Let’s Talk About Constipation

Let’s talk about constipation.

I know —  not your typical thing to chat about.

Specifically,  lets talk about constipation while traveling.

If you put me in a car, train or plane for any length of time, have me drink strange water, or eat foods I normally don’t eat. It’s going to have an affect on my bowel.

Perhaps that happens to you too?

Why do we have a digestive system?

The reason we digest the way we do was stated best by a wonderful nutritionist from Toronto who said, “we have a digestive system simply to sort the good, the bad, and the ugly!

I love that description!

She said:    the good goes to our blood stream, the bad goes to our liver and the ugly just has to go – thus the reason for the bowel movement. 

well, there ya go…

Many feel accomplished in moving their bowel once a day.  Doing at least that is still a good thing, however if you eat more than once we have to process or digest more than once – therefor eliminating the ugly more than once daily.  This is actually very important.   Something to strive for.

If you are constipated while traveling it’s really no fun.  Consider a natural laxative. I choose a signature product that has a wonderful traditional herb called  Senna in it. Typically when one thinks of a laxative, it’s usually paired with the thought of an emergency “gotta go” , this is not the case with what I use.  This product promises and delivers nothing more than a gentle prompting.

In my natural medicine cabinet and or in my travel bag I keep a natural laxative on hand to help keep me “going ” especially when I travel.

This safe herbal product is also part of a comprehensive detoxification program.


flickr image titled constipated cat – too funny

Does Your Child Have Nutritional Deficiencies?


Who do you know who’s child is sick all the time?

Should your child experience any of the symptoms listed below please consider that there may be an underlying nutrient deficiency

Many of these concerns are discussed in books written by devoted Pediatric Allergist Dr. Doris Rapp.

Quality
nutritional supplementation can impact the well being of nutritionally challenged children without the use of drugs.
Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies In Children

Bedwetting

Persistent colds

Hyperactivity

Reoccurring nose bleeds

Mouth breathing

Poor school performance

Reoccurring ear infections

Headaches

Chronic winter coughs

Irritability

Dark circles under the eyes

Leg and muscle cramps

Allergies

Puffiness in the face

Constipation

Diarrhea

Fatigue

Wheezing

Spots on the tongue

Twitchiness

Stomach aches

Excessive sweating

Stuffy nose

Poor attention span

Picky eater

Above list created and sourced from nutritionist Barbara Lagoni — thank you


adorable child sneeze flickr image credit

It’s the Too Much BBQ Summer Blues!

Do you have the urpy burpy, too many barbecues or too much summer travel blues?

Your tummy ache solutions could include these medicinal herbs:

Acidopholus/ Bifidus: Travelers diarrhea is more common than one might think – This particular brand guarantees half a BILLION live beneficial bacteria directly to the small intestine. A balance of healthy bacteria has been shown to boost the body’s natural defense capabilities.

(see detailed commentary below)

Peppermint/ Ginger: Perhaps you get an upset stomach from driving, flying or boating.  Plan ahead for motion sickness. Using a blend of herbs including peppermint and ginger this product will ease motion sickness and it’s accompanying queasiness and nausea.

Senna: Constipated?  The herb Senna, which has been used for thousands of years is a natural laxative.  Senna and several other herbs provide a gentle and effective colon flush – it does not cause “emergency” trips to the bathroom – just a gentle encouragement of the muscles of the colon to get things moving again. This product is a “signature” formula for this particular company.

Plant based digestive Enzymes: Gassy? Bloated? Enzymes assist the digestion of all the foods you eat – many enzyme products are animal based – but this brand is a multi action plant based product – better digestion means better absorption of your food.



Flickr image credit – taken at the signapore zoo – too funny

Pregnant? Take Your Vitamins!

This week its all about pregnancy and nutritional supplementation!

Everyone knows that caloric intake rises while pregnant.  Our nutritional needs rise enormously too. It’s common sense to increase ones consumption of fruits and vegetables, choose low-fat, high quality sources of protein such as chicken, fish, beans and legumes. It is also highly recommended to add high quality nutritional supplements to enhance and insure the health of both the mother and child.

Not all nutritional supplement products are the same. I am very particular about the products I share with my clients and choose only one company’s products.  Why? The answer is scientific integrity. Each and every supplement is actually bioavailable—meaning it breaks down, enters your blood steam and ultimately goes to the cell where life’s energy processes begin.  This gets results for my clients.  Over and over the quality shines through.  This company sets extraordinary standards for raw materials and finished products.  They tests every incoming raw material batch to confirm that its stringent product specifications have been met and they do numerous tests on its finished product to insure that what is listed on the label is actually in the tablet or capsule.  This is hugely important to me.  The products I am recommending to you are the industry leader in conducting and publishing clinical research.   Proudly I have adopted their mission of Creating Healthier Lives, as I think it describes best what it is that I do.

Below are recommendations utilizing high quality nutritional supplements for an expectant mother. Other supplement companies may not invest money into the testing of their products and may contain harmful contaminants that would not be advisable for a growing fetus. Please do your research before taking large quantities of supplements from other manufacturers.

most of this information below are excerpts from Nutritionist Barbara Lagoni’s Writings – thank you!

Barb has mentored me forever.  Sure wish I knew her or about supplements when I was pregnant.

Why Supplement During Your Pregnancy?

For basic nutritional insurance – healthier, brighter, non-colicky babies and ease of delivery

Where to begin:

A high quality multi-vitamin – if you do anything – do at least this.

Specific prenatal nutrient suggestions:

B-Complex – Patented folic acid coating makes this nutrient more available for absorption by the body

Soy Protein - For added protein (easily digested and utilized by the body) and for increased energy (Incidence of gestational diabetes is lower because of protein.)

Fish Oil
- 1st and last trimester is when fetal brain development occurs

Friendly Bacteria- helps with the absorption of food and supplements, brings remarkable benefits to the colon

Senna - helps with constipation and detoxifies the blood – take when needed and start with only one right before bed

Calcium - a natural muscle relaxer - helps relieve labor pains ( calcium is drawn from mother to child )

Natural remedies during your Pregnancy:

Morning Sickness – Soy Protein shakes before bed, or right when you wake up along with B Complex helps (nausea is due to low blood sugar levels)

Nausea/Upset Stomach/Heartburn – peppermint ginger tea and chewable calcium

Prevent Toxemia - our natural laxative, zinc, soy protein, our hydration product, B Complex and Calcium/Magnesium

Fluid Rentention/Swollen Ankles – alfalfa ( natural diuretic), our hydration product, exercise, water and soy protein

Leg Cramps/ Back Aches – Calcium/Magnesium, Vitamin E

Birth Defects/Late Delivery/Difficult Labor – Zinc

Varicose Veins – Vitamin E ( important for circulation )

Increased Energy – Soy Protein, B Complex

Prevent Stretchmarks – Vitamin C

Excessive Hair Loss or Acne post birth – Saw Palmetto, Zinc

additional information about the healing mineral zinc

Stop Breasts from Lactating – apply green cabbage leaves to breast area  - break cabbage leaf veins first with a heavy can ) and wear inside your bra – high sulfur halts milk production

For an Easier delivery and Faster Recovery Dr. Shantha Sutton OB/GYN recommends:

Labor - chewable calcium- helps ease contractions – calcium relaxes muscles

Bleeding or Hemmorrhaging in Laboralfalfa ( contains a natural form of Vitamin K )

Recovery after Birthour muscle repair product, designed to repair muscle tissue after strenuous exercise or strain from surgery or labor

Who do you know that could benefit from this information?
Are you pregnant and seeking quality supplements for your pregnancy?
May I be of assistance?  I’d absolutely love to help.


nutrition facts flickr image credit