Avocados For Heart Health

If you are looking for a tasty food that can help lower cholesterol, regulate blood pressure, and protect against heart disease and stroke, reach for an avocado. This versatile fruit (botanically, it's actually a large berry), can be used in everything from guacamole to ice cream to soup. It's a good source of vitamin K, dietary fiber, potassium and folate. While avocados are very low in sodium and cholesterol-free, don't overdo it, as they do contain fat, albeit the heart-healthy, monounsaturated kind. This time of year the Bacon, Fuerto and Zutano varieties are ready to eat - if you buy one that's hard, you can speed up the ripening process by placing it in a paper bag for a few days. Help With Healthy Resolutions

3 Reasons to Drink Green Tea

Have you tried one of Dr. Weil's favorite brews? You should - green tea is available in a wide range of varieties and can provide heart-health benefits. It is: High in antioxidants, which may lower cholesterol levels and rates of heart disease as well as some types of cancer. A good source of EGCG, a polyphenol that may help to reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, prevent cancer and boost the immune system. Antibacterial - a 2008 study from Egypt suggests that drinking green tea enhances the effects of antibiotics, even against drug-resistant bacteria and "superbugs." Introduce yourself by substituting a cup of green tea for a cup of coffee; you (and your heart) will soon be enjoying the health benefits of this delicious beverage!

Das Kneipp Pflanzenlexikon

Acerola Acerola: Das Vitamin-C-Wunder Acerola ist eine echte Vitamin-C-Bombe! Frisch ist sie meist nur in den Erzeugerländern erhältlich. In Deutschland genießt man sie als Saft oder getrocknet, zum Beispiel in Müslis Acerola 1700 Milligramm pro 100 Gramm: Der Vitamin-C-Gehalt von Acerolas gilt als einer der höchsten im Pflanzenreich 1700 Milligramm pro 100 Gramm: Der Vitamin-C-Gehalt von Acerolas gilt als einer der höchsten im Pflanzenreich Inhaltsstoffe: Mehr Vitamin C geht nicht So viel Vitamin C wie die Acerola enthält kaum eine Frucht: 1700 Milligramm pro hundert Gramm stecken in ihr. Weder die als Vitamin-C-Bombe bekannten Orangen noch Erdbeeren halten da mit ihren 45 und 55 Milligramm pro hundert Gramm mit. Acerolas enthalten auch Provitamin A, Vitamin B1 und Vitamin B2. Die beiden B-Vitamine sind wichtig für den Energiestoffwechsel. Herkunft der Acerolakirsche: Die Mexikanerin Die Steinfrucht stammt aus dem tropischen Südamerika. Ihr genauer Ursprung wird auf der mexikanischen Halbinsel Jukatan vermutet. Heute zählen zu den Haupterzeugern der Acerolakirsche Mexiko, Jamaika, Florida, Panama, Guatemala und Brasilien. Der Acerolabaum wächst an verschiedensten Standorten: an Straßenrändern, in feuchten Schluchten und an Flussufern – aber auch in Gebieten mit trockenem Kalkstein und an felsigen Berghängen. Botanik: Acerola ist nicht mit der Kirsche verwandt Oft wird die Frucht Acerolakirsche genannt, weil sie unserer Kirsche vom Aussehen her ähnelt. Die Acerola ist wie die Kirsche ein bis drei Zentimeter groß, rund, gelborange bis rot. Mehr haben die Früchte aber nicht gemeinsam. Weitere Bezeichnungen für die Acerola sind: Antillen-, Ahorn-, Barbados- oder Puerto-Rico-Kirsche. Die tropische Steinfrucht gehört zur Familie der Malpighiengewächse. Deren bekannteste Vertreter sind Lianen. Acerolas wachsen an einem kleinen, ein bis drei Meter großen Baum oder Strauch. Der Acerolabaum trägt seine pinkfarbenen oder weißen Blüten zur Regenzeit. Die Frucht selbst gedeiht schnell: In 25 Tagen ist sie reif, man kann sie bis zu vier Mal im Jahr ernten. Ihr Fruchtfleisch ist sehr saftig, es besteht zu über 80 Prozent aus Flüssigkeit. Es ist in drei Segmenten angeordnet, in denen sich je ein Kern befindet. Die glänzende Haut der Acerola ist sehr dünn, glatt und empfindlich. Die Frucht schmeckt äußerst säuerlich. Die Acerola gedeiht in feuchtem, subtropischem Klima. Saison: Frisch nur in Anbaugebieten erhältlich Weil die Haut der Acerola so dünn ist und ihr Fleisch so saftig, kann man außerhalb ihrer Erzeugergebiete kaum frische Acerolas kaufen – die Früchte sind einfach nicht transportgeeignet. Lagerung: Acerola bei uns meist nur als Saft Die sehr empfindlichen Früchte verderben bereits drei bis fünf Tage nach der Ernte. In frischer Form finden sie sich in Deutschland so gut wie gar nicht. Acerolasaft erhält man im Reformhaus oder in Bio-Supermärkten. Man lagert ihn im Kühlschrank. Tipps zur Zubereitung: Von Saft bis Müsli Wegen ihres hohen Vitamin-C-Gehalts sind Acerolas als Zutat für Fruchtsäfte beliebt. Besonders gut schmecken sie in Kombination mit Traube, Apfel, Maracuja, Kirsche, Orange. Die tropische Steinfrucht ist auch als purer Saft für eigene Mischungen oder als Fruchtaufstrich erhältlich. Frisch eignen sich Acerolas wegen ihrer Säure nicht so gut zum Verzehr. In pikanten Gerichten richtig eingesetzt, verleihen sie den Speisen eine sehr exotische Note. Getrocknet schmecken die Früchte zum Beispiel in Müslis und Fruchtschnitten. Zur Übersichtsseite des Obst- und Gemüselexikons Nährwerttabelle: Acerola (pro 100 Gramm) Energie kcal 16 Fett gesamt (g) Spuren Kohlenhydrate gesamt (g) 3 Mineralstoffe (mg) Natrium (Na) 3 Kalium (K) 80 Calcium (Ca) 10 Magnesium (Mg) 10 Phosphat (P) 15 Eisen (Fe) 0,2 Zink (Zn) 0,4 Vitamine Beta-Carotin (µg) 170 Vitamin E (mg) 0,3 Vitamin B1 (mg) 0,02 Vitamin B2 (mg) 0,07 Vitamin B6 (mg) 0,01 Folsäure (µg) 6 Vitamin C (mg) 1700 Quelle der Nährwertangaben: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung: Die Nährwerttabelle Aloe Vera 40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera! by Jessica Root, Planet Green 3707 Wojtek Kryczka/iStock DCL Ads by Google #1 Anti-Aging MD Reveals Hidden Harvard Study Big Pharma Wants Covered Up www.alsearsmd.com What Was Your Past Life? Enter Your Birth details and Reveal Your Past Life. Accurate Reading ! astro-readings.com/Pastlife Hämorrhoiden behandeln Natürliche Hilfe bei Hämorrhoiden, aktiviert den Stuhlgang schonend! www.biofitt.com/Haemorrhoiden More on Aloe Vera: Can aloe treat skin problems? 10 Home Remedies for Sunburn Yesterday, I blogged about how you can easily cultivate your own aloe vera plant. Today, I bring you forty fabulous uses from this "plant of immortality," as affectionately dubbed by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago. That's right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant's moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called aloe vera the "Wand of the Heaven." It doesn't hurt that aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter. From all-around health elixirs to simple beauty aids, learn about the various ways to put your little plant to maximal use after splitting the leaves lengthwise down the middle. If you decide to take aloe vera orally, seek out commercial, certified organic juice. And as for both topical and oral applications, it's always recommended to consult your doctor beforehand. I am not a doctor—just a huge, huge fan of amazing, miraculous aloe! 40 Ways To Use Aloe Vera Topical Aloe Uses 1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice aloe leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower. 2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils. 3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer. 4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo. 5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe contains cooling properties similar to menthol. 6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites. 7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite. 8. Alleviate mysterious rashes. 9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion. 10. Help heal herpes outbreaks. 11. Fight Athlete's Foot. 12. Swab over blisters for quick relief. 13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions. 14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe is fast absorbing! 15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne. 16. Soothe Psoriasis. 17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks. 18. Help rid of Rosacea. 19. Shrink warts. 20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did! 21. Help eliminate Eczema. 22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots. 23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice. 24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey. 25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing. 26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse. 27. Replace aloe with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair. 28. Remove eye makeup. 29. Treat minor vaginal irritations. 29. Treat minor vaginal irritations. 30. Drink aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion. 31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it's recommended for its laxative effects. 32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort. 33. Take aloe orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain. 34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma. 35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics. 36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with aloe vera ingredients. 37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems. 38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart. 39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear. 40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities! Anis (Pimpinella anisum) Wer kennt ihn nicht, den charakteristischen Geschmack von Ouzo? Das erinnert sicher viele an den letzten Griechenland-Urlaub! Das aromatische Getränk ist ein Anisschnaps, den die Griechen üblicherweise als Aperitif vor dem Essen reichen. Doch nicht nur Schnaps lässt sich aus Anis brennen, er dient auch als Geschmacksträger in der Lebensmittelindustrie. Anis (Pimpinella Anisum) Anis ist vor allem als aromatisch riechendes Gewürz bekannt. Doch in den getrockneten Früchten steckt auch das wirksame ätherische Öl Anis ist vor allem als aromatisch riechendes Gewürz bekannt. Doch in den getrockneten Früchten steckt auch das wirksame ätherische Öl Wie sieht Anis aus und wo kommt die Heilpflanze vor? Das Kraut wird bis zu 50 Zentimeter hoch, wird oben ästig und besitzt einen runden Stängel. Die Blüten sind weiß und haben sieben- bis fünfzehnstrahlige Blütendolden. Die unteren Blätter sind gestielt, gezähnt und ungeteilt, die mittleren und oberen Blätter dreilappig. Die Früchte sehen eiförmig aus, sind graugrün bis graubraun gefärbt und fein behaart. Sie schmecken süßlich und riechen charakteristisch. Die Pflanze ist einjährig, gehört zu den Doldengewächsen (Apiaceae) und blüht von Juli bis August. Natürlich kommt Anis im Mittelmeergebiet vor, angebaut wird er in subtropischen Gebieten wie Südostasien, Mexiko und Argentinien. Welche Pflanzenteile und Inhaltsstoffe werden verwendet? Verarbeitet werden die Anisfrüchte. Sie enthalten ätherisches Öl, das aus den reifen Früchten gewonnen wird. Es besteht zu 90 bis 95 Prozent aus trans-Anethol und zu 0,3 bis 0,4 Prozent aus cis-Anethol. Daneben findet sich die Substanz Estragol zu ein bis vier Prozent im Öl. Was bewirken die Inhaltsstoffe? Wogegen hilft Anis? Zubereitungen aus Anis lösen festsitzenden Schleim aus den Bronchien und fördern dessen Abtransport. Anis lindert dadurch Erkältungen, aber auch eine Nasennebenhöhlenentzündung. Zudem wirkt die Heilpflanze leicht entkrampfend und kommt daher bei Verdauungsbeschwerden wie Blähungen und Völlegefühl zum Einsatz. Anis wird dafür häufig mit Fenchel und Kümmel zu einem Arzneitee verarbeitet. Alle drei Kräuter regen darüberhinaus die Milchbildung an und werden daher von jungen Müttern als Milchbildungstee geschätzt. Wichtige Hinweise: Achtung: Anis nicht selbst sammeln, denn die Früchte sehen den giftigen Schierlingsfrüchten ähnlich. Nebenwirkungen: Manche Menschen reagieren auf Anis allergisch. Sie dürfen die Pflanze daher nicht einnehmen. Anisöl darf zudem nie unverdünnt angewendet werden, da schon kleine Mengen zu Erbrechen und Übelkeit führen können. Heilpflanzen, die ätherische Öle enthalten, dürfen bei Säuglingen und Kleinkindern nicht im Bereich von Nase und Mund angewendet werden, da dies bei den Kleinen Atemnot auslösen kann. Dies gilt insbesondere, wenn im Öl die Substanzen Kampfer oder Menthol vorkommen. Auch Menschen, die an Asthma leiden, müssen vorab mit dem Arzt abklären, ob sie entsprechende Mittel einnehmen dürfen. Inhalieren mit ätherischen Ölen ist für sie tabu, da dies einen Asthmaanfall auslösen kann. Das Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung empfiehlt vorsichtshalber, Gewürze und Kräutertees, die Estragol oder Methyleugenol enthalten, nicht zu oft und nur in kleinen Mengen zu verwenden. Der Grund: Es gibt Hinweise, dass beide Substanzen Krebs auslösen können – allerdings wurde dies bislang nur in Tierversuchen entdeckt. Estragol und Methyleugenol kommen außerdem nur im ätherischen Öl in nennenswerten Mengen vor. In Tees ist die Konzentration deutlich niedriger und gilt damit derzeit als unbedenklich. Schwangere und stillende Mütter sollten sich allerdings von ihrem Arzt oder in der Apotheke dazu beraten lassen. Argan Arnika Avocado Baldrian Ballonrebe Birke Bitterorange Brennnessel Brombeere Calendula Campher Cranberry Curcuma Dattel Echiumpflanze Echiumpflanze Enzian Enzian Eukalyptus Eukalyptus Feige Feige Fenchel Fenchel Fichte Fichte Ginseng Ginseng Granatapfel Granatapfel Grüntee Grüntee Hagebutte / Heckenrose Hagebutte / Heckenrose Hanf Hanf Hauhechel Hauhechel Heidelbeere Heidelbeere Herzgespannkraut Herzgespannkraut Heublume Heublume Hibiskus Hibiskus Holunder Holunder Hopfen Hopfen Indische Flohsamen- schalen Indische Flohsamenschalen Ingwer Ingwer Jasmin Jasmin Javanische Gelbwurz Javanische Gelbwurz Johanniskraut Johanniskraut Jojoba Jojoba Kamille Kamille Kardamom Kardamom Kümmel Kümmel Kürbis Kürbis Lavendel Lavendel Linde Linde Litsea Cubeba Litsea Cubeba Lotus Lotus Löwenzahn Löwenzahn Macadamia Macadamia Magnolie Magnolie Maiblume Maiblume Mandel Mandel Mate Mate Melisse Melisse Mistel Mistel Mohn Mohn Nachtkerze Nachtkerze Nelke Nelke Olive Olive Orange Orange Orchidee Orchidee Osmanthus (Duftblüte) Osmanthus (Duftblüte) Petersilie Petersilie Pfefferminze Pfefferminze Pfirsich Pfirsich Quitte Quitte Riesengold- rutenkraut Riesengoldrutenkraut Rosmarin Rosmarin Rotklee Rotklee Salbei Salbei Sanddorn Sanddorn Schachtel- halmkraut Schachtelhalmkraut Schlüssel- blume Schlüsselblume Schwarze Johannis- beere Schwarze Johnnisbeere Sheanussbaum Sheanuss Sonnenblume Sonnenblume Spitz- wegerich Spitzwegerich Süßholzwurzel Süßholzwurzel Thymian Thymian Traube Traube Vanille Vanille Vetivergras Vetivergras Viola Viola Wacholder Weißdorn Wildrose Ylang-Ylang Zeder Zimtrinde Zitrone Zitronengras Zitronenverbene (Zitronenstrauch) Zypresse

Hausmittel gegen Bronchitis

Es beginnt mit einer eigentlich harmlosen Erkältung, dann wird der Schnupfen immer schlimmer, es beginnt im Hals zu kratzen, ein böser Husten kommt hinzu – wir haben eine ausgewachsene Bronchitis. Und die kann ziemlich übel werden. Denn dann hat sich zur bakteriellen Entzündung eine virale gesellt und da helfen eben auch keine Antibiotika mehr. Das größte Problem dabei ist: Wie kriegen wir den üblen Schleim der sich auf unsere Bronchien gesetzt hat wieder los? Da hat die Schulmedizin inzwischen sehr gute Medikamente entwickelt. In der Naturheilkunde musste nichts entwickelt werden: Gegen Bronchitis gibt es schon seit vielen Jahrhunderten gute und gesunde Hausmittel. Die Kur mit Salbeitee Wenn der Husten zur Bronchitis wird, dann kostete das Kraft und Lebensqualität. Und eine Bronchitis kann zur Schädigung weiterer Organe führen. Aber wie heisst es so schön: Gegen alles ist ein Kraut gewachsen. Versuchen Sie folgendes Hausmittel: Machen Sie eine 10-Tage-Kur mit Salbei-Tee. Kochen Sie jeden Morgen 1 Liter Wasser mit 3 gehäuften Esslöffeln Salbei ( Apotheke ) 3 Minuten. Durchseihen, in eine Thermoskanne füllen und über den Tag verteilt trinken. Die Bitterstoffe des Salbei bauen die Immunkraft in den Atemwegen auf. Aber auch die Heilkraft der Zwiebel können Sie nutzen: Schneiden Sie eine große Gemüsezwiebel in dicke Scheiben. Legen Sie die Scheiben in ein Glas, bestreuen Sie jede dick mit Zucker bevor Sie die nächste darauf schichten. Dann verschließen Sie das Glas und stellen es in die warme Backröhre. Es bildet sich Saft, den Sie teelöffelweise über den Tag verteilt trinken. Ingwer-Auflage als Hausmittel Ingwer wird immer mehr zu einem universalen Hausmittel. Machen Sie bei Bronchitis mehrmals die Woche eine Ingwer-Auflage: 3 Esslöffel Ingwer-Pulver ( Apotheke ) werden in 1/2 Liter heißes, aber nicht kochendes Wasser eingerührt. Dann weichen Sie darin ein mehrfach gefaltetes Baumwolltuch ein, drücken es aus und legen es auf die Brust. Darüber decken Sie ein trockenes Baumwolltuch. Darauf legen Sie eine Gummiwärmflasche. 45 Minuten einwirken lassen. Aber auch unser einheimischer Holunder ist ein gutes Hausmittel gegen Bronchitis: Holen Sie aus der Apotheke getrocknete Holunderblüten. 4 gehäufte Teelöffel werden mit 1 Liter kochendem Wasser übergossen, 5 Minuten zugedeckt ziehen lassen, durchseihen. Mit etwas Honig süßen und schluckweise über den Tag verteilt trinken. Helfende Wickel bei Bronchitis Wenn es um Halswickel gegen Bronchitis geht, dann spielen auch Wickel eine grosse Rolle. Verteilen Sie 250 g Quark gleichmäßig auf eine Mullbinde, wickeln Sie diese kreuzweise um Brust und Rücken und lassen Sie den Quark über Nacht einwirken. Oder: Nehmen Sie ein halbes Pfund heiße Pellkartoffeln, zerdrücken Sie diese zu einem Brei. Den geben Sie auf ein sauberes Leinentuch, machen Sie daraus einen Brustwickel, den Sie mit einem Wolltuch festbinden. Eine gute Stunde einwirken lassen. Was unsere Grossmütter immer gerne machten: Tränken Sie ein Tuch mit warmem Schweineschmalz und machen Sie daraus einen Brustwickel, den Sie über Nacht einwirken lassen. Drücken Sie mehrere Zitronen aus und tränken Sie damit ein weiches Tuch, das Sie sich auf die Brust legen. Mehrere Stunden einwirken lassen. Darüber hinaus kann ich noch weitere bewährte Hausmittel empfehlen: Pressen Sie einen Kopf Weisskohl aus (Entsafter), machen Sie den Saft warm (nicht kochen), geben Sie etwas Honig dazu, Geben Sie davon mehrmals am Tag fünf Esslöffel in warmes Wasser, vor den Mahlzeiten trinken. Kochen Sie eine gute Handvoll Salbeiblätter in einem Liter Holundersaft auf, zehn Minuten ziehen lassen, abseihen. Davon mehrmals am Tag ein Glas trinken. Massieren Sie sich am Abend behutsam und mit kreisenden Bewegungen Sesamöl auf dem Brustkorb ein. Geben Sie vier bis fünf Tropfen Propolis-Tinktur in ein halbes Glas Wasser und gurgeln Sie damit . Lassen Sie vier Teelöffel Seifenkrautwurzel (Apotheke) in zwei Tassen Wasser über Nacht kalt ziehen. Morgens eine erwärmte Tasse davon auf nüchternen Magen trinken, die andere Abends. Fördert das Abhusten. Mörsern Sie 10 g Fenschelsamen, mit 100 g Honig mischen, zehn Tage ziehen lassen. Täglich einen Teelöffel essen. Kochen Sie eine gute Handvoll Salbeiblätter in einem Liter Holundersaft auf, zehn Minuten ziehen lassen, abseihen. Davon mehrmals am Tag ein Glas trinken.am Abend. Einen großen schwarzen Rettich aushöhlen und mit Kandiszucker auffüllen. 24 Stunden im Warmen stehen lassen. Den sich bildenden Saft löffelweise trinken. Zwiebeln sehr klein schneiden und in klarem Schnaps zwei bis drei Tage ziehen lassen. Davon dann mehrmals täglich einen Teelöffel nehmen. Schälen Sie drei bis vier Zitronen, in Scheiben schneiden und in einer Schüssel dick mit Zucker bestreuen. Etwa zwölf Stunden stehen lassen. Dreimal täglich je einen Esslöffel vom Saft nehmen. Besorgen Sie sich in der Apotheke den Extrakt von Efeu oder Schlüsselblumen. Das fördert das Abhusten des Schleims. Zerstoßen Sie drei Teelöffel Anis im Mörser, mischen Sie ihn mit drei Teelöffeln Thymian und übergießen Sie die Kräuter mit kochendem Wasser. Zudecken, fünf Minuten ziehen lassen, mit Naturzucker süßen. Vielleicht den Saft einer halben Zitrone zugeben. Machen Sie ein Glas Holundersaft heiß, würzen Sie es mit Honig, geben Sie einen Teelöffel Zitronensaft dazu, in kleinen Schlucken trinken. Ein Tee aus frischen Fichtennadelspitzen hilft beim Abhusten des Schleims auf den Bronchien. Zwei Teelöffel zerkleinerte Blüten und Blätter vom Eibisch-Kraut ( Apotheke ) werden mit 1/ 4 Liter kochendem Wasser übergossen. 8 Minuten ziehen lassen. Durchseihen. 2 Tassen am Tag trinken.

Hausmittel gegen Tränensäcke

Wer sie hat, der gerät sofort unter Verdacht: Versoffen, versumpft, unsolider Lebenswandel. Ich spreche von den Tränensäcken die sich unter den Augen bilden (Augenringe) und eben manchmal immer stärker werden. Sie geben jedem Menschen ein Aussehen, als würde er fast jede Nacht durchmachen, dem Alkohol und dem Nikotin frönen. Stimmt so nicht nicht immer, hat auch genetische Ursachen. Auch die Bezeichnung Tränensäcke ist eigentlich falsch, denn diese Erschlaffungen des Bindegewebes unter den Augen haben mit Tränen nichts zu tun. Sollten Sie aber ständig vorhanden sein und auch größer werden, dann ist der Gang zum Arzt angeraten, denn es kann – zum Beispiel – eine Erkrankung der Leber dahinter stecken. Man kann solche lästigen und unschönen Tränensäcke wegoperieren lassen – man kann aber auch mit gesunden Hausmitteln dagegen angehen. 17 Tipps gegen Tränensäcke Bestreichen Sie die Hautpartien unter dem Auge mit einer schwach harnstoffhaltigen Salbe (Apotheke). Machen Sie sich eine Quarkmaske unter den Augenpartien, ca. eine halbe Stunde einwirken lassen, dann sorgfältig abwaschen. Legen Sie einen benutzten Teebeutel (Grün- oder Schwarztee) in den Kühlschrank, richtig kalt werden lassen, dann auf die Tränensäcke legen und einwirken lassen. Massieren Sie mehrmals am Tag die Haut rund um die Augen mit Sesamöl oder mit einer hochdosierten Vitamin-E-Salbe – und zwar 25 Prozent – aus der Apotheke. Wer regelmäßig steppt, sich im Seilspringen oder Hüpfen am Zimmer- Trampolin übt, der kann damit der Bildung von Tränensäcken vorbeugen, weil dabei eine Wasseransammlung im Gewebe verhindert wird. Reduzieren Sie Ihren Salzkonsum. Mischen Sie in einem Schälchen 2 Teile Aloe vera Saft, 1 Teil Nußöl und 1 Teil Weizenkeimöl. Tauchen Sie zwei Wattebausche ein und legen Sie diese für 15 Minuten auf die geschlossenen Augen. Machen Sie eine kalte Kompresse mit Meersalz und legen Sie sich diese auf die Augen. Cremen Sie die Tränensäcke mit Kamillencreme ein. Machen Sie Umschläge mit Augentrost-Tee (Apotheke). Machen Sie abends eine sanfte Lymphdrainage oder Hautmassage unter den Augen. Weniger Alkohol, weniger Nikotin. Sie können die Tränensäcke mit Hämorrhodialcrme behandeln: Die darf kein Kortison enthalten und Sie darf nicht in die Augen gelangen. Über Nacht mit Melkfett leicht eincremen. Gleich am Morgen die Partie unter dem Auge mit einem kalten Teelöffel (Kühlschrank) kühlen. Jeden Abend für 15 Minuten die berühmten Gurkenscheiben auflegen. Kurz nach dem Aufstehen und kurz vor dem Schlafen mit einer Eispackung behandeln.

Ten Best Foods to Eat Frequently for a Terrific Health Kick

September 10, 2011 | 286,825 views By Dr. Mercola If optimal health is your goal, there's no getting around your diet. Your physical health is a direct reflection of what you put into your body, and how you live your life in general. Pre-packaged processed foods may be convenient, but cooking from scratch using fresh unprocessed ingredients is an absolute must if you want to improve your health. The term "superfood" has become something of a marketing buzzword in recent years, and many processed food products will boast such ingredients. But don't be fooled. Processing tends to denature nutrients, so what you end up with is typically a far inferior version compared to the real thing. Your best bet is to simply stick with the originals, meaning whole organic foods. Below is a list of my top 10 best superfoods—whole foods that offer a wide range of essential nutrients that can easily be integrated into a balanced diet. Aim to incorporate as many of these foods into your diet on a daily or weekly basis, and you'll be off to a great start. Keep in mind that all of the foods on this list should be organic or wild. # 1 Organic Pastured Eggs, Preferably Raw Free-range or "pastured" eggs are a relatively inexpensive and amazing source of high-quality nutrients that many people are deficient in, especially high-quality protein and fat. A single egg contains: Nine essential amino acids One of the highest quality proteins you can find. Proteins are nutrients that are essential to the building, maintenance, and repair of your body tissues such as your skin, internal organs, and muscles. They are also the major components of your immune system and hormones Lutein and zeaxanthin (for your eyes) Choline for your brain, nervous- and cardiovascular systems Naturally-occurring B12 Ideally, you'll want to eat your eggs raw, or as close to raw as possible, such as soft-boiled or poached. I currently have four raw egg yolks nearly every morning over a bed of dehydrated vegetable pulp left over from my juicing, along with some red onions and a whole avocado. I discard the egg whites as I struggle with kidney damage — a result of having my mercury filling removed improperly. I must limit my protein intake and in my view, the egg yolks are exponentially superior to the whites. If you chose to use egg whites, please don't eat them raw unless you also consume the egg yolks, otherwise you risk developing a biotin deficiency. As long as you have a good source for fresh organic eggs, you need not worry about salmonella if you choose to eat them raw. About 10 years ago, I did an analysis using US government data that showed you would have to eat about 30,000 eggs before you encountered one egg with salmonella, and this was with conventional eggs. Pastured chickens are much healthier than factory farmed chickens and have a far lower risk of these types of infections. To find free-range pasture farms, try your local health food store, or go to www.eatwild.com or www.localharvest.org. # 2 Kale Kale is an inexpensive cruciferous vegetable that can help ease lung congestion, and is beneficial to your stomach, liver, and immune system. It's an excellent source of multiple vitamins and other nutrients, including: Vitamin A Vitamin B Vitamin C Calcium Lutein (helps protect against macular degeneration) Zeaxanthin (helps protect against macular degeneration) Indole-3-carbinol (may protect against colon cancer) Iron Chlorophyll # 3 Raw Grass-Fed Organic Kefir or Yoghurt Adding kefir or yoghurt made from grass-fed raw milk is an excellent way to boost your immunity and increase your daily energy. Kefir is a traditionally fermented food that is chockfull of healthful bacteria (probiotics). In ancient times, food preservation was accomplished through lacto-fermentation, a process that adds a host of beneficial micro-organisms to food. This makes them easier to digest, and increases the healthy flora in your intestinal tract. The bacteria that make the kefir or yogurt consume most of the lactose in milk, which can be a problem for someone with insulin resistance. The importance of maintaining healthy balanced gut flora simply cannot be overstated. Far from simply helping your body to better digest and assimilate your food (which they do very well), probiotics influence the activity of hundreds of your genes, helping them to express in a positive, disease-fighting manner. Friendly bacteria also train your immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens, and to respond appropriately. This important function prevents your immune system from overreacting to non-harmful antigens, which is the genesis of allergies. Probiotics can even help to normalize your weight, and lack of beneficial bacteria in your gut may play a significant role in the development of type 2 diabetes, depression and other mood disorders, and may even contribute to autism and vaccine-induced damage. Please beware that pasteurized products will NOT provide you with these health benefits, as the pasteurization process destroys most of the precious enzymes and other nutrients. In addition to beneficial probiotics, traditionally fermented kefir also contains: Beneficial yeast Minerals, such as magnesium Essential amino acids (such as tryptophan, which is well-known for its relaxing effect on the nervous system) Complete proteins Calcium Vitamins B1, B2, and biotin (B7) Vitamin K Phosphorus Maintaining adequate vitamin B intake is important to maintain optimal function of your kidneys, liver, and nervous system, which in turn helps promote healthy looking skin, boosting energy and promoting longevity. Kefir's ample supply of phosphorus -- the second most abundant mineral in your body -- helps utilize carbohydrates, fats, and proteins for cell growth, maintenance, and energy. A great way to obtain kefir is to make it yourself. It's easy to do using a starter culture and raw grass-fed milk. While raw grass-fed organic yoghurt has many similar immune-boosting benefits, kefir contains several major strains of friendly bacteria not commonly found in yogurt: Lactobacillus Caucasus Leuconostoc Acetobacter species, and Streptococcus species # 4 Raw Organic Almonds Just be sure you avoid making the mistake of consuming nuts that are heated commercially as the fats they contain are perishable and will be damaged when they go through this type of processing. A new 21st century concern is pasteurization. For the last four years, nearly all commercial vendors of almonds are required to pasteurize them before sale. Back in September 2007, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a requirement that virtually all almonds had to be "pasteurized" after a couple of salmonella outbreaks in 2001 and 2004 were traced back to raw almonds. However, raw almond growers fought back, and in August 2010, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit overturned a lower court decision1 that prevented California almond farmers from challenging the USDA regulation. John Vetne, the attorney representing the almond farmers, has stated:2 "We are pleased that the Appeals Court rejected USDA's argument that courthouse doors are closed to farmers. We now intend to demonstrate to the federal district court that USDA acted outside of authority granted by Congress when it denied California almond growers a consumer market for raw almonds." This is indeed a great turn of events, as almonds are an excellent healthy whole food source as long as they're RAW. Raw nuts contain mostly polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, which are good fats that promote healthy cholesterol levels. And they have zero trans fats, as long as they're processed properly (such as dehydration, NOT pasteurization). Almonds in particular are rich in phytochemicals, plant components that promote heart and vascular health. They're a great source of: Vitamin E Magnesium Protein Fiber Potassium Calcium Phosphorus Iron Pasteurized almonds, however, are neither "raw" nor healthy. Even the use of the term "pasteurized" is used in a misleading way, because according to the Almond Board of California (ABC), no heating is used during the pasteurization process, but rather a process referred to by the FDA as "terminal gas sterilization" using propylene oxide—a highly toxic flammable chemical compound, once used as a racing fuel before it became prohibited for safety reasons. It's an epoxide, which is not GRAS (generally recognized as safe for human ingestion). So, make sure your almonds are truly raw, and have not been sterilized/pasteurized, even if you have to call the company to verify. Fortunately there are exemptions for small sellers and it is possible to find truly raw unpasteurized almonds if you search hard enough. I personally eat about two pounds a week. # 5 Wild Alaskan Salmon I have vigilantly warned against eating fish, as virtually all fish these days contains dangerously high levels of mercury and other toxic contaminants. If it wasn't for the health risks posed by this contamination, fish in general would be among my absolute most recommended foods for their outstanding nutritional benefits, including high levels of omega-3 with DHA and EPA, which most people are desperately lacking in their diets. However, there are still some exceptions, and wild Alaskan salmon is one of them, as long as its purity can be verified. This was so important to me personally; I did loads of research to find a trusted source that passed third-party testing by an independent lab. I typically have pure wild Alaskan salmon one or two times a week as it is an excellent source of: Essential animal-based omega-3 fats (EPA and DHA) Astaxanthin and other antioxidants High-quality protein # 6 Avocado Avocados are an excellent source of healthful raw fat, which most Americans are seriously deficient in. They also provide close to 20 essential health-boosting nutrients, including: Fiber Potassium (more than twice the amount found in a banana) Vitamin E B-vitamins Folic acid In addition, avocados enable your body to more efficiently absorb fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene and lutein, in other foods eaten in conjunction. I eat a whole avocado for breakfast every morning to increase my calorie intake without increasing my grain carbohydrates. # 7 Organic Coconut Oil Half of the fat content in coconut oil is lauric acid—a fat rarely found in nature—that could easily qualify as a "miracle" ingredient because of its unique health promoting properties. Your body converts lauric acid into monolaurin, which has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-protozoa properties. Additionally, the naturally occurring saturated fat found in coconut oil also has some amazing health benefits, such as: Promoting heart health Supporting immune system health Providing you with an immediate energy source Promoting weight loss4 Supporting a healthy metabolism5 Supporting the proper functioning of your thyroid gland6 Your body sends medium-chain fatty acids directly to your liver to use as energy. This makes coconut oil a powerful source of instant energy to your body, a function usually served in the diet by simple carbohydrates. Additionally, research has demonstrated that, due to its metabolic effect, coconut oil also increases the activity of your thyroid. And you've probably heard that a sluggish thyroid is one reason why some people are unable to lose weight, no matter what they do… Perhaps one of the most interesting benefits of coconut oil is its potential to ward off, or perhaps even treat, dementia. According to research by Dr. Mary Newport, ketone bodies—an alternative fuel for your brain which your body makes when digesting coconut oil—may offer profound benefits in the fight against Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, Dr. Newport believes the benefits of ketone bodies7 may also extend to a number of other health conditions, including: Parkinson's disease Huntington's disease Multiple sclerosis Amyotrophic lateral sclero­sis (ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease) Drug resistant epilepsy Brittle type I diabetes Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes Improved recovery after heart attack Coconut oil is the ideal choice for all types of cooking. In fact, it's the only oil stable enough to resist mild heat-induced damage. So, whenever you need an oil to cook or bake with, use coconut oil instead of butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, margarine, or any other type of oil called for in recipes. Even though I don't fully recommend frying foods, if you must fry, by all means use coconut oil -- it's your smartest choice. I typically have one to two tablespoons of coconut oil several times a week. # 8 Whey Protein Concentrate Whey protein, a byproduct of milk and cheese, was promoted for its health benefits as early as 420 B.C. These days, evidence continues to mount in favor of whey, which is often referred to as the gold standard of protein. Whey protein has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including: Helping your insulin work more effectively, which helps maintain your blood sugar level after a meal -- This is important as research suggests lowering your blood sugar levels after meals may be more beneficial for your health than lowering fasting blood sugars. Promoting healthy insulin secretion, which is imperative for optimal health. This is one of the foremost reasons for avoiding sugars and grains, as overconsumption of grains and sugary foods has a negative impact on both, and is a prime factor in developing type 2 diabetes. Helping to promote your optimal intake of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals needed for your overall wellness. Helping you preserve lean body tissue (particularly during exercise) as it delivers bioavailable amino acids and cysteine. Supporting your immune system, as it contains immunoglobulins. Maintaining blood pressure levels that are already within the normal range. As you age, your body gradually loses its ability to produce critical amino acids -- the essential proteins you need for energy production, immune actions and protein buildup in your muscle. Therefore, the need to supplement with these amino acids increases with age, and increases even more in times of high physical stress, like after a workout, or when recovering from injury or illness. Whey protein concentrate (not to be confused with the far inferior whey protein isolate) is an ideal choice as it's a rich source of amino acids. It's also the best food for maximizing your glutathione levels as it provides all the raw materials for glutathione production (cysteine, glycine and glutamate). Glutathione is your body's most powerful antioxidant and has even been called "the master antioxidant." It is a tripeptide found inside every single cell in your body. When shopping for a whey protein, focus on quality! A high-quality whey protein must be: Cold pressed Derived from grass-fed cows Free of hormones Chemical-free Free of artificial sweeteners and sugar Beware that many commercially-available whey protein powders are significantly damaged and nutritionally deficient due to over-processing. Some popular brands of protein powder may even contain dangerous levels of heavy metals. A 2010 Consumer Reports' test showed that three of the 15 protein drinks tested contained risky levels of arsenic, cadmium, and lead, so do your homework! # 9 Raw Organic Grass-Fed Butter Butter made from raw organic grass-fed milk can be a very healthy part of your diet. (For sources of raw butter, visit www.realmilk.com.) I typically have anywhere between a half a pound, to a pound of raw organic grass-fed butter per week. It's an excellent source of high-quality nutrients, including: Vitamins, such as vitamin A, needed for a wide range of functions, from maintaining good vision to keeping the endocrine system in top shape, and all the other fat-soluble vitamins (D, E and K2), which are often lacking in the modern industrial diet. Trace minerals, including manganese, chromium, zinc, copper, and selenium (a powerful antioxidant). Butter provides more selenium per gram than wheat germ or herring. It's also an excellent source of iodine. Healthful fats, including short- and medium-chain fats, which support immune function, boost metabolism, and have anti-microbial properties, as well as the perfect balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats, and arachidonic acid, which is important for brain function, skin health, and prostaglandin balance. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), a compound that gives excellent protection against cancer and also helps your body build muscle rather than store fat. Glycospingolipids, a special category of fatty acids that protect against gastrointestinal infections, especially in the very young and the elderly. Wulzen Factor, a hormone-like substance that prevents arthritis and joint stiffness, ensuring that calcium in your body is put into your bones rather than your joints and other tissues. The Wulzen factor is present only in raw butter and cream; it is destroyed by pasteurization. # 10 Green Vegetable Juice Juicing your vegetables is a great way to make sure you're getting sufficient amounts of veggies in your diet. Raw vegetable juice teems with valuable and sensitive micronutrients that become damaged or destroyed when the juice is pasteurized, so avoid the store-bought versions and juice your own instead. Raw juice can be likened to a "living broth." It is almost like receiving an intravenous infusion of vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that go straight into your system without having to be broken down. I have a quart of vegetable juice every day unless I am travelling because it helps me radically increase my vegetable intake. The benefits of raw organic vegetable juice are numerous. For example, it can help: Promote weight loss Boost your immune system by supercharging it with concentrated phytochemicals. Raw juice also contains biophotonic light energy, which can help revitalize your body. Increase energy. When your body has an abundance of the nutrients it needs, and your pH is optimally balanced, you feel energized. Since it can be utilized by your body immediately, those who juice report feeling the "kick" of energy almost instantly. Support brain health. People who drank juices (fruit and vegetable) more than three times per week, compared to less than once a week, were 76 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease, according to the Kame Project. 8 I have previously written an extensive guide to juicing, which I highly recommend reading to help you get started. One important factor to keep in mind is that, since vegetable juice is very perishable, it's best to drink all of your juice right after you make it. However, if you're careful, you can store it for up to 24 hours with only moderate nutritional decline.

Diabetes Ages Your Brain Five Years Faster Than Normal

December 18, 2014 | 234,087 views | By Dr. Mercola In the United States, nearly 80 million people, or one in four, have diabetes or pre-diabetes. What’s worse, diabetes among children and teens has also skyrocketed. The most recent data1,2 reveals that incidence of type 2 diabetes among children aged 10-19 rose by 30 percent between 2001 and 2009. The same situation exists in other developed nations. In the UK, more than one-third of adults are now pre-diabetic,3 and British researchers warn that this will lead to a massive avalanche of type 2 diabetics in upcoming years, which will have serious consequences for health care and life expectancy. Diabetes Linked to Faster Decline in Memory One of many debilitating health problems associated with type 2 diabetes is a higher risk for dementia. According to one recent study,4,5,6 diabetes ages your brain about five years faster than normal. People who are diagnosed with diabetes in their 50s are at a significantly heightened risk for mental decline by the time they’re 70. Previous research7 has also shown that type 2 diabetics lose more brain volume with age than expected—particularly gray matter. This kind of brain atrophy is yet another contributing factor for dementia. According to lead author Elizabeth Selvin, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health:8 “The lesson is that to have a healthy brain when you’re 70, you need to eat right and exercise when you’re 50. There is a substantial cognitive decline associated with diabetes, pre-diabetes and poor glucose control in people with diabetes. And we know how to prevent or delay the diabetes associated with this decline...” The Importance of Healthy Blood Vessels for Proper Brain Function A number of different factors play a role in memory decline and dementia. One important factor is the health of your blood vessels, and I’ve previously discussed the links between heart disease and dementia. In fact, the test that predicts your future risk of heart disease is better at predicting your risk of dementia than a specific dementia-risk test.9 In the featured study, diabetics were found to suffer a 19 percent greater decline in mental acuity compared to non-diabetics over the course of 20 years. Those with pre-diabetes were also at a significantly increased risk for memory decline. The researchers suggest the decline in memory associated with diabetes is due to damage to small blood vessels in the brain. According to co-author A. Richey Sharrett, MD, DrPH: “There are many ways we can reduce the impact of cerebral blood vessel disease—by prevention or control of diabetes and hypertension, reduction in smoking, increase in exercise and improvements in diet. Knowing that the risk for cognitive impairments begins with diabetes and other risk factors in mid-life can be a strong motivator for patients and their doctors to adopt and maintain long-term healthy practices.” The best predictor of type 2 diabetes is being obese or overweight, and in the US one-third of children and teens (aged two to 19), and more than two-thirds of adults are either overweight or obese. Obesity is usually the result of inappropriate lifestyle choices, such as eating too much processed foods (high in carbs and low in healthy fats), and not fasting enough. It’s interesting to note that the poorest Americans have the highest obesity rate, and they also tend to eat a diet that is very high in processed foods. This is yet another indication that processed foods play a significant role in metabolic dysfunction, weight gain, and associated health problems like diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Diabetes Medication May Do More Harm Than Good Diabetes is a disease rooted in insulin resistance10 and perhaps more importantly, a malfunction of leptin signaling, caused by chronically elevated insulin and leptin levels. This is why the medical community’s approach to its treatment is not getting anywhere. Contrary to popular belief, treating type 2 diabetes with insulin is actually one of the worst things you can do, as it only exacerbates the underlying problem. One recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine11 concluded that insulin therapy in type 2 diabetic patients—especially older diabetics—may indeed do more harm than good. As reported by Medical News Today:12 “In the US, type 2 diabetes is diagnosed when hemoglobin A1c levels reach 6.5 percent or higher. The higher A1c levels are, the greater the risk of other health problems. Sometimes the condition can be managed through changes in diet, but other patients with type 2 diabetes may need medication - such as insulin or metformin – to help lower their blood sugar levels, and ultimately, reduce the risk of diabetes complications. But the researchers of this latest study... claim that the benefits of such treatment - particularly for people over the age of 50 – may not always outweigh the negatives. ‘In many cases, insulin treatment may not do anything to add to the person's quality life expectancy,’ says study co-author John S. Yudkin... ‘If people feel that insulin therapy reduces their quality of life by anything more than around 3-4 percent, this will outweigh any potential benefits gained by treatment in almost anyone with type 2 diabetes over around 50 years old.’ ... For example, they estimate that a person with type 2 diabetes who begins insulin therapy at age 45 and lowers their hemoglobin A1c levels by 1 percent may experience an extra 10 months of healthy life. But for a patient who starts treatment for type 2 diabetes at age 75, they estimate the therapy may only gain them an additional 3 weeks of healthy life. The researchers say this prompts the question - is 10-15 years of pills or injections with possible side effects worth it?” Lifestyle Changes Are as Effective as Medicine for Preventing Type 2 Diabetes Just like obesity, type 2 diabetes is primarily controlled and prevented through diet and exercise. Avoiding sugar (and processed fructose in particular) is imperative for preventing insulin/leptin resistance. Exercise is also important for normalizing your insulin and leptin sensitivity. I’ve often said that lifestyle changes can be just as, if not more, effective than drugs, and studies have repeatedly confirmed this view. Most recently, a meta-analysis published in Diabetologia13 found that diet and exercise lowers blood sugar levels and prevents diabetes in pre-diabetics as effectively as diabetic medications in both genders. As reported by MedicineNet.com:14 “The researchers reviewed data from more than 7,400 women and 5,500 men in 12 studies. Men and women with prediabetes who made lifestyle changes were 40 percent less likely to progress to diabetes after one year, and 37 percent less likely to progress after three years, compared to those who did not make lifestyle changes, the study found. Men and women with prediabetes who made lifestyle changes also lost more weight and had greater reductions in blood sugar levels, the researchers said... ‘Clinically, these findings highlight an important issue. Despite differences in age of onset, detection and burden of type 2 diabetes between men and women, the effectiveness of preventive interventions in people with prediabetes is not influenced by gender,’ the researchers explained...” The Importance of Magnesium for Glucose and Insulin Balance Magnesium deficiency is also worth mentioning, as it plays an important role in glucose and insulin homeostasis.15 Magnesium is also required to activate tyrosine kinase, an enzyme that functions as an “on” or “off” switch in many cellular functions and is required for the proper function of your insulin receptors. Studies,16,17,18 from around the world universally agree that in order to optimize your metabolism and keep your risk for type 2 diabetes low, you need to consume adequate magnesium. One 2013 study involving pre-diabetics found that most had inadequate magnesium intake, and those with the highest magnesium intake reduced their risk for blood sugar and metabolic problems by a whopping 71 percent.19 Current government guidelines for magnesium intake among adults call for 300 to 420 mg per day,7 but research suggests many would benefit from a much higher intake—about 700 mg per day or more. Type 3 Diabetes, or ‘Brain Diabetes,’ May Be Responsible for Alzheimer’s Disease A growing body of research suggests there’s a powerful connection between your diet and your risk of Alzheimer's disease20 via similar pathways that cause type 2 diabetes. Alzheimer's disease was tentatively dubbed "type 3 diabetes" in early 2005 when researchers learned that, in addition to the pancreas, your brain also produces insulin. This brain insulin is actually necessary for the survival of your brain cells. A drop in insulin production in your brain may contribute to the degeneration of your brain cells, and studies have found that people with lower levels of insulin and insulin receptors in their brain often have Alzheimer's disease. Researchers have discovered that insulin actually does far more than regulate your blood sugar. It also helps with neuron glucose-uptake, and the regulation of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, which are crucial for memory and learning. This is why reducing the level of insulin in your brain impairs your cognition. It's becoming increasingly clear that the same pathological process that leads to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes may also hold true for your brain. As you over-indulge on sugar and grains, your brain becomes overwhelmed by the consistently high levels of glucose and insulin that blunts its insulin signaling, leading to impairments in your thinking and memory abilities, eventually causing permanent brain damage. Additionally, when your liver is busy processing fructose (which your liver turns into fat), it severely hampers its ability to make cholesterol, an essential building block of your brain that is crucial for optimal brain function. Indeed, mounting evidence supports the notion that significantly reducing fructose consumption is a very important step you can take to prevent Alzheimer's disease. Prevention and Treatment Guidelines It’s becoming quite clear that to protect your brain and prevent cognitive decline, it’s important to address any underlying insulin/leptin resistance and/or type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, type 2 diabetes is curable, and in the vast majority of cases does not require any form of medication. The following nutrition and lifestyle modifications should be the foundation of your diabetes prevention and treatment plan. Also, make sure to monitor your FASTING insulin level. This is every bit as important as monitoring your fasting blood sugar. You'll want your fasting insulin level to be between 2 and 4. The higher your level, the greater your insulin resistance and the more aggressive you need to be in your treatment plan, especially when it comes to altering your diet. Swap out processed foods, all forms of sugar—particularly fructose—as well as all grains, for whole, fresh food. A primary reason for the failure of conventional diabetes treatment over the last 50 years has to do with seriously flawed dietary recommendations. Refined fructose, grains, and other sugar forming starchy carbohydrates are largely responsible for your body's adverse insulin reactions, and all sugars and grains—even "healthful" grains such as whole, organic ones—need to be drastically reduced. If you’re insulin/leptin resistant, have diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, or are overweight, you’d be wise to limit your total fructose intake to 15 grams per day until your insulin/leptin resistance has resolved. This includes about 80 percent of Americans. For all others, I recommend limiting your daily fructose consumption to 25 grams or less, to maintain optimal health. The easiest way to accomplish this is by swapping processed foods for whole, ideally organic foods. This means cooking from scratch with fresh ingredients. Processed foods are the main source of all the primary culprits, including high fructose corn syrup and other sugars, processed grains, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and other synthetic additives that may aggravate metabolic dysfunction. Besides fructose, trans fat (NOT saturated fat) increases your risk for diabetes21 by interfering with your insulin receptors. Recent research22,23 also demonstrates that trans fat has a distinct adverse impact on memory, courtesy of the oxidative stress and brain inflammation these fats produce. Healthy saturated fats do not have any of these adverse effects on your health. Since you’re cutting out a lot of energy (carbs) from your diet when you reduce sugars and grains, you need to replace them with something. The ideal replacement is a combination of: Low-to-moderate amount of high-quality protein. Substantial amounts of protein can be found in meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. When selecting animal-based protein, be sure to opt for organically raised, grass-fed or pastured meats, eggs, and dairy, to avoid potential health complications caused by genetically engineered animal feed and pesticides. Most Americans eat far too much protein, so be mindful of the amount. I believe it is the rare person who really needs more than one-half gram of protein per pound of lean body mass. Those that are aggressively exercising or competing and pregnant women should have about 25 percent more, but most people rarely need more than 40-70 grams of protein a day. To determine your lean body mass, find out your percent body fat and subtract from 100. This means that if you have 20 percent body fat, you have 80 percent lean body mass. Just multiply that by your current weight to get your lean body mass in pounds or kilos. To determine whether you’re getting too much protein, simply calculate your lean body mass as described above, then write down everything you’re eating for a few days, and calculate the amount of daily protein from all sources. Again, you’re aiming for one-half gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, which would place most people in the range of 40 to 70 grams of protein per day. If you’re currently averaging a lot more than that, adjust downward accordingly. You could use the chart below or simply Google the food you want to know and you will quickly find the grams of protein in the food. Red meat, pork, poultry, and seafood average 6-9 grams of protein per ounce. An ideal amount for most people would be a 3-ounce serving of meat or seafood (not 9- or 12-ounce steaks!), which will provide about 18-27 grams of protein Eggs contain about 6-8 grams of protein per egg. So an omelet made from two eggs would give you about 12-16 grams of protein. If you add cheese, you need to calculate that protein in as well (check the label of your cheese) Seeds and nuts contain on average 4-8 grams of protein per quarter cup Cooked beans average about 7-8 grams per half cup Cooked grains average 5-7 grams per cup Most vegetables contain about 1-2 grams of protein per ounce As much high-quality healthy fat as you want (saturated24 and monounsaturated). For optimal health, most people need upwards of 50-85 percent of their daily calories in the form of healthy fats. Good sources include coconut and coconut oil, avocados, butter, nuts, and animal fats. (Remember, fat is high in calories while being small in terms of volume. So when you look at your plate, the largest portion would be vegetables.) As many non-starchy vegetables as you want Exercise regularly and intensely. Studies have shown that exercise, even without weight loss, increases insulin sensitivity.25 High intensity interval training (HIIT), which is a central component of my Peak Fitness program, has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity by as much as 24 percent in just four weeks. Exercise also prompts nerve cells to release brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which triggers other chemicals that promote neural health, and directly benefits cognitive functions, including learning. A number of studies have also shown that exercise can promote growth of new brain cells, enlarge your memory center, improve IQ scores, and help prevent brain deterioration associated with aging. Improve your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. Today’s Western diet has far too many processed and damaged omega-6 fats, and is far too little omega-3 fats.26 The main sources of omega-6 fats are corn, soy, canola, safflower, peanut, and sunflower oil (the first two of which are typically genetically engineered as well, which further complicates matters). Our bodies evolved for an optimal of approximately 1:1 ratio of omega-6 to omega-3. However, our ratio has deteriorated to between 20:1 and 50:1 in favor of omega-6. This lopsided ratio has seriously adverse health consequences. To remedy this, reduce your consumption of vegetable oils (this means not cooking with them, and avoiding processed foods), and increase your intake of animal-based omega-3, such as krill oil. Vegetable-based omega-3 is also found in flaxseed oil and walnut oil, and it’s good to include these in your diet as well. Just know they cannot take the place of animal-based omega-3s. Maintain optimal vitamin D levels year-round. New evidence strongly supports the notion that vitamin D is highly beneficial for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Recent research has also confirmed the link between vitamin D deficiency and dementia. The ideal way to optimize your vitamin D level is by getting regular sun exposure, or by using a tanning bed. As a last resort, consider oral supplementation with regular vitamin D monitoring, to confirm that you are taking enough vitamin D to get your blood levels into the therapeutic range of 50-70 ng/ml. Also please note that if you take supplemental vitamin D, you create an increased demand for vitamin K2 and magnesium. Get adequate high-quality sleep every night. Insufficient sleep appears to raise stress and blood sugar, encouraging insulin and leptin resistance and weight gain. In one 10-year-long study27 of 70,000 diabetes-free women, researchers found that women who slept less than five hours or more than nine hours each night were 34 percent more likely to develop diabetes symptoms than women who slept seven to eight hours each night. Sleep loss has also been linked to severe brain damage. Sleep is actually necessary for maintaining metabolic homeostasis in your brain, and without sufficient sleep, neuron degeneration sets in. Sleep deprivation causes disruption of certain synaptic connections that can impair your brain's ability for learning, memory formation, and other cognitive functions. It also accelerates onset of Alzheimer's disease. If you are having problems with your sleep, try the suggestions in my article “33 Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep.” Maintain a healthy body weight. If you incorporate the diet and lifestyle changes suggested above you will greatly improve your insulin and leptin sensitivity, and a healthy body weight will follow in time. Determining your ideal body weight depends on a variety of factors, including frame size, age, activity level, and genetics. As a general guideline, you might find a hip-to-waist size index chart helpful. This is far better than BMI for evaluating whether or not you may have a weight problem, as BMI fails to factor in both how muscular you are, and your intra-abdominal fat mass (the dangerous visceral fat that accumulates around your inner organs), which is a potent indicator of leptin sensitivity and associated health problems. Incorporate intermittent fasting. If you have carefully followed the diet and exercise guidelines and still aren’t making sufficient progress with your weight or overall health, I strongly recommend incorporating intermittent fasting. It’s by far the most effective way I know of to shed unwanted fat, resolve insulin resistance, and eliminate your sugar cravings. Intermittent fasting has also been identified as a potent ally for the prevention and perhaps even treatment of dementia. Ketones are released as a byproduct of burning fat, and ketones (not glucose) are actually the preferred fuel for your brain. Keep up your intermittent fasting schedule until your insulin/leptin resistance improves (or your weight, blood pressure, cholesterol ratios, or diabetes normalizes). After that, you only need to do it “as needed” to maintain your healthy state. Optimize your gut health. Your gut is a living ecosystem, full of both good bacteria and bad. Multiple studies have shown that obese people have different intestinal bacteria than lean people. The more good bacteria you have, the stronger your immune system will be and the better your body will function overall. Gut bacteria has been found to affect your brain function, and play a role in the development of diabetes as well. Fortunately, optimizing your gut flora is relatively easy. You can reseed your body with good bacteria by regularly eating fermented foods (like natto, raw organic cheese, miso, and cultured vegetables) or by taking a high-quality probiotic supplement.