Liver – the heaviest and the second largest organ in the human body. It is probably one of the most hardworking organs of the body and performs a number of functions.
Gastroenterologists share their top tricks to reducing inflammation.
Excessive mucus in the body is irritating and uncomfortable. These 20 mucus cleansing herbs, fruit, and vegetables can help eliminate it.
When your body is filled with toxins, you may need a colon detox. Many diuretics and fruits can help you do so. Learn about 16 ways to cleanse your colon here.
Your fingernail lunula provide valuable information about your health. An absent or discolored lunula may indicate anemia, malnutrition or depression.
If you're looking for ways on how to improve your gut health, look no further! We've got you covered with these 9 simple everyday habits for better gut health.
A sedentary lifestyle can lead to bad posture. Improve and strengthen your posture with these 10 yoga poses for bad posture.
There are foods that can cause gastritis and trigger an upset stomach. The gastritis diet involves foods that are easy on the stomach. Read on for details.
If you’re chronically ill or suffering from cellulite, you may need to detox your lymphatic system. Here are 11 tools to keep you on track.
Why You Should Be Stimulating the Vagus Nerve Daily for better health and wellness. Do you need to heal your vagus nerve?
Acid Reflux Isn't Unavoidable. These 20 Drinks For Acid Reflux Are All Safe Options That Can Even Help To Manage Your Symptoms.
In this post, I am going to answer the question what is PCOS, and talk about things you can do to support symptoms and hormone balance. PCOS stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome and something that I see in my practice all the time. It is also one of the number one causes of infertility
Nail health is something I’ve paid close attention to ever since I began studying...
Did you know that your vagus nerve is the longest nerve in your body?...
The menopause phase in every woman's life is certainly nothing short of a crazy, bumpy trip, isn't it? There's no defined start or endpoint for this phase.
Are Stomach Parasites Causing Your Fatigue? You might wonder why I'm including an article on stomach parasites symptoms in a website about chronic fatigue
Discover hormone balancing diet tips and restore hormone balance naturally with healthy, healing foods and drinks.
Burnout looks different on everyone because there are 12 stages to burnout and we are all at different areas in life. Burnout is more than just a feeling of exhaustion or overwhelm. There are thoughts, feelings, and actions that amount to various stages of burnout. It’s important to know what they are so that you […]
Keep your health in check with this list of 25 delicious gut healing recipes! There are breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes!
Your personal guide to cycle syncing. How to eat, exercise, and live your life to promote optimum function throughout every phase.
Did you know that your vagus nerve is the longest nerve in your body?...
From fertility to hormonal acne and menopause, seed cycling for hormone balance offers lots of benefits. Learn the science of how it works and how to do it.
Medical anthropologist Alberto Villoldo, Ph.D. shares cutting edge insights into the practices and diet that will help you repair your health at any age.
Our minds and bodies can benefit from a variety of health modalities, including meditation, healthy living habits, complementary medicine, and more.
A fatty liver diet plan is an eating plan to improve liver health. Find out how it works, what foods to eat and which ones to avoid if you have a fatty liver.
Everyone is finally starting to acknowledge that our mental health is just as important as our physical health.
There are ways to lower testosterone levels naturally in women. Females may experience high testosterone levels, particularly if you have PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome. Symptoms of high testosterone levels in women include irregular periods, long menstrual cycles, acne, hair loss, hirsutism, o
Lymph: The missing link in a liver detox Thinking about doing a detox cleanse or reducing your chemical exposure? If you've been following along with our Common Household Chemicals to Avoid series, you know how easy it can be to start removing harmful chemicals from your home. Many people get discouraged when they go on a fast or start removing toxins from their lives because they feel sick or feel tired and don’t know why. Why would that happen? One reason may be that the lymphatic system is backed up and not able to keep up with the chemicals the body is trying to unload. How does the lymphatic system work? A peak functioning lymphatic system is key to health and vitality, but this critically important part of the body is one that most people don’t appreciate or know much about. Your lymphatic system is your body’s built-in sanitation center, the plumbing that carries away and filters out poisonous waste products from every cell, tissue and organ. It absorbs fats and fat-soluble vitamins from the digestive tract and delivers them to the cells of the body. It is also an essential part of the immune system that maintains fluid levels, fights infection and produces disease fighting white blood cells. Twice as extensive as the arterial blood supply system which brings oxygen and nutrients to the cells, the lymph is the take away garbage collector and is the largest circulatory system in the body. But, the lymphatic system needs your help to move the fluid through the body because it doesn’t have an automatic pump like the heart, which moves the blood in the circulatory system.1 The lymph system is made up of: Lymphatic vessels - a system of vessels distributed all over the body, gathering clear lymphatic fluid, which surrounds the cells. Lymphatic fluid collects and takes metabolic cellular waste, dead cells, and toxins towards the subclavian veins at the base of the neck to be event ually eliminated through sweat, urine, and through the bowels. Lymphocytes - the primary cells of the lymphatic system. There are two major classes of lymphocytes: T cells and B cells. The T cells mature in the thymus, kill invaders, destroy abnormal cells and direct the actions of other lymphocytes. The B cells mature in the bone marrow and produce antibodies that combine with antigens of foreign cells, labeling those cells for destruction. Lymph nodes - filtering stations where lymphocytes along with macrophages (another type of white blood cell) engulf and destroy bacteria and other foreign substances in the lymphatic fluid.2 Tonsils, Adenoids, Appendix, and Peyer's patches - small masses of lymphatic tissue that prevent infection in areas where bacteria is abundant. Thymus - a small gland under your breastbone that helps produce white blood cells. Spleen - the organ connected with lymph system that produces lymphocytes. Bone marrow - where lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) are born. Signs your lymphatic system is backed up Lymphatic congestion is a major factor leading to inflammation and disease. If the lymph is not flowing well, the cells are poisoned from their own waste and the lymph fluid becomes a toxic cesspool, resulting in fatigue, swelling, infection, inflammation, disease, and more symptoms (see below). A combination of a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and a toxic environment all contribute to this backup. Rapid improvements in the quality of the cells and blood occur once easy lifestyle changes are made so that the lymphatic system is activated and working efficiently. Headaches Brain fog Swollen lymph nodes or tonsils Lack of energy Recurrent sore throats Morning mucous Mucous drainage (especially after dairy or flour) Fluid backup in the ear (especially in children) Ear popping and ringing Reduced ability to fight infection (frequent cold or flu) Constipation or slugging bowel function Inability to lose weight Soreness or stiffness in the morning Bloating, swelling, or heaviness in extremities Arms or hands fall asleep while sleeping Pain, pressure, or stiffness along your spine and shoulders Sore breast or breast swelling with your menstrual cycle Itchy skin Acne, dry skin or other skin issues What backs up the lymph? Lack of Movement: Proper lymphatic flow requires deep breathing and body movement - the contraction of skeletal muscles force tiny one- way valves of the lymph system to open and close and push the fluid to the subclavian veins. Dehydration: Being dehydrated can contribute to poor lymphatic drainage and cause lymphatic stagnation. Stress: The waste products of stress-fighting hormones are acidic and an acidic body leads to lymph congestion. Chronic Digestive Imbalance: Chronic constipation or diarrhea due to damaged intestinal villi promotes lymph congestion. Processed Foods: An unhealthy diet, particularly one containing processed foods and bad fats, will lead to a sluggish lymphatic system. Chemical Exposures: When your body is exposed to harmful chemicals in skin and body care products, cleaning products or pesticides, it may be unable to unload or detoxify immediately. How to detox the lymphatic system An active lymphatic system will help to reduce your toxic body burden, increase circulation, and revitalize your health. Here are many options that will get your lymphatic system moving and pumping out toxins. You’ll find that some of these tips are fun to put into action, many of them are inexpensive or free, and most involve minimal time and effort. Pick three or four suggestions that work for you and put them into practice for 10 days – experience the difference it makes in your energy and wellbeing. 1. Take a few minutes for deep breathing Fact: Although the lymphatic system has no pump like the heart in the circulatory system, the movement from the act of breathing, that we do 24/7, is a lymphatic pump in itself and can help direct lymph through the chest. Proper breathing is the most important facilitator of lymphatic function. Constant shallow breathing leads to lymphatic congestion. Tip: Augment the circulation of lymph through deep diaphragmatic breathing. Breathe in slowly through your nose, deeply pushing the stomach out. Slowly let your breath go out through your mouth. Deep, slow diaphragmatic breathing for even just 5-10 repetitions (or up to 10 minutes a day) will oxygenate the blood, circulate the lymph especially around the liver, and provide many other benefits. If possible, do this exercise outdoors in fresh air. Video demonstration: Diaphragmatic Breathing. 2. Hydrate daily with water Fact: Dehydration is a common cause of lymph congestion. Lymph becomes thicker and less mobile when you are dehydrated, but flows well when hydrated. Water, and truly only pure water, can adequately rehydrate the body. Tip: The best lymph-moving rehydration technique is to sip hot, purified water every 15 minutes throughout the day. Keep a thermos of hot water nearby to make it easy. Don’t overcompensate - we are not promoting overdrinking. Use urine color to help determine hydration level - if your urine is clear, you are drinking too much water. Helpful chart: Dehydrated Urine Colors. 3. Dry brush your skin Fact: Dry skin brushing promotes lymphatic drainage of toxic waste, which results in many other benefits such as improved immunity, refreshed skin, and reduction of cellulite.3 Tip: Start a habit of dry skin brushing a few minutes before your shower or bathe using an inexpensive natural bristle brush. You can find these in many retail shops, health stores, and online. Hard pressure is not necessary - the lymphatic system is close to the surface of the skin and it only takes a light pressure to release congestion. MindBodyGreen has a helpful step by step guide to dry skin brushing. Green Smoothie Girl has made a downloadable pdf (and video) showing two different brushing methods. 4. Alternate hot and cold in your shower Fact: Lymphatic vessels contract when exposed to cold, and dilate in response to heat. A hot and cold shower is a type of hydrotherapy that uses the properties of water temperature and pressure to move stagnant lymphatic fluid, increase circulation, boost immune function and metabolism. Tip: After dry skin brushing, super charge your morning shower experience by alternating hot and cold water for between 90 seconds and several minutes.4 Be sure to always end on cold water. Note: Avoid this if you are pregnant, or if you have a heart or blood pressure condition. 5. Move around whenever you can Fact: The lymphatic system depends largely on large muscle activity in the body for its circulation. Stagnation from sitting all day is a major problem. People who sit at their computers without taking breaks develop a sluggish lymph system because they do not move. Tip: Get up to clean up! The good news is any exercise helps - move around for a minute or two every 15 – 20 minutes, do knee bends, go for a walk during lunch, stretch throughout the day and develop a regular exercise routine. Gentle exercise like walking, stretching, rebounding (see below), and swimming are great for moving the lymph. 6. Go for a walk Fact: One of the best ways to activate lymphatic flow is to take a brisk walk. Walking is a weight-bearing activity that creates gravitational pulls on the lymphatic system each time you take a step. Tip: Plan to take a 15-30 minute brisk walk each day. Swing your arms and power walk for the best results. If you are not up to that, even a leisurely walk will be helpful.5 7. Jump on a rebounder Fact: The use of a small trampoline - a “rebounder” - is one of the most efficient ways to reduce lymphatic congestion, stimulate lymph flow, and exercise every cell in the body. Gentle up and down bouncing turbo charges lymph function. The gravitational pull caused by the bouncing causes the one-way lymphatic valves to open and close, moving the lymph.6 Tip: To get the most benefit out of rebounding, start with The Health Bounce - gently bouncing up and down without your feet leaving the mat. This is a very low impact exercise and very effective at moving your lymphatic system - just two minutes clears the lymph. Build up intensity slowly as rebounding can release too many toxins if you jump in too fast. 8. Bounce on an exercise ball Fact: If you don’t have a rebounder, you can utilize the same gravitational pull principle as the rebounder by using an inexpensive exercise ball or yoga ball. Tip: Always start with a short bouncing time and simple, gentle movements. Even small movements for short periods of time can be very effective in moving the lymph. Build up the intensity of the exercise slowly. Video demonstration: Rebounding to Activate the Lymphatic System. 9. Stretch or practice yoga daily Fact: Stretching and yoga poses are especially effective for moving lymph. Tip: Holding stretches combined with conscious deep breathing can help direct lymph through the deep channels of the chest. 10. Get a lymph massage Fact: Lymphatic massage reduces swelling, helps detoxify the body, and helps speed regeneration of tissues and cells. You can go for a whole body massage or focus on targeted areas. For example, backed up lymphatic fluid in the head can contribute to head congestion, stuffiness, feeling of pressure in the head or ears, sinus congestion, vertigo, dizziness, even insomnia.7 A simple self-massage can be used to bring that fluid down from the head. This is a great technique for cold and allergies season. Tip: Schedule a lymphatic massage with a professional lymphatic massage therapist or do your own self massage. Video demonstration: Lymphatic Drainage for the Legs. Try a head massage before bed to improve sleep or in the morning to reduce facial puffiness. Video demonstration: Self Lymphatic Draining Massage. 11. Far infrared sauna Fact: Far infrared saunas provide a gentle, side-effect-free, effective mechanism for detoxification. Their waves penetrate deep into the human body, elevating the body's surface temperature, activating circulation, sweating and excretion of toxins from the lymph and blood through the skin. The heat also increases your heart rate and encourages deeper breathing, which boosts the drainage process even further. Tip: If you have access to an infrared sauna, take advantage of this effective lymphatic activator. Practice conscious deep breathing during your sauna to supercharge lymphatic drainage. Take a break every 15 minutes to shower in cold water for 30 seconds to promote even more circulation and stimulation of the lymph. 12. Wear natural fibers & loose, comfortable clothing Fact: The chemicals in synthetic clothing (made from petrochemicals) are absorbed through the skin, taken up by the lymphatic system and added to the body’s burden of toxins. Tight-fitting clothes can also contribute to a myriad of problems, including restricted lymph flow. Tip: Wear comfortable clothes made from natural fibers such as cotton, silk, flax/linen, wool, or other natural fibers.8 13. Consider your bras and underwear Fact: The breast, arm and upper chest area are drained by a large cluster of lymph nodes found in the armpit. Underwire bras or any bra that leaves red marks or indentations from being too tight interferes with lymphatic circulation and may contribute to swollen lymph nodes, fibrocystic breast tissue and breast cancer.9 For men, tight pants and briefs restrict the flow of lymphatic fluid in the testicles causing toxic buildup, which can lead to infertility and greater chance of developing cancer.10 Tip: Avoid underwire bras (particularly with metal underwires) or any tight-fitting bra that is constricting. Buy natural fiber bras and go bra-free when possible. As a general rule, choose loose-fitting pants and underwear made of natural fibers. 14. Cosmetics and skin care products Fact: Your skin is the largest organ of elimination and absorption—what goes on the skin goes into the body, into the lymph and adds to the trash load. Tip: Avoid products that include synthetic preservatives, fragrances, foaming agents, and other harmful synthetic chemicals. Instead, seek out cosmetics and skin care products that use safe, plant-based or food-grade ingredients, as they will ultimately be absorbed through your skin and processed by your lymph. Related read: How to Avoid Endocrine Disruptors in Your Daily Life 15. Eat Whole Foods, especially healthy fats, fruits & veggies Fact: Consuming processed foods, junk food, fast foods, sugary drinks, unhealthy fats, refined flour and sugar can cause inflammation and create lymphatic system congestion. Tip: Eat more fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables. Chlorophyll purifies the lymph and blood. Eat healthy organic fats such as nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil, coconut oil, palm oil, organic ghee and butter. 16. Drink herbal teas that affect the lymph Fact: There are herbal teas that step up lymphatic action such as red clover, astragalus, mullein, goldenseal, fenugreek, ginger, wild indigo root, sarsaparilla, golden seal and olive leaf tea. Tip: Try to incorporate one of these teas or a blend of several of these into your daily routine. Teas are most effective if you drink several cups over the course of the day. If you are pregnant, nursing, or on medication consult an herbalist or a naturopath before drinking these teas. Understanding how the lymph works and what to do to mobilize your lymphatic system is priceless information. It can make the difference in smoother detox process, catching or not catching a cold, or having a “flu-free winter”. The exciting news is that keeping the lymph moving doesn’t have to cost money – just move with a few daily exercises, drink plenty of water, and eat healthy food. When the lymph is working, the complexion glows and the body is full of vitality; and if you become ill, you have tools to help regain your health. This is a fundamental part of a conscious preventive health care plan. Maintaining a clean, non-toxic home is an essential part of living a healthy lifestyle. Check out Branch Basic's Trial Kit to begin the switch to non-toxic cleaning supplies, and learn about the cleaning tools that we recommend to keep your home happy and healthy.
Low estrogen symptoms can be very distressing, especially as they affect your physical and mental well-being. Here are the 10 signs of low estrogen levels.
Maximize your weight loss and keep diseases at bay with these foods good for liver cleansing. Find out what foods you need to add to your diet to keep your liver healthy.
Is your libido lagging? You’re in good company. Fortunately, there are a number of nutrients and supplements that can help you get your mojo back.
Hormone-Balancing foods + recipes to eat to support unique nutrient needs during each phase of your menstrual cycle.
If children aren't given a loving environment to thrive, they will struggle with these 7 things throughout their life.
There are many herbs to help balance female hormones. Herbs are a great way to balance female hormones naturally. Here I share 8 herbs to balance female hormones that can be helpful for healthy estrogen and progesterone levels. Herbs like vitex, red raspberry leaf, and ginger can be helpful for fema
Why Should We Eat For Good Gut Health? The importance of good gut health is undeniable. And it is now more generally believed that gut health links to
Use these 10 remedies to remove mucus and get better fast!
Here's everything you need to know about cycle syncing, including tracking your menstrual cycle, tips, and adapting your food and fitness!
Maximize your weight loss and keep diseases at bay with these foods good for liver cleansing. Find out what foods you need to add to your diet to keep your liver healthy.
Many of us have got obsessed with restoring our gut health recently. We've heard a healthy gut will heal everything from heartburn and headaches to inflammation. And we're popping probiotics and gorging on fermented food
Awesome free coaching exercises to use with your clients. These free coaching exercises are brandable, customisable & ready-to-use.
Most of us are so worried about the fat in our body that we forget to notice the fat in our face. Facial Yoga will help you to slim down your face.
Apple cider vinegar can aid in multiple metabolic processes in the body, especially in the digestive system. Discover the many benefits of apple cider vinegar.
A seed cycling chart + printable pdf as well as recipes & tips to help you naturally boost fertility + balances hormones.
In first world countries, it can sometimes seem like everyone is overweight. According to the American Heart Association, an astonishing 60-75% of the United States population is overweight or obese!1 People swing in and out of challenging diets, and gain and lose weight in cycles. The good news is that by using lifestyle and nutritional tactics that consistently help burn fat, you can make long-lasting healthy weight loss a reality. Also, boosting the function of your thyroid gland helps to keep you lean. This is because the thyroid plays a crucial role in controlling the metabolism of your cells, the rate at which they use energy or the rate at which your cells perform their duties. If you’re looking to lose weight, you should know that the thyroid and weight loss are deeply connected. Hypothyroidism not only slows down your metabolism, making it take longer for you to burn calories, it also can make you gain water weight. 9 Ways to Burn Fat and Boost Your Thyroid 1. Eat Foods in a Traditional Mediterranean Diet A Mediterranean diet, a diet rich in whole plant foods and omega 3 fats from plants and fish, has been evidenced to fight disease in a multitude of scientific studies. Importantly, a review of randomized controlled studies found that a Mediterranean diet consistently helps people lose weight.2Whole plant foods like vegetables, fruit, whole grains, nuts, and seeds help to keep blood sugar and insulin within healthy (or lower) ranges because the sugars in these foods are absorbed more slowly than processed carbohydrates. The higher your insulin, the more energy you store and the fatter you tend to get. Interestingly, chronically high insulin causes itself to lose its ability to signal satiety, leaving you feeling hungry all the time (which leads to overeating).3 Nuts consumed in a Mediterranean diet might increase the rate at which you burn energy, and the olive oil, which is traditionally eaten, has been shown to help people lose weight as compared to reduced fat diets.5,6 Exclusive Bonus! Download the FREE report ‘10 Top Foods To Boost Your Thyroid’ by clicking here. 2. Reducing Calories Let’s get this boring one out of the way. Reducing calories does help people lose weight.4 More interestingly, reducing calories can also lower fasting blood glucose and inflammation throughout your body.4, Lower glucose means less insulin that causes you to store calories, and inflammation has been implicated in promoting weight gain and causing insulin resistance. 3. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years in Indian Ayurvedic medicine and can bolster thyroid function. In humans, more thyroid hormone was produced as a result of daily Ashwagandha supplementation. Patients’ levels increased in the range of 7-24%.7, This herb is also indicated to help burn fat and promote muscle growth.8 So take Ashwagandha to be a lean, mean, muscle machine. 4. Guggul Guggul has also been used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine for close to 3,000 years. In animal studies, this herb has been shown to promote thyroid function, and there is some evidence that it reduces body weight.9 5. Berberine This is a powerful alkaloid found in some plants. It can be taken as a supplement and is a powerful anti-diabetes herbal compound. A clinical study has shown it to be as effective as metformin, a popular diabetes drug, at lowering numerous parameters of diabetes-like insulin, glucose, and plasma triglycerides.10 Once again, lower insulin and glucose means less fat storage. Berberine also activates an enzyme, AMPK, that increases glucose and fat energy usage in cells.11 AMPK is important for keeping a lean body because it reduces fat storage and lowers insulin resistance. (Note: If you want to discover the top 10 foods that Master Herbologist and Nutritionist Dr. Donna Schwontkowski recommends to boost your thyroid, then you can check out the guide here.) 6. Cayenne Pepper This spice is a great adjunct herb for boosting metabolism and energy expenditure. (This means it burns up fat.).12 Cayenne has been thought of as having thyroid-mimicking stimulatory effects, and it is a great tool for fighting the clinical disease signs that accompany weight gain: diabetes and metabolic resistance.12 7. Ginseng Ginseng has been shown to promote weight loss in humans and might increase thyroid hormones.13,14Ginseng has also been shown to reduce levels of the thyroid hormone-inhibiting factor, “reverse-T3”.14 8. Coconut oil It might seem paradoxical, but coconut oil (which is a densely fat substance) has been shown to reduce abdominal fat in humans.15It's thought that the medium chain triglycerides in coconut oil speed up fat burning in our bodies. And although there is little research at this time that relates coconut oil to the thyroid, many practitioners and hypothyroid sufferers swear by coconut oil’s ability to help vitalize the thyroid. 9. Green Tea Green tea is evidenced to have mild weight loss effects.16 Polyphenols in green tea can inhibit fat absorption in the intestines, and they also activate AMPK, the enzyme that helps you burn fat.17 Change Your Body with Lifestyle and Nutrition These are just a few of the ways that nutrition and lifestyle habits can help burn fat or invigorate thyroid function. There are plenty more. But as you can see, there are realistic and easy ways in which you can fight fat storage and give your thyroid a boost. By eating healthy, using lifestyle and nutritional tricks to burn fat, and invigorating your thyroid, you’ll feel more energetic, slim, and just plain better. Natural Ways To Support Normal Thyroid Function Did you know that you can naturally support your thyroid function with certain foods and herbs without the harsh effects of prescription drugs? It’s true - and we’d love to share them with you! Evan Burns, lead nutritionist and researcher at Nutracraft, shows you exactly what foods and herbs work to naturally maintain normal thyroid balance and function. Click here to download this FREE report now. These foods are easy to get and found at nearly every grocery store -- and they’re delicious!
If you’re reading this, you probably already know how important having a healthy gut is to our overall wellness. I’m sure that we have all heard the saying “go with your gut”, and that old adage has more truth to it than we probably ever realized. If you experience stomach and digestion issues, it may
Cirrhosis of the liver is a medical condition where normal liver cells are replaced by scar tissue resulting from ongoing liver cell damage. Read to know more!
Sciatica can be debilitating. Practicing the following sciatica exercises and stretches can help ease nerve pain as well as regain normal movement in your body.
There are foods that can cause gastritis and trigger an upset stomach. The gastritis diet involves foods that are easy on the stomach. Read on for details.
