​These are the symptoms that we should not ignore:

1.Increased Belly Fat (liver fat)
Excess abdominal fat can indicate that your body is full of toxins, as they disrupt the body's ability to regulate glucose levels and metabolize cholesterol they get stored in fat cells..

2.Skin Issues
Excess amounts of toxins in the body can lead to skin issues, like skin inflammation, rosacea, eczema, and itchy skin. This is due to the efforts of the body to eliminate the toxins in a natural way. Here, our skin acts as our 3rd kidney to helps rid the body of toxins .

3.Headaches
Poisons present in the body irritate the central nervous system and cause headaches.

4.Overheating
Too many toxins (free radicals) in the body force the liver to overwork. Therefore, the liver creates extra heat, and as a result, the whole body is overheating.

5.Low Energy Levels
Toxic overload can cause the body to constantly feel tired and exhausted, even after a nights sleep.

6.Congested Sinuses
Your sinuses can easily become congested as a result of the contaminated air you breathe.

7.Insomnia/Restlessness
When toxins accumulate in the tissues, they irritate and obstruct the circulation and cause the body to become  restless and unable to sleep.

8.Problems with the Gallbladder
Deposits of toxins in the liver can make the bile heavy and can lead to a clogged gallbladder. Also you will notice pain or discomfort under the first rib on the right side.

9.White or Yellow Coated Tongue
If your tongue has a white or yellow coating, it is a sign that there are too many toxins in your blood.

​Here are some flyers from this month'e list of medical awareness groups. Each month a different group promotes awareness of these medical issue's, in hopes that more people will come together for a cure or at least better treatments and early detection.

Combats Stress, Promotes Healthy Skin and more…

Blackstrap Molasses is the dark, viscous molasses that remains after maximum extraction of sugar from raw sugar cane. It has the consistency of a thick syrup, as the third boiling of sugar syrup yields blackstrap molasses. This concentrated byproduct is left over after the sugar’s sucrose has been crystallized. It has a robust flavor described as bittersweet. Unlike refined sugar, blackstrap molasses contains essential vitamins and minerals — boasting a number of powerful health benefits.

As the nutritional benefits of blackstrap molasses becomes better known, more and more molasses products are being sold in the supermarket. As opposed to refined sugar, molasses has the power to naturally relieve PMS symptoms, stabilize blood sugar levels, improve bone health, treat symptoms of ADHD and boost skin health.

Blackstrap Molasses Nutrition Facts
Blackstrap molasses contains the vitamins and minerals that it absorbs from the sugar cane plant. Molasses has a moderate glycemic load of 55, which makes it a better choice than refined sugar, especially for people with diabetes. It contains high levels of vitamin B6, manganese, magnesium, potassium, iron and selenium.

100 grams of blackstrap molasses has about:
290 calories 
zero fat 
zero cholesterol 
37 milligrams sodium 
75 grams carbohydrate 
zero dietary fiber 
55 grams sugar 
zero protein 
0.7 vitamin B6 (34 percent DV) 
0.8 milligrams pantothenic acid (8 percent DV) 
0.9 milligrams niacin (5 percent DV) 
0.1 milligrams thiamine (3 percent DV) 
1.5 milligrams manganese (77 percent DV) 
242 milligrams magnesium (61 percent DV) 
1,464 milligrams potassium (42 percent DV) 
4.7 milligrams iron (26 percent DV) 
17 micrograms selenium (25 percent DV) 
0.5 milligrams copper (24 percent DV) 
205 milligrams calcium (20 percent DV) 
31 milligrams phosphorus (3 percent DV) 
37 milligrams sodium (2 percent DV)

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9  Benefits of Blackstrap Molasses

1. Relieves PMS Symptoms
Blackstrap molasses is a high source of iron; women need more iron than men, according to the Centers for Disease Control, because they lose a certain amount of iron during their normal menstrual cycle each month. Starting at around the time of adolescence when a woman begins having her menstrual cycle, her daily needs of iron increases, but then the level decreases once again as the woman reaches menopause.

Iron can also improve your mood, which relies on a balance of hormones — including serotonin, dopamine and other vital hormones — that cannot properly be synthesized in the brain when oxygen levels are low. This is why iron deficiency sometimes results in a poor mood, bad sleep, low energy levels and a lack of motivation. If you notice changes in your mood and feelings of mild depression or anxiety, especially during menstruation, an iron deficiency could possibly be a contributor.

Also, other essential minerals in blackstrap molasses, such as magnesium, manganese and calcium, which help relieve menstrual cramps and maintains the health of uterine muscles.

2. Combats Stress
B vitamins, calcium and magnesium each play a role in combatting stress and anxiety, and blackstrap molasses contains all these vital minerals. Vitamin B6, for example, raises serotonin levels in the brain. This is an important hormone that controls mood and prevents pain, depression and fatigue, and blackstrap molasses’ vitamin B6 content makes adding it to your diet a great way to bust stress.

A 2004 study published in Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found that low levels of vitamin B6 causes depression, as the vitamin contributes to the tryptophan-serotonin pathway. Of the 140 participants, 13 percent of them were evaluated as depressed andvitamin B6-deficient. Although this is not a staggering number, the research suggests that the vitamin deficiency is correlated to depression levels and needs to be addressed in patients who have symptoms of moodiness and depression.

3. Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels
Blackstrap molasses helps stabilize blood sugar levels, which can be extremely beneficial for people with diabetes. It has a low glycemic index and naturally slows the metabolism of glucose and carbohydrates — resulting in less insulin production. Blackstrap molasses also contains a high level of chromium, which increases glucose tolerance. Chromium plays a role in the insulin-signaling pathways that allow our bodies to control the amount of sugar we take in, helping balance blood glucose levels and giving us stable energy.

A 1997 study conducted at the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests that chromium is an essential nutrient involved in normal carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In the study, 180 individuals being treated with type 2 diabetes were either given a placebo or chromium supplements over a four-month period, while continuing to take normal medications and not changing eating habits. As a result of chromium treatment, insulin values and cholesterol levels decreased significantly compared to the placebo group.

This study did have patients continue their normal medications for treatment diabetes, so it is important to note that chromium consumption seems to be only partly responsible for the positive results.

4. Helps Prevent Cancer
A 2009 study published in the Journal of the American Diabetic Association suggests that blackstrap molasses serves as a nutritious alternative to refined sugar because it offers the potential benefit of antioxidant activity.

Antioxidants are substances that help prevent certain types of cell damage, especially those caused by oxidation. Oxidative damage plays a major role in disease today and has been linked to health conditions including cancer.
High-antioxidant foods, like blackstrap molasses, help reduce free radicals in the body, which are believed to be the primary cause of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, free radicals are formed naturally in the body and play an important role in many normal cellular processes; however, at high concentrations, free radicals can be hazardous to the body and damage all major components of cells, including DNA, proteins and cell membranes.

5. Promotes Skin Health
Blackstrap molasses contains lactic acid, which is produced by bacteria that plays an important role in carbohydrate metabolism. Lactic acid serves as a natural acne treatment and heals other skin conditions.

A 2002 study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology found that lactic acid worked as a preventative solution for acne. The study involved 22 patients who experienced lesions, inflammation and cysts. Lactate lotion was used topically all over the face twice a day, and then it was used like a cosmetic for a year. At the end of one year, 90 percent to 100 percent reduction of the inflammatory lesions was achieved in 41 percent of the patients, and non-inflammatory lesions reduced in 23 percent of the patients. The remaining patients showed 50 percent to 90 percent reduction, while two patients showed less than 50 percent reduction in the non-inflammatory lesions.
​
This research suggests that lactic acid treatment results in significant reduction of acne symptoms, including the development of lesions.

Blackstrap molasses also promotes the growth of healthy tissues, so it serves as a natural wound healer. Consuming blackstrap molasses accelerates the healing time of cuts, wounds, burns and signs of acne — helping you maintain clear and healthy skin.

6. Improves Bone Health
Because blackstrap molasses serves as a high source of calcium, it promotes strong and healthy bones. Since we lose calcium every day through our skin, nails, hair, sweat, urine and stool, and we cannot make it within our own body, it’s important that we eat calcium-rich foods regularly.

Calcium is the most present mineral in the body, stored in the body mostly in the bones and teeth. About 99 percent of our calcium is found in bones and teeth, mostly in the form of calcium deposits, with the other remaining 1 percent being stored throughout bodily tissue. Calcium is involved in the growth and maintenance of bones. Without enough calcium present in the body, known as a calcium deficiency, bones are susceptible to becoming weak and pliable, making them prone to fractures and breaks.

The calcium, plus the iron and copper levels, in blackstrap molasses undoubtedly improves bone health, helps heal broken bones, and reduces the risk of weak and brittle bones.

7. Serves as Natural Remedy for ADD and ADHD
Research has shown that the same symptoms evident in children with ADD/ADHD are also seen in people who are nutritionally deficient in zinc, magnesium, calcium and iron. ADHD and ADD are neurological and behavior-related conditions that cause difficulty in concentrating, impulsiveness and excessive energy. Individuals with ADHD not only have a challenge in concentrating, but have a challenge sitting still.

Sugar is a major problem because it causes blood-sugar spikes, causing hyperactivity. Then as blood-sugar levels spike down, a person loses focus. Blackstrap molasses is a more nutritious alternative to refined sugar, and it does not have the same effects on blood-sugar levels. Also, consuming molasses provides iron and B vitamins — which have the ability to remedy ADHD naturally. These vitamins and minerals support the nervous system and brain function, improving focus.

8. Treats Arthritis
Arthritis is a joint disease that causes swelling and pain in the joints. It’s either classified as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage between joints wears down, causing inflammation and pain, and rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune dysfunction where the white blood cells destroy the cartilage. Because of the anti-inflammatory properties in blackstrap molasses, it relieves swelling and joint pain, working as a natural arthritis treatment.

9. Contains Cholesterol-Lowing Potassium
Just two teaspoons of this, rich all-natural syrup contains 10 percent of the daily recommended amount of potassium. Potassium-rich foods help lower systolic blood pressure, lower cholesterol and support a healthy cardiovascular system, in addition to helping cleanse your liver. Potassium also plays an important role in keeping the body hydrated and works with sodium to support cellular function with your body’s sodium-potassium pump.

Blackstrap Molasses History & Interesting Facts

Blackstrap molasses has been imported from the Caribbean Islands since the time of the first settlers. Because it was much more affordable than refined sugar, molasses was popular up until the late 19th century. In fact, molasses was so popular that the British crown passed the Molasses Act of 1733 in order to discourage colonists from trading with the West Indies, which was not under British rule. Colonists had to pay six pence for every gallon of molasses, which was commonly used in rum and spirits at the time.

The growing corruption of local officials and the bitterness and resentment of British Law that was caused by this act only continued with the passing of the Stamp and Townshend Acts; by 1776, the colonists were fighting for their independence from British rule during the American Revolution.

Since then, blackstrap molasses has made a comeback. This is due to the “health food movement” that is popularizing nutritious and vitamin-filled foods. The largest producers of molasses are currently India, Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines and the United States.

How to Use Blackstrap Molasses
It’s easy to find blackstrap molasses at your local market or health food store. When purchasing blackstrap molasses, look for products that are organic and unsulfered.

Blackstrap molasses is commonly used as a natural sweetener and sugar alternative. Molasses has a unique, rich flavor. Some people use it as a spread or topping on toast, oatmeal and porridges. It’s also a great sweetener for marinades, barbeque sauce and to use while baking. You can even add blackstrap molasses to coffee — it intensifies the richness of the coffee while lowering the acidic taste and enhancing coffee’s nutrition value.

Blackstrap molasses serves as a brown sugar alternative, too; you can use molasses to create brown sugar by adding two tablespoons of molasses for each ½ cup of coconut sugar that a recipe calls for. Put the coconut sugar and the molasses in a food processor, and pulse until the consistency of commercial brown sugar is reached. The result is a more nutritious “brown sugar” that still tastes great.

Blackstrap molasses is about two-thirds as sweet as refined sugar, but it can be used in recipes that call for brown sugar, honey and maple syrup. Try experimenting with this nutritious product today — you’re going to love it!

 Vitamins and minerals – what do they do? 
Recommended daily amounts (RDAs)

Throughout this fact sheet the recommended daily amount (RDA) refers to the EU guidance that is used for nutrition tables on food products. Nutritional requirements are often slightly different for young children, adolescents, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Vitamin A (retinol) properties    
Good for:  Eyesight, growth, appetite and taste.
Signs of deficiency:  Night-blindness
RDA:  800 micrograms
Good sources:  Liver, cod liver oil, carrots, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, enriched margarine, milk    
                        products and yellow fruits.
Poisoning:  This vitamin is fat-soluble and so is stored in the body for a long time, especially in pregnancy. An  
​                    overdose may be dangerous.
Destroyed by:  Fatty acids.


Vitamin B1 (thiamine) properties    
Good for:  Nervous system, digestion, muscles, heart, alcohol-damaged nerve tissues.
Signs of deficiency:  Tingling in fingers and toes, confusion, difficulties in maintaining balance, loss of    
                                 appetite, exhaustion and weakened powers of concentration.
RDA:  1.1 mg
Good sources:  Liver, yeast, egg yolk, cereal, red meat,nuts and wheatgerm.
Poisoning:  No danger. It dissolves in water, so any excess is passed in urine.
Destroyed by:  High temperatures, alcohol and coffee.


Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) properties    
Good for:  Growth, skin, nails, hair, sensitive lips and tongue, eyesight, the breakdown of protein, fat and      
                 carbohydrates.
Signs of deficiency:  Itchy irritated eyes, itchy mucous membranes (nose, mouth, throat) and
                                  cracked corners of lips.
RDA:  1.4 mg
Good sources:  Milk, liver, yeast, cheese, green leafy vegetables, fish.
Poisoning:  No danger. It dissolves in water, so any excess is passed in urine.
Destroyed by:  Alcohol and light (this is why milk-cartons are better than bottles).


Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) properties    
Good for:  Preventing skin conditions, nerve problems, helps the body absorb protein and carbohydrate.
Signs of deficiency:  Skin inflammation.
RDA:  1.4 mg – women taking the contraceptive pill may need more.
Good sources:  Fish, bananas, chicken, pork, wholegrains and dried beans.
Poisoning:  May cause nerve problems in large doses. Evidence is conflicting about the maximum
                   safe dose, so   get medical advice before exceeding the RDA.
Destroyed by:  The contraceptive pill, roasted or boiled food, alcohol and oestrogen (the female hormone).


Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) properties    
Good for:  Making red blood and the formation of the nerves.
Signs of deficiency:  Tiredness and fatigue, tingling and numbness in hands/feet,
                                  memory problems and anaemia.
RDA:  2.5 microgram
Good sources:  Eggs, shellfish, poultry, meat,liver, milk, cheese and fortified cereal.
Poisoning:  No danger. It dissolves in water, so any excess is passed in urine.
Destroyed by:  Water, sunlight, alcohol, oestrogen and sleeping pills.


Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) properties    
Good for:  Immune defence system, protection from viruses and bacteria, healing wounds, reducing cholesterol,                    cell lifespan and preventing scurvy.
Signs of deficiency:  Tiredness, bleeding gums and slow-healing wounds.
RDA:  80 mg
Good sources:  Citrus fruits, kiwi fruit, berries, tomatoes, cauliflower, potatoes, green leafy vegetables and      
                         peppers.
Poisoning:  Large doses can cause diarrhea and nausea, eg 2g/day . Some scientists have argued that 1000-    
                   5000mg per day may damage your DNA.
Destroyed by:  Boiling food, light, smoking and heat.


Vitamin D properties    
Good for:  Strong bones and teeth.
Signs of deficiency:  Unhealthy teeth, osteomalacia (causes weakening of bones), rickets in children.
RDA:  5 micrograms
Good sources:  Sunlight (the action of sunlight on the skin allows our bodies to manufacture vitamin D), cod    
                         liver oil, sardines, herring, salmon, tuna, milk and milk products.
Poisoning:  This vitamin is fat-soluble so can accumulate in the body. Overdoses are dangerous,
​                    but there is wide variability in the toxic level, eg 400IU for children.
Destroyed by:  Mineral oil.


Vitamin E (tocopherol) properties    
Good for:  Fighting toxins – vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.
Signs of deficiency:  Weak muscles and fertility problems.
RDA:  10 mg
Good sources:  Nuts, soya beans, vegetable oil, broccoli, sprouts, spinach, wholemeal products and eggs.
Poisoning:  Potential effect with warfarin increasing risk of bleeding, more than 400IU/day can increase risk of    
                    heart failure and death in long term illness.
Destroyed by:  Heat, oxygen, frost, iron and chlorine.


Folic acid properties    
Good for:  Production of red blood cells. It is essential in the first three months of pregnancy to prevent birth    
                 defects such as spina bifida, cleft palate or cleft lip.
Signs of deficiency:  Tiredness due to anaemia and red tongue.
RDA:  200 micrograms. Women planning to conceive should take a daily supplement of 400mcg, continued for    
           the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
Good sources:  Carrots, yeast, liver, egg, yolks, melon, apricots, pumpkin, avocado, beans, rye and wholewheat                           and green leafy vegetables.
Poisoning:  No danger. It dissolves in water, so any excess is passed in urine.
Destroyed by:  Water, sunlight and heat.

                                 (part 3 will discuss why we need nutritional supplements)

​A Basic Guide To Vitamin Supplements

    Do You Really Need Vitamin Supplements? 

Vitamins are an essential part of the body's metabolic processes, playing a vital role in its enzyme systems. Deficiencies in any of these essential nutrients can have serious implications on our health, so to maintain optimum health we need to ensure that our bodies always have an adequate supply of these important substances.

Because the body is unable to manufacture most vitamins by itself, we need to ingest them from outside sources. Ideally, we should obtain these vitamins from consuming a healthy diet consisting of a wide variety of foods.

But modern life has conspired to interfere with the quality of the foodstuffs that are available to us today. A recent study shows that the nutritional value of our fruits and veggies has decreased dramatically within last 50 years.

As most studies today show: "We have to eat eight oranges today to get the same
                                          amount of vitamin A our grandparents got from a single orange." 

There is a direct correlation between the declining nutritional value of our food and the growing prevalence of certain illnesses, and the medical community is beginning to suggest that we take action.

  Restoring Health, Energy and Balancing the Body 
    with the Right Vitamin Supplement is Important

Selecting the right vitamin supplement is crucial to the maintenance of optimum health, so here are some guidelines that will help you make the best choice.

 - Vitamins are Only Part of the Story - 
Vitamins are not the only nutrients that our bodies require in order to maintain optimum health levels - minerals and other trace nutrients are also necessary to maintain our general health, and to give our bodies the tools they need to fight off health problems.

Vitamins also require the presence of these minerals to function correctly in the body, so unless it contains all these nutrients, any vitamin supplement we take will be useless.

Look for a multivitamin supplement that includes minerals, trace minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, and herb extracts to provide your body with all the tools it needs to maintain good health.

 - Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamins - 
There is an overwhelming amount of information available on the merits of natural vitamins compared with those synthetically made, but if you have a choice, be sure to select the natural variety.

Recent research confirms that natural vitamins are more readily useable by the body than synthetic vitamins, and that the natural type remains active in the body for a longer period of time. Our bodies seem more receptive to vitamins in their natural state, which increases their efficacy in improving our health.

So why do manufacturers produce synthetic vitamins at all? The answer is simple; because they are cheaper to produce than their natural counterparts.

So make sure that you choose a multivitamin supplement made of natural ingredients in order to balance your body’s health naturally.

 - The Synergy of Nature -
Because nature operates in harmony, producing a high quality, effective supplement does not involve simply adding separate ingredients together. The active ingredients interact in natural ways, and capturing this natural harmony in a supplement is a task that must be performed by skilled scientists and nutritionists.
The combination of active ingredients must be undertaken with great care, as many of these ingredients interact with one another, and an incorrect combination can produce harmful effects.

Before you purchase a supplement, ensure that the manufacturer has the scientific expertise to produce products that are safe and effective.

 - How Do I Choose a Reliable Manufacturer? -
The supplement industry in the U.S. is only loosely regulated, and choosing a good supplement can be difficult. Some products do not even contain the active ingredients they should, and others do not the correct amounts needed to ensure optimal health. Even today some of them contain substances that might actually be harmful to your health.

Look for a manufacturer that follows GMP guidelines, as these are the highest standard available, and will ensure manufacturing and quality control procedures have been carefully followed.

 - So What Is In The Bottle? - 
Since what is on the label is no guarantee of what is actually in your supplement bottle, request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) for the product, which is available from the manufacturer. This will give a good indication of the quality and purity of the active ingredients. If the manufacturer does not supply this with every product they sell, simply choose another brand.

So be careful in choosing a vitamin supplement. It will help you maintain optimal health, today, and in the future. And remember, “pretty packaging” does not make them any better.   

(part 2 will discuss each of the different vitamins and what they do)