Health is a physiological state not a brand

Hi everyone and welcome back for another informative blog post. With the final month finally upon us I think it’s time we start diving into one of my favorite books The Healing Protocols by Dr.Mark D. Emerson. The healing protocols is a informative book that teaches you how to prevent and reserve heart disease, diabetes, leaky gut and other chronic progressive diseases. To purchase the book I would check Amazon, Barnes & noble or your local book store.

The book starts off explaining that your body has the ability to heal itself and is designed to help you with everything you need. A crazy theory that we don’t need all the “medicine” that is pushed by “doctors”. That with the right care and love you can grow or buy everything you need from any local produce store or wellness store.

Remember that change requires change.

If you have a chronic health issue your body is dealing with ongoing stress and dysfunction. Luckily with healthy changes you can heal your body and be a happier you. To get to the root you have to know what four factors contribute to resolving any chronic issue.

1. Chronic Inflammation 2. Gut dysfunction 3. Toxic Foods 4. Food addictions

Most Common Chronic Health Issues

Heart disease / Stroke / Lung cancer / Depression / Type 2 diabetes / Arthritis / Asthma / Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)/Crohn’s Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Other Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Irritable Bowel Syndrome / Cystic Fibrosis

It’s important to know that inflammation is a normal part of the body’s defense to injury or infection, and, in this way, it is beneficial. But inflammation is damaging when it occurs in healthy tissues or lasts too long which leads to diseases. Acute inflammation is triggered by any harmful stimuli like pathogens, toxins, or physical injury.

Acute inflammation —> Repair—> Inflammation Resolves —>Healed

Chronic inflammation is a pathological condition referred to as slow, long-term inflammation lasting for prolonged periods of several months to years. Chronic inflammation is the acute inflammatory response over and over. The problem never goes away like a wild fire spreading with no end in sight.

Injury—> Inflammation —>Injury—> Inflammation —>Injury—> Pathology

Now you are probably thinking what is the cause of inflammation and I am more than sure you know the answer. It’s the food! In the second chapter of the healing protocols Dr. Emerson explains that nutrients are essential to our life and health. Poor eating habits create poor health. For your body to run properly you need to remember repair, maintenance, growth, detoxification and immunity which are all things your body gets from the foods you eat. To make sure you’re getting everything you need to eat Whole Foods.

Whole Foods are the key to restoring your health.

What is a whole food? A whole food contains the four components your body needs for energy, repair, and good health.

1. Macronutrients 2. Micronutrients 3. Fiber 4. Water

1.Macronutrients: The carbohydrates, proteins, and fats found in food that are considered the main energy sources for the body.

Macronutrients Foods: Meat (beef, chicken etc), Seafood, Dairy foods, Beans and Pulses, Nuts, Soy and tofu products

Carbohydrates: Starches – Macronutrient. Carbohydrates are needed for energy, repair, and homeostasis. The body burns carbs as its primary fuel and looks to burn carbs in the form of glucose. ( Random fact- Anyone who eats meat, fat, skin or bones have no amylase on their saliva)

Amylase- An enzyme, found chiefly in saliva and pancreatic fluid, that converts starch and glycogen into simple sugars

Protein: Amino acids-Macronutrient. Protein is essential to the body growth and repair, oxygen transport, antibody production for immunity, and to help with water balance within your cells. When you consume protein, your body breaks to down to amino acids. Amino acids are the budding blocks of protein.

Fats: Macronutrient. The good and the bad. Fats are needed for the body in many metabolic functions, and dietary functions. Fats also play a big role in stabilizing blood sugar levels, and the formation of hormones.

Good fats- Found in unrefined whole food plant sources such as avocados, raw nuts, and seeds

Bad fats- Toxic to human physiology are trans fats. There are two dietary sources of trans fats: 1. Processed vegetable oil 2. Animal fat

2.Micronutrients: The antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and essential omega fatty acids within Whole Foods. They neutralize oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, fight cancer and strengthen immunity.

Micronutrient foods: Dark leafy vegetables, Small fish, Bell peppers, Whole grains, Eggs, Citrus foods

Antioxidants: Micronutrients. Antioxidants help with neutralizing the dancing effects of free radicals (oxidation). They are the shield and body armor you need to function properly.

Phytonutrients:Micronutrients (Phyto)meaning plant of nutrient substances. With over 5000 known phytonutrients it always amazes me that they aren’t talked about more.

For more info on phytonutrients check back tomorrow

3.Fiber: Detoxification, elimination, & microbiome. A high fiber diet reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer. Fiber controls the rate of digestion, stabilizes blood sugar levels, strengths the immune system and rids the body of toxins. Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body can’t digest. Though most carbohydrates are broken down into sugar molecules called glucose, fiber cannot be broken down into sugar molecules, and instead it passes through the body undigested.

Soluble Fiber- Soluble fiber dissolves in water, and includes plant pectin and gums. Soluble fiber helps to build a strong and robust microbiome.

Insoluble fiber- Doesn’t dissolve in water or gastrointestinal fluids and provides your intestines need for regular bowel movements.

One for fuel One for bulk

Remember fiber is found in whole plant foods. There is no fiber in animal based products such as dairy, meat and eggs.

4.Water: Fresh Water- The key to maintain life and your body’s system. When you eat unrefined whole plant foods that are naturally grown they come with the necessary bioavailable nutrients you need all four pillars.

Macronutrients + Micronutrients + Fiber +Water = Health

Macronutrients + Micronutrients + Fiber +Water = Disease

Unrefined whole plant foods are foods that have been minimally processed from their natural state, as opposed to refined ingredients. Examples of unrefined ingredients include fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oats.

To learn more about whole plant food diets check out https://eatplant-based.com/what-is-plant-based-diet/

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Question Of The Day

Do you need pulp?

Pulp is the fibrous byproduct leftover after extracting the juice from fresh fruits and vegetables. Technically, it’s called pomace.The juicier, thicker the vegetable, the more juice you’ll yield.

Why Keep The Pulp?

Pulp contains nearly 95% of the fiber of fresh fruits and veggies, as well as up to half the nutrients. They’re the very same things that we are urged to eat more of to reduce the risk for everything from type 2 diabetes and obesity to cardiovascular disease and cancer. 

When you plan to use pulp in your cooking or baking, peel and core your produce before it goes down the chute. You don’t want apple seeds or tough pineapple peel in your homemade breakfast bars.

Benefits

Pulp is rich in fiber ; Fiber helps regulate the body’s use of sugars, helping to keep hunger and blood sugar in check. We need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day for good health, but most of us average about 15 grams a day.

Gut Health is Health and Wellness; Your gut wall houses 70 percent of the cells that make up your immune system. When your gut is happy the body is.

Full of nutrients and minerals; When you juice a lot of the good stuff gets booted out.

How to store leftover pulp

If you’re not going to use your pulp right away, it’ll keep well in a sealed container in the fridge for about 24 hours.

You can also freeze it in bags, though the color and texture may change slightly when you thaw it.

Ways to use pulp:

Veggie Burgers

Soup Broth

Vegan Basil Pesto

Baked Goods

Smoothies

Breakfast

Fruit Leather

Popsicles

Clothing Dye

Cream Cheese Spread

Dog Treats

A fun recipe to try

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/juice-pulp-quick-bread-2697012

Info:

Fiber

Juice + Disorder

Happy #WellnessWednesday!  Today we are back learning about Fibroids. Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. Noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Also called leiomyomas (lie-o-my-O-muhs) or myomas.

Myomas are smooth, non-cancerous tumors that may develop in or around the uterus. Made partly of muscle tissue, myomas seldom develop in the cervix, but when they do, there are usually myomas in the larger, upper part of the uterus as well.

No one knows exactly what causes fibroids. They are thought to be caused by:

Hormones in the body

Genes (may run in families)

Fibroids can grow:

In the muscle wall of the uterus (myometrial)

Just under the surface of the uterine lining (submucosal)

Just under the outside lining of the uterus (subserosa)

On a long stalk on the outside the uterus or inside the uterus (pedunculated)

Symptoms:

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Menstrual periods lasting more than a week

Pelvic pressure or pain

Frequent urination

Difficulty emptying the bladder

Constipation

Risk Factors:

Age (older women are at higher risk than younger women)

African Americans 

Obesity

Family history of uterine fibroids

High blood pressure

No history of pregnancy

Vitamin D deficiency

Food additive consumption

Treatment for the symptoms of fibroids may include:

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) that release hormones to help reduce heavy bleeding and pain.

Tranexamic acid to reduce the amount of blood flow.

Iron supplements to prevent or treat anemia due to heavy periods.

Pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, for cramps or pain.

Watchful waiting — You may have follow-up pelvic exams or ultrasounds to check the fibroid’s growth.

Types Of Fibroids:

Subserosal fibroids: These are the most common fibroids. They can push outside of the uterus into the pelvis. Subserosal fibroids can grow large at times and sometimes have a stalk that attaches to the uterus (pedunculated fibroid).

Intramural fibroids: These fibroids develop in the muscular wall of the uterus.

Submucosal fibroids: These fibroids are uncommon. They can grow into the open space inside the uterus and may also include a stalk.

Kids Facts:

Fibroids usually develop during childbearing years that is, after you go through puberty and before you go through menopause so children who have not yet gone through puberty don’t develop fibroids. 

In fact, they’re quite rare among women younger than 20 years old.

Since young girls don’t yet have adult levels of these hormones, they do not develop fibroids.

Beneficial Juices:

Beet drum: 

2 beets, washed and peeled / 1 organic red apple, cored /1 medium carrot, scrubbed 

Pink Spell:

 2 beets, peeled /4 carrots, scrubbed /A bunch of spinach/1 lemon/A knob of ginger/ A palm-size piece of cactus /A knob of turmeric root /2 cucumber, peeled  

/2 cups of pineapple or 2 apples

FF Juice:

1 Apple/ 3 inch piece cucumber/ 1 kiwi fruit/ 1 Carrot/  1 apple/ 1 pear, half mango

                          Herbs that Help:     

Chamomile

Ginger

Dandelion 

Red raspberry 

Chamomile 

Lavender 

Check back tomorrow for the question of the day.

Adenomyosis The Truth Behind The Pain: Angela

Hey everyone, welcome back to my blog; today, we are diving back into a series close to my heart Adenomyosis The Truth Behind The Pain. If you have any questions, please be sure to leave a comment, and if you want to read more about adenomyosis, click here http://humblesoullifeofajuicer.blog/2020/11/18/ibs-and-its-connections-to-adenomyosis-endometriosis/.

Would you like us to use your real name or a fake one?

 Real is fine – Angela Arnold Ross

Where are you from? 

New Jersey by way of Australia

When were you diagnosed?  How old were you? 

Officially diagnosed about 2 years ago at 42 years but I have been fighting to know what was wrong since I had my daughter by c-section at 38 years.

How long have you had Adenomyosis? 

I bet I had it all my adult life – laparoscopic surgery in Australia at age ~19 years for severe “period pain” (think falling to the floor in pain) when I exercised and I think the MD said “endometriosis” then went on the pill until I had my daughter then it got worse from there – I always had bad periods but the pill helped. I fought with my OB/GYN when I moved from NYC to NJ after the baby to find out what was wrong as I was getting worse and worse.

Do you have children? 

One daughter almost 6 (going on 15 😊) On birth control or any medicine for ando? I tried IUD and went crazy on the hormones, tried low dose oral contraceptive as a last resort to surgery and then I think it made it worse! Or have you had a hysterectomy if so when? Hysterectomy was scheduled for 7/16/2020.

If you have had a hysterectomy do you still have symptoms? What are your symptoms? 

Before surgery: lower belly pain (stomach hurts to touch), bloating, back ache, depression, now the pain is so bad it is almost every day and I cannot work out as jumping up and down hurts )

What do you take for pain, nausea etc? 

I tried Tramadol, anti-inflammatories, medical marijuana but nothing has worked.

How long did it take you to be diagnosed? 

5 years of me fighting for diagnosis- all scans normal but have all clinical symptoms except heavy bleeding.

How has adenomyosis impacted your personal life? 

A lot – I yell at my daughter more when I am in pain (it is now chronic so it affects my mood a lot); I am often going back to bed to lie down as I feel terrible (with a hot water bottle) and cant look after my daughter, my daughter now knows that “mommy’s tummy is sore”, Mom is sick all the time.

What’s craziest/dumbest thing some has said to you?

My OB/GYN said “I have never heard of a pelvic pain/endometriosis specialist” – “maybe it is GI issue” (I have IBS and I know it was not GI) … when I told her the diagnosis from the other MD and refused to go to her for my annual “well …. have you ruled out fibromyalgia, pelvic congestion syndrome …” they were two diagnoses she never mentioned in 5 years ….I fired her as soon as I found my new surgeon at her hospital who SHE (amd he) knew!!!

Any other comments or questions you would like seen answered or heard ( what would you like the world to know about Adenomyosis)- the diagnosis is real, you might not look sick but you know your body

What would you like to see on the blog? Anything helpful around follow up after surgery, I am interested to know if I have any pain after surgery 

What diet do you follow? Have you changed it at all since being diagnosed? I haven’t changed my diet … I likely will have to after surgery – I am pretty fit (normally)

Gut Health And Your Immune System

Hey everyone, Welcome back and thank you for the support. Before we get started, please remember here at humble soul we are not trained, physicians. I am a certified herbalist trying to save the world. If you have any concerns, please contact your doctor. To jump right in, The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated, in types of white blood cells (B- and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells. This means it can recognize and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again before it can multiply and make you feel sick. And what a lot of people don’t know is that a considerable proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract.

The food we eat feeds our fat cells and determines what kind of inner garden we are growing in our guts. Your gut wall houses 70 percent of the cells that make up your immune system. You might not attribute digestive problems with allergies, arthritis, autoimmune diseases (irritable bowel syndrome, acne, chronic fatigue), mood disorders, autism, dementia, and cancer. Gut problems cause many diseases, seemingly unrelated. If you want to fix your health, start with your gut. Gut health affects your entire body. Bacteria teaches our immune system on how to behave. The immune cells need to be educated further to learn how to protect the body from harm when the maternal antibodies are gone. This education is essential for our future health. From birth, your body is working to keep you safe! But you have to watch what you put in there. The essential task of the immune system is to maintain a balance between reaction and tolerance. It is crucial that this tolerance, called oral tolerance, is established. And a diverse gut flora found in early life with many types of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms, is crucial for this. It teaches the cells of the immune system that not everything is terrible.

Please let your kids play and be kids but watch what they eat and get back to home-cooked meals and, of course, learning about your body. Now we will dig a little deeper into the depth of gut bacteria. From the axes to your gut all over your body neurons, hormones, and of course, your immune system signals are always going back and forth. The gut-brain axis is the most studied and digs deep into patients suffering from inflammatory diseases and depression. The gut can alter the brain chemistry via neuronal pathways and through messengers of the immune system, called cytokines. Stress is a good example: stress changes the gut microbiota, and the signals running to the brain may impact how we behave. For instance, early life stress alters the gut microbiota of monkeys, and rat pups, which are stressed by separating them from their mothers prematurely. Their gut microbiota is disturbed as a result, and they have increased levels of stress hormone and a different immune response. The gut-liver axis is studied widely in liver research since 70% of the liver’s blood flow is directly flowing from the gut. The gut-lung axis is of interest in respiratory disease research, where gut microbiota influences asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and even the development of cancer. 

Now are here a few tales signs to check if you have an unhealthy gut! The first tell sign, which is #1, is an upset stomach from gas to constant bloating, diarrhea, and heartburn. A balanced gut will have less difficulty processing food and eliminating waste. The next is a high sugar-diet. High amounts of refined sugars, particularly high-fructose corn syrup, have been linked to increased inflammation. Inflammation can be the precursor to several diseases and even cancers. Skin conditions like eczema may be related to a damaged gut. Swelling in the abdomen caused by a poor diet or food allergies may cause increased “leaking” of individual proteins out into the body, which can, in turn, irritate the skin and cause conditions such as eczema. Food intolerances are the result of difficulty digesting certain foods (this is different than a food allergy, which is caused by an immune system reaction to certain foods). It’s thought that the poor quality of bacteria may cause food intolerances in the gut. This can lead to difficulty digesting the trigger foods and unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea. There is some evidence that food allergies may also be related to gut health. 

And you are probably like well, what do I do now? Don’t worry; we got you covered. It may be hard, but you must lower your stress levels. Below I will add some good guided meditation and some nighttime remedies that’ll help you transition at night. Diffusing, yoga, and taking walks are other simple ways to relax your mind. Remember that you are in control. Next is to get enough sleep, which is tieing into lower your lowering your stress levels. Turn off the tv, get off of twitter, and rest. Moving along, eat slower. Take time to chew your food and aid your stomach with digestion.

Taking a prebiotic or probiotic supplement is a great way to improve your gut health. Some diets to switch to is an Alkaline diet, which we have have a 4 part series about if you would like more information. Even a diet high in fiber has been shown to contribute tremendously to healthy gut microbiome. Foods to eat are high fiber foods—bananas, oats, berries, and asparagus. Garlic and onion that may have some anti-cancer and immune system-enhancing properties based on various studies. Some herbs that will help your gut ginger reduce nausea and soothe the stomach snd help ease motion sickness. Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that have powerful healing potential. My personal favorite Cinnamon which has a warm and spicy sweetness bite to it. It also helps ease upset stomachs and nausea. Basil is up next, which reduces gas and stomach cramping. One of the oldest herbs known to humankind comes from the same plant family as some other popular herbs such as mint, oregano, and rosemary. Bay leaves from the plant Laurus nobilis, commonly found in parts of Asia and America, are said to have substantial effects on the gastrointestinal system, helping to decrease the toxicity of our bodies and even soothing irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Dried bay leaves are a popular spice used in pickling and marinating, flavor stews, stuffings, and fish. Peppermint is refreshing as well as antispasmodic, cooling, and anti-microbial. It’s useful in coughs and colds, supports liver function, and helps stop itching when used topically.

Guided Meditation: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHCl6b9K25Y

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAfo8JPvNQI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zgf2COTsFUA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRy_yQu6K7A

Nighttime quick fixes:

Sleepytime Lavender Milk: https://www.caligirlcooking.com/sleepytime-lavender-milk/

Chamomile Tea or Lavender tea or add two equal parts of each about I 1 tbsp each.

Turn off the tv and get off social media before bed. Meditate and give gratitude instead. 

References:

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/research/advancements-in-research/fundamentals/in-depth/the-gut-where-bacteria-and-immune-system-meet

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2018-03-gut-bacteria-essential-healthy-immune.html

https://www.healthline.com/health/gut-health#treatment

https://www.houseofwellness.com.au/health/nutrition/herbs-spices-for-gut-health

https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/foodanddrink/10-common-digestive-herbs-and-how-they-benefit-your-health-a3624266.html

https://www.ecowatch.com/how-good-gut-health-can-boost-your-immune-system-1882013643.html