominant Types
Kapha Predominant Types
Pitta-Vata & Vata-Pitta Types
Pitta-Kapha & Kapha-Pitta Types
Vata-Kapha & Kapha-Vata Types
Vata-Pitta-Kapha Types

Pitta Season Diet

During the summer, our bodies naturally crave light foods and small meals that are easy to digest because the digestive fire – a strong source of internal heat – disperses in order to help keep us cool (1). Being fully present with your meals while savoring the flavor and texture of your food will help minimize the risk of overeating. Summer is a time to favor the sweet, bitter and astringent tastes and to relish in cool, liquid, even slightly oily foods. This is the best time of year to enjoy fresh fruits and salads. It is also a great time to indulge in sweet dairy products such as milk, butter, ghee, cottage cheese, fresh homemade yogurt, and even ice cream on occasion. All unrefined sweeteners except honey and molasses are cooling and can be enjoyed in moderation during the summer months.
In the way of beverages to beat the heat, enjoy cool or room temperature water infused with mint or lime and a little raw sugar, a sweet lassi, cooling herbal teas such as peppermint, licorice, fennel or rose, or an occasional beer. Iced drinks are best avoided; they disturb the digestive fire and create toxins in the body.
Go easy on sour or unripe fruits, aged cheeses, and heating vegetables and spices such as carrots, beets, radishes, onions, garlic, ginger, and mustard seeds. Try to avoid extremely spicy foods like chilies or cayenne pepper altogether. Also keep in mind that raw vegetables (as in salads) will be better digested if they are eaten at lunch, rather than at dinner. Below is a list of some ideal summer foods (3):
Fruits to Favor

Apples Avocados Berries Cherries Coconut

Cranberries Grapes Limes Mangoes Melons

Pears Pineapples Plums Pomegranates Prunes

Vegetables to Favor

Artichokes Asparagus Beet Greens Broccoli Brussels Sprouts Cabbage

Cauliflower Celery Chard Collard Greens Cucumbers Green Beans

Kale Lettuce Okra Potatoes Watercress Zucchini

Grains to Favor

Barley

Rice, Basmati

Wheat

Legumes to Favor

Adzuki Beans Black Beans

Garbanzo Beans Mung Beans

Split Peas Soy Beans & Products

Oils to Favor

Coconut Oil

Olive Oil

Sunflower Oil

Spices & Garnishes to Favor

Basil Cardamom Cilantro

Coriander Dill Fennel

Lime Mint Parsley

Meats to Favor (if you eat them)

Fish (freshwater)

Poultry (white)

Shrimp

Sweeteners

Maple syrup

Unrefined cane sugar

Turbinado

Pitta Season Lifestyle Choices

Summertime is bursting with vibrant energy and most people find it easier to rise early in the morning at this time of year. This is a natural and beneficial rhythm to embrace. Early morning is also the best time for exercise. Before you bathe, massage the skin with a light coating of a pitta soothing oil, like coconut or sunflower oil, to calm the nervous system and cool the body. Essential oils of jasmine and khus are good fragrances for the summer or you may enjoy a rose water spritz to calm, cool, and refresh your mind.
Dressing in light, breathable clothing made of cotton or silk and favoring cooling colors like whites, grays, blues, purples, and greens will help you counter the intensity and heat. Summer is ideal for spending time in nature, but when you do go outside, wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to shelter yourself from the intense sun. On especially hot days, there is often an afternoon lull in energy and you may find that a short nap is beneficial.
In the evening before bed, wash and dry the feet and massage them with a light coating of brahmi oil to ground your energy and draw the heat down. It is best to retire by 10 or 11pm to avoid an overly stimulated mind, and lying on your right side will activate the lunar pathway in the left nostril, which is calming and cooling. Also be aware that sexual activity, in excess, can provoke pitta and deplete energy, so cultivate moderation in this aspect of your life during the summer months.

Pitta Season Exercise

Summer can motivate improved physical fitness and it is generally a great season to be active, provided you exercise at appropriate times and at an appropriate intensity. Exercise is very heating and, at this time of year, is best avoided during the heat of the day, especially from 10am – 2pm. Instead, try exercising early in the morning, when the atmosphere is crisp and cool. It’s also important not to push too hard. Ideally, exercise at about 50-70% of your capacity, breathing through your nose the entire time, if you can. Follow your workout with a drop of rose oil to the third eye, throat, and navel to help the body cool down.

Pitta Season Yoga

Breanna takes a pitta-soothing meditation break from the phones in the garden outside the Banyan call center. Photo by Aleia.

Pitta is fiery and intense; you can balance the pitta season by simply adjusting your yoga practice to calm pitta’s tendencies. Allow your routine to be guided by relaxed effort: move gently, fluidly, and gracefully, keeping the gaze soft and the breath stable. Cultivate a calm inner awareness rather than pushing yourself to maximum capacity with precision and sharp muscular effort. Check yourself frequently to ensure that you’re not straining in your practice. Focus on creating a sense of groundedness and flow rather than becoming static in the poses.
Since the solar plexus tends to hold heat, favor asanas that massage, strengthen, and wring out the abdominal region such as cat/cow, cobra, boat, side openers, and twists. Cooling, self-referencing poses such as child’s pose and forward bends are also very beneficial during the pitta season, as are gentle flows such as moon salutation. Always close your practice with a few minutes in shavasana to ground your energy and integrate the benefits of practicing yoga. For instructions on any of these poses and more information on yoga most suitable to pitta season, click here.

Herbal Support for Pitta Season

There are numerous herbs that support the healthy function of pitta that can be especially beneficial during the summer season. Among them are: Amalaki, Brahmi, Bhumyamalaki, Guduchi, Kutki, Neem and Shatavari. For more information on the unique role each of these herbs play, see Ayurvedic Herbs for Balancing Pitta. Many of our herbal formulations also provide support for pitta including Healthy Pitta, Liver Formula, Pitta Digest, Blood Cleanse, Healthy Hair and Mental Clarity.
References
1. Pole, Sebastian. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Churchill Livingston Elsevier, 2006. 51-52.
2. Lad, Vasant. The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies. Three Rivers Press, 1998. 64-66.
3. Douillard, John. The 3-Season Diet. Three Rivers Press, 2000. 85-86, 109-117, 130.
4. Lad, Vasant. Ayurvedic Cooking for Self-Healing. The Ayurvedic Press, 2006. 232-238.

How to Get Rid of Your Joint Pain / Arthritis Without Drugs

By Dr. Peter Borten, LAc, DAOM, Acupuncturist and Herbalist at The Dragontree Spa and Creator of Imbue Pain Relief Patch

Wow, it seems there’s a lot to say about joint pain. You can read part one, part two, part three, and part four for background information and many more suggestions for joint pain. Let’s continue our exploration.

Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels.

For decades, vitamin D has been thought of as something of a hormone, with many authorities cautioning against getting too much. As you probably know, all that has changed in recent years, with current estimates putting 60 to 75 percent of Americans in the deficient category. We don’t get outside in the sun much, we wear sunscreen when we do, and it’s hard to get very much of it from food. Also, those who live in the northern latitudes (north of 37 degrees north latitude – or, for that matter, south of 37 degrees south latitude) rarely get exposed to sun that is direct enough to stimulate vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Except during a few months of summer, sun rays that hit the northern states come in at an angle (rather than being perpendicular to the earth) and they have to pass through a lot of atmosphere, which is full of dust that filters the intensity of the light, making it too weak for us to turn it into vitamin D.

Along with a growing recognition of our low levels of this vitamin has come a ton of research showing how critical vitamin D is to our health. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked with low and/or wonky immune function, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, depression, gum disease, skin diseases, asthma, diabetes, and, the subject of this article – arthritis.

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of both rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Studies have suggested a higher incidence of arthritis (particularly rheumatoid) in those living in the north. With rheumatoid arthritis – an auto-immune condition (confusion of the immune system, whereby it attacks the body itself) – this may arise because vitamin D is integral to healthy immune function. (This may also explain why vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in certain other auto-immune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis and psoriasis.) However, an especially interesting revelation of vitamin D research is that receptors for this nutrient appear all over the body – including in the joints. Vitamin D receptors like to be occupied with vitamin D – good things happen when there is sufficient vitamin D to fill them. In the case of our joints, vitamin D appears to be integral to the maintenance of our cartilage. One study on knee ar thritis showed that participants with sufficient vitamin D had significantly less cartilage loss than those who were deficient in D. Cartilage loss is central to the development of osteoarthritis, so vitamin D should be a part of the nutritional regimen of anyone with arthritis.

In addition, when it comes to bone health, vitamin D is instrumental in the absorption of calcium from our intestines. When there is not enough vitamin D, even if we’re eating plenty of calcium, we won’t absorb it. This would lead to low levels of calcium in the blood, but because circulating calcium is vital for cardiovascular and neuromuscular health (including the beating of the heart), the body doesn’t let this happen. Instead, it stimulates glands called the parathyroids to secrete a hormone that causes dumping of calcium from bones into the blood stream. While this is good for the heart, it’s not good for the bones. Most studies show a connection between low vitamin D and osteoporosis. But low doses – like the “recommended daily allowance” (RDA) of 400 international units – don’t seem to help reduce the incidence of fractures. Only big doses, at least twice the RDA, appear to be beneficial in this regard.

As for supplementation, as I mentioned previously, there aren’t many rich food sources of vitamin D. The two primary ones are oily fish and eggs yolks. Eating oily fish is generally a good idea, though some of these fish – tuna, in particular – also tend to be rich in mercury, not a mineral we need more of. Egg yolks are good for you, in moderation, though I recommend only eating eggs from free range chickens. Caged chickens have poor nutrition, and, unsurprisingly, produce eggs that are significantly less nutritious than those from chickens who roam freely and eat grass and bugs. The thing is, even these “vitamin D rich” foods supply only a bit of the stuff. Harvard Men’s Health Watch reported: “You’ll have to eat about 5 ounces of salmon, 7 ounces of halibut, 30 ounces of cod, or nearly two 8-ounce cans of tuna to get just 400 IU. An egg yolk will provide about 20 IU, but since it also contains nearly a day’s quota of cholesterol, you can’ t very well use eggs to fill your tank with D.”

Therefore, most people will choose to take a vitamin D supplement. It’s important to choose vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) – the form we naturally produce from sunlight, rather than D2 (ergocalciferol), a synthetic form which is less useable by the body. Unfortunately, most fortified foods contain D2. Dose recommendations vary wildly nowadays. Your best bet is to get your blood tested (get the 25(OH)D test). You should not be below 32 (ng/mL); optimal is 50-70. Doctors will often prescribe 10,000 to 100,000 units of vitamin D once a week to correct a verified deficiency. (Since vitamin D is fat soluble, your body can store it and utilize it as needed.) A more common daily recommendation, for both kids and adults, is 35 units of vitamin D per pound of your body weight, up to 5000 units. Please ask your healthcare practitioner what is the best amount for you.

According to Dr. James Dowd of the Arthritis Institute of Michigan, and author of The Vitamin D Cure, vitamin D works best when we have adequate amounts of potassium,
magnesium, and calcium in our diet. So, eat plenty of vegetables while you’re at it.

Please feel free to leave comments on our blog. We love to hear people’s stories and feedback.

Be well,

Dr. Peter Borten

“Zero Trans Fats” – Don’t Be Fooled

Posted by: John Douillard DC | June 26, 2012

Did you think that Trans Fats were one health concern you didn’t have to worry about anymore? Sadly, it isn’t true.
On January 1, 2008 the FDA issued a regulation that requires manufacturers to list trans fats on the nutrition facts labels of packaged foods. Overnight, almost every chip, cracker, cookie and croissant that was once loaded with trans fats was now inaccurately labeled “zero trans fats.”
Please do not be fooled. “Zero Trans Fats,” according to FDA standards, does not actually mean zero, and most Americans are still consuming significant amounts of hidden, in the FDA’s own words, “extremely toxic,” trans fats.
Read on to find out more about the hidden trans fats in your diet and the damaging effects they may still be having on your health!

________________________________________________________________

Article-At-A-Glance

Though labeling of trans fats has been strictly regulated by the FDA, exceeding the limit of “safe consumption” is very easy to do, and most Americans more than double this amount daily.
Though no longer listed on labels, trans fats are still hidden in many restaurant and packaged foods—even those that line the shelves at health food stores.
Additionally, you may be creating trans fats in your own kitchen!
Trans fats are molecularly different from beneficial natural fats. Know how they are different and why the molecular structure of trans fats makes them detrimental to your health. Learn how to avoid them in packaged foods, and in your kitchen.

Dangerously Over the Limit

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, trans fats kill tens of thousands of Americans each year, and they recommend that consumers completely avoid them.
The American Heart Association deems 2.0 grams per day to be the limit for safe consumption of trans fats.
According to the FDA, however, the average American still consumes 5.6 grams of trans fats per day, and according to the American Heart Association (AHA), average daily consumption may be over 12 grams a day.

Are They Really That Bad for You?

“Trans fat is, gram for gram, twice as bad for your cholesterol score as saturated fat,” says Meir J. Stampfer, MD, professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health.
In fact, trans fats are so bad for the heart that, according to Dr. Stampfer, if you replaced just 2 percent of the calories in your diet that now come from carbohydrates with trans fat, your risk for heart disease would skyrocket by 93 percent!
According to researchers, trans fats are to blame for anywhere from 70,000 to 288,000 heart attacks (fatal and nonfatal) in Americans each year.

The Math

According to the 2008 FDA regulation on trans fat labeling, a product may have less than 0.5 grams per serving and still be advertised as “zero trans fats.” As mentioned above, the American Heart Association suggests eating no more than 2 grams of trans fats per day.
In other words, just over 4 servings a day of certain packaged foods, which may not even list trans fats on the label, will put you over the recommended safety limit.
You may be thinking that you hardly ever eat four packaged foods per day, but remember, serving sizes are often deceptively small in processed foods, and it’s easy to eat two or three servings without realizing it.
Exceeding the 2 gram limit is very easy to do. Most folks exceed the safe range eating multiple serving sizes of a “zero trans fat” bag of chips, crackers, or a handful of cookies. Keep in mind that even health food store brands may contain these harmful fats.

The Hidden Trans Fats

While the FDA has demanded trans fat labeling for packaged foods, no labels are required for foods served in restaurants.
Trans fats abound in fries, buns, muffins, chips, and baked goods at restaurants, coffee shops, and most everything in a fast food chain. These hidden trans fats are not listed anywhere, and restaurants are not required to disclose the trans fat content of the food they serve in any other way, making it impossible to know if you are ingesting it.
For the record, most fried foods and foods cooked with oil in restaurants are loaded with trans fats, as are most baked goods.

What is a Trans Fat?

Trans fats are molecularly different from naturally occurring beneficial fats, causing them to behave differently on the shelf and in your body:
Trans Fats

• Man made trans fats stick and clump together and cause heart disease.
• Are very stable and have a long shelf life.
• Are indigestible and cause liver congestion and arterial damage.
• Raise bad LDL cholesterol and lower good HDL cholesterol.

Good Fats

• Beneficial natural fats don’t stick or clump inside the arteries and tissues of the body.
• Are essential for the structure of the cell wall.
• Are loaded with essential omega 3 and 6 fatty acids that humans must get in the diet as our bodies do not produce them.

The Details

In nature, most fatty acids occur in what is called the cis-configuration (good fat) rather than the trans-configuration (mostly bad fat). Molecularly speaking, the double bonds on a cis fatty acid are always on the same side of the chain. The hydrogen atoms in these bonds repel each other, forcing the fatty chain to bend or kink. This kink keeps the fats from stacking, sticking or clumping together. Imagine trying to stack bent logs—no matter how hard you try, they will never stack closely enough together to not have any space in between.
Because of this, the cis fatty acids don’t clump or stick together and thus stay thin and do not clog arteries. Moreover, they are essential as building blocks for the cellular membranes.
Trans fatty acid chains, which are mostly man made, have their double bonds on the opposite sides. The bonds do not repel in this case, keeping the fatty acid chain straight as compared to the more natural bent cis-configuration. These straight fatty acid chains stack easily, tending to clump and stick together more easily than the cis-configurated fats. Back to our log analogy, just as straight logs will stack closely, trans fats will naturally stick, clump, and become hard.
Sticky or hard fats are much harder for the body to process, thus raising bad LDL cholesterol and lowering good HDL cholesterol. In this way, they are directly linked to cardiovascular risk.

Three Types of Trans Fats

(1) The worst type of trans fat is the synthetic form that is created as a result of oil hydrogenation. Hydrogenation is a process of driving hydrogen atoms into a fatty acid to saturate the fat with more hydrogen atoms to make it more stable, thus giving the oil a longer shelf-life.
The more saturated the fat, the stickier it becomes and the more challenging it is for the body to digest. These man-made saturated trans fats have a longer shelf life, are more stable, more solid, and much less digestible.
(2) A second structural type of trans fat is produced at very low levels when foods, especially meats and oils, are overheated or charred. They are also harmful. This is why it is recommended not to eat the skin of a chicken, or cooked fatty meats. This is also why the only truly safe oil to cook with is coconut oil, and small amounts of butter and ghee.
(3) A third type of trans fat is naturally-occurring. Low levels are found in butter, dairy and some meats. These low levels of trans fats are considered safe.

Where to Look for Trans Fats

Here is a partial list of foods containing synthetic trans fats:

• Baked Goods: almost all have trans fats (due to hydrogenated oils)
• Bread: almost all have trans fats
• Butter: has a safer, natural trans fat
• Cakes & Frosting: almost all have trans fats
• Cereals: some have trans fats
• Candy: most have trans fats
• Cookies: almost all have trans fats
• Crackers: some have trans fats
• Fast Foods: almost all have trans fats
• French Fries: almost all have trans fats (in oil)
• Fried Meats: almost all have trans fats (in oil)
• Ice Cream: some brands have trans fats
• Lard: some brands have trans fats
• Margarine: most brands have more than 35% trans fat
• Peanut Butter: some brands have trans fat
• Pies: almost all have trans fats in dough
• Pizzas: almost all have trans fats in dough
• Popcorn: almost all have trans fats in oil
• Potato Chips: almost all have trans fats in oil
• Puddings: almost all have trans fats
• Vegetable Shortening: almost all have trans fats

Suggestions for Cooking at Home

- Water saute veggies (use water instead of oil as the lubricating agent) and add oil at the table.
- Try baking oil free muffins and breads.
- Dry roast veggies and, if desired, dress with oil once they come out of the oven.

Conclusion

Just when we thought the FDA had eliminated Trans Fats, we find out they still loom large and we must, once again, take our health into our own hands. Buyer, Please Beware: cooked-oil-derived trans fats are a recipe for disaster, but easily avoided once you are aware of where they hide.
Sources:
1. 2008 FDA Trans Fat Label Regulation
2. American Heart Association (AHA) Trans Fat Safe Ingestion Limit
3. Harvard School of Public Health; Meir J. Stampfer on Trans Fats
Comment via Facebook:
How has this article helped you? Note: Please keep dialogue constructive. We cannot give personal health advice and you may not get a response. If you have questions please contact us by email or phone. Your comment will only show up on your Facebook page if you leave the "Post to Facebook" box checked when you click "Comment"

Tags: cholesterol, diet, food safety, healthy fats, heart health, holistic health, trans fats

Alkaline & Acidic Foods Chart: The pH Spectrum

By MindBodyGreen

MBG wellness expert, Kris Carr gave us a great introduction to pH, now check out this informative chart on the pH spectrum, which summarizes what foods are acidic or alkaline forming.

What do you think?

Published June 15, 2012 at 9:00 AM

All-Natural Yoga Mat Cleaning Recipe

By Jennifer White

Ever since I started taking Baptiste-style yoga classes, I’ve noticed how much stronger I’ve gotten. I’ve also noticed how much more I need to clean my mat.

Taking care of your sticky mat is just good hygiene no matter how you practice your asanas, but when you drip a lot of sweat onto that sucker, you really should be cleaning it every time you roll it up. So I did some homework and began making my own, all-natural antibacterial mat cleaner. As I prepare to make my second batch, I’ve decided to share this recipe with you since I really love using it.

First of all, you’ll need to go shopping and pick up a few supplies. I promise that nothing is expensive. The most I spent on one product was $6.99 for my tea tree oil, and that will last for several batches (as an added bonus, I’ve also been using it on my skin). Make sure to pick up a jug of distilled water for your base; cutting it with white vinegar or witch-hazel is optional. Essential tea tree oil is a must. I chose Eucalyptus oil for my blend because I’m fickle about Lavender, but either one is a great. You could even get all three if you want and blend them together, but the tea tree oil should be your primary.

This recipe is variable, so play around and see what you like. I was going mainly for something that just plain works, and also for something that smells fresh and clean but that fades quickly since I’m sensitive to smells (a migraine trigger for me, so I don’t like strong scents around me during my practice). The following fits this bill.

Jennifer’s Tea Tree Yoga Mat Cleaner

• 1 cup distilled water
• Vinegar or Witch-hazel, optional
• 10-15 drops tea tree oil
• 6-10 drops eucalyptus oil (or lavender)

I was definitely overly generous with my oils in this ratio, and I wasn’t disappointed. Feel free to mess around with your recipe and share some other ideas as comments below.

One fun tip is that I went to my local Ulta store, found an empty travel hairspray container for less than $2, and it fits perfectly in my mat bag to take with me to class. I also keep a larger spray bottle made from the same batch in my yoga room at home. If you have time for your mat to dry, you can saturate it and then let it air dry, or spray a small amount and wipe it off well if you’re rolling it up and dashing out of your studio.

Good luck and have fun with this recipe. I hope you get the same kick out of using your homemade mat spray that I have. A huge perk is that I honestly think creating something even as simple as your own custom-blended mat cleaner can lead to a creative streak you might not realize you had in you. Enjoy!

Published June 11, 2012 at 2:00 PM

 

About Jennifer White
Jennifer S. White has practiced many styles of yoga since discovering an early morning PBS show at age 15. She blended these various styles into the playful and challenging vinyasa yoga that she teaches. Her love of being outdoors combined with her interest in rocks and minerals led her to obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Geology. A born-and-bred Ohioan, Jennifer has lived in New Mexico and the Philadelphia area. She currently resides in Akron, OH with her husband (and childhood sweetheart) and small daughter. Her passion for yoga is only equaled by her passion for writing.

Sun Protection: New Options, New Research

Posted by: John Douillard DC | June 7, 2012

How much faith do you put in your sunscreen?
According to a new report released by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there is surprisingly little proof that sunscreens prevent most skin cancers! (1)
According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer, “Sunscreens should not be the first choice for skin cancer prevention and should not be used as the sole agent for protection against the sun.” (IARC 2001a)
Find out which sunscreen ingredients you MUST avoid, and learn some natural and dietary strategies to protect your skin from the sun.


____________________________________________________________________
Article-At-A-Glance
New research reports that sunscreen does not protect against the majority of skin cancers. Bolster your sun protection with alternative methods, and in cases of prolonged exposure, look for the safest sunscreens:

• Go “Non-Nano”
• Avoid retinol and retinyl palmitate in sunscreens
• Boost your Vitamin D3 internally
• Use clothes, hats and shade as your best defense against sun damage
• Increase your skin’s resiliency with specific foods and our Luscious Mango Body Butter

____________________________________________________________________
According to the EWG report cited above, a wide range of public health agencies – including the FDA – have found very little evidence that sunscreen prevents most types of skin cancer.
In fact, the FDA has proposed prohibiting the sale of sunscreens with an SPF value greater than 50+, “because of the absence of data demonstrating additional clinical benefit.” (FDA 2011a) In other words, just because a sunscreen has a high SPF, it may not mean that it is providing any additional protection against the sun.

Sunscreen Does Not Protect Against All Skin Cancers

Studies do show that regular sunscreen use reduces the risk of squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC), but not necessarily that of other types of skin cancer. Squamous-cell cancer, a slow-growing, treatable disease, is estimated to account for just 16 percent of all skin cancers.
Of the remaining cancers, 80 percent are basal-cell carcinoma and 4 percent are malignant melanoma, according to a review published by the American Cancer Society. (Greelee 2001)
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that:

• Sunscreen use may decrease the occurrence of squamous-cell carcinoma.
• Sunscreen use has no demonstrated influence on basal-cell carcinoma.

In intentional sun exposure situations, such as staying outdoors for long periods of time, sunscreen use may increase the risk of melanoma. (IARC 2001a, Autier 2009)

To Nano or Not to Nano

While conventional zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are generally considered safe, consumers complain of the “white nose effect”- an unsightly white film left on the skin. As a result, in typical American fashion, the sunscreen companies processed these mineral sun blocks into microscopic particles, called nano particles, – which result in no white residue – voila!
Researchers mostly agree that these nano particles will have a toxic effect if they penetrate the skin. While the EWG has not found studies stating that these nano particles do, in fact, penetrate the skin, Jonathon Wright M. D. has pointed to some alarming research in his well respected Nutrition and Healing Newsletter:

• Researchers at UCLA stated that it is probably accurate to regard nano-material as potentially hazardous waste until proven otherwise.
• Studies using colon cells exposed to nano particles of zinc oxide showed the nano particles to be twice as toxic as non-nano zinc oxide, the particles of which are just too big to penetrate the skin.
• In 2010, human in vitro skin cells were deeply penetrated by nano sized titanium dioxide, not just through the skin but all the way to the nucleus of the cell.

Solution: Go “Non-Nano”

Because many manufacturers are proud to advertise their nano particle sunscreens, they are typically easy to spot on a label. At the same time, many health-conscious sunscreen manufacturers are equally willing to label their sunscreen as “non-nano”.

Look for sunscreens with Non-Nano Zinc Oxide (also found in most diaper rash creams). Non-Nano Titanium Dioxide would be the second choice, as the degree of its safety is still unclear.

Vitamin A, a Common Sunscreen Ingredient, May Speed the Development of Cancer

According to the 2012 EWG report, (1) data from an FDA study indicates that a form of vitamin A, retinyl palmitate, may speed the development of skin tumors and lesions when applied to skin in the presence of sunlight (NTP 2009). This evidence is troubling, because the sunscreen industry adds vitamin A to 25 percent of all sunscreens.
Vitamin A is used in sunscreens as an anti-oxidant that slows skin aging. While that may be safe for lotions and night creams used indoors, the FDA recently conducted a study of vitamin A’s photocarcinogenic properties – studying the possibility that it may promote cancerous tumors when used on skin exposed to sunlight.
In the FDA’s one-year preliminary study, tumors and lesions developed more quickly in lab animals coated in a vitamin A-laced cream than animals treated with a vitamin A-free cream.
Solution: Avoid retinol and retinyl palmitate in sunscreens.

The EWG recommends that consumers avoid sunscreens with vitamin A. On product labels, it often appears as retinyl palmitate or retinol. Look for these ingredients on the label and avoid products that contain them.

Do Sunscreens Do More Harm than Good?

There is no doubt that sunscreens will protect the skin from harmful free radical damage from the sun’s UV radiation. However, sunscreens also produce free radicals that can damage the skin from both the active and inactive ingredients. When they break down under the heat of the sun, these harmful free radicals can be trapped on the skin for hours. The EWG put out a list of sunscreen chemicals that are considered safe and those that should be avoided.
Sunscreen ingredients with the highest concern for exposure and toxicity:

• 4-Methylbenzylidene camphor (4-MBC)
• Benzophenone-3 (oxybenzone)
• 3-Benzylidene camphor O
• Octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC)
• Padimate O

See the full report at EWG.org.
Sunscreen ingredients with the lowest concern for human exposure and toxicity:

• Avobenzone
• Mexoryl SX
• Octisalate
• Tinosorb M
• Tinosorb S

Note: Non nano zinc oxide may also be considered safe. Non nano titanium dioxide may also be safe but research is not conclusive.

Sunscreens Block Cancer-Protecting Vitamin D3

The main source of vitamin D3 is from sunshine. Regular use of sunscreens can block the production of vitamin D3 on the skin. Vitamin D3 strengthens bones and the immune system, reduces the risk of various cancers (including skin, breast, colon, kidney and ovarian cancers) and regulates at least a thousand different genes governing virtually every tissue in the body.
For more information on the health benefits of vitamin D3, please see my past newsletters
When using sunscreens, it is important to know your vitamin D3 levels. Some people can make enough vitamin D3 from 10 to 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure several times a week. Many others cannot. The amount of time needed to produce enough vitamin D3 depends on the individual’s age, skin tone, the intensity of sunlight, sunscreen use, time outdoors, and skin cancer risk.

Solution: Boost your Vitamin D3

Experts agree that the most beneficial range for vitamin D3 in the body is 50-80ng/ml, which must be determined by a blood test. Read more about our:

• Home Vitamin D3 Test Kit
• Liquid Sun – Vitamin D3
• Vitamin D3: How much should you take?

A Natural Dietary Sunscreen

In an uncontrolled trial, researchers found that taking 50,000IU of vitamin A orally, two days to two weeks before sunshine exposure, helped to increase the length of time before the skin became pink or burned. (2)
I am not suggesting that you take such large amounts of vitamin A in supplement form, as the RDI is only 4-5000 IU, but this is a very easy dose to achieve from foods rich in beta-carotene. More than half of the beta-carotene in foods is converted into vitamin A. Here are some of the highest dietary sources of beta carotene, in just 3.5 ounces of each food:

• Spirulina – 250,000 IU
• Blue green algae – 70,000 IU
• Wheat grass – 66,000 IU
• Chlorella – 55,000 IU
• Carrots – 28,000 IU
• Sweet Potatoes – 26,000 IU

Alternatively, you can eat 3.5 ounces of beef liver and get 44,000 IU of real, already converted vitamin A.

Ayurvedic Sunscreen

In India, to help folks cope with the hot sun, Ayurvedic doctors formulated herbalized oils and butters to protect skin and build its natural resiliency.
According to Ayurveda, increasing the skin’s resiliency is more effective than simply blocking out the sun.
In 1996, I started working with a natural pharmacist to create such a product. LifeSpa’s Body Butter is a combination of mango, shea, avocado and other butters cooked with organic herbs, all of which have natural sun protective properties and/or support the health and natural function of the skin.
Body Butter, now with topical vitamin D, is a natural sunscreen that appears to have a cumulative effect on helping the skin function as a healthy organ and protect itself against the elements. It has a low SPF, which means it is most effective with frequent applications. New research shows that all sunscreens, no matter how high the SPF, should be re-applied every 60-90 minutes, as they do break down.* Studies show this to be true even with sunscreens with an SPF of 50.
Patients tell me that Body Butter works best when used consistently for 1-2 weeks before sun exposure. In addition, Body Butter may help restore your skin’s natural elasticity, which helps your skin look and feel more youthful.

Final Recommendations

I recommend avoiding extended sun exposure. Use clothes, hats and shade as your best defense against sun damage. Then use a natural sunscreen with a lower SPF and apply it more frequently*. If you experience extreme exposure or have delicate skin, use a non-nano zinc oxide as a block*.

Click here for more information about LifeSpa’s Body Butter

For more information about sunscreens see my past sunscreen video-newsletters:
Sunscreen – The Truth About It
Don’t Be Fooled By Your Sunscreen – Optimize Sun Exposure with Safe Sunscreens
Is Your Skin Thin, Saggy and Wrinkled – Topical Vitamin D

Sources:
Much of the content in this newsletter has been excerpted from:

1. http://breakingnews.ewg.org/2012sunscreen/sunscreens-exposed/sunscreens-exposed-9-surprising-truths/
2. Nutrition and Healing, Jonathon Wright MD. Vol 19, Issue 2. April 2012