Feeling good when waking is a good, no …..a great feeling especially when daylight is lighting up the whole room at 4.30 am and the first thoughts going through my mind are ones of a physical day. Going for a fifteen miler through Clumber Park on my mountain bike and then working up a good sweat in the gym.
But sadly those thoughts rapidly disappear as the truth shocks me back into reality as the weakness and pain in my body reminds me that today is not the day I become MS free.
The weakness is not like anything you’ve experienced, it isn’t like the tiredness you feel after a hard day of digging in the garden or loading a row of skips with rubbish, no this is weakness that makes it very difficult to stand up when getting out of bed. Taking a step and desperately grasping the door frame or chest of drawers for balance. and just when I think I’m stable there is the most frightening feeling as my whole body experiences a painful bout of spasticity. It’s a bit like an overpowering body yawn, my left leg starts to bend at the knee and my foot curls up as if my toes are trying to grip a pencil.
When this happens I’m often left standing on my right leg as my life flashes in front of me remembering the pain I was in when I buggered my right knee several years ago and praying I’m not going to collapse with my knee buckling under me.
I work out, not the same as I did of course, but I try to do some exercise most days but the tiredness and absolute weakness the day after tends to limit me somewhat.
So do I have reason to feel concerned ?, of course I do but those feelings of dread only stay for a few minutes until the unjustifiable confidence that I will get better and healthy again comes back.
I don’t think of myself as hard done by, I have MS, yes,it’s considered incurable, life threatening, I’m in pain somewhere in my body 24/7 but, I firmly believe I got MS for a reason, I believe in God and he has a plan for me. I can’t see it yet but at the end of the day I’m just one of the billions on earth and there are people a lot worse off than me so suck it up, deal with it…
I helped thousands when working for Dr.Huggins in Colorado and my blog gets almost a half million hits each year, I’m not making money from it and I pay to host it but I know it’s helping some people so I’ll keep it going as long as I can.
I rarely suffer from headaches these days, I know I have a much worse problem in MS but at least one saving grace is that I rarely get those debilitating migraines or sever headaches. I think that regularly taking natural supplements enables this weakened body to overcome the oft perceived normal problems.
I’ve just considered it normal to not suffer with seasonal allergies like hay fever or the staple money spinner to big pharma, I’m referring to cold’s and flu which generate millions or even billions in $’s and £’s.
At my Godson’s birthday party today i talked with a couple of people that had recently suffered with the pain that takes you out of action for a couple of hours so this information on ginger root seems to be very relevant.
Ginger is one spice that I recommend keeping on hand in your kitchen at all times. Not only is it a wonderful addition to your cooking (especially paired with garlic) but it also has enough medicinal properties to fill several books.
Fresh ginger root keeps well in your freezer. If you find yourself nauseous or with an upset stomach, mince up a small amount (about the size of your fingernail) and swallow it. You’ll be amazed at the relief it provides. Yet this is only the beginning…
Therapeutic Benefits of Ginger Noted for Thousands of Years
The medicinal uses of ginger have been known for at least 2,000 years in cultures all around the world. Although it originated in Asia, ginger is valued in India, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean, among other regions.
The most commonly used medicinal part of the plant is the rhizome, the root-like stem that grows underground. It’s a rich source of antioxidants including gingerols, shogaols, zingerones, and more. Ginger actually has broad-spectrum antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic properties, to name just several of its more than 40 pharmacological actions.1
Ginger Has Anti-Inflammatory Properties That May Rival Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
For instance, ginger (like many natural plant compounds) is anti-inflammatory, which makes it a valuable tool for pain relief. In 2001, research showed that ginger extract helped reduce knee pain in people with osteoarthritis.2
In 2013, a study also found that women athletes taking three grams of ginger or cinnamon daily (that’s less than one teaspoon) had a significant decrease in muscle soreness.3 Ginger has even been found to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving pain from menstrual cramps in women.4
The pain-relieving potential of ginger appears to be far-reaching. Along with help for muscle and joint pain, ginger has been found to reduce the severity of migraine headaches as well as the migraine medication Sumatriptan – with fewer side effects.5
Another recent study, which was presented at the American Thoracic Society International Conference, found that adding ginger compounds to isoproterenol, a type of asthma medication called a beta-agonist, enhanced its bronchodilating effects. Because ginger enhances bronchodilation, it may provide a much safer alternative, or at least complement, to current asthma medications on the market.
Ginger Shows Promise as a Cancer and Diabetes Fighter
Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties no doubt make it beneficial for many chronic inflammatory diseases including cancer. Indeed, research published in the British Journal of Nutrition6 has demonstrated the in vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of ginger, suggesting it may be effective in the management of prostate cancer.
Other research shows it has anti-tumor activity that may help defeat difficult-to-treat types of cancer, including lung, ovarian, colon, breast, skin, and pancreatic.7Furthermore, because ginger helps prevent the toxic effects of many substances (including cancer drugs), it may be useful to take in addition to conventional cancer treatments.8
As for diabetes, ginger appears to be useful both preventively and therapeutically via effects on insulin release and action, and improved carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
According to one comprehensive review, a clinical trial that was performed found that after consuming three grams of dry ginger powder for 30 days, diabetic participants had a significant reduction in blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.9 It’s thought that ginger has a positive effect on diabetes because it:
Inhibits enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism
Increases insulin release and sensitivity
Improves lipid profiles
Ginger also has also been established to have a protective effect against diabetes complications, including offering protection to the diabetic’s liver, kidneys, central nervous system, and eyes.
The Power of Ginger for Nausea, Motion Sickness, and Digestive Upset
No article about ginger would be complete without highlighting its wonderful use for digestive upsets. In my book, it is one of the best natural remedies if you struggle with motion sickness or nausea (from pregnancy or chemotherapy, for example), ginger should be a staple in your diet. Research shows:
Taking one gram of ginger daily may help reduce nausea and vomiting in pregnant women, and ginger has been shown to work better than a placebo in relieving morning sickness10
Daily ginger supplementation reduces the severity of chemotherapy-induced nausea11
Ginger may help reduce vomiting and other symptoms of motion sickness12
Ginger is also a must-have if you struggle with indigestion, and it does more than simply relieve pain. Ginger helps to stimulate the emptying of your stomach without any negative effects,13 and it’s an antispasmodic agent, which may explain its beneficial effects on your intestinal tract. Additionally, ginger inhibits H. pylori, which may help prevent ulcers, while also protecting gastric mucosa.14
From Heart Health to Weight Loss: 12 More Uses for Ginger
What else is ginger good for? Ginger is a metabolism boosting substance that may temporarily increase thermogenesis in your body, where your body burns stored up fat to create heat, with beneficial impacts on overall metabolism and fat storage. Research suggests that consuming thermogenic ingredients like ginger may boost your metabolism by up to 5 percent, and increase fat burning by up to 16 percent.15
Ginger may even help counteract the decrease in metabolic rate that often occurs during weight loss. This suggests ginger may be useful for weight loss, and that’s not all. According to research compiled by GreenMedInfo,16, 17 ginger may also be useful for:
Improving cognitive function in middle-aged women18
Ginger Tea, Fresh Ginger, or Extract: What’s the Best Way to Use Ginger?
This depends on what you’re using the ginger for. If you have a serious issue, work with an experienced natural health practitioner who can guide you on proper dosages and forms. For the most potent medicinal properties, ginger extract may be necessary, although there is also therapeutic benefit from fresh or even dried ginger.
Many people enjoy ginger tea on a regular basis, and this is one of the simplest ways to use it. Simply chop off a couple of inches of ginger root and let it steep in hot water for fresh ginger tea. You can also peel the root using a paring knife and then slice it thinly (or grate it or mince it) to add to tea or cooked dishes. You can’t go wrong by adding ginger to stir fries or even your favorite homemade chicken soup.
When left unpeeled, fresh ginger can be stored in your refrigerator for at least three weeks or in your freezer for six months or longer, making it incredibly easy to keep on hand. Try experimenting by adding fresh ginger and other warming spices, like cinnamon, to a cup of tea in the morning, evening, or after a meal… and see if you notice any of the health benefits I’ve just described. You can even try mixing a teaspoon of organic powdered ginger into a gallon of iced tea for added punch and health potential.
A very interesting article on gut health by Dr. Mercola, it’s been proven time and time again that the heart of or base of your immune system is in your gut, that’s why improving what you eat will improve your health. You can find two people eating very similar foods can be 100% different when it comes to overall health. You’ll often find that one person eats the necessary protein, carb’s and fats in the right or the correct portions or ratios to each other but isn’t healthy in comparison to the other…why?
Well, that may come down to the source of the similar looking foods, the healthy person is probably eating mostly organically sourced and grown foods. No pesticides, herbicides or antibiotics and steroids. However further research has revealed some interesting information about exercise, which could help me specifically.
It’s also quite frustrating because exercising does improve gut health which in turn improves the body’s natural defences against illness and disease but for those people like me who enjoyed a very active and physical life prior to contracting a debilitating disease and would like to work up a good sweat, it’s nigh on impossible to do that.
My strength has faded dramatically and stamina is non existent but that’s not going to stop me from trying….
Gut health is a foundational key for optimal health and wellbeing; from dictating the function of your immune system and psychological processing, to influencing your weight and a wide variety of other health factors.
Beneficial bacteria in your gut control the growth of disease-causing bacteria by competing for nutrition and attachment sites in your colon. This is of immense importance, as pathogenic bacteria and other less beneficial microbes can wreak havoc on your health if they gain the upper hand.
For all of these reasons, and more, I strongly recommend a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods along with cultured or fermented foods. Interestingly, however, recent research also suggests that exercise may have an influence on your gut flora.
Exercise May Promote Bacterial Diversification
As recently reported by news outlets such as Philly.com,1The New York Times,2and Time Magazine,3 Irish researchers have found that exercise—especially in combination with a protein-rich diet—increases the amount and diversity of gut bacteria, which may have immune boosting effects.4
Compared to controls, athletes (in this case rugby players) were found to have a“higher diversity of gut micro-organisms… which in turn positively correlated with protein consumption and creatine kinase,” the authors note.
One particular species of bacteria called Akkermansiaceae, found in greater amounts in the athletes’ gut, has been linked to reduced risk of obesity and systemic inflammation.
The rugby players were chosen specifically because athletes tend to adhere to a more extreme diet than the average person, and they also exercise more intensely—in this case, they trained several hours a day.
This is not necessarily healthy and likely is not for most. Nevertheless, that is what they studied. The researchers wanted to explore the degree to which exercise and diet in combination might affect the gut microbiota.
The controls, meanwhile, consisted of two groups: men with a normal body mass index (BMI) who engaged in occasional light exercise, and sedentary men who were overweight or obese. In conclusion, the researchers stated that:5
“The results provide evidence for a beneficial impact of exercise on gut microbiota diversity but also indicate that the relationship is complex and is related to accompanying dietary extremes.”
The Link Between Your Diet and Gut Microbiota
As you would expect, there were significant differences between the diets of the test and control groups. The athletes not only ate a more varied diet than the controls, protein (in the form of meat and protein supplements) accounted for 22 percent of the athletes’ total energy intake—five to six percent higher than the non-athletes.
Not surprisingly, non-athletes ate less fruits and vegetables, and consumed more snack foods. According to the authors:
“Our findings indicate that exercise is another important factor in the relationship between the microbiota, host immunity and host metabolism, with diet playing an important role.”
The results have given rise to criticism, as the study cannot prove that exercise necessarily had anything to do with the proliferation of gut bacteria, considering the fact that the athletes’ diet was so different from the non-athletes. Diet, we already know, is a critical factor that influences the microbial balance in your gut.
We know that the bacterial imbalance in your gut can be made worse by processed foods, for example—which the controls indulged in to a far greater degree than the athletes. Like processed foods, sugar of all kinds also promotes the growth of disease-causing yeasts and fungi.
Fermented foods, on the other hand, act as natural fertilizers—providing nutrients and promoting growth of healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. As an added boon, fermented foods are also very good chelators, meaning they can help rid your body of toxins such as pesticides.
With regards to protein, I don’t believe it is healthy to have a high-protein intake—UNLESS you’re a professional athlete who works out for hours on end each day.
So, I’d caution you to come to the conclusion that this study shows high-protein intake to result in improved gut flora and decreased risk of obesity and inflammation!
Your Diet Dictates Gut Bacteria
In fact, it’s worth noting some other research when discussing the role of protein in gut health. Earlier this year, Science News6 ran an article about how local diets dictate the bacterial balance found in residents. For example, despite living on opposite ends of the earth, people in Malawi and the Guahibos of Venezuela have similar microbial makeup, courtesy of the similarities between their native diets.
“Americans, on the other hand, have a distinctive microbiome with about 25 percent less diversity than indigenous Venezuelans’,” the article states.
One of the primary differences between the diets is meat consumption. Malawian and Guahibo diets are high in corn and cassava, with an occasional piece of meat. Americans, on the other hand, are far more carnivorous, and also eat far more bread, lettuce and tomatoes, potatoes, pasta, milk, and dairy products. The microbial makeup of the three groups reveals these dietary differences.
Needless to say, altering your diet has a direct impact on the microbial community residing in your gut—for better or worse—but in the case of protein, this particular study suggested that higher protein intake was associated with less diverse gut bacteria. Of course, here the subjects were NOT athletes who worked out several hours a day, and who knows, perhaps intense exercise is the key that makes a high-protein diet beneficial?
Unless You’re an Athlete, Be Mindful of Eating Too Much Protein
Granted, your body needs protein. It’s a main component of your body, including muscles, bones, and many hormones. As you age, consuming adequate amounts of high-quality protein is especially important, as your ability to process protein declines with age, raising your protein requirements.
That said, you do need to be careful to not consume too much. The average American consumes anywhere from three to five times as much protein as they need for optimal health.
I believe it is the rare person who really needs more than one-half gram of protein per pound of lean body mass. Those that are aggressively exercising or competing and pregnant women should have about 25 percent more, but most people rarely need more than 40-70 grams of protein a day.
To determine your lean body mass, find out your percent body fat and subtract from 100. This means that if you have 20 percent body fat, you have 80 percent lean body mass. Just multiply that by your current weight to get your lean body mass in pounds or kilos.
The rationale behind limiting your protein is this: when you consume protein in levels higher than recommended above, you tend to activate the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway, which can help you get large muscles but may also increase your risk of cancer.
There is research suggesting that the “mTOR gene” is a significant regulator of the aging process, and suppressing this gene may be linked to longer life. Generally speaking, as far as eating for optimal health goes, most people are simply consuming a combination of too muchlow-quality protein and carbohydrates, and not enough healthy fat.
Translating Ideal Protein Requirements Into Foods
Unfortunately, many are still confused about these protein requirements, so let me try to give you some examples to clarify them further. Substantial amounts of protein can be found in: meat, fish, eggs, dairy products, legumes, and nuts. To determine whether you’re getting too much protein, simply calculate your lean body mass as described above, then write down everything you’re eating for a few days, and calculate the amount of daily protein from all sources. Again, you’re aiming for one-half gram of protein per pound of lean body mass, which would place most people in the range of 40 to 70 grams of protein per day. If you’re currently averaging a lot more than that, adjust downward accordingly. You could use the chart below or simply Google the food you want to know and you will quickly find the grams of protein in the food.
Red meat, pork, poultry, and seafood average 6-9 grams of protein per ounce.
An ideal amount for most people would be a 3-ounce serving of meat or seafood (not 9- or 12-ounce steaks!), which will provide about 18-27 grams of protein
Eggs contain about 6-8 grams of protein per egg. So an omelet made from two eggs would give you about 12-16 grams of protein.
If you add cheese, you need to calculate that protein in as well (check the label of your cheese)
Seeds and nuts contain on average 4-8 grams of protein per quarter cup
Cooked beans average about 7-8 grams per half cup
Cooked grains average 5-7 grams per cup
Most vegetables contain about 1-2 grams of protein per ounce
Optimize Your Gut Health Through Diet and Exercise
Two things are clear:
Sufficient amounts of friendly bacteria are fundamental to your good health. It’s impossible to be optimally healthy if your gut’s bacterial balance is out of whack. Two primary aids in optimizing your gut health are: a primarily organic, whole food diet, fermented foods, and intense exercise.
Your lifestyle – such as a diet full of processed foods, lack of exercise, medications, the antibacterial cleansers you use, and other factors outside your control – are working together to compromise the number of lifesaving friendly bacteria in your digestive system.
Maintaining a good balance of gut bacteria through diet is one of the most important things you can do to increase your chances of remaining healthy and vital for a lifetime. Remember, a gut-healthy diet is one that is rich in whole, unprocessed, unsweetened foods, along with traditionally fermented or cultured foods. And, although I’m not a major proponent of taking many supplements (as I believe the majority of your nutrients need to come from food), probiotics is an exception if you don’t eat fermented foods on a regular basis.
A strong case can be made for eating organic to protect your gut flora as agricultural chemicals take a heavy toll on beneficial microbes—both in the soil in which the food is grown, and in your body. Glyphosate (Roundup), used in particularly hefty amounts on genetically engineered crops, appears to be among the worst of the most widely used chemicals in food production. As for general lifestyle advice, you’ll also want to avoid well-known culprits that kill beneficial bacteria, such as:
Antibiotics (also note that most store-bought beef typically comes from cattle raised with antibiotics. To avoid getting a low dose of antibiotics in every piece of meat you eat, make sure your meat is grass-fed and finished)
Chlorinated water.
Antibacterial soapPollution
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