Natural Cold & Flu Remedies

Just as the seasons change, cold and flu season begins. Rapid changes in air pressure, temperatures and sun exposure all put extra strain on the immune system making your body more susceptible to colds and flus. Dying plants can also aggravate your respiratory system, causing inflammation and a greater susceptibility to the bacterias and viruses. Children in particular are more susceptible to colds because of what they eat (more junk), school schedules that cause them to have to get up earlier then their natural cycles (imbalance of their natural internal cycles), greater exposure from peers and lowered immunity from shots, medications and all sorts of other chemicals constantly assaulting their little bodies. It isn't uncommon to see kids with perpetual runny noses until the weather begins to dramatically warm up. Poor little ones! You may be tempted to turn to over the counter medicines to help alleviate symptoms but these medications are not only filled with toxic ingredients (including dyes and high fructose corn syrup) but do not help your body heal, in fact, they actually can inhibit your body's own natural immune response. There are many natural cold and flu remedies you can use that are more effective then OTC's, help to alleviate symptoms better and give your body the support it needs to heal more rapidly. These natural cold and flu remedies also help you to avoid toxins and strengthen, rather then inhibit, your immune system.

The first step is to know what makes you susceptible to colds and flus, which will give you an advantage to take natural precautions and preventative measures to boost your immune system and overall health. It is important to remember, as with any sickness,  it is not the germ causing your body to become sick, rather a weak internal environment. Decreased immunity, increased toxicity and deficiencies in key nutrients creates fertile ground for viruses and bacterias to flourish. The greatest step you can take to prevent colds and flus is to strengthen your own health and immunity naturally, even once a cold or flu begins. 

If you or your little one/s are suffering from cold or flu symptoms, use these natural cold remedies to help alleviate symptoms while helping your body to heal more rapidly and completely. Not only will these remedies help you heal from a cold or flu they will also help to alleviate symptoms, making you less miserable while you are sick.

Natural Cold Prescription

There is a "standard" natural prescription we recommend to my clients to beat colds and flus naturally. Take this prescription every 3 hours while symptoms persist and for 2-3 days after your symptoms end.  This Rx helps to kill the invading virus, prevents it from spreading further, while increasing cellular energy production and immune system response.

• 1,000- 3,000 mg of Vitamin C (preferably Vitamin C crystals)(Children take 500 mg)
• 1 B-Complex Vitamin (Children take 1/2)
• 30 minutes of Sunlight or 2,000 IU's of Vitamin D3 (Children take 500 IU's) SUNLIGHT IS BEST!
• 30 mil. Echinacea Liquid Tincture
• 30 mil. Golden Seal Liquid Tincture
• 1 glass of Fresh Made Juice
• 15-30 mlg of Zinc lozenge
• Essential Oil & Herb Steam Inhalation
• A cup of Raw Honey & Ginger Tea

Essential Oil & Herb Steam Inhalations 

• 10 drop Eucalyptus Oil
• 2 tbs Fresh Organic Rosemary (Minced)

Fill a bowl or sink with steaming water, add oil & herbs.

Hold your head over the bowl.
Make a tent with a towel and inhale the steam for five minutes, adding more hot water if necessary to keep the steam steady.
Repeat every 3 hours

Natural Cold & Flu Remedies

Raw Honey

Raw honey which is made from flower pollen and enzymes in bee saliva, has antioxidants, antiviral and antibacterial properties, all of which make it a top cold virus killer! Honey is very mild so is an ideal cold remedy for children. A 2007 Pennsylvania State University study found that in 105 children with upper respiratory infections, those taking honey had a 40% improvement in their coughs and restless sleep compared to untreated children. To use simply add two tablespoons of raw (uncooked or heated) honey to a cup of warm, ginger tea (see recipe below). Add a squirt of fresh lemon juice for a boost of Vitamin C.
Don’t give honey to infants and very young children because it may have botulism spores and their little immune systems aren’t yet strong enough. 

Ginger Root Tea

The root of the ginger plant contains active plant compounds called gingerols that attack pain, inflammation, germs and viruses. Ginger helps to suppress inflammatory compounds, according to a 2005 study at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, which lessens respiratory and throat inflammation. Ginger is also a powerful immune stimulant. To use simply peel a ginger root, mince 2 tbs and add to a boiling cup of water. Allow tea to cool to drinking temp, add raw honey, lemon and enjoy!

Zinc

Zinc is a powerful immune system supporter and has been show to be very effective in cutting down the duration and symptoms associated with the cold virus. A 1996 study of 100 adults at the Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio, found that people who sucked 6-8 zinc lozenges a day felt relief from their colds in 4.4 days, compared with 7.6 days for those taking a placebo.

Take 15-30 milligrams in lozenge form at the first signs of the cold virus or take as a preventative measure during cold season. 

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil combats viruses, bacteria and fungi. A 2009 study by the University of Heidelberg in Germany found that eucalyptus oil reduced viral infections  in a test tube by 96% by deactivating virus particles! That's amazing. You can use this oil is lots of ways to help alleviate and even heal cold symptoms. Simply add 10 drops to warm humidifiers, add to a carrier oil (such as coconut or almond oil in a  1:1 ratio) and rub on your chest, throat, feet and under your nose, add 10 drops to a warm bath or simply inhale deeply several times in each nostril to clear respiratory passageways. 

Echinacea

Taking the herb Ecinacea prevents the cold virus from proliferating once it is inside of your body, which cuts down on the time you will be sick. This herb is a powerful cold fighter, according to a 2007 University of Connecticut study. In a review of 14 clinical trials involving about 3,000 people, researchers found that echinacea cut the risk of catching a cold by 58% and reduced the cold’s stay by almost 1-1/2 days. Take it for three weeks, then stop for one week; repeat the cycle during cold and flu season, or when symptoms occur.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an immune system power horse. Vitamin C has been shown to have over 100 known health benefits and many of these benefits come form its antioxidant properties. These properties help protect you from getting the cold and will also help to strengthen your immune system and fight off the virus once inside your body.

Eliminate Sugar

Sugar slows down the immune system and prevents it from doing its job. This is exactly why it contributes to a weakened immune system and prolonged sickness when and if you get sick. While you are sick eliminate all forms of sugar from your diet and be careful to not over in dugle in sugars during cold season.  

Go Raw

Eating raw foods and drinking raw juices helps to cleanse the body, provides the body with a huge amount of living vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals and gives you active enzymes to help the immune system stay strong and fight off nasty bugs. Drink at least 1 glass of fresh veggie juice a day and eat at least 50% of your daily foods raw. If you do get sick, drink a glass of fresh fruit and veggie juice every hour, eat lots of fresh fruits & veggies and eliminate cooked foods except warm nourishing soups.

Eat more Garlic and Onion

Besides being rich in antioxidants and selenium, garlic is a powerful antibacterial and antiviral. Both garlic and onions are part of the Allium family, which is rich in sulfur-containing compounds responsible for many of their health-promoting effects including helping keep the immune system strong. Use lots of fresh garlic and onions in your cooking while you are sick, especially in healing soups.

Our Raw Vitality October Group Virtual Cleanse starts on Monday October 13th! This will get you healthy, clean and revitalized before entering the hectic and sometimes not so healthy holiday months! Learn to eat in a natural, fresh and sustainable way, implement healthy stress management practices, create a consistent, fun exercise routine and create healthy green living practices for you and your family! Register at: www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

Raw Vitality is a holistic health system and cleanse that provides you with all the tools, education and support you need to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions naturally while achieving the highest levels of health and vitality!

Raw Vitality teaches 

• Natural eating principals
• Healthy stress management practices
• Balanced, consistent, exercise
• Green living strategies 
• Medicinal herbs

We teach and offer everything you need to restore and maintain your health in a natural and balanced way through ongoing group cleanses, holistic health workshops, teaching programs for industry professionals, cooking classes, individual cleanses, natural and organic products, education and support.

Get a free taste of Raw Vitality with 10 Fresh, Fast & Healthy Raw Vitality Recipes at www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

Prevention is the Cure We are Looking For ~ Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is the month to turn our attention to the number 2 killer among women, Breast Cancer. While we have become increasingly technologically and scientifically advanced, Breast Cancer still remains a puzzle. Cancer rates are expected to increase and a recent study shows that Breast Cancer seems to be on the rise. (1) While we have spent billions of dollars on cancer research, our approaches to this disease have remained relatively exactly the same. Our current approach is to burn, cut or poison the disease once it begins in the body. Let's forget for a moment these approaches are archaic, invasive and aggressive, but studies show they aren't that effective. Tragically, the five year survival rate for cancer treated with chemotherapy drugs has remained virtually unchanged for decades. Approximately 2% of all cancers will be cured by chemotherapy, meaning the individual will survive and remain cancer free beyond 5 years. (2)

Many opt for radiation. There is much debate about how effective radiation truly is and in holistic circles there has been evidence of radiation actually causing more cancer. Dr. John Richardson, who was arrested and tried by the FDA but later acquitted, in the 1970's for treating cancer naturally observed that radiation did reduce cancer tumor size, but what was reduced was actually the non-cancer cells while the concentration of harmful cancer cells actually increased. (3) He also observed that individuals overall health and vitality was greatly diminished after radiation. In fact even doctors today agree that radiation does not prolong one's life. Dr. Richard Evans, M.D of the Texas Cancer Center states, "All authorities agree that radiation therapy does not improve the survival of patients with breast cancer." Radiation also comes with a list of other known health warnings such as heart problems, problems with memory and concentration, infertility, hearing loss, osteoporosis and a whole host of other known health problems. So if there is a question as to its safety and it is not all that effective, why do we keep doing it?

Clearly we can see that neither chemotherapy or radiation is the cure we have spent billions of dollars to find. Woman are still dying of breast cancer and hundreds of thousands of woman are still getting breast cancer each year.  The Holistic Approach to breast cancer is much different. Instead of only looking at ends ways to irradiate the disease, The Holistic Approach looks at the three most significant areas:

1.  What is causing cancer. 
2. How can cancer be prevented.
3. How to heal naturally and completely once cancer begins.

By knowing what is causing cancer, we can prevent it from happening in the first place. Prevention is key. It is something most other countries place a huge amount of emphasis and focus on, because it is so effective. Unfortunately, in the U.S. we don't place alot of focus on prevention.

The Association of European Cancer Leagues (ECL), in collaboration with The European Partnership for Action Against Cancer (EPAAC) indicates that at least 33% and as much as 50% of cancers can be prevented, according to a new study published in March 2012, just by addressing the key risk factors including tobacco use, poor eating habits, physical inactivity and excessive alcohol consumption. (4)

If we can identify even more known cancer causes, we can prevent even more then 50% of breast cancer from ever beginning. That is where we can make the biggest impact.

First, let's look at where we currently stand. 

Breast Cancer Today in the U.S.

Breast cancer rates have been steadily increasing here in the U.S since the 1970's. Over a ¼ million woman are effected by this disease each year and nearly 50,000 women will die from breast cancer. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, that is ahead of natural causes. What are your chances of getting breast cancer in your lifetime? 1 in 8, which is a staggering figure. Think of how many women are in a crowded bar on a Saturday night. Now count out groups of 8. One person in each group will get breast cancer, and it just may be you. Your chance of dying from breast cancer 1 in 36. This is despite the fact that in 2010 the US budget for breast cancer research was over over 600 million dollars or that breast Cancer research is the most heavily funded type of cancer research, over twice that of colon, prostate or lung cancer.

Breast cancer rates have increased by 90% in the last four decades. To give that some perspective, in one generation this went from not too serious of a risk, to the second cause of death. Recent studies show cancer rates are expected to rise 78% by the year 2030. Researchers specifically found that the incidence of female breast cancer seems to be INCREASING.

Now let's compare the rates of breast cancer that we see here in the U.S to that of other countries. In the U.S. the death rate per 100,000 women is 101.1. In the United Kingdwom there rates are 87.2, as relatively high. Now let's look at death cancer rates in non-Westernized countries. In Rural China the death rate is only 18.7 and in rural Africa only 10.3. That means these countries see 10 times less breast cancer.

This World map shows the cancer rates across the planet. The dark red countries see the highest rates of breast cancer, while the closer to white the color, there is an almost complete absence of this disease.



This shows that breast cancer is a Westernized problem. All countries who eat a Westernized diet, live a Westernized lifestyle and live a more Western life, have high rates of breast cancer. It is a reasonable statement, then to say breast cancer must have specific Western causes. We in fact DO know many of the known causes of breast cancer, we just choose not to place any focus on them. So let's change that. 

Breast Cancer Causes

Despite all the hope and fanfare placed on breast cancer being caused by a gene, the Breast Cancer Gene BRCA-1 only accounts for 5% of cases. The known causes of breast cancer are:

• Smoking
• Mammography radiation (see Breast Cancer Causing or Preventing? Think Before Your Pink)
• Chemotherapy and radiation
• Perfumes and fragrance products
• Cosmetics and personal care products
• Drinking non-organic milk or eating non-organic dairy products
• Hydrogenated oils and trans fatty acids
• Home cleaning products, including laundry detergent, dryer sheets, etc.
• Plastic food containers - includes plastic lining inside food cans
• Sodium nitrite - found in most processed meats
• Pesticides, PCBs, chlorine and other chemicals
• Ways of Cooking Foods – processing, high heats, BBQing and frying form Acrylamides 
• Lack of exercise
• Stress
• Refined sugars / refined grains
• Dry cleaning chemicals
• Hair color chemicals
• Nail polish remover
• High amount of animal products in the diet
• Being overweight

According to the European Environment Agency (EEA), household products, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and food all contain endocrine disrupting chemicals, which may be causing significant increases in diabetes, obesity, cancers including breast and increasing infertility. By knowing the causes, you can be aware and keep your body free from cancer causing chemicals. 

Personal Care products pose a significant risk. The vast majority of personal care products on the market today haven't been tested by any publicly accountable organization. This very lack of regulation has led to companies using chemicals linked to and strongly suspected of causing cancer, hormone imbalance, infertility, birth defects, learning disabilities, immune system toxicity, organ damage, asthma, skin irritations and other harmful effects. To avoid this, buy organic products. Organic products by nature are not allowed to contain any chemicals or additives that are anything other then natural and safe.

Household products also pose a significant risk, in fact the inside of your home is more toxic then the outside. This is because of all the toxic products we bring into our home and use on a daily basis. Household Pesticides, including herbicides and pest-killing poisons have been labeled as human carcinogens. A common chemical in pesticides, dichlorvos, is associated with mammary tumors in rats and mice. Another, glyphosate, has been linked to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Find natural ways to get rid of pests and put your back into by pulling your own weeds instead of depending on toxic chemicals to kill them for you. A most common dry-cleaning chemical, Tetrachloroethylene (PERC), is a toxic chemical that accumulates in body fat so remains in body for a long time. Studies have shown women exposed to this chemical have an increased risk for breast cancer. Industrial chemicals used in the production of detergents and other cleaning products contain a toxic chemical called Alkylphenols. This harmful chemical is also found in personal care products, especially hair products, and an active component in many spermicides. Alkylphenols are endocrine disruptors that have been shown to alter mammary gland development in rats. This is just a very short list of the cancer causing chemicals commonly found inside your home, enough for you to get the picture! Buy natural, non toxic products and you can significantly reduce your risk of breast cancer.

Now let's look at the Prevention of Breast Cancer. 

Breast Cancer Prevention

The best ways to prevent cancer are also holistic, meaning they focus on all areas of your life and body simultaneously. The best ways to prevent breast cancer include:

• A good amount of Vitamin D and Sunshine
• Anti-cancer foods & diet
• Exercise
• Stress reduction
• Cleansing – Especially juice cleansing 
• Infra-red saunas and sweat lodges - because sweating expels toxins, going along with cleansing
• Therapeutic massage - helps move lymph and boosts circulation
• Omega-3 oils - healthy fats
• Acupuncture - helps move blood and chi (body's energy)
• Deep breathing / oxygenation of the cells / stress reduction 
• Yoga, Tai Chi or Pilates - These all boost lymph circulation
• Antioxidants 
• A balanced pH 

Diet is essential to the prevention of not only breast cancer, but all types of cancer. Eliminating animal products, or at least substantially reducing them in amount and to organic and lean, is right up at the top of the list for good reason! Women who eat a lot of animal products have up to 8.5 times greater incidence of breast cancer. Animal products with high amounts of unhealthy saturated fat, as well as other unhealthy fats coming from processed and refined foods, increase your risk of breast cancer by 55-65%. While inorganic foods can increase you risk by up to 27%. Combined this means that just by making the switch to organic foods without unhealthy fats, your can decrease your risk by up to 90%! Implementing an anti-cancer diet is the best approach to preventing all forms of cancer, most especially breast. 

The Anti-Cancer Diet

• Organic Foods
• High Proportion of Raw Foods
• Organic Berries
• Organic cruciferous vegetables
• Low in saturated fat (animal products)
• High in good fats (chia, flax, hemp, virgin olive)
• High in fiber (the rough, outter layer of fruits and vegetables) 
• Switching from red meat to fish, or better yet go vegetarian or vegan
• High in antioxidants
• Adding flax for fiber and healthy fats 
• Low in alcohol
• Getting lots of sunshine
• Getting a good supply of probiotics
• Switching from coffee to green tea
• Low in processed and refined foods
• Low in sugar 

Exercise

Exercise is also important, not only does it keep your immune system strong to get rid of rouge cells as soon as they appear, but it also reduces stress, oxygenates the body and helps to balance pH. Woman who exercise 4 hours per week lower their risk of breast cancer by 33%. Woman who exercise more then that, lower their risk even more until such point exercise becomes overly strenuous in which case you can actually do more harm then good.

Stress

Stress is something fairly new to women in the last four decades, in the amount and intensity of stress experienced Now most women have the responsibilities of children, relationships, career, making most of the purchasing decisions, doing more of the grocery shopping and nutritional care of the family and so much more. There isn't much women are not responsible for these days! Stress is a problem, though because it causes such unhealthy changes in your body and mind. Stress increases your rate of breast cancer by up to 38%. The higher the stress, the more aggressive the cancer one is likely to experiencing Balancing your life in better ways and finding healthy ways of releasing the unchangeable stress is imperative to good health. 

Overall Tips to Prevention of Breast Cancer

• Eat Organic Foods
• Use Organic Personal Care & Home Products
• Healthy Stress Reduction DAILY - Yoga, Meditation, Deep Breathing
• Daily Exercise
• Cleanse & Detox Your Body every 3-6 months
• Avoid plastics, containers and packaging lined with plastic. Use glass instead. 
• Healthy amounts of Sunshine
• Don't smoke or drink
• Reduce sugar, processed and refined foods

Join our October Virtual Group Cleanse Beginning Monday October 13th to learn the most effect natural Preventative Health Strategies!

Our Raw Vitality October Group Virtual Cleanse starts on Monday October 13th! This will get you healthy, clean and revitalized before entering the hectic and sometimes not so healthy holiday months! Learn to eat in a natural, fresh and sustainable way, implement healthy stress management practices, create a consistent, fun exercise routine and create healthy green living practices for you and your family! Register at: www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

Raw Vitality is a holistic health system and cleanse that provides you with all the tools, education and support you need to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions naturally while achieving the highest levels of health and vitality!

Raw Vitality teaches 

• Natural eating principals
• Healthy stress management practices
• Balanced, consistent, exercise
• Green living strategies 
• Medicinal herbs

We teach and offer everything you need to restore and maintain your health in a natural and balanced way through ongoing group cleanses, holistic health workshops, teaching programs for industry professionals, cooking classes, individual cleanses, natural and organic products, education and support.

Get a free taste of Raw Vitality with 10 Fresh, Fast & Healthy Raw Vitality Recipes at www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

References:


1. Medical News Today. Cancer Rates Expected To Increase 75% by 2030. Retrieved from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/246061.php

2. Clinical Oncology (R Coll Radiol). 2004 Dec. 16 (8):549-60.

3. Griffin, Edward G. World Without Cancer. (Excerpts) Retrieved from: http://curezone.org/diseases/cancer/cancer_radiation_therapy.asp?

4. Yared, Dr. Wendy. Prevention is key: European Week Against Cancer. Association of European Cancer Leagues. Retrieved from:

Make Exercise a Fun, Sustainable Part of Your Life!

Balanced, consistent exercise is a large part of the Raw Vitality holisitc health system and cleanse. Exercise is a vital component to healing and preventing health problems, it also helps to increase energy, regulate and balance the body's internal processes and is a key factor in naturally healthy longevity. 

Raw Vitality in Motion is brought to you by Trinity Ground Game. Ground Game combines the disciplines of Parkour, Gymnastics, and Yoga to take your fitness to the next level.  You develop control over your own body, overcome obstacles, and climb to new heights in your fitness!

Raw Vitality in Motion is part of the 30-day and 7-day Raw Vitality programs and includes:

• Fresh Starts 
• 5 Minute Audio Workouts Three Times per Week
• Access to 250 Workout Videos
• Workshop Audios 

Raw Vitality in Motion is included as a bonus for joining the Raw Vitality program. Raw Vitality in Motion will help you make movement and exercise a fun, sustainable and balanced part of your life increasing health, vitality and longevity. 

Daniel Beyer is a fitness professional from Delaware.  Daniel runs his own fitness business, Ground Game, and plays a big part in the community.

He became very inspired when he discovered Parkour in Europe in 2007.  In 2008 he became involved in Brazilian jiu jitsu.  He started competing, and although he had just started and was at the entry level he did very well!

A few years into his martial arts career,  he quickly became certified as a personal trainer and earned his degree in Exercise Science.

With a wide range of expertise and many years experience he has developed a system that combines disciplines of movement with fitness and nutrition.  Raw Vitality and Daniel are proud to team together combining Raw Vitality and Ground Game to create Raw Vitality In Motion!

Raw Vitality in Motion will provide you nutrition tips, workouts each week, motivation for the day, and education to help provide you fitness solutions!

Solutions include:

• Solving Low Back Pain
• Increasing Flexibility
• Learning Portion Control
• Morning Routines to Set Yourself Up for Success

Raw Vitality is excited to work with Daniel.  Get to know him and his successful system of fitness and wellness by listening to his videos.  There are 7 total. Take your time and watch these as you begin working through the Raw Vitality program. We are excited to get moving with you!

Let's put it into practice -- put it into play -- put it "In Motion!"

Learn more about Raw Vitality in Motion at: www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com/inmotion

Join our October Virtual Group Cleanse Beginning Monday October 13th!

Our Raw Vitality October Group Virtual Cleanse starts on Monday October 13th! This will get you healthy, clean and revitalized before entering the hectic and sometimes not so healthy holiday months! Learn to eat in a natural, fresh and sustainable way, implement healthy stress management practices, create a consistent, fun exercise routine and create healthy green living practices for you and your family! Register at: www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

Raw Vitality is a holistic health system and cleanse that provides you with all the tools, education and support you need to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions naturally while achieving the highest levels of health and vitality!

Raw Vitality teaches 

• Natural eating principals
• Healthy stress management practices
• Balanced, consistent, exercise
• Green living strategies 
• Medicinal herbs

We teach and offer everything you need to restore and maintain your health in a natural and balanced way through ongoing group cleanses, holistic health workshops, teaching programs for industry professionals, cooking classes, individual cleanses, natural and organic products, education and support.

Get a free taste of Raw Vitality with 10 Fresh, Fast & Healthy Raw Vitality Recipes at www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

The Power of Prevention - 4 Steps to Prevention

Do you know you have almost complete control over whether or not you ever get a disease throughout your lifetime? Do you know you have almost complete control over whether or not you will ever get cancer, diabetes, heart disease, Alzheimer's, arthritis, or any other disease that will eventually take your life? Many of us are still young and do not think about our long term health and whether or not we will be living with a chronic disease 20 years from now. As our health care system begins to crumble, with more people sick then well and fewer and fewer people getting well once sick, we have to turn our attention to the power of prevention and learn the key areas to concentrate on now to prevent sickness from ever entering our life.  

Disease processes take many years, even decades to develop. Many diseases we are learning begin their process early in life, when we are children and teenagers. In the US you have more then a 75% chance of getting, having to live with and eventually dying from a chronic degenerative disease. According to the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Koop, of the 2.4 million deaths that occur in the United States each year, 75% are the result of avoidable nutritional factor diseases. This means you only have a 25% chance of dying from old age or natural causes, the way most prefer to leave this life. In fact, 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. A chronic degenerative disease is a disease that by Western medical terms will never get better, will continue to get worse throughout your lifetime and will eventually kill you. However, it is what your are doing NOW that will determine what your health will be in 20 years. If you are anything like me, disease is not something I want now or at any time throughout my life. I picture my later years of life as beautiful and relaxing, retired, living my life on my own terms, healthy and able to do all I want and desire. However, statistically speaking, unless I take steps NOW this vision of mine will not occur, because I will be limited by the disease/s that continually eat away at my body and will eventually end my life. We often speak of these diseases as effecting us in our later years of life, but we know this is now no longer the case. It used to be you would not encounter a degenerative type disease until retirement age or beyond. However, today we see people in the early 30's, 40's and even some times in their 20's contract the very same diseases that we did not use to see until later on in life. In 2005, 133 million Americans—almost 1 out of every 2 adults—had at least one chronic illness. 

What is the most interesting about these statistics is that these diseases are the result of AVOIDABLE nutrition and lifestyle factors. That is right. The diseases you may most greatly fear are completely avoidable and within your control. You have complete control over your health, and that is good news! These Chronic Diseases are caused by Four Factors you can easily control through Nutrition and Lifestyle changes.

The Four Factors That Determine Sickness & Disease

#1 Tobacco Use

The CDC reports, "Since 1964, an ongoing series of Surgeon General’s reports on smoking and health has concluded that tobacco use is the single most avoidable cause of disease, disability, and death in the United
States." We know smoking is terrible for our health. We mainly think of the effects smoking has on the lungs and respiratory system but we often neglect to think about is how quickly it ages everything on the inside of the body. Looking at a long term smoker you can see the effects on the outside of the body, aged, weathered skin, deep lines and flat oxygen less skin are all easy to see. This same effect occurs on the inside of the body. Smoking brings in an enormous amount of free radicals that attack healthy cells, cause them to age rapidly and eventually break down and degenerate tissues, organs and entire body systems. Smoking can be one of the most difficult addictions to break but it can be done especially when you are motivated and determined. Align Holistic Health & Well Being uses the methods of Ayurveda to restore balance, create a deeper connection between you and your body's signals, wean the body off the addictive substances while at the same detoxifying and restoring gaps in nutrients which makes cravings less severe and helps to repair some of the damage done by smoking.

#2 Poor Food Choices and Over Sized Food Portions

Currently less then 1/4 of the population gets the "recommended" number of servings of fresh plant based foods. The recommended amount is SIGNIFICANTLY lower then the optimal amount. When taking that into consideration it is probably safe to say less then 5-10% of the population is getting enough plant based foods. Why are plant based foods so important? The body needs vitamins and minerals to restore, repair and grow but it also is highly dependent upon enzymes, water, healthy fats, fiber, antioxidants and phytochemicals. 

Phytochemicals are biologically active chemicals,
naturally occurring chemicals, found in plant foods whose various functions are too numerous to completely know at this point. Their actions range from hormone regulation, to cancer prevention, to immune stimulation, to tumor regression. Phytochemicals functions are diverse and plentiful. They are one of the main reasons why food is able to work as medicine inside the body. Plants are abundant in these chemicals. For instance one apple has more then 10,000 active plant chemicals. Plant foods are the only foods that contain phytochemicals.

Enzymes are active living forces commonly termed "The Power of Life." Enzymes contain energy which directly enhances biochemical reactions within the body. It is fresh plant foods that come "pre-packaged" with these living enzymes, which support every process in your body, helping to keep you vibrant, youthful and at your most healthy. Fresh plant foods, are in fact, the ONLY food group that does contain active enzymes. If your nutrition is primarily cooked, boxed, packaged or canned dead foods, you are taking in no enzymes. Over time your body's own reserve is depleted and body processes slow, become less efficient and eventually disease is given fertile ground to grow.

Antioxidants are also only found in plant foods, Their job is to reverse the damage done by toxins in the foods you eat, products you use and environment in which you live. They also help protect you from having any damage done by these toxins. They are what keep you young on the inside and outside!

There are other problems with our food choices including the two most deadly unhealthy fats and sodium. Sodium destroys cellular balance. In fact, too little potassium (which is plentiful in plant foods) and too much sodium (plentiful in processed foods) is the beginning of all chronic disease.

Why is portion size included in this list? Because of the importance of digestion to your overall health. Your body uses up to 80% of all its energy on the digestive process. When you over tax this system, and more then 80% of your energy is required for digestion, energy is taken away from vital other processes such as healing, cleansing and regenerating. When your body is not able to supply energy for these purposes degeneration begins, immunity decreases and your internal environment becomes fertile ground for disease.

#3 Lack of Exercise

Activity is one of the most important things you can do for your overall health. Exercise and activity help to balance internal processes, cleanse the body regularly and activate important body transmissions. More then 1/3 of all adults do not get enough exercise each day. Physical activity helps control weight, reduce risks for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cancers, strengthen bones and muscles, improve mental health and mood, and improve ability to accomplish your daily activities.

#4 Stress

We often overlook or down play the role stress has in our health and well being. Stress, in fact, is a key factor in determining whether or not you will be plagued by sickness or disease. Biologically stress actually begins to tear apart our body from the inside out. During stressful periods of time, the inside of your body is actually 32 years older then your calendar age! That means if you are 35 years old, your heart, lungs and brain, during stressful periods of time, are close to 70 years old! Stress ages your body rapidly, very rapidly in all ways and in all areas. We know how bad stress if, but what can we do about it? Some stress is inevitable in life, some stress can be down sized and the rest of it must be managed through healthy stress management practices.


By being aware of and controlling these 4 Factors that Determine Sickness & Disease you decrease your risk of getting sick or contracting the most common diseases Americans die from each year. By taking a preventative approach to your health, you ensure your later years of life are filled with happiness and peace and not pain and disease. You also help ensure you are able to accomplish all you want throughout your life and are not limited in any way by your health. What you do NOW determines what your health will be tomorrow, 10, 20 and even 50 years from now. These 4 Factors are not complicated. You can take control of your health. Raw Vitality will teach you the most effective natural healing and health tools to take control of your health and prevent disease throughout your lifetime!

Raw Vitality is a holistic health system and cleanse that provides you with all the tools, education and support you need to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions naturally while achieving the highest levels of health and vitality!

Raw Vitality teaches 

• Natural eating principals
• Healthy stress management practices
• Balanced, consistent, exercise
• Green living strategies 
• Medicinal herbs

We teach and offer everything you need to restore and maintain your health in a natural and balanced way through ongoing group cleanses, holistic health workshops, teaching programs for industry professionals, cooking classes, individual cleanses, natural and organic products, education and support.

Get a free taste of Raw Vitality with 10 Fresh, Fast & Healthy Raw Vitality Recipes at www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

5 Health Problems a Holistic Health Cleanse Can Cure

The word cleansing is thrown around alot. Often it means going from long stretches of time without food, only liquids, some powdered processed drink or odd concoction (maple syrup, cayenne and lemon anyone?), and this is supposed to be healthy? If you are looking for natural, long term health, no none of this is healthy. It may benefit you in the short term, ie sudden weight loss, clearing up of minor health symptoms temporarily, but long term you are doing your body more harm then good. A holistic health cleanse is different. There is no deprivation or odd concoctions, just natural straight forward health principals. Holistic means completed so in a holistic health cleanse you target all areas of health at the same time to achieve total health. Raw Vitality is a holistic health cleanse. A holistic health cleanse focuses on whole, natural eating practices or learning how to eat in a way that supports long term health and heals the body of any health problems it is experiencing; balanced, consistent exercise; healthy stress management practices like yoga and meditation; and green living practices to reduce exposure to health harming toxins and chemicals.

Because a holistic health cleanse is complete, and addresses all areas of health at the same time, it is extremely effective at healing the body, bringing the body back into balance and restoring overall health.

Here are 5 Health Problems A Holistic Health Cleanse (Raw Vitality) Can Cure. 

1. Cardiovascular Problems

The number one cause of death in the US is heart disease. Heat disease is not a health problem that appears over night, but takes a lifetime to develop. We are now learning that chronic health problems begin even in childhood. How you are eating, exercising and managing your stress today will determine if and when you will experience heart disease. Heart disease is caused by poor dietary practices, including a high proportion of animal products and fats, fried foods, processed foods, not enough fiber, not enough plant based foods and not enough nutrients. The Eating for Raw Vitality principals fixes all these dietary problems helping to heal cardiovascular problems and prevent them from occurring long term. Heart disease also is created through poorly managed stress and not enough physical movement. Through meditation, yoga and balanced consistent exercise, like found in the 30 day Raw Vitality program, the stress impact on the body is reduced and reversed and a consistent sustainable exercise program is developed and implemented. 

2. Cancer

If you live in a Western culture chances are you, someone you know or love has been effected by one of the most deadly diseases of our time, cancer in it's many forms. Cancer research dollars continue to poor in but a "cure" is still no closer to being found. That is because the best way to get rid of cancer is to prevent it from occurring and in the US no attention is placed on preventing cancer. Only 5–10% of all cancer cases can be attributed to genetic defects, whereas the remaining 90–95% have their roots in the environment and lifestyle. (1) The lifestyle factors include cigarette smoking, diet (fried foods, red meat), environmental pollutants, stress, obesity, and physical inactivity. If you knew you could prevent 90-95% of your chance of getting cancer just by changing your diet, how you manage stress and balanced, consistent exercise would you want to learn exactly what you need to do? Raw Vitality teaches you all of these principals so you can effectively prevent cancer from occurring or reoccurring in your life. 

3. Diabetes

We know diabetes type 2 or the type you get later in life, is related directly to obesity and lack of physical exercise. Specifically type 2 diabetes is caused by the types of foods one is eating (high amount of sugars, processed foods and animal products) and not eating (not enough fresh, plant based foods). Beyond that we are now learning that type 1 diabetes is being classified as an autoimmune disease, meaning the body begins to attack its own healthy tissue damaging it to a point of complete break down. Autoimmunity is caused often by chemical pollutants, stress, food choices and overall imbalance in the body. Raw Vitality brings the body back into total balance, addresses the dietary problems that cause diabetes and lead to the increase of its symptoms and implements a long term sustainable exercise program. 

4. Weight Imbalance

If you have tried to loose weight all your life, struggle with yo yo diets or can't seem to loose weight no matter what you do, you are not alone. The Western diet and lifestyle sets the stage for most all people to struggle with weight problems. The types of foods we eat change our metabolism, pollute our bodies causing higher amounts of fat to stay in the body and change our hormones in a way that weight loss becomes very difficult. Add in high amounts of stress, high amounts of exposure to toxins and chemicals and low levels of exercise and you have the perfect storm for weight gain and weight imbalance. Raw Vitality addresses all the key areas of health that contribute to finding and staying at your naturally balanced weight without a lot of rules or systems, just natural ways of eating and living. One of the areas we get the most feedback in is how much weight people loose. It is not unheard of to hear of people loosing 20 pounds in 30 days, everyone is different. What we do know is the Raw Vitality principals teach you the tools you need to bring your body back into balance and sustainable lifestyle and eating practices so you can remain at your naturally balanced weight forever. 

5. Allergies 

The incidence of allergies is increasing on the population. Allergies are simply a sign of an over reactive immune system. Allergies tell us the immune system of the body is overburdened, not functioning optimally and is now reacting to anything and everything. 80% of the immune system resides and is created within the gut. The most important influence right now on the increase in allergy symptoms is our food supply. Contaminated with toxic chemicals, GMO organisms and franken-stein type food products like wheat and soy in it's present form, the gut the body is constantly under assault. Food chemicals and GMO's damage and kill off important cells of the immune system and cause confusion within the body and immune system itself. Foreign objects, such as man made chemicals and genetically modified organisms, would normally be processed by the body, made inactive and disposed of, but because of the large amount we are now consuming the immune system is being overwhelmed and destroyed. Because we overwhelm our immune system daily with these contaminants the immune system goes on high alert, looking for anything and everything that may cause the body harm. At the same time it is functioning less effectively and efficiently because of how damaged and over run it has become. Through the Eating for Raw Vitality principals, balancing the body and digestive system reset, green living principals and healthy stress management practices allergies begin to reduce and over time can be completely eliminated. 

If you are tired of living with health problems and want to learn the most effective natural healing tools to reverse, heal and prevent health problems, join the Raw Vitality group cleanse beginning MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8TH! Our Before You Begin Call will take place THIS Thursday 9/4 at 7pm MTN so get registered for the cleanse today. Register here: http://www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com/

Raw Vitality is a holistic health system and cleanse that provides you with all the tools, education and support you need to prevent and reverse chronic health conditions naturally while achieving the highest levels of health and vitality!

Raw Vitality teaches 

• Natural eating principals
• Healthy stress management practices
• Balanced, consistent, exercise
• Green living strategies 
• Medicinal herbs

We teach and offer everything you need to restore and maintain your health in a natural and balanced way through ongoing group cleanses, holistic health workshops, teaching programs for industry professionals, cooking classes, individual cleanses, natural and organic products, education and support.

Get a free taste of Raw Vitality with 10 Fresh, Fast & Healthy Raw Vitality Recipes at www.rawvitalitytotalhealth.com

Reference:

(1) Cancer is a Preventable Disease that Requires Major Lifestyle Changes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2515569/