The Benefits of Probiotics

Intestinal flora is good bacteria that lives in your gut and improves your overall health.  The supplement form is called probiotics, meaning "healthful to life."  This good flora helps maintain the intestinal tract helping to relieve the leaky gut response of large food particles passing through the mucosa and causing an allergic response.  It also prevents the overgrowth of harmful pathogens like Candida, parasites, E. coli, H. pylori, and salmonella.  It can also ease the symptoms of food poisoning by supporting the intestines.  This good bacteria also aids digestion of foods such as dairy.  They manufacture short-chained fatty acids that are essential to your health.  They help produce B-complex vitamins while improving nutrient absorption.  All of this promotes a healthy metabolism and boosts the immune system.

Shopping for a Probiotic

1.     Chose a probiotic with Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria bifidum.

2.     Look for probiotics at your local health food store or natural vitamin shop.

3.     Many probiotics are refrigerated to extend the life of the living bacteria.  Check the date to ensure maximum potency.

4.     Chose a probiotic with 8 billion to 50 billion organisms.  It is possible that you probiotic will not even have that many living organisms after transport to the store and purchase.   

5.     Freeze dried probiotics suspend the flora's feeding and growth, keeping them dormant until they enter your body.  These products are typically shelf stable and are good for traveling.

6.     The more strains of beneficial bacteria, the better.  Read the label and chose a product with a diverse amount of bacteria.

7.     Try a product with FOS, inulin, or other prebiotics.  This if food for the good bacteria and can help them multiple quicker.

8.     Take probiotics on an empty stomach, preferably before bedtime.

Glutathione

The Potent Cancer Fighting Antioxidant

Glutathione is a potent free radical scavenger.  It is one of the most powerful and versatile antioxidants.  It protects every cell, tissue, and organ by breaking down and disposing harmful free radicals.  People with high levels of glutathione have a lower risk of cancer.

Glutathione Helps:

• Maintain healthy immune function
• Prevent Cancer
• Block Cell Damage
• Save cholesterol from oxidizing
• Reverse premature aging
• Prevent macular degeneration
• Quiet Inflammation
• Protect DNA from damage
• Reduce the toxicity of chemotherapy or radiation, preventing secondary cancers

Ways to increase glutathione levels:

• Eat foods with glutathione: avocado, watermelon, asparagus, grapefruit, acorn squash, strawberries, okra, cantaloupe, onion, zucchini

• Eat Cooked Cruciferous Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, kale

• Eat Brazil Nuts for Selenium

• Take Vitamin C : 500mg - 2000 mg daily

• Supplement L-Glutamine: this amino acid can boost glutathione levels more than taking glutathione directly.

• Drink Whey Protein Smoothies: Whey increases glutathione in cells.

This recipe is packed full of Essential Fatty Acids which are necessary for proper brain function, cellular fluidity, healthy skin, energy production, immune function, and hormone balance.  This Nut Brittle really surprised me! It's like a dessert but much healthier.

NUT BRITTLE WITH SEEDS

Servings: 12

2 cups Sunflower Seeds

1 cup Cashews

1 cup Almonds  (slivered almonds work well)

½ cup Sesame Seeds

½ cup Flax Seeds

1 T. Fennel Seeds

1 T. Anise Seeds

1/3 cup Maple Syrup

(You may need to add a tablespoon more of maple syrup…every piece should have a thin coat for sticking together after syrup hardens.)

NOTE: All nuts and seeds should be raw.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.

Put half the syrup in a big mixing bowl.

Add sunflower seeds. Mix until well coated.

Add remaining nuts. Fold and mix well.

Add remainder of maple syrup and coat thoroughly.

Spread mixture on the cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Check at 15 minutes and if the nuts are toasted and hardened in the center (not soft and sticky) pull it out of the oven.

Let cool. Break apart. Enjoy!

I love this article on www.wholeliving.com!!

It is an easy way to fit stress relievers into your day. It's hard to find the time to exercise or stretch in a hectic day, but this article makes it very manageable.

ONE YOGA POSE A DAY!!!

Check it out.

http://www.wholeliving.com/photogallery/melt-stress-with-yoga

I just learned that Diagnos-Techs is raising their prices for all lab tests starting June 1, 2010.

I am a big believer in digestive health and the large role it plays in one's overall wellness. Lack of digestive wellness can result in poor nutrient absorption, autoimmune disorders, chronic pain, fatigue, food allergies, depression, mood disorders, and accelerated aging.

I typically start all clients off with a Gastrointestinal Health Panel.

This assesses the following:

• Food Allergies (gluten, dairy, eggs, soy)
• Candida/ Yeast overgrowth
• Parasites
• Bacteria/ Fungi
• Pancreatic Enzyme Levels
• Intestinal irritation and inflammation
• Gut Immunity

I am running a special for all of May to encourage Digestive Wellness and to help you avoid the raise in prices by the lab.

Expanded GI Panels currently are $235. June 1 they will be increasing to $285!

I am waiving my initial intake fee of $200 and am offering an intake and assessment for HALF OFF, $100!!!

A follow up appointment may be required for severe cases, however those appointments are only $65.

Total cost:  LAB TEST + ASSESSMENT = $335.

After June 1 it will be $485!

Email me at dietmakeover@gmail.com