Colds, Flu, Sugar and You
Halloween candy is
on store shelves,
the sugar rush begins
as health wanes.
-Lona
Let the Sugar Season Begin
It’s that time of year again … the weather begins to change, we start ingesting more sugar due to holidays and hot chocolate, and the cold & flu season takes off across the nation.
I've heard a theory that sugar intake contributes to the Cold and Flu season. Here are some interesting facts so that you can decide what you believe.
Horrifying and Interesting Facts
The average American eats 61 pounds of refined sugar each year, including 25 pounds of candy. The average child will eat about three cups of sugar on Halloween.
Initially, sugar was so rare and expensive only royalty could afford it.
Sugar was considered a spice in England in the twelfth century, used by the very wealthy to season savory dishes.
Until the late 1500s, sugar was called “White Gold,” and European nobility used it to display their social standing.
In the 16th century, a teaspoon of sugar cost the equivalent of five dollars in London.
Two hundred years ago, the average American ate only 2 pounds of sugar a year.
In 1970, Americans ate 123 pounds of sugar per year.
Today the average American consumes almost 152 pounds of sugar in one year. This is equal to 3 pounds (or 6 cups) of sugar consumed in one week.
Worldwide, people consume 500 extra calories a day from sugar, which is roughly the amount of calories needed to gain a pound a week.
Sugar causes wrinkles. Sugar affects the elasticity of your skin. Overconsumption causes glycation—a process in which the sugar in your bloodstream binds to proteins, forming molecules that make the collagen in your skin more brittle—which, in turn, causes wrinkles.
Too much sugar can increase the overall risk for heart disease. In fact, sugar actually changes the muscle protein of the heart as well as the pumping mechanics of the heart according to the book Sugar Nation.
Excess sugar consumption has been linked to cancer production. Studies have found that high sugar intake negatively affects the survival rates in both breast cancer patients and colon cancer patients.
A 2012 study found that excess sugar consumption was tied to deficiencies in memory and overall cognitive processing.
While foods rich in fiber, fat, and protein help make a person feel full, sugar does not create feelings of satiety.
When the body cannot clear glucose, or sugar, quickly enough, sugar destroys tissue. This is basically what diabetes is: the inability to eliminate glucose.
Candy can rot your teeth. Bacteria that cause cavities love to eat sugar lingering in your mouth after you eat something sweet and as you digest that sugar the Bacteria that causes cavities thrives in your system causing you to crave more sugar.
Studies have linked a high sugar intake to a greater risk of depression in adults. Source Web MD.
Can you imagine eating 16 sugar cubes at one sitting? You probably have. That’s a little less than what is contained in a 20-ounce bottle of cola.
Is Sugar an immuno-suppressant? There is a lot of evidence sugar is harmful to your body so we've provided you with more information below. Please keep reading.
Sugar in The News
The woman on this YouTube video talks really slow yet you will see exactly what sugar does to your body.
Article talks about the Sweet Danger of Sugar. It is written by Harvard Medical School.
2008 study that says sugar is a silent killer. 10 Things You Don't Know About Sugar.
How exactly does sugar cause wrinkles? Read about it here.
The scientists who discovered sucralose (Splenda) were trying to make an insecticide to kill rats. An assistant thought he had been instructed to “taste” a sample he had been asked to “test. Here is information on The Chemistry of Artificial Sweetners.
What does sugar do to your immune system. Find out here.
Education is Our Goal
Here are some of the trending articles that can help you make decisions about your health.
The flu vaccine contains more mercury than what is legally allowed in drinking water. Read about it here.
This article talks about a study that shows Vitamin D is more effective than the flu vaccine. Below we discuss Vitamin D and K in depth.
We've also seen new research this year. Vitamin D is big in the holistic news. Parents are always telling their children to get out from behind their screens and play outdoors—and now there's a compelling health reason why they could be right. Here is a great article about Vitamin D.
Let's look at vaccines. Here is an article that talks about the Flu Vaccine and injuries.
Texas Biological Medicine is here to help and your family stay healthy. Call our office at 972-233-8339 to schedule your appointment to improve overall health.
Boost Your Natural Defenses
When the flu season hit last year we blogged about Natural Defenses for Colds and Flu, Foods to Eat, and the tried and true supplements we personally use. You can find that information here.
When preventative strategies are not started soon enough, you are required to treat your cold and flu symptoms. We would love to help you with natural remedies and immune boosters. The key is to seek help immediately. We offer a variety of vitamins, minerals, and supplement which are safe and effective. Properly selected treatments will not only relieve your symptoms but can shorten the duration of your illness.
Here are our favorites:
Sinus Chi ♦ Relieves colds ♦ Muscle spasms ♦ Sinus Congestion, Headaches and Fever ♦ Runny Nose ♦ Sneezing ♦ Chills.
Bamboo Extract is used for:♦ Acute and chronic throat and lung conditions ♦ Cough ♦ Phlegm ♦ Sore Throat ♦ Runny Nose ♦ Ear Irritation in Children ♦ Bronchitis.
Influaforce Plus is used for ♦ Relief of minor Aches and Pains in Muscles and Joints ♦ Fever♦ Dry Cough ♦ Fatigue with Headache. Our Influaforce Plus has been imprinted with the 2019-2020 Flu season frequencies.
Zinc Drink provides zinc in a convenient liquid supplement. This is not just for children, it's for adults too. Zinc is an essential trace mineral that is needed for the activity of numerous enzymes associated with energy metabolism. It plays an important role in boosting the immune system
function.
New Study Highlights Protective Effects of Zinc. Professor Christopher McDevitt of the University of Melbourne led a research study that uncovered the link between dietary zinc intake and protection against Streptococcus pneumoniae. Zinc Drink could be part of your immune system solution.
Vitamin K2 with D3. These two vitamins were meant to go together. Most people know the benefits of Vitamin D, but many don’t realize that Vitamin D NEEDS Vitamin K2 to maximize it’s benefits. Vitamin d3 is a hormone that helps us naturally boost the immune system, balance hormones, make thyroid hormones and calcitonin; K2 tells the calcitonin where to put the calcium. K2 can remove calcium from unwanted valves and have the body put the calcium on the bones.
d-lenolate Plus Cold and Flu. D-Lenolate Plus® assists in eliminating cold and flu symptoms such as headache, cough, stuffy nose and sore throat, it also works to eliminate the actual viruses that are the root cause of these problems. Safe for children at half the adult dose, the d-Lenolate component of this homeopathic remedy acts as an immune system booster to increase the body's natural immunity defenses. When considering cold and flu supplements that work in the prevention as well as the cure for these common ailments, you'll find d-Lenolate Plus the best cold remedy there is.
Ionic Foot Bath. An ionic foot detox pulls toxins out of your body through your feet and can assist the body in detoxifying Metals, Chemicals and more. Recent studies showed a 46% reduction of Aluminum, a 34% reduction in Glyphosate and a 24% reduction of Cadmium. Schedule a foot bath with Ramona at 972-233-8339 the first sign of Cold and Flu Symptoms.
I'd like to lighten things up by curing a global pandemic.
Unfortunately that’s outside my sphere of influenza.
Garlic Soup
I wanted you to stay safe this October.
How do you kill a gluten free vampire?
Garlic bread.
Garlic might even defeat colds and flu. This combination of fifty (50) cloves of garlic, along with a few other ingredients, will destroy almost any virus that enters its path.
Garlic as Medicine
Garlic has a long and proud tradition as a medicine throughout history.The Ancient Egyptians recommended it for 22 ailments.
The Ancient Greeks advocated garlic cured infections, lung and blood disorders, healed insect bites, and even used it to treat leprosy.
The Romans fed it to soldiers and sailors to improve endurance.
During the Middle ages, garlic was ground or sliced and applied directly to wounds to inhibit the spread of infection.
Louis Pasteur noted in 1858 that bacteria died when doused with garlic.
Garlic has been known to halt viruses in their tracks due to it’s chemical constituent, allicin. Allicin is a compound that is known for anti-microbial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and antioxidant properties. It also affects the body by lowering blood pressure, supporting the digestive system, the circulatory and immune system. Science and research say garlic is an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal herb.
This soup will definite stop vampires and it might just head off the colds and flu.
Garlic Soup Recipe
Ingredients:26 organic garlic cloves (unpeeled)
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) organic butter
1/2 teaspoon cayenne powder
1/2 cup fresh ginger
2 1/4 cups sliced onions
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
26 organic garlic cloves, peeled
1/2 cup coconut milk
3 1/2 cups organic vegetable broth
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Place 26 garlic cloves in small glass baking dish. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and toss to coat. Cover baking dish tightly with foil and bake until garlic is golden brown and tender, about 45 minutes. Cool.
Squeeze garlic between fingertips to release cloves. Transfer cloves to small bowl.
Melt butter in heavy large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onions, thyme, ginger and cayenne powder and cook until onions are translucent, about 6 minutes. Add roasted garlic and 26 raw garlic cloves and cook 3 minutes. Add vegetable broth; cover and simmer until garlic is very tender, about 20 minutes.
Working in batches, puree soup in blender until smooth.
Return soup to saucepan; add coconut milk and bring to simmer. Season with sea salt and pepper for flavor.
Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
We're Not Amazon
We aren't Amazon but we do believe you should be able to purchase your supplements quickly and easily. When you call our office for refills, we aren't always able to process your orders the same day. The fix: we decided to make the entire process easier. You can now order quality supplements, delivered to your door with no shipping cost (if purchase is over $50.00).
To sign up access the website HERE. This website will request your First Name, Last Name and Email address. You will receive a login. This way you don't have to call us or drop by the office to pick your items up. We love to see you so do stop by if that is more convenient.
Please don't self diagnose. You can call us any time at 972-233-8339 and we will give you an appointment or answer your questions over the phone.
October Seasonal Veggies
What prompted the last massive veggie protest?
Privileged information was leeked...
Acorn squash
Beets
Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Leeks
Okra
Parsnips
Peppers
Pumpkins
Shallots
Sweet potatoes
Turnips
Watercress
Winter Squash
October Seasonal Fruits
It's no fig deal, we got this...
Apples
Blackberries
Cranberries
Dates
Figs
Grapes
Pears
Quince
Star Fruit
October Seasonal Fish
You can dive right in...
Crab
Flounder
Mullet
Mussels
Redfish
Rockfish
salmon
Swordfish
Tuna
I'm off the hook so let's move in another direction.
This Office Reads
Lona recommends:
The Grain Brain Whole Life Plan by David Perlmutter, M.D. This is a practical, comprehensive program that lowers the risk for brain ailments while yielding other benefits, such as weight loss, relief from chronic conditions, and total body rejuvenation. This science-based book includes original recipes, tips and tricks for common challenges, meal plans, and advice on everything from sleep hygiene to stress management, exercise, and supplements.
Tricia recommends:
It's Not Your Money by Tosha Silver. Some seek to manifest money in myriad ways - using anything from vision boards to writing a pretend check for a million dollars from the bank of divinity. But what if there was a whole other way? Instead of grasping and chasing, what if we offered everything - our money (or lack of it), our triumphs, our problems, our desires - fully back to love? What if this offering itself was actually the secret to abundance?
Ramona recommends:
Right People, Right Place, Right Plan by Jentezen Franklin. Whom should I marry? What will I do with my life? Do I take this job? Should I invest money in this opportunity? God has bestowed an incredible gift in the heart of every believer. He has given you an internal compass to help guide your life, your family, your children, your finances, and much more. Through the Holy Spirit, you can tap into the heart and mind of the Almighty and learn to trust those divine “nudges” in your life.
Do you know the difference between swine flu and bird flu?
If it’s bird flu, you need a tweetment.
If it’s swine flu, you need an oinkment!
Food For Thought
Healthy eating is essential on the road to recovery. Chicken soup may not be a cure-all, but it’s a great choice when you’re sick.
Directions:
Put the chicken, carrots, celery and onion in a large soup pot and cover with cold water. Heat and simmer, uncovered, until the chicken meat falls off of the bones (skim off foam every so often).
Take everything out of the pot. Strain the broth. Drink up.
Consider making and freezing this nourishing soup in the winter so that you can pull it out or the freezer when you feel a cold coming on.
Keep in mind that eating healthy when you're ill is even more important than eating healthy in day to day life.
Want more options? Here are some Oatmeal recipes to fight colds and flu. Click here
I'm Not Sick, I'm Hungry
25 Ways to Use Pumpkin Seeds in Your Fall Recipes here.
Salmon is in season. Here are 50 healthy salmon recipes.
This October we will try everything from soup to pumpkin chai latte. Twelve healthy pumpkin recipes can be found right here.
Apples are in season and in the stores. Here are 30 healthy recipes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Sweet, savory, main dish or desert another good link for apple recipes.
"Let the sugar-free
feasting begin."
Lona Smith
