A Cure For You Blog

Adrenal stress also known as adrenal fatigue has become a common health condition in today's society. The purpose of the adrenal glands is to assist the body in managing stress. Due to the fact we live in a fast-paced demanding society, our adrenal glands are constantly being taxed. The adrenal glands affect the functioning of every tissue, organ, and gland in the body which is why it is critical to support them so they will function efficiently.

Weak adrenal glands can create a wide range of health symptoms, most of which can mimic other health conditions making it difficult to diagnose. In fact adrenal stress is unrecognized by most conventional doctors.

Common signs and symptoms of weak adrenals may include the following:

•Difficulty waking up and getting out of bed in the morning, often times even after a good night sleep.
•Needing coffee or caffeine containing beverages to keep you going.
•Craving sugar foods, or salty foods.
•Lack of energy and stamina.
•Decreased sex drive.
•Decreased ability to handle any form of stress- less tolerance.
•Prone to frequent sickness, especially upper respiratory problems coupled with lengthy recovery times.
•Digestion problems.
•Dizziness (Vertigo) especially upon standing.
•Mild depression, lack of enthusiasm.
•Decreased ability to make simple decisions.
•Abnormal blood sugar issues, typically in the form of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
•Difficulty focusing, fuzzy headedness, diminished memory.
•Women may have severe PMS symptoms.
•Low blood pressure.
•Difficulty sleeping.

*Weight gain and inability to lose weight

I personally believe everyone including children have adrenal fatigue to some extent, especially since weak adrenals can be hereditary. The good news is health can be restored to these vital glands.  The key is to eat a nourishing diet that contains all of the food groups. Unrefined carbohydrates are especially important to provide energy especially to the brain. Adequate animal protein intake will help to build the body and stabilize blood sugar levels. Equally as important is the consumption of essential fatty acids, which will help manufacture the adrenal hormones the body is lacking.

In addition to a healthy diet there are other supplements that are helpful in restoring balance, these include: b complex vitamins, magnesium, zinc, vitamin c and antioxidants, amino acids and herbs such as: licorice, rhodiola, ashwaghanda, and ginseng. There are a variety of  herbal formulas and holistic health supplements available on our website that are effective in treating adrenal fatigue.

One of the most common health questions I am asked is regarding constipation.  My answer is always the same: you need to change your diet! The main cause of constipation is a poor diet that contains large amounts of processed foods lacking in vital nutrients, foods high in sugar, white flour and foods lacking adequate fiber content.  Dairy products can also be very constipating in certain individual's systems. Other causes of constipation include lack of exercise, lack of adequate water intake, poor digestion (often from not properly chewing your food), lack of muscular tone in the bowel, and not attending to the calls of nature in a timely fashion. Food should pass through the digestive system and be eliminated without delay. If fecal matter stays in the colon too long, the peristaltic action of the bowel will become sluggish. Eventually muscle tone in the bowel will be become weakened due to excess fecal matter, and the colon can become distorted. When fecal matter stays in the bowel for too long, it begins to putrefy and toxic waste builds up in the body. This leads to a majority of health problems.The number of bowel movements per day will vary from person to person. It can be normal for some people to have a bowel movement once a day, while others will have two to three bowel movements daily. The bowel should be moved at least once a day for everyone. One of the best ways to rid yourself of constipation and rebuild your colon is through bowel cleansing. There are several great products that I recommend on my website. These products are the most effective when taken with a healthy diet that is rich in leafy green vegetables and wholesome foods.  I also recommend eating a salad prior to lunch and dinner. The enzymes from the raw vegetables will assist with digestion and at the same time provide fiber.

Energy Drinks have become the latest trend. All age groups are consuming them to achieve a quick energy surge.  Most people are dependent on caffeine for energy. They start their day with coffee or even soda.  Our adrenals have become so depleted and our bodies lack proper nutrients that most people are constantly exhausted. How do they remedy this? Grab an energy drink, right? Wrong!

While many people think it is only a drink, what exactly is in those drinks that give you an energy boost? For starters they are loaded with sugar which being in liquid form goes directly into the blood stream and spikes insulin levels. This can eventually lead to a blood sugar imbalance and a prediabetic condition. When insulin levels are high it can trigger cravings for carbohydrate rich foods. Excess insulin in the blood stream will also lead to weight gain.  High amounts of caffeine in these energy drinks can be detrimental to the nervous system and lead to sleeping problems. One of the most common questions I get is for advice on natural remedies for insomnia or restless sleep. The first piece of advice I give is to omit all caffeine from your diet.

Other natural alternatives to energy drinks include starting your day with a balanced breakfast, eat small frequent meals or snacks throughout the day, and make sure you are eating foods from all the basic food groups: protein, unrefined carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will help balance your blood sugar levels and provide your body with proper nutrients. Other suggestions include daily exercise and making sure you are getting an adequate amount of sleep each night. 

Some suggested supplements to help boost energy levels include b vitamins, bee pollen, and herbs such as gingko biloba and ginseng. If you make these changes and you still experience fatigue every day you may have a weakened thyroid and may need to support the thyroid with specific supplements.

I am not a fan of reality shows but last night I tuned into the premiere of Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution", since this show offered a topic that I am passionate about. I applaud Jamie Oliver for promoting healthy eating in particular trying to reform school lunches. Have you recently looked at a school lunch menu? While schools "try" to promote healthy eating choices the food is heavily processed and aims at getting children to eat what is on their plate. If you saw the show it was no surprise that when offered two lunch choices: pizza or chicken and brown rice, majority of the children chose the pizza. Most adults would choose the pizza over the chicken as well.  "You are what you eat", as the adage goes.  If you primarily eat procesed foods that are full of preservatives, hidden sugars, and additives you will get addicted to that type of food.   If you switch to a diet that is mostly based on whole foods and organic you will cleanse your body and then crave those foods. I actually have a difficult time eating in most restaurants because I can taste the preservatives in most of the foods even the chemicals on the nonorganic produce. 

 I really hope Jamie has some success with his campaign and can start a reform for the school lunch program and help educate parents about what should be going into their child's body. Providing your child with a balanced diet with real food, (food made from nature) will help them develop a taste for it. The best you can do is to set a good example, children learn from experience, if they see you eating healthy they will to. The habits young children develop will stay with them for life.  Sometimes you need to get creative with getting children to eat healthy. Involving children in menu planning and in cooking, will often entice them to take more of an interest in eating healthy.  Spark their interest by each week sampling a different fruit, vegetable or protein. Or plant a garden and allow them to grow their own wonderful gifts from nature. 

Nutritional Supplements have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Almost every magazine you pick up has an article related to the latest "fad" supplement. Sometimes these articles are written to promote the sales of a specific supplement or to discourage the use of one. Vitamins and herbal products are found in almost all types of stores and via the internet.

People reach out to supplements for different reasons: to ease symptoms, to treat a medical condition, even to just help nourish the body. I often hear people say " I tried natural supplements and they don't work, don't waste your money!" The key to success with using natural supplements begins with making sure you take the correct one for you. Just because your neighbor has had success taking the herb Echinacea to boost her immune system, does not mean that Echinacea would be the most successful supplement for you. Our bodies are all different and therefore we process and assimilate supplements differently. I suggest you do your research, get in touch with how your body feels and consult with a qualified health practitioner, preferably someone who really knows about natural supplements. I have found many conventional doctors who don't know which natural supplements are best for their patients.

Another success to using natural supplements is to buy top-quality products, not the cheapest you can find. "Not all supplements are created equal!" As the old adage goes "you get what you pay for." The best natural supplements are those derived from natural sources, preferably plant based. Using only natural ingredients free of fillers, additives and preservatives. The body assimilates natural ingredients better than synthetic. The next time you notice fish oil capsules on sale at the grocery store, I encourgae you to look closely at the ingedients and the source of the fish oil. Those fish oil capsule you bought on sale might be filled with hydrogenated oil, which can be detrimental to your health.

I encourage you to become in tune with your body, be good to yourself and make educated decisions about what you put into your body. Reputable natural supplement stores should have knowledgeable staff members who are willing to answer your questions and assist you in choosing the correct products for you. I commend anyone looking for natural alternatives to health, therefore I persoanlly respond to emails and phone calls from clients regarding products and health concerns.
Best Wishes in your quest for health!
Nicole Hawksley
Proprietor, Nature's Apothecure LLC
www.NaturesApotheCure.com

Ask yourself this: do I always eat organic food, exercise, avoid stress, get plenty of fresh air and sunshine, and allow myself time for pleasure on a daily basis?  Most of you will say NO.   Even with the best of intentions it is close to impossible to do all of the above everyday.  Following a healthy lifestyle most of the time does not  mean you are guaranteed health. Environmental toxins and emotional stressors challenge our well-being everyday. It is imperative in today’s society we support our bodies with good-quality natural supplements.
Many health problems are related to nutrient deficiency, quite often vitamins and minerals can improve these conditions. Vitamins are vital if our body is to function normally and they are absolutely necessary for cellular growth, our general-well being and vitality.

Adults and children simply do not eat what they should to maintain a nutritionally well balanced diet. Many people rarely eat the required amount of fruits and vegetables, therefore we seldom receive all the vital nutrients, vitamins and minerals we need for optimum health.
The need for nutrients increases as a result of the following conditions: exposure to pollution; the ever-increasing volume of chemicals and additives in foods, water, and air; physical and mental stress; the frequent skipping of meals or dieting; the increased reliance on processed and fast foods; inadequate rest and exercise; the use of recreational drugs and alcohol; chemical and food sensitivities; ageing; and suppressed immune systems. Caffeine and sugar rapidly deplete our bodies of vital nutrients.
Without adequate nutrients, you and your child may be more likely to become afflicted with colds, flu, virus, infection or even diseases.
For added nutritional insurance, I recommend you supplement yourself and your child with good quality natural vitamins and herbs. You may ask yourself "What supplements do I really need to take?"  This depends upon your current state of health, family history of disease and the  typical diet you consume.

Some natural supplements I recommend on a daily basis to maintain health include the following:

1) a good quality multi-vitamin and mineral supplement preferably from whole food sources.

2) Essential Fatty Acids- many health problems and sympotoms can be linked to lack of essentail fatty acids in the diet. Most people find by adding an essential fatty acid supplement on a daily basis helps them considerably with such things as better memory and concentration, improved blood pressure and cholesterol levels, less joint and muscle pain, more stable blood sugar levels, and  improved immune function. Taking an essential fatty acid supplement will also eliminate many food cravings, thus quite often helping with weight loss.

3)Probiotics- are beneficial bacteria that should be naturally present in our digestive tract. Probiotics help keep our intestinal check in balance, promote healthy digestion and regualr bowel movements, inhibit growth of harmful bacteria which can lead to toxic buildup and helps to support immune system function.

My favorite brands of the above supplements and more information regarding them can be found at our natural health   website :www.acureforyou.com

 Nicole Hawksley
Proprietor, Nature's ApotheCure LLC
www.acureforyou.com

 Many people start out the new year with the best intentions: plans to improve eating habits and determined to exercise more. Within weeks most people fall back into their old lifestyle patterns. They either get bored with their new health regimen or become frustrated because they cannot lose weight and their health does not improve. The key to accomplishing your New Year's resolution lies in setting  realistic goals for yourself.
It saddens me as a natural health practitioner that most people choose being thin over being healthy. Many of the popular "diets" emphasize quick weight loss rather than promote overall health.  Quite often these fad diets  eliminate food groups and deprive individuals from vital nutrients which hurts their health in the long run. 
I encourage everyone's New Year's resolution to improve upon their health and make the new year their healthiest one yet. This can be achieved  by:

1) Nourishing your body which means following a sensible diet. This incorporates food from all the food groups: Protein, Carbohydrates (whole grains,fruits, and vegetables)and Essential Fatty Acids. Many people avoid any form of fat because they believe "fats will make them fat". This is not the case, if you choose healthy fats. The Essentail Fatty Acids such as those found in Flax Seed oil, fish oil and avocados actually help the body metabolize fat as well as help eliminate cravings. If you crave sugary or greasy foods, it is your body's way of telling you something is missing in your diet.The food you eat should be "real" food, food in its whole and natural state not processed.  It is recommended to eat several small meals throughout the day to help stabilize blood sugar levels. Skipping meals and depriving yourself of calories actually  will slow down your metabolism over time.            

2) Adopt a pleasureable fitness program that you can stick with, this should be whatever is right for you. Some folks benefit best from a vigorous aerobic workout while others respond best to yoga.Yoga is an excellent way to improve upon your flexibility and at the same time relax the nervous system. Walking is also one of the best forms of fitness.

3)The first step to a healthy new you is to gently detox your system.  A good detoxification program should  gently cleanse the colon, liver, lymphatic system and blood stream while gently releasing toxins from the body. Everyone benefits from a detox. Most health symptoms are related to toxins trapped in our cells and tissues. If you have a health condition you should consult your physician or a natural health practitioner prior to detoxing.

4)Learn to listen to your body and become in tune with what is going on iside of you. Symptoms are our body's way of telling us we need to pay better attention to our health and make changes.

5) Take time for yourself and eliminate stress as much as possible. Engage in activities that bring pleasure to you. This may include reading a book, taking a bath, or gardening.

I hope all of you will prioritize yourself this new year, realize how important you are, and that you deserve to be the best you can be.

Happy New Year and Best Wishes in Your Quest for Health!

Nicole Hawksley
Proprietor, Nature's ApotheCure LLC
www.acureforyou.com