Dr. Andrew Weil’s 5 Health Essentials

 

Dr. Andrew Weil practices integrative medicine, a field that emphasizes the body’s natural healing power and focuses on correcting the underlying causes of disease rather than just managing symptoms. As a result, Dr. Weil’s recommendations often focus on illness prevention through simple lifestyle choices. He maintains that there are easy things you can do every day at home to improve your health. Here, Dr. Weil shares his five essentials to provide an immediate boost to your well-being! Learn about the tools that could change your life forever.

Essential #1: Iodine
Dr. Weil considers this multi-purpose mineral essential for good health. Iodine regulates all key metabolic functions including blood cell production, muscle function, body heat, and hormones. An iodine deficiency causes weight gain, fatigue, intolerance to cold, and can result in gastrointestinal problems, skin abnormalities and even neurological issues. With so many symptoms, it’s shocking to learn that millions of women are deficient in iodine. The problem is the American diet; so many processed foods don’t contain iodine and our bodies don’t naturally produce it.

One of the major signs of iodine deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland. Without iodine, the thyroid cannot produce the proper amount of hormones and it reacts by enlarging itself. A person with an iodine deficiency might experience signs of hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid doesn’t make enough hormones. These symptoms include puffy eyes, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, and exhaustion.

If these symptoms sound familiar, try this self-test to see if you’re iodine deficient. Tip your head back while looking at the reflection of your neck and thyroid area. Swallow several times. Feel for swelling, lumps or bumps on both sides of throat; these may indicate that you have an enlarged thyroid and you should consult your doctor.

Take preventative steps by ensuring you’re getting enough iodine. The National Institutes of Health recommends adults get 150 mcg daily. Chances are that you’re getting enough iodine already if you have a well-rounded diet. Good sources include dairy products and seafood like tuna, shellfish, lobsters and sardines. For an extra-rich source of iodine, try kelp. With 2500 mcg of iodine per gram, this superfood is considered the best natural source in the world.


Bonus Tip: Asian Mushrooms
For another way to enhance your health, try Asian mushrooms. Prominent in Chinese medicine, these superfoods are believed to increase resistance to stress and boost longevity. Dr. Oz’s personal favorites are Shiitake and maitake oyster mushrooms. Eat them today to unwind and extend your life!


Essential #2: Pistachios and DGL
Problems with digestion, heartburn, stomach pains, and IBS are the classic side effects of the standard American diet and stress. Dr. Weil has a solution – a combination of pistachios and an herbal product made from licorice called DGL.

Low-calorie and full of nutrients and fiber, pistachios are great for digestion. New research indicates that these ultra-healthy nuts have prebiotic characteristics – meaning they can help support higher levels of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. Just one serving of pistachios can make a big difference for your aching stomach. And there’s more good news – one serving is 47 nuts, a larger serving size than any other type of nut, which clocks in at only 158 calories and contains more fiber than half a cup of spinach. That fiber, along with pistachios’ unsaturated fat keeps your digestive system running smoothly. The healthy fats also help to lower cholesterol levels.

The next digestive aid is called deglycyrrhizinated licorice. Don’t confuse DGL with the candy; this licorice is an herbal extract that can be used to treat indigestion and heartburn. It acts by increasing the mucous coating in your stomach, lower esophagus and intestinal tract, protecting those tissues from irritation by stomach acid. This soothing effect helps to treat symptoms of GERD and can protect against the damaging effects of NSAIDs like ibuprofen.

You can find DGL at most health food stores. Try slowly chewing a dose of 2 (75 mg) tablets before or between meals. DGL also comes in a powder form – try half of a teaspoon in between meals. While DGL is perfect for anyone who suffers from heartburn, it is not recommended for anyone with diabetes, high blood pressure or a history of heart disease.

Bonus Tip: Know Your Probiotics
Another way to guard your gut is with probiotics. These live microorganisms help restore the friendly bacteria you need in your gastrointestinal tract to keep digestion running smoothly. Look for an effective strain like bifidobacterium to treat an array of conditions. Need a Probiotic - try Unicity http://pamelataylor.myunicity.net/shopping/index.html


Essential #3: Palm Reflexology
Stress is toxic for both your body and mind; managing your stress level is essential to good health. Dr. Weil recommends a reflexology technique based on Chinese medicine. This 5,000-year-old theory applies pressure to specific points on your body, activating channels or “meridians” which help to release tension and promote the free flow of blood and energy. This type of therapy has been used for centuries to provide pain relief, improve circulation, and alleviate muscle tension.

For relaxation, Dr. Weil recommends palm reflexology. The next time you feel stressed, try the following simple technique: Using the thumb and index finger of your right hand, rub the fleshy areas between the thumb and index finger on your left hand. Then, starting at the base of each finger, squeeze and roll upwards towards the fingertip, gently pulling outwards as you go. Next, take your thumb and firmly massage small circles all over the palm of your hand. Repeat the process on your other hand. When you’re finished, clench your fists and hold them for 10 seconds, then extend your hand and spread your fingers for 10 seconds. Shake out your hands gently and finish by taking four deep, slow breaths.

Bonus Tip: 4-7-8 Breathing Technique
Another way to tame your tension is to employ the 4-7-8 breathing technique. Close your mouth and inhale quietly through your nose for a mental count of four seconds. Hold your breath for a count of seven, and then exhale completely through your mouth, making a whoosh sound to a count of eight. This simple breathing exercise is a natural tranquilizer for the nervous system!


Essential #4: The Rules of Raw
Dr. Weil believes that food is medicine, so the raw food movement is something he’s carefully examined. His verdict? He doesn’t recommend eating only raw foods – for two major reasons.

First, you lose much of the best flavor, texture and appearance of your foods if you’re only eating them raw. Secondly, some of the vitamins and minerals are less available to the body in raw vegetables than when they’re cooked.


For example, your body can only obtain lycopene, a carotenoid pigment that protects against cancer, from tomatoes when they’re cooked. Similarly, the carotenoids in carrots are more available from cooked carrots than their raw counterparts. Yet this rule isn’t true of all foods. Leafy greens like watercress and arugula are at their healthiest when left raw; heating them breaks down nutrients and destroys their benefits. If you want to eat some of the healthiest raw foods, try either garlic or asparagus.
 
Garlic is a superfood that promotes immunity and helps maintain healthy blood circulation. The active component in garlic is the sulfur compound called allicin, a powerful chemical that is produced when garlic is chopped, chewed, or bruised. Allicin acts as an antibiotic and helps the body to inhibit the ability of germs to grow and reproduce. The amount of allicin in one clove of garlic, around 1 milligram, is said to have the potency of 15 standard units of penicillin.

Cooking garlic diminishes allicin, so eat it raw to maximize your benefits. For best results, crush the cloves to release the healthy enzyme. The production of allicin is greater if the garlic is exposed to air, so let the crushed garlic stand for 10 minutes before combining it with other foods. Add it to a salad dressing or tomato sauce. You can also try spreading 1/2 teaspoon on some toast with a bit of cheese to make a raw garlic bread. Sweeten it up by adding a spoonful of honey and a dash of lemon.

For another immunity booster, try asparagus. This spear-shaped vegetable is truly a weapon for your health! Packed with antioxidants, asparagus ranks among the top fruits and vegetables for its ability to neutralize cell-damaging free radicals. Asparagus is also rich in folate, which works with vitamin B12 to help keep your brain healthy. Cooking asparagus minimizes its folate, so enjoy it raw. Simply wash the asparagus and snap off the tough part, leaving the easily digestible, tender portion of the stem. For a one-two immunity punch, dip your asparagus in your garlic salad dressing!

Supercharge your vegetables by learning if you should eat them raw or cooked.


Bonus Tip: Power of Flowers
For a colorful way to avoid getting sick, add flowers to your home! Their beauty and scent will raise your spirits instantly!

Essential #5: CoQ10
Dr. Weil’s final essential sounds almost too good to be true – a super-pill to slow aging. The supplement is CoQ10, a substance that protects your heart and brain from oxidative stress, meaning it blocks the free radicals that break down cells and cause aging. Coenzyme Q10 is made by every cell in the human body. It’s particularly concentrated in tissues having high-energy requirements, such as the muscles of the heart and the brain, which requires huge amounts of uninterrupted energy to regulate, integrate, and coordinate ongoing nervous system transmissions.

Researchers have discovered CoQ10 levels diminish with age, while dietary inadequacies, certain diseases and medications can also significantly reduce CoQ10 levels in the body. CoQ10 is found in foods like sardines, beef and peanuts, yet you’d need to consume huge portions to obtain your daily dose through diet. Dr. Weil recommends taking a pill. He suggests the average adult try a supplement of 120 mg daily. To facilitate your body’s best absorption, take a 60 mg soft-gel capsule twice a day with a meal containing fat.

Bonus Tip: Spill Your Oil
Another way to slow your aging is to purge your pantry of all of your toxic fats. Do a smell test on your oil – if it smells like paint, pour it out and get rid of it!


Bonus Tip: Natural Fatigue Fighters
The next time you’re extra exhausted, turn to Mother Nature. These healing remedies from Dr. Weil’s trusted colleague, Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, can fight fatigue and restore your zest for life.

Golden Root
Also known as rhodiola or arctic root, this plant has been used since ancient times to treat fatigue. Studies have really shown that golden root improves mental concentration, physical endurance and helps with general chronic fatigue.
Get a standardized extract and start with a dose of 100 to 200 mg a day for 1 to 2 weeks. Each following week, you can gradually increase by 1 mg as needed. Most people end up taking golden root for 3-4 months and do well with around 400 mg.

Prickly Pear
The fruit of the prickly pear cactus is rich in magnesium, an energizing essential mineral that promotes healthy heart and kidney function. Prickly pear also contains vitamin C, which boosts immunity and provides antioxidant protection against chronic disease including diabetes. Studies show that prickly pear is effective at helping to increase insulin sensitivity. It also fights fatigue by stabilizing blood sugar in people who experience spikes and crashes as a result of their diet.You can find prickly pear at your local health food store. It’s easy to make your own prickly pear juice. First, remove the skin carefully so you don’t get pricked. Strain the seeds and pulp through a cheesecloth; you’ll get about a quarter-cup of juice left from each fruit. You can also buy prepackaged prickly pear juice.

Siberian Ginseng
This herb has a long history of use by athletes and the military. Most products containing Siberian ginseng vary in concentration and potency, so pay extra attention to the instructions on the label or talk to your doctor to determine your best dosage.

Source: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/andrew-weil-5-health-essentials?page=3#copy

Vitamins and minerals that help with hypothyroidism

Can hypothyroidism actually be helped by vitamins as well as other nutrients? Although they have been ignored for years in the medical community, there is mounting evidence that they can not only help with this condition, a deficiency of some nutrients may actually be one of the causes of it. There are millions of people that have this condition, and although it is considered to be quite common, it should never be ignored. If it is left untreated it may cause goiter, heart problems, as well as mental health issues and infertility, just to name a few of the possible complications.

 

What exactly is it?

Hypothyroidism, also referred to as an underactive thyroid, is a condition where your thyroid gland does not produce enough of certain types of hormones. Because of this, it will upset the balance of chemical reactions in your body and if it is not treated, it can very easily lead to a number of very serious health problems. There are some very effective treatments for this condition, but it is also believed that vitamins and other nutrients can also play a major role.

Because this disease can very easily lead to other complications, understanding the signs and symptoms as early as you can will help you identify it so you can seek medical attention to have it treated.

Symptoms:

Hypothyroidism has several real warning signs that you can watch for and if any of these signs persist for any period of time, you need to seek professional help. However, it also important to understand that with this condition these symptoms will not occur suddenly. In fact, they will do the complete opposite, as in most cases they will develop very slowly and can easily be spread out over several years.

The symptoms can vary tremendously depending on how bad the hormone deficiency that you have actually is. By far and away the most common symptoms will be fatigue as well as feeling sluggish, and because it develops very slowly, these signs can very easy be ignored and blamed on the aging process. However, what is really happening is that your metabolism is slowing down as a result of this imbalance, and not all of the symptoms that will begin to surface will be this general in scope.

The next symptom is actually quite unique and it is a gradual increased sensitivity to any type of cold weather. You may also start to develop pale and dry skin, a puffy face for no apparent reason, as well as constipation. Your voice may also start to become hoarse even when you drink a lot of fluids, and you will also start to gain weight without changing your eating habits. All of these symptoms can be directly related to this imbalance and the slowing of your metabolism.

However, the list of symptoms does not end there as you may also begin to have muscle pains and aches, tenderness and swelling, as well as muscle weakness. If you are female, your menstrual periods will gradually begin to become heavier and your fingernails as well as your hair may become very brittle. At this point, if the hypothyroidism is not treated, these symptoms can rapidly increase in severity.

There is also one very large misconception about hypothyroidism; it primarily affects women in middle age. Although this is quite common, it can also affect men, children, as well as infants. Babies can be born without a thyroid gland or have the same problem with it under-preforming. The signs to watch for in infants are yellowing in both the skin as well as the white of the eyes, frequent choking, or an abnormally large and protruding tongue. They can also develop a very puffy face but this symptom is quite hard to pick up on unless it is noticed by a professional.

Children and teenagers can also develop this condition and the symptoms to watch with this age group are a very poor growth pattern, a very slow development of permanent teeth, as well as abnormally slow mental development. As they reach the teenage years, they will also show signs of a very slow or delayed puberty.

Vitamins and Nutrients:

Hypothyroidism has very effective treatments in the form of a synthetic thyroid hormone, but there are also vitamins as well as other nutrients that can help. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding vitamin D, a deficiency of this vitamin, and its role in this condition as well as other thyroid problems. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be obtained in three different ways; exposure to sunlight, obtained from your diet, or supplemented.

However, the vast majority of the population does not get enough exposure to sunlight and does not get enough of this vitamin in their diet. Your body can manufacture this vitamin with sunlight exposure, but the majority of sunscreens that are used to prevent skin cancer can impede this process. Vitamin D has long been associated with bone health in that it helps to active calcium and phosphorous in your body, but it is now being linked to this condition as well.  Dr. Theodore Friedman, an expert on thyroid diseases, recently published several papers after over 20 years of study, and expressed a very common theme with most thyroid patients; low levels of vitamin D.

This research suggests that this vitamin can interact with your body’s biochemistry and can either help with thyroid production, or it can do just the opposite; hinder it. It is suggested that some people may have genetic flaws where the intestines are not able to properly absorb this vitamin or it simply cannot use it as it is intended.  The U.S. National Library of Medicine also has recent studies that suggest that too little vitamin D circulating in your body inhibits its ability to regulate as well as produce thyroid hormones.

Iodine is also a very critical nutrient that has for years been linked to hypothyroidism as it is critical for several thyroid functions. Too much iodine can interfere with this process, but in the vast majority of cases there is not enough iodine in your diet. If you use iodized salt or take a multi-vitamin, this will provide adequate amounts of this nutrient. Vitamin E is also very important as it helps with the absorption of iodine as well as assists with selenium metabolism which is also critical for normal thyroid functions. Selenium is one of the major components of an enzyme that helps to convert the thyroid hormones T4 to T3 and a deficiency of this mineral may impair thyroid functions.

Summary:

Hypothyroidism can take years to develop and you may not recognize the symptoms easily at first. However, the symptoms are the real key to catching this condition and if you make regular visits to a doctor, they can catch it very easily. If you supplement these nutrients in the form of a multi-vitamin, you may never develop it. If you do have, these nutrients may help control it.

References:

Hypothyroidism. The American Thyroid Association.

www.thyroid.org/patients/broch ures/Hypo_brochure.pdf.

www.goodhormonehealth.com