Cannabis, marijuana, weed, pot — no matter what you call it — it contains CBD. Although it won’t get you high, this plant compound can take your health to the next level.

What is CBD and CBD Oil?

Cannabidiol, commonly referred to as CBD, is one of over 60 compounds called cannabinoids that are most commonly found in the cannabis plant. Most cannabis plants contain less than 4% CBD, so the only way to get a good amount of this cannabinoid is from pure CBD oil. Most CBD oil is extracted from industrial hemp, which usually has a higher CBD content than marijuana. After extraction, the CBD is added to a carrier oil and sold at many different potencies to be used in a variety of different ways.

However, before we go deeper into the uses of CBD oil, we need a better understanding of what sets it apart from other cannabinoids. For example, you might already be familiar with another popular cannabinoid found in cannabis called THC. THC is infamous for being the reason why we get high when we smoke or consume “edibles,” but it also has a non-psychoactive form called THCA that is present when cannabis is in its raw form. CBD, on the other hand, plays many different roles in the body and never gets you high regardless of how much you smoke it.

The Difference Between THCA, THC, and CBD

Industrial hemp (a popular variety of the cannabis plant) tests out at less than 0.3% THC. THC rich cannabis in its raw form is non-psychoactive. “Raw” THC is actually THCA. What we call “Marijuana” is cannabis that tests out with THCA between 5 and 35%.

THCA is beginning to demonstrate immense therapeutic qualities. Some people add THCA-rich cannabis leaves and flowers to their salads and smoothies, others consume with a tincture.

Related: How to Make the Healthiest Smoothies – 4 Recipes

THCA becomes the psychoactive THC through a chemical process called decarboxylation, which occurs with heat and time. The delivery methods for THC are smoking, vaporizing, and consuming “edibles.” Drying and curing cannabis will cause some decarboxylation to occur. Cured cannabis flowers will often test for small amounts of THC along with THCA. THC is fat soluble (and not water soluble). THC infused cooking, from pesto to chocolate, is made by heating ground up THCA rich cannabis with oil at 220 degrees Fahrenheit (104 Celsius) for 30 to 45 minutes. THC rich treats are commonly referred to as “edibles,” and they typically have massive amounts of sugar btw!

THCA’s Therapeutic Properties

THCA is the most abundant cannabinoid in a plant, depending on the time at when it is tested. THCA has been seen to have many benefits in a limited number of studies. Studies have found THCA to be anti-inflammatory, neuro-protective, anti-emetic, and anti-proliferative. There is plenty more this compound can do, and there are other cannabinoids, like the many varieties of terpenes and THCV, all proving to have some similar and some very different effects, and many of which are proving to be medical viable in very different ways.

The science on all of these other cannabinoids is in its infancy. The cannabinoids that we know most about, however, are CBD and THC.

The Relationship Between CBD and THC

In particular, the effect that CBD can have when ingested with THC has garnered significant interest. What research has found so far is fascinating.

For example, when active THC is ingested alone, it increases pulse rate, disturbs time tasks, and induces strong psychological reactions in some people, but when CBD is ingested with the THC, it blocks most of these adverse effects.

CBD also has been found to decrease the anxiety component of a THC “high” in such a way that the study subjects reported more pleasurable effects when CBD was included with the THC. This evidence suggests that it is better for our health to have a higher percentage of CBD in or with our cannabis if we decide to ingest the plant in any form.

The Dark Side of Cannabis

It is an even better idea, however, to rarely consume THC unless you have a medical condition that has been proven to be helped by a combination of THC and CBD. When we look through the research, you will see why I am making such a cautionary statement about THC.

In a scientific paper on the current state of cannabinoid research, the authors found that the current trend for preferring higher THC content in cannabis carries significant health risks, particularly to those who are susceptible to its harmful effects. For example, Morgan and colleagues carried out a study on 120 current cannabis users, which included 66 daily and 54 recreational users, whose hair analyses revealed their THC and CBD amounts. The study found that higher THC levels in the hair of the daily users were associated with increased depression and anxiety, as well as weaker performance on memory tasks. On the other hand, higher CBD levels in the hair were associated with lower psychosis-like symptoms and better memory.

Epidemiological studies also point toward an association between the use of cannabis and the increased risk of developing a psychotic illness, in a dose-dependent manner. In other words, what this study found is that you are more likely to develop a mental disorder as your THC consumption increases. On top of that, they also found that increased cannabis use is often accompanied by symptoms of depression and anxiety.

However, this is only epidemiological evidence, so it should only be used to inform further experimentation on THC’s effects. The truth is that only a small minority develop a full-blown psychotic illness in the form of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. The majority of cannabis users, ranging from 15% to 50%, will only experience transient psychotic symptoms of brief duration, for a couple of hours to up to a week, and will usually recover without requiring any intervention.

These “transient psychotic symptoms” may be experienced in the form of an auditory hallucination like hearing voices or by having increased anxiety or paranoia for hours to days after the THC high wears off.

Whether you experience unpleasant side effects from THC use or not, it is best for anyone who has a family history of psychosis or anyone who has had symptoms of psychosis in the past to avoid THC altogether. On the other hand, CBD rarely causes side effects, and when it does, they are relatively minor.

The Side Effects of CBD oil

CBD oil is well tolerated by most people, but there are some potential side effects — especially at higher doses. According to a review in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research, the most common side effects include:

• tiredness
• diarrhea
• changes in appetite
• weight gain or weight loss

Another review of the potential side effects in humans found that CBD rarely causes issues with dosages of up to 1500 mg/day (orally). The good news is that most people won’t even need to take half that dose to reap the benefits of CBD.

The Benefits of CBD Oil

Although the research regarding CBD’s effects on the body is in its early stages, it has already been found to affect the body in various ways.

Preliminary evidence suggests that CBD oil:

• modulates the immune system
• reduces inflammation
• decreases seizures
• relieves muscle tension and stress
• improves mental health
• protects brain cells from damage and inflammation
• prevents nausea and vomiting
• regulates bowel motility
• lowers heart rate
• decreases blood pressure
• has anti-cancer properties against gliomas and lung cancer

To follow up on these promising effects, researchers conducted more studies. As a result, we now have relatively convincing data that backs up these following benefits of CBD oil:

Anxiety Reduction

Both animal and human studies indicate that CBD has anti-anxiety properties. In fact, in a recent double-blind study carried out on patients with generalized social anxiety disorder, it was found that CBD significantly reduced their anxiety.

Related: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

Anti-psychotic effects

As we discovered earlier, CBD can actually decrease the psychotic effects that THC can have on the body. Without the presence of THC, CBD can further help reduce symptoms of psychosis.

Decreased Inflammation

CBD has potent anti-inflammatory properties throughout the body and brain. In fact, it is such a powerful inflammation reducing agent that one study suggests that CBD may decrease inflammation too much in some people. This could put the body at a higher risk of illness and infection. However, when CBD is used at lower doses or in people who have chronic inflammation, it can be highly effective at improving immune system function.

Cancer Growth Inhibitor

CBD has been found to slow the growth of lung cancer, as well as trigger apoptosis (cell death) in brain and spinal cord tumors. This makes CBD oil a promising supplementary treatment for certain types of cancer. Hopefully, it will garner enough evidence to become the first line of treatment for cancer.

Helps Reduce Seizures

Both THC and CBD have been found to reduce the severity and frequency of seizures, but CBD is clearly a better option. This because it has shown better results than THC, and it doesn’t seem to negatively influence the brain in any way.

 Arthritis Pain Reduction

A study in the European Journal of Pain used an animal model to see if CBD could help people with arthritis manage their pain. Researchers applied a topical gel containing CBD to rats with arthritis for four days.

Their research found a significant drop in inflammation and signs of pain, without additional side effects. This indicates that people using CBD oil for arthritis may find relief from their pain, but more human studies need to be done to confirm these findings.

Improved Quality of Life for People with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease that affects the entire body through the nerves and brain.

Muscle spasms are one of the most common symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis. Studies have found that short-term use of CBD oil can reduce the spasms.

The results are modest, but many people reported a reduction in symptoms. More human studies are needed to verify these results.

Pain Relief

CBD can also be used for general chronic pain. After compiling the results of dozens of trials and studies, researchers concluded that there is substantial evidence that cannabis is an effective treatment for chronic pain in adults.

Related: What Causes Chronic Inflammation, and How To Stop It For Good

Improved Sleep Quality

Research has found CBD to be more effective than a common insomnia drug at improving the length of sleep. This finding suggests that CBD can be helpful for people with sleep disorders like insomnia.

How CBD Works — The Endocannabinoid System

At this point, you may be thinking that CBD sounds too good to be true. How could a random little plant compound have all of these seemingly unrelated effects on the body? Well — you can thank your endocannabinoid system for that.

Each one of us has an endocannabinoid system that receives and translates signals it receives from cannabinoids in the body. Unfortunately for many cannabis consumers out there, we do not have this system because we’ve evolved to smoke weed every day. The purpose of the endocannabinoid system is to regulate various systems throughout your body with the cannabinoids that your body manufactures.

Even though our knowledge about the role of the endocannabinoid system is still evolving, the available evidence indicates that this system has multiple regulatory roles in neuronal, vascular, metabolic, immune and reproductive systems. Because of its involvement these systems, endocannabinoids affect functions such as cognition, memory, motor movements, pain perception, inflammation, body weight regulation, cardiovascular health, stress response, appetite, and sleep.

How CBD and THC Interact with Our Endocannabinoid System

Cannabinoids from plants like THC and CBD have such a massive impact on our bodies because they mimic the cannabinoids that we make inside our bodies. For example, when we get “high” from THC it is because that cannabinoid is interacting directly with cannabinoid receptors in our cells that end up triggering the experience of feeling “high.”

As you might have alright assumed, CBD interacts a bit differently with our endocannabinoid system than THC. Instead of acting directly on the receptors, CBD activates or inhibits other compounds in the endocannabinoid system.

For example, CBD stops the body from absorbing anandamide, an endocannabinoid in our body that is associated with regulating pain. Increased levels of anandamide in the bloodstream may reduce the amount of pain a person feels.

The distribution of the endocannabinoid system in the brain is also something to take note of.  If you look closely at the brain cells in areas of the brain that go awry in various mental disorders, you will find endocannabinoid receptors. This points us in the direction of a mechanism that explains why THC is linked with psychosis and why CBD mitigates these effects. Perhaps CBD prevents THC or our own cannabinoids from triggering mental health issues.

This is a fascinating hypothesis, but it is beyond the scope of this article. Instead, let’s take our discussion to a practical place to find out what dose we need to experience the benefits of CBD.

How Much CBD Oil Should You Take?

Below are some general CBD dosage guidelines:

• General Health: start small at 2.5-15mg CBD by mouth daily and increase until you feel positive effects
• To treat anxiety disorders: oral doses ranging from 300 to 600 mg (supported by multiple studies)
• To treat chronic pain: 2.5-20 mg CBD by mouth daily (anecdotal suggestion)
• To treat epilepsy: 200-300 mg CBD by mouth daily with antiepileptic medication (backed by research)
• To treat sleep disorders like insomnia: 160 mg CBD by mouth daily (supported by multiple studies)

The right dose of CBD varies from person to person. Generally speaking, larger individuals may prefer a higher dose of CBD than smaller people.

If you are not sure how much to take, then start with a smaller dose and scale it up a few milligrams at a time to meet your personal needs. Also, those that have a medical condition should always consult with their healthcare professional before consuming CBD.

Other Considerations When Taking CBD Oil

Using CBD oil can make the medications that you may be taking more or less effective. For example, CBD may improve the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs such as valproate and clobazam, while being negatively impacted by other antiepileptic drugs like carbamazepine and phenytoin. For this reason and because of how little we know about how CBD interacts with different medications, it is crucial that you discuss CBD oil supplementation with your healthcare professional and make adjustments to your dosages in small increments.

Another thing to consider is the long-term effects that CBD has on hormones and other aspects of health. To this day, there are no studies that examine how CBD oil supplementation impacts the body over extended periods of time. However, current studies suggest that CBD oil is safe at the dosages recommended above in the short and long term.

It should also be noted that all of the studies we explored in this article were performed using either adults or animals. The safety of CBD oil in children and pregnant women is not well understood. We do know, however, that the endocannabinoid system is an active player in the placenta, impacting fetal development. Future research may find that CBD oil can help improve the health of the mother and the fetus during pregnancy, but at this point, there is no evidence to back up that assumption.

Key Takeaways & Recommended CBD Oil Sources

Although the research on CBD oil is scarce, there is plenty of evidence to suggest that it can help a wide range of people with a variety conditions.

Research indicates that CBD can help people with:

• anxiety disorders
• insomnia
• psychosis
• chronic pain
• arthritis
• epilepsy
• chronic inflammation
• cancer
• multiple sclerosis

Even if you don’t have one of these conditions, CBD can be helpful for improving general health by reducing stress, pain, and inflammation. Just make sure you get your CBD oil from a trustworthy source because CBD oil — like every other supplement — is not well-regulated.

Related Products:

• CBD Oil – Green Lifestyle Market

Recommended Reading:

• How to Cure Lyme Disease and Virtually Any Other Bacterial Infection, Naturally
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease
• Gluten, Candida, Leaky Gut Syndrome, and Autoimmune Diseases
• Hypothyroidism – Natural Remedies, Causes, and How To Heal the Thyroid

Sources:

• Cannabis, a complex plant: different compounds and different effects on individuals — NCBI
• An Update on Safety and Side Effects of Cannabidiol: A Review of Clinical Data and Relevant Animal Studies — NCBI
• Cannabidiol: Pharmacology and potential therapeutic role in epilepsy and other neuropsychiatric disorders — NCBI
• Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders — NCBI
• Table 1. Effects of tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol — NCBI
• Does CBD oil work for chronic pain management? — Medical News Today
• Cannabidiol in Humans—The Quest for Therapeutic — NCBI
• Therapeutic Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids — NCBI
• What Is The Difference Between THC And CBD? — The Maven
• CBD vs. THC: Why Is CBD Not Psychoactive? — Leafly
• What Is Decarboxylation, and Why Does Your Cannabis Need It? — Leafly
• What is THCA (Tetrahydrocannabinolic Acid)? — Leaf Science
  

Antibiotic-resistant infections are on the rise. The World Health Organization released a list of the 12 different bacteria strains that could pose the highest level of risk to human health. The list, divided into three sections based on how critical the threat is, represents health problems the WHO feels we should be solving. Conventional medicine is not likely to have those answers. WHO, publishers of the “priority pathogens” list, reports that there are not enough new antibiotics in development to adequately combat these microbes, and the rate that bacteria develops resistance at will outpace new drug development soon.

Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria Are and Will Be a Big Problem

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria is scary. The leading cause of death worldwide, ischaemic heart disease, claims 8 million people. If we continue at the current rate of prescribing antibiotics for people, animals, and livestock, 10 million people will die of antibiotic-resistant infections by the year 2050. WHO’s top three “priority pathogens” are Acinetobacter baumannii, pseudomonas aeruginosa, and enterobacteriaceae (E.coli). All three of these infections have already demonstrated significant resistance to antibiotic treatments.

Related: After Taking Antibiotics, This Is What You Need To Do To Restore Healthy Intestinal Flora

What’s Going On With the New Drugs?

So let’s talk about the new antibiotics. Of the 51 antibiotics and biologicals currently in development to treat these “priority pathogens,” the WHO only classifies 8 of them as innovative. The other 25 are modifications of existing treatments and will only function as stop-gap measures.

Why aren’t more antibiotics in the pipeline when numerous health organizations have explicitly stated the worldwide need for them? There isn’t a good answer to that questions, although profit margins are the most likely answer. Antibiotics aren’t meant for long-term use, and the decade long research and development period affects pharmaceutical companies’ return on investment. Drug companies are also reluctant to manufacture orally administered antibiotics, their most accessible form.

Fourteen percent of the drugs currently in development make it to market, and medical professionals argue that needs to change. But fewer drug hurdles are not the answer. More antibiotics aren’t the answer either.

Related: How C. Diff Infections Decrease with Fewer Antibiotics

Why Antibiotics Don’t Work Even When They Work

Doctors did not regularly prescribe colistin. Although powerful, it’s an older drug and causes severe kidney damage. That changed when resistance to modern, more highly-regarded antibiotics became more commonplace, and colistin became the antibiotics of last resort. Now that has changed. Chinese pig farmers used colistin when doctors stopped prescribing it, and the first colistin resistant gene was recorded in November 2015. The gene has spread worldwide, and scientists and healthcare professionals don’t have an answer yet.

Related: How to Detoxify From Antibiotics and Other Chemical Antimicrobials

Should antibiotics be part of the answer though? Drug-resistant strains of bacteria generally occur in people who are already sick and those with weak immune systems. Sick people are given antibiotics. Antibiotics eliminate beneficial bacteria, and damage the immune system. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria has developed in response to an overuse of antibiotics. It’s naive to imagine a world where we go cold-turkey on antibiotics, but every antibiotic usage is giving like the strongest bacteria another opportunity to figure out to survive treatment.

A Few Tips to Not Need Antibiotics

The first step to getting rid of antibiotic use is build up your immune system naturally. If you don’t get sick, there is no need for antibiotics. To do that, you need an immune system ready to take on anything. It’s easier to make and stick to a series of small changes, and there are plenty ways you can start building your immune system today with items found at the average grocery store.

Certain herbs, especially garlic, are your new best friends.

Oregano, calendula, echinacea, and goldenseal are some relatively accessible herbs that boost the immune system. Even easier to find? Garlic. Raw garlic can be added to salads, in snacks, and on dinners. Infections want an easy target, and the allicin found in garlic is a powerful deterrent to those harmful pathogens. If you have a mouth infection, chewing on raw garlic can be beneficial.

Tighten up your diet, and learn to love salads.

Eat as many whole, homemade foods as possible. Your meal prep should become a vegetable version of the will it float game from the Letterman version of the Late Show – Will. It. Salad! The answer is usually yes. The more fresh vegetables, the better. My favorite way to break up that monotony is with homemade hummus, quinoa, fresh tomatoes, and lemon juice. Refined sugar in its many forms damages the body, feeding fungus, bacteria, viruses, and other parasites while lowering the body’s immune system.

Prioritize your sleep.

Sleep deprivation causes an estimated 100,000 car accidents every year. Businesses in U.S. lose 411 million dollars a year due to a lack of sleep. It also makes you more susceptible to pathogens and infection. Lack of sleep suppresses the immune system. According to Diwakar Balachandran, director of the Sleep Center at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, “A lot of studies show our T-cells go down if we are sleep deprived…and inflammatory cytokines go up.” The ultimate in sleeping resets is electronic-free camping for a few days, but most people aren’t able to regularly do that. Popular herbal treatments include B vitamins, healthy fats like vitamin D, tryptophan, valerian root, and chamomile root.

Related: Some Antibiotics May Blind, Cripple, or Kill You

The Creation of Superbugs and Superweeds – Another Strike Against GMOs

Supporters of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) say that they lower the use of pesticides and benefit the environment. However, the record demonstrates that there are growing negative environmental impacts from GMOs. One major problem caused by the widespread use of GMOs, and the herbicides and pesticides they were developed to withstand, is the emergence of superweeds and superbugs – plants and insects now resistant to these chemicals.” – GMO Inside.org

Personal Preparedness

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and climate change are linked by more than factory farming. We need to rethink the way we prepare for both of these things. The WHO is looking for antibiotics, but antibiotics have played a critical part in developing these bugs. Our food and environment dictate our health, and we have more control over that than modern medicine would have you believe.

Related Reading:

• How To Detoxify and Heal From Vaccinations – For Adults and Children
• Understanding and Detoxifying Genetically Modified Foods
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• Start Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet
• How to Make the Healthiest Smoothies – 4 Recipes
• How to Detoxify and Heal the Lymphatic System

Sources:

• The World is Running Out of Antibiotics, WHO Says – CNN
• WHO: These 12 bacteria pose greatest risk to human health – CNN
• The world is running out of antibiotics, WHO report confirms – World Health Organization
• Resistance to the Antibiotic of Last Resort Is Silently Spreading – The Atlantic
• Make Your Immune System Bulletproof with these Natural Remedies – Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Can Better Sleep Mean Catching Fewer Colds? – Web M.D.

 

When was the last time you went out to dinner with family or friends? At that table, you can say with almost complete certainty that at least one of them had high LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, or both.

Sorry to ruin your dinner, but we cannot ignore the fact that:

• Nearly 1 in every 3 Americans have high LDL cholesterol.
• Almost 1 in every 3 Americans have above normal triglyceride levels.

Why does this matter? Because both high LDL and triglyceride levels are risk factors for the leading cause of death in the world — heart disease.

There is, however, plenty of good news that is hiding behind these disheartening statistics. To find the silver lining, we need a deeper understanding of triglycerides, cholesterol, and heart disease.

Related: Triglycerides – Optimize The Most Important Biomarker That Most Doctors Ignore

What’s The Deal With Cholesterol, Triglycerides, and Heart Disease?

At first glance, they seem like entirely different entities.

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. It floats around the blood bringing essential nutrients like fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids to cells and get cleaned up by LDL receptors in the liver when the job is done.

Triglycerides, on the other hand, are the most energy dense molecule that provides our cells with energy and is stored in fat cells when we have enough energy.

Heart disease is the culmination of cell damage, inflammation, and plaque buildup that occurs in the blood vessels. This disease process can lead to a heart attack, chest pain (angina), or stroke.

How could cholesterol, triglycerides, and heart disease possibly be related? They don’t seem to have anything in common (yet). Let’s look a bit closer at what happens when things go wrong to find out how they are linked.

Related: Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs

The Intimate Link Between Triglycerides, Cholesterol, and Heart Disease

Heart disease is a complex issue with many causes, but we do know one of the mechanisms that causes the damage, inflammation, and plaque build up that is characteristic of heart disease. This mechanism begins with a form of LDL cholesterol, which is called small, dense LDL, that can easily be damaged and cause harm to the cells that make up the blood vessels.

In response to the harm that the damaged LDL particles cause, the immune system activates and inflammation levels increase. The inflammation increases the chance that more small, dense LDL particles become damaged and destroy even more cells that line the blood vessels.

To prevent the damage from getting out of hand, the immune system neutralizes the damaged LDL particles and turns them into plaque. This mechanism of heart disease explains why high LDL and chronic inflammation increase the likelihood of heart disease, but what about triglycerides?

Let’s look at what happened before the small, dense LDL particles started circulating in the blood. As the LDL was being formed, one important factor determined which form of LDL it became — triglycerides. In fact, studies have confirmed that high triglycerides lead to the creation of more atherogenic LDL particles.

To sum up all of this complex biochemistry in one sentence: high triglyceride levels lead to the creation of more potentially atherogenic LDL cholesterol, which increases the risk of heart disease significantly.

Luckily, you can lower your triglycerides and optimize your cholesterol levels in one foul swoop by following these 13 simple suggestions.

13 Ways to Lower Your Triglycerides Naturally

1. Remove All Refined Sugars From Your Diet

Studies have found that each additional daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a 2.25 mg/dL increase in triglyceride levels, as well as increases in insulin resistance, LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Luckily, the exact opposite is true as well. When you remove all sugar-sweetened beverages from your diet, you will improve your cholesterol and triglyceride levels significantly. If you take it one step further and remove all added sugar from your diet, you will be on the fast track to good health.

Related: Healthy Alternative Sugars and More

2. Focus On Weight Loss

For those who are overweight or obese, a weight loss of 5% to 10% usually results in a 20% decrease in triglycerides, a 15% reduction in LDL-C, and an 8% to 10% increase in HDL-C. That is a win-win-win-win situation for your health.

One of the quickest ways to lose weight is by eliminating all processed foods from your diet and replacing it with whole foods. Have delicious detox cranberry lemonade instead of fruit juice or soda. Instead of fast food for lunch, make this surprisingly delicious salad

3. Stop Drinking Alcohol

Based on the data from many studies on alcohol consumption and triglycerides, it is estimated that the ingestion of 1 oz of alcohol per day corresponds to a 5% to 10% higher triglyceride concentration than found in nondrinkers. If you have high triglycerides, it is best to abstain from alcohol completely.

4. Eliminate All Trans Fats

Trans fatty acids are found in all partially and fully hydrogenated oils. They consistently cause significant increases in triglycerides and atherogenic LDL cholesterol levels, which increases cardiovascular disease risk dramatically. Stick to natural fats from nuts, olives, avocado, coconut, fish, meat, and dairy.

5.Establish a Sleep Schedule

One way to improve cholesterol, triglycerides, and energy levels at the same time is by prioritizing sleep. Make sure you are sleeping at around the same time every night and getting enough sleep (7-9 hours).

If you have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, turn off all lights and electronics at-least 30 minutes before bedtime and meditate. By doing this, you will increase melatonin and decrease stress levels, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night. Follow the same meditation and sleep schedule every week to wake up feeling more refreshed and healthier each morning.

6. Eat More Fiber

In seven studies that compared high fiber diets and low fiber diets, triglyceride levels decreased by 8% in the high-fiber groups. The same pattern emerges even when the high fiber diet contains many more carbohydrates than a moderate-carbohydrate low-fiber diet.

What does this mean for you? Eat more high-fiber plant foods like vegetables and your body will thank you.

Related: Start Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet

7. Exercise

Many studies have found that the most active people have the lowest fasting triglyceride levels. For example, men who jogged for 10 miles a week had a 20% lower fasting triglyceride level than sedentary men, while men with even higher activity levels (>20 miles of jogging weekly) had the lowest mean fasting triglyceride level (~86 mg/dL).

The good news is that if you are not a fan of jogging, you can get results from walking as well. Studies on overweight people with higher triglyceride levels experienced triglyceride reductions (of about 26%) after walking at a brisk pace for 12 miles each week. To get these results, all you have to do is walk for about 30 minutes at a brisk pace every day.

Not a fan of walking either? Bring an audiobook or podcast with you to make it more enjoyable.

8. Include Nuts In Your Diet

Nuts provide a concentrated dose of fiber and healthy fats, which work together to lower blood triglycerides and improve cholesterol.

An analysis of 61 studies on the effects that nuts have on our health showed that each serving of tree nuts decreased triglycerides by 2.2 mg/dL. Other epidemiological studies found that you will get the greatest health benefits if you consume between 3–7 servings of nuts per week.

9. Increase Your Omega 3 Intake

Studies have found that consuming around 4 g of marine-derived omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids per day can decrease triglyceride concentrations by 25% to 30%. Because of these findings, the American Heart Association recommends getting 2 to 4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) per day for people with high triglycerides. This recommendation can be met by taking a fish oil supplement or eating 2 to 4 3-ounce servings of wild caught (not farm-raised) sardines or salmon.

Another important thing to mention is that there is a particular reason why “marine-derived” omega 3s are mentioned, rather than other types of “plant-derived” omega 3s. This is because non–marine-based omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from foods like walnuts, canola oil, and flaxseeds have not demonstrated a consistent reduction in triglycerides like marine-derived DHA and EPA.

Related: How to Reverse Fatty Liver Disease (With Diet Plan)

10. Supplement With Niacin

This natural B vitamin has been shown to reduce triglycerides by 20-50% and increase “healthy” HDL cholesterol levels. However, it is important to take niacin as a part of a natural b-complex supplement for best results.

Related: Mental Health, Physical Health & B Vitamins – Nature’s Valium

11. Eat More Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs)

Yes, you read that correctly. To improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, you should consume more triglycerides. But make sure they are the medium-chain kind of triglyceride.

MCTs are different from the long chain triglycerides that we commonly find in dairy and meat because MCTs skip the normal process of fat digestion and go straight to the liver. In the liver, the MCTs are often converted into ketones for fuel.

For this reason, many studies have found MCTs to increase weight loss when compared to other healthy fats like olive oil. MCTs also have been found to decrease triglycerides more than olive oil as well.

Coconut oil is the best natural source of MCTs (and despite the bad press, it provides us with many health benefits). However, if you need an unmistakable energy boost that will improve your health more rapidly, then supplement with pure MCT oil. Use it as the oil for your salad dressings or blend it into your smoothies.

12. Use More Garlic

Garlic has potent anti-inflammatory properties that can help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Garlic extract’s triglyceride and cholesterol-lowering effects continue to be confirmed in several animal studies.

13. Supplement With Curcumin

Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory compound that is found in turmeric. It has been found to have many powerful effects on the body from improving brain health to relieving chronic pain.

One of turmeric’s benefits is blood triglyceride reduction. In fact, A 2012 study found that a low dose of curcumin can cause a significant drop in blood triglycerides.

Putting It All Together

Improving triglyceride and cholesterol levels is simple. By doing so, you can prevent and reverse heart disease.

For the best results:

• Eliminate all processed foods to improve health and increase fat loss.
• Implement a sleep schedule and improve sleep quality.
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Supplement with marine-derived omega 3s, curcumin, niacin, and/or garlic extract.
• Eat more MCTs from coconut oil or an MCT oil supplement.
• Avoid alcohol, trans fats, and added sugar.

Recommended Reading:

• Start Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet
• Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs
• How to Detoxify and Heal the Lymphatic System
• Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones
• Candida, Gut Flora, Allergies, and Disease

Sources:

• Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – At-a-Glance — Heart
• Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Risk — NCBI
• Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association — Circulation
• Effects of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet on VLDL-triglyceride assembly, production, and clearance — NCBI
• Modification of low density lipoprotein by endothelial cells involves lipid peroxidation and degradation of low density lipoprotein phospholipids — NCBI
• Cholesterol metabolism — University of Waterloo
• Dietary Guidelines to Treat and Prevent Atherosclerosis — PCRM
• 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Triglycerides — Healthline
• Plasma Triglyceride Level is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease Independent of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level: A Metaanalysis of Population-Based Prospective Studies — Sage Journals
• Fish oil – how does it reduce plasma triglycerides? — NCBI
• Mediterranean Diet 101: A Meal Plan and Beginner’s Guide — Healthline
• Changes in Serum TSH and Free T4 during Human Sleep Restriction — NCBI
• Mechanism of Action of Niacin — NCBI
• Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat. — The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil Consumption as Part of a Weight Loss Diet Does Not Lead to an Adverse Metabolic Profile When Compared to Olive Oil — NCBI
• Association of nut consumption with total and cause-specific mortality. — NCBI

 

Hey, just wanted to let you know that your triglycerides are probably a bit high. Three out of every ten people in the United States have above normal triglyceride levels.

This sounds like the beginning of a drug commercial, but don’t worry — this problem has a simple and natural solution.

However, before we find the solution, we must properly identify the problem.

The Problem With High Triglyceride Levels

In the shadow of our cholesterol numbers are our — often overlooked — triglyceride levels. Your doctor may tell you that “your triglycerides are a little high,” but what does this really mean? Does it really matter?

Must Read: How to Detoxify and Heal the Lymphatic System

First, let’s clear up what having “high triglycerides” actually means. According to the American Heart Association, here is how our triglyceride levels are categorized:

Optimal	Less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Normal	Less than 150 mg/dL
Borderline-high	150 to 199 mg/dL
High	200 to 499 mg/dL
Very high	500 mg/dL or higher

You won’t experience any symptoms if you have borderline-high or high triglycerides, which is why many doctors will just shrug it off. However, it is important to know that triglyceride levels that are even just “a little high” are associated with:

Heart Disease

Studies suggest that high triglyceride levels impair cholesterol levels, increasing the amount of atherogenic (plaque forming) cholesterol particles in the blood.

Obesity

Obesity and high triglyceride levels are intimately linked. One study found that approximately 80% of people who are obese or overweight had triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dL.

Metabolic Syndrome

The prevalence of triglyceride levels ≥150 mg/dL is nearly twice as high in people who have metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is a condition that is commonly diagnosed when the person has high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

Excess Visceral Fat (fat around the organs)

Excess body fat is associated with elevated triglyceride levels, but visceral fat is a greater contributor than subcutaneous fat (fat that is found under the skin rather than near vital organs).

Type 2 Diabetes

Around 35% of people with type 2 diabetes have high fasting triglyceride levels. This suggests that blood sugar and triglyceride levels are intimately linked (more on that later).

Hypothyroidism

When the levels of thyroid hormone are low, cholesterol and triglycerides stay in the blood for a longer period of time, which increases the likelihood of heart disease and fatty plaque build-up in the arteries.

Kidney Disease

Triglyceride levels of >200 mg/dL are present in about half of those with chronic kidney disease, which is commonly caused by diabetes and high blood pressure.

All of this seems worrisome at first — especially if you have high triglycerides — but there is some good news. Actually, it’s great news.

Knowing what conditions high triglyceride levels are associated with provides us with important clues. Clues that give us a clearer picture of what causes high triglyceride levels and how to optimize them. First, let’s figure out what they are.

Related: Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs

What Are Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are the most potent fuel source that is stored in your body. They are so energy-dense that stored that these molecules can keep the body running for about a month.

Where exactly are triglycerides stored in your body? Well, you already know. You just call it “fat” instead of “stored triglycerides.”

Yes, that’s right — triglycerides are those things that are being stored in your fat cells. While we are fasting, restricting carbohydrates, or limiting calories, these triglycerides are liberated from our fat cells to provide us with energy. This process is what helps us lose fat and reduce our triglyceride levels. However, one big problem arises if we live in westernized societies — there is an overabundance of processed food at all times.

Why Do You Have High Triglycerides?

If you are reading this right now, you probably live in an area where many different varieties of food are always available. In this abundant food environment, it is easy for our emotional and instinctual desires to override all logical sense, so most of us end up eating more calories and sugar than we actually need.

In response to the massive influx in calories, the cells become stuffed with so much energy that they reject the signal to take in more energy that they receive from insulin (an energy storage hormone that is stimulated the most by carbohydrate consumption). This is otherwise known as insulin resistance, and it causes a cascade of hormonal changes that increase blood sugar and triglyceride levels. On top of that, sugar consumption (especially the consumption of fructose) stimulates the creation of fat in the liver.

What all of this means is that eating excess calories increases your triglyceride levels and eating too much sugar increases your triglyceride levels even more, especially if that sugar is mostly composed of fructose.

Hold on. What about the fat?

After all, we are talking about triglycerides — a type of fat. How could I talk about calories and sugar and neglect to mention fat as a contributor to high triglyceride levels as well? Well, there is a good reason for that.

Related: Start Eating Like That and Start Eating Like This – Your Guide to Homeostasis Through Diet

Carbs Raise Triglycerides The Most

It would only make sense for dietary fat to increase triglycerides more than carbs, but the science shows us that just the opposite is true.

In one study, people with high triglycerides and normal triglycerides were put on a 15% fat, whole-food diet after eating a high-fat diet (35%). After only one meal of the low-fat diet, their triglyceride levels were elevated for higher and longer than during the high-fat diet.

By the end of the diet the low-fat group’s fasting triglyceride concentrations increased by 60% and the production of atherogenic LDL cholesterol increased as well. This occurred in people with normal and high triglycerides in response to a whole-food based low-fat diet. (Imagine what would happen if the diet contained more simple sugars!)

So, What Is The Best Triglyceride Lowering Diet?

Let’s start by comparing two ends of the dietary spectrum — Low-carb versus low-fat.

A recent meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found significantly greater reductions in triglyceride levels on the low-carb diet. This meta-analysis of the literature confirms what we discovered above.

Eat more carbohydrates and less fat, and you’ll increase your triglyceride levels. Eat fewer carbs and more fat, and the opposite will occur. In fact, researchers found that for every 5% decrease in total fat, triglyceride level was predicted to increase by 6% and HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) to decrease by 2.2%. More specifically, for every 1% isoenergetic replacement with saturated fat, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat, there was a reduction in triglycerides by 1.9 mg/dL, 1.7 mg/dL, and 2.3 mg/dL, respectively.

These findings suggest that replacing all carbohydrates with fat will get your triglycerides to optimal levels the quickest. However, when we look closer at the research, a different pattern emerges.

Which is Better? The Low-Carb Diet vs. The Mediterranean Diet

In a randomized controlled trial, the effects of a Mediterranean-style weight-loss diet were compared with a low-carbohydrate diet. After six months, triglyceride levels were reduced the most in the low-carb diet group. However, after 12 months, the Mediterranean-style diet showed similar reductions in triglycerides as the low carbohydrate diet.

These results show us that there may be a limit to how much restricting your carbohydrates can reduce triglycerides. So, instead of counting your carbs, it may be best to follow the eating principle that both the low-carbohydrate and Mediterranean diets follow: eliminate the crap and eat more whole foods.

Related: The Way We Used To Eat – The Real Paleo Diet

The Most Important Crap to Eliminate to Optimize Your Triglycerides

Avoid these triglyceride train wrecks, to ensure optimal triglyceride levels:

1. Alcohol

Based on the data from many studies on alcohol consumption and triglycerides, it is estimated that the ingestion of 1 oz of alcohol per day corresponds to a 5% to 10% higher triglyceride concentration than found in nondrinkers. If you have high triglycerides or if you want to have flawless triglyceride levels, it is best to abstain from alcohol completely.

2. Trans Fats

Trans fatty acids are found in all partially and fully hydrogenated oils. They consistently cause significant increases in triglycerides and atherogenic LDL cholesterol levels, which increases cardiovascular disease risk dramatically. Stick to natural fats from nuts, olives, avocado, fish, meat, and dairy.

3. Added Sugar

Studies have found that each additional daily serving of sugar-sweetened beverages is associated with a 2.25 mg/dL increase in triglyceride levels, as well as increases in insulin resistance, LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure and a decrease in HDL cholesterol. It is best to avoid sugar completely and most of your carbohydrates from vegetables, legumes, and nuts for best results.

Related: Healthy Alternative Sugars and More

The Takeaway — The Best Triglyceride Lowering Diet

By cutting out all processed foods and eating a whole food diet, you will naturally cut down on the carbs, calories, and sugars. This way of eating will lower your triglycerides and improve your health dramatically.

To get you started, follow these guidelines:

• Every meal should consist primarily of local, beyond organic, or bio-dynamic vegetables.
• “Garnish” each meal with high-quality fish, meat, eggs, or dairy.
• Order from U.S. Wellness Meats,White Oak Pastures, Polyface Farms , Vital Choice, and Udder Milk to get the healthiest animal products for you, the environment, and the animals.
• Have a handful of nuts, seeds, and/or berries with each meal.
• Don’t eat any sugar-sweetened beverages, added sugars, processed meat, refined grains, refined oils, hydregonated fats, and other highly processed foods.
• Limit your alcohol intake.
• Follow the suggestions for lowering triglycerides and cholesterol in this article.

However, even if you implement the triglyceride lowering diet flawlessly, you can only verify if it worked by getting a blood test.

How To Know If Your Triglyceride Levels Are Optimal

All you have to do is set up an appointment with your doctor to get a standard blood lipid panel test done. Ask your doctor to print the results for you, and track your progress at after appointment.

Where do you fall in these categories?

Optimal	Less than 100 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)
Normal	Less than 150 mg/dL
Borderline-high	150 to 199 mg/dL
High	200 to 499 mg/dL
Very high	500 mg/dL or higher

Aim for optimal triglyceride levels, but don’t forget about cholesterol and blood sugar levels as well.

To see if you have healthier cholesterol levels, check your total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. A ratio between 3 and 4 indicates that you have healthy cholesterol levels. Your fasting blood sugar levels should be below 100 mg/dl for optimal health.

It is also important to take note of your posture before you get your blood drawn. For example, different positions, like sitting, standing, and laying down, can cause triglycerides to vary significantly. Because of this, the American Heart Association recommends that you sit for at least 5 minutes in the same position each time you get your blood drawn to minimize variability in triglyceride measurements.

After you implement our suggestions, please comment with your results to inspire others to take their health into their own hands.

Recommended Reading:

• 13 Scientifically-Proven Ways to Optimize Your Triglyceride and Cholesterol Levels Naturally
• Triglycerides in Junk Food are the Chemical Equivalent of ‘Hard Drugs’ for the Brain
• Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs
• 80% Raw Food Diet
• Agave Nectar – Is it Healthy?

Sources:

• Long-term effects of a ketogenic diet in obese patients — NCBI
• Effect of 6-month adherence to a very low carbohydrate diet program — Science Direct
• A Low-Carbohydrate, Ketogenic Diet versus a Low-Fat Diet To Treat Obesity and Hyperlipidemia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial — Annals of Internal Medicine
• Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Risk — NCBI
• Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs — Organic Lifestyle Magazine
• Triglycerides and Cardiovascular Disease: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association — Circulation
• Effects of a low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet on VLDL-triglyceride assembly, production, and clearance — NCBI
• Modification of low density lipoprotein by endothelial cells involves lipid peroxidation and degradation of low density lipoprotein phospholipids — NCBI
• The Total-to-HDL Cholesterol Ratio — What Does It Mean? — Chris Masterjohn PhD
• Effects of Thyroid Dysfunction on Lipid Profile— NCBI
• Cholesterol metabolism — University of Waterloo
• The Central Role of Thyroid Hormone in Governing LDL Receptor Activity and the Risk of Heart Disease — Chris Masterjohn PhD
• Dietary Guidelines to Treat and Prevent Atherosclerosis — PCRM
• 13 Simple Ways to Lower Your Triglycerides — Healthline
• Plasma Triglyceride Level is a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease Independent of High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level: A Metaanalysis of Population-Based Prospective Studies — Sage Journals
• Fish oil – how does it reduce plasma triglycerides? — NCBI
• Mediterranean Diet 101: A Meal Plan and Beginner’s Guide — Healthline
• Changes in Serum TSH and Free T4 during Human Sleep Restriction — NCBI
• Mechanism of Action of Niacin — NCBI
• Overfeeding with medium-chain triglyceride diet results in diminished deposition of fat. — The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
• Medium Chain Triglyceride Oil Consumption as Part of a Weight Loss Diet Does Not Lead to an Adverse Metabolic Profile When Compared to Olive Oil — NCBI
• Association of nut consumption with total and cause-specific mortality. — NCBI

PCOS is a little-known disorder that has been plaguing 10% of women with infertility for decades. What does PCOS mean?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and it causes many unpleasant symptoms for women. For example, women with PCOS will have one or more of the following symptoms:

• menstrual irregularity
• excess hair growth on the face, chest, and back
• thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp
• mood swings
• depression
• acne
• obesity
• loss of sex drive
• infertility

Luckily, each symptom is related to the same cause, which means that this disorder may be reversible.

Related Reading: Holistic Guide to Healing the Endocrine System and Balancing Our Hormones

What Causes PCOS?

PCOS is the result of insulin levels being too high for too long. In women, high insulin levels trigger the production of androgens like testosterone and increase free testosterone and DHT levels. This turns off fertility and causes most of the symptoms of PCOS.

Genetics also play a significant role in the development of PCOS. Most women who develop the disorder inherited genetic variants that increase the likelihood of developing insulin resistance. However, this does not mean that you are doomed to get PCOS if insulin resistance and infertility runs in the family.

Must Read: How To Reverse The Number One Cause of Infertility – PCOS

Diet, exercise, and stress play the most prominent role in determining whether you develop PCOS or not. If you are a woman who overfeeds on calories and sugar, spends most of your time sitting, and stresses yourself out about life, then you will probably develop PCOS. On the other hand, eating plenty whole plant foods, restricting sugar, exercising daily, and reducing stress (with meditation and quality sleep) will turn off PCOS and turn on fertility.

Oops, did I go over that too quickly? No need to go over it again. Just read below for a quick overview of the ideal PCOS reversing diet and lifestyle.

An Overview of the Diet and Lifestyle that Helps Reverse PCOS

Here’s a simple breakdown of what you should do if you have PCOS:

• Limit sugar and carbohydrate intake
• Eat high-fiber, low-carbohydrate vegetables with each meal
• Eat enough calories to achieve your ideal weight (use MyFitnessPal to assist you with that)
• Exercise for at least 30 minutes every day
• Meditate every night before sleep
• Make sure you are getting 7-9 hours of sleep every night

This diet and lifestyle address PCOS from many different angles, but some of you may need some extra help. This is when supplements can save the day.

The Top Ten Natural Supplements That Help With PCOS

There are plenty of supplements that can help reverse PCOS is many different ways, from reducing testosterone levels to improving insulin resistance. So, without further ado, here are the ten best supplements that help with PCOS:

1. Flax Seeds

Flax seeds are known to increase sex-hormone binding globulin levels and reduce androgen and insulin levels, making it an ideal supplement for women with PCOS.

Here are some ways to add flaxseeds to your diet:

• Put them on top of a salad
• Blend them into your smoothie
• Make a seed and nut butter snack by grinding a couple of tablespoons of flax seeds and nuts into a powder and mixing in some melted coconut oil, stevia, and cinnamon.

Related: Nut Butter – The Bad, The Good, and How to Make it Better

2. Cinnamon

Many studies suggest that cinnamon helps reduce insulin resistance and restore ovarian function in women with PCOS. To get these benefits, ½ to 1 teaspoon per day is all you need.

Related: Cinnamon – Ceylon Vs Cassia, Health Benefits, and Other Interesting Facts

3. Vitamin B9

For women who want to get pregnant, vitamin b9 is essential. To improve fertility, researchers suggest that women who are at a healthy weight should take 400 micrograms of folic acid (one of the many forms of vitamin b9), and obese or overweight women should take 5 mg of folic acid.

However, it is best to supplement with a b-complex that contains all of the b vitamins. You may also feel better by supplementing with b complex that has a more natural form of Vitamin B9 (folic acid isn’t and may cause problems for some). L-methylfolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) are the most effective form of the vitamin.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity in several studies, including a trial in women with PCOS. In this trial, seven women with PCOS took one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per day. After 40 days, four of the women resumed ovulating, and six experienced a measurable reduction in insulin resistance.

For best results, consume 1-2 tablespoons per day. However, this doesn’t mean you have to take shots of pure vinegar. Use apple cider vinegar as the vinegar for your salad dressings instead.

Related: Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar & How to Make Your Own

Also, check out Mother Earth Organic Root Cider

5. Magnesium

Magnesium deficiencies are the second most common deficiency in developed countries. Magnesium is important for women with PCOS because it improves insulin sensitivity and decreases nerve excitability, leading to less stress, tension, and PCOS symptoms.

When it comes to magnesium supplements, magnesium citrate is most popular. It’s well absorbed but may have a mild laxative effect in some sensitive people. For the people who experience discomfort from taking magnesium citrate, magnesium bisglycinate is the best option.

Regardless of which supplement you choose, make sure you are getting around 310 mg of magnesium per day (if you are a woman).

Related: Homemade Calcium and Magnesium

6. Zinc

Zinc is essential for the functioning of enzymes, hormones, and the immune system. A deficiency in zinc can cause a hormonal imbalance and make PCOS worse, while zinc supplementation can reduce some of the symptoms of PCOS.

This was confirmed in one study that found that zinc was able to reverse facial and chest hair growth in women with PCOS. Aim for 50 mg of elemental zinc per day.

7. Inositol

One of the most well-studied PCOS supplements is inositol, a sugar alcohol chemical compound found in healthy foods like citrus fruits, cantaloupe, and leafy greens.

Multiple studies have shown that inositol supplementation may improve insulin resistance and decrease male hormones in the bloodstream. Inositol also promotes ovulation and fertility.

All it takes is a dose of 1,200-2,400 milligrams per day for inositol to significantly improve PCOS symptoms.

8. Chasteberry (commonly known as Vitex)

Chasteberry helps lower prolactin levels. Three randomized control trials have found that it can help women with oligo/amenorrhea and infertility. However, some women with PCOS may not benefit from taking chasteberry if their prolactin levels are within normal ranges.

9. Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushroom can help reduce stress levels and inhibit 5-alpha reductase, an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. There are no studies on the effects that reishi mushroom has on women with PCOS, but its ability to inhibit the production of DHT and reduce stress make it a promising supplement for PCOS.

10. Berberine

This compound is found in herbs like goldenseal, barberry, and Oregon grape root, and it may be the most effective of all the supplements in this list.

In one impressive study, berberine was found to reduce insulin resistance as effectively as metformin, a medication frequently prescribed for PCOS. Berberine also led to slightly more belly fat loss and lower levels of free testosterone than an equivalent dosage of metformin. Simply put, this natural compound is more effective than metformin — one of the most prescribed PCOS medications.

The recommended dose for berberine is 500 mg taken 2-3 times per day. Try taking it with milk thistle or coconut oil for best results because they may increase the absorption of berberine.

Editor’s Note:

Eliminate wheat, eliminate candida, and consider progesterone (I particularly like this Progesterone Plus with black cohosh and chasteberry) – but if the wheat and candida are eliminated you shouldn’t need progesterone (or any of the other aforementioned supplements).

Best Supplements To Kill Candida and Everything Else You Ever Wanted To Know About Fungal Infections

The Takeaway

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder that causes symptoms like acne, male-pattern baldness, mood swings, weight gain, fatigue, and infertility. Fortunately, you can reverse PCOS with the right combination of a plant-based low-carbohydrate diet, exercise, sleep, and meditation.

If you are struggling with the new diet and lifestyle, you can take various supplements that will help. By supplementing with magnesium and Reishi mushroom, you can relieve stress that may be making PCOS symptoms worse. Inositol, zinc, apple cider vinegar, cinnamon, flax seeds, and berberine are other natural dietary supplements that can help improve your health and PCOS symptoms more quickly as well.

Throughout the process of reversing PCOS, make sure you consult with your doctor and check your hormone levels to see how you are progressing.

Related Products:

• Vitamin B9
• Magnesium
• Inositol
• Chasteberry (commonly known as Vitex)
• Reishi Mushroom
• Berberine

Sources:

• Insulin Resistance and the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Mechanism and Implications for Pathogenesis — Oxford Academic
• Polycystic ovary syndrome: etiology, pathogenesis and diagnosis — Nature
• Can My Diet Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? — Healthline
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) — Deep Dyve

• Herbal medicine for the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and associated oligo/amenorrhoea and hyperandrogenism; a review of the laboratory evidence for effects with corroborative clinical findings. — NCBI
• Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)–pharmacology and clinical indications. — NCBI
  
• Effects of Zinc Supplementation on Endocrine Outcomes in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. — NCBI
• Anti-androgenic activities of Ganoderma lucidum. — NCBI
• The Effect of Flaxseed Supplementation on Hormonal Levels Associated with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Case Study — NCBI
• Differential effects of walnuts vs almonds on improving metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS. — NCBI
• A clinical study on the short-term effect of berberine in comparison to metformin on the metabolic characteristics of women with polycystic ovary syndrome. — NCBI
• Berberine — Examine
• An Update on Plant Derived Anti-Androgens — NCBI
• The effect of cinnamon extract on insulin resistance parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: a pilot study — Fertility and Sterility
• Preliminary evidence that cinnamon improves menstrual cyclicity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial — AJOG
• Sodium caprate augments the hypoglycemic effect of berberine via AMPK in inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis. — NCBI
• Magnesium — Examine
• Zinc — Examine

I don’t know yet at what age this ceases to be true, but from what I have seen, at least up until the 70s, it seems that if the body is getting enough nutrition, the teeth and the gums are capable of regenerating. I was incarcerated (for a crime I did not commit) for a year and a half. The diet was really bad compared to our standards, as you can imagine. I came out with visible holes in my teeth. In jail, I was the guy trading most of my food for the canned veggies and bleached salad mix. But still, my gums had receded, and my mouth looked ten years older. Here is specifically what I did to regenerate my teeth and gums:

Homemade Toothpaste

I just add some coconut oil to some baking soda, a little water, a pinch of sea salt, and a little less of cinnamon. You don’t have to be exact, but we have oral care recipes here if you like. These days I just use Earthpaste and Doc’s Tooth & Gum.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a traditional Ayurvedic method of oral care that involves swishing oil around in your mouth for 15-20 minutes. Some say that this practice can detoxify the whole body and heal all kinds of diseases, but these statements aren’t possible if the diet is not addressed. It does promote good oral health by reducing harmful bacteria and dental plaque while cleaning the areas of the mouth that brushing and flossing cannot get to. Oral health does increase the strength of the immune system, so oil pulling can lead to improved overall health.

Traditionally, sesame oil was used, but these days coconut oil is more often recommended, and it’s my preference as well. To increase the potency of this protocol, use essential oils, such as peppermint, cinnamon, or clove. Tea tree oil and oil of oregano are two good options, but they can get really intense. Start off with just a small amount.

Here are some suggestions with the essential oils for oil pulling. Add these to a tablespoon of coconut oil.

• For bad breath: 2 drops of cinnamon, spearmint, or peppermint essential oil
• Toothaches: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
• Canker sores: 2 drops of holy basil essential oil.
• Gum disease: 2 drops of cinnamon, clove, or tea tree essential oil.
• Receding gums: Add 2 drops of Myrrh essential oil.
• Cavities: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each
• Any infection in the mouth: 2 drops of clove or tea tree essential oil, or one of each

How to Oil Pull

Swish the oil around in your mouth (like you would with mouthwash) and pull through the teeth, for 15 to 20 minutes. Don’t swish hard, or your cheeks will get sore very quickly.

The longer you do it, the more benefit you’ll get. 15 to 20 minutes is ideal, and I like to do it while I write articles, but even just doing it for a few minutes is very beneficial. You may need to take your time and build up your mouth strength. (I did.)

Spit it out! Do not swallow it. That oil gets nasty, and it’s better to dispose of it than swallow it. Follow with tooth brushing, or at least thoroughly rinsing the mouth. And don’t spit it out in the sink. The oil could stop it up.

I did it at least once a day, and the more you oil pull, the better.

Calcium & Magnesium

I eat lots of raw vegetables, but to speed things up, I wanted to make sure I had enough calcium. One should not take lots of calcium indefinitely without magnesium, and the nonfood sources don’t provide calcium that absorbs into our body well. Plus, I was coming out of jail, so I was too broke for supplements anyway, and that Tooth & Gum ain’t cheap!

Lemon Egg Recipe – the best organic calcium supplementation

1. Carefully place whole, clean, uncooked, uncracked, organic eggs in a clean wide-mouth jar or glass container. How many eggs is up to you, but the lemon juice needs to cover the eggs.
2. Cover the eggs with freshly squeezed organic lemon juice (concentrated lemon juice is pasteurized and should never be used as a substitute).
3. Cover the jar loosely and place it in the refrigerator. A few times during the day, gently – very gently – agitate the liquid in the jar. As the Calcium from the shells is leached out by the lemon juice, bubbles will appear around the eggs.
4. Approximately 44 to 48 hours later, when the bubbling has stopped, carefully remove the eggs from the jar, being sure not to break the egg membranes. Replace the lid tightly on the jar containing the liquid and shake the mixture. You now have “Lemon Egg”.

Drink it straight or mix 2oz in smoothies. It can also be used in recipes calling for lemon juice as well, but the juice will not be acidic and it will taste a bit different. If there is no more than twice as much lemon juice per egg volume I take a tablespoon to two of the lemon mixture and up to six if I don’t eat enough vegetables. Personally, I just took a spoonful every day and chewed it for a while. I don’t know if the teeth absorb any calcium that way, but I suspect it’s possible. I would do this after my brush and floss routine.

One whole medium sized eggshell yields about 750 – 800 mg of elemental calcium plus other microelements, including but not limited to magnesium, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, sulfur, silicon, zinc,  (27 elements in total). The composition of an eggshell is very similar to that of our bones and teeth.

Chewing on Garlic

I chewed on garlic three or more times a day for as long as I could stand it. The technique is as follows:

• Peel a small clove of garlic and put it in your mouth
• Start a timer
• Chew with your mouth open
• Breath through your mouth as you chew
• When it starts to hurt, close your mouth, and start swishing the juices through your gums
• Spit it out when it becomes intolerable

At first, I could only do this for about 15 seconds at a time, but I built up to a minute. This is a hugely beneficial technique for anyone with mercury amalgam fillings. Garlic will pull out (chelate) the least attached particles from the fillings before they were about to release.

Doc Shillington’s Tooth and Gum Formula

This is the most popular product sold at Green Lifestyle Market. I think this is in large part because you can so easily tell how well it works. I contend that with the right diet and oral care most people can regenerate their mouth without this formula, but it will speed up the process. If you’re not happy with you can get a refund.

For anyone who smoked, smokes, vapes, or works in conditions where they inhale carcinogens, I highly recommend the Tooth and Gum Formula.

For anyone who has toxic fillings in the mouth, or metal, or has otherwise had lots of oral work done, I also highly recommend the Tooth and Gum Formula.

I put some toothpaste on my brush, set that aside, then I squirt one squeeze of this tooth and gum stuff directly into my mouth, and then I brush. That’s how I do it. You can also just brush with the tooth and gum, or do oil pulling with it, or use it with water as a mouthwash, or use it without water as a mouthwash. It’s kind of hard to screw it up, but for maximum effect, do brush it into your gums, and do leave it in the mouth for at least a minute. You can buy it here or click here for the recipe ( the third one). I brushed and flossed twice a day with this routine, three times a day if I smoked marijuana that day.

Healthy Diet

Diet is key. Supplements can do some amazing things, but they simply prolong the inevitable when the diet isn’t first consideration. I ate large salads and lots of raw fruit every day. I occasionally do smoothies, and I generally have a wheat-free grain in a bowl with lots of cooked and fresh veggies and herbs on top. Check out the further reading below for more on my diet. If you really want to know how well this protocol works for you, I suggest pictures. Take pictures of your mouth daily or weekly, and you the judge. But chances are, you’ll feel it and know it’s working. It’s still fun to compare the picture though.

Lastly, your mouth won’t be much healthier than your gut. If you suffer from other health ailments, I suggest a gut protocol like this along with your new oral health regimen.

Recommended Reading:

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The combination of too much fat, too much sugar, and too little exercise is the best way become obese — in the liver. Fat buildup in the liver that is not due to alcohol consumption, also known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, affects 20-30% of adult populations in developed countries.

At first, this disease looks like another major issue to worry about, but it is simple and easy to reverse. In fact, it is intimately linked with other reversible conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity because they all share a similar cause.

Related: How To Heal Your Gut

The Vicious Cycle of Fatty Liver Disease

Think of fatty liver disease like obesity and diabetes of the liver. When we eat an excess of calories and sugar, insulin is released from the pancreas to let our cells that we have plenty of energy. Our cells take what they need from the fat and sugar that is circulating in the blood.

Problems arise when we eat too many calories and too much sugar. The cells already have enough energy, so they stop listening to insulin — a biological process called insulin resistance. As a result, fat and sugar build up in the blood, contributing to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, and obesity.

The liver cells are also negatively influenced by the influx of calories and sugar. They become insulin resistant and start making fat from the excess sugar (fructose causes the most liver fat gain). Eventually, fat builds up in the liver to the point that it becomes toxic and creates inflammation.

The combination of obesity in the body and the liver causes inflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species to accumulate. This leads to more inflammation and oxidative stress that damages the liver.

Meanwhile, in the gut, a lifestyle that promotes fatty liver disease changes the microbiome and increases candida growth. This increases inflammation, oxidative stress, and endotoxin absorption, which causes more liver damage.

Recommended Reading: Lower Cholesterol and Prevent Heart Disease Without Drugs

Don’t worry — there is a silver lining to this vicious cycle. It is possible to reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and liver damage naturally.

How To Reverse Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The key to disrupting the vicious cycle of fatty liver disease before it damages the liver is exercise and diet.

That’s right — Treating obesity of the liver is similar to treating obesity of the body. In fact, many scientific papers agree that the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease should be focused on controlling diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.

This means that the best way to reverse nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and prevent liver damage is with the same lifestyle that has been proven to control diabetes, obesity, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia.

The Fatty Liver Disease Lifestyle Cure

In a review of studies on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatments, the researchers found that weight loss leads to a substantial improvement in this condition. Weight loss of 3-5 % reduces liver fat, but a weight loss of 10% may be needed to reverse liver damage. To accomplish this, researchers used the most well-known ways to promote weight loss: caloric restriction and exercise.

Let’s start with exercise. Physical activity alone improves insulin sensitivity and reduces fat in the liver. In fact, one study kept the body weight of their subjects constant while they implemented an exercise training program. They found that exercise alone leads to a substantial decrease in liver fat.

Related: If You Drink Soda, It’s Probably The Worst Thing You Do To Yourself (even worse than smoking!)

In studies that combine caloric restriction with exercise, the results are even more promising. For example, one study took twenty-five obese patients with fatty liver and put fifteen of them on a calorie restricted diet and exercise program for 3 months. The calorie restricted diet was based on a daily calorie intake of the patient’s ideal weight in kilograms multiplied by 25 calories, and the exercise program is described as “walking or jogging”.

The researchers found that the treatment group’s “weight, blood biochemical data such as aminotransferase, albumin, cholinesterase, total cholesterol and fasting blood glucose values, and steatosis (fatty liver) were significantly decreased after the trial. In the control group, there were no significant differences in the clinical and histological findings before and after the trial.”

It’s that simple. Eat less and move more, and you can reverse fatty liver disease. Many other review articles on the treatments for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease also agree on this simple principle.

The jury is still out, however, on the best diet for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. We know for certain that restricting your calories helps, but there is an even better way to reverse disease and improve liver health.

The Best Fatty Liver Diet

Restricting calories works, but the studies tend to ignore the importance of food quality. For example, diets that consist of mainly refined and processed food have been found to promote the growth an obesity-causing microbiome. On the other hand, eating a high-fiber plant-based diet favors a microbiome that reducing inflammation and improves health. This is one of the reasons why it is best to stop counting calories and count on these guidelines instead:

1. Limit Your Added Sugar Intake

By doing this, you will greatly reduce the likelihood of fat build up in the body and the liver. You will also reduce insulin resistance, blood sugar, inflammation, and gut health issues as well.

Related:  Signs You Have Too Much Candida

2. Eat High-Fiber Foods With Every Meal

The healthiest way to get more fiber is by consuming plenty of low-carbohydrate vegetables. They will improve gut health, reduce the absorption of harmful lipopolysaccharides, and improve the health of the cells throughout your body.

Try the salad recipe in this article for the best results: Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included

3. Eat Liver Healing Foods

You can also add these four scientifically-proven liver healing foods to your diet to help reverse fatty liver disease:

Oily Fish

Two or more servings of oily fish per week can have a beneficial effect on blood lipids and may reduce liver fat. Wild-caught salmon is one of the healthiest oily fish.

Nuts

A handful of nuts per day improves liver function tests. Walnuts, in particular, have been found to be one of the healthiest nuts for your liver.

Avocado

Avocado consumption is associated with weight loss and improved liver tests. This is mainly because avocados have a substantial amount of monounsaturated fat, fiber, and antioxidants.

Olive Oil

This popular oil improves liver function tests and helps with weight loss because it is loaded with antioxidants and oleic acid.

Related: Best Cooking Oils Health Benefits Smoke Point Which to Use and Avoid

4. Use Liver Healing Supplements

When you search the internet for liver supplements, you are inundated by supplements that seem promising, yet have no shred of evidence that backs of their claims. To save you some time and experimentation, here are three supplements that have been found to improve liver health:

Spirulina

Spirulina is a natural algae powder that is incredibly high in protein and a good source of antioxidants, B-vitamins, and other nutrients. A dose of 4.5 grams (about a teaspoon) per day of spirulina has been shown to help reverse fatty liver disease.

Betaine

Betaine is a compound that is naturally found in beets and spinach. It is essential for the normal function of the blood, bones, eyes, heart, nerves, and the brain, and it reduces build up of fat in the liver.

The best way to supplement with betaine is by eating raw beets or taking a TMG supplement. TMG stands for Trimethylglycine, and it is the form of betaine that is found in beets.

Milk Thistle

Milk thistle contains a compound called silybin. Silybin can reduce fat build up in the liver, and it may even reverse liver damage.

Probiotics

In a meta-analysis on the effects of probiotics on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, the researchers found that probiotic therapy can help reverse insulin resistance, improve liver function, and reduce inflammation. However, not just any probiotic will do.

Product Recommendation: Syntol AMD – Arthur Andrew Medical

Bifidobacterium longum, for example, was found to be the most effective probiotic strain at reducing liver fat, inflammation, and endotoxin levels. The best way to add this strain to your diet is by taking a stomach-acid resistant probiotic that contains it. FloraMend by Thorne Research is one of the best probiotics in this regard.

Recommended Reading: Probiotics, Bacteria, and Our Health

5. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Although no alcohol consumption is best for reversing nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, some alcohol consumption may be beneficial as well. In fact, one nonalcoholic fatty liver disease treatment review found that limiting alcohol consumption to less than one drink per day may actually have a beneficial effect on liver health.

6. Exercise Everyday

The kind of exercise that is best for reversing fatty liver disease is not yet known, but almost any type of exercise will help. It is probably best to go for brisk walks throughout the day and do resistance training at least 3 times a week.

But don’t get caught up in finding the perfect workout plan. Any exercise is better than no exercise for all aspects of health. Start by doing what you enjoy doing.

What About Using Drugs for Fatty Liver Disease?

For a typical nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patient, pharmaceutical drugs are not usually recommended. However, when the disease progresses to liver-damaging nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), drug therapy may be necessary.

Related: The Gallbladder, Bile, and Gallstones

A drug called thiazolidinedione has been shown to be effective for improving diabetes, liver function, and fibrosis of the liver. However,  there is one problem — patients relapse when they aren’t on it.

In a study that tested thiazolidinedione in the treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, researchers found that diet and exercise were essential in maintaining the results achieved by drug therapy. When patients in the study followed up after 37 months, the patients who had sustained exercise programs and reduced their body mass index, also had normal liver enzyme levels, fibrosis improvement, and were free from diabetes. Conversely, patients who made no lifestyle changes had gotten worse after discontinuing the drug.

What are we suppose to take away from this study? That, even in the worst case scenario, pharmaceutical drugs cannot replace diet and exercise.

Putting It All Together

You can reverse fatty liver disease by following these six simple steps:

1. Limit sugar intake
2. Eat low-carbohydrate vegetables with every meal
3. Exercise every day
4. Take scientifically-proven liver healing supplements like spirulina, betaine, milk thistle, and probiotics
5. Include liver healing foods in your diet like avocado, nuts, oily fish, and olive oil
6. Limit alcohol intake

Related: Sugar Leads to Depression – World’s First Trial Proves Gut and Brain are Linked (Protocol Included)

Sources:

• The diagnosis and management of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Practice Guideline by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, American College of Gastroenterology, and the American Gastroenterological Association — Wiley Online Library
• Treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease — BMJ Journals
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: an overview of prevalence, diagnosis, pathogenesis and treatment considerations — Clincial Science
• New-found link between microbiota and obesity — NCBI
• Association between composition of the human gastrointestinal microbiome and development of fatty liver with choline deficiency. — NCBI
• Eubiosis and dysbiosis: the two sides of the microbiota. — NCBI
• A meta-analysis of randomized trials for the treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. — NCBI
• Effects of exercise training on intrahepatic lipid content in humans — Springer Link
• The effects of low carbohydrate diets on liver function tests in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials — NCBI
• Therapeutic effects of restricted diet and exercise in obese patients with fatty liver — Science Direct
• A Low-Carbohydrate as Compared with a Low-Fat Diet in Severe Obesity — The New England Journal of Medicine
• Effect of Vitamin E or Metformin for Treatment of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Children and Adolescents: The TONIC Randomized Controlled Trial — The JAMA Network
• A Randomized Controlled Trial of Metformin versus Vitamin E or Prescriptive Diet in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease — ProQuest
• Insoluble Dietary Fiber from Pear Pomace Can Prevent High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Rats Mainly by Improving the Structure of the Gut Microbiota — JMB
• Hepatoprotective effects of Spirulina maxima in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a case series — BioMed Central
• Spirulina improves non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, visceral fat macrophage aggregation, and serum leptin in a mouse model of metabolic syndrome — Science Direct
• Spirulina — Examine
• Sitting for just a couple hours has measurable (and negative) health impact — PLOS
• Oily fish, coffee and walnuts: Dietary treatment for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease — NCBI
• Avocados Contain Potent Liver Protectants — Science Daily
• Non alcoholic fatty liver disease and metabolic syndrome — NCBI
• Metabolic Endotoxemia Initiates Obesity and Insulin Resistance — Diabetes Journals
• Physical activity as a treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review — NCBI
• Prebiotic fiber modulation of the gut microbiota improves risk factors for obesity and the metabolic syndrome — NCBI
• Milk Thistle — Examine
• Thiazolidinediones for the treatment in NASH: sustained benefit after drug discontinuation? — NCBI
• Effects of probiotics on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A meta-analysis — NCBI