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Stop That Craving!

Have you ever had a night that right before bedtime, you all of a sudden started craving ice cream or something else to eat? You tell yourself that you know it’s not good to be eating that late, especially junk food. However, all of a sudden you find yourself gobbling it down anyway. Your taste buds just had a romp in the park like a puppy unleashed for the first time. 

An article by Alyssa Raiola gives some hints on how to stop any craving right when it hits you.  No matter if it’s a late-night slice of pizza or a sugary breakfast pastry, everyone has these cravings (especially my teenage grandson)!  It’s so difficult to ignore those cravings that our brains actually play a huge role in.  Of course, those luscious looking food ads on TV don’t help us much either.  These cravings are both mental and physical, according to Michael Mantell, Ph.D., a transformational behavioral coach who specializes in obesity.  He believes it begins in your mind and then in your mouth.

It isn’t just a lack of self-control but could also be your body’s way of asking for more fuel.  The body is designed to do everything to prevent you from starving, so if you don’t give your body enough food, or food that breaks down too quickly, it releases stress hormones.  Tara Coleman, a clinical nutritionist says your body wants fuel fast and it usually wants it in the simplest form (sugar), which is why we tend to crave sweets and carbs and not those veggies.

Those cravings can also be tied to feelings of sadness, anger, boredom, stress and even excitement.  Be aware of this connection because we can’t avoid feeling stressed, tired or really hungry all the time.

Try the following tips to avoid these cravings:

Reach for some organic Greek yogurt or a handful of nuts the next time you’re craving something sweet. Have a high-protein snack and avoid that sugar.

Try some breathing exercises when you feel that craving coming on. Take three deep breaths as a time to check in with your emotions and ask yourself why you want to eat this now.  Gina Hassick, R.D. believes it’s kind of like practicing yoga or any other type of mindfulness.  Just ground yourself.

Change the way you think as it can often change the way you feel. Tell yourself you’ll have it some other time and trick your brain a little by taking the craving off the priority list.

Even if you don’t believe it, write down the ideal response. When it hits you, tell yourself it’s only a craving and you don’t HAVE to eat it now.  No emergency!

Think about how you’ll feel in 20 minutes as it can affect your stress level, mood and alertness, so avoid that indulgence.

Try treating yourself – without food! Engage in a pleasurable activity as taking a bath, calling a friend, getting a massage or listening to your favorite song.  Do something that makes you happy.

Make your body feel better by distraction as sipping on tea, chewing gum or just getting outside to focus on something else.

This is a bit counterintuitive but if we just “can’t” do without, just take a small taste and tell yourself it’s bad or off limits and you can have it later.

It’s important to make sure you’re putting enough fuel in your body before a craving even strikes.  Don’t go too low in calories, protein and fat or you will wonder why you’re spending the entire night snacking.  Steer clear of caffeine, drink lots of water and prioritize your sleep to kick cravings to the curb.  Otherwise, just take control of your own thoughts and actions or treat yourself in a different way to upend those cravings.

Dr Fredda Branyon

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Everyone should be eating healthy, but science has found that certain foods are especially good for women. Some of the important foods we women should be eating include the following:

Kale. Kale has green leaves that are packed with vitamin K, which is very important to healthy bones, just as calcium is. One serving has more than 20% of the daily-recommended amount that we should have of vitamins A and C.

Organic Plain, Low-Fat Yogurt. Loads of calcium is in just 8 ounces of calcium, which gives you almost half (42%) that is needed each day and its great for putting good bacteria in our gut.

Beans. Minus the fat that comes from meat, beans have loads of protein that can lower your blood pressure, blood sugar and heart rate. The #1 killer of women in the U.S. is heart disease, and these are reasons to keep your levels in order to avoid risking this disease.

Walnuts. Many healthy fatty acids are packed in walnuts and may prevent cancer as part of your balanced diet. They also provide calcium as well.

Avocado. There is fat in avocados but at least it’s good fat! Diets rich in avocado can help get rid of belly fat and protects your eyes and skin. Your “bad” cholesterol may even be lowered as well as boosting your “good” cholesterol.

Sardines. These little fish may be small but they have tons of healthy fatty acids as well as vitamin D and calcium. Breast milk quality can be improved with their omega-3 fats and be good for babies when their mother eats these little guys while pregnant.

Organic Beef Liver. Not everyone likes beef liver, but it is an excellent source of folate and folic acid, which is important for healthy pregnancies.

Grapefruit. Although grapefruit has less sugar, oranges will work as well. It’s those flavonoids that really help lower the risk of certain kind of strokes in women and may also help the heart. Be sure and check with your doctors about consuming grapefruit with your current medications. This fruit may not be a good combo with some meds.

– Dr Fredda Branyon

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Health Benefits of Jasmine Oil

Jasmine absolute oil is extracted from different jasmine species. These belong to the Oleaceae family and have more than 200 species under its genus. The oil comes from the white flowers of the plant and bears dark green leaves, usually blossoming at night and grows from summer until fall. It has a powerful fragrance and is Pakistan’s national flower. In India, it is regarded by the Hindus as a holy flower.

Jasmine absolute oil is used in making perfumes such as Chanel No. 5 and Eau de Sauvage from France. It is also used to add flavor to alcohol, confectionery and desserts as well as added to body lotions, shampoos and soaps. This is one of my very favorite fragrances!

There are many benefits of jasmine absolute oil with one being an effective aphrodisiac with seductive qualities.

Rejuvenating skin

Relieving menstrual problems and labor pains

Working as an antiseptic

Treating spasms

Mind relaxation

This oil will work in different ways as inhaled, diffused or it can simply be applied externally. Use the oil through a diffuser by adding some drops of the essential to your diffuser to provide a relaxing and refreshing fragrance to your home. Try applying a few drops of the oil on your neck or forehead to calm and clear your mind, or to feel a surge of hope and happiness. It can also treat skin disorders and muscle spasms by applying it topically. The oil will also aid coughs and relieve nervousness and stress when it is inhaled.

Jasmine absolute oil is generally safe and considered to be non-sensitizing, non-irritant and non-toxic. It should be used in moderation as large doses can interfere with your concentration due to its relaxing property. It is not recommended to use for oral ingestion. It is also advised to avoid using if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

There are no known side effects for this oil, but it is recommended diluting jasmine absolute oil with a safe and non-toxic carrier oil. Be sure to conduct a skin patch test first to check if you might be allergic to this herbal oil. If you have a terminal or chronic illness, be sure to consult first with your doctor before applying this oil.

So get this oil out for that romantic vibe and receive all the other immense health benefits at the same time. Who can’t use a little boost in the bedroom? Can’t you?

Dr Fredda Branyon

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Time-Restricted Eating

Satchin Panda with Salk Institute for Biological Studies and UCSD, along with Pam Taub, Associate Professor of Medicine, UCSD, composed information on whether or not  time-restricted eating could help you lose weight. Their article was published in Live.

Anyone having obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure or high cholesterol are advised to eat less and move a lot more.  There is now new research with another simple tool to fight these diseases off. The tool is restricting your eating time to a daily 10-hour window.  

Some studies done with mice and fruit flies suggest that limiting when the animals eat to a daily window of 10 hours can prevent, or even reverse, the metabolic diseases that are affecting millions of people in the U.S.  

One author is a cell biologist and the other a cardiologist who are exploring the effects of the timing of nutrition on health. Their results of the flies and mice led them to test the idea of the time-restricted eating (TRE).  After studies lasted more than a year they showed TRE was safe among the healthy people. Then they tested the time-restricted eating in patients that had conditions known as metabolic syndrome.  They wanted to know if this approach could help millions of patients who suffer from early signs of diabetes since it had a profound impact on the lab rats with these conditions.

It’s difficult counting calories or trying to calculate just how much fat, carbohydrates and protein you are getting in every meal.  The TRE provides a new strategy for fighting obesity and metabolic diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. TRE is actually a lifestyle choice that healthy people can adopt to reduce their risk for future metabolic diseases.

Patients were recruited from UC San Diego clinics meeting 3 out of 5 criteria for metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high level of bad cholesterol and low level of good cholesterol.  They used an app called myCircadianClock to log every calorie consumed for two weeks. This indicated those who were more likely to spread their eating out over 14 hours or more and might benefit from the 10-hour TRE. Their physical activity and sleep were monitored.  Nineteen patients qualified for the study and used this app for 12 weeks with continuous monitoring.  

After 12 weeks they returned to the clinic and had a complete medical examination and blood tests.  Results of the test were published in Cell Metabolism and pleasantly surprising. Most lost a modest amount of body weight.  Those with high blood glucose levels when fasting also had reduced blood sugar levels.  

Time-restricted eating is not currently a standard recommendation from doctors.  No patients went through dangerously low levels of glucose during the fasting but TRE should be practiced under medical supervision.

Dr Fredda Branyon

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Tranquility

Don’t you just love that peace and tranquility that is often absent from our busy lives?  Well, how about finding that soft chair in a quiet place and indulge in a favorite novel!  There has been new research published in the journal Social Science & Medicine that revealed book readers live an average of two years longer than non-readers.  Those who read up to 3.5 hours a week have a 17% lower risk of dying over the next 12 years.  Those that read more than the 3.5 hours a week have a 23% lower risk of dying prematurely, so in the end just 30 minutes a day may offer a major health advantage.  Even after factoring in influences such as age, race, gender, education level, income, health, employment and more, this was still true.

David Lewis, cognitive neuropsychologist from the University of Sussex in England revealed that reading is a powerful form of stress relief.  There were volunteers that had their stress levels and heart rates increased and then they tried a variety of stress-reduction methods to relax.  Of all the other stress reduction techniques, reading out shined the others.  Even music, taking a walk or having a cup of tea didn’t exceed reading.

Reading distracts your mind from the everyday worries and anxiety, your muscles tend to relax and this leads to improvements in brain function.  Reading literary fiction was shown to enhance a skill known as theory of mind, which is the ability to understand others’ mental states and show increased empathy.  A 2015 study was presented at the meeting of the Pediatric Academic Societies that revealed what happens when you read to a child.  Reading to children from an early age activated brain areas including the occipital lobes, linked to visual imagery, and the parietal lobes, linked to understand the meaning of language.  Brain scans were used in this study.

Additional benefits of reading aloud to children are:

Reading aloud is the single most important activity leading to language development

Builds motivation, curiosity and memory

Helps children cope during times of stress or tragedy

Exposes children to story and print knowledge as well as rare words and ideas not often found in day-to-day conversation or screen time

Helps children practice listening

There are other benefits beyond childhood and well into adulthood and beyond from reading. Nearly 300 people in a study engaged in mentally stimulating activities such as reading, and had slower memory decline than those who didn’t.  It seemed to be particularly beneficial when they read fiction books.  The reader is so engrossed in a fiction novel they become emotionally transported into the story and that leads to higher empathy in the reader.

Be sure to pick that quiet place where you have no disturbances and can become mentally and physically involved in the novel.  Let it take you away to a place of peacefulness and tranquility.

This may be an indulgent pleasure that you feel you don’t have time for, but don’t feel guilty for relaxing with a good book.  Give your body and mind much needed time to recharge and regroup while leaving all those ordinary responsibilities behind.  I love reading because it takes me away from the humdrum of everyday problems and responsibilities.  Try it– you’ll love it! Carve a piece of the day out for yourself.

-Dr Fredda Branyon

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What’s More Important in Your Life?

For some people, the most important thing in their lives is cultivating the ability to help people be happy and to relieve some of them of the suffering they might be experiencing. Leaving each person that you interact with a little bit better off than the way you initially found them is an aspiration in life for many. Sometimes, this will take a lot of your time to accomplish, but sometimes, it only requires making eye contact and giving a small smile as you walk by.

The three essential components of kindness, compassion, and equanimity are what others seek. Sometimes those saying they “love” something, is really meaning that something and/or the feeling of something, is really passion or desire. Love is not a feeling but an ability to respond to people and life with kindness, compassion, and equanimity as follows:

Kindness is the ability and effort to respond to someone in a way that makes them happy.

Compassion is the aspiration to understand and help relieve someone of the suffering they experience.

Equanimity is the ability to be kind and compassionate to all beings without bias, whether we like them or not.

There is an endless list of the benefits of practicing mindfulness and cultivating true love, and it is the principal motivation for the practice of some people. The insight that comes from the continued practice of mindfulness—that we are not the ego but that which is aware of the ego—gradually being less attached to the ego.

The most powerful thing we can do to increase our own happiness is cultivating true love. This is what will improve our own life. Training for true love is the most important thing we can do to “save the world” and to end suffering permanently, according to Matt Tenney, author of The Mindfulness Edge and Serve To Be Great.

He also believes that by eliminating his selfishness, he is free from suffering and can realize true love and help others to do the same. Just think of a world free from selfishness and suffering that is capable of true love in every moment. No more wars, no one without food and shelter, and no one would be lonely in moments of pain.

The practice of mindfulness is taking us one step closer to a world free of suffering that makes each moment of our lives feel incredibly meaningful. What can you and I do to make this a better world for everyone around us?

Dr. Fredda Branyon

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The Master Thymus Gland

The human body is an amazing complex deal! Did you know that the thymus gland is considered to be the “master of the immune system”? This gland is so important and is essential to the maturation and maintenance of the cells of the immune system. This great master is a pinkish-gray organ that lies below the thyroid gland and in the upper chest area (thorax) behind the breast bone (sternum). This little pinkish gland can do important work for a cancer patient or someone who is trying to recover from an illness.

Science has proven that as we age the thymus degenerates and doesn’t do the job it needs to do to help the immune system to fight off troubles. The thymus is most active during a child’s early life but as we reach puberty the gland starts to shrink and degenerate and is eventually replaced by connective tissue and fat. Since the thymus gland is such a large part of the immune system, this may explain why children bounce back so quickly from illnesses such as colds and we adults have to fight a cold with everything we have.

What Are The Functions Of The Thymus Gland?

Our immune system’s job is to protect the body against outside invasions such as parasites, viruses, bacteria, good cells that turn abnormal and much more. The master thymus gland produces mature lymphocytes to help maintain the surveillance of the army that circulates in the body and helps the army to stay alert and pay attention in order to quickly defend the body from harm. I would like to encourage you to investigate and learn more about your wonderful thymus gland because I believe that one day it will be fully understood how important this gland is to the human body.

Not too long ago doctors and scientist believed that after puberty, the function of the thymus gland was so decreased there was nothing one could do but suffer through what life gave you. It was just a normal process of aging. However, new science breakthroughs have proven the thymus gland can be regenerated to work like it was created too.

Be Careful When Buying Healthfood Store Thymus

There are many products on the market today that are said to rebuild the thymus gland. Beware! If you take a thymus extract be sure you know it is a good reputable company that manufactures it and that it comes from clean, non diseased animals. This is a glandular and you can not get glandular from plants.

Our doctors at New Hope Unlimited try to rebuild our patients thymus gland since it helps create and puts out such important immune system fighters. Remember, the thymus gland is the Master of the immune system and the immune system is our first and last defense system.

Dr Fredda Branyon.

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Benefits Of Ginger Oil

This perennial herb grows up to three to four feet high and has narrow spear-shaped leaves with white or yellow flowers, and small tuberous rhizomes with a thick or thin brown skin. The flesh itself can be yellow, white or red, depending upon the variety.

For thousands of years, ginger has been valued for its medicinal and culinary properties, especially in ancient Chinese, Indian and Greek civilizations.  In Ayurvedic medicine, it is considered a key plant.  This plant is one of the most flexible food ingredients today.  Ginger can be eaten fresh, dried, steeped as a tea or grated into your vegetable juice.  The source for tinctures and supplements comes from the dried root.  Of course, it is also transformed into ginger oil that is an energizing and uplifting oil with many uses.

Below are some ways to use ginger oil for various health problems

Use 2 to 3 drops in a diffuser or on a cotton ball or handkerchief, and then inhale.  This re-energizes and revitalizes your body, mind and soul.

Mix 2 to 3 drops in an ounce of carrier oil for a message oil to help relieve backache, arthritis, muscle pain, rheumatism and fractures.  Try adding to your hot bath or put a few drops on a hot or cold compress to apply to the affected areas.  It will also stimulate your circulatory system and revitalize your libido.

Inhaling by a diffuser or vaporizer will relieve sinusitis, sore throat and runny noses.  Try it as a decongestant.

Massage a drop into your abdomen to relieve gas and diarrhea.

The many benefits of ginger oil are due to its anti-inflammatory, digestive, expectorant, antiseptic, carminative, analgesic and stimulating properties

Some other health problems it will help are:

Stomach and bowel related problems

Food Poisoning

Malaria and yellow fever

Respiratory problems

Pain

Heart Ailments

Hypertension

Chronic disease

Ginger oil is made up of 90% sesquiterpenes that are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and other healing properties. It is safe as long as it’s not used in very strong concentrations, as it is non-toxic and non-irritating.  Do a skin patch test before using ginger oil if you have sensitive skin.  If you have sensitivity to ginger root, do not use it at all, as you may end up with heartburn, sores in the mouth, nausea and/or skin rashes.  You might also consider diluting ginger oil in other carrier oils.  

– Dr Fredda Branyon

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Fiery Essential Oil

An oil that is packed with benefits that may greatly uplift your body and mind is Amyris oil.  It isn’t as valuable as sandalwood, but it offers amazing health perks that will make you want more of this herbal oil.  

The Amyris derives from the Rutaceae botanical family and known as West Indian/Indies sandalwood.  It originates from Haiti in the West Indies. The plant grows to 60 feet high and bears white flowers that turn into black-bluish fruits that are edible.  The bark of the dried tree is steam distilled to extract the essential oil. Amyris oil is often used as an alternative to East Indian sandalwood oil. Because of its high oil content, it is also known as torchwood or candlewood as it will easily ignite and can be used as a torch.  Fishermen frequently use it when catching sea crabs along the shore at night and farmers when traveling at night to take their wares to the city or village.

Amyris oil can help uplift your spirit and mind, in meditation and also in therapeutic massage.  It is also used as a base fixative in making perfumes and soaps, creams, cosmetics, incense and perfumes for additional fragrance.  You can use the herbal oil in a bath, inhaler, as a mist spray, in a steam inhalator and in a steam room or sauna.

Benefits of amyris oil are its antiseptic, sedative, decongestant and emollient properties.  It is especially helpful to calm your mind and as a muscle relaxant. It will help to minimize stress and tension and release anxiety along with improving mental clarity and present a feeling of peace.  It works great in skin regeneration and helps to slow down the aging process. The cooling property assists in relieving irritability, frustration and sexual tension. The oil is used greatly among poets, artists and musicians as it is purported to help improve creativity and imagination.

By adding a few drops of the essential oil to an oil burner or diffuser, it works great in relieving the mind from any anxiety or stress.   It can provide relaxation when added to therapeutic massage oils.

Amyris essential oil is considered safe, as it is non-toxic, non-sensitizing and non-irritating.  It may cause irritation for those people with very sensitive skin, however. This oil is not intended for oral ingestion but before using topically, you should conduct a skin patch test to be sure there are no irritations to it.  It should always be diluted with a carrier oil. There are no other side effects known other than a possible skin irritation in those who are sensitive individuals. Seek medical advice before using if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have a terminal illness.  Otherwise, enjoy all the wonderful benefits of this fiery essential oil.

Dr Fredda Branyon

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What is the Sirtfood Diet and Does it Work?

This quarantine, you have probably been aware that stars like Adele, Pippa Middleton, and Lorraine Pascale have had great success in their weight loss journey. These prominent figures have followed the sirtfood diet, a health regimen developed by authors Aidan Goggins and Glen Matten. With everyone looking for an opportunity to improve their health this year, this diet has certainly had people talking. Here is what you need to know about sirt foods and what makes the diet effective. 

What is sirt food?

Sirt is an abbreviation for a group of proteins called sirtuins. Food rich in sirtuins are called sirt food. According to the creators of this diet, sirtuins are responsible for regulating several functions in the body. These proteins are said to aid in metabolism as well as aging and other bodily functions.

The diet encourages sirt-rich food, including green leafy vegetables and lean proteins, and a special green smoothie. At a glance, it looks a lot like any other diet that is more plant-based and restricts caloric intake. But the diet became popular because it not only allows but encourages consumption of red wine and dark chocolate, two guilty pleasures that are often restricted in other diets.

Sirtfood Diet: An Overview

The diet is divided into two main phases, which in the first week includes extreme calorie restriction and special green smoothies to replace full meals. The second phase is a little more lenient, decreasing the calorie intake restrictions and allowing more meals, but maintains the green smoothie as part of the day. 

Here are a few listed food items that qualify as sirt foods:

Green tea

Coffee

Celery 

Parsley

Kale

Capers

Blueberry

Strawberry

Walnuts 

Red Onions

Turmeric

…and more.

Exercise is also encouraged as part of the regimen. A glass of red wine and chocolate can be incorporated on any of the days as long as it is counted in the daily calorie intake level. 

Does it work?

The sirtfood diet can be effective for those looking to lose weight. From a scientific standpoint, the results are testimonial, and there aren’t many peer-reviewed studies to back up their claims. Ultimately, this diet is just like any regular diet with already known healthy food. But that doesn’t mean that it isn’t helpful. Diets like these can get people interested in living a healthy life, which is the ultimate goal in getting into diets in the first place.

This diet encourages balanced meals and exercise, so there’s no harm in following it. Just make sure that you stay consistent and continue to choose healthier food for you. The first phase of the diet is difficult, but if you are in no rush to lose weight or have other health goals in mind, you can skip it. You can also adjust some aspects if it is too restrictive, especially since it drastically cuts calories. As long as it keeps you healthy and happy, you can continue the plan for as long as you intend.

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5 Foods You Should Never Eat

Artificial sweeteners: These are ok in small doses but when you have too many artificial sweeteners they can reset your taste buds to crave sugary foods. Then, as a result, you just end up eating more junk. If you limit your artificial sweeteners, you may find that you have more energy and don’t have all those cravings for more sugary foods.

Margarine: Margarine is NOT the healthy alternative to butter because it has loads of trans fats that will increase your cholesterol. This food contains a lot of ingredients where butter has only one or two. Butter and margarine have a similar calorie count but we tend to eat more of it because we think it’s healthier. Stick with small doses of butter or use heart-healthy olive oil.

Soy Protein Isolate: The isolate in soy resembles estrogen, which some research has shown can increase the risk of cancers as well as infertility in women. Vegetarians should opt for veggie burgers with quinoa, chickpeas or black beans as a base, and eat protein bars that are based on nuts and seeds. Go for beans, nuts, seeds, nut butters and natural sources of soy like edamame, tofu and tempeh as a substitute for meats.

Diet Foods: Diet or low-fat diets don’t mean low-calorie. More sugar, salt and unhealthy fillers to make them taste okay is usually contained in diet bars and low-fat foods like yogurt. And then of course, we usually eat double the amount because we’re not satisfied or believe it’s ok to consume more just because they say it’s “healthy”.

Processed Frozen Meals: Even though these foods are convenient, they are often heavily processed and filled with fat and salt. You would be better off to make a tasty soup or stew and freeze the servings. You can also freeze your fruits and veggies as long as you look for options without added sauces or salt.

By trying to void these foods and use the healthy alternatives, you can make your life a lot healthier. I prefer the good old butter anyway, but I just have to curb the amount I choose to use. The taste is certainly better! Just remember, those quick frozen processed meals you choose to fix after a day at work, is NOT the best choice for you or your family.

–Dr Fredda Branyon

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What Good is Sesame Oil?

A popular and edible oil that adds a rich, nutty flavor to your foods, is sesame oil. It is high in omega-6 fats and can provide certain health benefits, when moderately and properly used. This oil is derived from sesame (Sesamum indicum), which is a tall annual herb that comes from the Pedaliaceae family. Commonly used as a food ingredient and condiment, sesame oil is also used for medicinal purposes. Cultivated for thousands of years, it is believed to be the world’s oldest plant used as an oil. Sesame today grows extensively in Asia, China, Burma and India. In Sudan, Ethiopia and Nigeria, sesame oil is one of the chief commercial crops.

The light sesame oil is made from raw sesame seeds and has a light nutty flavor, whereas the dark sesame oil is made from toasted sesame seeds and has a stronger flavor and aroma. In Ayurvedic medicine, sesame oil is used as a base oil for about 90% of the herbal oils, and is renowned for it ability to strengthen and detoxify the body. It is also used in sacred and religious ceremonies. The oil is used today as a common component of skin and massage oils, hair care products, cosmetics, soaps, perfumes and sunscreens. It has a great moisturizing, soothing and emollient quality.

Some uses of the oil are:

Skin moisturizer. Apply to the skin to keep it soft and smooth, and from wrinkles forming.

Remove toxins from your mouth. This is considered oil pulling, however, coconut oil is better for this as it tastes better.

Natural sunscreen. Apply all over your face and body, and reapply after getting out of the water.

Skin detoxifier. Oil-soluble toxins are attracted to sesame seed oil molecules. Apply on your skin, leave for 15 minutes, then wash it off with warm water.

Boosts scalp and hair health. Massage oil into your scalp and hair to keep hair strong and shiny. Effective at relieving dry scalp, dandruff and hair loss.

There are some potential health benefits that can be found on sesame in the medical literature, such as:

Diabetes – A 2006 study in the Journal of Medicinal Food.

Multiple sclerosis – Sesame oil helped from developing autoimmune encephalomyelitis in mice.

Atherosclerosis – The sesamol was found to have an impact on the atherosclerotic process.

Cancer – Using high concentrations of sesomol and sesamin in sesame oil has been found to induce mitochondrial apoptosis in colon cancer as well as in prostate, breast, lung, leukemia, multiple myeloma and pancreatic cancers.

Sesame oil is generally safe and has been evaluated safe for use in cosmetics. This assessment was published in the International Journal of Toxicology. It is a mild inflammatory and has high omega-6 levels. They recommend consuming it in very small amounts. Do NOT consume or use this oil if you have an allergy to sesame seeds, as it may lead to allergic reactions. Pregnant women or nursing moms should use extreme caution. It may have hormone-inducing effects that could trigger uterine contractions that can lead to preterm labor or miscarriage in the pregnant women.

Sesame allergy is a very real concern in today’s world. Some symptoms of sesame allergy can be mild itching to anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal condition that can restrict breathing within seconds to hours of contact. Some reports have found that people with allergy to nuts, like walnuts and peanuts, may also experience allergic reactions to sesame seeds and oil.

-Dr Fredda Branyon

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Hints How to Live Longer

I recently ran across an article that outlined 50 great ways to help us live longer. This includes a wide range of health advice that is backed by a scientific or government study that reveals new insight into what helps or hinders human longevity. Genetics do account for about 25% of the longevity and the rest is up to us.

Consider extra vitamin D intake, but not too much. Ask your doctor for intake. Get regular blood work levels.

Cut back on regular use of painkillers as ibuprofen and naproxen that are included in Advil, Motrin and Aleve that may raise your heart risks.

Hit that bed and get 6+ hours of sleep. Less doubles your risks of illness. A Duke University study shows that frequent sex is a significant predictor of longevity; so don’t go right to sleep!

You won’t die from eating under-ripe produce, but try that ripened fruit also.

Yes to that extra cup of coffee as it does more than help you wake up.

Frozen is fine, so eat that balanced diet when fresh isn’t available.

Green tea has proven longevity because of the powerful antioxidants.

Don’t use that sugar as it boosts blood sugar and can play havoc with your heart.

Get out those whole grains with 3+ servings a day and cut death rate by 20%.

Spice it up with that hot chili pepper that can add years to your life.

Drink whole milk as this might give you a 50% lower risk of diabetes.

Add water to keep adequately hydrated and keep urine a light color

Be food safe from poisoning. Keep the kitchen clean and wash your hands.

If you want to reach 100, put the fork down and eat less!

Don’t forget those veggies!

Eat like the Greeks with fruits, veggies, olive oil, fish and nuts.

Live like the Amish and adapt their healthy lifestyles and eating habits.

Drink less of alcohol as it leads to a shorter life span.

Saving your pennies might also help you live longer; up to 15 years.

Consider moving to California, NY or Vermont. Low-Income people tend to live the longest in these states.

Viewing an awesome experience as Grand Canyon or Beethoven’s 9 th helps.

Go nuts with that daily handful of nuts, or at least 5 times a week.

Find your purpose in life; it will help you live longer by doing something useful.

Embrace your faith and attend those religious services every week.

Take time off work for that vacation. Not taking it could be a deadly risk.

Consider mountain life with higher altitudes.

A friend with 4 legs does wonder for your mental and physical health.

Those laughter cat videos help to reduce stress and boost the immune system.

Keep yourself social as loneliness increases the risk of early death by 45%.

Watching those grandkids can lower your risk by 1/3.

Do everything you can to stay out of that hospital and avoid their mistakes.

Monitor yourself and don’t wait for that annual checkup.

Visit the hardware store for detectors for Carbon monoxide, radon and lead.

Toss that rug and avoid the top risk for falls.

Practice the home fire drills.

Patients receiving care from a female doctor were more likely to survive.

Make peace with family and get rid of that stress and small stuff.

Take those stairs at every opportunity, in and out of the home.

Avoid traffic accidents by avoiding those techy car distractions.

Drive less after 70 as more accidents occur for those after that age.

Walk, not drive when possible.

Stay safe while walking or jogging.

Walk a little faster for more benefits.

Fidgeting is good. Sitting increases your risk of dying by 30%.

Read the AARP Bulletin and keep up to day on health info!

Dr Fredda Branyon

[freddabranyon]

Hair Loss Got You Worried?

It’s not just men who worry about hair loss. It seems that I hear more and more women mentioning they are concerned because they have began to lose hair volume. There are many reasons that you might have hair loss. Even improper hair care.

Diseases can also result in hair loss and the most common cause is hereditary thinning or baldness. The daily loss, or shedding, is normal when combing or brushing your hair but those whose hair becomes thinner or falls out should consult a dermatologist or your naturopathic doctor for appropriate diagnosis and possible treatment.

Temporary causes for hair loss are as follows:

Improper or excessive use of styling products as perms, dyes, gels, relaxers or sprays.

Ponytails and braids that pull on the hair.

Combing, brushing, or shampooing too much or too hard.

Thyroid disease and other varieties of diseases.

Major surgery, childbirth, high fever, severe infection, stress or even the flu.

A lack of protein or iron in the diet and eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia.

Some prescription drugs include blood thinners, high-dose vitamin A, medicines for arthritis, depression, gout, heart problems and high blood pressure.

The use of birth control pills, usually in women with an inherited tendency.

Hormonal imbalances, which are especially in women.

If there is ringworm of the scalp or contagious fungal infection, most common in children.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy used in cancer treatments.

Alopecia areata, which is a type of hair loss that affects all ages and causes hair to fall out in round patches.

The physical symptoms of hair loss can be traumatic for patients and the psychosocial impact is just as severe. Hair loss can create dramatic and devastating emotions in patients and can negatively impact their quality of life and self-esteem. Their body image and self-confidence can negatively be affected as well. Psychosocial complications include depression, low self-esteem, altered self-image, and enjoyable social engagements. This negative quality of life may be worse in women due to societal pressure to be attractive.

A few suggestions for treatment of hair loss are:

Injectable or topical cortisone medications have been shown to accelerate the regrowth in some types of hair loss. Be careful with these. Be sure to ask your doctor how these medications would affect your liver.

Having your Naturopathic doctor help you with making sure your diet is good. Sometimes we do not realize that we can be malnourished from junk food. Malnutrition may cause hair loss.

Certain supplements such as Biotin have been studied and proven to help hair loss.

Prescriptions for topical or oral estrogen (best if made natural from a compounding pharmacy) have helped some women with hair loss.

A permanent form of hair replacement is transplantation utilizing dermatologic surgery that might benefit men and women.

Another treatment might be restoration surgery. In this procedure, bald scalp is removed (ouch!) and hair-bearing scalp is brought closer together to reduce the balding. In scalp expansion surgery, a physician temporarily inserts devices under the scalp to stretch hair-bearing areas.

Never Underestimate The Power Of The Human Body It is very important that you love who you are. Do a little research to see which idea would fit you best. Oh by the way, I had a friend who was turning gray quicker than she wanted. She started eating better, no junk food and started taking supplements. I promise you, Margaret’s hair stopped turning gray and the roots grew out her normal color. It was not an overnight thing. It took a few months, but it really worked.

-Dr Fredda Branyon

[freddabranyon]

Those Awful Panic Attacks!

Anyone having panic attacks will have sudden feelings of terror that will strike without any warning. Any time, anywhere and even during sleep, they can crop up. Those who are plagued with panic attacks may actually feel as if they are having a heart attack, dying or going completely crazy. This may be completely unrelated to what is actually happening around them and is not proportionate to the true situation. Several symptoms people experience when having an attack might be the following.

Some Symptoms Of Panic Attacks

A “Racing” heart

Feeling weak, faint or dizzy

Tingling or numbness in the hands and fingers

A sense of terror or impending doom or death

Feeling sweaty or having chills

Having breathing difficulties

Have a feeling of loss of control

Usually these attacks are brief, lasting less than 10 minutes, but some of the symptoms might persist for a longer time. Those having one panic attack are at greater risk for having subsequent attacks, than those who have never even experienced one. These attacks can occur repeatedly and always leaves them with a worry about more episodes. Those with these frequent occurrences, are considered to have a condition known as panic disorder.

Having panic disorder may leave the person extremely anxious and fearful because they are not able to predict when that next episode might occur. This disorder is fairly common and actually affects about 6 million adults in the US. Not surprisingly, women are twice as likely as men to develop the condition and the symptoms usually begin in early adulthood.

The Cause Of Panic Attacks

The cause for panic disorder is not clear. Sometimes those who have the biological vulnerability to panic attacks might have had them develop in association with major life changes such as getting married, having a child, starting a first job, and other major lifestyle stressors. The tendency to develop panic disorders may run in families, according to some evidence. Those suffering from panic disorder are more likely than others to also suffer from depression, attempt suicide or to abuse alcohol or drugs.

It is very fortunate that panic disorder is a treatable condition. Both medication and psychotherapy have been used (singly or together) for successful treatment. Your doctor must prescribe medications, as anti-anxiety or antidepressants. Even some anticonvulsant drugs that have anti-anxiety properties or a class of heart medications can help. If you experience the symptoms listed above, especially frequently, be sure to consult your health care provider. Also, think about seeing your natural healthcare provider for more natural remedies. It may be nothing, or it might be something else that needs treating. It’s up to you to keep healthy.

-Dr Fredda Branyon

[freddabranyon]

Fast Foods are Disrupting Chemicals

Are you a fast food junkie? If you are, you may want to rethink the costly convince that could possibly be making you sicker each time you are trying to save time or just being too lazy to cook. I can say that because I have been guilty of it more than I would like to admit.

Many ingredients are found in fast food that can compromise your health. These convenience meals come with endocrine­disrupting chemicals. Studies have proved that people eating drive-through hamburgers and take­out pizzas have higher levels of phthalates in their urine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that between 2003 and 2010, data revealed urine tests from 8,900 people of all ages had higher levels of phthalates. This is defined as food from restaurants without “table service” as McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, sandwich shops, Starbucks and other casual dining and reported by Time Magazine. They found that higher levels of two substances occur when phthalates break down in the body. These two substances are DEHP and DiNP.

This would certainly make a lot of people take a second look at that quick trip through the drive­in window! It may be faster, but not safer or healthy. Those who got 35% of their calories from fast food in a 24 hour period had nearly 24% higher levels of DEHP and 39 % higher DiNP in their urine than those who had not consumed any fast food. Studies show exposure to the phthalate metabolite DEHP can damage the liver, kidneys, lungs and reproductive system, especially the developing testes of prenatal and neonatal males. Now that is something to think about. Research has also linked both DEHP and DiNP to increased insulin resistance in adolescents.

Di(2­ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a highly lipophilic (fat­soluble) chemical that is loosely chemically bonded to the plastic, allowing it to leach out into other fat­containing solutions in contact with the plastic.

Di­isononyl Phthalate (DiNP), is a commonly used plasticizer in flexible PVC products. Even though considered harmless from a health and environmental perspective, more recent research suggests it may in fact have similar effects as DEPH and other phthalates.

Isn’t it ironic that we might be eating a plastic substance? Not something I want to do. Avoiding the fast food line can be a simple way to cut Phthalate exposure. One reason fast food exposes you to higher levels of plasticizing chemicals is because workers use plastic gloves when handling each and every ingredient, and that’s a source of phthalate contamination, too, over and beyond the actual packaging. Japan actually banned vinyl gloves for use in food establishments back in 2001 due to their phthalate content. In the U.S. the use of vinyl gloves has actually increased.

The National Restaurant Association and the American Chemical Society respond saying that the phthalate levels found in fast food are “well below” levels the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) deems potentially harmful to human health. However, EPA safety levels for DEHP have not been revised since 1988. Wouldn’t it be interesting to see what a new study by EPA would show?

Health risks associated with Phthalates are “gender­bending” chemicals causing males of all species to become more female. The chemicals have disrupted the endocrine systems of wildlife, causing testicular cancer, genital deformations, low sperm counts and infertility in a number of species that scientists suspect may affect human fertility and reproduction. The endocrine system plays a role in regulating mood, growth and development, tissue function and metabolism. Here are some examples that have been found:

Reduced IQ in children

Decreased dysgenesis syndrome

Interference with sexual differentiation in utero

Enlarged prostate glands, testicular cancer, breast cancer and uterine fibroids

Impaired ovulatory cycles and polycystic ovary disease

Numerous hormonal disruptions and metabolic disease

Early or delayed puberty

Disturbed lactation

Toxicity to developing male reproductive systems

Neurodevelopmental delays, inattention, hyperactivity and symptoms of autism

Miscarriage and preterm birth

Allergies and respiratory problems

Just remember that Phthalates are everywhere and among the most pervasive of all known endocrine disrupters. More than 470 million pounds of phthalates are produced each year. Just a few tips to help you avoid those endocrine disrupting chemicals try to avoid fast-food, use natural cleaning products, Eat organic diets, buy products in glass, not plastic or cans, store food in glass, use glass baby bottles and replace your vinyl shower curtain with fabric or glass doors. There are many others but basically, avoid plastics wherever you can. Let’s all do our part to make this world healthier and keep our body is good working condition.

–Dr Fredda Branyon

[freddabranyon]

Plants Deadly Pets

If your pet only sniffs certain plants, it could be deadly to them. Make sure that your home and yard is void of the presence of poisonous varieties of plants. Not only do they sniff them, but they also nibble on them. Ornamental houseplants can cause illness in your pet, up to and including death.

Would you believe that 150,000 calls have been made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal’s (ASPCA) Poison Control hotline? About ¼ of these were non-drug related and due to plants. Pollen on a cat’s nose from lilies, or in their drinking water from a vase, can be deadly.

There are 12 specific plants that are poisonous, even though it is not an all-inclusive list. Symptoms can range from foaming at the mouth, vomiting, drooling, diarrhea, loss of appetite, organ failure and more.

The following are some of the most common plants that pose a poisoning risk to pets.

Castor Bean

Caladium

Lilies

Dumb Cane

Rosary Pea

Larkspur

Foxglove

Autumn Crocus

Sago Palm

Black Locust

Yew

Oleander

If your pet sniffs or eats a poisonous plant, contact your veterinarian immediately. Getting your pet prompt treatment may mean the difference between life and death. Seek medical attention anyway, if you aren’t sure if the plant is poisonous. Another option would be to contact the ASPCA’s database of toxic and non-toxic plants. You can also call their 24-hour emergency poison hotline at 1-888-426-4435 to get further information on what steps to take next.

Let’s all be very observant on the plants we are subjecting our loving pets to, and do our best to protect them from illness or possible death. After all, they are our family, right? For the seniors, many pets are considered their “children” now that their offspring have all grown and left home!