Why we crave sugary snacks... and not fruit and veg

Finding this article in the Daily Mail reminded me how we can influence our cravings particularly if trying to avoid sweet and starchy foods whilst trying to loose weight. We can do so by the use of essential oils and how they can influence the Hypothalamus. See below the Daily Mail article.

Are urges to eat unhealthy food purely down to greed? We ask experts...

It is the question that has foxed dieters and scientists alike: Why do we crave sugary snacks or fat-laden junk foods and not more healthy options such as, say, an apple?
Some claim to have 'a sweet tooth', or 'a salt tooth'. And many believe cravings are the body's way of telling them what they need. But how true is that really?

Cravings are an overwhelming sensation of desire for a certain food. There are a number of chemicals in the brain that are associated with this

THE EVOLUTION OF CRAVING

Experts believe that cravings occur for a variety of reasons. They attribute them to evolution, psychological factors such as stress and unhappiness, and  -  sometimes  -  a genuine need for certain foods.
'It's crucial to remember that a food craving is not simply hunger,' says Professor Andrew Hill, Head of the Academic Unit of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences at Leeds University.
Hunger is the body's way of making sure it is provided with energy, in the form of nutrients from food. When the stomach is empty, it releases the hormone ghrelin, which communicates with the brain's command centre, the hypothalamus. This creates the feeling of hunger and is how we know when to eat.
Satiation is signalled by the release of the hormones leptin by fat cells, and insulin by the pancreas, in response to increased blood sugar.
Cravings, however, are much more complex.
'Those who are starving will eat literally anything  -  even foods they do not enjoy  -  to stay alive,' says psychologist Dr Leigh Gibson, Reader in Biopsychology at Roehampton University.
'Cravings, on the other hand, are an overwhelming sensation of desire for a certain food. There are a number of chemicals in the brain that are associated with this.
'First, there is dopamine, a brain chemical that is involved in learning and concentration. When we see or experience something new, dopamine is released in the brain.
'This works in tandem with other brain chemicals called opioids, which give us feelings of enjoyment and pleasure. The combination of these two factors mean that the brain associates certain activities with pleasure, and it teaches us to do them again and again.
'From an evolutionary point of view, junk food cravings are linked to prehistoric times when the brain's opioids and dopamine reacted to the benefit of high-calorie food as a survival mechanism.
'We are programmed to enjoy eating fatty and sugary substances, and our brains tell us to seek them out.
'Today, we still have the same chemical reactions to these so-called hyper-palatable foods, causing an unignorable desire  -  despite there being less of a nutritional need for them.'

Experts attribute cravings to evolution, psychological factors such as stress and unhappiness, and - sometimes - a genuine need for certain foods

HOW MOOD PLAYS A ROLE

Another factor in desire for sugary or fatty foods is stress.
'The body produces a hormone called cortisol in response to stress,' explains Dr Gibson.
'Its primary functions are to increase sugar in the blood to be used up as energy by the body's cells, suppress the immune system and aid in fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. It also blocks the release of leptin and insulin, increasing hunger.
'This is why studies have shown that when we're stressed, we're more likely drawn towards high-energy foods, such as cakes and sweets. Stress in response to danger used to mean energy was burned up. Stress down to today's lifestyle may have the same effect, though these days we are less likely to actually burn off the calories.'
Then there are the psychological components to cravings.
'Mood is unquestionably a potent context  -  especially negative mood,' says Prof Hill.
'We crave reward foods. The pattern for this is partially set in childhood when parents give us sweet food to show love or reward.'
Anna Raymond, of the British Dietetic Association, agrees.
'Cravings are a psychological need for high-fat and high-sugar foods which taste pleasant  -  but which should, of course, form only a small part of our daily intake.'
Dr Gibson points out that sweet food can actively alleviate pain by releasing opioids, thus excusing us for giving sweets to a hurt child. Researchers at the University of Michigan found that chocolate causes the brain to release these euphoria-inducing chemicals.
Unsurprisingly, more than 50 per cent of reported cravings are for chocolate and most others are for highly palatable foods such as sweets or biscuits.
'Chocolate melts at body temperature which gives a pleasant sensation, and fat and sugar further increase the sensory appeal,' says Prof Hill.
Gender can influence the nature of cravings. According to Prof Hill, studies show that women predominantly crave sweet, fatty and energy-dense food and men have more savoury cravings, although it is not yet understood why.

SOME CRAVINGS REALLY SHOULDN'T BE IGNORED

Sometimes cravings may point to a deficiency in the body. Dr Gibson conducted an experiment in 1995 to test this theory.
His team gave a group of volunteers a low-protein breakfast followed by a high-protein lunch. The following day they were given a low-protein breakfast and a low protein lunch. Each meal was given in a variety of flavours.
On the third day they were given a choice. Regardless of flavour, all participants chose the high-protein option. This proves that if we need a nutrient  -  such as protein  -  we'll automatically choose it.
'We know that animals seek out food when they have nutritional needs  -  such as iron, vitamins or sodium.
Why should we be any different?' says Dr Gibson. ' Cravings for healthy food are more likely to be down to bodily needs.'

(One of my daughters used to love boiled eggs and would eat the egg shells as well I guess she must have had a need for calcium)

WHAT YOUR CRAVINGS ARE TRYING TO TELL YOU...

CHOCOLATE AND SWEETS' Cravings for these are usually down to a psychological desire for a food that makes you feel better and gives a short-term ''fix''. Dark chocolate contains magnesium, antioxidants and iron  -  so there is unquestionably some nutritional benefit,' says nutritionist Zoe Harcombe.

PIZZA, PASTA, CRIPS' It may be an example of wheat intolerance in the case of pizza and pasta  -  ironically if we're intolerant of things we crave them,' suggests Harcombe.
'One theory is that if we don't digest or absorb foods properly, we desire them more as the body isn't getting what it needs from the food. For instance, diabetics can't regulate their blood sugar, leading to low energy levels. But if the condition is uncontrolled they crave sugary foods, as the body believes it isn't getting enough.'

FISH Should you crave salmon, it could be a need for Omega3 fats.
'Some new evidence suggests that taste receptors respond to certain fatty acids,' says Dr Gibson.
'Maybe our system is aware of their presence. Tuna could be a need for salt  -  especially in a low-fat dieter who eats lots of fruit and vegetables but little meat or fish and is getting little sodium,' says Harcombe.
'Dieters are eating more potassium by consuming large amounts of fruit and vegetables, so they need to balance it out with more sodium.'

DAIRY 'Milk contains key nutrients, and if you crave cheese, you may need the fatsoluble Vitamins A and D, especially if you have a lowfat diet,' says Harcombe.

MEAT It seems obvious  -  but some experts believe a meat craving means the body needs protein. Dr Gibson says: 'A desire to eat red meat could be attributed to iron deficiency  -  especially in pregnant women.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1382217/Why-crave-junk-food-fruit-veg.html#ixzz1L63VRtIr

THE LIMBIC SYSTEM AND HOW WE CAN INFLUENCE THE HYPOTHALAMUS

In order to understand how this works, it helps to understand the structure of the Olfactory Tract. 

Most of the nose is concerned with breathing: inhaling air into the body and exhaling it out, however it is the organ of smell and thus very important in a therapy based on the power of aromas! At the top of the nose there are two areas of pigmented tissue known as Olfactory Membranes. They contain the olfactory, or smell-sensing cells, which have fine hair-like protrusions called cilia. The olfactory cells connect to nerves in an area known as the Olfactory Plexus. Once triggered, these nerves send messages along the olfactory Nerves to the Brain, particularly the Limbic System. This is the area of the brain that deals with Memory, Emotions, Our Basic Instincts and Mechanical Functions. When essential oil molecules pass over the olfactory cells, it is thought that these cells trigger receptor areas, which send an impulse via the olfactory plexus and nerves to the brain. Here the information is processed and interpretated (with either positive or negative associations). Depending on the interpretation, the brain sends messages to other parts of the body to elicit a response e.g. Grimace! The brain may also react to different chemicals in an essential oil and produce particular effects e.g. a relaxing or sedative substance may cause the brain to send out a message of relaxation either to the whole body or a particular part. 

The Role of the Hypothalamus

The Hypothalamus is the part of the brain that controls the endocrine system.

The Pituitary gland lies beneath the Hypothalamus  and it is this that controls the other endocrine glands.

The Hypothalamus receives information about the Homeostasis (balance) of the body, this is achieved by two means:

• The blood circulation i.e. temperature, blood glucose levels and hormone levels
• The nervous system i.e. The Autonomic Nervous system i.e. the part of the nervous system that regulates automatic functions e.g. breathing, heart rate etc. and mental and emotional states, our feelings: these influence ‘automatic responses’ e.g. ‘The fear, flight response’

The Hypothalamus responds to these changes by:

• Secreting Hormones (chemical messengers) that regulate hormones to be released by the anterior lobe of the pituitary
• The hypothalamus also directly releases hormones via the Posterior Lobe of the Pituitary , Vasopressin (ADH) and Oxytocin
• And by stimulating a nerve response to the ‘Central Nervous System’ (Brain & spinal Cord)

We can use essential oils to influence the hypothalamus, certain essential oils like Lime in particular stimulate the appetite and are a good choice to choice when recovering from illness when the appetite is poor. Lime is also uplifting and energising and stimulates the digestive system. On the other hand Patchouli essential oil has the opposite effect it decreases the appetite so next time you are having difficulties when beginning a weight reducing diet to alleviate cravings for sweet things sniff some Patchouli essential oil. Remember though if you are epileptic or pregnant do not do so.

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For many herbalists like myself this is a sad day, yes there have been problems, with some people abusing these medicines and or running into problems. However if they are stocked and supplied with clear instructions and warnings surely as grown ups we should be allowed to choose for ourselves. This leads me to another EU directive a few years ago, when they dictated we cannot buy anymore than 32 paracetamol at a time, they say its for safety, however 10 taken at once can cause fatality, and what's to stop someone going buying packets from different stores. I feel it's time the EU kept its nose out of UK affairs. Up until the early 20th century all medicine was herbal, something that needs to be remembered. As for isolating the active ingredients, this is not how herbal medicine works. The plant often works as a whole, its not just the so-called active ingredients, but all of the other structures within the plant that gives it it's efficacy. Herbal medicine is a Holistic medicine, it works on the body as a whole, something the orthodox establishment, or more likely the big pharmaceutical companies, need to accept. Often when you try to extract what clinical pharmacists, call the active ingredients, the remedy no longer works in the same way.

There is more to this than worrying about safety I feel the big pharmaceutical companies have a hand in all of this.

Herbal medicines banned as EU directive comes into force

Patients have lost access to hundreds of herbal medicines today, after European regulations came into force.
Sales of all herbal remedies, except for a small number of popular products for 'mild' illness such as echinacea for colds and St John's Wort for depression have been banned.
For the first time traditional products must be licensed or prescribed by a registered herbal practitioner.

The Government allowed access to some unlicensed manufactured herbal medicines via a statutory register

Both herbal remedy practitioners and manufacturers fear they could be forced out of business as a result.
Some of the most  commonly used products were saved after the Health Secretary Andrew Lansley approved a plan for the Health Professions Council to establish a register of practitioners supplying unlicensed herbal medicines.
However, many remedies were lost as it was only open to those who could afford the licensing process which costs between £80,000 to £120,000.
At least 50 herbs, including horny goat weed (so-called natural Viagra), hawthorn berry, used for angina pain, and wild yam will no longer be stocked in health food shops, says the British Herbal Medicine Association.

The 2004 EU directive demands that a traditional herbal medicinal product must be shown to have been in use for 30 years in the EU – or at 15 years in the EU and 15 years elsewhere – for it to be licensed.
The UK drug safety watchdog, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Agency, has issued more than a dozen alerts in the past two years, including a warning last month over a contaminated weight loss pill called Herbal Flos Lonicerae (Herbal Xenicol) due to concerns over possible side-effects.
Mr Lansley, in a written statement, said the Government wanted to ensure continuing access to unlicensed herbal medicines via a statutory register for practitioners ‘to meet individual patient needs’.
Acupuncture falls outside the EU directive and so remains unaffected.
Prince Charles, a long-standing supporter of complementary therapies, has voiced his support for formal regulation of herbal practitioners.
Up til now the industry has been covered by the 1968 Medicines Act. This was drawn up when only a small number of herbal remedies were available.

But recent studies show that at least six million Britons have used a herbal medicine in the past two years.

Professor George Lewith, professor of health research at Southampton University, said: ‘Evidence for the efficacy of herbal medicines is growing; they may offer cheap, safe and effective approaches for many common complaints.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1382135/Herbal-medicines-banned-EU-directive-comes-force.html#ixzz1L1UPR5nR

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ASTRIDESTELLA'S PHILOSOPHY JOY AND PAIN TWO SIDES OF ONE COIN

To understand Joy we need first to experience pain

Finding this story on the face of it I can see the benefit for some real bad memories but if you debate on this issue I feel it could become over used and dangerous. Trauma, mistakes and experiences even bad experiences are learning experiences. I am not looking for sympathy here far from it but I and many others have gone through trauma and come out the other side. And when you do go through something dreadful, you don't forget it ever, the memories are still there but it doesn't hurt anymore, its just a memory and its a memory that has taught us something. Pain is a necessary part of life for without it, how would we appreciate happiness and joy and relief. There are many therapies that can help cope with painful memories and trauma and ease the pain but we don't need to forget them. Its all those experiences that make us who we are.

Erase painful memories: Scientific breakthrough could let us delete trauma from our minds

End of trauma? Scientists have discovered a link between a protein called PKM and our recollection of disturbing events

All of us have wanted to erase a painful memory at some point.
Now scientists claim they are on the verge of a breakthrough after finding a way to potentially delete trauma from our minds.
They have discovered a link between a protein called PKM and our recollection of disturbing events.
Their study, published in the Journal of Neuroscience, could have profound implications for war veterans, the victims of violent crimes and those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lead researcher David Glanzman, from the University of California, Los Angeles, said: 'I think we will be able to alter memories someday to reduce the trauma from our brains.
'Not in the immediate future, but I think we will be able to go into one's brain, identify the location of the memory of a traumatic experience and try to dampen it down.
'We can do this in culture, and there is no essential difference between the synapse in culture and the synapse in your brain.'
Professor Glanzman, a cellular neuroscientist, and his team reported that they have eliminated, or at least substantially weakened, a long-term memory in both the marine snail known as Aplysia and neurons in a Petri dish.
The researchers said they have gained important insights into the cell biology of long-term memory.

They discovered that the long-term memory for sensitisation in the marine snail can be erased by inhibiting the activity of PKM, a protein associated with memory.
The research could also help treat drug addiction, in which memory plays an important role, and perhaps Alzheimer's disease and other long-term memory disorders.

Researchers claim they have eliminated, or at least substantially weakened, a long-term memory in both a marine snail and neurons within a Petri dish

The researchers studied PKM in the marine snail, which has simple forms of learning and a simple nervous system, so that they could understand in precise detail how PKM's activity maintains a long-term memory, a process that is not well understood.
They looked at a simple kind of memory called sensitisation. If marine snails are attacked by a predator, the attack heightens their sensitivity to environmental stimuli - a 'fundamental form of learning that is necessary for survival and is very robust in the marine snail,' Professor Glanzman said.
They succeeded in erasing a long-term memory, both in the snail itself and in the circuit in the dish.
The researchers are the first to show that long-term memory can be erased at a connection between just two neurons.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1381802/Erase-painful-memories-Scientific-breakthrough-let-delete-trauma-minds.html#ixzz1KwB6wGF6

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HOW STRESS AFFECTS US IT CAN MAKE US FAT

 I came across this article and since this is a Holistic and well being site, it seemed only appropriate. As I have written before and it also mentions in here, stress is fine short term and the effects of short term stress will do us no harm, it's the effects of long term stress that is detrimental. The problem too with junk foods is that as well as being high calorie, high in salt, high in fat and low in fiber, they also contain many additives which in themselves are addictive. One example is MSG monosodium glutamate research has suggested it has a detrimental effect on the pancreas by tripling the amount of insulin it produces. So if long term stress causes some to crave sweet and fatty foods, the chances are they are also laced with MSG, this therefore will compound the effects.

High stress levels can make you fat, researchers claim

By Fiona Macrae
Last updated at 8:11 AM on 10th May 2010
Forget that punishing exercise regime or elaborate diet.
The key to losing weight could be as simple as putting your feet up and relaxing.
Scientists have found a gene that makes us crave sweet and fatty foods and pile on the pounds when under stress.
The 'comfort eating gene' has also been linked to type 2 diabetes - the form of the disease that usually occurs in middle-age and is related to obesity.

Weight problem: Stress activates a gene which affects the metabolism and contributes to our cravings for sweet, fatty foods, according to a new study

It is hoped that studying the gene will lead to new diabetes drugs as well as weight loss pills.
But it seems finding time to relax could also do us the power of good.
Researcher Dr Alon Chen set out to find out why so many people reach for the biscuit tin when under pressure at home or at work.
In studies on mice, he pinpointed a gene that pumps out a protein called Ucn3 at times of stress.

 

Produced in the brain, the protein has profound effects throughout the body, affecting organs including the heart, muscles, liver and pancreas.

It increases appetite and affects how full we feel as well as the way the body uses insulin, a hormone crucial in the processing of sugar into energy.
Mice that were made to make more Ucn3 than usual began to show the first signs of diabetes, the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reports.
Ucn3 also seems to trigger a taste for sugary and fatty foods - providing the body and brain with extra fuel when under extreme stress.
But when the system is constantly activated by everyday stresses and strains, we can become fat and ill.
Dr Chen, of the Weizmann Institute-in Israel, said: 'Stress is good when you have to cope with an event, like when you meet a lion.
'Your metabolism is changing, you consume more sugars and more glucose goes to the muscles to help you escape the lion.
'But the stress response needs to be a tightly-regulated system. The
genes need to kick in at the right time. If they are not working properly it can lead to psychiatric and metabolic disorders.'
Drugs that target the 'comfort eating gene' or the Ucn3 protein could help prevent diabetes and keep weight down.
Previous work by British researchers has shown that almost two-thirds of people in the UK carry other 'junk food genes' that cause them to crave fatty and sugary foods.
Those with the genetic flaw eat 100 calories more at each meal - the equivalent of a Kit Kat or a bag of Wotsits.
Over the course of a week, that amounts to an extra 2,100 calories - or an extra day's food.
The findings, by researchers at Dundee University, help explain why some people find it hard to resist fast food - and why some diets are doomed to fail.
Britons are also the world's worst junk food addicts, beating even the Americans in their appetite for fat and sugar-laden snacks.
Figures show the average adult in this country eats just over three portions of fruit and vegetables a day and will get through 22,000 ready-meals, sandwiches and sweet snacks in a lifetime - little short of one a day.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1273866/High-stress-levels-make-fat-researchers-claim.html#ixzz1KqnHbqDh

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SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY~THE PAST IS GONE

The past is gone. Whatever mistakes you have made you must forget. You come into your world to make mistakes and to learn from them. Forget the past. It is the present that matter. Philosophy of Silver Birch pp137

See every day as a clean sheet, you cannot relive the past. None of us on Earth are perfect for if we were, there would be no need for us to be here. Nor should you worry too much about the future. If you spend time worrying what might happen you will miss out on what is happening at this moment in

time. It is the present you are in control of, it is the present you can change.




A BIGGER PICTURE

I wish I had a magic wand
To make things right that are wrong
I'd change so much I dearly would
And bestow happiness if I could
But life is not fair, its not meant to be
For the lessons in life we would not see
We are here on Earth to be educated
Not in academia  but compassion and empathy it's fated
To understand we have to see the other's side
To feel and experience and from pain we cannot hide
It's only through experience we can learn
Even though we wish for better that we yearn
We have to look at life from a different view
And know each lifetime will be different too
Some will be joyful and in that we should relish
To see through the tough times that will be hellish
Remember this there is no magic wand
No fairy dust, nor magic spells to change whats wrong
That doesn't mean things wont change
And to you this philosophy might seem strange
But for all souls there is retribution and compensation
Hold on to that thought and make it you life's mission
No experience is wasted but cleverly crafted and designed
This lifetime you are on is but a grain of sand
Within a bigger picture  to be viewed
To enrich and educate that soul within you

MPB ©

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AYURVEDIC MEDICINE Cayenne pepper suppressed the appetites of those who rarely consumed the spice (Funny this is not new!)

Having come across this article today it does not surprise me one only has to look at Ayurvedic medicine to understand why. There are three different constitutional types or doshas known as Vata, Pitta and Kapha. If you take note of the Kapha constitutional type, these types tend to be very sluggish, everything about them tends to be slow, so to balance this dosha, more heat and fire is needed, so can you see how Cayenne would work. Ayurvedic Medicine has been around from ancient times, so this story is not new Ayurvedic practioners have known this for centuries. Funny how things have come full circle so to speak

The Vata Type

• Vata types tend to be fast, wiry and creative types.
  
• The Vata's primary organ is the colon.
  
• You need routine in your life to ground your moving energy.
  
• Travel, especially air travel, can imbalance a Vata.
  
• Vatas are aggravated by cold, frozen or dried foods.
  

In order to be balanced, you need to eat foods that warm you, avoiding extreme cold, raw and frozen foods. Moist rather than dry foods are also recommended.

Maintaining a regular routine is important.

The Pitta Type

• Pitta types are determined and strong willed with good digestion.
• The Pitta's primary organs are the small intestine and stomach.
• Pittas tend to be hot, oily, and light.
• Pitta is associated with the fire element, and tend to have a fiery quality.
• When a Pitta becomes imbalanced, he or she may notice skin rashes, burning, inflammation, fever, ulcers, anger, jealousy, copious urine.

In order to be balanced, Pittas should remain cool, avoiding excess heat, steam or humidity.
They should also avoid excessively oily food or fried foods as well as caffeine, alcohol, red meat, hot spices, or salt, choosing instead to eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains.

Pitta types should also try to get plenty of fresh air. Expression of emotions is also important.


The Kapha Type

• Kapha types have good endurance, strength and stamina.
  
• Although it is easy for you to follow routine, it is healthier for you to periodically break from routine.
  
• You tend toward inertia and tend to attach to people or things.
  
• Food and security are important to you.
  
• The primary organ is the chest.
  
• Kapha is often correlated with the production of mucus.
  
• Kapha types have a tendency towards congestion, sinusitis, sluggishness, weight gain, diabetes or water retention.
  

In order to be balanced, Kaphas should be physically active, consume little fried or fatty foods, avoid icy drinks, sweets or excessive amounts of bread. They should enjoy plenty of fresh vegetables.

Kapha types should allow excitement, change and challenge to become a regular part of their lives.


KAPHA
Balancing Foods
Fruit - Apples, Apricots, Berries, Cherries, Cranberries, Dried Figs, Mango, Peaches, Pears, Pomegranate, Prunes, Raisins. Sweet fruits such as bananas and dates are aggravating, as are sour fruits such as lemons, sour oranges and grapefruit.

Balancing Foods
Vegetables - Asparagus, Beets, Beet Greens, Bell Pepper, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Eggplant, Garlic, Green Beans, Horseradish, Leafy Greens, Leeks, Lettuce, Mushrooms, Okra, Onions, Parsley, Peas, Peppers, Potatoes, Spinach, Sprouts, Turnips, Watercress. Raw, pungent and bitter vegetables are balancing. Sweet, juicy vegetables are aggravating.

Grains - Amaranth, Barley, Buckwheat, Corn, Granola, Millet, Oats, Oat Bran, Quinoa, Basmati Rice, Rice Cakes, Rye and Wheat Bran are balancing. Cooked Oats, Brown or White Rice, and Wheat are imbalancing.

Legumes and Nuts - Adzuki beans, Black-Eyed Peas, Chickpeas, Flaxseeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Sunflower Seeds, Lima Beans, Navy Beans, Pinto Beans, Red Lentils, Split Peas, White Beans are balancing. Almonds, Brazil Nuts, Cashew, Coconut, Macadamia Nuts, Peanuts, Pecans, Pine Nuts, Pistachios, Psyllium, Sesame, Black lentils, Mung Beans, KIdney Beans, Lentils, Soy Beans, Tempeh, Walnuts and Tofu are imbalancing.

Meat - Chicken dark meat, Turkey dark meat, eggs are balancing. Beef, Duck, Freshwater Fish, Lamb, Pork, Seafood, Shrimp, and Venison are aggravating.

Herbs, Spices and Condiments - allspice, Anise, Basil, Black Pepper, Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne, Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Dill, Fenugreek, Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Mint, Mustard Seeds, Nutmeg, Onion, Oregano, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Poppy Seeds, Rosemary, Sage, Spearmint, Star Anise, Tarragon, Thyme, Turmeric, Wintergreen are balancing.

Dairy - Ghee, Goats Milk and Diluted Yogurt (diluted 1:4 yogurt:water) are balancing. Butter, Cheese, Buttermilk, Cow's Milk, Ice Cream, Sour Cream and Yogurt are aggravating.
 


Cayenne pepper suppressed the appetites of those who rarely consumed the spice
Spicing up a daily diet with a sprinkling of chopped-up chilli peppers could help weight-watchers to curb their appetites.
Researchers from Purdue University, in Indiana, found that capsaicin, which gives peppers their heat, can reduce hunger and increase energy expenditure.

Red hot: Capsaicin is particularly effective at curbing the appetite in those who don't regularly eat chillis

'We found that consuming red pepper can help manage appetite and burn more calories after a meal, especially for individuals who do not consume the spice regularly,' said Professor Richard Mattes.
'Dietary changes that don't require great effort to implement, like sprinkling red pepper on your meal, may be sustainable and beneficial in the long run, especially when paired with exercise and healthy eating.'
The study, published in Physiology & Behaviour, measured the effects of the spice in half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper - an amount most people could manage.
Other studies have looked at consuming capsaicin via a capsule, but the latest study demonstrated that actually tasting the red pepper may optimise its effects.
Professor Mattes said the sensory experience of eating a chilli maximises the digestive process.

'That burn in your mouth is responsible for that effect,' he said.
'It turns out you get a more robust effect if you include the sensory part because the burn contributes to a rise in body temperature, energy expenditure and appetite control.'

This study used ordinary dried, ground cayenne red pepper. Cayenne is a chili pepper, which is among the most commonly consumed spices in the world. Most, but not all, chili peppers contain capsaicin.
Twenty-five healthy weight people - 13 who liked spicy food and 12 who did not - participated in the six-week study.
The preferred level of pepper for each group was determined in advance, and those who did not like red pepper preferred 0.3g compared to regular spice users who preferred 1.8g.
In general, red pepper consumption did increase core body temperature and burn more calories through natural energy expenditure.
The study found that those who did not regularly eat chillis also experienced a decrease of hunger, especially for fatty, salty and sweet foods.
'The appetite responses were different between those who liked red pepper and those who did not, suggesting that when the stimulus is unfamiliar it has a greater effect,' the authors said.
'Once it becomes familiar to people, it loses its efficacy.'
The authors said previous studies failed to account for individual differences in liking the burn of chili peppers, which could explain why their results varied on capsaicin's impact on appetite suppression.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1380636/Weight-watchers-A-sprinkling-red-chilli-peppers-dinner-keeps-hunger-pangs-bay.html#ixzz1KeudgF4w

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TAROT "THE SUN"

"THE SUN" HAPPY TIMES ARE COMING.

When this card appears in a reading it often denotes a period when things in the querient's life are becoming more settled. In a reading, the card of Apollo the sun god in the picture signifies a time of clarity, optimism and renewed trust. Its a time for moving forward and not looking back. It is a card also to trust your gut instincts and know that everything will be ok. If this card appears in a reading where the other cards are not so positive, it will neutralise their effects. All in all a wonderful card to show up, for its saying everything will be ok.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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NEW DEPRESSION TREATMENT

The reason I have included this story in my blog today is, this blog is about WELL BEING and not totally devoted to psychic subjects and Wicca and the spiritual aspects of our lives. I believe well being and beauty come from within therefore I take the Holistic approach.

I have been saying for years that there is no shame to suffering from depression for too long this complaint has a stigma and their are many causes BUT what is clear depression is no different from suffering any other physical ailment, such as diabetes, thyroid toxicosis etc. where there is a hormonal/chemical imbalance as this article below demonstrates. 

For those who suffer depression, it is not all in your mind and it is also down right cruel to have someone tell you to pull yourself together, its akin to have someone tell someone with a broken leg to shut up and heal the leg yourself.

I am all for more research into this field, we don't know enough about the complexities of the brain but what is coming out of research so far is this: "ITS NOT ALL IN THE MIND". So if I can publicise and enlighten a few more ignorant people about depression I will do.

The nasal spray that can tackle depression in just two hours

Some of the chemicals in the nose spray are thought to be involved in how the brain regulates behaviour and mood

A nasal spray could be a new way to tackle depression and anxiety.
The spray, based on a natural brain chemical, could be effective within two hours, compared to several days for some of the most widely used antidepressant drugs.
The liquid is released at the top of the nose and is designed to penetrate the brain areas involved in mood.
A clinical trial is now under way looking at the feasibility of the treatment.
Researchers say future studies could look at the effects of the brain chemical in patients with other psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.
It is estimated that one in four women and one in ten men will require treatment for depression at some time in their lives.
One of the downsides of antidepressant pills is that they can take a long time to work — between two and eight weeks.
In a new trial at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, researchers are investigating the use of a nose spray containing a brain chemical called neuropeptide.
These are chemicals used by nerve cells in the brain to communicate with each other.
Some of the chemicals, and one in particular — neuropeptide Y — is thought to be involved in how the brain regulates behaviour and mood.
This compound is the most abundant peptide in the human brain, and is found in nerve fibres alongside another chemical called norepinephrine, which is thought to be involved in regulating mood and anxiety.
Previous research has also shown that stress leads to the release of the chemical, and a recent study by University of Michigan researchers, published in the Archives of General Psychiatry, found that people who have a genetic predisposition to have low neuropeptide levels may be at higher risk of developing depression.

It is estimated that one in four women and one in ten men will require treatment for depression at some time in their lives

But though research has suggested neuropeptide Y may be effective for treating psychiatric disorders, there have been problems in moving the compound into the brain. This is mainly because it is a large molecule, and has difficulty passing through the blood-brain barrier which protects the brain from potentially harmful compounds in the blood.
However, nasal sprays can overcome this problem.
The upper part of the nose is like a back door into the brain because the nerves involved in smell provide a pathway straight into the central nervous system.
The new trial, which involves 15 volunteers aged 25 to 45, is designed to investigate how well the spray and neuropeptide Y work in the brain, and the effects will be compared with a placebo.
Researchers, who expect results in about two months, use an extra-powerful device to get the liquid as high as possible in the nose, into the area at the very top which is rich in nerves used for detecting smells.
Commenting on the research, a spokesperson from mental health charity Mind says: ‘This research is at an early stage and it remains to be seen whether this trial will lead to a new treatment.
‘It is important to recognise that alternative approaches to antidepressants, such as talking therapies and exercise, can also have positive results.’

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1380588/The-nasal-spray-tackle-depression-just-hours.html#ixzz1KcWm2NIH

Maggie Brown (Author)

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POSITIVE THINKING AND AFFIRMINATIONS

POSITIVE THINKING AND AFFIRMATIONS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

 

The benefit of positive thinking has been proven through much research. What Affirmations do are to consciously harness the power of positive thinking and direct it to specific areas of your life that need attention or where you want to bring about change. 

 

Affirmations work and can really transform your life!

Affirmations and positive thinking are very powerful tools that can bring about healing and change. However negative thoughts are just as powerful and can be very self-destructive. Although we have no control over all what goes on in the world and certain aspects of our lives, we do have control over the way we interpret and how we deal to it.

"The thoughts we think and the words we speak create our experiences"

You experience your interpretation as an internal dialogue. Thoughts, judgements and feelings are ceaselessly swirling through your mind. Thoughts like: I like this; I don't like that; I am afraid of this; I am unsure about him/her. This internal dialogue is not random, it is generated from a deep level by your beliefs and assumptions which have been formed and accumulated from the time you were born. It is worth remembering that a lot of these assumptions and beliefs were formulated as a child and have never been re-examined and therefore may be highly inappropriate to you as an adult or just simply wrong. When someone's interpretation changes, a change subsequently takes place in their reality. Thus we can make big changes in our lives by changing our thinking. We can start simply with positive thinking and Affirmations and then go further with Neuro Linguistic Programming.

The first step is being aware, being aware of how we are thinking, it is then we can change old patterns and mind set.

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is  therapy  which seeks to educate people in self-awareness and effective communication, and to change their patterns of mental and emotional behaviour".

The co-founders, Richard Bandler and linguist John Grinder, believed that NLP would be useful in "finding ways to help people have better, fuller and richer lives".They coined the term "Neuro-Linguistic Programming" to emphasize their belief in a connection between the neurological processes ("neuro"), language ("linguistic") and behavioral patterns that have been learned through experience ("programming") and can be organized to achieve specific goals in life.

It is often noted as a "science of excellence", derived from the study or "modeling" of how successful or outstanding people in different fields obtain their results. Bandler and Grinder claimed that if the effective patterns of behaviour of outstanding therapists (and other exceptional communicators) could be modeled then these patterns could be acquired by others.

Maggie Brown (Author)

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