Relieving Joint Pain Naturally

You’ve seen the headlines. Health concerns over pharmaceutical pain relievers have brought many people into Evergreen looking for natural alternatives to treat arthritis and joint pain. Here are some safe and effective solutions that have been successful with our clients, and may help you, too. First, re-examine your diet.

Water

Hydrate. Water is crucial to the synovial fluid that lubricates and brings nutrients to your joints. Drink plenty of pure water.

Healthy Fats

Get your “good fat.” Likewise, consuming healthy omega-3 fatty acids is essential to joint care. The average diet contains too much omega-6, which can lead to inflammation. I highly recommend offsetting this imbalance with the natural omega-3 found in liquid or capsule fish oil.

Inflammatory Gluten

Grains can aggravate. British researchers have shown that eating corn can cause arthritis symptoms. Gluten, a protein found in wheat, oats, barley, and rye, can also cause problems. Try eliminating these from your diet for two weeks to see if your pain subsides.Next, explore your natural alternatives.

Repair Cartilage

Take care of your cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a natural and effective remedy that can even rebuild cartilage. It stimulates production of proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans, which in turn hydrate the cartilage matrix of joint tissue. Glucosamine also regulates your cartilage metabolism: how it breaks down, and how it builds up.

Natural Anti-Inflammatories

Reduce inflammation. Oral enzymes act like anti-inflammatory scissors by cutting out the production of cytokines, as well as blocking activated immune cells from invading your joints. Herbs such as Boswellia, Turmeric, and Devil’s Claw inhibit inflammation. Other herbal remedies act as natural cox-2 inhibitors, without negative side effects. Celadrin is a new remedy clinically proven to rapidly relieve aching, painful joints, muscles, and tissue.

Move!

Work it out. Arthritis is correlated with age, but not caused by it. Exercise is essential for stimulating the movement of synovial fluid through joints. Proper exercise strengthens the supporting structures muscles and tendons taking the force and helping to protect your joints. Arthritis is not inevitable. Please come in and let us provide you with more information on these natural remedies, and help you find the safe, effective relief you need. Your Certified Nutritionist, Terri Williams

From Evergreen’s Archive: April 2005

Bone Building

Greetings! Evergreen Nutrition is very pleased to announce that a variety of health screenings will be available in the store on April first. In conjunction with Northwest Wellness you can make an appointment or simply drop in to get a bone density scan or several other lab tests including glucose, cholesterol, liver enzymes, PSA and/or TSH. (There are eleven different tests available.) The rates are very reasonable and there are special package deals for multiple tests. Please note that you pay Northwest Wellness directly so your Evergreen Club discount is not applicable. This is a great opportunity for the uninsured or for those of you whose health insurance does not cover lab tests. We are planning on having these in-store health screenings at least every six months so it presents an opportunity to see how you are progressing with your alternative treatments. To encourage you to take good care of your bones, we will have three great bone-support formulas on sale in April. Take them for six months, then come back in October and have another scan to see how they are working for you.

THE STUFF THAT BONES ARE MADE OF

Bones are not static, they are constantly being remodeled by the processes of resorption (breaking down) and deposition (building up). Bones support our soft squishy parts, but they also act as a storehouse for minerals necessary for many physiological functions. If we are not getting adequate amounts of minerals from our diet and/or supplements, our bones give them up. Therefore it is imperative to supply the essential building blocks of bone to keep us in balance. Most of us know that calcium is important for maintaining bone density, but it’s not the whole story. Underlying it all is the protein-based bone matrix containing a large amount of collagen which helps maintain flexibility. Next, many minerals form the bone. Magnesium creates well formed, resilient bone crystals on the matrix. One of the most abundant minerals on land and sea, strontium, adds strength to bones and teeth, brings calcium into the bones and is attracted to sites of active remodeling. (It is very safe and not to be confused with strontium-90.) Boron decreases urinary excretion of calcium and magnesium and enhances vitamin D. Manganese stimulates the production of the protein matrix while zinc enhances calcium uptake. In addition, phosphorus, silicon and copper support strong, flexible bones. These minerals not only make up bone tissue, but help to maintain proper blood levels of calcium which is important because too much calcium in the blood can lead to hardening of the arteries. Vitamins also play a role in creating healthy bones. Vitamin D works with magnesium and phosphorus in forming crystals which give strength and elasticity to our bones and it helps to regulate the amount of calcium in blood and bones. Vitamin K also attracts calcium to the protein matrix and keeps it there, and it encourages bone remodeling and repair. Vitamin C is essential for collagen formation.

THREE GREAT BONE SUPPORT FORMULAS

Coming up in our April sale will be three of our most popular bone support formulas. BONE STRENGTH TAKE CARE by New Chapter and Vitamin Code’s RAW CALCIUM from Garden of Life are organic whole-food supplements containing probiotics and active enzymes. Equally important, both contain AlgaeCal, a certified organic, marine-sourced, vegan mineral complex containing calcium and 73 other elements and trace minerals. Both of these products contain calcium, magnesium, strontium, silica and vanadium from algae, a highly bioavailable form, and vitamin D3. In addition, New Chapter’s Bone Strength contains vitamin K1 plus MK-7, the form of vitamin K2 which is superior for binding calcium to bone and inhibiting calcification of the arteries. On the other hand, Garden of Life’s Raw Calcium has vitamin C, vitamin K2 and boron. Two-part GROW BONE has a bottle of Raw Calcium and a bottle of Growth Factor S which contains strontium citrate as well as food-created strontium in a special probiotic, enzyme and raw food blend. Please note that Growth Factor S should not be taken by children or by pregnant or nursing women. Our third, very popular, bone formula is BONE-UP from Jarrow. In this blend the minerals come from MCHA, sourced from Australian bovine bone from chemical-free, range-grazed calves (not veal calves). The advantage of MCHA is that it contains minerals, proteins and other substances found in human bone plus bone-growth-stimulating osteoblast cells. Bone-Up also has collagen-supportive vitamin C, vitamin D3, vitamin K1 and MK-7 plus half a dozen additional minerals. The effectiveness of these products is supported by research but you have the opportunity to see for yourself with an easy and inexpensive bone scan at Evergreen Nutrition on April first followed by a second scan in October. We hope you will give one of these products a try — we think you will be pleased with the results. To learn more check out these websites: algaecal.com gardenoflife.com jarrow.com newchapter.com

From Evergreen’s Archives: March 2011

Collagen: Deeper Than Skin

It is said that beauty is only skin deep. But we would say that beauty goes deeper than skin. Why? Because unless we are in good shape on the inside, even a person with the features of a supermodel would not radiate health and vitality and move with grace. A significant way to keep ourselves in good shape — both inside and out — is by supporting collagen production and hindering its breakdown.

What Is Collagen?

Collagen is a major component of the endomysium of muscles and the extracellular matrix of connective tissues. In fact, it is the most abundant (25% to 35%) protein in our bodies. This ubiquitous protein is found in skin, hair and nails; muscles and fascia; bones, tendons, ligaments and cartilage; intervertebral discs; the heart and lungs as well as blood and lymph vessels; the eyes; kidneys and bladder; tooth dentin and the digestive tract. Collagen is also necessary for healing wounds and ulcers. It is easy to see the important role collagen plays in a maintaining a healthy body. Collagen is made mostly from glycine and proline, but lysine and vitamin C play important roles in collagen synthesis. Structurally, collagen is mainly in the form of long, triple-helix glycoprotein fibers called fibrils. These bundles of fiber have incredible tensile strength — stronger than similarly-sized steel wires. Collagen and two other scleroproteins, elastin and keratin, protect and give structure, strength and elasticity to our tissues. They also make our skin germ- and water-resistant. Collagen is literally the “glue” that holds our bodies together. Without it, we would hang limp on our bones like watches in a Dali landscape.

Collagen Depleters

As we get older and produce less collagen our cell structure weakens. The outward evidence of this is thin, wrinkled, sagging skin and lack-luster hair. On the inside it may be most obvious as stiff, painful joints. Factors that contribute to collagen degradation at any age are poor diet, high sugar consumption, excessive intake of chlorine and fluorine, excessive alcohol, tobacco and steroid use, cortisol (“the stress hormone”), inflammation and free-radical damage, dehydration, excessive exposure to UVA sunlight as well as some drugs, sunless tanners and genetic conditions.

Collagen Research

Although it is not a complete protein, supplemental hydrolyzed collagen is very well absorbed (95%), utilized and well tolerated by the body. Research in Poland found that it enters the bloodstream via the intestines and “become[s] available for metabolic processes.” The study also showed that hydrolyzed collagen can be used to improve joint health and decrease joint pain in those suffering from osteoarthritis and osteoporosis due to its role in the synthesis of cartilage and extracellular matrix (ECM). Collagen can help to maintain healthy blood pressure because it gives strength and elasticity to blood vessels and it contains angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. And although this study found that hydrolyzed collagen is not absorbed directly by the skin, taking it orally hydrates the skin and benefits the hair and nails as well.

Collagen Enhancers

Collagen is an animal protein, but vegetarians need not worry. There are non-animal ways to help enhance collagen production and decrease its breakdown. A nutrient-rich diet (especially vitamins A, B1, B2, C, and the minerals copper, sulfur and zinc) is important. Also, eating a variety of plant proteins to ensure adequate amounts of amino acids (arginine, glycine, lysine, proline, taurine and threonine in particular). The plant Gotu kola can stimulate the production of Type I collagen which is found in our skin, bones, tendons, ligaments and teeth as well as in scar tissue. Type I is the most abundant form of collagen in our bodies (90%). Bilberry, hawthorne and grape seeds contain oligomeric proanthocyanosides (OPCs) that inhibit collagen breakdown by the enzyme collagenase. Goji berries also inhibit collagenase. Green tea helps counter the damaging effects of ultra violet radiation on collagen while topical use of Ginkgo biloba can stimulate collagen production in the skin. And Aloe vera‘s ability to increase collagen production (especially Type III) contributes to its well-known wound-healing ability. Aloe may be taken internally or applied topically for this purpose. Using skin care products containing carrot seed and/or clary sage essential oils will also enhance collagen helping to keep the skin smooth and wrinkle free. But, of course, we know that beauty goes deeper than skin — thanks to ubiquitous collagen.

A Trio of Travel Companions

With summer on the way, vacation and travel plans often come as well. Whether one travels to the tropics or above the Arctic Circle, there are a few staple, very portable items which may make your vacation much more pleasant, safe, and healthy. There are three essentials which can literally protect you while you enjoy your leisure time. Some travel destinations will benefit more from these preparations than others, and we will look at the wheres, hows, and whys.

Sunscreens

Many Oregonians seek the sun on their vacations, whether it be escaping cold, gray January here, or our own bright summers in the mountains or coast. Unlike in the 1960s and 1970s, when baby oil-slathered roasting bodies were the norm, we now know the damage the sun can do to the skin, and seek to protect ourselves. A “healthy tan” simply does not exist anymore. When skin darkens, as in a tan, or reddens, it means there has been an inflammatory response at the cellular level. Collagen, as well as DNA, is damaged. While the results of prolonged or unprotected sun exposure may result in uneven pigmentation, dark spots, and wrinkles, continued assault on skin’s DNA may result in skin cancer. Luckily, with today’s sun knowledge, we also have effective, natural sun protection. Look for products with broad-spectrum protection, if possible, as well as products which do not use chemical UV absorbers such as oxybenzone or PABA. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (minerals) repeatedly have been shown to be safe and effective in blocking UV rays. Zinc oxide blocks both UVA and UVB rays completely, and titanium dioxide completely blocks UVB and partially blocks UVA rays. Evergreen carries a variety of natural sunscreen products, in a range of SPF ratings. Local favorite Keys makes an extraordinarily clean moisturizer with SPF 30+. Solar Rx features the broad-spectrum protection of zinc oxide, with a soothing base of shea butter and avocado seed oil. MyChelle Dermaceuticals has their Sun Shield line, available in stick, spray, or cream versions, with different SPF ratings. Enjoying the sun is still possible while simultaneously protecting your precious skin.

Probiotics 

As well as gut health, probiotics enhance immune health. This combination is particularly well-suited for travel of any kind. Many times the stresses of travel can not only challenge one’s digestive system but also take a toll on the immune system. In particular, long air travel through multiple time zones is difficult on the body. In addition to the disruption in the body’s circadian rhythm, the simple breathing of stale, recycled air with a host of possibly sick co-passengers can weaken one’s system and lead to becoming sick as one begins their trip. Not an ideal start to your vacation. If traveling in a third-world country, where the water or food may be contaminated with pathogenic organisms, it is difficult enough to remain healthy. With the dual mechanisms of action, supporting intestinal microflora (and thus intestinal health) and immune response, a shelf-stable, travel-friendly probiotic can keep you healthy and free from sickness of many kinds while away from home. Jarrow Formulas’ Jarro-Dophilus EPS is room-temperature stable and does not require refrigeration. It is gluten free and comes in a convenient blister-pack making it very portable. Another traveler’s friend is Genuine Health’s advanced gut health probiotic, which comes in several strengths and is vegan and gluten free.

Parasites/Protozoan Protection

It is estimated that one fifth of the world’s population suffers from protozoan infections. Tourist infection is not limited to tropical areas, despite popular perception. Parasites are found in the water we drink and the food we eat. Parasitic infections may be linked with other diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and pulmonary conditions. Traveler’s diarrhea is a common occurrence where food and water may be tainted. Luckily there is another traveler’s friend which is as effective as any amoebicide available and does not have unwanted side-effects. Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE) is a highly antimicrobial substance, and has been tested on and shown to be successful at treating/preventing pathogens ranging from E. coli to salmonella to giardia. It is safe and non-toxic. When traveling in places where food or water is suspect, one may either take the tablet version, or add a few drops of the liquid to your water, which will purify that water as well as protect you from pathogens daily. This is a cost-effective, easy way to protect yourself from an incredible number of possible food-borne and water-borne pathogens. It may be used also as a vegetable or other food wash by simply mixing a few drops into the wash water. It is a superb disinfectant, more effective and stronger than bleach, for example. When traveling in third-world countries, the combination of GSE with a good shelf-stable probiotic may make all the difference between a trip spent in misery in bathrooms or an enjoyable vacation. Take some simple precautions, and a few easily-carried items with you on your next trip, and protect yourself inside and out!

Sleep & Stress Help

Many of us lead stressful lives these days. Chronic stress takes a toll on our health in many ways including interfering with our ability to get a good night’s sleep. Herb Pharm, from Williams, Oregon, has several liquid extracts that can help with relaxation and sleep. Two very popular ones are …

LEMON BALM

Aromatic LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis) is a mild sedative that is useful for insomnia. It is also helpful for muscle tension and migraine headaches. Lemon Balm has antiviral activity as well and is an excellent choice for people with Herpes Simplex (Types 1 and 2) and Herpes Zoster which causes shingles. Herb Pharm’s Lemon Balm is a blend of leaves and flowering tops which are certified organically grown on their own farm.

RELAXING SLEEP TONIC

Herb Pharm’s RELAXING SLEEP TONIC is the jewel in the crown of their Calming and Relaxing subcategory. It is a very effective combination of Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), Hops (Humulus lupulus), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and Catnip (Nepeta cataria). All five of these herbs are helpful for muscle tension, anxiety and insomnia. All but Catnip have a sedative effect on the central nervous system and alleviate headaches. Valerian and Passionflower are also useful for depression and painful menstruation. Passionflower and Hops are also useful for those dealing with addiction issues. In addition, these herbs may be helpful for stress, inflammation, pain (especially ear aches and tooth aches), shingles, menopausal discomfort and more.

Advantages of Liquid Extracts:

• BETTER ABSORBED than capsules and tablets, especially for those with impaired digestion.
• Experiencing the TASTE & AROMA of herbs increases the therapeutic benefits.
• Liquid extracts can be made from FRESH HERBS when fresh gives best results.
• EASY TO USE, the dose can be adjusted with more accuracy than pills and extracts can be blended or even used topically.

For more information on coping with stress see our December 2012 Newsletter.

From Evergreen’s Archives: March 2014

Supplements In The News

Recently the media has reported on alleged fraud in supplements sold at four large national stores after the products were tested by New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman. We would like to assure our customers that the products you buy at Evergreen Nutrition are high quality and truly identified. Also, since this kind of thing throws the entire supplement industry in a bad light, we think it is important for you to know more about it. Inappropriate Methods Used First of all, if there is fraud or mislabeling, it must be exposed and stopped. No argument there. However, the testing methods used to determine the validity of the products in question are inappropriate for testing herbal extracts since only specific constituents are extracted, not whole plant tissues. Also, DNA can be denatured by the extraction process making it an unreliable test of identity when it is present. When fillers, like rice powder, are added it is usually at the end of the process and they remain intact and therefore detectable. But more importantly, DNA bar coding is not even a valid industry standard (in the U.S. or Europe) for testing botanical extracts and the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) does not recommend its use. The internationally accepted analysis methods for botanical products include mass spectrometry, chromatography and titration, for example. It makes one wonder why Mr. Schneiderman chose DNA bar coding and ignored proven, reliable methods that yield valid results and why he won’t release the data in spite of requests to do so. FDA Mandates Standards While it’s true that supplements are not subject to the same extensive scrutiny as pharmaceuticals, there are FDA mandated, legally required standards in place. All manufacturers of dietary supplements must comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) that ensure the quality, identity and purity of their products, and to document the results of their testing. They are also subject to FDA inspection to assure compliance with cGMP and the FDA can use its authority to take steps to protect consumers if necessary. Mostly Good Apples in the Barrel In any business there may be a few unscrupulous dealers and the supplement industry is not immune from that. But most suppliers and manufacturers are acting in good faith, doing their best to provide high quality, effective products. Part of our job here at Evergreen Nutrition is to make sure that our customers have access to safe, high quality supplements and body care products from honest sources. Our vendors range from innovative industry leaders to small, local companies producing small batches by hand. Whatever the source, you can be confident that the products you buy at Evergreen are made with integrity. Evergreen Brand The company that manufactures our in-house brand, Vitamer, is a private-label-only company that does not manufacture products for any of the four companies tested by the New York Attorney General. Meet Your Gaia Herbs Gaia Herbs invites you to Meet Your Herbs. Simply go to their website and enter the ID# from the box of one of their products to see information on the primary function of that product as well as the purity test results. Products Retested We would be remiss if we did not mention that when GNC tested products from the same lots as the Attorney General’s tests, using the industry’s internationally accepted analytical methods, they found that they were in compliance with cGMP regulations. Our knowledgeable staff is always available to serve you and help you choose products that are suited to your needs. Thank you for choosing to shop at Evergreen Nutrition – we will do our best to maintain your trust and good will.

From Evergreen’s Archive: February 2015

Introducing New Products (And Savings) For The New Year

We would like to introduce you to some of our new products, but you are probably already familiar with at least one of them. TERRA FIRMA BOTANICALS, from right here in Eugene, was started in 1982 by River Kennedy (perhaps you have seen her at the Saturday Market) and is now a thriving, well-respected maker of botanical remedies. Using certified organic (Oregon Tilth) or ethically wildcrafted plants and other clean and green raw materials, Terra Firma creates a variety of remedies and body care products that are good for you and our planet. We are currently stocking eight of their herbal formulas. CANDIDA & FUNGUS AWAY is useful for any fungal infection and may be taken internally or used as an external wash or douche. ECHINACEA/GOLDENSEAL PLUS is an infection-fighting formula with ginger and cayenne that helps to break up congestion. LIVER SUPPORT not only supports hepatic function but is also anti-inflammatory. NERVE TONIC #2, a soothing tonic for the central nervous system, is relaxing, antispasmodic and useful for shingles, neuropathy and neuralgia. ROOT IT OUT WITH OSHA is the remedy for coughs, respiratory congestion and bronchitis. SUPER IMMUNE is an adaptogenic blend to strengthen and support immune function. ULTRA ECHINACEA and ECHINACEA/GOLDENSEAL are must-have remedies for colds, flu, sore throat, viral and bacterial infections. VALERIAN/SKULLCAP is an excellent combination to fight insomnia, but it is also an excellent muscle relaxant that can even help with menstrual cramps. A little further north in Olympia, Washington, is Paul Stamets’ fine company, FUNGI PERFECTI, which produces the HOST DEFENSE line of mycomedicinals. Mr. Stamets is a renowned mycologist (mushroom expert) and author who donates proceeds from his company to help mushrooms and their old growth forest habitat. Fungi Perfecti, a family-owned, environmentally conscious business since 1980, offers a variety of immune-supporting mushroom supplements of which we currently carry seven single-species remedies: REISHI, CORDYCEPS, AGARIKON, TURKEY TAIL, LION’S MANE, MAITAKE and CHAGA. We also stock two blends: STAMETS 7 (a general tonic formula) and MYCOMMUNITY, Mr. Stamets’ well-known blend of 17 mushroom species and his strongest immune support formula. www.terrafirmabotanicals.com www.hostdefense.com

From Evergreen’s Archive: January 2010

 

Himalaya Ayurvedic Herbs: Healthy You, Happy Planet

Himalaya was founded in 1930 after Mr. M. Manal saw a Burmese villager pacify a restless elephant by feeding it the root of Rauwolfia serpentina. Fascinated by the root’s calming action, he returned to India to look for scientific evidence for why this plant had such a beneficial influence on the elephant. And Himalaya was born. Eighty-five years later, Himalaya offers a full line of clinically-studied herbal formulations and certified USDA organic single herbs that are sold in over 90 countries. Himalaya is an international leader in the field of scientifically validated herbal healthcare that integrates the principles of Ayurveda (the traditional medicine of India) with modern science. And they are still a family-owned business.

Committed to the Global Community

Himalaya is also committed to the global community as one of their core values. By purchasing Himalaya products, you support your own wellness as well as the wellness of the planet through: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ~ Himalaya has set up a water treatment plant and reduced its water consumption by as much as 10,000 liters per day. They also conserve power and reduce pollution to meet National Quality Assurance (NQA) guidelines. TREES FOR LIFE ~ With the Society for Environment and Biodiversity Conservation, Himalaya planted 580,000 trees on over 900 acres in a UNESCO-recognized biodiversity hotspot. The trees include medicinal Ashwagandha, Arjuna, Amla and Hirada; food- and cash-crops like mango, banana, papaya and cashew; as well as critically endangered Abutilon ranadei. EMPOWERING WOMEN ~ Himalaya is giving away handmade bags made from upcycled multi-colored silk saris, the exotic wraps worn by the women of India. The sari bags are sourced from SEWA (Self Employed Women’s Association) in Bhadra, Ahmedabad, India. SEWA is comprised of poor, self-employed female workers who earn a living through their own business. SEWA seeks to empower women through employment and self-reliance by providing them with access to steady work and income, giving them a sense of security and power. Himalaya buys direct from SEWA so all profits benefit the organization. FAIR TRADE ~ Himalaya helps economically empower small and marginal farmers by assuring that they are paid favorable wages and have a market for their crops. In addition, Himalaya bears the costs for the required certifications, packaging and transportation. AND MORE ~ Himalaya is a sponsor of the Autism Hope Alliance and a partner with Vitamin Angels. (See our newsletter on Vitamin Angels for more information.)

Homeopathy

Summer is here and many of us will be traveling. A first aid kit is always good to have handy and homeopathic remedies are small and travel well. (Remedies in Boiron’s new tubes can safely pass through airport x-rays). Here is a quick look at homeopathy and some of the ways that it can help keep your summer vacation safe and happy. Homeopathy is a natural system of healing. It uses minute doses of a substance that with huge doses in healthy people will produce the specific symptoms which are similar to those of the disease. Got that? It’s called the Law of Similars. Homeopathic remedies work on physical, mental and emotional levels to stimulate our bodies to adjust physiological processes, relying on our natural inclination toward homeostasis (balance). There are generally no side effects, contraindications or interference with other medications. The practice of homeopathy is quite complex with each individual’s constitutional type (physical and emotional state) as well as the specific symptoms determining which remedy will be used. For example, are the symptoms relieved by heat or cold? Does the patient prefer company or want to be alone? Does s/he feel better for drinking milk? Worse for eating bread? These are the kinds of questions one must ask in determining which remedy is right for the given situation. It is important to match the symptoms to the remedy and to take it frequently. As a general rule, 6C (acute or local symptoms) or 30C(chronic conditions) remedies are most suitable for self-treating, however, taking the correct remedy is more important than using the right potency. Generally, take more frequent doses for sudden, acute symptoms and decrease doses as symptoms improve. Chronic conditions, like allergies and migraines, usually require longer treatment for sustained relief. Here are a few remedies you may want to have on hand while traveling: ACONITE is the sudden onset remedy. Works best for the first symptoms of croup, colds, flu, fever and sore throat. If you delay, then consider other remedies. Also good for panic, anxiety, restlessness, claustrophobia and fear of flying. APIS is excellent for bee stings, insect bites, hives and inflammatory conditions (heat, redness and swelling). Fluid retention and swelling of legs and feet during travel. ARNICA a first aid essential, is wonderful for trauma, shock, injuries to soft tissues; recovery from physical exertion, dental work and surgery. Use it to ease muscle aches from jet lag. Itis also helpful for earache caused by changes in air pressure (barotrauma) when flying or diving. Taken internally it promotes healing and helps control bleeding. Arnica topically helps heal bruises, sprains, and sunburn. ARSENICUM helps treat diarrhea and vomiting from food poisoning; diarrhea with no other symptoms, such as traveler’s sickness. Burning pains relieved by heat. Anxiety and restlessness. BELLADONNA is for throbbing earaches, mild colds and sorethroat, sweating, congestion, high fever and sunburn or heat exhaustion. For inflammatory conditions with sudden onset. BELLIS PERENNIS is used to alleviate muscular soreness, especially where Arnica doesn’t help. Also for venous congestion from sitting too long, illness resulting from getting chilled whileoverheated or from sleep interruptions. BORAX Canker sores, especially with candida present. Travel sickness with nausea and vomiting especially on descent. CALENDULA is another must have for first aid kits. It speeds healing of wounds that are not infected. Calendula encourages tissue growth, so if it is used before the infection is cleared the infection may go deeper. It aids healing of bleeding, open wounds as well as nosebleeds. Calendula salve can be used topically on wounds and diaper rash, too. CANTHARIS is helpful for treating first- and second-degree burns and for burning pains, bladder infections, insectbites/stings and sunburn. CAUSTICUM can ease third-degree burns (get emergency help!), especially deep burns or those that are slow to heal. CHAMOMILLA is an excellent remedy for teething, earaches and colic. Also for insomnia (especially when angry or excited) and restlessness. Used to alleviate emotional and mental stress, impatience, irritability and disorientation. A must-have remedy for traveling with small children. COFFEA is a great remedy for those who are oversensitive or overexcited (like kids on holiday), for sleeplessness caused by over stimulation from happy events, and toothache relieved by cold. COLOCYNTHIS helps relieve colic with diarrhea (child pulls legs toward belly), leg cramps and sciatica (especially rightsided, worse with movement). GELSEMIUM ameliorates sore throats, cough, colds or flu accompanied by shivering and anticipatory fears like fear of flying. HYPERICUM is the must-have remedy for nerve pain, numbness and tingling, especially in nerve-rich areas like fingertips or tailbone. Also useful for painful bunions, infected wounds,puncture wounds and post-surgical wounds including dental. Take Arnica first to prevent bruising and swelling. IPECACUANHA is an important remedy for extreme, persistent nausea, headache accompanied by vomiting and vomiting, with hypersalivation. KALI BICHROMICUM is useful for hearing reduction due to in-flight pressure changes, sinus pressure, sciatica with sensation of pain moving along the leg, and indigestion from too much beer. KALI MURIATICUM can act as a decongestant – useful for ear pain from in-flight pressure changes. Take a dose of 6X or 12X before boarding and again before landing. LEDUM is a puncture wound remedy, including insect stings and animal bites that are relieved by cold applications. Splinters, joint pain and black eyes (especially if Arnica fails to prevent bruising). LYCOPODIUM is used to alleviate anxiety, anticipatory fears, apprehension, oversensitivity, inability to adapt to new surroundings. NATRUM MURIATICUM can relieve headaches from heat or sun.Take it at the first sign of a cold sore caused by sun or salt air. Also good for canker sores and candida. NUX VOMICA is one of the best remedies for overindulgence: too much coffee, tobacco, alcohol, or whatever! Helpful for nausea, indigestion, constipation, colic and heartburn. Helpful for relieving motion sickness, food poisoning, insomnia, drowsiness and jet lag. PODOPHYLLUM can treat traveler’s diarrhea and diarrhea associated with teething, especially if worse in the morning. PULSATILLA can help weepy, whiny or needy children.Toothache and teething pains better for cold and fresh air.Indigestion or diarrhea from rich foods and food poisoning from bad meat or fish. Styes, earaches, sciatica, venous congestion and varicose veins. RHUS TOXICODENDRON is a good remedy for restless types. It works well for poison ivy/oak rash, eczema, flu and toothaches sensitive to cold. Muscular aches and pains, stiff joints, damaged ligaments and tendonitis from overexertion, especially when improved by motion (use Arnica first). Sciatica improved by motion and heat. For hangovers with tension headaches, nausea and irritability.Restless insomnia. Take at onset of cold sores not caused by salt air. RUTA GRAVEOLENS is useful for bone injuries such as bruises and breaks, for injured muscles, cartilage, ligaments and especially damaged tendons (use Arnica first). Eye strain and resulting headache. Sciatica. SILICA is used to draw out splinters and other foreign objects and for teething, abscesses and boils. Ingrown toenails and painful corns. SYMPHYTUM is an excellent remedy for bone injuries including breaks, especially those that are slow to heal. Also good for black eyes after Arnica has taken down the swelling. URTICA URENS can do the job for minor burns, like sunburns and scalds, with itching and burning sensations. Prickly heat, nettle rash, hives and insect bites/stings with stinging, burning and itching. This list is just a tiny peek at homeopathy. If you are interested 1n learning more, please take a look at our homeopathic book selection .And for some helpful hints on dealing with pesky summer insects,please refer to our newsletter from July 2007 at our website, http://www.evergreennutrition.com.

From Evergreen’s Archives: July 2008

Free Radicals and Inflammation

Is There a Common Cause of Aging & Degenerative Diseases?

We know that our cells are assaulted over our lifetimes by inflammation and free radicals. Damage over time creates tissue destruction that eventually leads to aging and degenerative disease. Our cells produce destructive particles called free radicals as they go through their normal metabolic functions. Other origins of free radicals in our bodies: inflammation, stress, environmental toxins, ultraviolet radiation, x-ray radiation, low magnesium levels and immune activation. You can picture free radicals as red hot particles bouncing around inside a cell burning anything they come into contact with such as your DNA, cell membranes and proteins in the cytoplasm. Some of these proteins are enzymes, responsible for driving thousands of chemical reactions in our bodies. When enzymes are destroyed the reactions they catalyze will not take place. We understand that damage to our DNA is never a good thing and when our cell membranes are damaged the covering of the cell itself, as well as the membranes of all the cellular structures inside the cell, are no longer efficiently getting nutrients in and waste out. All of this free radical damage causes our cells to weaken and malfunction; this is the process of aging and, in extreme cases, degenerative disease. We know that inflammation, infections, traumatic injuries, burns and even stress all increase metabolism, and based on the severity these situations can cause a very high production of free radicals that flood the body causing further harm. Inflammation is a part of the body’s natural healing process, it is only when the inflammatory process becomes excessive and prolonged that problems arise. Silent chronic inflammation is now known to be an underlying factor in most debilitating diseases. Free radicals are both a cause and a result of inflammation. Damage from free radicals causes inflammation; chronic inflammation goes on to produce lots of free radicals which in turn create more inflammation. This is a vicious cycle which can damage many systems in the body. The thyroid, heart and pancreas can be affected. Inflammation can be likened to a forest fire that rages out of control in your body. We know that if the thyroid is damaged it sometimes becomes overactive. This increases metabolism and with an increase in metabolism we see free radical production increase. People who have hyperthyroidism require a greater supply of antioxidants to protect themselves from the increase in free radical damage. This is also true for athletes; extreme exercise increases metabolism which increases free radical production and the need for antioxidants to quench the free radicals. When we have infections and inflammation white blood cells rush to the scene and increase their production of free radicals. It is these free radicals white blood cells release that kill the bacteria. White blood cells live to fight another day because they have six times more antioxidants then normal cells. When the body’s stores of antioxidants are depleted or low white blood cells can not protect themselves and die in large numbers, further compromising the immune system and leading to a smoldering infection. Stress is defined as anything that upsets our normal state of wellbeing. We know that psychological stress causes physical harm especially to our brains. You can worry up free radicals and these free radicals oxidize neurotransmitters causing injury to your brain. The important thing to take from this is that during times of intense, unrelieved stress we need to increase antioxidants to protect our brains.

How to Eat To Avoid Inflammation

As far as an anti-inflammatory, free radical-reducing diet plan look for intense color in the produce section: for fruits blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries, red and green grapes and grapefruit; for vegetables dark green and leafy, yellow squash, carrots, broccoli, kale, red and yellow peppers, purple onions and garlic. Avoid rancid, hydrogenated or trans fats. Consumption of these can cause free radical production. Cooking fats at high temperatures or deep fat frying causes oxidation of the fats and introduces free radicals into the body. Instead try poaching, stewing, braising or slow roasting. It is best to eat organic, grass fed and hormone-free meat as it contains a fatty acid content that is not inflammatory. A high sugar diet causes proteins to react chemically with sugar producing unstable molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs). These not only generate massive amounts of free radicals but the glycation of hemoglobin, glutathione, albumin and collagen can dramatically increase cell damage. Reducing sugar reduces both free radicals and inflammation.

Nutritional Supplements that Reduce Free Radicals & Inflammation

New Chapter Zyflamend contains 10 herbs that synergistically promote a healthy inflammation response. Zyflamend, in human clinical trials, significantly reduced C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is a gauge of the amount of inflammation in the arteries, and is considered a reliable marker for cardiovascular disease. Zyflamend contains enzymes which are important to almost every function in our body. They are easily damaged by free radicals and replacing them thru supplementation can enhance health. Enzymes taken on an empty stomach digest inflammation so enzymes can provide a one two punch to free radicals and inflammation. Zyflamend also contains Hu Zhang, an herb with the highest level of resveratrol, the same level you would find in six glasses of red wine. Resveratrol is an anti-oxidant, anti-aging and anti-inflammatory nutrient which has gotten much press recently for increasing life span. Holy Basil possesses anti- inflammatory activity as well as stress-reducing properties. Tumeric is a powerful and versatile antioxidant which increases wound healing as well as enhances immunity and white blood cell proliferation. The most important nutrients to reduce glycation include alpha lipoic acid, vitamins B2 and B6, carnitine, folic acid, magnesium, potassium, N-acetyl cysteine and resveratrol. Even if you eat a very healthy diet including lots of fruits and vegetables, it is difficult to get enough antioxidants through your diet to combat free radical damage. So to keep inflammation and free radical damage to a minimum we need to take things like carotenoids, mixed natural vitamin E, vitamin C, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10, and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). It is never too late to make lifestyle changes to reverse free radical induced disease. One of the best ways to slow down the degenerative processes caused by chronic inflammation is to increase your intake of antioxidant nutrients and antioxidant rich foods. It does not matter how old you are or the condition of your health; it is never too late to use diet and nutrients to reduce the inflammatory cascade and slow down the deadly processes associated with aging. The staff at Evergreen Nutrition is happy to guide you to the specific natural anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients for your needs, insurance for a long, healthy and vibrant life.

From Evergreen’s Archive: March 2009