17 Reasons Avocados Are The Best Food In The Entire World

Avocados. Are. The. Best. Fruit. In. The. Whole. World. Fruit, you say? Why yes... it may be hard to believe, but that tasty green thing is not a vegetable, but a fruit -- a berry, to be exact.

Honestly, there might be something slightly wrong with you if you don't like avocado. We could happily eat it everyday -- as long as it's not ahot avocado ... that's just gross. Read on to find out things about the avocado you never knew. These are the reasons why you should grab one right now, cradle it, kiss it and thank it. Then eat it -- or put it in on your face.

Avocados are really fattening, but in a very good way.

They have more fat than any other fruit, but don't let that deter you from eating them! Avocados are full of incredibly healthy mono-unsaturated fat. It's the most amazing kind of fat because it isgood for your heart. Still skeptical? Allow the American Heart Association explain why mono-unsaturated fats are the bomb:

"[They] help reduce bad cholesterol levels in your blood and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. They also provide nutrients to help develop and maintain your body’s cells. Monounsaturated fats are also typically high in vitamin E, an antioxidant vitamin most Americans need more of."

Yes, you read that right. It's full of a fat that makes your body healthy. Be still our beating hearts.

http://www.twopeasandtheirpod.com/charred-corn-and-avocado-pizza/

The avocado's nickname is the "alligator pear."

Because its wrinkled rough green skin looks like an alligator's and it's pear-shaped. When it's cut open, an avocado sort of looks like an alligator's eye, too.

Eating avocados can regulate your blood pressure.

Avocados are full of magnesium and potassium, two nutrients known to help reduce blood pressure. The avocado provides more magnesium than twenty other fruits, including the banana, kiwi and strawberry.

"Avocado Salad" 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-9744/11-fun-facts-about-avocados.html

Avocados make the best spread for bread.

Forget butter, jam, mayonnaise or peanut butter. Have you ever heard of avocado toast? It's basically the best thing ever. You'll even be getting the benefit of over 20 nutrients when you mash it up and put it on your breakfast toast.

Guacamole is the healthiest and best dip ever.

Here's a tip: Contrary to popular belief, adding the avocado's pit to a bowl of guacamole is not what keeps your dip fresh and green days after making it. The real trick is adding plenty of lime and lemon juice. It's the exposure to oxygen that turns your guac brown -- lime and lemon juice's acidity slows down the oxidation process.

"Perfect Guacamole" by Simply Recipes 

There is such thing as avocado oil, and it's said to do wonders for your body.

Avocado oil, or fat pressed from the fruit, is similar in form to olive oil. However, when you cook with avocado oil, you could be fightingheart disease, cancer and signs of aging. Research in Mexico has shown that the oil has the power to combat destructive rogue oxygen molecules. These types of molecules are known to destroy cell membranes, proteins and DNA. Avocado oil to the rescue!

Avocados are a much cheaper version of Botox.

That's right, avocados are not only for eating. An avocado can serve as a wonderful moisturizer, treat sunburns by preventing chafing, and it even help reduce wrinkles. Try this easy mask to block wrinkles from forming and to seriously hydrate dry skin: Mix raw honey, yogurt and an avocado together, and then slather it on your face. Hey, Kim Kardashian seems to enjoy it.

Avocados are a great source of fiber.

If you're tired of eating beans to get your fiber fix, start eating some avocados. There are 10 grams of fiber in a medium-sized avocado, with 75 percent of that fiber being insoluble (the one that speeds up the digesting process), and the other 25 percent being soluble (responsible for making you feel "full").

Avocados help your body absorb the nutrients from other foods.

One study showed that when avocado is added to salad, the absorption of beta-carotene from carrots increased 13.6 times, and the absorption of alpha-carotene from lettuce increased 4.3 times compared to the same salad eaten without avocado. The reason is because the mono-saturated fat in an avocado helps the body absorb fat-soluble carotenoid phynutrients better.

Avocados make for a great butter substitute for healthier baked goods.

If you're trying to eat healthier, you can swap in the super-fruit for butter in most recipes for baked goods. Chocolate-chip cookies and banana bread can taste delicious when baked with avocado. Check out these awesome avocado brownies from "How Sweet Eats." There's even avocado in the frosting!

There are so many ways avocados can be eaten. Paninis, anyone?

Or pancakes...

"Cornmeal, Avocado, and Lime Pancakes" by Food 52

How about some avocado pie?

"Avocado Mambo Pie" by Food 52

Or a nice chilled soup?

"Chilled Avocado and Yogurt Soup with Melon" by Huffpost Taste

Avocados can make a mean pasta sauce...

"Avocado Pesto Pasta" by Gimme Some Oven

You definitely need to try this gelato...

"Avocado Gelato" by Food 52

It's settled: We <3 avocados and they <3 us back...

How to Get Through a Panic Attack

Have you ever dealt with panic attacks? Here are my tips on how to get through a panic attack, should you ever have one. My first panic attack came out of no where. I woke up in the middle of the night and my heart was racing. My mind was going a million miles a minute and I really just wanted to crawl out of my skin.

I woke my husband up and was pretty sure that he needed to race me to the ER because I was dying…then we figured out I was having a panic attack. 

It was so scary! 

Sadly, I have had to deal with them more times since that first night, but I have learned a bit about how to get through them. For me, the panic attacks came on after a physically rough miscarriage.

It was then that I realized my body needed some healing and my journey to learning about Hashimoto’s started. There is a lot you can do to help your body and get rid of anxiety, but today I want to share my tips for how to get through a panic attack, should you ever have to deal with one.

How to Get Through a Panic Attack Panic attacks can be scary, especially if you’ve never had one before. Getting through them will be different for everyone, but here are my top 8 tips for how to get through a panic attack.

1. Breathe 

It sounds kind of silly and simple, but I know I find myself holding my breath at times when I’m in the middle of a panic attack. Focus on breathing in and out. It doesn’t even have to be deep breathing but just even breathing. In and out. This often helps reduce my heart rate.

2. Repeat a song, verse or poem 

I realized the more I thought what was going on with my anxiety, the more escalated I would get. So, I started to recite song lyrics in my mind.

At first I would keep repeating the same line, but after awhile I find myself focusing and getting through the song. I keep doing this until I am calmer. This one really helps me when I am in bed trying to sleep. It doesn’t have to be a song, it can be a poem, Bible verse, or anything else, but pick something that brings you comfort and peace of mind. 

3. Don’t be alone 

I was afraid to tell people about my panic attacks when they first started happening. I realize how foolish that was on my part and really find relief when I share it with someone. Find the person you trust the most and have them there for you. It’s not always about talking but about being supported and not being alone.

4. Get comfortable 

During a panic attack, I get cold and shiver. For me, I like to get bundled up in a sweater, under a heavy blanket, or even get in the shower to feel warmth. This is different for everyone but finding things that bring you comfort will help lessen the severity of the attack.

5. Fresh air 

If you are inside, getting yourself outside to breathe in fresh air can be a miracle. There is something calming about the ‘new’ air filling your lungs.

6. Walk Barefoot 

I know, this sounds hokey, but taking a walk outside in my bare feet helps ground me. I can feel my body start to calm and my muscles relax. Read more about grounding here.

7. Herbs and Supplements 

This will be very different for everyone, but if you can recognize certain physical triggers, you may be able to find a supplement that can help lessen them. 

For some people this is magnesium, for others it can be adaptogenic herbs. Jessica has a great post on them, here. She also has a series that spotlights a variety of adaptogens here. For me, Rescue Remedy works well during the attack.

8. Essential Oils

I love oils for when I am feeling panicky. Breathing in their aroma can help calm me down. Oils are very personal and you need to find out which one(s) work well for you. There are some great blends that I love but if you are new to oils, lavender is a great one to get started with for panic attacks.

Panic attacks are scary. I have full sympathy for anyone that has had to experience one, since I too have had to deal with them. 

The Benefits of Hydrogen Peroxide and its Many Uses

by Andrea Harper and Dr Akilah El

Hydrogen peroxide is the only germicidal agent composed only of water and oxygen. Like ozone, it kills disease organisms by oxidation! Hydrogen peroxide is considered the worlds safest all natural effective sanitizer. It kills microorganisms by oxidizing them, which can be best described as a controlled burning process. When hydrogen peroxide reacts with organic material it breaks down into oxygen and water. Review

Whiten Clothes – An Alternative to Beach
Add a cup of Peroxide to white clothes in your laundry to whiten them. Peroxide is great to get rid of blood stains on clothes and carpets. If there is blood on clothing, just pour directly on the spot, let it sit for about a minute, then rub and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Health:
Your body makes hydrogen peroxide to fight infection which must be present for our immune system to function correctly. White blood cells are known as Leukocytes. A sub-class of Leukocytes called Neutrophils produce hydrogen peroxide as the first line of defense against toxins, parasites, bacteria, viruses and yeast.

Rejuvenating Detoxifying Bath:
Use about 2 quarts 3% hydrogen peroxide to a tub of warm water. Soak at least 1/2 hour, adding hot water as needed to maintain a comfortable water temperature.

Foot Fungus:
To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.

Douche:
Add 2 capfuls of 3% hydrogen peroxide in warm distilled water once to twice a week to remove even chronic yeast infections.

Colonic or Enema:
For a colonic, add 1 cup (8 ozs.) 3% H202 to 5 gallons warm water. (Do not exceed this amount) For an enema, add 1 tablespoon of 3% H202 to a quart of warm distilled water.

Infections:
Soak any infections or cuts in 3% for five to ten minutes several times a day. Even gangrene that would not heal with any medicine has been healed by soaking in hydrogen peroxide. Put half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus or other skin infections.

Bird Mites Infections:
Patients infected by tiny mites report that hydrogen peroxide effectively kills the mites on their skins. They spray it on their skin a couple of times (with a few minutes in between the applications) with amazing results.

Sinus Infections:
A tablespoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide added to 1 cup of non-chlorinated water can be used as a nasal spray. Depending on the degree of sinus involvement, one will have to adjust the amount of peroxide used.

Wound Care:
3% H2O2 is used medically for cleaning wounds, removing dead tissue, and as an oral debriding agent. Peroxide stops slow (small vessel) wound bleeding/oozing, as well.

Some sources recommend soaking infections or cuts for five to ten minutes several times a day. However, washing and rinsing action is sufficient. You shouldn’t leave the solution on open tissue for extended periods of time as, like many oxidative antiseptics, hydrogen perioxide causes mild damage to tissue in open wounds. Therefore it is important to use with caution.

Personal Care:

Mouthwash / Tooth Care:
Healing Properties: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. You will not have canker sores and your teeth will be whiter. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% hydrogen peroxide into your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.

Mouthwash: Many people don’t realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash. Use 3% H202 – add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavoring if desired.

Toothpaste: Use baking soda and add enough 3% H202 to make a paste. Or, just dip your brush in 3% H202 and brush. Soak your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide to keep them free of germs.

Toothbrush: Soaking your toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide will help keep them free of harmul germs.
Tooth Ache: Hydrogen peroxide is not a pain killer; however, as an anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal agent, it is effective at treating the pathogen that is causing the infection. The following is from my own personal experience: My dentist wanted to give me a root canal some time ago as one tooth was inflamed and, in her opinion, would die. I felt some discomfort but told her that I would give it chance to heal. I rinsed with hydrogen peroxide (several times a day) as well ascoconut oil (once a day). The discomfort went away and I have had no further problems with the tooth.

Tooth Whitening: Having used 3% Hydrogen Peroxide as a mouth wash for sometime ago, I am thrilled to note that my teeth have been beautifully and effortlessly whitened. I used to pay so much for professional whitening, those silly strips and uncomfortable trays. Live and learn.

NOTE: Do not swallow any peroxide. When the peroxide rinse is done, be sure to rinse out your mouth with water.

Colonic or Enema:
For a colonic, add 1 cup (8 ozs.) 3% H202 to 5 gallons warm water. (Do not exceed this amount) For an enema, add 1 tablespoon of 3% H202 to a quart of warm distilled water.

Hair Lightening:
Peroxide is a bleaching agent and is used for lightened hair. Dilute 3% hydrogen peroxide with water (50 / 50) and spray the solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages, but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually so it’s not a drastic change.

Contact Lenses:
Hydrogen peroxide is used as a disinfectant in CIBA Vision’s Clear Care no rub contact lens cleaning solution, due to its ability to break down the proteins that build up on the lense from the eye’s immune response, resulting in increased comfort for those with sensitive eyes.

Sanitizing / Disinfectant / Cleaning

Straight or Diluted Hydrogen Perioxide:
Clean your counters and table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean glass and mirrors with no smearing.

Keep a spray bottle of 3% (straight) to disinfect the interior of the refrigerator and kids’ school lunch boxes.

In the Dishwasher: Add 2 oz. of 3% hydrogen peroxide to your regular washing formula.
Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour or spray hydrogen peroxide (and then vinegar) on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.

I use peroxide to clean my mirrors with, there is no smearing.

Combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxidemake a cheap, effective and non-toxic disinfectant agent and is said to be more effective at killing pathogens than bleach.  As it is non-toxic, you can use it to disinfect fruits and vegetables, as well as pet toys, equipment and cages.  In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide mists, kills virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces.

Directions:
You need TWO spray bottles. DO NOT MIX the solutions together.  Put straight vinegar in one and straight hydrogen peroxide in the other spray bottle.  NOTE: Light destroys peroxide rather quickly. It’s best to leave it in its original bottle and screw in a spray head. DO NOT DILUTE THEM.

Remember for any sanitizer to work properly, the surface has to be clean before you use it.

When you want to sanitize a surface (vegetables, cutting board, counters, sink, cages, toys. toilets, floors, etc.), spray one (it doesn’t matter which one you use first) on the surface, then you spray on the other.  When they mix, for a brief time the chemical action of the two make a very powerful sanitizer.  You can rinse off the surface afterwards, if you want, but the result is non-toxic.
Fortunately it is cheap. BTW, we use it in the bathroom to sanitize the counters, toilets, floors, etc.

Sanitizing Drinking Water

Mold:
Clean with hydrogen peroxide when your house becomes a biohazard after its invaded by toxic mold, such as those with water damage.

Humidifiers/Steamers:
Use 1 pint 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 gallon of water.

Laundry / Stain Removing:
Stain Remover:
3% Hydrogen Peroxide is the best stain lifter if used fairly soon – although blood stains as old as 2 days have been successfully lifted with Hydrogen Peroxide. Although it will bleach or discolor many fabrics. If a little peroxide is poured onto the stain it will bubble up in the area of the blood, due to a reaction with catalase. After a few minutes the excess liquid can be wiped up with a cloth or paper towel and the stain will be gone.

3% H2O2 must be applied to clothing before blood stains can be accidentally “set” with heated water. Cold water and soap are then used to remove the peroxide treated blood.

Washing/Laundry:
You can also add a cup of hydrogen peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.

Peroxide is a perfect alternate solution to keep those clothes white. Also, when chlorinating clothes, they tend to wear out faster – peroxide won’t do that.

Food Preparation:

Vegetable Soak:
Use as a vegetable wash or soak to kill bacteria and neutralize chemicals. Add 1/4 cup 3% H202 to a full sink of cold water. Soak light skinned (light lettuce) 20 minutes, thicker skinned (like cucumbers) 30 minutes. Drain, dry and refrigerate. Prolongs freshness.

If time is a problem, spray vegetables (and fruits) with a solution of 3%. Let stand for a few minutes, rinse and dry.

Meat Sanitizing:
You can also use it to rinse off your meat before cooking.

Leftover tossed salad:

Spray with a solution of 1/2 cup water and 1 Tbsp. 5%. Drain, cover and refrigerate.

Marinade:
Place meat, fish or poultry in a casserole (avoid using aluminium pans). Cover with a dilute solution of equal parts of water and 3% H202. Place loosely covered in refrigerator for 1/2 hour. Rinse and cook.

Sprouting Seeds:
Add 1 ounce 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 pint of water and soak the seeds overnight. Add the same amount of hydrogen peroxide each time you rinse the seeds.

Grades of Hydrogen Peroxide

A) 3.5% Pharmaceutical Grade: This is the grade sold at your local drugstore or supermarket. This product is not recommended for internal use. It contains an assortment of stabilizers which shouldn’t be ingested. Various stabilizers include: acetanilide, phenol, sodium stanate and tertrasodium phosphate.
B) 6% Beautician Grade: This is used in beauty shops to color hair and is not recommended for internal use.
C) 30% Reagent Grade: This is used for various scientific experimentation and also contains stabilizers. It is also not for internal use.
D) 30% to 32% Electronic Grade: This is used to clean electronic parts and not for internal use.
E) 35% Technical Grade: This is a more concentrated product than the Reagent Grade and differs slightly in that phosphorus is added to help neutralize any chlorine from the water used to dilute it.
F) 35% Food Grade: This is used in the production of foods like cheese, eggs, and whey-containing products. It is also sprayed on the foil lining of aseptic packages containing fruit juices and milk products. THIS IS THE ONLY GRADE RECOMMENDED FOR INTERNAL USE.
G) 90%: This is used as an oxygen source for rocket fuel.

Only 35% Food Grade hydrogen peroxide is recommended for internal use. At this concentration, however, hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidizer and if not diluted, it can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. Any concentrations over 10% can cause neurological reactions and damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. There have been two known fatalities in children who ingested 27% and 40% concentrations of H202. Another reports tells of a 26 month old female who swallowed one mouthful of 35% H202. She immediately began vomiting, followed by fainting and respiratory arrest. Fortunately, she was under emergency room care and although she experienced erosion and bleeding of the stomach and esophagus, she survived the incident. When she was re-examined 12 days later, the areas involved had healed (J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 90;28(1):95-100).

Personal note:  As with ANY food, drug, or supplement, using the product according to instructions is key to safety.  If someone uses too much, then of course ramifications may be felt.  We’ve NEVER heard of ANY harmful side effects from the correct usage of Food Grade hydrogen peroxide.In dire cases of disease, intraveneous use may be recommended.  If you would like to find a doctor in your area trained in the use of intravenous H202 infusion, contact the International Bio-Oxidative Medicine Foundation (IBOM), P.O. Box 13205, Oklahoma City, OK 73113 at (405) 478-4266. They can provide names and addresses of doctors using the procedure in your area.

35% Food Grade H202 must be….
1) handled carefully (direct contact will burn the skin- immediate flushing with water is recommended).
2) diluted properly before use.
3) stored safely and properly (after making a dilution the remainder should be stored tightly sealed in the freezer).
One of the most convenient methods of dispensing 35% H202 is from a small glass eye dropper bottle. These can be purchased at your local drugstore. Fill this with the 35% H202 and store the larger container in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator until more is needed. Store the eye dropper bottle in the refrigerator. The generally recommended dosage is outlined in the chart below.
The drops are mixed with either 6 to 8 ounces of distilled water, juice, aloe vera juice or gel.

5 Ways to Get More Magnesium

We all need to get more magnesium

Magnesium deficiency is widespread and may account, at least in part, for your own health problems. Dr. Sircus, a leading magnesium researcher and author of Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, says

After oxygen, water, and basic food, magnesium may be the most important element needed by our bodies, vitally important yet hardly known. It is more important than calcium, potassium or sodium and regulates all three of them. Millions suffer daily from magnesium deficiency without even knowing it. (Read more in his article on magnesium deficiency.)

How can you benefit by getting more magnesium? These are just a few of the benefits of improving your magnesium status: 

• Reduces muscle cramping, including restless legs and menstrual cramps
• Improves sleep
• Very helpful in reducing symptoms of PMS including bloating, mood swings and breast tenderness
• Widely helpful for headaches and even migraines
• A key part of any hormone-balancing protocol, because magnesium helps balance the other minerals and hormones in the body
• As an anti-stress agent in the body, it often promotes a sense of peace and wellbeing. It is very helpful in depression and anxiety.

Here are five simple and effective ways to get more magnesium each day: 

1. Magnesium Oil

Did you know that magnesium is better absorbed through the skin than the digestive tract? That’s why magnesium oil, a solution of magnesium flakes dissolved in water, offers an effective way to get more magnesium on a daily basis. Magnesium oil bypasses digestion and is absorbed directly into the skin, bringing useable magnesium directly to your cells.

You can purchase my recommended magnesium oil here, but I prefer making my own magnesium oil to save money. To make magnesium oil, you will need magnesium chloride flakes – I purchase these magnesium flakes here. Then, simply dissolve the flakes in water and put in a spray bottle.

Here is my recipe for magnesium oil, along with important tips for using it. Magnesium oil can feel uncomfortably itchy or tingly if applied at certain times or to different parts of the body, so I highly recommend reading those tips – it will save you discomfort!

2. Magnesium Lotion

Magnesium lotion uses the same principle of magnesium oil, but the magnesium is delivered in a lotion base instead of a water solution. It’s a dual-purpose magnesium supplement and moisturizer!

Try this DIY Magnesium Oil recipefrom Wellness Mama. It uses coconut oil, the magnesium flakes (this stuff), and shea butter.

3. Magnesium-Rich Foods

We all know that we can get more magnesium by eating certain foods. But did you know that produce now has less magnesium in it than 100 years ago? The mineral content of fruits and vegetables directly reflects the quality of the soil in which it is grown. Modern soil is greatly depleted of minerals due to mass farming techniques. That’s one reason why it’s important to source organically-grown produce from small family farmers who practice proper crop rotation and natural fertilization. It’s also one reason why you probably need to the other ways here to get more magnesium, in addition to enjoying magnesium-rich foods.

There are certain foods that will help you get more magnesium in your diet: 

• 1/4 cup of dark chocolate contains 25% of your daily value of magnesium
• 1 ounce of pumpkin seeds contains 37% of your daily value of magnesium
• 1 cup of spinach contains 40% of your daily value of magnesium
• 1 Tbs. of molasses contains 12% of your daily value of magnesium

Source: 10 Foods High in Magnesiumfrom The Coconut Mama

4. Magnesium Baths

Magnesium baths are another way to get more magnesium by absorbing magnesium through your skin. A warm magnesium bath is also extremely relaxing and very soothing to tired, achy muscles.

There are two ways to prepare a magnesium bath: first, using epsom salt. Second, using magnesium flakes. Epsom salt is 100% magnesium sulfate, so you will absorb some magnesium during the bath. However,Dr. Sircus, an expert on transdermal magnesium therapy, believes that magnesium sulfate is very difficult for the body to assimilate. The most effective option is using magnesium flakes, which are in the form of magnesium chloride, and much more easily absorbed. 

Draw a warm bath an add 2 cups of epsom salt OR 1 cup of magnesium flakes (I recommend this brand found here). I also recommend using a bath filter like this one to remove chlorine from the bath water, since this toxin is absorbed through the skin. Then, relax in the bath for 15-25 minutes.

5. Magnesium Citrate Supplement

When it comes to supplementing with magnesium instead of or in addition to magnesium oil, there is only one type of magnesium supplement I take and recommend: magnesium citrate. From my own use and my experience as a nutritional therapist, it is the preferable magnesium supplement. It’s available as Natural Calm Magnesium, which you can find online here or in most health food stores.

As a powder, it dissolves quickly into warm water and tastes mild and pleasantly tangy. Before being dissolved in water, it is in the form of magnesium carbonate. Once dissolved, it turns into magnesium citrate.

Since magnesium is a natural laxative, it’s safe and effective for naturally improving constipation.Too much magnesium citrate will give you very loose stools, however. I recommend starting at 1/2 teaspoon per day and gradually increasing by 1/4 teaspoon until you know your “breaking point.”

12 Reasons Why Salt is GOOD for you!

Salt is good for you?!

Perhaps you’ve heard some of the buzz in the health blog world about salt. Perhaps you are asking yourself, salt is good for me? Yep, it is! The idea is contrary to the pretty blatant lies told to us by the American Heart Association… and thank goodness, because salt makes food taste amazing.

There is no need to suffer through bland, unsalted meals in the sake of health. Here are 12 reasons why salt is good for you:

1. The premise that salt leads to hypertension has never been scientifically supported. On the contrary, studies show that a reduced-sodium diet leads to health issues. In one study, subjects consuming less than 2300 mg. (the recommended daily allowance) of sodium per day had significantly higher mortality rates (meaning a higher risk of death) than the subjects consuming 2300 mg. or more sodium per day.

2. Salt aids blood sugar control by improving insulin sensitivity. A low-salt diet increases insulin resistanceand even moderate dietary salt restriction is shown to cause systemic insulin resistance (study #1 and #2).

3. Salt is a natural antihistamine. A pinch of salt sprinkled on the tongue may help improve an allergic reaction or an asthma attack (source).

4. Your body needs salt to maintain the proper stomach pH. Stomach acid is hydrochloric acid and salt is sodiumchloride. Proper stomach acid levels are absolutely foundational for good digestion, but 90% of Americans have low stomach acid. Learn how to correct low stomach acid naturally.

5. Salt lowers adrenaline spikes. Adrenaline is a necessary and important stress hormone, but it is just that… a stress hormone. When adrenaline patterns are out of rhythm, it takes a toll on the body (source).

6. Salt improves sleep quality. It boasts anti-stress and anti-excitatory qualities due to its suppression of stress hormones and it increasing of the metabolic rate. This may explain why many people report that a low sodium diet interferes with sleep and an adequate amount of dietary salt improves sleep quality.

Interestingly, if you often wake up with your heart pounding between 2 and 4 AM, it is probably because of an adrenaline spike. The most important change is to reduce both physical and mental stress, as well as eating a healthy diet. But one immediate fix to help you go back to sleep is just a pinch of salt and sugar (or salt and honey, if you prefer) sprinkled on the tongue to calm the adrenaline peak (read more about it in this book!).

7. Adequate salt consumption encourages a healthy weight and fast metabolism. First, one study showed that increased salt intake leads to an increase in the elimination of cortisol and lower blood cortisol levels. Imbalanced or excess cortisol means weight gain and a stagnant metabolism.

8. Salt supports thyroid function by reducing circulating stress hormones. For example, cortisol is anti-thyroid, but salt combats excess cortisol.

9. Salt supports hyperosmolarity of the extracellular fluid. Slight hyperosmolarity–more solutes in the extracellular fluid than in the cell–actually increases the cell’s metabolic rate (source). That means salt can speed up your metabolism! On the other hand, when the extracellular fluid is hypo-osmotic in relation to the cell, it impairs the breakdown of proteins and glucose and thereby lowers the cell’s metabolism.

10. Increased sodium intake also correlates with increased thermogenesis–heat production by the body (the study is here).

11. Adequate salt supports balanced hormones. Hormone and nutrition researcher Ray Peat explains the correlation between the salt-regulating hormone aldosterone and mineral loss:

One of the things that happen when there isn’t enough sodium in the diet is that more aldosterone is synthesized. Aldosterone causes less sodium to be lost in the urine and sweat, but it achieves that at the expense of the increased loss of potassium, magnesium, and probably calcium… Magnesium deficiency is extremely common, but a little extra salt in the diet makes it easier to retain the magnesium in our foods.

12. Salt makes food taste good. Salt adds a satiety factor to food and makes meals enjoyable. Adequate salt content of food makes it easier to enjoy quality instead of quantity, thereby encouraging mindful eating and weight management.

What salt is best?

Salt is good for you if it is the right type. With that said, regular processed salt is better than no salt, that’s for sure.  But the better option is unrefined salt, which is rich in trace minerals and free of additives.

I had the opportunity to speak with a salt expert at Real Salt, and I asked him how the popular types of unrefined salt compare. We discussed Real Salt, Himalayan Salt and Celtic Sea Salt. As it turns out, these salts share an extremely similar mineral profile. While some producers of himalayan salt boast that their salt contains 84 trace minerals, that is afalse marketing claim. These three types of unrefined salts all contain about 60 important trace minerals, although the amounts of minerals vary slightly from salt to salt.

Oh, this is obvious but I should say it anyways… don’t rely on high-sodium processed food for salt! That is not a good source of sodium. Make food from scratch and salt it yourself.

How much salt should I eat?

Food should be salted freely and to taste. When the metabolism is slow and the thyroid is not optimally functioning, it may be beneficial to consume extra salt whenever possible. This could include salting all beverages and using liberal salt when cooking and baking.

If you have kidney disease or hypertension, it is a good idea to consult with a medical practitioner before increasing salt intake.

Most importantly, listen to your body. Let your salt craving and desire for seasoning dictate how much salt to consume.