7 Signs You Should Be Taking Probiotics

Have you taken an antibiotic over the past year?

Well, if you are like most people these days, you have.

Did you know that antibiotics completely destroy your healthy gut bacteria?

Even if you took one 7 years ago – if you have not replenished the good guys within your gut, chances are really high that you are struggling with imbalance, maybe unknowingly.

But antibiotics are not the only thing hindering your health.

Do you struggle with:

Irregular mood

Skin issues

Erratic sleep patterns

Crazy cravings for sugar and other unhealthy food

Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea or cramping after meals

Healthy weight management

If you answered yes to any of these, you should know that these are just some of the symptoms of an imbalanced gut.

You’ve heard me say it before, but it’s important that you realize the impact your gut health has on every single part of your body – physical and mental.

Remember, 70-80% of your immune system is in your gut.

And 95% of your serotonin is made in your gut – that’s your “happy” hormone.

Just these 2 factors alone are enough to show that when your gut is out of whack, so are you… on some level anyway.

You’ve likely heard the term PROBIOTICS thrown around and maybe you already use them, which is great!

But maybe you’re like many others still confused about WHY they matter when it comes to your health.

I want to make that really clear for you.

Probiotics are the beneficial bacteria within our gut.

They are the guys that:

Keep harmful bacteria and microorganisms in check

Aid in digestion and nutrient absorption

Make sure your body receives the vitamins, minerals, fats and amino acids from the foods that you are consuming – totally necessary!

Are needed for the generation of certain B vitamins, vitamin K, folate, and some short-chain fatty acids

Contribute to proper immune function

They crowd out bad bacteria, preventing the bacteria’s ability to host in the body, which inhibits infection, inflammation and disease.

Proven by researchers at UCLA, the correction of healthy bacteria in the gut can optimize neurotransmitter function, leading to improved mental health and may even improve learning and sharpen focus and memory.

So yea, they are kind of  big deal.

Probiotics are abundant in fermented foods, but most often their probiotic concentration is not enough to be used therapeutically when the gut flora has been drastically depleted.

Therefore, use fermented probiotic-rich foods as an ongoing part of the diet to keep your levels up as a form of prevention. Then choose a high-quality probiotic, as a form of nutrition therapy.

So how do you know if you’re deficient?

Well, according to the research I have done on the subject, most of us are!

We live in a toxic environment, my friend.

There are chemicals and pesticides in:

our food

in the air we breathe

the water we drink

Despite our best efforts, toxin exposure is inevitable in our modern society.

But we can help minimize the effects and I have a solution to do just that.

But first, here are 7 signs that YOU need to MORE probiotics in your life…

1. Antibiotics

Antibiotic literally means “anti-life” –  that’s pretty powerful.

They are designed to kill and they don’t discriminate between the good and bad bacteria, unfortunately.

TIP: Double dose your probiotics for the length of time you were on an antibiotic post-treatment to ensure you are repopulating the good guys! (example: if you were on an antibiotic for 14 days, double dose for 14 days afterwards to help repopulate and get your system back on track.)

2. Food Poisoning

Bad bacteria is lurking in your gut when this happens and it’s important to fight the bad guys.

Probiotics help replenish the good guys and get your digestion moving as it should.

TIP: Taking probiotics regularly gives the body a better defense against any foreign invaders you may come into contact with.

3. Digestive Disturbances

 

Be sure you are consuming a healthy diet first.

Eliminate hard-to-digest foods such as processed, packaged and fried foods, dairy, gluten, sugar and soy and aim to eat more REAL foods as nature intended.

Probiotics will further support your efforts to bring balance to your gut.

TIP: Ginger is great if you are experiencing any type of digestive distress. I love using extra ginger is most of my green juices, but it’s also great as a tea or as a delicious addition to your meals.

4. Skin Conditions

Our external environment is a direct reflection of our internal environment. That includes rashes, acne, rosacea, eczema, etc.

If your skin does not clear from diet and probiotics alone, you may consider using digestive aids such as apple cider vinegar to promote stomach acid production and enzymes.

Other agents to heal the intestinal lining include l-glutamine and aloe vera.

TIP: Be sure to have your hormones checked too to rule out any imbalances so often associated with acne.

5. Mood Disorders

The health of our gut is so closely tied to the health of our brain.

That’s why improving the integrity of your gut has such an effect on the function of your neurotransmitters.

TIP: Further supporting your body with B vitamins and paying attention to the health of your kidneys are also key factors to a balanced mood.

6. Weak Immunity

Healthy bacteria can train your immune system to distinguish between “foreign” microbes and those originating in your body, making probiotics the best front line against infection.

When your gut is balanced, your risk for illness diminishes significantly.

TIP: Focus on supporting your entire body with healthy foods, daily movement, positive mindset and supplementation where necessary.

7. Yeast Overgrowth 

When people hear “yeast,” they often think yeast infections.

The truth is, yeast overgrowth shows up in many different ways.

It might be belly bloat, foggy thinking, sugar and carb cravings, skin problems, gas, low mood, irregular sleep…

There are so many things to consider when it comes to this very common problem and it doesn’t affect  just women and it’s not only relative to yeast infections.

Chronic yeast overgrowth is opportunistic, meaning, given the opportunity to FEED, it will! And the results are those which I mentioned above. The best way to clear the root cause of your symptoms when dealing with yeast overgrowth is to cut off it’s food source and repopulate!

So where do you start?

Cut out the culprits that FEED this guy, such as:

refined sugar

(reduce) natural sugars (even from fruit)

get rid of sugary carbs

alcohol

caffeineYeast overgrowth LOVES these things. Now is not the time to be generous and giving to this sneaky bugger. 

TIP: Taking a probiotic helps to bring the good guys back in the picture and rebalance the ratio of good to bad guys, knocking out the overgrowth of this nasty critter and helping you eliminate the root cause of those annoying symptoms.

To support the health of your gut, I’ve got a delicious juice recipe for you.

G-Health Juice Recipe

Ingredients

1 cucumber: a natural diuretic, reduces inflammation, relieves stomach acid and provides soothing cleansing effect.

2 celery stalks: aid in bowel movements, promote healthy kidney function and detoxes the body.

1 lime: stimulates digestion, eliminates toxins and purifies the liver and other organs.

1 inch piece ginger: a digestive superfood great for stimulating healthy digestion. It soothes the stomach and helps the body digest everything properly.

1 small handful fresh mint or cilantro leaves: kills microorganisms that are associated with digestive issues, stops cramping, soothes digestion, great for detoxification.

1 Tbs. apple cider vinegar: contains valuable minerals, live enzymes, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, helps normalize pH and promotes the growth of friendly bacteria. It’s also great for detoxification.

Instructions

Juice all ingredients except the ACV, you’ll mix that in at the end.

Enjoy!

You can also get additional probiotics with supplementation try this Biotic Balance Probiotics

 

Article originally published in FitLife.tv 

 

Be Your Own Dentist! Here are Tricks to Remove Tartar Buildup at Home

Tartar is the yellow or brown mineral deposit on teeth, which can lead to periodontitis, especially if it increases and without removal. Most of you probably visit the dentist in order to address this issue, however you can also do this procedure at your home. Just keep in mind these are more preventative measures and none will eliminate tartar as fast as your dentist will once you have a build-up.

To remove tartar buildup at home, there are several treatment options:

Hydrogen peroxide

Water

Baking soda

Salt

Antiseptic mouth wash

Dental pick

Toothbrush

1. Mix one cup of hydrogen peroxide with ½ cup of warm water after which you should rinse your mouth for one minute. Spit, and then rinse with ½ cup of cool water.

2. The most common and effective tool to get rid of tartar is baking soda. Mix one tablespoon of baking soda with ½ teaspoon of salt in a cup. Then rinse the toothbrush with warm water, and dip it in the mixture. Brush your teeth and spit. The whole process should last for five minutes.

3. Rinse your mouth with a natural antiseptic mouth wash every second day.

4: Use a dental pick for rubbing the yellow tartar from teeth. In order not to irritate and damage your gums, be cautious not to scrape them.

In order to gain or preserve your beautiful pearly whites in that smile with bright, shiny and white teeth, follow these tips below:

Eat cheese

Consuming Swiss or Cheddar cheese before meals helps in neutralizing the acids that cause tartar. Aged cheese contains ingredients that act as a defender.

Strawberries and Tomatoes

Tomatoes and strawberries are amazing for maintaining oral health because they are rich in vitamin C. They can whiten teeth and soften tartar. Simply rub them directly onto your teeth and leave thus for 5 minutes. You can do the same procedure with other foods that are rich in vitamin C, like lime, oranges, lemons, bell peppers, berries, papaya. Afterwards, rinse your mouth with a mixture prepared from baking soda and warm water.

Further tips to preserve oral health

-You should regularly use dental floss

-Clean your mouth naturally with saliva. Salivary glands are triggered by chili food.

– In order to prevent bacteria from multiplying, rub your teeth with orange peel before going to bed and don’t rinse your mouth.

– When you brush your teeth, use a soft brush and make vertical movements. Be sure to always clean the space between gums and the teeth.

Source/Reference: www.myilifestyle.com – Original Article Source

How to Memorise an Entire Essay or Speech

How to memorise a complete essay or speech

Christmas and New year is over and for some there looms the prospect of mid term exams. A lot of these exams will be closed book exams. A closed book exam tests your knowledge and memory of a subject. One of the ways in which some students prepare is to actively learn the subject areas and also look at past questions and anticipate a question which might come up. At the moment my wife is studying for exams in which she is actively learning her subjects and also she has written 3 x 500 word essays on the three areas of study.

Together we have come up with a system which means that she can memorise a 500 word essay in 1 day and 3 x 500 word essays in 3 days. Together with actively learning the subject she is confident that she has prepared well.

In this article I will show you the system we came up with to memorise 1500 words verbatim. Sound hard? It is actually quite easy and is a system I used when at university studying for my psychology degree for 2 x 1000 word essays.

This method can also be used for memorising any kind of written work or speech.

Before you begin

Before you begin this it is important to actually believe that you can memorise a complete essay or speech whether it be 500 words or 2000 words. When I first suggested using this method to my wife she said that she would never be able to memorise an essay word for word.

Once she got over this and started telling herself that she could do it we started.

Active learning

First off, this method of memorising an essay should not be substituted for actively learning a subject. Active learning is when you read, not skim, the subject area and take note of the key points. Cross reading is also very good for active learning. This is when you read books on the subjects by different authors. Some authors are not good at getting information across so cross reading is an excellent way learning.

The method for memorising an essay or speech.

You will need to write out the essay or speech first. Treat this part of the process as if you were writing an essay to hand in for marking by your lecturer. In other words make sure it is worthy of memorising.

When you have written the essay make sure it is grammatically correct as you will be memorising every comma and full stop.

When you are sure you have a good essay or speech print it off and mark down the left margin the number of paragraphs e.g. if you have 6 paragraphs write at the side of each paragraph the numbers 1 – 6. In the right hand margin write the number of sentences in each paragraph. This is the first part of the memorisation process.

A quiet place to study

Now, make sure you have quiet space to be able to read, walk and vocalise your essay. When you are sure you will not be interrupted you can start.

With your printed essay start walking and reading out loud the essay or speech. When you have read it out loud a few times go back to the first sentence and read it out loud. Then read it again and again until you have memorised it. When you are confident you have memorised it word for word go on to the next sentence. When you have memorised the second sentence, whilst walking vocalise the first two sentences without looking at your printed essay. If you are okay with this go on to do the same with your 3rd sentence and so on until you have memorised your first full paragraph. This can take anywhere between 15 – 45 depending on motivation, alertness, quietness etc.

The reason I ask you to walk is to keep your blood flowing whilst memorising. If you are sitting down you might nod off, by walking it will prevent you from nodding off. I find walking up and down an excellent way to concentrate on reading.

Keep reading, and vocalising your essay or speech until you have memorised it completely. When you are confident of having memorised it. Vocalise it without looking at your printed sheet. If you get it right, do it again, and if you get it right a second time reward yourself with a cup of tea or coffee or whatever is your want and leave it for a few hours.

When a few hours have passed go back to the essay, read it out loud whilst walking and looking at the printed sheet and then try to memorise it again.

Once you are confident that you have memorised it completely, at the bottom of the page write down the first few words of each sentence of your essay, separated by a comma, and number each line for each paragraph. When you have done that put in the number of sentences at the end of the list and bracket it.

For example if I was writing out the first few words of this article for the first 3 paragraphs it would look like this;

Christmas and New year, A lot of, A closed book, One of the, At the moment

(5)

Together we have, Together with actively (2)

In this article, sound hard? (2)

Now what you should do is only look at the list at the bottom of the paper and read out from that whilst walking. This way you are only looking at the first few words and finishing the sentence without looking at it. If you get stuck just go back to the main essay and look at it, until you have got it completely.

Now memorise the bottom of the sheet of paper with the first few words of the essay and how many sentences are in each paragraph. This should only take 10-15 minutes at the most.

This sounds a very convoluted way of memorising an essay but it is a lot easier than it reads here.

Time taken to memorise

You should be able to memorise a full 500 word essay in about 3 hours, for your first time, using the above method. When you are practiced you should be able to memorise a 500 word essay in about 60 – 90 minutes.

About the author

Steven Aitchison is a personal development writer and creator of personal development products : GuidedMind | 99PositiveAffirmations | Mind Alchemy. 

He is also a Facebook Engagement expert and teaches others how to grow their Facebook pages, which he has done from 35,000 likes to over 1 million likes.

How To Prevent Leg Cramps, And How To Never Get Leg Cramps Again!

Pain caused by cramps is one of the worst things that can happen. It hurts, it slows us down and it hinders our progress. Cramps often come out of nowhere, and people who are trying to get in shape know just how often this particular type of pain can show up.

Below you can read how to get rid of and avoid one of the worst kind of pains – leg cramps.

What Causes Leg Cramps?

Unlike cuts and bruises, leg cramps are not caused by an outside force. A leg cramp (or any cramp for that matter) can be caused by a variety of internal issues.

In some cases, leg cramps could just mean that you are not getting enough water or specific nutrients, but in other cases, leg cramps could be an indicator of much more serious problems, like a kidney infection.

Easy Fix

People who are simply dehydrated while engaged in moderate or intense activities for long periods of time, can sometimes easily get rid of their cramps by simply drinking some warm water.

Warm water is recommended because its temperature closely resembles that of our blood, and can be absorbed into dehydrated muscles much quicker the cold water.

Individuals who are experiencing frequent leg cramps, are recommended to increase the amount of electrolytes they consume. Electrolytes are like mini masseuses in the body that work with warm water to loosen up tight muscles and stop cramping almost immediately. Electrolyte packets can be found in a local grocery store or health supplement store.

How to Prevent Leg Cramps?

Although hydration is a great start, sometimes our bodies need more than just water. The body requires specific nutrients and minerals that cannot be provided by water and electrolytes. One of the best minerals for preventing leg cramps is Magnesium. If electrolytes are the masseuse then magnesium is the massage oil.

The body uses magnesium rapidly, so, to avoid cramping you should consume about 250-300 milligrams of magnesium a day. Foods that are high in magnesium are: nuts, lentils, pumpkin seeds, quinoa, dark chocolate, spinach, molasses, prepared potatoes, and fish.

Another mineral that is great for preventing cramps is potassium. Potassium interacts with sodium in the body to direct and control liquids. Leg cramps that are caused by dehydration are usually a result of low potassium or high sodium.

Besides being able to protect you from cramps, potassium can also act as a cramp relieving agent.

When potassium enters the digestive system it will help you by directing the fluids to the affected area. If you consume foods that are high in potassium while your leg (or any part of your body) is cramping, you will be able to provide yourself with quick relief.

Remember, although cramping happens to everyone, all of our bodies are different. If you experience frequent cramping consider speaking to your doctor.

Here’s How Eating Coconut Oil Can Help Support Healthy Thyroid Function

Here’s How Eating Coconut Oil Can Help Support Healthy Thyroid Function

If you struggle with thyroid disease as 20 million other Americans, you may have finally become aware of the importance of this gland to your health. The thyroid gland is responsible for many vital functions in the body via the release of important hormones into the blood.

These signs indicate that you may be dealing with improper thyroid function

Persistent fatigue

If you sleep between 8 and 10 hours every night and you still feel tired during the day, you may be dealing with poor thyroid hormone levels. Chronic fatigue is linked to many health conditions, and it is probably the most common early warning sign of thyroid malfunction.

Brain Fog

If you have hard times focusing on your tasks, keep forgetting things and feel as if you “walk in a fog” all day, consider checking your thyroid. High thyroid hormone level affects concentration, and low levels affect memory.

Indigestion

Hypothyroidism is often accompanied with constipation. An overactive thyroid gland has the opposite effect – it causes frequent bowel movement and in some cases even diarrhea.

Mood swings, anxiety, and depression

Individuals who struggle with hyperthyroidism have their bodies flooded with hormones that trigger anxiety and nervousness. Thyroid disorders are often manifested through mood swings, irritability, and depression.

Excessive weight gain

Putting several pounds on is not such a terrifying problem, but if you keep gaining weight despite your physical activity and healthy dietary habits, you may want to consult your doctor. It may be your thyroid that affects the calorie burning process.

Thyroid disorders are also manifested through sensitivity to cold and heat, ringing in the ears, hair loss, and brittle nails.

Having your thyroid tests normal does not mean that you should not take proper care of your thyroid gland

Blood tests can only detect great thyroid imbalances, like the cases of full-blown thyroid disease. Unfortunately, minor imbalances cannot be always detected.

Diet plays an essential role in thyroid function, especially if you are into fad diets. According to a 1990 study, low-calorie diets affect thyroid function and mood. Diets low in selenium also affect your thyroid gland.

Coconut oil and thyroid gland

Diets consisting of unhealthy fats have a bad impact on both thyroid gland and blood glucose. Follow a balanced diet regimen and focus on eating more healthy fats.

Until recently, coconut oil has had a reputation as a “bad” oil, but experts have now brought clarity on why coconut oil is so healthy. Taking this into consideration, the medical community has also changed the attitude towards this underestimated food.

Coconut oil has a longer shelf life and more saturated fats than any other non-hydrogenated oil. It is widely used throughout the world, starting from the South Asian cuisine to movie theater popcorn.

Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid. It is known for its ability to increase good cholesterol and improve overall cholesterol. This makes it excellent for your thyroid gland.

Incorporate coconut oil into your diet

Coconut oil is easily available and affordable. Speaking of its cooking purposes, it is just amazing. Melt it and add it into your stir frys and curries, or you can simply drizzle it over your healthy salads. Coconut oil is an amazing substitute for vegetable oil when it comes to baking.

More interesting is the fact that people prefer using it as a cosmetic product, regardless of whether it is used instead of regular moisturizers for hair or skin.

Adding coconut oil to your diet is just one way to help your thyroid work better. Cut down on your gluten intake and try following an anti-inflammatory diet, like the Mediterranean diet for example. This diet regimen has shown to be amazing when it comes to promoting heart health.

Add more vitamins and minerals like iron, iodine, B vitamins, selenium and omega-3 fats to your diet. Avoid chemicals like dioxins that can affect your thyroid gland.

And last but not least, do something about all the stress in your life. Stress and anxiety only contribute to an existing thyroid problem.

Toasties

Toasties

Winter Pesto (Parsley, Rocket and Walnut pesto)

1 cup packed parsley leaves

1 cup packed rocket leaves

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

½ cup lightly toasted walnuts

½ cup grated Parmesan

2 small (or 1 large) cloves garlic

(I will go without)

Whiz all ingredients together in a small food processor and season to taste with salt and pepper.

To make toasties, butter bread on 1 side and place buttered side down in a hot fry pan. 

Spread bread with pesto and top with grated cheese. 

Top with bread ‘lids’ buttered side up. 

When golden on the bottom, flip to cook the other side.

How Sweet Potatoes Can Help Prevent Blindness And Help You Lose Weight How Sweet Potatoes Can Help Prevent Blindness And Help You Lose Weight

Sweet potatoes have been a typical ingredient in a portion of the best tasting dinners and treats – and for reasons unknown they are really solid. They are normally sweet, not containing abundance sugar, and have a calorie check. Sweet potatoes are solid, reasonable, and could assist avert visual deficiency and help with your weight reduction.

How Sweet Potatoes Can Help Prevent Blindness

How can such a tasty food help prevent blindness? As it turns out, vitamin A deficiency is actually the primary cause of preventable blindness.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), vitamin A deficiency can also result in an increased risk of death from various infections and about 250 million young children, across the entire world, have a vitamin A deficiency.

Sweet potatoes have been a typical fixing in a portion of the best tasting dinners and treats – and for reasons unknown they are really solid. They are normally sweet, not containing abundance sugar, and have a calorie check. Sweet potatoes are solid, reasonable, and could assist avert visual deficiency and help with your weight reduction objective.

The bio-fortification of sweet potatoes is previously underway in South Africa, where sweet potatoes are a main of the region. This healthy vegetable has a large amount of beta-carotene, which is then converted to vitamin A by our bodies.

Giving less demanding access to new sweet potatoes as opposed to having the imported has helped individuals in specific areas get the sustenance they require. Also, the bio-stronghold procedure has permitted individuals in South Africa to have their sweet potatoes the path they like them, high in dry substance and with a firm surface.

How Sweet Potatoes Can Help You Lose Weight

As amazing as it is that sweet potatoes can help prevent blindness, the excitement over this vegetable does not stop there. Sweet potatoes can also help you lose weight. They help regulate blood sugar and do not contain a high level of refined sugars.

The sweet potatoes have a compound that can increase the level of adiponectin in our body. This hormone helps to regulate blood sugar levels. Their low glycemic record ratings can likewise utmost glucose spikes. If you want to get out the most possible of your sweet potatoes, consider boiling or steaming them, instead of roasting. Roasting sweet potatoes can cause them to lose some of their nutrients and vitamins – which is true for most fruits and vegetables.

Sweet potatoes are likewise a decent wellspring of fiber. Fiber will normally help you stay fuller for a more drawn out span of time. Eating one medium-sized sweet potato will give you 4 grams of fiber.

As specified, sweet potatoes contain a lot of vitamin A. Notwithstanding serving to avert visual impairment, vitamin A can help your invulnerable framework and advance better wellbeing for your eyes and bones. Eating sweet potatoes can even help you clear your skin break out issues.

Foods that have a low glycemic index, such as sweet potatoes, may also remain in your digestive system longer, which can keep you feeling fuller longer – allowing you to control your appetite.

Recipe Roundup

All in all, you need to incorporate more sweet potatoes in your eating regimen, however you don’t know what to make? Utilize the accompanying formulas to find some extraordinary strategies for get ready sweet potatoes.

Sweet Potato and Carrot Soup

A basic, velvety soup that you can get ready in minutes – sweet potato and carrot soup is an extraordinary noontime supper. Utilize your sustenance processor to throw together the potatoes and carrots. In the event that you are a veggie lover, substitute vegetable stock for chicken soup.

Heated Sweet Potato Latkes

Yummy sweet potato latkes are made by grinding sweet potatoes and after that blending with flour, eggs, cinnamon, and nutmeg. This is a simple formula to take after and makes 12 latkes – enough for the entire crew.

Sweet Potato Wedges

Potato wedges produced using sweet potatoes offer a much fuller flavor than standard potatoes and contain less fat. Serve as a side dish with ham or pork. With an aggregate prepare and cook time of 45 minutes, you may need to arrange ahead before making sweet potato wedges.

Apple and Sweet Potato Hash Browns

Apples and sweet potatoes combine well together. Blend cleaved apples and hacked sweet potatoes to make a healthier serving of hash tans. There are numerous approaches to get ready apple and sweet potato hash tans, yet stay away from formulas that utilization margarine or other undesirable fixings.

Sweet potatoes are stuffed brimming with beta-carotene and other sound supplements. Begin adding them to your eating regimen and find different sweet potato formulas to set them up in distinctive ways. Having the capacity to help Prevent visual deficiency and shed pounds, alongside better skin, eye, and bone wellbeing, makes sweet potatoes the superfood of the season.