truths

(from Tox-Sick:)

"Yes, it is now a fact validated by the Columbia University School of Public Health that 95% of cancer is caused by diet and the environment!"

So I couldn't believe that this was admitted, and did a little bit of my own research.


You should click this link...

http://publichealth.columbia.edu/academic-departments/environmental-health-sciences


Scroll way to the bottom and you'll see 3 photos...

Tomás Guilarte, PhD, Chair

Internationally renowned for his work on lead and manganese poisoning, Dr. Guilarte conducts research that explores the biology of metal poisoning.

READ MORE

Frederica Perera, DrPH

Director of the Columbia Center for Children’s Environmental Health  (CCCEH), Dr. Perera pioneered the field of molecular epidemiology.

READ MORE

Regina Santella, PhD

Dr. Santella's research explores how damage caused by environmental exposures raises the risk of cancer. 

sigh.

research, please! without lies, would be great!

research, research, research

i always tell everyone to do their own research and to respect their own bodies. after all, you know your own body better than any one else does. i am not a doctor, do not have a medical degree, but probably read at least one book a day. so whatever i write, or learn, is from my own vast research, and you should seriously do your own <3

like i said, i began reading the book, Tox-Sick by Suzanne Somers and have no idea why it was poopoo'd by some "medical" people. Obviously, Suzanne writes from her experiences, point of view, and states it outright. However, there are doctors, scientists, medical journal article info in her book that prove this. People who have not picked up and glanced at the inside of the book agree with panicking medical people writing the articles...I'm sure many have not read Tox-Sick either.

So for the next few weeks, I want to break down different parts of the book (which i've wrote in entirely, by the way...) for you guys, based on my experiences and opinions.

So, what I wanted to talk about:

"One of the most extensive studies of Americans' toxic burden was funded by the Environmental WOrking Group, and conducted at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. Researchers tested nine adults, none of whom worked in industries that would expose them to high levels of environmental poisons; well-known journalist Bill Moyers was one of them. All were tested for the presence of 210 contaminants that have been globally recognized as persistent pollutants (like DDT). The results of the participants' blood and urine showed he presence of 167 of the 210 contaminants, with an average of 91 in any given person. Each person tested had an average of:
-53 brain chemicals that have been linked to cancer.
-63 compounds toxic to the central nervous system, including the brain.
-58 compounds toxic to the endocrine (hormonal) system.
-55 compounds that are toxic to the immune system and frequently lead to autoimmunity (fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis) and an impaired ability to fight infections."

So imagine, the air we breathe, the water we drink (if bottled or tap), and then everything you're adding to your body in your "food", makeup, hair stuff, lotions, nail polish, when you clean your home, when you wash your clothes...

then it's not hard to wonder why we are so toxic.

i used to wonder why so many 28-35 year olds had hodgkin's lymphoma.

when i would ask my oncologist how the lymphatic system worked, he had no idea. said i got cancer because it's just a freak thing. I was not allowed to eat fresh fruits and vegetables, or go get colon hydrotherapy.

i am not making this stuff up.

so i didn't know anything about the lymphatic system and hodgkin's lymphoma or detoxing (except that alcoholics or people addicted to drugs did this), or cleanses, until I was done with AVD chemo, ICE chemo, and then the worst chemo that nearly killed me (i think it did, actually) followed up with a stem cell transplant. all these i was scared into doing because my oncologist kept telling me i had 3 months to live. who wants to give up their life? so i trusted them and believed them, but the "system" failed me.

If i had known then what I know now, or knew a year ago, I never would have gone that path and wouldn't wish it on my worst enemies.

But there are so many things we can do to cleanse the body...
-sweat
-eat better (no processed foods, sugars, alcohol)
-vitamins and supplements that will help promote detox (spirulina, chlorella, activated charcoal, etc.)
-chew some cloves daily (kills parasites along with...)
-...eating some garlic daily (sooo many benefits!)
-colon hydrotherapy (removes harmful buildup of toxins from colon and intestines.
-essiac tea (cleanses blood)
-rebounding (moves lymph)
-dry brushing (moves lymph)
-dandelion tea (cleanses)

I've done all these things...a lot, some every day. and i'm wondering...if other people knew just a little bit of my entire story, maybe it would help.

my story

^2010^

^2013^

^Christmas 2014^

i figured it's good to put it out there, and whoever wants to read it and use it, can.

i was never living the healthiest lifestyle.

though i was never a partier, and never did drugs, 

my diet was ew. 

cue all kinds of meats, gmo's, processed foods, cold cuts, caffeine, cakes, sweets, sushi, anything with sugar.

i was eating at home, and eating out A LOT!

I didn't know that what i was doing was going to have consequences, 

and in the depth of my soul i believe that the nutrition and stress factor

is what bought on my diagnosis of hodgkin's lymphoma, in oct. 2012.

commence: chemo, november 2012- april 2013. 

ice chemo- april 2013- june 2013

stem cell transplant- july 19 2013- aug 6 2013

so basically, i've died a few times (serious- NDE's galore, some i don't even remember, they had me so drugged up)

and i prayed and prayed and prayed some more...

and i knew, in october 2013, when my onc.'s were grasping at straws

that i wasn't going to deal with the medical b.s. anymore.

if they couldn't tell me where this dis-ease came from,

how were they going to cure me with poison?

i was NOT getting sick again,

i was NOT having people with hazmat suits inject nasty nasty goo into my poor body anymore.

so God, answered my prayers, and I've been detoxing ever since.

i have tried everything, 

and never have i felt this good before.

i know it's hard, but the thing with diagnosis is this:

mind, body and spirit keep you sick.

if one is, the others follow suit.

you can choose your path by following your soul and instincts:

NOT YOUR FEAR.

I had let fear dictate my life up until my prayers were answered,

and i don't anymore.

if any of you guys are out there, and want help,

message me, I am here!

love love love,

globetrotting gamine

appendicitis

information from here
Appendicitis In the diagram of the colon, please locate the cecum, the appendix and the ileocecal valve. The left side of the diagram corresponds to the right side of the body.
The cecum is a small pouch where the colon begins, in the lower right section of the abdomen. Wastes from the small intestine flow into the cecum through the ileocecal valve (theoretically a one-way valve.) The appendix is a narrow tube attached to the cecum, with a channel opening into the cecum.
Waste matter can get lodged in this channel, causing the appendix to become infected and inflamed. Immediate surgery must be performed to remove the appendix before it bursts. Otherwise, the result is usually fatal.
Why does the appendix get blocked with fecal matter? Did nature make a blunder in its design?
One clue comes from the field of epidemiology. Appendicitis is a disease of westernized countries, virtually unknown in the developing world.^19,31     The reason is that the cecum was designed to be squeezed empty by the right thigh, in the squatting position. On a sitting toilet, it is physically impossible to compress the cecum.
Instead, one pushes downwards with the diaphragm, while holding one's breath. This maneuver inflates and pressurizes the cecum. It is analogous to squeezing a tube of toothpaste in the middle and causing the bottom of the tube to inflate. The pressure can easily force wastes into the appendix, with disastrous consequences.
The back-pressure can also overwhelm the ileocecal valve, whose purpose is to protect the small intestine from fecal contamination. Barium enema exams and intestinal surgeries routinely show the leakage of wastes into the small intestine.Crohn's Disease develops in the area soiled by this toxic backwash.
Despite all the straining, the cecum never gets evacuated. Residual wastes adhere to the colon wall, increasing the risk of cancer and inflammation (including appendicitis.)
By contrast, in the squatting posture, the right thigh squeezes the cecum from its base. Its contents are thoroughly expelled into the ascending colon, where peristalsis carries them away. There is no need to hold one's breath or push downwards, since the posture generates the pressure automatically.
The force is all directed upwards, so the appendix stays clean and the ileocecal valve stays closed. These organs were not "poorly designed" – as is currently taught in medical schools. Like the rest of the colon, they were designed with squatting in mind.

---

Historical Background of Appendicitis Most people assume that appendicitis has always been with us. But in fact, it emerged quite recently, coinciding with the introduction of sitting toilets toward the end of the 19th century.²² According to the Medical Journal of Australia,

The epidemiology of appendicitis poses many unanswered questions. Almost unknown before the 18th century, there was a striking increase in its prevalence from the end of the 19th century, with features suggesting it is a side effect of modern Western life.³⁰

In 1886, Reginald Heber Fitz, a Harvard Professor of Pathological Anatomy, became the first doctor to recognize and name the disease. He was also the first one to propose treating it by removing the appendix.¹⁸
The conservative British medical establishment resisted the novel appendectomy procedure until after the turn of the century, when it was used to save the new king's life. In 1901, the Prince of Wales, Albert Edward, underwent an emergency appendectomy, just two weeks before his scheduled coronation as King Edward VII. His successful recovery finally convinced British surgeons that this operation was the only way to save the victims of this "mysterious" new disease.²⁰
Currently, 7% of the U.S. population will contract appendicitis at some point in their lifetime (according to www.emedicine.com). The figure would be even higher, except that 40,000 "incidental appendectomies" are performed each year (according to Harper's Index, Feb, 2002.) "Incidental" means there was nothing wrong with the appendix, but the surgeon happened to be operating on another organ nearby – in most cases performing a hysterectomy.
Appendicitis is the most common reason for a child to need emergency abdominal surgery. Young people between the ages of 11 and 20 are most often affected (according to www.KidsHealth.org).
Modern medicine recognizes that appendicitis is primarily a disease of the Western World.³¹    They attribute this to the (allegedly) greater amount of fiber in the diet of the Third World. However, the fiber theory has never been substantiated, as evidenced by this quote from www.KidsHealth.org:

There are no medically proven ways to prevent appendicitis. Although appendicitis is rare in countries where people eat a high-fiber diet, experts have not yet shown that a high-fiber diet definitely prevents appendicitis.

Many residents of the developing world, not wanting to appear "backward", feel obliged to adopt western toilets. This trend is causing health problems that were previously unknown among squatting populations. Appendicitis is one example, as reported by webhealthcentre.com, a health care portal based in India:

The Indian type of toilet is more conducive to complete evacuation than the Western toilet. With the western style closets becoming popular in India, there is a risk of increased incidence of appendicitis.

Unfortunately, western doctors have never made the connection between toilet posture and appendicitis. Their understanding of this disease has advanced little in the century since Dr. Frederick Treves performed his famous appendectomy (mentioned above) on the Prince of Wales.
Ironically, Sir Frederick (knighted for saving the king's life) lost his own daughter to appendicitis.²⁷   Despite being highly skilled at surgery, he had no idea what causes the disease, or how to prevent it.
Now his successors have a chance to redeem their profession. By informing their patients (and their children) about the health hazards of the modern toilet, they can prevent a great deal of needless suffering.

top of page

to detox!

what would detoxify your liver and why!

• taurine: "

Taurine is the amino acid of anxiety control and stress management because it will lower cortisol and helps people be less anxious. The benefits of taurine don’t stop there. It also improves athletic performance and reaction time, making it useful for athletes.

• It supports insulin health, can prevent diabetes, and elevates energy production. Taurine is a potent brain nutrient, lowers blood pressure, protects the heart, helps with detoxification, and fights inflammation. Sounds like we could all use a little extra!
  It’s best to lay the building blocks for success before you start taking taurine because this amino acid is an excellent addition to a protein-rich diet and supplement plan that ensures you aren’t deficient in any of the essential nutrients. For example, be sure your omega-3 to -6 fat ratio is balanced because this will help taurine work its magic.
  
  This article will focus on the ten best benefits of taurine for a lean body composition and excellent health. Taurine can give you that extra boost by improving your mood, motivation, and helping you feel all around better.
  
  1)    Take Taurine For Less Stress
  Stress will kill you. And make you fat and unhappy. Even the most serene individuals often say they’d like to have less stress in their lives. Taurine can help us get there.
  
  Taurine is an amino acid that calms the nervous system by facilitating the production of the neurotransmitter GABA, which stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid. By helping to raise GABA levels, taurine will allow your body to manage anxiety so that your thoughts don’t go spiraling out of control and you don’t get the associated cortisol and adrenaline spikes that go with anxiety and stress.
  
  Research shows that taurine supplementation can lower anxiety in stress-producing situations, thereby allowing for greater work output and performance. One study in Advances in Experimental Medicines and Biology found that giving rats a taurine treatment prior to an anxiety-inducing exercise maze resulted in less anxious behavior and better speed through the maze a rat group that were given a placebo.
  
  A second study in Pharmacology, Biochemistry, and Behavior found similar results in that taurine lowered anxiety and increased performance on a test that combined cognitive and physical elements. In this study, also performed on rats, found that those that received the taurine demonstrated greater social interaction, which as an indicator or less stress and anxiety.
  
   If you have low taurine, your nervous system will be over-responsive to stress. A chronically excited nervous system means persistently high cortisol, and naturally, fat gain. If you have any experience with fat loss, you know that the body is most agreeable about giving up its fat stores when it is calm and not stressed or overly stimulated. The simple stress-lowering effect of supplementing with taurine will help you improve body composition and lose weight.
  
  2)    Eat Meat For Best Results With Taurine
  Taurine is an organic acid that is derived from the amino acid cysteine. There is some debate as to whether taurine should be classified as an amino acid because it does not contain a carboxyl group in its molecular structure. In fact, taurine behaves more like a neurotransmitter because of how it calms the nervous system, and the key point is that getting an adequate amount will make you healthier.
  
  Taurine can be synthesized in the pancreas if sufficient cysteine is available. For best results you should get taurine in the diet and take a supplement. Resistance trainees and athletes will deplete this nutrient since it is involved in fat use for energy production and stress management. For example, baseball pitchers and track throwers tend to be deficient in taurine and magnesium due to all the high velocity throws they perform.
  
  Foods that are natural sources of taurine are meat and animal products such as seafood, meat, milk, and eggs. Vegetarians and vegans are known to be chronically deficient in taurine. One of the worst things about nutrient deficiencies associated with the vegan diet is that their lack of taurine will them very anxious. With the added stress and over-stimulated nervous system that goes with taurine deficiency, vegans are in for a rough time.
  
  A supplement will help non meat eaters, but including organic grass-fed and wild meats and animal products is suggested because this will also provide a nice dose of DHA and EPA omega-3s. Plus, you’ll get extra carnitine (essential for fat burning and works synergistically with taurine),  creatine (great for body composition and performance), and conjugated linoleic acid (helps prevent prostate and breast cancer).
  
  Doses of up to six grams a day of taurine have proven to be very effective in protecting heart function. Smaller doses are typically used to improve brain function and prevent epilepsy.  Two to three grams a day is a safe place to start, and you can increase intake up to six grams. There’s no evidence of negative health effects from supplementing with taurine.
  
  3)    Take Taurine to Burn Fat
  Taurine is stored in the gallbladder in bile, and it helps the body digest food, particularly fats. Taurine helps the body metabolize fat, making it essential for energy production and a lean physique. But, it’s also necessary for many aspects of health because “good” fats play a role in the health of every cell in the body.
  
  The value of taking taurine to support fat burning and lose weight is apparent with a recent study in the Journal of Biomedical Science that compared the anti-obesity effects of taurine and lotus leaf extract in rats who were fed a high-fat diet. Researchers measured triglycerides, cholesterol, and body weight gain in rats after six weeks in which they were fed either a normal diet, a high fat diet, a high fat diet with lotus leaf (a plant that is known to have fat burning benefits), or a high fat diet with lotus leaf and taurine.
  
  The group what received the taurine in addition to the lotus leaf showed the most favorable cholesterol levels and blood lipid profiles of all groups. The taurine and lotus leaf were most effective at minimizing fat gain, especially visceral belly fat fain. The group that received just lotus leaf also gained less fat than the rats that only received the high-fat diet and no supplement, but researchers point to the added taurine as the best way to facilitate fat metabolism in the body.
  
  The nutrient carnitine is responsible for the transport of fats into the cells to be used for energy in the body. By raising the level of muscle carnitine, you support the fat burning process, but you also must have adequate taurine for this to happen.  Taurine plays a role in the initial phase of fat metabolism, while carnitine takes the fat into the cell to let your body burn it up!
  
  4)    Take Taurine for Insulin Health
  Taurine is a well known supplement for preventing diabetes and improving insulin sensitivity. Taurine makes the cells more sensitive to insulin binding and glucose uptake by multiple mechanisms. First, taurine has what is called an “anorexigenic” effect on the hypothalamus gland, meaning that it minimizes feelings of hunger by improving energy production and metabolism.  A recent study in the journal Amino Acids found that the anorexigenic action of taurine enhances the role of insulin in the control of food intake and helps stall body fat gain.
  
  Taurine doesn’t just improve an already functioning metabolism. It has an antioxidant effect and has been found to lower chronic inflammation in the hypothalamus that results in greater insulin production by the pancreas, which in turn produces higher insulin levels and obesity. A related means by which taurine improves metabolism is by neutralizing free radicals in pancreatic cells called “beta cells.” Healthy beta cells are essential for gradual and modulated insulin secretion, and they help with glucose injection into cells for energy use.
  
  A more concrete action of taurine on body composition is its ability to improve resting energy expenditure. Another new study in Amino Acids  found that increasing taurine levels in rats increased fat burning during rest by activating two pathways (taurine improved them by as much as 70 percent) that play a role in insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal.
  
  The benefits go on with data showing that taurine can protect cardiac tissue from oxidative stress, in part because of its antioxidant effect and partly because taurine increases the enzyme that sends the message to allow glucose to enter the cell for energy use. As mentioned above in number 1, taurine supplementation has been shown to activate the GABA hormonal system, which has the ability to protect brain tissue from damage due to a stroke.  Another Amino Acids study showed that taurine helped minimize oxidative stress and protect the brain via GABA’s inhibitory action in calming the nervous system.
  
  5)    Take Taurine To Raise Testosterone
  Taurine has been proven to raise testosterone production in males, while not raising the concentration of estradiol, an estrogenic hormone. A study in Amino Acids measured the effect of taurine on testosterone and related sex hormones in rats and in test tubes. In both studies, results showed that taurine stimulated testosterone production, but only if the amount of taurine administered, which was administered in drinking water, was below 400 microgram/ml—above 400 micrograms/ml testosterone production was blunted.
  
  The ideal dose in rats appears to be 10 microgram/ml of taurine.  In the test tube study, when taurine was not administered, testosterone production went down, indicating that for normal testosterone production,  taurine is necessary. A suggested dose based on studies ranges from 3 to 5 grams of taurine a day for an 85 kg man.
  
  More support for taking taurine for reproductive health is a study that showed taurine supplementation can prevent testicular oxidative stress and cell death, which leads to decreased sperm production, testicular toxicity, and reduced testicular weights. In this study, researchers treated rats with a toxin that is known to cause oxidative stress and abnormalities in the testes. Taurine treatment prevented nearly all of the abnormalities that were caused by the toxin and helped maintain normal reproductive health in the rats. The protective mechanism appears to be taurine's antioxidant effect in the body, and as shown in the first study mentioned above, it may play an intrinsic role in male testosterone production.
  
  Obviously, having adequate testosterone levels is essential for the ideal male body composition because testosterone improves lean mass development and fights fat gain. Plus, it’s well known low testosterone in men is linked with poor health, particularly bad metabolism and the development of diabetes. Taurine is one nutrient among many that should be attended to for adequate reproductive health in both men and women (don’t worry ladies, taking taurine won’t raise testosterone production or make you big, but the research shows it can support metabolism and lower stress levels in women as well as men). Along with taurine, carnitine, omega-3 fatty acids, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin D are all essential for health and body composition.
  
  6)    Take Taurine and Fight Oxidative Stress
  Taurine is an awesome, if lesser known, antioxidant. Its ability to abolish free radicals and keep cells alive and healthy is partly due to how it helps maintain homeostasis and balance in the body. Taurine can aid the detoxification process, while also minimizing the stress and insulin response.
  
  The antioxidant action of taurine in the body makes it a treatment for various types of inflammation, including those already mentioned  (from insulin resistance and high triglycerides, from exposure to toxins, from high cortisol levels), but it’s also been shown to counter the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease that is due to a disordered metabolism. Research shows taurine reduces fat gain in the liver and minimizes liver inflammation and injury.
  
  The integrated benefits of omega-3s and taurine in the body were demonstrated in a new study published in theInternational Journal of Molecular Medicine that measured the inflammatory status  of fat tissue in response to a diet that included supplemental sardine protein. Sardines contain some of the highest concentrations of EPA and DHA omega-3s of all fish, making them an excellent dietary addition, and they also contain taurine and vitamin E, another potent antioxidant.
  
  This study found that giving rats sardine protein along with a diet that was high in fructose (a carbohydrate source that is known to negatively alter metabolism) minimized fat gain, improved glucose uptake into cells, lowered oxidative stress markers, and improved inflammatory status. This research calls our attention to the need for a combined integrative approach when using taurine—adequate omega-3 fats are helpful, and other antioxidants and essential nutrients make everything work better in the body.
  
  7)    Take Taurine To Perform Better and Recover Faster From Training
  Taurine supplementation will increase force production, improve endurance and performance in both aerobic and anaerobic system sports, and speed recovery from intense training. One recent study showed that intense exercise significantly lowers muscle taurine levels, but that administering taurine during the exercise session counters the loss of taurine and helps improve work capacity.
  
  In this study, rats that were given taurine during a run to exhaustion test had better physical endurance than those that didn’t receive the supplement. Plus, following the exercise tests, urinary loss of creatine and other biomarkers were reduced. This means that taurine administration improved recovery and reduced the effects of muscle fatigue making it a useful performance enhancer.
  
  One reason taurine improves performance and time to exhaustion is its ability to improve fat burning. One study showed taurine ingestion prior to a prolonged cycling time trial resulted in better performance and a 16 percent increase in total fat oxidation compared to a control group.  Taurine also helps the fast-twitch muscles produce peak force by supporting the contractile properties and countering fatigue. It’s likely a combination of better energy production and the ability of taurine to maintain homeostasis in the body that play a role in increasing force in type 2 muscle fibers.
  
  The antioxidant effect of taurine will also improve recovery from intense training. A study in the journal Cell Biochemistry and Function found that giving rats taurine for 15 days prior to an intense downhill run that involved repeated eccentric muscle actions significantly lowered evidence of muscle damage and oxidative stress. Researchers suggest that raising muscle taurine levels can improve recovery by minimizing the buildup of byproducts that cause muscle fatigue and damage during very intense training.
  
  8)    Raise Muscle Taurine Levels For Cardiovascular Health 
  Taurine will protect the heart and lower blood pressure, and raising muscular levels has been shown to improve the exercise capacity of patients with heart failure. A recent study in the Journal of Cardiology compared the effects of 500 mg of taurine three times a day with a placebo on patients with left ventricular heart failure. The patients who received the taurine significantly increased exercise distance, and they improved their functional mobility over a two-week period, while the placebo group demonstrated no changes. Researchers suggest taurine improves calcium homeostasis, which aids cardiovascular function, and has “an overall beneficial effect on the macrovascular system.”
  
  The cardiovascular benefits of taurine are abundant and convincing. Multiple studies have shown taurine will lower blood pressure (it is particularly effective at preventing hypertension that is linked to insulin resistance and poor metabolic health), and a recent study in the Journal of Biomedical Science found that taurine and magnesium levels along with body mass index and total cholesterol were most directly related to the lowest cardiovascular risk in a population of healthy Japanese.  Researchers suggest the combination of elevated taurine and magnesium stores support heart health in this population, and that the Japanese have higher levels of these nutrients due to the presence of fish in the diet.
  
  One research group writes that taking taurine to prevent heart disease “may be of great public importance,” while another suggests that it is essential for “good health and longevity,” and that individuals should attend to both their magnesium and taurine levels for best results.   
  
  9)    Sleep Better With Magnesium and Taurine
  Take taurine for better sleep, but make sure you are getting a magnesium supplement that your body can absorb as well. Together these nutrients are the answer to abolish stress, calm the nervous system, and help you sleep better. You’ll also have a better overall mood. People who are deficient in either magnesium or taurine are at greater risk for depression and poor motivation.
  
  Magnesium is well known to calm the nervous system, while countering fatigue. Similarly, taurine raises GABA levels, calming the nervous system and lowering anxiety and stress hormones that hinder rest.
  
  10)    Take Taurine For Better Brain Function
  Take taurine for better brain function. Taurine can delay the cognitive decline that comes with aging.  It can improve learning and retention in older individuals and will aid the development of cognitive function in children.
  
  Interestingly, research shows taurine will improve reaction time and minimize sleepiness in sleep-deprived individuals when paired with caffeine. A new study in the British Journal of Surgery tested the  effects of a placebo, caffeine, or caffeine with taurine on surgery performance in sleep-deprived novice surgeons. The caffeine plus taurine reversed the negative effects of reaction time due to fatigue and minimized feelings of sleepiness, although not to baseline levels.
  
  Researchers suggest that the combination is ideal because caffeine provides the stimulus, while taurine has a calming affect that functions as an anti-fatiguer. Green tea paired with taurine and carnitine can be very effective when in a sleep-deprived state because this mixture helps to manage anxiety and improve energy and focus."

the above was taken from the website: http://www.poliquingroup.com/ArticlesMultimedia/Articles/Article/782/Ten_Benefits_of_Taurine.aspx

• dandelion: Digestive Aid – Dandelion acts as a mild laxative that promotes digestion, stimulates appetite, and balances the natural and beneficial bacteria in the intestines. Kidney – This weed-like superfood is a diuretic that helps the kidneys clear out waste, salt, and excess water. This inhibits microbial growth in the urinary system too. Liver – Dandelion has been shown to improve liver function by removing toxins and reestablishing hydration and electrolyte balance. Antioxidants – Every part of the dandelion plant is rich in antioxidants that prevent free-radical damage to cells and DNA, slowing down the aging process in our cells. Cancer – Dandelion acts against cancer to slow its growth and prevent its spread. The leaves are especially rich in the antioxidants and phytonutrients that combat cancer. Diabetes – Recent animal studies show promise that dandelion helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. High Blood Pressure – As a diuretic dandelion increases urination which then lowers blood pressure. The fiber and potassium in dandelion also regulate blood pressure. Cholesterol – Animal studies have shown that dandelion lowers and control cholesterol levels. Gallbladder – Dandelion increases bile production and reduces inflammation to help with gallbladder problems and blockages. Inflammation – Dandelion contains essential fatty acids and phytonutrients that reduce inflammation throughout the body. This can relieve pain and swelling. Immune System – Animal studies also show that dandelion boosts immune function and fights off microbes and fungi. Dandelion leaves, flowers, and roots are all edible. They have a slightly bitter flavor that can be minimized by harvesting them in the fall or spring. Cooking cuts the bitter flavor as well though the leaves make a great addition to raw salads. Dandelion is generally considered safe in food and medicinal levels. Some people may have allergic reactions to dandelion. Anyone with an allergy to ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, chamomile, yarrow, or daisy should avoid dandelion and anyone pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs should talk to a health care professional before adding something new to their diet. - "
• See more at: http://www.sunwarrior.com/news/11-health-benefits-of-dandelion-and-dandelion-root/#sthash.Ux4W4zJH.dpuf 

• milk thistle: "Milk thistle was approved in 1986 as a treatment for liver disease and it is widely used to treat alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic fatty liver, cirrhosis, liver poisening and viral hepatitis. It has also been shown to protect the liver against medications such as acetaminophen, a non-aspirin pain reliever.
  The active ingredient, or liver-protecting compound in milk thistle is known as silymarin. This substance, which actually consists of a group of compounds called flavonolignands, helps repair liver cells damaged by alcohol and other toxic substances by stimulating protein synthesis. By changing the outside layer of liver cells, it also prevents certain toxins from getting inside. Silymarin also seems to encourage liver cell growth. It can reduce inflammation (important for people with liver inflammation or hepatitis), and has potent antioxidant effects. Antioxidants are thought to protect body cells from damage caused by a chemical process called oxidation. Our Milk Thistle is not standardized to an exact amount (as it is made from pure dried natural herbs. Milk Thistle naturally contains about 70 - 80% Silymarin (and many other constituents thought to work in harmony).
  This herb benefits adrenal disorders and inflammatory bowel syndrome, and is used to treat psoriasis (increases bile flow).
  Milk thistle has some estrogen-like effects that may stimulate the flow of breast milk in women who are breast-feeding infants. It may also be used to start late menstrual periods. Milk thistle's estrogen-like effect may also have some usefulness for men with prostate cancer."   

The above information about milk thistle was taken from http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-milk-thistle.html

• globe artichoke : Globe Artichoke for Healthy Liver and Gall bladder Function
  "The artichoke plant is a member of the thistle family, and like the popular milk thistle, it greatly benefits the liver, protecting against toxins and infection. A Mediterranean homemade recipe uses fresh artichoke leaf juice mixed with wine or water as a liver tonic. Globe Artichoke may protect and regenerate the Liver – similar to Milk Thistle (due to Cynarin)
  Globe Artichoke increases the contractive power of the Bile Duct, thereby improving the flow of Bile from the Liver to the Gallbladder via the Duct"

The above information is from http://thenaturalresponse.org/globe-artichoke-loves-your-liver-loves-your-pancreas-and-so-much-more/

WHEW!

That's a lot of information!

You GOTTA love your liver <3

LOVE,

The Globetrotting Gamine

the juice chronicles

taken, created, drank by me!

these are on my instagram-- please click the link to the top right of the page. you're more than welcome to follow me!

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

juice recipe!

 all organic, all shown on the picture to the left...
melon, red apples, carrots, banana, cucumber, green apple, ginger

note:: melon moves the lymphatic system!

de
lic
ious!

let me know if you try this!

love me,
the globetrotting gamine

intestines and the lymphatic system

taken from the book, the human body :)
(you know, the ones for kids!)



"the intestines"

the small intestine has three main sections. The duodenum is about 12 inches long. The name actually means "!2 each". The jejunum is about 6.5 ft; the ileum is over 9.8 ft. 
The linings of the last two are folded, with a velvety texture made by millions of villi, finger shaped structures less than a millimeter long. These provide a huge surface area for absorbing nutrients into the blood and lymph fluid in the intestinal wall. The large intestine consists of the cecum, appendix, colon, and the rectum to store stools.

"the lymphatic system"

lymph is a milky liquid that begins as watery fluids that have collected in spaces around cells and watery fluids that have leaked from small blood vessels. These fluids channel slowly into a body wide system of veinlike tubes, with one way valves. Lymph has several jobs: it collects wastes from cell activity; it distributes nutrients, especially fats; it also carries white blood cells around the body in the fight against infection. 

lymph nodes

lymph vessels widen at intervals to form lymph nodes, which vary from the size of grape seeds to larger than whole grapes. the nodes clean and filter the lymph and store germ fighting white blood cells. in several body regions, nodes are clustered together, as shown here in the armpit. these nodes are so called "glands" that swell up and become hard during illness, because they contain millions of white blood cells and dead germs.

spleen makes white blood cells.


good to know :)

love me
the globetrotting gamine

distilled water truths

The Truth About Distilled Water:

The below excerpt is from http://rootsofhealthyliving.com/drinking-distilled-water-the-clear-truth/

"Water is the spring of life. We can survive without food for a relatively long time but only a short time without water. It is essential to every part of our health and well being.

Sometimes I wonder what our grandparents would think if they could look around and see us spend our hard earned money on water in a bottle. Why do we do that? Do we think it’s not healthy to drink tap water? Is it just the convenience? Is it because we intrinsically know that water should be clean and free of chemicals? How do we know if there is a difference in the water we purchase? There is spring water, purified water; water with added minerals for taste, and yes even distilled water.

By reading this article you will learn what distilled water is and why so many are turning to it. You will begin to discover the health benefits of distilled water. In this article we will discuss problems with mineral accumulation in the body and the diseases related to it, and how drinking distilled water can help. We will also address how distilled water is an “empty” or “thirsty” water, what this means and why it is important to our health. Finally, we will tackle how much water is really necessary to drink each day.

There are over 700 potentially harmful minerals and chemicals found in our drinking water. Distilling our water removes ALL of them. Distilled Water is the process of heating water and capturing the steam. The steam is than collected back into a container becoming distilled water. This process leaves all other minerals and chemicals behind creating a product that truly is pure water. This steam is simply hydrogen and oxygen or in other words, water and nothing but water.

It is important to consider that our understanding of minerals is incorrect. There is mounting evidence that clearly shows our bodies CAN NOT assimilate inorganic minerals. In fact, the opposite is true. We break them down into small enough particles so our bodies can take them in, but they can’t effectively use them. What happens? Those minerals accumulate in our bodies, building up over time. Think of corrosion on pipes. We are no different. Calcium deposits line our arteries, we develop bone spurs, arthritis can develop where minerals and other toxins have settled on the joints and on and on and on. It is true that we need minerals in our diet. However, we are organic beings and need organic minerals. Minerals found in plant food have been changed from inorganic to organic and are readily assimilated and used by the body. For example, one glass of fresh squeezed orange juice has more usable minerals in it than 30 gallons of water!

Yes! Switching to distilled water will help keep those inorganic minerals from entering the body. That is a huge step toward health, but what about those minerals already there? There is another beautiful truth about distilled water. Because distilled water is nothing but water it is naturally empty or thirsty. It actually pulls into it the properties it comes in contact with. For example, it has been proven that using distilled water when making herbal tea is 30 percent more effective at drawing out the medicinal properties of the herbs than regular tap water. Thirty percent! That is a huge difference. By operating on those same principles, drinking distilled water will draw out those inorganic mineral accumulations in the body, providing relief from pain and improved health over time.

Most Americans walk around chronically dehydrated and don’t even realize it. A good rule of them is to drink your weight in ounces. For an average person, weighing about 130 pounds, a gallon of distilled water a day is not too outrageous. Distilled Water can be purchased very inexpensively at your local grocery store. Many water bottle delivery companies are beginning to offer distilled water as an option. Small counter top distillers are also available online and work really well.
To summarize, chronic dehydration is an epidemic in the United States. Not getting enough water to drink can cause a host of health problems. We can use the empty properties of distilled water to draw out the medicinal properties of herbal tea as well as draw out accumulations of inorganic minerals and other toxins that build up in our body. There are promising studies in regards to Distilled Water and Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, and Heart Disease. Many find water relieves headache pain, helps keep them regular, can help hydrate and soften skin, and helps flush out the lymph system carrying toxins out of the body and can even help with weight loss. So only one question remains…How much water have you had to drink today?"

Gets your thinking, doesn't it?

If you find you're not feeling so hydrated, try a glass of distilled water. I guarantee you will start feeling better pretty quickly!!

Love Me,

The Globetrotting Gamine