A community for natural health professionals in the Midwest

Health Freedom Expo 2011

June 13, 2011

This past weekend we traveled to Schaumburg, Illinois, about fifteen minutes north of Chicago, to visit the Health Freedom Expo. The expo is an annual event held in California in March and Illinois in June. This year’s event included a Family Health Panel, a viewing of Healing Cancer from the Inside Out, the Martha Stewart Whole Living Panel and lunch with George Noory. In addition to the special events, there were speakers featured throughout the three days of the expo, as well as a hall of exhibitors where attendees could gather information, meet some of the speakers and purchase products.

Though we were unable to make it to all of the presentations, we managed to catch several different ones, while also spending a fair amount of time in the exhibitor’s hall. There were four of us and only once were we all in attendance at the same presentation, which was Jonathan Emord’s Restore the Republic. Emord is a Constitutional Attorney and his presentation demonstrated how the country has moved further and further from its original goal of providing a liberty-based, free republic to its people. He then explained how the changes and corruption in the country affects healthcare. Emord was a strong speaker. He has first-hand experience with politicians and the government system, so he offers more than just speculation when it comes to the motives of those in power. He took audience questions at the end of the presentation and our only complaint was that his speaking was limited to one hour. If you are concerned about health freedom and have a chance to hear Emord speak, you should absolutely do it.

Another stand-out presentation was given by Gwen Olsen. Like Emord, she has first-hand experience concerning her topic. Olsen worked as a pharmaceutical salesperson before realizing her personal beliefs and health philosophy were not in line with her career. She combined her personal and professional experience with the prescription drug industry to create a powerful, emotional performance. Though most in attendance shared Olsen’s philosophy concerning overuse of prescription medication, the presentation would be just as, if not more, beneficial to those with a different health philosophy. Olsen understands there is a time and place for prescription medication, but has seen with her own eyes how marketing, money and carelessness are affecting the health of the nation. In addition to being a passionate, knowledgeable speaker, Olsen is a likeable person and her concern for people is evident.

Both Emord and Olsen authored books which are now a part of my natural health library. Even if you have limited interest in alternative or natural healing, the books provide information important to anyone concerned about losing control of personal healthcare choices. Other notable speakers at the Health Freedom Expo included Dr. Joseph Mercola, Kevin Trudeau, Dr. Leonard Coldwell, Jeffrey Smith and Mike Adams. As a result of our attendance at the expo, we will be posting about a variety of issues in the coming weeks including GMOs, the health benefits of algae, acidity and alkalinity, how your state of mind affects your health, stress, and the causes of illness. If you have something to say about any of these topics or you attended the expo, too, please comment. We’d love to hear your opinions, especially if you made it to any of the presentations we missed. The expo was an educational experience and fun couple of days for us, but most of all, it provided plenty of health motivation.

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events, healthcare, natural health

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The Midwestern Diet Dilemma

May 15, 2011

In many cases, regional differences in diet are due to the ethnic history of an area. In the early days of the country, people migrated to areas where the surroundings were familiar and comforting. Living among people whose dialect was understandable and who behaved like you, worshipped like you and ate like you felt safe. Though people came to America for opportunity, they were reluctant to let many of their customs go. This was especially true with cuisine.

Nowadays, where you live still has a lot to do with what foods are available and how they are served. Those living in a region with a history of serving hearty, high-calorie food are more likely to suffer from nutrition-related health issues. When a certain way of eating is accepted as normal by your family and in your region, you are unlikely to question its consequences.

The Midwest might be the region of the country most negatively affected by regional cuisine. Those visiting or relocating to the region are often stunned by the unhealthy foods served regularly in the area. The Midwestern diet is filled with comfort foods, and traditional German and Polish dishes are staples. Consuming this type of cusine offers isolatation and comfort from the six to seven months of bitter cold residents must endure.

Geographically speaking, the challenges make perfect sense. The long, cold winters and unpredictable springs impact the growing season for fresh fruits and vegetables. The distance from either coast means seafood and ocean-based plants must be shipped in. The foods easily accessible for Midwesterners include dairy and beef. Though not inherently unhealthy when eaten in moderation and supplied by responsible farming practices, a diet built around animal-based foods is not going to do your health any favors.

Diet Challenges

Regional nutrition problems often go deeper than heritage. Bad habits are hard to break and trying to overcome a lifetime of poor eating creates a great deal of turmoil. As soon as you begin to make changes in your diet, there might be backlash from friends and relatives. If you are struggling to commit to improvements, the regional and ethnic influences are easy excuses. Those who do not want to give up or cut back on sausage, cheese, custard and burgers can say it is “in their blood”. If your heritage is to eat too much and dine on unhealthy food, your friends and family might see your desire to change as a slight against your culture. They might also fear having to change themselves.

Successful Diet Changes

So what’s the solution? There probably is not one single effective method for transforming the Midwestern diet. The desire to be healthy is often outweighed by the desire to cling to traditions. The loyalty Midwesterners have for their heritage is admirable, but creates a cycle of poor health. Comfort foods are used to elevate moods during the long, cold winters, but often lead to feelings of lethargy and depression. To combat these feelings, which are often based on the weather, people eat more comfort foods. The cycle is physically and emotionally destructive.

The easiest way to make changes, regardless of the type of resistance you face, is to ease into healthier eating. You can do this in three ways:

You can eliminate food from your diet. This will likely be the most challenging of the three solutions. Choose a few unhealthy foods and replace them with healthier options. For instance, if you traditionally eat ham and rolls (ham sandwiches) on Sunday served with potato chips, offer carrot and celery sticks as side instead. The main dish remains, but the less important side is packed with nutrients and has fewer calories and fat.

You can add healthy foods so you have less room for unhealthy choices. This is tough for people to understand because it is non-traditional in regard to dieting. Instead of reducing the amount of food you eat, you increase it, but make healthier choices. You are likely to reduce your caloric intake, leading to weight loss. At dinner, eat several servings of nutrient-dense vegetables. Your appetite is satisfied and you eliminate late night cravings. The extra veggies also reduce your protein and carbohydrate consumption during the meal.

You can  find healthy replacements for unhealthy foods. If you are concerned about the antibiotics and hormones in cow’s milk, replace it with nut or rice milk. If your weakness is bratwurst during tailgate parties or family cook-outs, try a turkey brat instead. None of these changes is a major diet overhaul and you are unlikely to feel deprived. However, small steps eventually lead to big changes. Your family and friends might not even realize changes are happening. You are able to improve your health, even if your local traditions encourage unhealthy eating.

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diet, food, natural health, Natural Remedies

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Natural Solutions for IBS

May 4, 2011

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, sometimes called spastic colon or IBS, is a common digestive problem. Symptoms are chronic and include lower abdominal pain and cramping, discomfort, diarrhea, constipation or a combination of the two, and gas, bloating and nausea. IBS is a diagnosis of elimination, meaning a doctor first determines a patient is free of digestive and bowel diseases before diagnosing her with IBS.

IBS is considered a functional digestive disorder, not a disease. This means communication between the brain and the gut is flawed, leading to stomach dysfunction.  Women sometimes have IBS outbreaks in conjunction with menstruation.  IBS has no official medical cure, but a wide variety of tools are available for controlling the symptoms. Diet has a direct effect on IBS outbreaks and is one of the main methods of controlling it naturally.

Diet Triggers

In most IBS cases, certain trigger foods lead to attacks. The greatest digestive tract stimulant is fat and those suffering from IBS usually experience an attack within minutes of eating greasy, high-fat foods. Even though digestion is just beginning, the body reacts. As soon as foods such as red meat, fried foods or dairy products begin moving through the system, a gastrocolic reflex occurs and triggers an IBS attack.

Soluble Fiber

Some IBS trigger foods are not necessarily unhealthy. Raw vegetables and certain whole-grain fibers are known triggers. Those with this digestive order have a difficult time processing certain high-fiber foods. Eating foods high in soluble fiber usually eases colon function without triggering an attack. Foods containing soluble fiber stabilize the intestine, soothe and regulate the digestive tract, and normalize bowel function. Soluble fiber is as helpful with diarrhea as it is with constipation. To visualize how soluble fiber helps, imagine making a bowl of oatmeal. When the oats and water mix, it creates a gummy substance. This gel travels through the gut soaking up additional water in the intestines (preventing diarrhea) and creating a thick, wet gel which is easy to move through the system (preventing constipation). In addition to oatmeal, foods high in soluble fiber include bananas, sweet potatoes, rice cereal, white breads, pasta, carrots and papaya. Papaya also helps indigestion.

Yoga

In addition to avoiding trigger foods and eating a diet high in soluble fiber, those with IBS benefit from gentle exercise such as yoga. Yoga helps to reduce menstrual cramps, a common IBS trigger. It reduces stress and anxiety, emotional IBS triggers. It directly reduces the effects of gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, all four of which create stomach pain. Lastly, it helps improve flexibility and posture, allowing the body to move food and waste through in a gentle, efficient manner.

Probiotics

Some people find that in addition to diet and exercise, herbs and probiotics help with digestion. Probiotics are live cultures taken in pill form or consumed when eating yogurt. IBS sufferers should avoid dairy yogurt because dairy can trigger symptoms, so pills are the best option. The live cultures assist in normalizing a healthy gastrointestinal environment, which minimizes bloating, diarrhea, gas and painful cramping. Research probiotic supplements carefully, since some contain very few helpful ingredients.

Peppermint or Fennel Tea

Herbal tea is helpful for easing the symptoms of IBS, sometimes with instantaneous results. Peppermint tea soothes and aids digestion after eating. In an emergency, a peppermint candy might even ease abdominal pain. In addition to peppermint, fennel tea help helps digestion. Both peppermint and fennel have a pungent smell and taste, so experiment to see which is most effective and most pleasing to your palate.

The effects of uncontrolled IBS are devastating. Experiencing an attack at the wrong time or place leads to embarrassment and inconvenience. Those suffering from this digestive disorder might feel like prisoners of their condition, anxious about leaving their home or traveling to a place where bathrooms are scarce. Left unattended, IBS might also lead to serious digestive problems, creating permanent damage in the intestines and colon. Repeated bouts of constipation allow toxins to seep into your organs, eventually leading to other conditions. Frequent bouts of diarrhea lead to hemorrhoids and weakened bowels. Diet changes and natural remedies help you manage IBS and provide comfort without unpleasant side effects.

Though drastic diet changes are not necessary for those suffering from occasional stomachaches, these natural remedies are also effective treating occasional problems.

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Herbs, IBS, Natural Remedies, Nausea, Pain Relief, Tea

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Natural Pain Relief for Migraines

May 2, 2011

According to the Migraine Research Foundation about 18% of American women and 6% of American men suffer from migraines. This equates to more than 30 million Americans battling migraines throughout their lifes. They also estimate that half of these people suffer from migraines on a near daily basis.

So what causes these attacks? Doctors do not have all of the answers, but they know there is a correlation between the spasming and dilation of blood vessels supplying the brain and the painful attacks. The trigeminal nerve might also play a role, as well as an imbalance in serotonin levels. Those suffering from a migraine show lower than normal serotonin levels.

Migraine Triggers

Researchers have also found there are certain triggers for migraines that vary from person to person. For women, hormone levels  fluctuate and might trigger a migraine attack. The effects of hormones on migraines might explain why the prevalence of migraines in women is higher than men.

In addition to hormonal imbalances, certain foods might trigger attacks. Alcohol, particularly red wine and beer, aged cheeses, chocolate, and aspartame have been shown to affect some migraine sufferers. As with all headaches, stress plays a role. Sensory stimuli such as bright lights and sunshine, changes in sleeping patterns, physical exertion, and weather changes might also play a role. Certain medications list migraines as a side effect.

Though some of these triggers are unavoidable, there are ways to make an attack less painful. For severe cases, doctors might insist on prescribing medication. If migraines are interfering with your everyday life, you and your doctor will need to discuss the possibility of medication. But for someone who only occasionally suffers from migraines, natural pain relief might be the solution. The first thing you should do is assess your lifestyle. You and your doctor should determine if you are getting adequate fresh air, exercise, and sleep.

Assess the Problem

Next, take a look at your diet, and attempt to spot trigger foods. Use a journal to record the foods you eat and your body’s reaction. Once you have determined that specific items trigger attacks, limit their use. If some of the culprit foods are your favorites, keep a detailed journal of when attacks strike. There is a chance you might still be able to indulge at certain times, especially if you are a woman who finds your migraines coincide with your menstrual cycle.

If tracking your diet does not reveal anything, speak with a professional dietitian or nutritionist. They might prescribe an elimination diet which often begins with a short fast. This way your system is clear of all triggers, making them easier to spot as they are reintroduced. They might also suggest nutritional supplements such as vitamins C,E, or B3, evening primrose, calcium, magnesium, or Omega 3 fatty acids.

If your migraine attacks are not eliminated by diet changes, there are additional things you can do to prevent the onset of headache pain. Massage therapy helps release muscle tension and restore normal blood flow. A trained therapist can target specific areas to reduce the effects of a migraine. Several sessions might be needed to resolve any long term problems, but regular massage is helpful in healing a variety of ailments and repeat sessions will yield a variety of positive results.

Easing Migraine Pain Naturally


Hydrotherapy can be very helpful in halting the onset of a migraine headache. Some doctors recommend splashing cold water on your face as soon as the first symptom appears. Many migraine headaches begin with blurred vision, spots in front of the eyes or general fogginess that sufferers recognize as the onset of an attack. After the splash of cold water, rest with your eyes closed for at least an hour. Even if this does not completely eliminate the symptoms, the cold water and rest eases the severity.  

If you have identified stress as a trigger for migraines, use essential oils to ease tension and anxiety. A blend of chamomile and lavender during a particularly stressful week might prevent a migraine attack. Those experiencing a great deal of muscle tension might try a blend of peppermint and lavender. A few drops of each oil can be added to a base oil and massaged into the temples, neck, and shoulders.  Many people find aromatherapy valuable for treating a variety of stress-related problems.

Another way to prevent migraines is yoga. The gentle stretching movements aid relaxation and help with flexibility and circulation. A yoga instructor can suggest certain positions to help you target areas where tension builds and triggers a migraine attack.

Migraine headaches cause serious pain and problems and can leave someone bedridden for a day or more. In order to lessen their severity and frequency, try incorporating natural treatments into your lifestyle. You might find you are able to eliminate migraines, particularly those that are stress-related, without medication.

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Migraines, Natural Remedies, Pain Relief

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The Benefits of Drinking Tea

April 30, 2011

Many people are aware of the benefits of drinking tea, but might not realize the full extent of those benefits. Tea has a gradual, naturally medicating effect on the body and is less stressful than synthetic drugs. The medical benefits of tea might be greater than pharmaceuticals, while causing fewer side effects.

Herbs have long been used for their healing and medicating properties and steeping them in hot water is the most effective way of breaking down their cell walls, releasing their therapeutic components. Tea bags are typically steeped for 3-5 minutes, but some require steeping for up to 10 minutes. Be sure to read the directions that come with your particular blend to ensure the greatest benefit from your tea.

Black and Red Tea

Tea is available in a wide variety and aside from any specific conditions you wish to treat, you should experiment to determine which is most pleasing to your palette. Black or red teas often have the most potent flavor and are a good option if you are trying to replace coffee. These varieties of tea are believed to lower cholesterol, relieve diarrhea and help respiratory function. Research has shown that drinking two cups of black tea every day for three weeks opens capillaries and prevents heart disease. The trace amounts of fluoride in black tea prevent tooth decay, making it a healthy replacement for sugary sodas and juices.

Green Tea

Green tea, which in recent years has increased in popularity, may be the tea that most people think of when considering healthy tea. Green tea has been shown to fight cancer, lessen the symptoms of arthritis, lower high cholesterol, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and help with impaired immune function. Some people prefer the taste of green tea over black or red tea because it is somewhat milder.

White Tea

If taste is what you are struggling with when it comes to drinking tea, white tea might be the right option for you. In addition to its pleasing taste, the health benefits of white tea are staggering. White tea is very high in antioxidants, which connect to the disease-causing free radicals that enter our systems and flush them out. White tea contains flavonoids, one of the most powerful antioxidants, helping to inhibit the growth of cancer cells. White tea has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, boost healthy teeth and gums, and reduce stress.

Herbal Tea

Consider herbal tea if you are trying to treat specific ailments. Peppermint tea is one of the most soothing teas one can drink. If you are planning to grow your own peppermint for tea, be sure to choose true peppermint, or Mentha piperita, because it has the highest number of active agents. The green leaves of this plant help prevent convulsions and flatulence. Those suffering from irritable bowel syndrome will find that sipping a cup of peppermint tea before or after a meal will ease their symptoms. Peppermint tea can also alleviate headaches, counteract motion sickness, and freshen breath. Peppermint tea is not safe for small children or infants due to its menthol content, so choose another option if your child is battling a tummy ache.

Chamomile tea has long been a popular choice for relaxation and general well-being. The medicinal use of chamomile dates back as far as the Romans who relied on its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. This tea is safe for children and adults and can be used on the regular basis. Prepare tea with chamomile form your garden by placing the flowers from the plant directly into boiling water and steep for no more than five minutes. Chamomile tea alleviates  insomnia, stomach aches, sore throats and cramps. Chamomile tea can also be used in healing compresses to reduce eye pain or it can be added to bathwater for a relaxing soak.

Raspberry leaf tea is one of the best choices for new tea drinkers. To make raspberry leaf tea, steep the leaves in cold water for a few hours and then boiled for 10 minutes before straining. You should drink up to three large mugs per day to take advantage of the healing properties in the tea. It is helpful for alleviating intestinal problems and menstrual complaints. The tannins in raspberry leaf tea have an astringent effect, giving the tea anti-inflammatory capabilities. It is also helpful for stopping bleeding and contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and C. Blending the leaves with elder, chamomile, and linden flowers creates a tea that helps strengthen the bladder muscles. Raspberry tea is also a safe solution for helping a child deal with bed wetting. Just be sure to serve the tea early in the evening, so as not to counteract the benefits!

The health benefits of therapeutic teas are numerous. It hydrates the body, and can be blended to create specific mixes for treating a variety of health issues. Its preventative properties are also staggering and working tea into your daily nutrition intake is a wise decision. Find a tea blend that satisfies your taste buds and targets your specific health concerns, and get to steeping and sipping as soon as possible!

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Herbs, Tea

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Welcome to Natural Health Midwest!

April 29, 2011

 This site is an online community for natural health providers in the Midwest. You can share information, find clients and educate readers. If you are interested in being part of this healing community, please email me at kellyjamrozy@gmail.com .

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Welcome

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