This could very well begin with “Do you know that…”
While we cannot pretend to know everything, here are few amazing truths guaranteed to change your lifestyle, if it is your goal to lengthen your life and improve your well-being.
Like buffing-up, we need to pump iron. But this vital iron is a mineral one, which, when overlooked, can be as dangerous as vitamin D deficiency. Iron overloading can be measured through a simple lab test for serum ferritin. The ideal level is between 40 and 60 monograms per millimeter, or mg/ml.
If left untreated, an excess in iron can lead to complications. Moreover, if you have a predisposition to hemochromatosis, you could develop heart disease, diabetes, neurodegenerative disease and others.
If your iron level is high, then the simplest solution is to donate blood.
There is also the GGT test which measures liver enzymes. It can predict possible liver damage. Normal levels are 9 u/L for women, 16 u/L for men.
It is vital for your health to have your iron levels checked, too, if you have liver problems.
What to do?
* Lower your sugar, fructose and carbohydrate intake.
* Increase animal-based omega-3.
* Donate blood if you are an adult male or non-menstruating woman.
* Have a blood test and check iron levels.
Aching for a massage
When your body aches for a massage, there is a clear message that you are in pain. Any person suffering from pain is unable to have a normal day.
Instead of reaching out for a pill to dull your senses, consider a therapeutic massage.
A review published in the journal Pain Medicine said that massage addresses several types of pain—muscle and bone, headaches, fibromyalgia, spinal cord pain and internal pain.
Through the manipulation of soft tissue, pain is alleviated on all levels, whether psychological, physiological, neurological or biochemical.
From now on you will have a deeper appreciation for massage as something which transcends simple pampering.
Massage therapy reduces inflammation and promotes muscle health. So, go on, have that massage today.
Daily flossing
It takes only one minute to floss the teeth. But it seems people overlook this simple habit.
Dental health is ensured with daily flossing. Your gums and teeth are actually mirrors of the state of your internal health. This is because gum disease can cause low-grade inflammation which could negatively affect the circulatory system.
Poor oral health is usually evidenced by bad breath. However, if you are suffering from serious oral problems, this could lead to pneumonia, heart disease, erectile dysfunction (twice as common among patients with periodontitis than those without) and dementia.
Flossing may even be considered more important than brushing the teeth, as it removes bacteria, the precursor of plaque. The ideal brushing time is two minutes. Brush teeth gently, not harshly.
Floss one to two times daily. Warning: bleeding gums is a sign of bacterial presence in your mouth.
When you are out of toothpaste, you can make a homemade concoction of baking soda, coconut oil and sea salt. Mix all ingredients into a natural paste. You may add peppermint oil for a refreshing taste.
The benefits of oil pulling are worth repeating. A tablespoon of virgin coconut oil, when used as mouthwash and swished in the mouth for 10 minutes, is able to draw out built-in, stubborn food particles and toxic bacterial build-up in the mouth. Acting like a magnet of sorts, the oil attracts dirt and other unwanted germs in the mouth. By oil pulling daily, you can regain gum health faster.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone which helps you sleep better. More than that, it promotes better quality sleep, strengthens the immune system, reduces migraine attacks, delays brain aging, prevents cancer and protects bone health. Also hailed as the traveler’s favorite antidote for jet-lag, melatonin is especially effective when crossing time zones.
In cases of low sun exposure, it is recommended that melatonin be taken to regulate one’s depressive moods.
There is ongoing research on the effectiveness of melatonin in the reduction of relapses in multiple sclerosis.
More notably, it has been found that melatonin retards the progression of cancer by inhibiting estrogen levels. Its antioxidant properties strengthen one’s immune system.
To improve intestinal and digestive health, cut back on sugary foods. The optimal goal is to maintain balance in the gastrointestinal tract. But good bacteria can only do so much. We need to keep its colony alive through proper nutrition.
Bear in mind that 80 percent of our immune system lives in the gut. This is the compelling reason to keep microorganisms in complete harmony.
By taking probiotics, you reserve the natural flora in your stomach that are otherwise abruptly disturbed by over-loading on sugar, alcohol, synthetic food additives, antibiotics, pesticides and other toxic chemicals.
Good bacteria include lactobacillus and acidophilus known as L. acidophilus, one of the 80 species of the lactobacillus genres of probiotics.
Streptococcus thermophilus is a good bacteria used to treat ulcers caused by the h. pylori bacteria.
An easy way to be good to your tummy is to eat yogurt. But not all yogurts include “live and active cultures.” Look for this specific label. Also, all fermented foods like kimchi, cheese (blue, Swiss, emmental) and kefir (containing Lactobacillus caucasus) are made with different live cultures.
This week’s affirmation: “I don’t age, I evolve.”
Love and light!
Reference: www.mercola.com
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