Leptin and Weight Loss

Weight loss is a topic that interests most people. I'm not exaggerating - around 70% of adults in the US are overweight or obese (source). As someone who lost 100 pounds in the last few years, I'm intimately familiar with this struggle.

I was told over and over again that it's a matter of simply eating less and moving more. I felt ashamed that I was finding something so supposedly "easy" almost impossible.

Maybe some people have iron willpower, but that's not me. Even with big meals and snacks in between, I was nearly always hungry. Resisting cravings is hard! And when I gave in during moments of weakness, the feeling of failure lead to emotional binge eating. It was a vicious cycle.

When I learned about leptin, it all started to make sense. For most overweight and obese people, leptin plays a big role in the behaviours surrounding weight loss and explains why it's so darn tricky. I'm not saying our weight is out of our control - we're not slaves to our hormones. In fact, the opposite is true.

Learning how leptin works, and how to use it to your advantage, can unlock the key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Read on to find out more.

What is Leptin?

Leptin is a hormone produced by the fat cells in our bodies. It was named after the Greek word "lepto", meaning "thin" (source). Leptin is involved in many vital bodily functions, however the one we are most interested in today is promotion of satiety.

Satiety is a feeling of fullness created by our brains. In a nutshell, leptin makes it easier for us to eat less. It's also part of the reward system. When leptin levels are low, food seems very rewarding. High leptin dampens the reward system so that high calorie food just doesn't look as good. This means we have a better chance at resisting temptation. (source)

In addition, leptin increases nervous system activity, which stimulates fatty tissue to burn energy. So, in theory, when we have eaten enough and have a lot of fat cells producing leptin, this hormone tells our body to use our existing fat for fuel rather than taking in more food. (source)

Hormone Balance and Appetite

Leptin isn't the only hormone involved in appetite, metabolism and weight control, although it's often considered the most important. Other important players are ghrelin and amylin.

Ghrelin does the opposite to leptin - it increases your appetite. It's produced in your stomach and sends signals to the brain in a similar way to leptin. Ghrelin levels increase when you're starving and are lowered for about three hours after a meal. It should be apparent that leptin's job is to counteract ghrelin. (source)

Amylin works with leptin in promoting satiety, in fact, leptin triggers amylin release. Amylin slows gastric emptying - i.e. it keeps food in your stomach for longer. This has two effects, firstly, it slows movement of glucose, preventing blood sugar spikes. Secondly, if your stomach remains full for longer, you're less likely to consume more food. (source)

A study gave leptin and amylin to obese rats. The result was sustained weight loss. There is some interest in amylin as a possible therapy for obesity.

With all these chemicals flying around our bodies, it's easy to feel like our eating is out of our hands. Don't worry, I'm going to share some simple tools which can help make hormones work for you rather than against you. First let's examine leptin's precise role in obesity and weight gain.

The Link Between Leptin and Obesity - Leptin Resistance

If you've been paying attention so far, you should understand that the human body has plenty of complex mechanisms for ensuring we don't eat too much - or too little. So why is obesity even a problem?

On the surface, it doesn't make sense. It's well established that low leptin levels cause uncontrolled hunger and weight gain. However, low leptin isn't the issue for overweight people.The more fat cells we have, the more leptin they produce.

This should send screaming signals to our brain to put the fork down. This is what scientists thought initially, but when they conducted studies, they were in for a surprise.

Research scientists use a strain of mouse called "Ob" as a model of obesity. The Ob mouse has a genetic mutation which makes it obese and unhealthy.

The Ob mouse produces no leptin at all. When scientists gave it leptin it became "thin, vibrant, and very healthy within weeks". It seemed that this would be a cure for obesity. Unfortunately, these rodent results didn't carry through to humans.

Unlike the Ob mouse, obese humans don't have a shortage of leptin. In fact, almost all overweight and obese people have excess leptin. Giving extra leptin didn't have any effect. (source)

The reality is that prolonged exposure to leptin makes your brain resistant to the "full" signals. The exact mechanism isn't certain but it's thought that somewhere along the leptin communication chain, a type of signal receptor becomes overloaded and simply stops working.

The result is a brain which feels starving no matter how much you eat.

This is bad news. "Chronically high leptin levels are linked to obesity, overeating, and inflammation-related diseases, including hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease." (source)

Why Do We Become Resistant to Leptin?

Why does all of this happen? Well, it's theorised that our bodies evolved to adapt to food shortages of prehistoric times rather than the world of plenty we have in developed countries today. The main role of leptin was most to act as a starvation signal and maintain fat stores for survival not as a satiety signal to prevent overeating.

Another theory is that the leptin in the blood cannot enter the brain in overweight individuals. High levels of triglycerides may prevent the hormone passing through the "blood brain barrier".

A third suggested mechanism involves high fructose and high fat diets. This has been shown in rat studies. The average US diet unfortunately contains a lot of fructose. The best way to curtail it is to eat whole foods and avoid everything processed.

Leptin and Weight Loss

Now that you understand the basics of leptin and leptin resistance, it's easy to see how this hormone can be a huge help or hindrance in weight control. While the old adage of "calories in, calories out" still stands, our failure to stick to a calorie deficit isn't a sign of character weakness, but rather the odds are most stacked against us due to hormonal issues.

Dr Rosedale describes it beautifully when he says "hunger is a very powerful, ancient, and deep-seated drive that, if stimulated long enough, will make you eat and store more energy. Asking somebody to not eat, to voluntarily restrict calories even though they are hungry, is asking the near impossible.

The only way to eat less in the long-term is to not be hungry, and the only way to do this is to control the hormones that regulate hunger, the primary one being leptin."

So, how do we control these hormones for weight loss? It's actually pretty easy. You don't need any special supplements (those don't even work, I'll explain why later). All you've got to do is adjust your diet and make some healthy lifestyle changes.

1. Avoid Crash Diets

Drastically reducing your calorie intake guarantees weight loss. It's just plain old physics - if we don't consume enough food, our bodies are forced to burn fat for energy. While in theory, ridiculous weight loss plans such as "the cabbage soup diet" should work, in reality, they don't produce sustained results for the majority of people.

Apart from the fact that these weird diets are lacking in tons of nutrients, fasting or following a very low calorie meal plan will lower your leptin levels. This means hunger pangs and cravings will kick into overdrive and make it nearly impossible to resist a binge.

To keep your leptin levels stable, try a more moderate diet. A deficit of around 500 calories a day will result in a loss of 1 pound per week for most people. It may be a test of your patience but you're more likely to succeed at reaching your goals in the long run.

2. Cut Out High Fat and High Carbohydrate Meals

As we already mentioned, a diet high in processed carbohydrates and fats will increase leptin resistance. One study compared this type of diet with an American Heart Association-recommended meal rich in fiber and fruit. I'm sure you can guess which one came out on top? If you guessed the fruit and fiber meal, you're correct.

Another benefit to reducing carbs and fat in your diet is that it will lower your triglyceride levels. Triglycerides block leptin transport into your brain, meaning you don't get those vital "full" signals. (source) Getting your triglycerides down also reduces your risk of heart disease so it's a good idea whatever your weight.

If you need some guidance, The Venus Factor is a great diet plan aimed at optimizing leptin levels for weight loss. I've written an in-depth review so you can see if it's right for your needs.

3. Increase Protein

Now you know what you shouldn't be eating, what is recommended? One key nutrient is protein. Not only does filling up on protein make it easier to leave out fat and carbs, but it increases leptin sensitivity and aids weight loss. (source)

4. Have Healthy Sleep Patterns

Leptin is entwined with our lifestyles in other areas than just diet. Sleep plays a major part. If you don't get enough sleep, it actually makes you feel hungry! This is because blood levels of leptin decrease with sleep deprivation.

On the flipside "restful sleep, i.e., 8 to 12 hours of unbroken sleep, can increase leptin to normal levels." (source) If you want some tips on how to achieve this, check out my article on improving your sleep environment.

5. Exercise

Another lifestyle factor influencing leptin levels is how much exercise you get. You may think you've got an excuse to stay on the couch if you heard that exercise lowers leptin levels. This is true for healthy-weight people. It makes sense because you need to eat more to fuel your activity.

However if you are carrying extra weight and have leptin resistance, physical activity can help reverse this. (source) It's certainly extra-motivating to know that it's not just the calories you burn on the treadmill that will help you drop pounds, you're also healing your hormone receptors by exercising.

Check our top 5 hand exercise right here!

Leptin and Weight Loss Maintenance

If you've managed to lose some weight already, you still need to pay attention to leptin. It's an unfortunate truth that many dieters regain weight lost within a few months or years - sometimes ending up heavier than they started.

Especially if you started out obese or very overweight, your leptin levels will drop simply because your fat cells are still there - but they've shrunk. People who have always been thin have fewer fat cells, whereas those who were heavy and then lost weight have more fat cells but the cells become smaller.

"The result is that a person who has lost weight below their natural body fat set-point has a lower basal metabolic rate than an individual at the same weight who is of that natural weight; these changes are leptin-mediated, homeostatic responses meant to reduce energy expenditure and promote weight regain as a result of fat cells being shrunken below normal size" (source).

This doesn't mean that you're doomed to gain weight back. Personally I have kept my weight stable for over 5 years. However it does mean that you will have to put in a bit more work than those who were never overweight. Stick to my 5 tips above and you will be well on your way to maintaining a healthy weight.

Do Leptin Supplements Work?

If you've been looking into leptin and weight loss at all online you've probably come across some leptin supplements. Now that you understand the concept of leptin resistance, you probably see why they don't work.

A leptin resistant person can take in as much leptin as they like (theoretically) but their brain will never receive those "full" signals. Not only that, but leptin is a protein the same as any other in our diet (meat, fish, legumes…). When taken orally we will simply digest it. There is no chance of it reaching our brain at all.

Metreleptin (Myalept) is a synthetic version of leptin which is used for treating diabetes and dyslipidemia. It has no effect on and is not licenced for weight loss.

Final Thoughts on Leptin and Weight Loss

I hope that this article has helped shine some light on the topic of leptin and weight loss. It certainly gave me some hope to learn that I could make my hormones work with me rather than against me in my weight loss journey. Five easy ways to increase leptin and stop hunger include:

• Avoid crash diets
• Cut out high fat and carb meals
• Increase protein in your diet
• Get enough sleep
• Exercise

If you have any questions or experiences with leptin and weight loss, please leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you.

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/the-facts-on-leptin-faq
https://authoritynutrition.com/leptin-101/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptin
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/10/29/leptin-resistance.aspx
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/20/this-hormone-makes-counting-calories-irrelevant.aspx
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2430504/

15-Year-Old Puts Cancer Industry to Shame: Develops 100% Accurate Cancer Test

This post was originally published on My Health Maven. Elisha is deeply passionate about educating people and empowering them to lead healthier lives. I encourage you to check out her blog.

One of Thomas Edison's great quotes is "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." Edison lived this statement daily in the process of creating the light bulb. Thomas Edison made his own hand blown glass bulbs, tried 3,000 different theories of creating an element that would lower the amount of electrical power required to power a light bulb, and tried more than 6,000 types of filament to extend the life of a light bulb for more than a few hours.

It was in 1880 when he created a 16 watt bulb that burned for 1500 hours. Not many of us have the kind of drive and determination to stick with something you know it will work, even though you experience failure after failure. Yet those are the individuals that carve a path to the future.

Teenage Boy Finds Pancreatic Cancer Test

Jack Andraka is living this famous quote by Edison. Jack is a 15 year old boy from Crownsville, Maryland. Jack watched a beloved family friend, who was like an uncle to him, die of pancreatic cancer. Rather than accept it as fact of life, he chose to become proactive.

He realized that a significant part of the problem was a lack of early detection tests. So he decided to come up with a test to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Pancreatic Cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death, taking 34,000 lives a year. Unfortunately this disease is usually detected late in its progression and has an extremely low survival rate after diagnosis.

Why is Andraka's Test Different?

Current testing methods are 60 years old, cost on average $800, and miss 30% of all pancreatic cancers.

The test Jack developed is:

• 168 times faster
• 26,000 times less expensive
• 400 times more sensitive than the current standard of detection
• He did his research using Google and Wikipedia as his primary research tools — online resources that are
• available to virtually anyone on the planet with an internet connection.
• The cost for his test: Three cents

It takes five minutes, and has a 100 percent accuracy rate. Compare that to the current standard, which employs 60-year-old technology, costs about $800, and misses 30 percent of all pancreatic cancers.

Please take the time to watch the video below:

This article was republished with permission from myhealthmaven.com.

Image Credits

The Best Leptin Supplements and Pills, Where To Buy Them & Side Effects

I think most of us are looking for a "magic bullet" solution to weight loss nowadays, aren't we? Five years ago, I lost 100 pounds the traditional way - with lots of hard work and tears along the journey. I would have given anything to take a pill that would make it quick and easy!

If you've been reading my series on leptin, the so-called "obesity hormone" or "fullness hormone", you're probably wondering if leptin supplements and similar hormone supplements are any good. If you haven't read my leptin series yet, I recommend it. Discovering leptin turned my views on weight loss upside down. It explains why it's so difficult, for starters.

In this article I'll cover everything you need to know about leptin - natural supplements, leptin supplements side effects, where to buy leptin supplements and most importantly, my in-depth leptin supplements review.

What's the Deal With Leptin?

Leptin is a hormone produced by our fat cells. The more fat cells we have, the more leptin is produced.

Leptin travels through our blood to our brain where it sends a "full" signal. It also interacts with our tastebuds and reward system to make it easier to resist cravings. Elsewhere, it increases metabolism and calorie burn.

This should mean that when our bodies have sufficient fat stores, leptin's signalling chain will make us stop eating. However, that's not the case. In the developed world, overabundance of high calorie food has created something called "leptin resistance". What this means is that in overweight and obese people, the leptin communication chain is broken.

Those carrying extra weight have lots of leptin in their blood however the signal doesn't reach the brain. Your body may be over-fed but your brain thinks you're starving.

The Controversy

There is a lot of controversy around leptin supplementation. For starters, leptin is a natural protein, the same as the meat, fish and legumes we consume in our diet. If we were to take a leptin pill, we would simply digest and break it down. It would never reach our brains intact.

Secondly, there are no true leptin supplements on the market for weight loss. In very rare cases where a person cannot produce leptin at all, they may be given a leptin injection by a licensed physician, however this only applies to a tiny amount of cases.

Most people looking to lose weight have tons of leptin flowing through their bloodstreams. Adding more will make no difference if they are leptin resistant. The supplements that I've selected contain ingredients which help to balance leptin levels and return them to normal. These range from herbal supplements to healthy fats to other hormone supplements.

Some of the above actually decrease leptin, which may seem counterintuitive. Consider it a balancing act. Lowering blood leptin in overweight people will increase sensitivity in the long run. However it may cause hunger sensations if not counteracted with an appetite suppressant such as green tea extract. (source)

What to Look for In a Leptin Supplement

We know now that leptin supplements sold online don't contain any leptin but rather complementary nutrients to balance your hormones and metabolism. Research is far from conclusive in this area but I've picked the best ingredients to look out for when choosing a supplement to increase leptin sensitivity.

• Conjugated Linoleic Acids (CLA)

  CLA has been associated with weight loss in many studies. It's believed to have a lowering effect on leptin, in turn increasing sensitivity.

  A study at at Ohio State and Purdue Universities took a group of diabetic patients. One group were given a daily CLA supplement whereas the other group was given a placebo.

  Those who consumed CLA had a lower body mass than those taking the placebo. Leptin levels in the blood reduced along with blood sugar levels. (source)

• Melatonin

  Sleep cycles and leptin are intertwined. Sleep deprivation is known to lower leptin levels dramatically, causing hunger and overeating (source).

  Melatonin is a natural sleep-promoting hormone found in some "leptin" supplements. If you suffer from insufficient or broken sleep, this could help balance your system and keep your cravings in check.

• African Wild Mango

  You can find natural remedies to aid almost any condition nowadays, but what about herbs to increase leptin? One natural option comes in the form of a fruit - the African wild mango or "Irvingia gabonensis"

  One study has shown a link between leptin levels, weight loss and an extract from this fruit named "IGOB131". Over 4 weeks, the extract or a placebo were given to 40 overweight participants, along with a low fat diet. The group who were given the mango supplement lost about 5.6% of body weight whereas the placebo group lost about 1%.

• L-carnitine

  L-carnitine is a protein often found in bodybuilding supplements. However, it's also useful for weight loss. It's capable of balancing leptin and may make it easier to stick to a low calorie diet.

  A study on overweight or obese premenopausal women tested a carnitine supplement against a placebo. The carnitine group experienced a decrease of 4.5% in body mass and lost 6.5% in waist circumference.

How to Take a Leptin Supplement

Leptin supplements should be taken in the morning with a large glass of water, unless they contain melatonin in which case you should take them within half an hour of sleep.

If you experience nausea when introducing these pills, you should take some food directly before or after your dose.Always consult a healthcare professional before taking any type of supplement. This is especially important if you have an ongoing health condition or take a prescription medicine.

Leptin Supplements Review

NatureWise CLA 1250

I don't know about you, but I'm always happy to read that a physician has been involved in the development of a product, as is the case with NatureWise CLA 1250.

The ingredient list here is simple - the only active compound is CLA from safflower oil. The dose isn't too high or too low. You shouldn't experience any side effects, but if you become nauseous, you can take just one or two capsules per day instead of the recommended 3.

Pros

---

• Non-GMO
• Physician developed
• GMP certified manufacturer
• Made in the USA
• No stimulants

Cons

---

• Just one ingredient
• 3 doses per day

Sheer Strength - Sheer Shred PM

This product is unique in that it contains melatonin. Obviously, this makes it a night time supplement, as the name implies. If your sleep cycle is messing with your leptin levels, this could be a good choice for you. However if you already sleep well every night, I recommend one of the daytime supplements instead.

Ginkgo biloba is a great herb for increasing focus, but again, if this isn't an issue for you, there are better supplements out there.

Pros

---

• Improves sleep quality
• GMP certified manufacturer
• Made in the USA
• 100% money back guarantee
• No stimulants
• Wake up refreshed

Cons

---

• Ginkgo content - not for hypertension sufferers
• If you already sleep well, may not work

BRI Nutrition L-Carnitine

This product prides itself on its small capsule size. If you take supplements or multivitamins regularly, you'll know that some of them are almost impossible to swallow.

The only active compound here is L-carnitine. If you're looking for a combo product, I'm afraid you'll have to purchase some add-ons with this one. However, it's good to know that there are no stimulants or interacting herbs on the ingredient list too.

Pros

---

• Made in the USA
• FDA-approved manufacturer
• Single dose
• Small capsule size

Cons

---

• Just one ingredient
• Many users report limited results

African Mango Natural Weight Loss Formula 1000MG

This product claims appetite suppressant and fat burning properties. As discussed above, african mango extract has been linked to successful weight loss, however this product doesn't specify exactly how much it contains.

Another upside or downside, depending on your point of view, is the caffeine content. Green tea and green coffee bean extracts will both help curb your appetite and boost energy, however if you are sensitive to caffeine you might find yourself with the jitters. You should also avoid this product if you suffer from high blood pressure.

Pros

---

• Green tea & coffee extract for metabolism
• Made in the USA
• Boosts energy
• 100% money back guarantee

Cons

---

• Doesn't specify mango content in grams
• Contains caffeine
• Twice daily dose

Mesomorph CLA 3000

Out of all the products I researched for this article, Mesomorph CLA 3000 has the highest dose of conjugated linoleic acids. This can be a good or a bad thing.

On one hand, you are more likely to experience side effects like nausea with this dose, on the other, it can be more effective. Some users report nausea so start with a low dose and work upwards.

Pros

---

• 100% money back guarantee
• Non-GMO
• Very high dose

Cons

---

• Twice daily dose
• 4 capsules daily
• Some users report nausea

Side Effects and Precautions

As I've mentioned above, leptin itself isn't available at the moment as a treatment for weight loss. If, in the future these type of products are developed, there are several side effects to keep in mind. If you have an oversupply of leptin in your blood due to excess weight and leptin resistance, you may also notice these symptoms.

Firstly, leptin's link with our metabolism means it causes an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. A more unusual side effect is the increase in urine output and perspiration. Basically when your metabolism rises, every system of your body starts to work in overdrive.

High leptin also causes insomnia due to its stimulant effect. This makes sense when you remember that leptin levels can be normalised with the sleep supplement melatonin.

Leptin also increases fertility in women, increasing chances of pregnancy. In fact, it's used as a fertility treatment in some instances. High leptin also results in nausea in many users.

Some more dangerous side effects of leptin are a drop in blood sugar and risk of hypoglycaemia in diabetics. There's also a link between high leptin levels and many cancers and autoimmune diseases. Further research is needed in this area but this is enough to convince me to balance my leptin naturally rather than looking for a direct dose with leptin pills.

Other Ways to Increase Leptin

An addition to supplements, there are many other natural ways to balance your leptin levels. A healthy diet high in protein and low in fat and carbohydrates is one proven treatment.

If you're not sure where to start with a full meal-plan overhaul, The Venus Factor might be a good option for you. The Venus Factor is a diet system aimed at optimizing leptin levels for weight loss.

The Last Word on Leptin Supplements

The world of leptin supplements - and weight loss supplements in general - can be confusing. Even after my extensive research, it's hard to pick a clear winner from the products I've reviewed. Each offers something a little different so it's best to evaluate them based on your own needs.

If I had to choose, NatureWise CLA 1250 would be first on my list to try. It doesn't have a complicated list of ingredients - all you're dealing with is conjugated linoleic acids. The dose is quite moderate too.

Have you tried any leptin supplements? What's your favourite product from this list, or do you have another choice? Let me know in the comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Sources

http://www.webmd.com/diet/obesity/the-facts-on-leptin-faq
http://www.vrp.com/weight-management/leptin-and-weight-loss-the-hormonal-key-to-fat-reduction-and-heart-health
http://www.diethealthclub.com/dietary-supplements/leptin-supplements.html
http://www.ehow.com/about_5479264_side-effects-leptin.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/150644-what-are-the-side-effects-of-leptin

What are the Health Benefits of Onion Juice?

Onions are definitely not a vegetable you initially associate with juice. Don't get me wrong, onions have always been one of my must-have toppings on salads and sandwiches but when I first heard of onion juice I cringed a little. Just imagine the bite you must feel in the back of your throat when swigging down a cold glass of onion juice! I was more than a bit skeptical.

However, I came to find that onion juice is actually nothing to cringe about. Upon further research I discovered that there are numerous onion juice benefits. They aren't just a pretty and tasty decoration for meals, they also contain juice that can be highly beneficial to your health.

While extensive research has not yet been done on onion juice specifically, plenty of people claim onions have some amazing properties that are worth sharing with you.

Since I'm a newbie on the topic of onion juice, I'll first share what I learned and then I'd love to hear back from you what you know about onion juice and how you use it.

The History of Onions

We have long known onions as a staple ingredient in many meals during our lifetime but these veggies aren't just a recent trend. According to Wikipedia, onions have been bred in cultivation for over 7000 years! Archaeological researchers have found traces of onions that dated back to the Bronze Age - but it's not known if these were cultivated onions.

Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians held the onion in particularly high regard. They viewed its "spherical shape and concentric rings as symbols of eternal life." In the Middle Ages it's said that onions were so in demand that people would pay their rent with them or give them as gifts.

Back in the day, physicians also used them to treat a host of ailments, including infertility, coughs, hair loss and headaches.

Today I want to focus more on current research to teach us the benefits of onions and onion juice. Whether you are looking for healthier hair, reduced inflammation, a new antibacterial product or improved circulation, onions might just be able to do it all.

6 Health Benefits of Onion Juice

1. Promotes Healthy Hair

As an aging female who has always struggled with fine, thin hair, I was happy to hear that onion juice just might reverse that trend.

If you didn't know, onion juice is a great source of sulfur. Luckily for us fine-haired women, sulphur is one of the main building blocks for our hair. Sulfur helps improve blood circulation which in turn helps your follicles get sufficient nutrients to stay healthy and strong.

According to Quora, the "high amounts of sulphur in onions make them particularly effective in regenerating hair follicles and stimulating hair regrowth. In addition, naturally-concentrated sulphur compounds have been proven to show additional hair-restoring."

Quora goes on to explain that sulphur is a mineral found in every cell of your body. You'll find the highest concentration of it in your hair, skin and nails. It has been called the "beauty mineral" or the "healing mineral" by many people.

Massaging some onion juice into your scalp can help your follicles stay as strong as possible and hold that hair tight to your head!

The hair benefits of onion don't stop there though. Onions also contain the enzyme, catalase. Catalase is an antioxidant that can help prevent early-graying of your hair.

USA Today explains that a study published in the Federation of the American Societies for Experimental Biology's FASEB Journal "found catalase counteracts the body's natural production of hydrogen peroxide, which, over time, bleaches the hair of its natural color from the inside out, leaving it gray."

Cathy Beggan of Go Away Grey states, "That research showed that as we age, we produce less catalase, preventing the hydrogen peroxide from being broken down." So, the more catalase you get in your diet, the better chance you have of fighting that hydrogen peroxide that turns your hair gray!

Did you know that onion juice can help with fast hair growth?

2. Improves Circulation

As mentioned, the sulphur in onion juice helps improve your blood circulation. This not only helps your hair follicles, but also can improve your blood circulation in general.

According to PoorCirculation.net, the high quantity of sulphur compounds in onions provides "cardiovascular support by promoting healthier levels of cholesterol and blood pressure. Additionally, they are also known for their ability to preserve platelets, another quality that makes them ideal for dietary poor circulation treatment."

The idea of onions improving blood circulation goes all the way back to Ancient Greece. According to Wikipedia ancient Greek athletes would eat large amounts of onions because they believed it lightened the balance of blood.

3. Fights Bacteria and Fungus

There are several studies out there on the antibacterial properties of onion. According to Dr. Lee Falin, "a recent study found that when combined with garlic and lime extracts, onions can help inhibit the growth of certain strains of E. coli which are resistant to conventional antibiotics."

Dr. Falin also notes another study that showed "onion powder, when combined with coconut extract, completely eliminated roundworm infection in mice after just 8 days of treatment."

According to The World's Healthiest Foods there have also been studies that show "antibacterial activity of onion in relationship to the bacteria Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus." These are common bacteria involved in dental cavities.

Speaking of, onion has also been found to effectively treat other oral problems, such as gum disease. Onion was found to have antibacterial effects on certain gum bacteria - however this was only the case with fresh, raw onion.

Onion that was left sitting for 2 days at room temperature did not have the same effect, neither did steamed onion. This is why fresh homemade onion juice is going to be your most powerful source of onion.

Of course, not quite enough research has been done on the antibacterial effects of onion so you'll always want to visit your physician if you think you are dealing with bacteria or disease.

4. Contains Powerful Antioxidants

Antioxidants are an incredibly important part of good health. They are the only thing out there that fight the free radicals that attack the cells of our bodies.

Onions actually contain a truly powerful antioxidant called quercetin. Quercetin can help fight off a large number of allergic reactions and chronic inflammatory conditions like asthma.

The quercetin are absorbed in the intestines and then hang out in the bloodstream for quite some time, providing protection from allergens and inflammatory ailments.

According to The World's Healthiest Foods, the antioxidants in onions also "help prevent oxidation of fatty acids" in your body. If you have lower levels of oxidized fatty acids, your inflammation level is kept in check because your body is producing fewer pro-inflammatory messaging molecules.

5. Improves Digestion

Onions contain an impressive supply of inlulin. According to LiveStrong, "Inlulin is a beneficial food source for the healthy bacteria in your intestines." Having good bacteria in your intestines can help encourage regular bowel movements.

Onions also contain other types of fiber, important ingredient for a healthy digestive system. According to LiveScience, "onion contain a special type of soluble fiber called oligofructose, which promotes good bacteria growth in your intestines."

6. Regulates Blood Sugar

If you are one of the millions of people who have trouble regulating your blood sugar due to diabetes, incorporating onions or onion juice into your diet may help.

According to LiveStrong, a research article published in Nutrition "reported that preliminary research indicates that onions may have a hypoglycemic effect for people with diabetes."

The researchers found that S-methylcysteine (sulfur), along with the flavonoid quercetin, might be responsible for the positive effect onions have on blood sugar. More research needs to be done, but preliminary research has given some promising hopes.

How to Make Onion Juice

You can find onion juice online, however I suggest making it fresh at home. Using a juicer is going to be the quickest and easiest way to get onion juice on the table. If you don't currently own a juicer, I always suggest borrowing one from a friend. You might come to find you enjoy it as much as they do and buy one yourself.

If you don't want to mess with a juicer, you could also use a food processor to chop the onion into fine pieces and then squeeze the pieces through a cheesecloth and into a dish.

How to Use Onion Juice

Now that you have some onion juice you might be wondering exactly how you're supposed to use it. I won't suggest an onion juice cocktail at your next party but I can suggest a few ways to incorporate this beneficial ingredient into your life.

1. Apply It to Your Scalp and Hair

According to MSN.com, there are several reasons you might want to apply onion juice to your scalp. The antibacterial properties of onions can help get rid of scalp infections and parasites. Massaging raw onion juice into the scalp will help increase your blood flow and strengthen the follicles of your hair.

Just applying to your hair in general can help reduce hair thinning and breakage as well as slow down or stop graying.

To apply, simply pour fresh onion juice onto your hair or scalp and massage gently for 5-10 minutes. Then rinse thoroughly.

2. Use in a Juicing Recipe

If you are a juicing fanatic like me, you should try incorporating onion juice into your next concoction. Be warned, adding onion to your juice will definitely give it a different flavor but there are ways to mask this.

According to The Juice Nut, large Spanish onions are sweeter in flavor and therefore better for juicing. Try using this sweeter onion to start off and help cover the taste by adding other strong flavors to your juice like ginger. Onion also tends to go well with sweet peppers, in my experience.

3. Add it as a Topping to Salads or Vegetable Dishes

Next time you're trying out a pasta salad or vegetable dish, try adding a bit of onion juice along with or instead of actual onions. It can be a great ingredient for a homemade salad dressing as well.

4. Use it as a Soup Ingredient

My all-time favorite soup is French Onion soup, so I've recently been adding some fresh-squeezed onion juice into my homemade soup recipe.

There are also tons of plain old onion soup recipes out there too. You could also opt to get creative with a vegetable or beef stew by tossing some onion juice in as your own secret ingredient.

Wrapping Up

Are you as surprised as I am at all the ways in which onion juice benefits our bodies? I really can't believe that this seemingly insignificant vegetable has such a long history and high revere. We learned that onions have a number of beneficial abilities, such as:

• Keeping your hair strongImproving circulation
• Fighting bacteria and fungus
• Dishing out powerful antioxidants
• Improving digestion
• Regulating blood sugar

You can try adding onion juice to your daily regimen in a number of different ways:

• Apply to your scalp or hair
• Use in a juice recipe
• Use as a salad or side dish topping or dressing
• Add it to a soup

So what do you think? If you don't already have some onions in your house I suggest you grab some onion juice online and in just a couple days you'll be enjoying all the onion juice benefits there are to offer. I took a walk on the wild side and added some to my green juice this morning. It's a great way to spice things up. Comment below if you give it a try!

Mind Blowing Reasons Why Aloe Vera Is A Miracle Medicine Plant. You Will Never Buy Expensive Products Again!

Aloe Vera is not only extremely healthy for your organism, it is also easily found in grocery stores and you can grow Aloe Vera at your own home, as well.

If you are into growing your own plants, it is good to know that the Aloe Vera needs occasional watering, sunlight and a little fertilization.

By raising your own Aloe Vera, you are making sure that you are using 100% natural and organic products. If you have not been acquainted with this plant yet, it has small, wide leaves which are full of gel and can be easily collected for health purposes.

You can only split one leaf in half and squeeze the gel out of it- and you are done! To learn more on homegrown Aloe Vera you have to know all its benefits, so here is the full list:

Topical uses of Aloe Vera:

• Treats acne and eczema
• Reduces rashes, boils, and other skin irregularities
• Helps burns heal
• Stops bug bites irritation and itching
• Hydrates the skin
• Fills in wrinkles
• Heal wounds
• Serves as a hair conditioner and shampoo against hair loss
• Makes up a perfect shaving gel

Internal uses of Aloe Vera:

• Boosts the immunity
• Regulates the blood sugar
• Prevents digestive disorders such as bloating, constipation, IBS and colitis, and soothes the stomach
• Helps with reducing heartburn and indigestion
• Improves the heart's work and the blood's quality
• Keeps the gums healthy
• Diminishes the risk for arthritis inflammation
• Strengthens the urinary tract performance
• Encourages the production of white blood cells

This plant originates from Northern Africa and the first uses of it were noticed back in the Egyptian Papyrus called ebers. These presented around twelve different recipes on how to use Aloe Vera to the best of its abilities.

From that point on, Aloe Vera has become the ultimate remedy for numerous diseases and found its place in both traditional and alternative medicine.

Moral of the story: avoid as much artificial medication as possible and try to use Aloe Vera instead for the best health benefits ever.

Source: houseofhealthyfood.com

Healthy Food House

Eliminate Double Chin and Face Fat in 10 Days Guaranteed!

In most cases, the extra layer of fatty tissue under our chins is caused by being overweight. This can also occur as we age because our skin loses its elasticity. We cannot exclude the possibility that it can be genetic.

There are surgical procedures that eliminate double chin, but because they are expensive, we will give you some simple home treatments to get rid of it.

Here are some:

1. Sugar Free Gum

It is very important to keep your facial muscles toned in order to eliminate a double chin. That's why our jaw needs workout. The best way is to chew sugarless gum, which also will help you maintain healthy teeth and gums.

2. Cocoa Butter

If you use cocoa butter regularly, you will improve your skin elasticity and help get rid of double chin.

– Slightly warm a few tablespoons of cocoa butter in the microwave.

– Massage the warm oil gently into your neck and double chin for several minutes.

– Do this twice a day, before taking a bath in the morning and every night before going to bed.

3. Wheat Germ Oil

Massaging the neck regularly with wheat germ oil is one more way to get rid of a double chin effectively. Wheat germ oil has vitamin E oil that nourishes and tightens the skin.

– Rub some wheat germ oil gently around the chin before going to bed.

– Massage gently upwards from the bottom of the neck to the chin for 10 to 15 minutes.

– Leave the oil on your skin overnight.

– Repeat this regularly and soon you will see the improvement in the appearance of your double chin.

4. Egg Whites

An egg white has a skin tightening effect and thus it can help you get rid of double chin. Also, egg whites are perfect for the overall health of the skin.

– Beat together two egg whites, one tablespoon each of milk, honey and lemon juice.

– Add a few drops of peppermint essential oil.

– Apply the mask around your chin and neck area.

– Leave it on for 30 minutes.

– Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry your skin.

– Do this once daily for quick results.

5. Glycerin

Here is one natural mask with glycerin that will help you eliminate double chin.

– Mix one tablespoon of glycerin, ½ tablespoon of Epsom salt and a few drops of peppermint oil.

– Apply the mask on the neck and chin area with a cotton pad.

– Leave it on for several minutes so that skin absorbs it.

– Wash the area thoroughly with cool water.

– Do this three to five times a week to get the desired results.

6. Chin Exercises

Chin exercises help stretching and toning your face, neck, and jaw muscles, meaning they will help you get rid of your double chin.

– While keeping your spine straight, slowly lean your head back until you are looking at the ceiling and then stick out your lips in a pout. Hold this position for five counts and then release. Repeat this exercise 5 to 10 times in a row. Do this every day at least for a few weeks.

– Another exercise involves lightly turning your head clockwise and then anticlockwise, keeping your spine straight all the time. Do 5 to 10 repetitions of this exercise, about three times a day for several weeks.
You can do both exercises either standing or sitting, but it is important to keep your spine straight.

7. Green Tea

Green tea includes powerful antioxidants and many other components that boost metabolism. This tea will help you burn calories and lose weight.
Start the day with a cup of green tea and try to drink it several times a day.

8. Vitamin E

Increasing your daily intake of vitamin E can help you get rid of your double chin. It will increase skin's elasticity and its general health.

This vitamin is part of many foods like green leafy vegetables, dairy products, wheat germ oil, brown rice, barley, legumes, beans, nuts and seeds, peanuts and liver.

9. Milk Massage

Massaging our skin with milk can tighten and tone our skin around the chin area. Also, it will keep our skin soft and beautiful.

– Apply milk on your chin, massage for a few minutes and then wash it off with warm water. Repeat several times a day for several weeks.

– Also, you can make milk and honey mask. Mix the milk and honey well and apply it over the chin area. Leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off with warm water. Follow this remedy once daily.

10. Melon

Melon, too, can help toning the skin and reducing a double chin.

– Extract fresh melon juice. Use a cotton ball to apply it to the skin around the chin and neck and then massage. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with water.

– Also, eat more melon because it is high in water content. This will help to flush out toxins from your body and also aid weight loss.

(Source)

Whiten Your Teeth at Home in 10 Minutes. All Natural!

In our cosmetically driven world, white teeth and thick, shiny hair are priorities. Every year, Americans spend over 1.4 billion dollars for teeth whitening products. But the side effect is that teeth become very sensitive after whitening procedures. Good news is that there are natural alternative to get the desired effect.

Here are some tips on how to prepare home solutions for teeth whitening:

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice Paste

Baking soda, or also known as Sodium Bicarbonate is slightly abrasive. With gently scrubbing you can remove the surface stains and return the whiter shade of teeth. If you eat a lot of acidic food, baking soda will help you balance the Ph, since it is alkaline. Lemon juice is natural bleach and its acidity is reduced by the baking soda. You can either use lemon juice, or only water.

You will need:

– Several teaspoons of baking soda
– Enough lemon juice or water to create a paste
– A toothbrush

Mix the baking soda with fresh lemon juice (or water) and make a paste. Wipe your teeth with a paper towel. Let the paste sit for 1 minute and rinse afterwards. If you are using water instead of lemon juice, leave the paste for up to 3 minutes.

Strawberry, Salt and Baking Soda Scrub

Strawberries are rich in Vitamin C, which helps removing plaque that causes yellow teeth. Strawberries also have malic acid, an enzyme that helps removing surface stains too. The salt in the paste plays the role of an abrasive, scrubbing and removing the stains. Baking soda can be added if you prefer.

You will need:

– 1-3 large strawberries
– A pinch of seat salt
– 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda (optional)

Mash the berries and add a pinch of salt and ½ teaspoon of baking soda (if you like to use it). After you wipe your teeth with a paper towel, apply the mixture on teeth with a toothbrush. Leave the mixture for 5 minutes, then rinse. Do this every night.

Coconut Oil Rinse

Maybe it sounds crazy, but coconut oil rinse is a unique and old remedy that many people say is really effective. Lauric acid in coconut oil removes bacteria from teeth. It also keeps the gums healthy and keeps your breath fresh.

You will need:

– About a tablespoon of coconut oil

Before you brush your teeth in the morning, scoop a tablespoon or a little less of coconut oil. Push and swish the oil through and around teeth for 10-15 minutes then spit it out, rinse with water and brush teeth.

(Source)

Water Chart: EXACTLY How Much Water You Need To Drink To Lose Water Weight According To Your Body

Water is Mother Nature's elixir of health and beauty. Drinking plenty of water can help you get healthy, lose weight, get a better complexion and feel more energized throughout the day. Many people don't realize how important staying hydrated is to your overall health and to your weight loss efforts. According to a survey, majority of Americans do not drink the recommended amount of daily water.

This may explain why so many people have trouble reaching their weight loss goals, as a recent study revealed that drinking just 2 cups of water before meals can help dieters lose an additional 5 pounds every year and help you maintain that steady weight loss. Imagine if we actually drank as much water as our body needs?

Drinking the right amount of water every day can help boost our metabolism and reduce the urge for overeating. This is because if we are dehydrated the lack of water causes our body to confuse hunger and thirst. But what is the right amount of water? Does every person need to drink the same amount or does it vary from person to person? What does this depend on?

We'll share with you a few tips on how to calculate how much water you need to drink in order to stay healthy and stimulate weight loss.

Find out your weight. It is important to be familiar with your weight if you want to accurately calculate how much water you need to drink on a daily basis. The amount of water you will need to drink everyday is going to be based off of how much you weigh. After all, a 200 pound man wouldn't drink the same amount of water as a 100 pound woman, right?

Your weight divided in half. Divide your weight by 1/2 to find out how much water you should drink on a daily basis. For instance, if you weigh 170 pounds: 1/2 = 85 ounces. This means that a person who weighs 170 pounds should drink 85 ounces of water every day.

Activity level. Another factor that effects how much water you should drink every day is your level of activity (how much you exercise). This is important because when you perform physically strenuous activities you sweat and expel water in the process, which means you need to compensate for the amount you lost. On average, you need to add 16 ounces of water to your recommended amount for every 30 minutes of exercise. This means that if you've worked out for an hour today you'll need to add 32 ounces of water to your recommended daily amount.

If you're still not sure about the calculations here's a chart for recommended daily intake of water for a range of weights.

It may seem nearly impossible to drink more than 100 ounces a day but there are a few guidelines as to how you can achieve your goal. Drink 2 cups of water (16 ounces) before every meal. This is 48 ounces a day. Every morning when you get up and before you go to bed try to drink a glass of water. That's another 32 ounces. Divide the rest throughout the day and you're set. Keep track of how much water you drink by using one specific container to drink water from and calculate how much of these you'll need to drink.

Cheers!

Sources:

Water drinking survey: http://www.ars.usda.gov/

Water and weight loss: http://www.acs.org/

Hunger and thirst confusion: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Ounces of water per half hour of exercise: http://www.webmd.com/

www.healthycures.org

How to Make Natural Sleeping Pills That Work Better Than Expensive Big Pharma Prescriptions

This article is shared with permission from our friends at frugallysustainable.com.

If you've ever experienced sleepless nights…you understand the extreme frustration that insomnia creates.

The plague of sleeplessness has crossed time and cultures — and throughout it all, there have been several all-natural remedies created based on herbs known to help induce a restorative sleep.

So in classic fashion, with my knowledge of the adaptogenic and sedative class of herbs, I undertook the challenge of creating herbal sleep-aids that would rival any of the prescription strength sleep-aids available.

Image Credits

In my experience, there have been three extremely powerful natural remedies that have transformed the way I — and my family – sleep. And those have been:

• Herbal Bedtime Tea
• Valerian and Hops Tincture
• Herbal Pain Relief and Sleep Capsules

With the growing number of people in the United States without health insurance — coupled with the rising cost of prescription medicine — all to often those who suffer from insomnia are forced to pay extremely high costs for sleep-aids.

Moreover, the harmful side effects and addictive potential of prescription sleep-aids presents a whole other set of issues.

How Sedative Herbs Work

According to Philip Fritchey, in his book Practical Herbalism: Ordinary Plants with Extraordinary Powers, the class of "sedative herbs" falls under the herbal action of Nervines.

And he has this to say of Nervines:

"Nervines are herbs that support the health of the nervous system.
They are used to relieve pain and regulate the nerve response."

He also mentions that "the nervous system is the primary communication pathway in the body. [And that] virtually every disorder has some root in this system. Stress, anxiety, fatigue, poor nutrition, and disordered lifestyles take a toll on the integrity of the system."

Likewise, we also know that the adaptogenic class of herbs helps by increasing resistance and resilience to stress and they enable the body to avoid reaching functional collapse.

When combined, sedative and adaptogenic herbs work together to:

• help you fall asleep faster.
• improve the overall quality of your sleep.
• provide a safer and more affordable alternative to risky prescription pills.
• relieve stress, reduce anxiety, calm the mind, and eliminate toxins that may be disrupting your body's natural sleep cycle.
• help you wake up feeling refreshed and energized instead of tired and groggy.

Since taking sleep remedies in liquid form can sometimes pose an inconvenience, the recipe below is one for a capsule, which you can easily carry with you wherever you go and take at any point during the day.

A Recipe for All Natural Pain and Sleeping Pills

Supplies Needed:

–The Capsule Machine (optional)
-"00″ gelatin or vegetable capsules

Ingredients:
*Purchase organically-grown or wild-crafted herbs whenever possible. Starwest Botanicals has a beautiful selection of Bulk Herbs and Natural Products for Healthy, Natural Living.

• 2 parts valerian root, powdered
• 2 parts skullcap, powdered
• 1 part lemon balm, powdered
• 1 part oatstraw, powdered
• 1 part passion flower, powdered
• 1/2 part rhodiola root, powdered
• 1/4 part hop flowers, powdered

*Parts are to be measured by volume not weight.

Instructions:

1. In a non-reactive bowl, mix all of the herbal powders together until well combined.

2. With the use of The Capsule Machine, fill as many capsules as you think your family will use within a 6-12 month period. Note: Don't have a Capsule Machine? It's okay…simply scoop the powder into each piece of the capsule and pack it tight prior to recapping the ends.

3. Store the capsules in a small glass mason jar and place the lid on tight. Keep in a cool, dark, dry place. These capsules should stay fresh for 6-12 months.

Dosage:

To use for acute pain: Take 1-2 caps every 2 hrs., but no more than 8 caps daily.
To use for chronic pain: Take 2-3 caps 2-3 times daily, but no more than 6 caps daily.
To use for sleep: Take 2-4 caps 30 minutes prior to bedtime. (I discovered that 3 capsules sent me to sleep pretty quickly.)

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

–The Starwest Botanicals will have everything you'll need.

–The Bulk Herb Store also carries many of these ingredients if you'd like to price check.

Source

http://frugallysustainable.com/