Month: September 2014

Raw Honey, Natures Unique Healing Food!

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.Leave a comment

honeyWould you have every thought something so simple from nature could be so powerful, actually heal and prevent so many health issues? I knew raw honey was healthy but really didn’t know it was this powerful until I began reading the studies and research on honey. Honey belongs in your kitchen next to every NutriBullet or Vitamix and should be eaten everyday!

Honey is an amazing substance. It’s use a food goes as far back as 8,500 years ago in murals found in Spain and as medicine as far back as 5,000 years ago in Greece, India and China.

Literally, a gift from the honeybee! The honeybee makes honey as food for its baby bees (larvae) and for food for the hive when nectar is in short supply during the winter. Honey is mostly sugar comprised of fructose and sucrose, smaller amounts of other sugars and other nutrients in a water base.

The honeybee transforms nectar into honey through regurgitation of an enzymatic substance into honeycombs and then, through evaporation of enough water, you have honey. Yes, that is how bee’s make honey!

Now the good stuff!

Honey has outstanding health properties. It’s amazing when you see honey is just sugars, water and a small amount of other nutrients. Fake honey does not provide the health benefits that real raw honey does.

The reviews on raw honey for diabetes is mixed, however if consumed in small amounts the studies are positive and show it can lower fasting blood sugar levels. However, some studies show no increase in fasting blood sugar reading but an overall increase in A1c levels (a measure of blood sugar levels over three months).

Research studies tell us many positive things about honey. Let’s look at a few.

1) Honey has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation through out our body.

2) Honey is heart protective and can help prevent cardiovascular disease.

3) Honey has very powerful immune boosting and heart protecting enzymes and antioxidants.

4) Honey has antibiotic properties. It cured a case of MRSA when powerful antibiotics couldn’t. I personally witnessed this event. Doctors a century ago used honey as a surgical dressing because it is very antibiotic.

5) Honey can keep skin supple and can help reduce scaring because it keeps skin hydrated.

6) Honey is great for digestive support because it acts as prebiotic and kills bad bacteria. Studies show honey can help heal ulcers.

7) Honey is very effective for a sour throat when mixed with lemon juice and sipped on as a warm tea.

8) Studies show honey lowers blood LDL (bad kind) cholesterol levels, raises blood HDL (good kind) levels and lowers blood triglyceride levels.

9) Honey is a great source of energy for athletes and helps athletes recover from vigorous exercise. It is a superior energy source and it’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects are muscle and cardio protective.

10) Honey mixed with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and green tea makes a very powerful anti-inflammatory drink. If you use a lot of cinnamon you should only use Ceylon cinnamon. The other type of cinnamon found in most grocery store is a variety called cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon has coumarin, a toxic compound that can damage your liver if consumed in higher quantities.

11) Honey is an excellent sugar replacement for diabetics. Some studies show raw honey can lower fasting blood sugar levels, while other studies show it also raises A1c levels and lowers fasting blood sugar levels. This may sound confusing. If you are diabetic I would recommend using raw honey in place of any other sugars. Because honey is much sweeter than sugar it takes much less for the same sweetness effect.

A Special Honey

Unique Manuka Honey (or UMF Honey) is a honey made from the pollen of the Manuka Tree in New Zealand. It has additional medicinal value because of compounds made specifically from this trees pollen. The call it the The Unique Manuka Factor (UMF). Manuka Honey comes with different ratings of medicinal strength specifying how much of the UMF is in the batch.  There are imitators out there. Active Manuka is not the same as Unique Manuka Honey. Additionally, look for the UMF Certification and the container or bottle should state it is bottled and labeled in New Zealand. Manuka Honey only comes from New Zealand.

These are the UMF ratings specifying its healing activity level.

  • UMF5 to UMF9 are very low activity levels
  • UMF10 to UMF15 are useful levels
  • UMF16 and over are superior levels with very high activity 

Cautions on honey

Always use Raw Unfiltered Honey from local bee growers. Local raw honey retains all of its natural healing nutritional properties when it is raw. Once pasteurized and filtered most of the health benefits are destroyed. Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.

Do not eat honey made from pollen of the rhododendron flower. It can possibly make you sick. http://www.honeybeesuite.com/a-rare-case-of-honey-intoxication-in-seattle/

Summary

Honey has very powerful healing properties, can be used with a variety of spices for additional super health boosting potential. Honey is a healthy sugar replacement and can make recipes and foods taste great while giving us health.  Make this very anti-inflammatory smoothie by mixing 16 ounces of fresh brewed green tea, 1 tbs. of raw honey, 1 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon, 1 tsp. fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/2 cup organic blueberries, 1/2 cup organic strawberries, 1/2 cup organic watercress juice. Blend and drink throughout the day!

Now that you know how good raw honey is for you, start using it everyday. It will keep you buzzzzzzing, your taste buds and your body will love you for it!

Healthy wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

viveshake

wellnesswithwally

@WallyBishopCNC

The contents of the email or written communication are not medical advice and should not be considered as such!  This blog is for informational purposes only. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.  Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs.

References:

Comparative gastroprotective effects of natural honey, Nigella sativa and cimetidine against acetylsalicylic acid induced gastric ulcer. Bukhari MH1, Khalil J, Qamar S, Qamar Z, Zahid M, Ansari N, Bakhshi IM. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609166/

Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, and Antiulcer Potential of Manuka Honey against Gastric Ulcer in Rats. Almasaudi SB1, El-Shitany NA2, Abbas AT3, Abdel-dayem UA4, Ali SS5, Al Jaouni SK6, Harakeh S7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26770649

Honey with high levels of antioxidants can provide protection to healthy human subjects. Schramm DD1, Karim M, Schrader HR, Holt RR, Cardetti M, Keen CL. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12617614

The Potential Role of Honey and its Polyphenols in Preventing Heart Diseases: A Review M I Khalil and S A Sulaiman http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3005390/

Cardioactive and vasoactive effects of natural wild honey against cardiac malperformance induced by hyperadrenergic activity. Rakha MK1, Nabil ZI, Hussein AA. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18361743

 Antibacterial Efficacy of Raw and Processed Honey P. Mohapatra, V. Thakur, and S. K. Brar  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3042689/

Natural honey lowers plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, homocysteine, and blood lipids in healthy, diabetic, and hyperlipidemic subjects: comparison with dextrose and sucrose.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15117561

Effects of natural honey consumption in diabetic patients: an 8-week randomized clinical trial.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19817641

Nutraceutical values of natural honey and its contribution to human health and wealth http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583289/

Manuka honey inhibits cell division in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Jenkins R, Burton N, Cooper R. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21903658

 

The Power of the Cheat, Staying in the Game

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.Leave a comment
A Cycle of Failure
A Cycle of Failure

Our mind is baffling and confusing in the way it processes information from our experiences and actions. The way we perceive different actions and results can make us a success or a failure in our attempts to reach certain goals.

Stay with me, this is deep!

I have clients that have been so emotionally beaten up, they have lost all faith in their ability to lose weight or overcome their lifestyle related health issues. They have failed so many times, they have lost all hope. This emotional beating is self inflicted most of the time. Lets stop self-bullying forever!

I am just going to state this up front; there is power in variety and spontaneity.

Today, lets look at the effect of dieting plans and programs and the restrictions they place on your lifestyle.

Have you heard of the “Fade and Fail” theory? Probably not because I just coined it! It is caused by the destructive power of deprivation.

It’s basically when dieters get so dedicated to a strict routine both with their food intake and exercise, they don’t allow a break occasionally. Normally, these new routines are way outside of their everyday routines, which, they have been doing for years. Now, they are into a routine that is DEPRIVING them of what was once an enjoyment in their life. Eventually they begin to fade in the routine; they begin losing their zest. Suddenly they find themselves secretly eating a chocolate chip cookie or a piece of their favorite pie. They quietly beat themselves up for failing and commit to never cheating again. In the next week it happens again, and in a few more days again. Now they sense failure coming. While indulging in the forbidden, they have a great sense of relief. They begin to feel anger for cheating and then the self-bashing begins. “I am a failure, I can’t do this, I have no will power”. The fade leads to out right failure because after fading 2 or 3 times they are out of the game and feeling ashamed and beaten. Next year, yes they try it again, and have the same results. I practiced the art of fade and fail for years, eventually gaining 220 pounds from it.

Yes, I advocate cheating. But lets call it “treating“, in dietary delights from time to time and or taking a break for a day from your exercise routine! There needs to be room for spontaneity in life. Living within the confines of a strict dietary neighborhood is boring, limiting and not good for us emotionally. Occasionally we need to visit other delights in the dietary world as a treat. Many times these delights can be healthy. Also, that occasional piece of pie is very emotionally fulfilling. It’s the pressure relief valve of life! We can enjoy these treats with a friend or family or just savor it by our selves on the back porch (with a hot mug of hot chocolate or tea).  It nourishes us emotionally and we need that sometimes. It also has enormous power to help us stay on the path of wellness. I call it the Power of the Cheat! Ultimately, it keeps us in the game of developing a healthy lifestyle!

Remove the Ch in Cheat and replace it with TR which now makes it a TREAT and you turn a destructive action into a positive action! Its all about how your mind perceives the action.

Let’s also be real about this. This is not an endorsement to go crazy just because I say it’s OK to treat yourself to an indulgence. I use the 80/20 rule.  This is how you do it. When you feel the urge to have an unhealthy snack, have it and be smart about how much of it you eat. Then, the next time you eat, have a healthy snack or meal. This eliminates the powerful destruction of deprivation in your diet and lifestyle.

I see segments of the weight loss and fitness world developing into such strong followings, they almost exhibit cult like personalities. They certainly aren’t cults but their following of people get so rabid about the approach, if you don’t follow the guidelines you will be looked at as unfaithful to the process or philosophy. In their view you are doomed to failure. Now, this isn’t with everyone or every program but I do see it in many situations.

Lets get this one fact straight. All approaches to weight loss can work for some people, some people temporarily, and not at all for others. Weight loss is about burning more calories than you take in. Anyone can diet and lose weight for a while. Through exercise you can make pounds go away even with a poor diet. You can lose weight in a wide variety of ways BUT 95% of those gain it back over the next couple of years.

Part of the problem is not allowing room in your plans to have an indulgence. Indulgences keep us happy because they are usually your comfort foods. We enjoy them. Frankly, we need them to keep us mentally and emotionally in the healthy living game.

If there is a particular program or plan that seems to make sense to you feel free to modify it, add treats, breaks and spontaneity. This allows you thrive instead of experiencing the fade and fail syndrome that 95% of Americans experience.

Have your treats but keep them to less than 20% of your diet and eat healthy 80% of the time.  Nourishing your body with healthy foods will set it free to build health!

Only a lifestyle change is going to give you a healthier, leaner body that is permanent. It must include treats, dietary pleasures, and plenty of spontaneity so life can be fun and not so regimented.

If you are on a quest to lose weight and get healthier do it the smart way. It comes down to the foods you put in your body. Choose nourishing foods, drink plenty of pure water and move more.

Diets fail and Healthy Lifestyles Excel!

Happy Treating and Healthy Wishes,

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

Vive

@WallyBishopCNC

The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor. Before exercising get your doctors approval.