Are your allergies caused by 'good' sugars?

Are your allergies caused by 'good' sugars?

Most of us love sugar. Even us health-nuts. People with the strictest diets are still so often unwilling to give up their sugar. Agave nectar, raw honey, brown rice syrup, sugar cane juice, apple juice, and sugar in the raw are just a few of the many examples of sugars being considered healthy. But they're not. They are all refined sugars. In nature, sugar wasn't so easy. We weren't meant to have so much.



You know what is meant to eat refined sugars? Candida, bacteria, and other parasites. Sugar promotes viruses, cancer, and inflammation; pretty much any health problem will be made worse by sugar. And even if your healthy sweetener is fresh squeezed apple juice, that is still a refined sugar.

The most common cause of allergies is candida overgrowth

Candida overgrowth causes allergies. We all have Candida http://www.dreddyclinic.com/online_recources/articles/disease/what_candidiasis.htm. Just like bacteria, Candida plays an important role in our body's eco system. Just like bacteria, fats, cholesterol, etc., it's all about balance. Most people reading this article have Candida overgrowth. It doesn't take much. Just one cup of fresh fruit juice has some very nice health benefits, but it's enough to unbalance most people's digestive system. Other refined foods such as pasta, bread, and white rice http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32823 also feed Candida. And for those with serious Candida issues, even whole fresh fruit alone can cause Candida overgrowth as well http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/oo/oral_thrush_and_candida_albicans/oral_thrush_and_candida_albicans_3.php.

I'm not saying to never have refined sugar. Consider the aforementioned alternative sugars "healthier" sugars http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=117&t=31523. They certainly have their place. But if you find yourself having them regularly, you're taxing your system.

For a sweet tooth, as we all know, fruit is the best food to eat. When the occasion calls for something like homemade ice cream sweetened with sugar cane juice, or gluten free cookies sweetened with coconut sugar, try taking a supplement like a strong probiotic http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/supplements/probiotic-bacterium-supplement.html?a_aid=141637&a_bid=c5985807 after the meal, and make sure the next few meals are focused on fresh raw vegetables to bring the ecosystem back into proper balance.

If you're someone who takes good care of themselves and is wondering if it's possible to get rid of your seasonal allergies, give this a try for a week; give up all refined foods. All refined sugars, all refined grains, all refined foods. Try it for a week. Imagine a food pyramid, with vegetables on the bottom, your foundation. Fruits would be above that. Brown rice, quinoa http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=33577, beans, etc. would be next. And if you eat meat, that would be at the top. Eating like this for one week eliminates most people's seasonal allergies. Eating this way for a few weeks will eliminate most other allergies (dust, pet http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=58&t=32399, food allergies, etc.).

Sources and Further Reading:

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/allergy-free-in-five-days/

http://www.healingthebody.ca/allergy-free-in-five-to-seven-days/

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/healthy-sugar-alternatives

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/sugar-pearls-dangers-associated-with-excessive-sugar-intake

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Study: Hospital Experience Falls Short of Home Birthing

Study: Hospital Experience Falls Short of Home Birthing

Aside from vaccinations http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=116&t=33830, home birthing is one of the most controversial issues involving pregnancy. In some countries, like Hungary, midwives have been sentenced to prison for helping out with home births. [1] [2] Sadly, though, the same is true in many states of the US where it’s either outright illegal to practice midwifery or, though not officially banned, it’s impossible to get a license. Only 26 of the 50 states allow the practice of midwifery, [3] but there are efforts to change this intrusion into women’s rights. [4]



As sad as this situation is, there’s great news from the scientific front on the safety of home birthing. Reports are now documenting that home births may be as safe or safer than hospital births, hopefully helping change the status of home birth in the 24 states that don’t allow the practice. The reality is that, though there are situations where medical help is required to assure that deliveries are safe for both the mother and baby, that’s the rare exception. Science now supports home deliveries for low-risk births, which are the vast majority of births in the country.

Two excellent new studies in the highly-respected journals BMJ and the Cochrane Collaboration demonstrate that, as usual, nature knows best in how new life is brought into the world. Natural home birth with a qualified attendant may actually be safer than hospital delivery.

Nationwide Study

The BMJ published a large nationwide study in the Netherlands that clearly demonstrates that women who opt for home deliveries have much better outcomes than women who choose hospital deliveries. Because home delivery is not a rarity in the Netherlands — but is the choice of nearly two-thirds of pregnant women — this study was able to include a large sampling of planned home births. Women who’d previously given birth had the best results, though even first-time mothers fared a bit better, demonstrating that first-time delivery is not a necessarily a good reason to choose a hospital birth. [5]

Review of Studies

On the topic of home delivery, the Cochrane Collaboration did what it’s famous for — reviewing published research. It looked at several studies and found information for a wide range of birth results, including caesarean section, jaundice, maternal mortality, infant death, resuscitation of the infant, and birth traumashttp://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=41&t=33831. [6]

They found that routine surgical deliveries are a disadvantage to both mothers and infants, and that hospital births routinely utilized a huge array of methods and devices that were simply not required. The bottom line in the medicalization of birth: both mother and baby are treated much like cogs in a machine. If they don’t fit the desired average, that’s too bad–they must be forced into it.

In fact, they quote Euro Peristat, a major European report on the health and care of pregnant women and babies as saying, “Concern about the iatrogenic effects of obstetric intervention in women who do not have a clinical need for it has put ‘normal’ birth firmly on the agenda for the 21st century.” Iatrogenic refers to injuries caused by medical procedures.

The Science Has Weighed in on Home Birth

Isn’t it exciting that science backs up what so many mothers have known for centuries? Outside of rare incidents, birth is a natural process, not something that needs to be managed and depersonalized. Certainly it’s marvelous that doctors and hospitals are there when you need them. However, in most cases, home birthing is a safe, natural way to bring another human being into the world.

The truth is that science has never suggested that home deliveries are dangerous, simply because such studies were never done. Bits and pieces have been studied, but until now those bits and piece have never been put together into a single review that tells the truth. Instead of looking at small numbers of births, the BMJ produced a study that looks at an entire nation’s experience with home-planned versus hospital-planned deliveries.

Now that studies are being done, the truth is finally coming out. For most women, the safer and far more satisfying choice is natural home delivery, not the medically-controlled model. The latest exciting evidence has just spoken — nature may be best for both baby and mother.

Have you experienced a home birth? What were your experiences? Please share with us in the comments!

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

1. Toni Harman. Agnes Gereb and the Case for Human Rights in Childbirth http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-harman/filming-agnes-gereb_b_1539595.html. May 24, 2012.

2. Amelia Hill. Hungary: Midwife Agnes Gereb taken to court for championing home births http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/oct/22/hungary-midwife-agnes-gereb-home-birth. October 22, 2010.

3. Certified Professional Midwives (CPM). Certified Professional Midwives in the United States http://mana.org/pdfs/CPMIssueBrief.pdf. June 2008.

4. The Big Push for Midwives. Statement of The Big Push for Midwives Campaign on the AMA Scope of Pratice Partnership http://pushformidwives.org/. July 15, 2013.

5. Ank de Jonge, Jeanette AJM Mesman, Judith Manniën, Joost J Zwart, Jeroen van Dillen, Jos van Roosmalen. Severe adverse maternal outcomes among low risk women with planned home versus hospital births in the Netherlands: nationwide cohort study http://www.bmj.com/highwire/filestream/649778/field_highwire_article_pdf/0/bmj.f3263. BMJ. June 13, 2013. doi: 10.1136/bmj.f3263.

6. Olsen O, Clausen JA. Planned hospital birth versus planned home birth (Review) http://almenpraksis.ku.dk/nyheder/oleolsen/Hjemmef_dsel.pdf/. The Cochrane Collaboration. April 17, 2012. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD0003 52.pub2.

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Check out these healthy, gluten-free alternatives to white flour

Check out these healthy, gluten-free alternatives to white flour

It's not difficult to find research lamenting the poor nutritional value of enriched white flour. Consuming this omnipresent flour - which has been processed, bleached and stripped of all its nutrients - has been repeatedly linked to constipation, diabetes, cancer and more. Often, these conditions are related to white flour's notoriously high concentrations of gluten, which negatively affects the health of most people - not just those with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.



Fortunately, we don't have to give up baked foods to remain healthy. A growing number of nutritious and gluten-free alternatives to white flour are available to purchase online or in health food stores, and several of them maintain (or improve upon) its taste and texture. The best of them are listed below.

Coconut flour

Coconut flour is a sweet-tasting, low-GI (glycemic index) flour derived from coconut meat. Though it doesn't taste strongly of coconuts, it does contain all their health benefits. For example, one tablespoon of coconut [url]
http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=33158[/url] flour contains a whopping 10 grams of fiber, which is double the amount of fiber as wheat bran and 20 times as much fiber as white flour. Coconut flour is also high in protein and low in fat. Long-term consumption of it has been linked to reduced blood pressure and blood sugar, improved thyroid function, increased energy and even boosting testosterone levels.

Though its clumpy texture might take some getting used to, baking with coconut flour is fun, and many recipes accommodate it. That said, coconut flour is best-suited for baked desserts such as muffins, pancakes and waffles. You can find a big list of coconut flour recipes here http://www.freecoconutrecipes.com/gluten_free_coconut_flour_recipes.htm.

Buckwheat flour

Buckwheat flour is a gluten-free flour ground from buckwheat http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32595, an Asian fruit plant with edible, triangular seeds. It has a pronounced, earthy taste and a fine texture. Like coconut flour, buckwheat flour is healthier than white flour in every aspect. It is high in fiber and protein (including all eight essential amino acids), rich in trace minerals like magnesium and copper, low in fat and calories, and contains two flavonoids - quercetin and rutin - which protect us from cell inflammation and damage.

Though versatile, buckwheat flour is best-known for its legendary pancakes http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=26349.

Mesquite flour

Mesquite is a deciduous tree that is native to the Americas, including the southern United States. It bears highly nutritious seed pods which, in turn, make an equally nutritious flour that is characterized by its pleasant, molasses-like taste.

Mesquite flour contains a similar health profile to coconut and buckwheat flour. Firstly, it is gluten-free, fiber-rich and comprised of approximately 13-17 percent protein, including the eight essential amino acids. Secondly, it is low in fat and carbohydrates and has negligible effects on blood sugar levels. Lastly, it is packed full of essential minerals, including magnesium and the ever-important calcium. Consequently, consumption of mesquite flour has been linked to weight loss, reduced blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and improved energy and moods.

Mesquite flour can add a punch to smoothies, cooked and raw desserts, and milk-based drinks. More adventurous cooks might be interested in making some cacao and mesquite flour "paleo balls http://drmichelleronan.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/cacao-and-mesquite-paleo-balls/," which make great pre-workout snacks.

Sources for this article include:

http://alldayidreamaboutfood.com/2013/04/low-carb-basics-baking-with-coconut-flour.html

http://wholegrainscouncil.org/whole-grains-101/buckwheat-health-benefits

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/mesquite-powder-health-benefits-tips-and-recipes/

http://www.dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=33158

http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=32595

About the author:
Michael Ravensthorpe is an independent writer whose research interests include nutrition, alternative medicine, and bushcraft. He is the creator of the website, Spiritfoodshttp://spiritfoods.net/, through which he promotes the world's healthiest foods.

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Teen recovers from Walking Corpse Syndrome: some people believe they are the living dead

Teen recovers from Walking Corpse Syndrome: some people believe they are the living dead

Walking corpse syndrome is a very rare neurological disease, formerly known as Cotard's Syndrome or Cotard's Delusion, named after the French neurologist Jules Cotard. Cotard's observations with his patient, Mademoiselle X, earned him the right to have the disease to be named after him, but his patient's case, circa 1888, was not the first ever recorded.



In 1788, Dr. Charles Bonnet treated an elderly woman with "the powder of precious stones and opium" after insisting she was dead and in another place. She had demanded she be placed in a coffin and mourned after recovering from a short spell of paralysis and loss of sensation or feeling. The treatment worked for her, but she would have occasional relapses afterward.

This syndrome or delusion has nothing to do with "Zombie Apocalypse", as covered by Health Ranger Mike Adams during some very strange episodes in 2012 in Miami and other spots in that region.

Those were delusional flesh eating Zombie episodes, where a few physically healthy and well fed individuals were compelled to eat live animal or human flesh. 

How Cotard's Syndrome differs from zombie delusions or compulsions

Extremely rare Cotard Syndrome is the opposite of any zombie delusions. Victims are convinced they are dead or their organs are dead, including their brain in some cases. But they usually don't want to eat. After all, they're dead, so why bother?

Besides, there's no pleasure in eating anymore. Some victims even die of starvation. A loss of feeling and sensation is at the core of this delusion.

Social disconnects are also basic to this delusion. Human interaction is avoided. There's just no interest. At 14 years of age, Alabama teen Haley Smith had suffered emotionally during her parents divorce. One day in her English class, she had a feeling she couldn't shake that she was dead. The school nurse couldn't detect anything.

Haley's eating disorder was different than most other cases of Cotard's Syndrome. She decided that she could eat how much of whatever she wanted to eat since she was dead and wouldn't gain weight or suffer other health consequences. She had a brief spontaneous recovery, but soon after that totally numb feeling returned.

"I'd fantasize about having picnics in graveyards and I'd spend a lot of time watching horror films because seeing the zombies made me feel relaxed, like I was with family," Haley explained. She spent a lot of time in bed and often missed school, until one day she attempted to reconnect with one of her friends.

Surprised and emboldened by his understanding her experience, she disclosed her condition with her dad. He urged her to see a psychiatrist. But it took Haley another two years to actually do it. Then she was diagnosed with Cotard's Syndrome (CS). With that handle, she went online to discover others who felt out of touch with their bodies and wanted to visit graveyards. Now she knew she wasn't alone.

Talk therapy helped her pull through as well as her relationship with her boyfriend, now fiance' Jeremy, and Disney movies. She had started to watch and enjoy them, getting "warm fuzzy feelings". That made her begin to realize she wasn't dead. Now she's set on advising others who suffer from CS.

Haley was lucky she didn't succumb to psychiatry's other solutions: Anti-depressant and anti-psychotic pharmaceuticals with unpredictability and serious side effects, or ECT (electroconvulsive therapy). Yes, good ole' shock therapy! Those are the go-to standard of care interventions of conventional psychiatry.

Her solution was through talk therapy, a boyfriend, and Disney. You might consider time for her to heal from the trauma of her parents divorce as another aspect of Haley's healing.

Sources:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2911387/Teenager-spent-three-years-life-thinking-DEAD-Walking-Corpse-Syndrome.html

http://mentalfloss.com/article/50197/plight-living-dead-10-case-reports-cotard%E2%80%99s-syndrome

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2695744/

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23583-mindscapes-first-interview-with-a-dead-man.html?full=true#.VQUbt-Fv5ko

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Can Diabetics Eat Rice?

Can Diabetics Eat Rice?

Good news for diabetics: Rice has been found to have varying glycemic indices.

How Does Diabetes Affect Blood Sugar?

For persons with type 2 diabetes, managing their blood sugar is an important daily task. Type 2 diabetes is a condition where the body either doesn’t produce enough insulin, or ignores it. When food is digested, insulin is what carries sugar from the blood to be processed as energy. If blood sugar builds up and gets too high, diabetic complications may result.



One way to stabilize blood sugar is to eat a low GI (glycemic index) diet [1], meaning foods that are digested slowly and don’t cause blood sugar spikes. Simple sugars, like candy, are high GI, digested quickly and cause blood sugar levels to peak. This can be dangerous for diabetics.

Low GI Foods Can Help

Many natural foods are known for being low GI, such as cabbage, mushrooms, green beans, and vegetables. Carbohydrates are generally the element most responsible for varying blood-sugar levels and it can be a tricky balance to provide the body with nourishment without upsetting blood sugar levels.



A recent study has found, however, that many varieties of a classic dietary staple are low GI [2].

New research from the International Rice Research Institute and CSIRO’s Food Futures Flagship recently published that most varieties of rice have a low to moderate GI; and they also discovered the gene in rice that determines its glycemic index.

The study found that the GI of rice ranges from a low of 48 to a high of 92, with an average of 64, and that the GI of rice depends on the type of rice consumed. As a point of reference, low GI foods are typically those measured 55 and less, medium GI are measured between 56 and 69, while high glycemic index measures 70 and above.

Diabetes is a problem for many people and getting a variety of nutritious foods in their diet is a must. It’s encouraging to have another food option to add to a well-balanced diet. Especially rice, which is incredibly versatile and popular.

Organic Rice is Best

However, with respect to the study, I was concerned by the mention that the discovery of the glycemic index gene had rice breeders enthused by the, “opportunity to develop varieties [of rice] with different GI levels.” It’s unfortunate that a positive discovery into the makeup of food has some researchers chomping at the bit to get in the lab and, “make it better.”

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The study found that there are many varieties of rice that, in their natural, unprocessed, unmodified state, already qualify as a sensible food. Is it necessary to genetically modify or breed new rice? Why not just leave it alone? GMO foods http://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=33160 aren’t good and as history has shown, the process of giving mother nature some unrequested help can be a slippery slope with unintended consequences.

Modifying foods also fosters a, “shortcut” mentality. When it comes to living a healthy life, the fundamentals are what they are, and there are no shortcuts. Generally speaking, most people fall short of their healthy living goals because they didn’t stick to the plan, not because they didn’t have enough shortcuts.

My hope is that everyone, not just those with type 2 diabetes http://www.dreddyclinic.com/findinformation/dd/diabetes.php, incorporate healthyhttp://dreddyclinic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=32132, organic, and natural foods into their diet.

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM

References:

1. Queiroz KC, Novato Silva I, de Cássia Gonçalves Alfenas R. Influence of the glycemic index and glycemic load of the diet in the glycemic control of diabetic children and teenagers http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?cmd=historysearch&querykey=15. Nutr Hosp. 2012 Mar-Apr;27(2):510-5. doi: 10.1590/S0212-16112012000200024.

2. M. A. Fitzgerald, S. Rahman, A. P. Resurreccion, J. Concepcion, V. D. Daygon, S. S. Dipti, K. A. Kabir, B. Klingner, M. K. Morell, A. R. Bird. Identification of a major genetic determinant of glycaemic index in rice http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12284-011-9073-z. Rice. colume 4 issue 2, pp 66-74. doi:10.1007/s12284-011-9073-z.

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