(NaturalNews – Mike Adams) A decade-long study of 60,000 women has confirmed that drinking diet soda sweetened with aspartame is linked with a 30 percent increase in heart attack risk and a 50 percent increase in death risk.

The findings, presented at the American College of Cardiology(1), have already been partially swept under the rug with the false explanation that diet drinks don’t necessarily cause these risks but are instead merely correlated with them. “Women who toss back too many diet sodas may be trying to make up for unhealthy habits,” claims an article on CNBC,(2) while citing no evidence whatsoever to support the claim. Keep in mind that any time a synthetic vitamin is correlated with increased mortality, the entire scientific community immediately describes those synthetic vitamins as “causing” death. Correlation is causation only when industry-funded scientists say it is.

Aspartame is a neurotoxin

What scientists refuse to explore — even when the data clearly show a strong death risk association — is that aspartame is a neurotoxin. The reason why women who drink diet soda have a 50 percent increased death risk is, of course, far more likely to be caused by what’s in the diet soda rather than some lifestyle choice.

Aspartame, after all, is made from the feces of genetically engineered bacteria. It is not a natural sugar but rather a chemical compound created in an industrial lab. Used in diet sodas, it breaks down into a number of chemical compounds including formaldehyde and methanol. During digestion, the formaldehyde is oxidized into formic acid, a chemical known to cause toxicity in mammalian biology. Formic acid is also secreted by ants as part of their “chemical weapons” arsenal.

Aspartame linked to long list of neurological problems

Aspartame denialists try to pretend that all this formaldehyde, methanol and formic acid has no effect on human health. Their argument is identical to that of GMO denialists: “GMOs are harmless!” It’s even the same argument as mercury denialists: “Mercury is harmless!”

Why, then, is aspartame so frequently linked to blurred vision, headaches and neurological problems when repeatedly consumed in the form of diet drinks? In fact, there are over 90 side effects linked to aspartame consumption, including headaches/migraines, dizziness, seizures, nausea, numbness, rashes, depression, irritability, insomnia, hearing loss, vision problems, loss of taste vertigo and memory loss.

Soda companies and misinformed doctors all try to pretend none of these side effects are real — that people are all imagining headaches, blurred vision, numbness, insomnia and so on. That’s how unethical the soda industry is: they poison their own customers with a neurotoxic chemical, then call them delusional when they suffer neurological side effects.

If you drink diet soda, you are murdering yourself

The bottom line in all this? If you drink diet soda, you are essentially murdering yourself. Call it “slow suicide.”

There are a thousand beverages healthier than diet sodas: tea, fruit juice, mineral water, raw almond milk… even non-diet sodas are better for you than diet sodas! (And diet sodas have been conclusively proven to have no effect whatsoever on weight loss. So drinking them is a useless diet gesture to begin with.)

If for some reason you are still drinking diet soda, find a healthier beverage and stop poisoning yourself to death.

From the American College of Cardiology website:

[A] study led by Ankur Vyas, MD, of the University of Iowa found that postmenopausal women who consumed two or more diet drinks a day were 30 percent more likely to experience a cardiovascular event and 50 percent more likely to die from related cardiovascular disease than women who never, or only rarely, consumed diet drinks. The analysis of 59,614 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study, who had an average age of 62.8 and no history of cardiovascular disease, saw that after an average follow-up of 8.7 years, the primary cardiovascular outcome occurred in 8.5 percent of the women consuming two or more diet drinks per day compared to 6.9 percent in the five-to-seven drinks per week group; 6.8 percent in the one-to-four drinks per week group; and 7.2 percent in the zero-to-three per month group. The difference persisted when researchers adjusted for other cardiovascular risk factors and co-morbidities. The association between diet drinks and cardiovascular disease warrants further study to define the relationship, Vyas said.

Sources for this article include:
1) http://www.cardiosource.org/en/News-Media/Pu…
2) http://www.cnbc.com/id/101536768

Lemons are incredible little yellow beings of love. While they may seem quite sour and acidic, each one is anything but a crabby little sourpuss. The acidic taste in lemons is actually alkaline.

What is alkaline, you ask? Alkaline and acid are the measurements of pH in your body. Optimally, your alkaline and acid ratios are balanced. Unfortunately, most standard diets are causing our internal systems to be too acidic, causing significant ill health and a terrain of disease. Don’t worry. There is good news! Many foods are alkaline and they can assist your body in maintaining the right levels. And guess what? Lemons are one such food. In addition to helping us achieve balance, lemons have many other great benefits.

Lemons are anti-bacterial and can protect against many types of infections. Think of these sunshine beings as a natural antibiotic.

Lemons are anti-viral. Starting to feel the flu invading your inner peace? Drink a glass of lemon water every two hours to help deter the virus and stimulate your immune system.

Lemons can assist in dissolving gallstones. Anybody who has ever felt the pain of a displeased gallbladder will adore this tidbit. Lemons help dissolve the calcification in your gallbladder and flush it from your system.

These yellow lovers also help improve mental clarity. They act as natural energy boosters and may even assist in improving focus. Do you have a big meeting or a challenging exam? Sometimes just the wonderful citrus smell of a lemon may elevate your concentration.

Lemons assist in detoxifying your liver. Think of your liver as a filtration system for your body. Because lemons are a natural cleanser and anti-oxidant they support the wonderful housekeeping job your liver does everyday.

They can even make you feel happy! Yep, that is right. Lemons are a natural mood enhancer. They can help reduce anxiety, diminish stress levels, and boost those feel good emotions.

Lemon water is a lovely choice. Yet, why stop there? Let the creativity begin!

How about adding lemon to balsamic and olive oil for a great dressing?

Thirsty? Add lemon juice, orange zest, and honey to a glass of warm water for a healthy and fulfilling drink. Take it to the next level with sparkling water and apple juice. Oh, so fancy.

Lemons can be squeezed over your favorite protein. For an added kick, combine lemon juice with coconut oil and garlic for a great marinade.

Love your greens? Of course you do! Add lemon to kale with a minced shallot and feel fabulous.

Enjoy! Healthy is fabulous.

There are phases that people typically go through while learning to eat right and take control of their health. For me, the first step was choosing the fast food restaurant that makes those sandwiches fresh, right in front of you.  I also switched from cola to the clear lemon and lime flavored sodas, because I decided to obey my thirst, as the old slogan went. Then, after multiple kidney infections, I finally gave up soda completely, switching to store bought fruit juices. I loved seeing my favorite snack food bar begin to appear at convenience stores. After all, what could be better than whole grains sweetened with brown rice syrup, marketed via a picture of a guy climbing a cliff?

The more I learn, the more I realize how simple achieving good health can be for most people. I have achieved a level of health that few people in this world will ever realize.

We tend to make things too complicated, and we tend to look to replace our bad habits with less harmful bad habits. We tend to use the word “healthy” when “healthier” would be more appropriate.

Here are the common pitfalls we health nuts often fall into that keep us from experiencing a level of health and vitality that we preach about and dream of.

1. Relying on Supplements

Some supplements are great. There are people who cannot get enough nutrition from food. There are people who live nowhere near a farmer’s market and cannot grow their own food. There are people who are very sick and need the targeted nutrition supplements can offer. Personally, I take Total Nutrition daily. It’s one of the few supplements I take regularly. I also use SF722 for Candida, but that’s only for the rare occasion that I ate too much sugar or drank a little alcohol.

In my experience, people tend to turn to supplements and tinctures for a quick fix. I know the tricks. I know what can stop a migraine in its tracks. I know what to do if I am experiencing nausea. If I were to have acid indigestion, I know exactly how to alleviate it naturally and immediately. If I were suffering from insomnia, I know what I could take that will knock me out, without the side effects of prescription drugs. And I can stop a cold or flu from happening quicker than other people even realize they’re coming down with something.

But none of these “cures” get to the root of the problem. And natural remedies that do not address the cause have a very important and overlooked side effect—they mask symptoms, allowing us to continue living our toxic lifestyles. This is not a good choice in the long run.

The foundation of health comes from the food you eat. Supplements should be used to supplement your diet, not to replace your diet.

2. Too Much Organic Junk Food

Just because it’s labeled organic, or vegan, or natural, does not mean it’s healthy. “Healthier” would be a better word for it. But the convenience of prepackaged food certainly has its allure and I understand how hard it is to let go of those all natural cheese doodles when the conventional ones were your favorite snack food.

Refined food, prepackaged food, “snack” food should be severely limited. I used to have a pantry full of organic chips, all natural snack bars, organic soda, and sugar free, vegan something-or-others. Now my pantry contains healthier staples such as dry beans, brown rice, lentils, and quinoa. There was a direct correlation to my health and well being and the elimination of processed foods.

I still eat junk food occasionally. If I go to a movie, I like to sneak in the organic chips and sugar cane juice sweetened chocolates (and fruit). The difference is, my pantry is not stocked with them. They are a special occasion treat. A rarity. And one that feels less and less worth it every time I indulge.

3. Too Much Eating Out

This is a tough one to get over. I loved going out to eat. I loved being waited on, relaxing, enjoying myself, have a good conversation, not having to cook. And these days, there are plenty of healthier restaurants to choose from. There is a problem though. Even the healthiest restaurants still produce food that is not good for you. I know of one restaurant, out of the thousands I have dined at, where I could eat regularly and still feel as healthy as I do now. And only about a third of their menu was what I would call truly healthy.

I realized that I was going out and eating at restaurants, in large part, to get some wind-down time. It was the only way I could have a simple, casual conversation with whichever woman I was dating. It was the only time I took for myself that forced me to slow down and enjoy life. In every other moment of my existence, I was rushing.

And then I realized that the more I took time to cook, to slow down, to take time for myself (and now, my family) the better the meal. I became a really good cook.  Now restaurants, even t he healthiest and best reviewed, generally disappoint me.

Restaurants, for a myriad of reasons, cannot prepare healthy nutritious meals as well as you can at home. The fact is, health food restaurants should be a treat. And conventional restaurants should be avoided.

4. Too Much Sugar

Typically, sugar is the last thing a health nut is willing to give up. Sugar cane juice, brown rice syrup, agave nectar, and every other natural sweetener that comes to mind, save stevia, have something in common; they are refined sugars. And refined sugars feed and/or promote viruses, bacteria, Candida and other fungi, and virtually all other parasites that affect us. They also contribute to cancer, diabetes, and all the other ailments that sugar can be attributed to promoting (which is almost every ailment we humans suffer from).

Sugar Is Sugar Is Sugar!

If you suffer from allergies, or if you’re battling that one last health issue that has been plaguing you since before you give up soda, try eliminating all the refined sugars from your diet for one week. Most are shocked to find that agave nectar was that one last thing making it impossible to get rid of those seasonal allergies, or the one thing they had to eliminate to finally heal their damaged knee they hurt in football 13 years ago (believe it or not, this is common; injuries do not heal well until sugar is given up). Allergies are also a sign of Candida overgrowth. SF722 and FloraMend will get rid of Candida in just a few days or less, faster than anything I know. But if you need constant support for your intestinal flora, your diet is off.

5. Too Much Juicing

The juices and the smoothies with the juice fall under the same category as sugar. When you juice fruits, and the sweeter vegetables, you loose a lot of nutrition. This includes fiber that helps slow the absorption of sugar. In effect, you are refining your own produce, turning it into simple sugars, when you juice.

Juicing regularly has its place. Juicing produce with very little sugar is a nice way to get a lot of nutrition into your body at once (it’s just not so pleasant to my palate). Also, there are people who are so sick that they cannot digest whole foods. Furthermore, when detoxifying, juicing can be a way to get in nutrition easily without making your body work for it while it is overburdened with the release of toxins.

I do juice occasionally. I do ginger and turmeric shots at least a few times a week. I also juice kale, carrots, beets, and granny smith apples a couple of times a month. I love juice. The difference is, it’s not a staple (unless I am detoxifying). Whole, unadulterated produce is my staple.

7. Too Little Produce

In my experience, this is the last step one takes to regaining their health and living a life full of vitality without aches and pains. Fresh, raw, and organic (whenever possible) produce is the key to health. Eighty percent of my diet is raw produce. I eat many more vegetables than fruit. I make myself a large salad almost every single day, containing a minimum of 10 different vegetables. I get a variety of produce, as opposed to sticking to just a few. I eat like a rabbit when I am snacking. For instance, I open the fridge and I pull out a stalk of kale.

I do not let a lack of organic food stop me. I prefer organic whenever possible. After all, I am the chief editor of a publication called Organic Lifestyle Magazine. But it surprises people to find out that I would sooner buy conventional raw produce than organic frozen produce, provided the food is not genetically modified. This means I avoid the following conventional produce at all costs: sweet corn, potatoes, Hawaiian papaya, alfalfa, and soy (sprouts, beans). Other than that, you’re safe from GMOs with produce.

And I am not saying don’t buy organic. Let me stress that. Buy organic whenever possible! Just don’t let a lack of organic produce turn you towards the less beneficial packaged foods.

Conclusion

It may seem like I have a very limited diet. I don’t. I eat very well, and anyone who comes to my home eats very well, too. Everyone is always blown away at how good, unusual, and healthy my meals are. It takes time, though. I take time to prepare my food. And it took time to get good at cooking (and often, not cooking, as in preparing raw dishes). It also took time to become reasonably quick at it.

There are few shortcuts in life that work, and this holds true for health as well. It takes time, patience, dedication, and discipline. I promise you this: it’s an investment that is well worth it. Health is a hobby for me. Other people live and breathe football, or reality television, or the nightlife. I learned, some time ago, to make family, health, food, and learning my passions. They all coincide nicely. I continue to simplify my life, to let go of the noise, the distractions, and the stuff that doesn’t really matter, so that I can keep my focus on those four passions.

Recommended Reading:

• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• How to Cure Lyme Disease, and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally
• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• How to Detoxify From Antibiotics and Other Chemical Antimicrobials

Way before the advent of synthetic, drug-based medicine, herbs and spices were valued for their medicinal properties. One clear example of this is the use of plants in Ayurvedic medicine in India.

What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, which roughly translates to “The Science of Life,” is an ancient holistic system of natural healing and medicine that goes back thousands of years. It is based on preventative medicine and acknowledges that your senses and your mind greatly influence your physiology.  However, Ayurveda is not just a medicinal system. It also teaches how human beings are an integral part of nature. It emphasizes that you should live in harmony with nature, just as animals and plants do.

Ayurveda has many important components, and one of these is the use of herbs and spices. Herbs are recommended on a regular basis to help build and maintain a healthy physiology. In fact, many Ayurvedic herbs are now known as some of the most potent adaptogens on the planet.

Ayurvedic herbs and spices are greatly valued in Asian traditions and are often incorporated into everyday meals. Fragrant and flavorful varieties like ginger and cardamom are some of the most common examples of Ayurvedic herbs.

This Curry Spice Is One of the Best Ayurvedic Herbs

Turmeric is another Ayurvedic herb that is known for its healing properties and warm peppery flavor. It is the primary spice used for making delicious curry dishes. The use of this herb is said to date back more than 5,000 years. In India, there are tales that suggest that this spice’s usage dates back 10,000 years.

According to historical records, the ancient Polynesians also carried turmeric with them on their voyage across the Pacific to Hawaii. Today, turmeric, or Olena, is still widely used by Hawaiian natives. Meanwhile, in Europe, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron, an expensive old world spice.

Turmeric contains a powerful curcuminoid called curcumin, the pigment that gives this spice its lovely yellow-orange color. Curcumin benefits are becoming more and more well-known, leading to the popularity of turmeric and curcumin supplements today.

How to Maximize Your Curcumin Absorption

You can get curcumin simply by adding turmeric in your meals. Use it liberally in your cooking, and its earthy flavor will add a unique taste to your food. It’s best to opt for a pure turmeric powder instead of curry powder, as many curry powders typically have small amounts of curcumin.

It is difficult to absorb curcumin, so it’s important to maximize its bioavailability. Here’s one method: make a microemulsion by mixing one tablespoon of curcumin powder with one or two free-range egg yolks and a teaspoon of melted coconut oil. Afterwards, use a hand blender to emulsify.

Another idea is to put one tablespoon of curcumin powder into a quart of boiling water. Let it boil for 10 minutes, creating a 12 percent solution. Drink the liquid once it’s cooled down. The curcumin will fall out of the solution gradually, so make sure to drink it within four hours. This drink has a woody, earthy flavor.

Remember, though, that the curcumin in turmeric is a very potent yellow dye that may permanently discolor surfaces and even your skin, so be careful when handling this spice. Wear gloves and an apron when using it.

Turmeric is just one of the herbs and spices widely used in Ayurveda. Other notable herbs you shouldn’t miss out on include tulsi, basil, and ginger, which can all have a positive impact on your wellbeing.

About the Author

Elaine Rosales writes for Mercola.com. She is currently researching the uses of turmeric and whether or not curcumin supplements are as potent and efficient as turmeric powder.

Fermented foods are becoming very popular, and for good reason. They are rich in probiotics and enzymes and have highly bioavailable forms of the nutrients contained within the food or beverage being fermented. In this case, the health benefits of apple cider vinegar come from the mighty apple, and the results couldn’t be much more spectacular.

Apple cider vinegar may seem to be a new fad, but it actually has been used for thousands of years. Babylonians used it as a tonic in 5000 B.C., Egyptians used it in 3000 B.C., and Samurai warriors used it 1200 B.C.. Hippocrates also recommended apple cider vinegar over 400 years ago, so this fermented beverage is certainly in good company.

Nutrients Available in Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar contains more than 90 different nutrients and co-factors that make this a truly remarkable beverage for your nutritional needs. Check out this following profile:

• A good source of potassium and magnesium, and also contains calcium, chlorine, copper, iron, fluorine, and sodium.
• Contains vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, C, and E
• An excellent source of enzymes and probiotics.
• A good source of acetic, malic, lactic, and various amino acids.
• A good source of pectin and fibre.
• A quality source of electrolytes.
• A source of ash (gives it its alkaline property).

Of course, the level of each of these nutrients will depend on the quality of the product.

Apple Cider Vinegar Benefits

With its rich source of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, probiotic, acids, and fibre, it is little wonder why apple cider vinegar has so many health benefits. It balances pH levels in the body and is very antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal.

With all of these things in mind, take a look at some of its incredible benefits:

• Balances the inner ecosystem, the gateway to good health.
• Prevents and relieves indigestion
• Helps remove acid reflux
• Promotes bowel regularity
• Improves blood sugar balance
• Helps relieve allergies
• Helps eliminate sinus infections, sore throats, headaches, and flu
• Clear ups skin problems like acne, eczema, and warts
• Lowers high cholesterol and high blood pressure
• Destroys Candida and fungus, and populates the gut with beneficial bacteria
• Eases inflammation associated with arthritis and gout
• Increases stomach acid, which facilitates stronger digestion and nutrient absorption
• Overall detoxifier
• Facilitates weight loss
• Cleanses lymph nodes
• Cleanses the scalp and can help grow hair
• Soothes sunburn
• Eases varicose veins
• Provides energy

With all these benefits, it makes apple cider vinegar hard to ignore as a potential remedy to most of what ails you!

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies and Practical Uses

So, how do you use apple cider vinegar? Turns out there are plenty of ways to use it so that you can enjoy the benefits without the unpleasant taste or burn that some people may experience. For those who can’t handle apple cider vinegar straight, you can put two ounces in one cup of water. But for those treating a symptom such as a sore throat or acid reflux, the treatment is faster and more effective with straight apple cider vinegar. Here are a few of its uses:

• Acid Reflux and Heartburn – Imbalanced stomach pH is mostly to blame for this condition, along with a lack of enzymes and probiotics. Apple cider vinegar contains all of these nutrients, and simply adding 2 ounces to a cup of water and drinking it up to 15 minutes before a meal will improve acid reflux. It will also work improve the digestion of your meal. To treat existing heartburn (as opposed to prevention), take a shot of plain apple cider vinegar (2 ounces). It’ll burn for a moment going down, but it does the trick without the side effects of conventional remedies.
• Colds and Sore Throat – Due to its antibacterial effects and probiotic content, apple cider vinegar is a nice 1-2 punch on colds and sore throats. Put 2 tablespoons in one glass of water, and take up to 3 times daily to help get rid of both. Gargle before swallowing. For a more potent treatment, you can also drink it straight. And for sore throat relief for those who cannot stomach it straight, try gargling with 2 ounces of plain apple cider vinegar and then drink and swallow two ounces mixed with water.
• Remove Warts – Put directly on wart and cover with a bandage. Leave on overnight and remove in the morning. Repeat for as little as 1 week or until you see results.
• Fight Seasonal Allergies – Apple cider vinegar breaks up mucous and and supports lymphatic drainage. It can also clear your sinuses. Drink 2 tablespoons in a large glass of water, 3 times daily.
• Ease Varicose Veins – Apple cider vinegar improves circulation in vein walls and is anti-inflammatory, so it reduces bulging veins. Combine it with witch hazel and apply with a circular motion. Look for improvements in a couple weeks.
• Sunburn Relief – Add 1 cup of apple cider vinegar to a warm bath, along with some coconut oil to ease sunburnt skin.
• Deodorant – Kills bacteria and yeast which is a major cause of body odour. Simply dab some apple cider vinegar on your fingers and run it through your armpit.
• Hair Wash – Apple cider vinegar corrects the scalp’s pH, and removes residue from it. Use 1 tablespoon to 1 cup of water in an old shampoo bottle and use as a final rinse, or you can get this excellent hair formulation.
• Skin Toner – The pH of apple cider vinegar makes it a great remedy for skin issues. Just rub some on the affected area and use coconut oil to moisturize afterwards.
• Teeth Whitener – Take your finger and rub apple cider vinegar on your teeth for a minute. Rinse with clean water.
• Household Cleaner – The anti-bacterial qualities of apple cider vinegar and its balanced pH make it a great household cleaner. Simply fill spray bottle with 50% apple cider vinegar and 50% water, then use as you would any liquid cleaner.
• Flea Repellent for Pets – Prepare a 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water solution and spray on your pets in affected areas. You can also prepare a tub and soak your pet in it once a day for a couple weeks to get rid of nastier infestations.

Apple Cider Vinegar Recipes

One of the easiest ways to add apple cider vinegar to your diet is to use it wherever you would normally use white vinegar in a recipe. Some good examples of how to use it as a more integrated part of your diet include:

• Homemade salad dressing
• Homemade ketchup or mustard
• Homemade mayonnaise
• A beverage consisting of 5 parts grape juice, 3 parts apple juice, and 1 part apple cider vinegar

It can also be used to make a homemade insect repellent and part of a tonic that can help rid your body of bacterial infections.

The list of health benefits for apple cider vinegar seems endless, but it is only 1 part of a healthy lifestyle. So tell us, what are you using apple cider vinegar for that works really well?

When purchasing apple cider vinegar for internal use, be sure to purchase raw, unfiltered, organic vinegar. We love Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar.

You can also make your own!

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar from Scratch

10 organic apples
Two large glass bowls
Cheesecloth to cover the bowls or large mouth jars

Wash and cut apples into quarters. Leave out and allow apples to brown, and then put them into one of the bowls (or jar). Add distilled water, enough to cover the apples. Cover the bowl with the cheesecloth and leave in a warm, dark place for 6 months. A hot water closet works well. You can also store it in an attic or well house during warm weather months. Leave the bowl/jar to stand, covered for six months, stirring once a week. Retrieve the bowl/jar at the end of the 6-month fermentation period. There will be a layer of scum on top of the liquid. This forms from normal bacteria as alcohol turns to vinegar. Filter the liquid through the cheesecloth slowly into another glass jar. This can be done by holding the cheesecloth securely onto the first jar or using a coffee filter. Then tip it to let liquid through and into the second jar. Do this until all the liquid is filtered and transferred to the second jar and then leave it for another 4-6 weeks, again, covered with the cheesecloth.

Then your apple cider vinegar is ready to consume and/or store.

Recommended Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics

If I were allowed only one herbal remedy to treat medical conditions, it would be raw, organic garlic.

Garlic is nature’s antibiotic and more. Garlic kills (removes, eliminates, reduces) bacteria, colds, flus, viruses, parasites, inflammation, warts, fungi, and plagues.

The Benefits of Garlic

• Kills kidney infections
• Kills urinary tract infections
• Inhibits leukemia
• Kills and expels worms
• Increases insulin production
• Kills athletes foot (apply externally and take internally)
• Dramatically lowers cholesterol
• Helps with weight control and weight loss
• Reduces and regulates blood sugar
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Kills cancer cells (has been proven in numerous lab studies)
• Treats acne (apply externally and take internally)
• Soothes psoriasis (apply externally)
• Kills cold sores (apply externally)
• Removes heavy metals from the body
• Strengthens the immune system
• Kills strep throat
• Kills tooth infections

Things to Know when Using Garlic

Garlic Breath

If you stink when consuming raw garlic this should quit happening when the digestive system gets healthier.  Garlic + toxins = stink.

When the toxins are all gone, so is the stink. It is very beneficial when your eyes water while cooking with garlic or onions. The properties that make your eyes water actually cleanse and help kill eye infections. Garlic is great for just about every health condition.

Related: How To Heal Your Gut

Chopping Garlic Before Eating

Two components of garlic, a sulfur-based compound called alliin, and the enzyme alliinase, are kept separate within garlic. But when the cells are ruptured these elements are released, allowing them to come in contact and form a powerful new compound called allicin. This compound is responsible for many of the health benefits garlic is known for, along with its pungent smell and bite. The more the garlic is chopped (minced, pressed, etc.), the more allicin is produced. After cutting the garlic, let it sit for a couple of minutes to allow the chemical process to take place.

Personally, I take a different approach to receive the same results. To maximize the effectiveness of garlic, try chewing it for at least one minute while breathing in and out of your mouth. Chew for as long as you can, continuing to let the air in as you go.

How Cooking Affects Nutrients

Heating garlic without letting it sit has been found to deactivate the enzyme that is responsible for the formation of alliicin. However, if you have allowed your garlic to sit for 5-10 minutes, you can cook it on low or medium heat for a short period of time (up to 15 minutes) without destroying the alliicin. This is because letting it sit not only ensures the maximum synthesis of the alliicin, but also makes it more stable and resistant to the heat of cooking. – The Worlds Healthiest Foods

Cooking for:

• 5-15 minutes — minimal loss of nutrients
• 15-30 minutes — moderate loss of nutrients
• 45+ minutes — substantial loss of nutrients

Garlic Burns

Yes, it can actually burn you. When using garlic topically, be cognizant of this and remove garlic when finished with treatment. Don’t leave raw garlic pieces on the skin too long. When using garlic to remove a splinter for instance (see below) you may want to check every 15 to 20 minutes to make sure the skin is not burning.

Garlic left on an open wound can burn within a few minutes.

Personal Story from Michael Edwards

In Los Angeles there was a spider with a bad attitude in our apartment. He bit me nine times over the course of four nights. I do not know what kind of spider it was, but he was nasty, and five of those bites got very infected. I’m not one to get infections easily, but the spider that bit me was a potent little bastard! The bites were on my left arm near my elbow. I couldn’t move my elbow and I was starting to look like an Ebola virus victim. One of the bites was so bad that there was almost a third of a cup of green and greenish yellow, thick, oozing puss that I spent 5 hours carefully extracting, only to have it fill up the next day. I was taking tons of supplements and eating well; I was doing everything I could to ensure I did not get an infection, but this toxin the spider bit me with was unrelenting. I was also using some of the most potent herbs I knew of, putting them directly into the huge hole left behind from the puss extraction. During the third time (seven days after the bite) of removing the puss (I was cutting open my arm and literally digging into the infection, scooping out this nasty pussy junk), I noticed streaking. Blood poisoning. So I decided to take drastic measures. I knew it would burn me badly, but I filled up the hole with garlic. I shoved a total of four large minced cloves into the infection, which gives you an idea of the massive size of the hole that was there on my arm just below my elbow. Then I bandaged the wound.

It itched so badly that night, but my whole arm hurt and itched so much already that the garlic itch didn’t matter to me. I taped my hands in my sleep so my fingers wouldn’t claw off the bandage while scratching in my sleep.

The next day I awoke to a huge purple welt. It was three times the diameter of a quarter, and it looked like something had eaten a huge chunk of my arm. It was ghastly! But it was also uninfected! I had no itch, and very little pain right there, unlike the other bites.

The other bites had to be drained for infection a few times, even well after the wound closed. I did not do the garlic trick with them, as the scar that I thought might be permanent was massive and disturbing to look at. It took a month for the other spider bites to heal, and it took 6 weeks for the garlic wound to completely heal leaving a very large scar.

But here is what I found most interesting: today, one year later, every single spider bite left a scar, except the big one. The one I put the garlic into is less visible than the others. As massive and nasty as it was during the slow healing process, the permanent damage done was less than that of even the relatively insignificant other bites.

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Growing Garlic

This amazing herb is easy to grow and is the best organic pest repellent you can have in your garden. Growing it interspersed throughout your yard will keep away unwanted visitors. In the fall, plant cloves with the tips pointing up, four inches deep, and six inches apart in direct sun. Watch them pop up in the spring and harvest when the tops start to turn brown. Hang them in bundles or braids in a dry place. Next year, plant the biggest cloves to keep improving the strain, and then eat the smaller ones.

Companion Planting

Garlic, in close proximity, will benefit cabbage, cane fruit, fruit trees, roses, and tomatoes. Keep away from beans, peas, sage and asparagus.

When planting garlic around vegetable companions, scatter the onion and garlic plants to minimize infestation by onion/garlic pests such as onion maggots.

The Garlic Game

When everybody in the house is sniffling, coughing and blowing their noses constantly, its time to play the garlic game. First you get the game materials together. Every player needs one large glass of water and a handful of peeled garlic cloves. Spin a clove to see who goes first. The first player puts one clove of garlic in their mouth and chews as fast as he or she can, then swallows it down with a sip of water. Player 2 does the same. The first one to refuse garlic loses and has to eat 3 cloves or stay sick as a penalty.

Whoever eats the most garlic wins. Anyone who eats an entire bulb is the ultimate winner. However, I do recommend you have some food in your stomach before playing this game, as raw garlic on an empty stomach can cause nausea and vomiting.

You may think that chewing raw garlic is intense and hard to do, but try it. It’s not as bad as you think, and it’s nowhere near as intense as our chili pepper contest.

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More Things Garlic Can Do

This miracle herb has a few more tricks up its sleeve:

Treat Alopecia

Thanks to the allicin, garlic (and onions for that matter) have been shown to reduce hair loss and help regrow hair. Slice garlic and let it set for a couple of minutes to maximize the allicin. Take the sliced garlic and rub on the scalp, squeezing as you go for the most benefit. You can also infuse oil with garlic and massage it into your scalp.

Remove a Splinter

Place a slice of garlic over the opening of the splinter entry and cover with a bandage.

Glass Repair

For cracked glass, rub some crushed garlic clove juice on the crack. Wipe away any excess.

Got Any Other Garlic Tricks?

It’s a powerful substance. Be careful, use common sense, and listen to your body when treating ailments and conditions with garlic. It’s an amazing herb and should be treated with the respect it deserves. If you know of anything else we should include in this garlic article, please let us know by leaving a comment.

Recommended Reading:

• Cinnamon – Ceylon Vs Cassia, Health Benefits, and Other Interesting Facts
• Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• Cayenne and Capsaicin, Natures Miracle Medicine

This story should not surprise me, but it does. Sort of. Kiera Butler wrote an article for Mother Jones titled, “I Went to the Nutritionists’ Annual Confab. It Was Catered by McDonald’s.”

One recent Friday afternoon, in a Mariott Hotel ballroom in Pomona, California, I watched two women skeptically evaluate their McDonald’s lunches. One peered into a plastic bowl containing a salad of lettuce, bacon, chicken, cheese, and ranch dressing. The other arranged two chocolate chip cookies and a yogurt parfait on a napkin. “Eww,” she said, gingerly stirring the layers of yogurt and pink strawberry goop. The woman with the salad nodded in agreement, poking at a wan chicken strip with her plastic fork.

When I asked how they were liking their lunches, both women grimaced and assured me that they “never” go to McDonald’s. So why were they eating it today? Well, they didn’t really have a choice. The women were registered dietitians halfway through day two of the annual conference of the California Dietetic Association (CDA). They were hoping to rack up some of the continuing education credits they needed to maintain their certification. McDonald’s, the conference’s featured sponsor, was the sole provider of lunch. “I guess it’s good to know that they have healthier options now,” said the woman with the salad.

She mentioned some of the other sponsors included Coca-Cola, Hershey, Yum Brands, Kraft, and Wal-Mart, and more. Basically it was a who’s who of major corporations and special interests groups that are poisoning our health.

Our country has an obesity epidemic. We have several other health issues that can be classified as epidemics as well. And it’s no wonder. The professionals, the people who make the menus for our children, the people who teach us how to eat right, the people who write the books on the subject, get their information, and often times, their salaries, from the very companies that profit on our ignorance.