Most every drug sold today has a safer, natural-based predecessor. That single fact inspired me to write Over-The-Counter Natural Cures. And ever since, readers have been enjoying inexpensive, natural medicine that their doctors would have never been able to tell them about!
For example, pseudoephedrine is an ingredient found in over-the-counter cough syrup. It is a knock-off of the active ingredients found in “Mormon tea.” Naturally-occurring, Mormon tea can be safely used as a cough suppressant. Today however, it’s banned, while pseudoephedrine remains on the shelves of every corner grocery store in America. In 2004, The Annals of Emergency Medicine noted that pseudoephedrine is so damaging to the heart that it can elicit a heart attack among users – even healthy ones.
Aspirin – the drug that your doctor tells you to take EVERYDAY – is a knock-off of the active ingredient found in white willow bark. The side effects of Aspirin are so severe that they can cause a higher death rate relative to the populations who do not take it. Rarely brought to the attention of users, aspirin depletes the body of the essential nutrient folate…White willow bark is virtually unknown yet remains a safe and effective alternative to Aspirin for pain relief and any purported cardiovascular benefits.
The cover-up gets worse…
5,6,7-trihydroxyflavone, an anti-cancer drug used among those who suffer from leukemia, is a knock-off of the active ingredient found in the roots of Chinese skullcap (Scuterllaria baicalensis). Chinese skullcap is a safe and effective natural cancer fighter that induces cell suicide (apoptosis) among leukemia-derived cancer cells. Meanwhile, the prescription knock-off is overtly toxic and has a very low success rate.
Drug companies and medical doctors obfuscate these historical facts. They like patients to think that drugs are intuitively invented out of thin air courtesy of chemistry masterminds. This helps foster the very profitable belief that drugs are the only option for health.
Understanding that natural medicine guides drug development will help you better understand why most people don’t know about “The immortality herb.” …Until now!
I first heard of the immortality herb as a young chemist having an informal talk with senior chemists. Apparently, a new family of natural compounds were being discovered in an herb known as jiaogulan for their ability to increase lifespan.
It was found that the herb could halt 4 known causes of premature aging.
#1 Protect your DNA
One of the most toxic substances produced by the body is O2, technically known as superoxide. It’s deployed by the immune system to kill invading biological nasties and deleteriously produced as a byproduct of cellular energy production, most notably during exercise.
Because superoxide is so toxic, all organisms living with it contain a natural O2 scavenger known as superoxide dismutase. The more you have the slower you age. In 2009, Phytomedicine highlighted research showing that jiaogulan worked to boost the production of the 02 scavenger, thereby protecting the DNA as well as the heart from free radical damage.
#2 Boost Nitric oxide
Nitric oxide improves circulation of nutrients and oxygen among the 100,000 miles of arteries, veins and capillaries. When produced it relaxes the walls so blood flow is increased and blood pressure controlled. In 1999 Vanderbilt University wrote that their research results “demonstrate that jiaogulan stimulates nitric oxide release and that this may be one mechanism whereby this herbal medicine elicits its many therapeutic effects.”
#3 Increase Insulin sensitivity
Today, high insulin is the chief cause behind obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer and you’ve read all my blabber about how insidious it can be when we have too much. To lower it, you must increase your insulin sensitivity. This lowers blood sugar and boosts energy. In 2009, The Journal of Medicinal Food found that jiaogulan increases insulin sensitivity better than the risky, diabetes drug Avandia!
#4 Ensure apoptosis among cancerous cells
In 2007 China Medical University found that the active ingredients in jiaogulan caused an influx of calcium among cancerous cells, causing them to eradicate themselves from the human body in response to jiogolan consumption!
These life extending properties may be new to you, but not to the Chinese…Jiaogulan was First written about in 1406…and still to this day it is used as a soothing tea by anyone who wants to live young.
Here is another way to get fat long term; Feed your face 4-6 times daily (graze). I was convinced at the word “graze” and its instant portrayal of fat farm animals. But this fails to deter fit hopefuls.
The grazing myth grew from the erroneous idea that eating boosts metabolism. And it does. It’s called diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT). I learned about it in 9th grade, along with all the other outdated, simple-minded personal training drab found in muscle magazines. After three meals per day, the metabolic effect of DIT diminishes. Duh. My 5-year old calls it “eating too often.”
With respect to controlling weight, excessive meals only work for people who are severely restricting calories, addicted to exercise, or injecting steroids like a ‘roided out bodybuilder. These three actions counter the fat inflating side effects of “eating too much” because they force the body to compensate via starvation, energy output, or hormones, respectively. But anyone else adhering to the multi-meal myth is doomed, as proven with post-meal blood tests, DNA studies and the real-life outcomes of being better equipped to kick ass athletically.
After a week or two of grazing, the body adapts to meal overload by pumping out the fat storing hormone insulin while simultaneously lowering fat crushing hormones like glucagon, testosterone and human growth hormone (hGH). This is a metabolic nightmare for people who dream about looking good naked.
Starting a career in figure competitions, my wife Lea-Ann and mom of two dabbled in the dogma. She soon learned about weight gain rebound, what bodybuilding cronies refer to as post competition bloat…
In contrast, studies on low meal frequency, where food intake is restricted to about every 5 hours, show that our DNA function is better preserved. The outcome is astounding because it leads to the exact opposite of multi-meal intake – low insulin and high amounts of the fat crushing, muscle building hormones glucagon, testosterone and hGH. And that’s a metabolic dream come true…The benefits can be verified in the real world with positive changes in lean body mass and increased athletic performance.
Applying low meal frequency to her training and supplement protocol, Lea-Ann was able to experience the benefits by winning the Arnold Amateur in 2009, without the nasty rebound. Sticking to the easy-to-follow protocol, she carries the same great physique today, with little sacrifice.
Many have used the minimal-meal principles to transform their physique, fast, like 90 days fast.
They won’t be on the cover of Men’s Health, but that’s not the point. They’re fit, healthy, and their lives no longer revolve around constant weight gain and spiraling health.
To verify the negative outcomes of the multi-meal myth first hand, attend a bodybuilding event where the belief runs deep. Pay attention to the ex-participants.
Scurrying around in tight shirts, rolled up sleeves, and pants that won’t let go of their thighs to save their life, they’re traditionally overweight, especially in the gut and chest area where multi-meal insulin overload “weighs heavy.” It usually gives rise to the spare tire hanging form the waist and “moobs” slung low from the chest, now popularized by famed ‘roider and bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger.
The cultural dogma among the bodybuilding community and its long term side-effect of obesity and accelerated aging is a poignant reminder that muscles and health don’t always go hand in hand, and that small meals throughout the day don’t spark metabolism. Learn more about getting your best body and health in 90 days at http://www.ampmfatloss.com
Holiday weight gain is no joke. Not only do we pack on extra belly fat, but our blood sugar skyrockets, putting us at risk for type II diabetes, cancer and premature aging. The New England Journal of Medicine found that despite post-holiday fat loss efforts, the ill effects of Holiday binging last late into our adult years. Not cool! If you want to offset the health sabotage, here are five holiday tricks to ward off belly fat.
Stop Cravings
First, get your cravings under control. With so many opportunities to feed your pie-hole, your brain is going to be screaming eat, eat, eat. Especially if Aunt Helga is throwing down the fudge, insisting you share the sugary moment. Stifle the urge by supplementing with cayenne and cinnamon after every meal.
Taking cinnamon and cayenne will help you feel fuller longer by igniting a chemical cascade within the brain that helps control hunger hormones, thereby preventing the desire to nibble between meals. Remember, nibbling leads to “jiggling,” around the waste. Thermo FX PM provides cayenne and many other ingredients that support hunger control and digestion. Cinnergy is loaded with cinnamon. (WARNING: This ultra-strong supplement only needs to be taken once per week)
Sleep Like a Drunken Bum
Next, sleep like a drunken bum naturally. Sleep is mandatory if you want to halt day time cravings. And with holiday stress, it can be hard to get the recommended eight to nine hours. Here’s a quick trick that can help you sleep like a drunken bum, naturally: valerian root. This single plant carries a mouthful of sedative compounds like valeric acid, valepotriates, acevaltrate, isovaltrate and valtrate and the smelly, volatile oil containing valerenic acid. In addition to helping us sleep like drunken bums naturally, it has proven to be non- toxic, with absolutely zero addictive properties. For an aggressive, compounded blend of valerian that’s sure to knock you out fast, you can order Serotonin FX, designed by Yours Truly.
The proper way to take valerian as a sleep pill is to swallow it about an hour before your planned bedtime. You’ll want to take valerian root as a whole herb supplement product to get the entire array of naturally occurring, sleep inducing compounds. For extreme problems with sleep, one 500-milligram capsule per 40 lbs of body weight will prove beneficial. (You’ll know if you’re taking too much if you don’t want to crawl out of bed.) As a regular supplement, one 500- milligram capsule per 100lbs of body weight will help increase deep, REM sleep and the health benefits that come with it.
Drink Cola
Third, learn to indulge without “fertilizing the bulge.” In other words, avoid alcoholic beverages, with sugary soda products. Important note: I didn’t say to avoid alcohol all together (unless you’re starring in Rehab, of course). One easy way to do this is to use Zevia brand Cola™ for mixed drinks.
Zevia soda contains zero sugar or artificial sweeteners and tastes great, which allows you to guzzle the soda without filling the junk in the trunk! One of my favorite holiday recipes, using Zevia Cola is the “All American Punch.”
Recipe Ingredients
15 oz. Southern Comfort
12 oz. Soda Water
1 oz. Maraschino Cherry Juice
5 oranges
3 Lemons
12 Cherries
2 Limes
60 oz. ZEVIA Cola
Learn How to Bake Gourmet Treats using 21st Century Sweeteners
If you think the occasional holiday treat won’t hurt you, think again! Our body wasn’t designed to process sugar. Yet, our brain wasn’t designed to say no to it, either. That’s the Catch-22. But, don’t let it get you down! Forget about willpower and let yourself go crazy this holiday. Just make sure your treats are sweetened with “21st Century Sweeteners!” Im not talking about the chemicals like Splenda or aspartame…Im talking about sweeteners that come straight from Mother Nature. Learn how to make gourmet candies with them by using the Carefree Candy Guide to Healthy Indulgences!
This one-of-a-kind guide shows you the HEALTHY treats that taste great. The creators give gives you a hint at what you get to enjoy when you learn these sweet tricks:
- Sink your teeth into a decadent, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate truffle… that’s so rich in antioxidants it can actually turn back the hands of time (Botox in a bon-bon!)
- Crunch into a square of buttery English toffee… that’s jam-packed with a cell-protecting “superfat” that’s been shown to boost weight loss (and even help prevent cancer!)
- Savor “superfood” fudge that’s rich in protein to promote lean, sexy muscle. And go for seconds… because two servings contain less sugar than a quarter of an apple!
- Bite into a chewy candy bar that tastes just like your store-bought favorite… only this one is made with “metabolic power ingredients” that help your body torch off unwanted fat…
And finally, do your best to get some exercise, at least every other day. And make it hurt! On the bleeding edge of scientific understanding is an adaptive response to stress that triggers our “internal pharmacy” to manufacture a “custom drug cocktail,” which alters our biochemistry for better survival. Technically, it’s known as hormesis and it proves, “that which doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger.”
As an organic chemist studying it at the molecular level, hormesis appears to be one of the best ways to control blood sugar and ill-health that follows over eating. But you have to be willing to get out of your comfort zone.
Hormesis was first discovered via “the runners high.” In particular, pain-soothing, euphoria-inducing molecules known as endorphins (and many others) were found to be made by adrenals in response to the stress. A physical transformation ensued thanks to the internally made drug cocktails. Over time, hormesis has shown beneficial in protecting us from diabetes and cancer, just to name a few.
One of the quickest ways to benefit from hormesis is to take part in “proper exercise.” But, let’s face it, most people would rather run from exercise than actually do it. If done correctly, even sparingly, it can ward off type II diabetes thanks to the hormesis phenomenon. But the drug cocktail that confers these benefits can only be obtained via strength training. And you gotta make it hurt…like hell. Use the routines outlined in my Stop Eating So Fucking Much Diet book! Each one has beginner, intermediate and advanced routines, which means EVERYONE can use it!
Studies on hormesis show that when you put your magazine down and get out of the lazy zone at the gym you can force your internal pharmacy to produce a fat melting compound known as glucagon. This is the “I can’t wait to wear a bathing suit” hormone.
When released by the pancreas, glucagon works to lower blood sugar, while activating fat metabolism. As the natural enemy to belly fat, it melts the spare tire hanging around your gut. As glucagon increases, so does the holy grail of all hormones, testosterone. And that means libido and motivation return to their rightful place in the bedroom, rather than being forgotten in the name of aging.
Strength training also gives rise to oxidative stress, not just muscle fatigue. Many pundits shun it for this very reason. But, it’s myopic because hormesis eventually comes to the rescue and releases anti-aging and anti-diabetic compounds from the internal pharmacy. Once mainlined, they shuttle blood sugar into muscle cells, just like insulin. But, unlike insulin they don’t store fat! A biochemical dream for anyone who appreciates getting back into their bikini once summer returns, this allows you to simultaneously build muscle and burn fat, while avoiding oxidative stress.
With a bit of planning, you can enjoy the holidays, without sabotaging your health. Science is on your side. Put it to use and may the summer months be greeted with a new bikini and a smile.
Jennifer, Adrian, Judyl and 3 others are discussing.378Toggle Comments
Amy, 
Lauren, 
Cathy Rivera and one other person are discussing.2041Toggle Comments
Jennifer, 
Adrian, 
Judyl and 3 others are discussing.378Toggle Comments
