The Optimal Health Food Pyramid

FOODS TO AVOID ENTIRELY

Refined white flour products: pastas, cakes, muffins,

pretzels, etc.

Refined sugar-loaded cereals, candies, baked goods,

etc.

Processed foods packed full of empty calories (sugar

and fat) or salt (eg, soups, theater-style popcorn,

chips, etc.)

Margarine, butter, and shortening

Smoked or cured meats: bacon, hot dogs, smoked

Meats cooked at extremely high temperatures or cooked

Heavily sweetened or artificially sweetened soft drinks,

Fried foods, including French fries, potato chips, corn

luncheon meats, sausages, ham, spam, etc.

to well done

Kool-Aid, juice-flavored drinks, etc.

chips, and doughnuts

from the Textbook of Natural Medicine

no stress=no disease?

In Clinical Physical Diagnosis class, Dr. Thom lectured on neurological
disorders. When he covered Alzheimer's Disease he told us that 
nearly all patients with Alzheimer's Disease no longer have any 
health problems, that they previously suffered from. 
They reach a state of dementia and just exist- basic survival
mechanisms intact, no more stress. 
It is so often overlooked how stress impacts our lives, not 
only our emotions and behavior but our physical health as well.  
Living in a society that takes care of business first and our own 
well-being second, chronic diseases have become an epidemic. 

No time for yoga, running, meditation? Stress management
can be as easy as monitoring and changing your self
talk. Researchers have found that positive self talk and optimism

have many health benefits, including an increased life span.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/positive-thinking/SR00009

COFFEE

Coffee has become “the best part of waking up” for the majority of American

households. It is best to discuss coffee’s benefit/risks in your life and health with

your doctor, especially if you have underlying health conditions.

One of the primary reasons coffee enthusiasts consume this beverage daily is for the

effects of the caffeine. Caffeine is an alkaloid that occurs naturally in the coffee bean.

It is a stimulant, which means physiologically your heart rate will increase, along

with blood pressure. It is also well known that it affects your mental state, elevates

mood, and reduces fatigue.

Other compounds in coffee include chlorogenic acids, minerals such as magnesium,

potassium, niacin, phytoestrogens, vitamin E, and the phytochemical, trigonelline.

Chlorogenic acid is attributed with the antioxidant properties of coffee. The

phytoestrogens have been shown to alter glucose metabolism and consequently

been shown to decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in many

epidemiological studies. This anti‐diabetic effect has also been observed with

decaffeinated coffee consumption. In addition, the phytochemical, trigonelline has

been shown to have a hypoglycemic effect in studies with diabetic rats. Coffee has

also been shown to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, gallstones, and

Parkinson’s disease.

On the negative side, coffee contains diterpenes, which have been shown to increase

LDL (bad cholesterol) and total cholesterol levels. Diterpenes are abundant when

made in a French press, Turkish and Scandinavian varieties. On the other hand, if

you use a filter, it appears that these compounds are removed through the filtering

process.

If you experience withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, headache, or

depression you may want to consider an alternative, such as an herbal tea. It is also

necessary to point out that it is very important to make sure you are drinking an

adequate amount of pure water throughout the day, as coffee does not count

towards your water intake. Or if you consume coffee in excess or too late in the day

you may experience insomnia, anxiety, the jitters, and difficulty concentrating.

Whenever you become physically dependent on a substance in order to function on

a day‐to‐day basis, it is unhealthy and your naturopath can help you transition back

into a state of balance.

What are the benefits of using castor oil packs?

Castor oil packs are essential to any treatment protocol, as therapy for major illnesses and everyday problems to maintenance of health.  Castor oil’s effectiveness is attributed to it’s unusual chemical composition of 90% ricinoleic acid. Ricinoleic acid is an unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid that is anti-inflammatory and prevents the growth of bacteria, yeast, and viruses.  When castor oil is absorbed through the skin the lymphocyte count increases, the cells of the immune system that protect the body against disease and fight infections.

Castor oil packs also stimulate the lymphatic system, improving lymph flow and increase the removal of toxins, cleansing the tissues. Many problems can occur when lymph drainage is slow. Cells accumulate toxins and metabolic waste, the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the cell is decreased, which can lead to destruction of the cells and compromise the body’s functional capabilities.  When the lymphatic system is functioning optimally, toxicity is reduced and there is an overall improvement in organ function. This allows for better assimilation of nutrients and a decrease in inflammation. The removal of cellular waste products is essential for health.

Castor oil packs are made by applying the oil to a piece of flannel and placing the cloth on the abdomen, over the liver. The cloth should be covered with a sheet of plastic and a hot water bottle for 60 minutes everyday, or minimally in sequences of 3 days in a row. It should be noted that castor oil stains clothes, so be sure to use old clothes. A great compliment to castor oil packs is dry skin brushing.