Archive | January, 2015

Who’s In Charge…

The Thyroid is shaped like a butterfly whose wings wrap around our windpipe just below our Adam’s Apple.

It is a master gland in charge of regulating our metabolism in the entire body.  Almost every cell is affected and controlled by the hormones released by the Thyroid.

Hypothyroidism is when the Thyroid is sluggish as opposed to Hyperthyroidism when it is overly active.

Both conditions have an adverse effect on the body and on our health.

The Thyroid regulates temperature in our cells and in turn in our body.  Too little and we are cold, too much and we are hot.

The Thyroid also regulates our heartbeat, our blood pressure, the rate at which food is converted into energy, digestive functions, muscle control, brain development, bone maintenance, as well as the metabolic rate.

Because one of the main functions of the Thyroid is to maintain the correct body temperature, cold hands and feet can be one sign of a sluggish Thyroid.

Other signs include nervousness, fatigue, hair loss, muscle cramps, constipation, brittle nails, and dry skin.

Signs of an overly active Thyroid can include nervousness also, an increase in the resting heart rate, tremors, frequent bowel movements, an enlargement of the Thyroid gland itself, mental disturbances, and sleep disturbances.

Having a healthy Thyroid Gland is of up most importance in how the body’s health can be maintained.  Any disturbance in the Thyroid causes havoc in all metabolic functions in our body.  This affects us in so many ways from levels of the enzymes we produce to the assimilation of minerals and vitamins in the body.

It would be impossible to have health and not have a balanced Thyroid.

Testing the Thyroid is still a difficult test to perform.  Usually the practitioner will do a few different tests including a Thyroid Blood test, Basal Body Temperature test, take a history of physical symptoms, a physical exam, and an Iodine Urine test.

Some of these tests can be ordered on-line and be done at home and sent out to a lab for analysis.

Perhaps the most important information we need is to know our iodine levels since the level of iodine we consume is directly tied to the functioning of our Thyroid.

Iodine is a necessary component of the hormones produced by the Thyroid.

We rely strictly on our diet for iodine.  It is reported that as many as 72% of us are deficient and not getting enough from our diets leading to Thyroid problems.

Seaweed is without a doubt the most reliable source of iodine.  Other rich sources of iodine are cranberries, yogurt, cheese, and eggs.

But…and there is always a but, we have talked a lot about a particular herb that I have been recommending for anyone who needs help with energy and stamina.

Ashwagandha, an Ayurveda herb, can also restore balance to the Thyroid Gland no matter whether it is Hypo or Hyper.

Ashwagandha is an adaptogen*.  It works to bring balance to the Thyroid.  It will stimulate an underactive Thyroid or relaxes an overactive one.

Scientists do not yet understand how adapotens work.  If they spent time with herbalists they would soon learn how amazing the plant kingdom really is and how plants adapt themselves to our needs on many levels.  Ashwagandha is just one such example.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*There are a few herbs the fall into the adaptogen category such as American & Asian Ginseng,  Goji Berry, Reishi Mushrooms, Astragalus Root, as well as Ashwagandha Root.

*To be an adaptogen it must show 3 characteristics:

• increase the power of resistance against physical, chemical, or biological agent
• have a normalizing influence
• be harmless and not influence normal body functions more than is required

A Perfect Gift From Nature…

Hemp is part of the Cannabis genus and a relative of the cannabis plant more commonly known as marijuana.

It is primarily grown for it’s fiber and has been around for a very very long time.

In fact the very first American flag was made from hemp as was much of our clothing as well as for rope, oil, and more.

Today there is a revival of using the plant for clothing but also as a food.

Though it does contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the levels are so low they are negligible compared to it’s cousin marijuana.

Hemp seeds are being hailed as a perfect food gift.

With a relative absence of sugar, starches and saturated fats Hemp seeds are the most balanced blend of proteins, essential fats, vitamins, and enzymes making them a perfect food.

Hemp seeds are high in Omega 3 & 6, Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA/reduces inflammation and can prevent cancer), antioxidants, amino acids, fiber, iron, zinc, carotene, phospholipids, phytosterols, B1, B2, B6, D, E, chlorophyll, calcium, magnesium, sulfur, copper, potassium, phosphorus, and enzymes.

And if that does not get your attention!

Hemp seeds supply over 17 grams of omega fats to boost our energy for the day.

And…
Hemp seeds are more digestible than meat, eggs, cheese, cow milk, or really any other high protein food
lowers blood pressure
reduces blood LDL cholesterol levels
great for the circulation
enhances our immune system
helps with PMS & menstrual cramps
reduces inflammation and arthritis
helps with dry skin and hair
and the list just goes and on…..
Hemp seeds can be eaten by those intolerant to nuts, gluten, lactose, and sugar.

There are no known allergies to Hemp seeds.

Are you eating energy bars?  Well hemp seeds beat out most energy bars in providing more useable energy with barely any traceable sugar.
4 Tbs. of hemp seeds provide 15g protein, 2.5g fiber, 4.5g carbohydrates, and no cholesterol.
Hemp seed oil is the most unsaturated oil in the plant world.
It contains 75-80% polyunsaturated fatty acids (good fats) and only about 9% saturated fats (bad fats).

The omega balance in Hemp seeds again makes this a perfect food with a 4:1 ratio of omega 6 to omega 3.  The ratio in Flax seeds is the opposite of 1:4 making Hemp seeds a superior source of omega 6 & 3 and a healthier choice.

Hem seeds not only will treat many illnesses but will also help prevent them.

One recommended daily dose is 4 heaping tablespoons a day.  Anyone who is suffering from diabetes, circulation problems, prostate problems, intestinal problems, skin problems, arthritis (just to name a few) might want to take 5-6 heaping tablespoons a day.*

Hemp oil also contains plant sterols which have been shown to reduce the risk of colon and prostate cancer as well as helping cardiovascular health.

So what do you think?

Time to start adding Hemp seeds to your diet.  It is so easy to do.  I add a heaping tablespoon to my yogurt everyday along with nuts and seeds.  Gardenia lines her dinner plate with greens such as spinach, kale, and dandelion.  To this she adds a tablespoon of coconut oil and a heaping tablespoon of Hemp seeds.  On top of which sits her vegetables or what ever she is having for dinner.  It all just blends in perfectly.

It is also wonderful to sprinkle on avocadoes, toast, or really anything else you might be having to eat.

Isn’t it time we catch up with our ancestors and make use of this perfect gift from our Mother for our health, our lives, our world.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*Larger individuals may need to increase these amounts.  Be sure to check with your primary health care provider.
You can access this newsletter online as well as all previous newsletters here at The Lymph Guy.

A Brain In Our Gut?

There is so much new research coming out concerning our bodies that is revolutionizing how we relate to our physical being.

We now know that during the initial stages of gestation a piece of the forming brain actually detaches itself and becomes part of the formation of our guts.

That the entire length of our gut’s wall is lined with brain cells or neural tissues filled with neurotransmitters.

In fact there are more neurons in our gut lining then there are in our spinal cord or the peripheral nervous system, over 1,000,000 neurons.

This is part of what is called the enteric* nervous system.

It was initially believed that these brain cells were limited to regulating digestive and elimination functions leaving the brain free from this process.

More recent research though suggests that there is much more going on and that our moods are directly influenced by messages from the below brain to the above brain.

The fact that 95% of the body’s serotonin is produced in the bowels makes the bowel/brain connection even more specific.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome could now be seen as a “mental illness’ of this second brain.

It is also being looked at how this second brain mediates the body’s immune system, as 70% of our immune system is geared toward the gut to expel and destroy unwanted guests.

Caring for our intestinal tract with the right foods, good eating habits, seasonal cleansers, meditation, and breathing is becoming more and more connected with how we feel and our mental state.

UCLA is doing research on how the trillions of bacteria in the gut actually communicate with the enteric nervous system which in turn communicates with the brain making it clear that working on our mental health must included both brains to really be effective.

Personally I have always felt this to be a “No Brainer”!

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*Enteric refers to the intestines.

That Is The Question…

In the 60’s women protested and began burning their bras across the country.

This began a trend where women took control over whether or not to wear a bra that up to then was not seen as a choice.

This lasted for some time before the tides shifted back to it being more the norm again for all women and even very young girls to wear bras.

One evening while watching a show on tv where the actress woke up in her bra I turned and asked Gardenia if this was now a norm.

For women to even wear their bras to bed.

My own sense was this was not a healthy choice.  That the body and in this case the breasts needed some time every day to be free from the constriction of the garment.

I just recently came across a study that has been done to support my concern.

The study was done by medical anthropologists S. Singer and S. Grismaijer.*

Over 4,000 women were studied and it was discovered that women who do not wear bras have a much lower risk of breast cancer.

Women who wore their bras 24 hrs. a day had a 3 out of 4 chance of developing breast cancer
Women who wore their bras more than 12 hrs. a day but not to bed had a 1 our of 7 risk.
Women who wore their bras less than 12 hrs. a day had a 1 out of 52 risk.
Women who wore their bra either rarely or not all had a 1 out of 168 chance of getting breast cancer.
There is a 125-fold difference in risk between women who wear their bras 24 hours a day and those who did not wear a bra at all.

The link between bras and breast cancer is about 3 times greater than the link between cigarette smoking and cancer.

Japanese researchers found that wearing a bra can lower melatonin levels by 60%.  Melatonin is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

There are also studies that show that melatonin can help fight off cancer.

Wearing a bra constricts the lymph flow in the breast creating an environment ripe for cancer cells to multiply and limits the bodies’ natural ability to kill off these unwanted cells.

I have the same sense concerning the elastic in underwear that constricts the lymph flow around the genitals.

And again women or men who sleep in their underwear are not giving the lymphatic system a chance to flow as freely as it needs to be moving.

This constriction affects the lymph nodes in the groin as well as in the breasts.

The message is not to wear a bra but be aware of how much you are wearing it and give your breasts a chance to hang, bounce, move freely, and support the lymph flow and your health.

After taking off your bra it would be a good practice to massage your breasts and stimulate the lymph flow.

Castor Oil packs would be another wonderful home remedy for breast health maintanence.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy
thelymphguy.com
thelymphguy@gmail.com

*authors of Dressed to Kill: The Link Between Breast Cancer and Bras

My thanks to Organic Health for bringing this information to our attention.