My Healthy Tidbits

Reflexology is the study, science, and art of using specific touch techniques on reflex maps, resembling a shape of the human body, that are believed to exist on the feet, hands, and outer ears.

Reflexology was founded in 1917, by William Fitzgerald, MD in the United States. He founded the vertical zone theory.  In 1924, Joe Shelby Riley, MD, also in the United States founded the horizontal zones of reflexology.  In 1957, Paul Nogier, MD, a neuro-surgeon from France, discovered the reflex points on the outer ear.

The Benefits of Reflexology

1. Reduces blockage around nerve endings.  2. Relaxation.  3. Pain reduction and elimination.  4. Improves circulation.  5. Increases oxygen and nutrient supply.  6. Detoxification.  7. Helps chemical functions of the body, in theory, to work better.  8. Increases sense of well being, vitality, quality of life.  9. Prevention increases with the reduction of accumulated tension and stress.  10. Body functions better.

I am now Certified in Reflexology.  Visit my new website: www.reflexologybykathy.com

There is a possible connection between Alzheimer’s and aluminum.  Aluminum is highly toxic and we are being exposed to hugh amounts of it.  Repeated exposure to chemicals and toxins have a cumulative effect on the body.

What to do?  1.  Minimize your consumption of acidic products packaged in aluminum containers. 

2.  Don’t use aluminum cooking utensils. 

3. Read food labels closely.  You’ll discover several products you should avoid or at least minimize.  Most baking powders contain aluminum, you can get aluminum feed from your health food store. 

4.  Avoid aluminum-containing antacids, diarrhea medicines and douches. 

 5. Switch from antiperspirants or spray deodorants to not-aluminum-containing roll-ons or stick deodorants, or alternative products you can find in health food stores. 

 6.  Make sure you’re getting enough calcium either in the diet or through supplementation.  Calcium hampers aluminum’s absorption by the body. 

7.  Drink filtered water. There are many pollutants, fluoride, chlorine and cryptosporidium in the public water supplies.

Be informed about vaccines.  They contain large amounts of aluminum.  Studies show that if you get 5 flu shots, you have a 10 times greater risk of getting Alzheimer’s Disease.  Read my blog, Dangers of the Flu Vaccine.

Signs and Symptoms of High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (also referred to as hypertension) is often called the “silent killer” since it is one of the leading risk factors associated with heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure but it has no clearly identifiable symptoms.  Since it is estimated that one in three adults in the USA suffer from high blood pressure, it is extremely important to get your blood pressure checked regularly by your doctor or other health care provider.

Although medication is often prescribed for serious cases of high blood pressure, most instances of the condition can easily be treated using a variety of everyday natural foods and simple lifestyle changes.

Causes of High Blood Pressure

While there is no single exact cause of high blood pressure or hypertension, a few risk factors have been recognized:  1. A regularly high intake of salt (exceeding 6 grams per day.  2. Excessively drinking alcohol (more than 2 days per day).  3. Regularly consuming large amounts of caffeine.  4. Obesity, since the heart has to pump more blood to supply the excess tissue.  5. Lack of aerobic exercise (such as walking, jogging, biking, or swimming).  6.  Stress.  7.  Hereditary (genetic) predisposition (for example, African Americans are more often susceptible to high blood pressure than Caucasians or Asians).

For a website for home remedies and natural cures go to: www.homeremediesweb.com.

For proven natural treatments go to: www.resperate.com and www.zona.com

MSG (monosodium glutamate), is used as a flavor enhancer in countless processed foods.  But while it works enhancing your food’s flavor it is also at work doing potential damage to your brain and body.

MSG is an excitotoxin, a type of chemical transmitter that allows brain cells to communicate.  The problem is that excitotoxins can literally excite your brain cells to death.  Aside from harming your brain, MSG has also been linked to eye damage, headaches, fatigue, disorientation and depression.

Children are most at risk from MSG.  The blood barrier, which keeps toxins in the blood from entering the brain, is not fully developed in children.  MSG can also penetrate the placental barrier and affect unborn children as well.  Nonetheless, most major brands of infant formula contain some processed free glutamic acid (a form of MSG).  Most fast foods contain large amounts of MSG.

Processed free glutamic acid (MSG) is hidden in food, pharmaceuticals, dietary supplements, cosmetics, fertilizers, desiccants, disinfectants, growth regulators, pesticides, and fungicide products.

Why is it hidden in food and other products?  MSG is a very big money maker for those who produce it, sell it and use it in their products.  MSG is harmful and has many adverse reactions.  If MSG isn’t harmful, why is it hidden?

Recommended book: Excitotoxins by Russell Blaylock

Recommended websites: www.truthinlabeling.org/hiddensources.html (a list of more than 44 different names used for MSG!) and www.truthinlabeling.org  and www.msgmyth.com/cover.html.

I am a crafter.  For years, I used powerful glues and glazes using no protection from the fumes.  I became very ill, as a result.  I even made my dog very sick ( to read my blog, ‘Be Careful Using Chemicals Around Pets’, go to www.healthytidbitsforpets.blogspot.com. )

I now use a mask with cartridges to protect me from breathing in the cancer causing chemicals.  You can order a mask, cartridges, gloves, etc. from Airgas Safety (800) 678-2878, www.airgas.com.