Table of contents for Breast Cancer Risk & Your Wardrobe

1. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 1
2. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 2

This is Part 2 of a two-part post; we’ll discuss Health Risks from Underwire Bras, Simple Wardrobe Changes for Better Health, and Relief for Fibrocystic Cysts.  In Part 1, we covered which wardrobe choices increase cancer risks and important study results. If you missed Part 1, use the series link above.

The Health Risks of Underwire Bras

According to Dr. Mercola, even though the underwire is plastic coated, there are long-term health risks involved by having that metal on your body. Underwire bras put continual pressure on vital lymphatic reflex points which are located below each breast. He says,

Below your breasts are two important neuro-lymphatic reflex points. The one below your right breast corresponds to your liver and gallbladder. The one below your left breast goes to your stomach. In addition, the metal wire can also act as an antenna attracting electromagnetic fields, which can also increase your risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Mercola quotes a study by John D. Andre, D.C., N.D., to describe the harm underwires do to these reflex points. Here is an excerpt:

These reflexes, like all acupuncture points, follow the Law of Stimulation. In the beginning of stimulating a point, it is stimulated – often causing an increase in associated function. Later on, this continued stimulation causes sedation of that point and a subsequent decrease in its associated function. It’s a mechanical thing. If a woman keeps the metal underwires on top of those reflex points, over time that WILL mess up the functioning of the associated circuits: Liver, gallbladder, and stomach. Bottom Line: It will likely make her sick; slowly and quietly. John D. Andre, D.C., N.D

Simple Wardrobe Changes for Better Health

The Best Option:

Dr Mercola recommends a wireless style for your greatest health improvements–

An even better option is to opt for a wireless style bra, which are now available in most brands, and for various levels of support. Sports bras and camisoles with a built-in shelf bra are other options that can work well, especially if your bust is on the smaller side.

Option for Those Needing Underwires:

He says that wearing metal needs to be avoided and recommends switching to a plastic wire instead of a metal one–

BraMakersSupply.com is one of the few companies that carry the whole range of plastic wire sizes and ship across the world. And at $2 per pair, protecting your long-term health couldn’t be much more affordable.

Other Helpful Resources for Breast Health and Relief of Fibrocystic Breasts

These two articles are sources I came across which you should find helpful:

A “must read” for anyone with breast pain and/or cysts is the article on Relieving Breast Pain by Woman-to-Woman.com. 

Carolyn Chambers has a long list of holistic helps, but of specific interest is her list of dietary changes, listed about half way down her webpage.  Click here for to read the Healing Diet.

The above excerpts are from Dr. Joseph Mercola’s email newsletter. Please use this link to read his full article.

Table of contents for Breast Cancer Risk & Your Wardrobe

1. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 1
2. Breast Cancer and Your Wardrobe Choices Part 2

What’s in your wardrobe? Studies are showing that the most popular style of bras hinder lymph node function, increasing breast cancer risk.

Ill-fitting bras, as well as the most popular style of bra, the metal underwire, increase your potential health risks. Lymph nodes, which purpose are to daily excrete toxins from your body, are unable to drain properly when tight-fitting bras or underwire bras consistently press on their reflex points.

Dr. Joseph Mercola recently sent out a newsletter with data from various doctors and researchers studying the effects of impaired lymph node drainage due to constrictive clothing. We are exposed to many dangerous toxins everyday that the body needs to eliminate. Dr. Mercola says that even the aluminum in antiperspirants is a dangerous toxin which the body needs to eliminate.

I’m categorizing below a few excerpts from this essential information related to breast cancer. Please use the newsletter link here or the one at the end of this post to read Dr. Mercola’s full article.

How do ill-fitting bras, underwire bras, and other constrictive clothing increase cancer risk as well as fibrocystic breasts?

Read the important medical findings from these 3 excerpts:

Over 85 percent of the lymph fluid flowing from the breast drains to the armpit lymph nodes. Most of the rest drains to the nodes along the breast bone. Bras and other external tight clothing can impede flow…as a result of cutting off lymphatic drainage, so that toxic chemicals are trapped in the breast. Dr. Michael Schacter, M.D, The Prevention and Complementary Treatment of Breast Cancer

Constricting bras have also been implicated in the rise of benign (non-cancerous) but often painful breast cysts and lumps. Dr. John McDougall, M.D., The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart

After repeated bouts of inflammation, the breasts develop scar tissue in many places, and some of the milk ducts become plugged, forming cysts. Fibrocystic breast disease, not surprisingly, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Edinburgh Breast Group, UK, Lancet May 1999

As a woman’s body is constantly changing throughout life, re-measuring should take place fairly often to ensure that your bra is not only comfortable, but a safe fit. Though many sites offer complex calculations, Dr. Mercola referred to a site by a company called Linda’s Bra School out of New York which automatically calculates your correct bra size after entering 2 simple measurements. Click here to use the bra size calculator on Linda’s site in her Bra Fitting Room.  Though it may sound unusual, proper fit is actually a serious health issue.

It is obvious through the warnings on commercials or the fine print on labels that prescription drugs contain a wide variety of potential negative side effects. A large number of vitamins are made synthetically through a chemical process, rather than derived directly from plants. (1) [Links to research articles will be posted at the end of the post.] The more you can derive health benefits directly from the food you eat, the better off you will be.

Adding these key foods into your daily intake will help boost your immune system, lower cholesterol, as well as fight heart disease and various forms of cancer.

Tomatoes - Lycopene is a cancer-fighting antioxidant from tomatoes and other red fruits. Of all the carotenoids, lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants; researchers have found a correlation between increasing the consumption of tomatoes and reducing the risk of cancer. (2) With most foods, the health benefits are lost through the heat of cooking. Lycopene is one of the few necessary substances that is more easily absorbed into the body after being cooked. Tomatoes can decrease your risk of bad cholesterol building up inside arteries (plaque formation) and help prevent future heart attacks. (3) In another study done over a 6 year period by Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, the diets of more than 47,000 men were studied. Of 46 fruits and vegetables evaluated, only the tomato products showed a measurable relationship to reduce prostate cancer risk. (4)

Lemons - Easily boost your immune system by just squeezing a slice of lemon into your drinking water. Lemons are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, having enough to boost your immune system or help fight off a cold. (5) I add lemon to every glass of water I drink during the day.

Water – More water than what most of us drink is necessary for the proper functioning of our bodies, including flushing out toxins. Up to 60 percent of the human body is water, the brain being composed of 70 percent water, and the lungs nearly 90 percent water. (6) Be sure to drink water that is as free of toxins as you can afford. (See my post on Water Filter for Drinking Water for info on clean drinking water in your home. ) To know how much water you should drink per day, take your weight in pounds, divide it by 2, and drink that many ounces. For example, a 200 lb. man should drink a minimum of 100 oz. of water per day.

Dark berries - Purple, red, and blue berries boost anti-oxidants as well as ward off UV damage. A landmark study shows that just one cup of berries provides all the disease-fighting antioxidants you need in a single day.This newest study used updated technology to assess antioxidant levels in more than 100 foods, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, breads, nuts, and spices. Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Wild blue berries had 10 times the USDA recommendation of antioxidants in 1 cup. (7)

I was reminded of this information while we were harvesting our purple muscadine grapes the past few weeks.  We enjoy stocking the freezer for the coming year with a variety of baked goods made with muscadines, as well as just eating them off the vine. One plant, about 6 years old, provides us with 5 to 6 tall stock pots of grapes, and that is with cutting the vine back to fit the arbor each spring. University studies have found that muscadine grapes are one of the richest sources of antioxidants in nature, having 40 times more antioxidants than any other fruit, with high concentrations of resveratrol and ellagic acid. (13)

Spices – B vitamins are the most difficult vitamin for our bodies to absorb. Spices can be one source for your B vitamins. The vitamin B-6 content of 42 spices was measured in duplicate using a microbiological assay. Relatively high sources were the red pepper spices such as chili, cayenne, and paprika, garlic, and certain leaves such as basil, bay leaf, dill weed, oregano, rosemary, sage, and tarragon. (8)

Honey – Honey has long been known to contain a large amount of anti-oxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, and can easily be incorporated into your daily intake by substituting it for sugar in coffee, tea, oatmeal, on toast, etc. Be sure to buy an uncooked type. Honey also contains protein, vitamins and minerals, but no cholesterol. Darker honeys have more nutrients and antioxidants than light ones and the antioxidant levels vary with the flower type. Buckwheat flower honey has the highest antioxidants of any honey, clover is in the middle of the range. For allergy sufferers, eating locally grown honey can prevent seasonal allergies. Recent studies are now able to prove its as an antibacterial topical treatment for burns and ulcers. It also produces hydrogen peroxide, which generate highly reactive free radicals in the body, killing bacteria, further contributing to its antibacterial properties. (9)

Olive Oil – Omega 3 fatty acids are very publicized now as a necessary element for good health, of which olive oil is a good source. The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Studies have shown that it lowers heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol. Studies have also shown that it reduces the risk of colon cancer and gallstone formation by activating the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones naturally. It has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis, too. (10) It is important to not just eliminate harmful fats from the diet, but incorporate healthy ones. Increasing your intake of healthy fats also enables you to absorb more anti-oxidants from your food. 2 tablespoons daily is recommended for healthy cholesterol levels. I use light tasting olive oil (Lighter tasting will be specified on the label.), usually immediately before a snack or meal just to get the taste out of my mouth. Check the label to get a brand that is extra virgin oil and cold pressed, as this will be the least processed and retain the most health benefits.

Flax seed – This is another healthy source of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Though we personally still eat wild caught fish, some doctors do not recommend fish at all as your omega 3 source due to problems with toxic mercury levels. Studies show flax seed lowering total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol levels, as well as helping to lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack. Flax seed is also believed to reduce the risk of cancers, especially breast cancer. In addition, the oil from flax seed benefits those with Crohn’s disease and Colitis. (11) I buy a 14 oz. package of Spectrum Naturals Organic Ground Flax Seed at The Vitamin Shoppe (also online at vitaminshoppe.com) for about $5 US and take 1 tablespoon per day in cereal or oatmeal. For women who have trouble with fibrocystic breast disease, in addition to eliminating caffeine and toxins from the diet, adding flax seed to the your food intake helps to decrease cyst size and pain.

1 Click here for further reading on synthetic versus natural vitamins.

2 Lycopene info

3 Lycopene and heart attack prevention

4 Lycopene reduces prostate cancer

5 Lemon info

6 Water and the body

7 Dark Berries and antioxidants

8 Spices and B vitamins

9 Honey for burns and wounds
Honey and antioxidant rates

10 Olive Oil benefits

11 Flax Seed benefits

13 Muscadine grapes

I recently came across a comment on someone’s webpage about olive leaf extract solving digestion issues.  After some research around the web, I wanted to post for you excerpts from 2 of those articles as I was amazed at what I found. 

According to the Nutritional Supplement Educational Centre, the use of olive leaf extract for health benefits has been common to the Mediterranean culture, though more recently popular in the nutritional supplement industry. Olive leaf extract gained international attention when studies showed it to have an antioxidant capacity almost double green tea extract and 400% higher than vitamin C. (2)

Here is a sampling of olive leaf extract benefits listed by the NSEC:

1.  Boosts weakened immune system by neutralizing free radical cell damage.

2.  Naturally kills pathogens such as bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi, by preventing them from reproducing.

3.  Lowers blood pressure.

4.  Lowers high cholesterol.

5.  Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia patients report it boosts their energy.

6.  It has been used to treat cold and flu viruses, yeast infections, Epstein-Barr disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, and shingles.

7.  As with other herbal supplements, NSEC recommends not to use if pregnant or nursing. (1)

Olive Leaf Extract is also an effective detox agent.

Detoxing is a necessary and beneficial process to improve one’s health.  If one has chronic levels of harmful pathogens, a person may experience some symptoms from the detox such as fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, muscle and joint aches, pimples, rashes, and flu-like symptoms when starting on olive leaf extract. These symptoms are due to the number of dead microbes being so high that the kidneys and liver are temporarily overloaded.  If this is your situation, NSEC suggests drinking 4 glasses of water between doses. (1)   It is rare for people to have any symptoms, as Dr. Ray Sahelian states in his article (below).  I and my spouse have been on 1500mg, a high mg extract, and have not had any negative side effects.

How to choose a good quality extract

NSEC says be sure your supplement is produced using only standardized herbal olive leaf extract so it has the highest amount of oleuropein possible.  

Dr. Ray Sahelian also advocates olive leaf extract as a widely beneficial nutritional supplement.

Dr. Sahelian has numerous pages of valuable health-related research on the web; we have referenced his pages several times in past posts.  A couple of additional points that he mentions is that olive leaf extract has been tested for health benefits in studies with rats in years past but has just, in recent years, started being studied in humans.  In his research, he has not come across any side effects from olive leaf extract.

Here is a list of the main health benefits of olive leaf extract as provided by Dr. Sahelian.

1.  Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol- A 2008 study on humans receiving 1000mg per day for 20 weeks showed significant decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as cholesterol. 

2.  Anti-inflammatory

3.  Immune System Support

4.  Improvement for Diabetics – Studies have shown olive leaf extract to have anti-diabetic qualities at 16mg per kg of weight per day.

5.  Anti-viral benefits (inhibits reproduction of virus) (3)

Benefits We’ve Experienced

Our relatives who have recently started on olive leaf extract have noticed almost immediate benefits of:

-increased energy
-improved digestion
-less joint pain

Recommended Dosage

Dr. Sahelian offers his own line of olive leaf extract (The NSEC article has recommended brands as well.), suggesting two 835mg pills per day.  That is how we chose the dosage we are using.  The Vitamin Shoppe locally has their own brand of liquid extract for $11.99.  The eye dropper in the bottle will equal 1500mg if you take 4 a day (two in the morning and two at night).

If you know that you have chronic illnesses or have a high level of toxins, you may want to ease into the recommended dose over a period of several days due to the detox response mentioned above by the NSEC.  As with beginning any supplement, you should check with your doctor, especially if you are on prescriptions. 

 1. Benefits of Olive Leaf Extract by Nutritional Supplement Educational Centre
2.  Dr. L. Stevenson, Report on Olive Leaf Australia’s Olive Leaf Extracts, Southern Cross University, 2005 (footnote 5) 3.  Olive Leaf Extract supplement benefit and side effects by Dr. Ray Sahelian

Table of contents for Lupus

1. Lupus Symptoms & Causes Part 1
2. Natural Lupus Treatment and Lifestyle Changes Part 2

Natural supplements and lifestyle changes can bring significant improvement to lupus by strengthening the immune system and lessoning the risk of other disease with overall better health.

Due to the lack of progress in a cure for lupus and the frequent side effects from the long-term usage of prescribed corticosteroid, implementing a healthy diet, body cleansing, exercise, and natural supplements offer promising options toward a better life for those diagnosed with lupus.

Long-term use of corticosteroids, such as used in the treatment of SLE, can result in adrenal atrophy and suppression of the body’s natural defenses in the immune system. In addition, the treatment often results in side effects such as:

• mood swings
• depression
• generalized edema of body and face
• redistribution of body fat to the abdomen
• weight gain
• lethargy (1)

We are going to briefly cover lupus research results from 4 various health sites, and then take a detailed look at the research and lifestyle changes suggested by Dr. Ray Sahelian, which will be extremely helpful for lupus sufferer determined to improve his or her health.

**It should be noted that there are some slight variations in suggested supplements between the sites. I want to emphasize 2 main points in this regard:

1. I would suggest avoiding any supplement that is questioned as safe by even 1 of the following doctors unless you first discuss it with your physician and have a plan for discerning possible side effects.

2. Before taking any new supplement, research it for any possible side effects relevant to your health, such as allergies, interaction with prescriptions, affect on blood pressure, etc.  The first site is one I have used personally; the second is one I just came across.

Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia              Personal Health Zone

Prevention.com focuses on Omega 3 Fish Oils and Antioxidants for lupus improvement.

The omega 3 fatty acids in fish oil — EPA and DHA — has prevented autoimmune lupus in animals. Studies on humans have been shown to decrease inflammation. 20 grams of fish oil per day combined with a low-fat diet led to significant improvement in 14 out of 17 SLE patients in only 12 weeks. Lower amounts of fish oil did not help.(2)

Truehealth.org also incredible results from fish oil! You can use the footnote to read the studies if you wish but they are very technical. Their summary of the studies says, “Oral supplementation of EPA and DHA [from fish oil] induced a prolonged remission of SLE in 10 consecutive patients without any side effects.(3)

Antioxidant levels are typically low in SLE patients. Supplements of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and selenium improved the health of animals with SLE. Between 800-2,000 IU of vitamin E per day showed good to excellent improvement in people with DLE. Lower amounts of E did not appear beneficial. In another trial, 10 to 15 grams of pantothenic acid per day with 1,500 to 3,000 IU of E proved helpful to DLE patients.(2)

Prevention.com expresses concern over the use of DHEA in treatment of lupus as there is no long-term safety study on humans. There were minimal side effects in high doses of 50 mg per day or more but high doses of DHEA long-term in animals have produced cancer.

Chiro.org provides specific doses for lupus improvement with Omega 3 oils, more specifically flax seed oil.

In mice studies, fish oil slowed renal damage in lupus mice. Age related decline was greatly reduced by combining fish oil and a low calorie diet.

30 grams a day of flax seed oil reduced kidney inflammation in lupus patients as well as lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Chiro.org says it is important to note that flax seed oil had a direct effect on reducing the antibody profile which did not take place with safflower, Juniperus virginiana, fish, corn, soybean oils, or fish oil.

Vitamin A at 100,000 IU daily for two weeks showed beneficial immune system improvement with no side effects in 10 women. However, long-term studies have not been conducted for this.

SLE patients are consistently Vitamin D deficient. As it is important to the regulation of the immune system, Chiro.org suggests that it is likely to be helpful.

Chiro.org also suggests the same antioxidant treatment as Prevention.com to slow the tissue damage common to SLE.

Dr. Ray Sahelian had the most extensive program for natural lupus treatment that I could find on the web.

We’ve referred to research by Dr. Sahelian for other health matters in the past and found his research sound and helpful.

As health problems never actually have a “single cause,” the most effective treatment must involve lifestyle changes for overall health. Dr. Sahelian offers a list of helpful supplements as well as detailed plan for lifestyle change to improve one’s immune system and overall health.

The first link to his site is for suggested supplements. He says that many herbs have not been researched for effectiveness, but he posts a list of supplements that have been tested as well as descriptions of the studies. We will refer to the supplements here, but, as the studies are quite tedious reading, those of you who want to read the details can use the link (footnote 5) below.

Dr. Sahelian’s Suggested Supplements for Lupus (5)

Fish Oils and Omega-3 Fatty Acids- Fish oil supplements with both DHA and EPA improve symptoms of SLE. Take 1-3 capsules daily if not eating fish. Consider eating more fish such as salmon, halibut, and sardines packed in mustard or tomato sauce.

Green tea with EGCG- EGCG is a powerful antioxidant found in green tea, but you do not want to overdo it. Take a glass a day in the morning so it will not interfere with your sleep.

Cordyceps mushroom extract- Take a 450 mg tablet a couple of times a week in the morning. Skip 1 week a month. This anti oxidant is specifically helpful to the liver, kidneys, heart, and immune system.

Lipoic Acid- Limit usage to 50 mg two or three times a week.

Multivitamin- Take a quality one with vitamins, nutrients, and minerals with 1 day off a week. Dr. Sahelian has his own version available.

Psyllium- Use half to one teaspoon in a glass of water twice daily with food for fiber and the prevention of constipation.

Calcium- Postmenopausal women should take a supplement from a natural source such as oyster shell or bone in calcium citrate, calcium gluconate, or calcium carbonate form, no more than 800 mg a day. Calcium citrate is the easiest to absorb.

Barley Grass powder- Use for a green food supplement. [Most people’s diets are greatly lacking in green food sources.]

Echinacea and Spirulina- Dr. Sahelian cautions use of these herbs on lupus until more research is available.(5)

Dr. Sahelian’s Basic Lifestyle Habits for Health (6)

Again, those this list below appears extensive, there is an even more vast amount of info in his article that those serious about lifestyle changes should read using the link below (footenote 6).

1. Avoid the Basic Lupus Aggravators- excess calories, excess protein, high fat (especially saturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids), sugar, sweets, and iron. Some people also saw improvement by eliminating common allergy-causing foods (wheat, soy, milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish).

• Some good fruit choices are apple, banana, berries (blueberry, cranberry, raspberry, strawberry) cantaloupe, cherry, coconut, fig, guava, grape, grapefruit, kiwi, lemon, lychee, lime, mango, orange, papaya, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, pomegranate, prickly pear fruit, quince, and watermelon.

2. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, rather than the same ones all the time. Eat actual fruits instead of juices. [Another doctor suggested 8 colors of fresh food per day]. If you are diabetic, reduce your fruit intake. Wash well or buy organic.

• Some good vegetable choices are artichoke, asparagus, avocado, beet, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, corn, cucumber, eggplant, endive, garlic, ginger, kale, lettuce, mushroom, okra, olive, onion, parsley, pepper, radish, scallion, spinach, sprouts, squash, tomato, yam, yucca, zucchini. Avoid white potatoes.

3. Drink a glass or two of cold water first thing in the morning to clean out bowels. Add more fiber to your diet, such as psyllium as keeping the colon moving reduces toxins.

4. Drink 8 glasses of water per day, more in hot weather. [Remember the formula for your weight—body weight divided by 2 equals ounces of water per day for your body weight.] Water removes toxins, cushions joints, in addition to affecting almost all body processes.

5. Get a good night’s sleep.  Sleep greatly affects health.  If you are having trouble sleeping, eat more protein and fat at breakfast and lunch, and switch to more complex carbs at night such as vegetable soup, whole grain pasta, or whole grains.

6. Eat more small meals.  It is healthier to eat more small meals then 2-3 large meals.

7. Alcohol should be in moderation.

8. Dental Hygiene- Brush and floss before bed.

9. Limit excessive exposure to sun.

10. Limit caffeine intake- No more than 2 cups of coffee per day. Decaf is more beneficial.

11. Aerobic Walking- At least 20 to 30 minutes four to five times per week can improve cardiovascular fitness, energy, mood, sleep, reduce anxiety, and chronic pain. Avoid exercising within 3 hours of bedtime.

12. Toning Exercise- Weights, pushups, or situps at least 5 to 15 minutes per day improves muscle tone. Try to do 10 to 30 situps twice a day and 5 to 20 pushups twice a day.

13. Stretching or Yoga- At least once a week improves joint, tendon, and ligament flexibility, helps you relax, improves mood, and increases energy.

14. Carbohydrate choices should be complex carbs, with low glycemic index, and eaten in the evening. Use 100% whole wheat bread or, even better, sprouted grain bread [usually in freezer section]. Whole grain choices are barley, kamut, millet, oats, quinoa, rice, and rye.

15. Choose healthy protein.  Protein choices are chicken, turkey, eggs, lean beef, lamb, tofu, low fat milk, yogurt, kefir, fish, legume-type beans, and cheese. Occasionally have goat’s milk instead of cow’s milk. Use a small grill such as a Foreman grill to cook fish in just a few minutes. [We use one almost every day.]

16. Beneficial Nuts and Seeds- A variety of raw nuts in small portions are beneficial, such as almond, brazil, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, peanut, pecan, walnut. Health seeds include chia, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower.

17. Healthy Oil Types- Use extra virgin olive oil or flax seed oil. Reduce the use of safflower, sunflower, and corn oils as they fight against your omega 3 intake. Eliminate saturated fats such as in high fat meats, lard, whole milk dairy, palm oil, coconut oil, and cocoa butter. Also eliminate trans fats which are in processed foods and used to increase shelf life.

18. Sweetener Options- Use stevia or unprocessed honey.

19. Drinks Options- Eliminate soft drinks and any drink with sugar, fructose, or corn syrup. Have a large variety of herbal teas, decaf coffee, and vegetable juices, such as tomato or V8.

20. Snack Options- Baby carrots, cherry tomatoes, edamame (soybeans in pods), grapes, nuts (raw cashews, almonds, filberts, walnuts), dried fruit in small amounts (raisins, dates, papaya, pineapple, prunes), Cheese with slices of apple or tomatoes (queso fresco-a Mexican cheese-goes great with apples), cooked kashi at night with milk, raisins, or a small amount of 100% maple syrup. You can also make your own chocolate with unsweetened chocolate, add stevia, vanilla extract, milk, and water. (6)

1. Lupus Article on Healthy.net
2. Natural Lupus Remedies by Prevention.com
3. A Natural Lupus Remedy by TrueHealth.org
4. Natural Medicine and Lupus by Chiro.org
5. Lupus by Dr. Ray Sahelian
6. Diet for Better Health by Dr. Ray Sahelian

What’s in your wardrobe? Studies are showing that the most popular style of bras hinder lymph node function, increasing breast cancer risk.

Ill-fitting bras, as well as the most popular style of bra, the metal underwire, increase your potential health risks. Lymph nodes, which purpose are to daily excrete toxins from your body, are unable to drain properly when tight-fitting bras or underwire bras consistently press on their reflex points.

Dr. Joseph Mercola recently sent out a newsletter with data from various doctors and researchers studying the effects of impaired lymph node drainage due to constrictive clothing. We are exposed to many dangerous toxins everyday that the body needs to eliminate. Dr. Mercola says that even the aluminum in antiperspirants is a dangerous toxin which the body needs to eliminate.

I’m categorizing below a few excerpts from this essential information related to breast cancer. Please use the newsletter link here or the one at the end of this post to read Dr. Mercola’s full article.

How do ill-fitting bras, underwire bras, and other constrictive clothing increase cancer risk as well as fibrocystic breasts?

Read the important medical findings from these 3 excerpts:

Over 85 percent of the lymph fluid flowing from the breast drains to the armpit lymph nodes. Most of the rest drains to the nodes along the breast bone. Bras and other external tight clothing can impede flow…as a result of cutting off lymphatic drainage, so that toxic chemicals are trapped in the breast. Dr. Michael Schacter, M.D, The Prevention and Complementary Treatment of Breast Cancer

Constricting bras have also been implicated in the rise of benign (non-cancerous) but often painful breast cysts and lumps. Dr. John McDougall, M.D., The McDougall Program for a Healthy Heart

After repeated bouts of inflammation, the breasts develop scar tissue in many places, and some of the milk ducts become plugged, forming cysts. Fibrocystic breast disease, not surprisingly, is associated with a higher risk of breast cancer. Edinburgh Breast Group, UK, Lancet May 1999

As a woman’s body is constantly changing throughout life, re-measuring should take place fairly often to ensure that your bra is not only comfortable, but a safe fit. Though many sites offer complex calculations, Dr. Mercola referred to a site by a company called Linda’s Bra School out of New York which automatically calculates your correct bra size after entering 2 simple measurements. Click here to use the bra size calculator on Linda’s site in her Bra Fitting Room.  Though it may sound funny, remember that the proper fit is a serious health issue.

The Health Risks of Underwire Bras

According to Dr. Mercola, even though the underwire is plastic coated, there are long-term health risks involved by having that metal on your body. Underwire bras put continual pressure on vital lymphatic reflex points which are located below each breast. He says,

Below your breasts are two important neuro-lymphatic reflex points. The one below your right breast corresponds to your liver and gallbladder. The one below your left breast goes to your stomach. In addition, the metal wire can also act as an antenna attracting electromagnetic fields, which can also increase your risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Mercola quotes a study by John D. Andre, D.C., N.D., to describe the harm underwires do to these reflex points. Here is an excerpt:

These reflexes, like all acupuncture points, follow the Law of Stimulation. In the beginning of stimulating a point, it is stimulated – often causing an increase in associated function. Later on, this continued stimulation causes sedation of that point and a subsequent decrease in its associated function. It’s a mechanical thing. If a woman keeps the metal underwires on top of those reflex points, over time that WILL mess up the functioning of the associated circuits: Liver, gallbladder, and stomach. Bottom Line: It will likely make her sick; slowly and quietly. John D. Andre, D.C., N.D

Simple Wardrobe Changes for Better Health

The Best Option:

Dr Mercola recommends a wireless style for your greatest health improvements–

An even better option is to opt for a wireless style bra, which are now available in most brands, and for various levels of support. Sports bras and camisoles with a built-in shelf bra are other options that can work well, especially if your bust is on the smaller side.

Option for Those Needing Underwires:

He says that wearing metal needs to be avoided and recommends switching to a plastic wire instead of a metal one–

BraMakersSupply.com is one of the few companies that carry the whole range of plastic wire sizes and ship across the world. And at $2 per pair, protecting your long-term health couldn’t be much more affordable.

Other Helpful Resources for Breast Health and Relief of Fibrocystic Breasts

These two other articles are sources I came across which you should find helpful:

A “must read” for anyone with breast pain and/or cysts is the article on Relieving Breast Pain by Woman-to-Woman.com. 

Carolyn Chambers has a long list of holistic helps, but of specific interest is her list of dietary changes, listed about half way down her webpage.  Click here for to read the healing Diet.

The quotes/excerpts are from Dr. Joseph Mercola’s email newsletter. Please use this link to read his full article.

You can significantly improve your overall health and nutrition for only a few dollars a day by incorporating super foods into your diet.

Superfoods (or super foods) are foods that are so rich in nutrients that they can treat or prevent disease. One can incorporate the natural forms into your daily meal plans or obtain the benefits of a wide variety that would be virtually impossible to eat by using one of the many new superfood supplements available. The following data and suggestions are excerpts from an article by Dr. David J.Foreman, Herbal Pharmacist, author of the monthly newsletter for the Vitamin Shoppe chain of stores. See the footnote below for a link to the complete article.(1)

According to Dr. Foreman’s research, most experts are now recommending 9 servings per day of fruits and vegetables.(1)

Few of us ever achieve that level on a daily basis. In addition, there are certain “superfoods” which have vastly higher amounts of beneficial phytonutrients and phytochemicals than the average fruit or vegetables one typcially eats. You should try to incorporate natural forms of these foods into your diet as much as possible, but also seriously consider a superfood supplement, as some superfoods are either not easy to fix or not tasty to the average person.

You can enjoy common health benefits from superfoods such as:

-Increased Energy
-Balancing of Your pH
-Strengthening Your Immune System
-Detoxifying Your Body
-Good Source of Fiber
-Nutrients More Easily Digested and Absorbed

Dr. Foreman personally saw major changes in his overall health after using a superfood supplement, including increased energy, better sleep, more effective digestion, clearer skin, and improved vision.

Here are some ways superfoods treat or prevent disease:

-Reduce Certain Cancer Risks
-Reduce Inflammation
-Increase Body’s Effectiveness to Fight Disease
-Improve Heart Health
-Help Maintain Better Weight

Here is list of typical superfoods:

Super Fruits include: blueberries, cranberries, red grapes, mangos, mangosteen, papaya, tomatoes, apples, noni, bananas

Super Veggies include: alfalfa sprouts, spinach, blue green algae, chorella, quinoa, soy, grasses

Superfoods other than Fruits/Veggies: yogurt, bee pollen, turkey

The following Superfood Supplements are combination products with an enormous variety of whole foods in them. These products are some of the great superfood options available on the market to add to your daily intake:

Greens – Greens Plus, Bio Greens, Perfect Food, Green Vibrance, Wheatgrass

Berry/Fruit Extracts – Fruits of Life Antioxidants, Red Lightning, Fruit Complex, Red Stuff (by Gary Null)

Fruit/Veggie Combos (best overall) – Berry Green, Perfect Food Berry, Greens Plus with Wild Berry, ORAC Energy Greens (Dr. Foreman’s personal favorite)

Here are some common sense suggestions from Dr. Foreman for getting started with super foods.

1. Ask a store associate about samples of the products you are interested and try those first. Then you do not waste money on buying something that you do not enjoy taking.

2. Mix the superfood supplement with a superfood juice such as acai, mangosteen, pomegranate, or maqui instead of filtered water.

3. Take the supplement mixed with superfood juice along with your breakfast or lunch.

4. If you are unsure about the possible benefits of adding a superfood supplement to your daily intake, buy enough of a product to last at least 30 days. Dr. Foreman is convinced that 30 days gives you enough time to see significant initial changes in your health.

1. You can find more of Dr. Foreman’s articles at www.VitaminShoppe.com, click on Health Info, then on Herbal Pharmacist.

The winter months bring added desire for skin care help with dry skin problems.

Those already with dry skin do not look forward to the added irritation that winter weather brings, as severe dry skin can be quite painful, even leading to bleeding, and definitely an unwanted distraction during daily responsibilities.

I recently read a helpful article with good, easy skin care help for dry skin by Dr. David J. Foreman, Herbal Pharmacist, who writes a monthly newsletter for the Vitamin Shoppe chain of stores. (We buy most of our supplements there.) The information below contains excerpts from his article on “Winter Dry Skin Tips.” You can find more of Dr. Foreman’s articles at www.VitaminShoppe.com, click on Articles and More at the top, then on Advice from Experts/Herbal Pharmacist; you will then see the archives on the right.

The first step for skin care is using an EFA, essential fatty acid, such as fish oil or a vegetarian source containing flax, borage, or Evening Primrose oil.

Though either type works well for dry skin, Dr. Foreman prefers the fish oil as it provides many additional health benefits not derived from the vegetarian oils. He, his friends, and family have found that the EFAs work better than anything else previously tried for eliminating dry skin. Do take note that during the winter, it will take more than the necessary manufacturer’s recommended dose to take care of dry skin; consider consulting your healthcare provider for a safe dose for your situation.

The second necessary step for dry skin care is the proper amount of drinking water.

Remember the absolute minimum of your water intake per day is half of your body weight in ounces. Use this formula: (Your weight) x ½ = ounces of water per day. For example: 160 lbs. X ½ = 80 ounces of water per day.  None of us have the time to measure each day, so take your favorite glass or mug that you use, fill it with water, then pour the water into a measuring glass that has ounces on it. Once you know how many ounces your glass holds, then you only have to remember how many glasses of water to consume per day. I need to drink 4 glasses per day minimum for my weight with the glass size I usually use. Dr. Foreman says hydration is so essential and most people are so lacking in water intake, he has literally seen people lose their wrinkles after drinking the proper amount of daily water. (Toxin-free water is important, too. See my post on Water Filter for Drinking Water.)

The third skin care help for dry skin is a good moisturizer.

Dr. Foreman suggests applying moisturizer to your entire body twice a day. For your hands, you need to apply it after hand washing as well as when you come in from the extreme cold. For the best health benefits, it is good to avoid moisturizers with parabens–petroleum-based moisturizers. The parabens are a toxin that created unwanted health problems. (The discussion on parabens is not in Dr. Foreman’s article. For healthy natural oil alternatives to commercial lotions, read my post on Links from Breast Cancer, Other Cancers, to Parabens in Cosmetics)

Last, be proactive about harmful substances to your skin in your environment.

One of the main sources of harsh drying and irritation to your skin, as well as a source of toxins, is chlorine in your shower water. Installing a shower filter to remove chlorine is easy and an immediate help. (See my post on Shower Filter for Pure Water – Water Purification) In addition, Dr. Foreman suggests avoiding harsh soaps and using a humidifier during cold months. We changed years ago to soft soaps or gel soaps as they are, in general, much less drying. Now we also usually buy organic; you need to check the label for toxins as some are labeled organic but still contain parabens and/or lauryl (or laureth) sulfates.

For Dr. Foreman’s full article on “Winter Dry Skin Tips” containing all his suggested product brands for EFAs and moisturizers, please Click Here.

Studies show that petroleum-based plastics leach harmful chemicals into our food and drinks.

Plastics are so convenient to our lives that they have flooded our environment. It is difficult to imagine life without them, but we can reduce our cancer risk by choosing to buy food and drink and store foods in safer types of plastic.

Most plastic containers are marked with a recycle symbol that surrounds a number. That number is how you can determine whether the plastic is one of the safer types or definitely dangerous to your health. If a container is not labeled, it is safer not to use it. In this post, I’ll first list the choices for safer living, then list the more technical info about which plastics cause which diseases.

Here are 2 lists of safer living suggestions, one from HealthyChild.org and the other from the Health Observation Library.

Safer Choices With Plastics, List 1:

1. Plastics leach more harmful chemical into foods and drinks when the food is oily or fatty foods, during heating and microwaving, or exposed to excessive moisture or harsh cleaners. Plastics degrade from the heat and moisture in dishwashers. Avoid these practices.

2. Select safe plastics that use polyethylene (#1, #2, and #4) and polypropylene (#5), which require the use of less toxic additives. They also are non-chlorinated.
Avoid choosing products that use polyvinyl chloride (#3), polystyrene (#6), and polycarbonate (#7) which often are found in baby bottles or sippy cups.

3. Use safe plastic alternatives such as glass, ceramic that’s lead-free, and stainless steel whenever possible. Particularly use glass or ceramic containers to microwave food and beverages.

4. Be cautious of cling wraps, especially for microwave use. Wrap foods in butcher paper, waxed paper, or paper towels. Store food in glass or ceramic.

5. Look for products that state “no phthalates” or “no bisphenol A (BPA).”

6. Wash plastic containers by hand with a mild soap. (See Footnote A below for link to full article.)

Safer Living With Plastics, List 2:

1. Avoid using plastic containers in the microwave.

2. Beware of cling wraps, especially for microwave use. Use waxed paper or paper towel for covering foods.

3. Avoid plastics for storing fatty foods.

4. For food and drink use only use plastics labeled 1,2,4,5 inside the recycle symbol. Avoid 3,6,7, and items with the letter “V” underneath the symbol.

5. Avoid plastic bottled water unless you’re traveling or your quality of water is questionable. If you’re worried about tap water quality, consider a good water filter. (See my post on Water Filters for Drinking Water http://receivehealing.com/blog/94/water-filter-for-drinking-water/ )

5. If you do use plastic water bottles, do not use for warm or hot liquids. Water bottles from #1 or #2 plastics are recommended for single use only.

6. Most plastic baby bottles and sippy cups are made of polycarbonate. Use a safe alternative, such as baby bottles made of glass, polyethylene or polypropylene. Those made of pliable, milky-colored plastic contain no polycarbonates. (See Footnote B below for link to full article.)

Some Addition General Need-to-Know Information:

Be aware of other harmful soft PVC plastic items that have a distinct odor, such as vinyl shower curtains. The odor itself is a sign that harmful toxins are being released into the air. The types of plastics shown to leach the most toxic chemicals are polycarbonate, PVC and styrene. Realize that these plastic types have received the most study, so the results do no imply that other plastics are completely safe.

While it is still legal for US retailers to sell dangerous PVC toys (with phthalates), the European Parliament already permanently banned such toxic toys in 2005. One EPA study found that vinyl shower curtains can release dangerous levels of air toxins for more than a month. Irreversible health threats may come from poisonous chemicals released during the PVC lifecycle, such as mercury, dioxins, and phthalates. (C Link to full article below.)

The following quotes specify many of the illnesses to which plastic exposure contributes.

Your level of exposure to plastics can contribute to illnesses such as prostate and breast cancers, impaired brain function, learning disabilities, birth defects, and more. Plastics have been linked to endocrine disruption in babies, cancers, birth defects, and poor brain/nervous system development. Recent studies suggest that BPA exposure can impair brain function, leading to learning disabilities and age-related neurodegenerative disease. BPA has been shown to be an endocrine disruptor and to simulate the action of estrogen. Doses of BPA lower than current EPA limits in female rats inhibited estrogen-induction of synaptic connections in the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with the expression of sexually differentiated behaviors. Another study found that exposure to BPA before birth permanently changed DNA signaling in rats, predisposing them to developing cancer much later. However, this study injected BPA directly into the subject animals’ blood, whereas most human exposure is via ingestion. (See Footnote A for link to full article.)

Bisphenol A (BPA), #7 inside the Recycle Symbol, is a chemical that mimics the action of the human hormone estrogen, can leach from polycarbonate plastic. Human exposure to BPA is widespread. A Centers for Disease Control study de-tected BPA in the urine of 95 percent of adults sampled. Bisphenol A has been found to stimulate prostate cancer cells and causes breast tissue changes in mice that resemble early stages of breast cancer in both mice and humans. Early-life exposure to BPA can also cause genetic damage. )ver 90 percent of government-funded studies did so. Adverse effects include:
• Early onset of puberty in females
• Changes in gender-specific behavior
• Changes in hormones
• Increased prostate size
• Decreased sperm production
• Altered immune function
• Behavioral changes such as hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, impaired learning

Styrene, #6 inside the Recycle Symbol, leaches from polystyrene plastic. Styrene is toxic to the brain and nervous system, among workers with longer-term exposures, but also has been found to adversely affect red blood cells, liver, kidneys and stomach in animal studies. Behavioral changes include hyperactivity, increased aggressiveness, and impaired learning.

DEHA (di(2-ethylhexyl)adipate), #3 inside the Recycle Symbol, is one of several plastic (softeners) to which people have daily exposure through food, water, air and consumer products. PVC cling wrap contains DEHA, which can leach into oily foods on contact and when heated. DEHA exposure is linked to negative effects on the liver, kidney, spleen, bone formation and body weight. It is also a possible human carcinogen, affecting the liver. (See Footnote B for link to full article.)

Plastics and Breast Cancer- At Tufts Medical School in Boston in 1987, Soto and Sonnenschein serendipitously discovered that plastic test tubes thought to be inert contained a chemical that stimulated breast cancer cells to grow and proliferate wildly. Manufacturers routinely add nonlyphenols to polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). They concluded that p-nonylphenol acted like an estrogen. When isolated from estrogen, the cells would stop multiplying.

In 1993, at Stanford University School of Medicine, Dave Feldman, professor of medicine was experimenting and found that the polycarbonate bottles used to hold drinking water contained bisphenol-A. The Stanford team found that 2-5 parts per billion of bisphenol-A was enough to cause the breast cancer to proliferate; the manufacturer’s lab equipment did not detect samples at this limit.

One Dartmouth University Study showed that plastic wrap heated in a microwave oven with vegetable oil had 500,000 times the minimum amount of xenoestrogens needed to stimulate breast cancer cells to grow in the test tube. (See Footnote D for link to full article.)http://www.nobreastcyst.com/xeno.html

(A) HealthChild.org Safety List
(B) Health Observation Library Safety List
(C) Campaign for Safe, Healthy Consumer Products
(D) Cure Breast Cyst Site

It is obvious through the warnings on commercials or the fine print on labels that prescription drugs contain a wide variety of potential negative side effects. A large number of vitamins are made synthetically through a chemical process, rather than derived directly from plants. (1) [Links to research articles will be posted at the end of the post.] The more you can derive health benefits directly from the food you eat, the better off you will be.

Adding these key foods into your daily intake will help boost your immune system, lower cholesterol, as well as fight heart disease and various forms of cancer.

Tomatoes - Lycopene is a cancer-fighting antioxidant from tomatoes and other red fruits. Of all the carotenoids, lycopene is one of the most potent antioxidants; researchers have found a correlation between increasing the consumption of tomatoes and reducing the risk of cancer. (2) With most foods, the health benefits are lost through the heat of cooking. Lycopene is one of the few necessary substances that is more easily absorbed into the body after being cooked. Tomatoes can decrease your risk of bad cholesterol building up inside arteries (plaque formation) and help prevent future heart attacks. (3) In another study done over a 6 year period by Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, the diets of more than 47,000 men were studied. Of 46 fruits and vegetables evaluated, only the tomato products showed a measurable relationship to reduce prostate cancer risk. (4)

Lemons - Easily boost your immune system by just squeezing a slice of lemon into your drinking water. Lemons are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, having enough to boost your immune system or help fight off a cold. (5) I add lemon to every glass of water I drink during the day.

Water – More water than what most of us drink is necessary for the proper functioning of our bodies, including flushing out toxins. Up to 60 percent of the human body is water, the brain being composed of 70 percent water, and the lungs nearly 90 percent water. (6) Be sure to drink water that is as free of toxins as you can afford. (See my post on Water Filter for Drinking Water for info on clean drinking water in your home. ) To know how much water you should drink per day, take your weight in pounds, divide it by 2, and drink that many ounces. For example, a 200 lb. man should drink a minimum of 100 oz. of water per day.

Dark berries - Purple, red, and blue berries boost anti-oxidants as well as ward off UV damage. A landmark study shows that just one cup of berries provides all the disease-fighting antioxidants you need in a single day.This newest study used updated technology to assess antioxidant levels in more than 100 foods, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, breads, nuts, and spices. Blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, and strawberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Wild blue berries had 10 times the USDA recommendation of antioxidants in 1 cup. (7)
Spices – B vitamins are the most difficult vitamin for our bodies to absorb. Spices can be one source for your B vitamins. The vitamin B-6 content of 42 spices was measured in duplicate using a microbiological assay. Relatively high sources were the red pepper spices such as chili, cayenne, and paprika, garlic, and certain leaves such as basil, bay leaf, dill weed, oregano, rosemary, sage, and tarragon. (8)

Honey – Honey has long been known to contain a large amount of anti-oxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory properties, and can easily be incorporated into your daily intake by substituting it for sugar in coffee, tea, oatmeal, on toast, etc. Be sure to buy an uncooked type. Honey also contains protein, vitamins and minerals, but no cholesterol. Darker honeys have more nutrients and antioxidants than light ones and the antioxidant levels vary with the flower type. Buckwheat flower honey has the highest antioxidants of any honey, clover is in the middle of the range. For allergy sufferers, eating locally grown honey can prevent seasonal allergies. Recent studies are now able to prove its as an antibacterial topical treatment for burns and ulcers. It also produces hydrogen peroxide, which generate highly reactive free radicals in the body, killing bacteria, further contributing to its antibacterial properties. (9)

Olive Oil – Omega 3 fatty acids are very publicized now as a necessary element for good health, of which olive oil is a good source. The beneficial health effects of olive oil are due to both its high content of monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Studies have shown that it lowers heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol. Studies have also shown that it reduces the risk of colon cancer and gallstone formation by activating the secretion of bile and pancreatic hormones naturally. It has a beneficial effect on ulcers and gastritis, too. (10) It is important to not just eliminate harmful fats from the diet, but incorporate healthy ones. Increasing your intake of healthy fats also enables you to absorb more anti-oxidants from your food. 2 tablespoons daily is recommended for healthy cholesterol levels. I use light tasting olive oil (Lighter tasting will be specified on the label.), usually immediately before a snack or meal just to get the taste out of my mouth. Check the label to get a brand that is extra virgin oil and cold pressed, as this will be the least processed and retain the most health benefits.

Flax seed – This is another healthy source of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acid, similar to those found in fish such as salmon. Though we personally still eat wild caught fish, some doctors do not recommend fish at all as your omega 3 source due to problems with toxic mercury levels. Studies show flax seed lowering total cholesterol and the bad cholesterol levels, as well as helping to lower blood triglyceride and blood pressure. It may also keep platelets from becoming sticky therefore reducing the risk of a heart attack. Flax seed is also believed to reduce the risk of cancers, especially breast cancer. In addition, the oil from flax seed benefits those with Crohn’s disease and Colitis. (11) I buy a 14 oz. package of Spectrum Naturals Organic Ground Flax Seed at The Vitamin Shoppe (also online at vitaminshoppe.com) for about $5 US and take 1 tablespoon per day in cereal or oatmeal. For women who have trouble with fibrocystic breast disease, in addition to eliminating caffeine and toxins from the diet, adding flax seed to the your food intake helps to decrease cyst size and pain.

1 Click here for further reading on synthetic versus natural vitamins.

2 Lycopene info

3 Lycopene and heart attack prevention

4 Lycopene reduces prostate cancer

5 Lemon info

6 Water and the body

7 Dark Berries and antioxidants

8 Spices and B vitamins

9 Honey for burns and wounds
Honey and antioxidant rates

10 Olive Oil benefits

11 Flax Seed benefits