Health and Nutrition Archives - Page 14 of 14 - Plattsville Natural Health Clinic

Power Food: Garlic

November 26, 2014June 4, 2014 by elisha

Garlic Cloves Garlic has been used for many centuries to prevent and treat diseases due to its health promoting properties. Historical documents have found that garlic was used to keep working class citizens strong and productive, as well as keep them free of abnormal growths or tumours, diarrhea, worms, and cardiovascular difficulties.

Currently, we know that Garlic has the following therapeutic actions, which makes it such a “Power Food”.

Antimicrobial – kill or inhibit growth of microorganisms
Antifungal – kills or inhibits growth of fungus
Diaphoretic – promotes sweating
Hypocholesteremic – lowers cholesterol
Cholagogue – promotes bile flow and digestion
Hypotensive – lowers blood pressure
Antispasmodic – relaxes smooth muscles

As a result of these therapeutic actions, garlic has the potential to prevent and treat infections of the respiratory system such as chronic bronchitis, recurrent colds and influenza, and can even be used as a broader approach to treating asthma. Garlic also works on the digestive system by killing bad bacteria and supporting good bacteria within it. It also affects the Gall Bladder by increasing the amount of bile secreted and therefore aiding in digestion and making it work more smoothly. This activation of the gall bladder also helps with the detoxification of the body.

Many studies have also shown the benefits of using garlic to treat hypertension, and overall, lower blood pressure. Along with aiding those with high blood pressure, garlic also reduces bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins [LDLs]) and increases good cholesterol (high density lipoproteins [HDLs]), and protects against plaque build-up in the blood vessels.

So you might be asking, what health conditions can garlic prevent and what can it be used to treat in my daily life? To begin with, Garlic could aid in preventing Atherosclerosis, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Myocardial Infarction (heart attack), and stroke. In regards to using garlic in every day life, not only can garlic be added to meals, but also used as a treatment for your skin. Garlic can be applied to the skin to treat ring worm, warts, and athlete’s foot (just do not use the garlic in your cooking afterwards).

The next time you see garlic, do not merely think of it as a vampire deterring bulb, but rather a health promoting addition to your diet!

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.

What to Eat When You Cannot Eat Anything

November 26, 2014May 27, 2014 by elisha

Eliminating foods from your diet is very challenging, yet it can have many benefits to your health. Regardless of the benefits, eliminating foods can cause some distress when it comes topreparing meals or just eating in general. It leaves many saying “I cannot eat anything”. Hopefully this blog will provide some ideas on how to approach the elimination diet, or just making healthier food choices in general.

1. Fruits and Vegetables are your Friend

Though some diets might limit some of the vegetables or fruits you are allowed to eat, fruits and vegetables can be a good way to “fill you up”. Having plenty of fruits and vegetables pre – cut for snacks is a good way to avoid going to the snack items that you might not be allowed to have.

2. Cook Meals for the Week on Weekends or In Advance

Cooking meals for the week is a great way to avoid resorting to fast food items. It also takes away from the prep time that might be required with having more of a “whole – foods” type of diet. With this in mind, planning meals is another good way to avoid returning to old eating habits that might be more “convenient”.

3. Drink Water

Water is important to help you stay full, as well as help prevent you from going to those food options that are less than ideal. Water is also beneficial to help your body to detoxify during this time. Often, when we restrict the foods that we often consume, it can cause out bodies to go through a type of “withdrawal”. Drinking water helps our bodies to go through this process a bit more smoothly.

4. Experiment

Use these restrictions on your diet as a way to embrace new ways of food preparation. You might be surprised as to what you actually like (and don’t like). Using recipes on-line or in cook books, as well as spices and new products (maybe Brown Rice Pasta as opposed to Wheat – based pasta) can help you come up with creative ideas for meal planning.

5. Get Your Household Involved

As mentioned above, eliminating foods can be a challenging task for anyone. What might not help is when your loved ones are eating those foods you have eliminated, and you are the only one in your household adopting these diet changes. Depending on your household arrangements and those living in your household, I would encourage all of the members of your household to adopt the diet changes. It will help give you support during this time, as well as give more bonding in regards to meal preparation and planning.

3 Ingredients to add to Smoothies to Boost Health Benefits

November 26, 2014May 21, 2014 by elisha

A smoothie can be a great way to get plenty of health products into our bodies in a concise form. Other than including the fruits and veggies you already include in your morning smoothie, there are some additional ingredients that you can add for more impact on your health. The following three ingredients are great add-ins to any smoothie, not only for taste, but also for their health benefits.

1. Flax Seed – The Harmonizer

Flax seed is a great addition to your smoothie for the many different health benefits is can provide. I have called it “the Harmonizer” because it has a great impact on harmonizing the different hormones in your body that might be too much or too little. It balances them out promoting more tranquility in your body. Digestion can also be aided Flax seed also contains essential fatty acids which are important in cardiovascular and brain health. Two table spoons of flax seed can be effectively added to smoothies to get the health benefits from this little seed. The flax seed should be ground up and should be stored in the freezer in order to keep it from going rancid.

Coconut Oil – The Energizer

Not only can coconut oil add a smooth taste to your smoothie, but it can also provide some health benefits as well. Coconut oil is considered a healthy fat and contains medium chain fatty acids, which have been shown to provide energy. These fats provide fuel for the brain and are also beneficial for cholesterol levels. Try adding one to two tablespoons in your morning smoothie for that boost you need!

Spinach – The Power House

You might find it odd the thought of putting veggies in your smoothie, particularly the veggie deemed famous through Pop-Eye. However adding this veggie to your smoothie does not change the taste of the smoothie (try it out)! I like to call this ingredient “The Power House” because of the punch of nutrition that this veggie can provide! Spinach is a good source of iron, folic acid, vitamin B6, nitrates, oxalates, beta-carotene, and lutein! Spinach is also a veggie that has anti-inflammatory benefits! Try adding one to two cups of spinach into your smoothie to get the most impact out of your smoothie!

Spring: The Season of the “Detox” Part I

November 26, 2014April 30, 2014 by elisha

Detox Concept This winter was particularly long and cold! I think we can all say that we are happy to welcome spring with open arms, with the hopes of a long, warm summer to follow. Not only is this a season where we start to come out of “hibernation” so to speak, but is a great season to start a detox!

A detox (or detoxification) is defined as a process by which the body turns toxic substances into less toxic substances for elimination from the body. Basically a detox is like the “spring cleaning” you do in your home but for your body. After the long winter we had and having comfort foods to cope with it, our bodies might benefit from a little “spring cleaning” itself.

A toxin is defined as a “poisonous substance that is produced by living cells or organisms and is capable of causing disease when introduced into the body tissues. If we are keeping with the spring cleaning example, a toxin might be that decaying chicken wing (from the super bowl party of course) under your couch that, though harmless at first, can eventually start to stink up your house and eventually cause mold spores and impact health.

So you might be wondering, what are the benefits of a detox? All of the following are possible benefits from a detox due to the process of eliminating toxic substances from the body as well as giving the body a better foreground for health:

Reduce cancer risk
Eliminate toxins from the body
Balance hormones
Weight loss
Reduce risk of future disease

*It is important to note that these health benefits may not be applicable to everyone but are possible in certain individuals.*

A detox doesn’t have to just be done in spring. Though it is the best season for detox programs, a detox can be performed everyday! You can make a lifestyle out of allowing your body to detox and eliminate toxins.

Are you interested in doing a detox of your body? Please consult your doctor to learn more about how this can benefit your health. Don’t have a doctor? Come see me, Elisha Cook at the Robert Schad Naturopathic Clinic. Allow me to help you along your healing journey.