In Yogic philosophy, one of the main ways to feel the connection between mind and body is through breathing. Alternate nostril breathing is a powerful technique that can balance, calm, energise the mind. It improves concentration and creates a sense of peace and clarity.

Here is a basic alternate nostril breathing exercise:

1. Sit upright in a comfortable position with your back straight. Place you left hand on your left knee.
2. Bring your right hand to your face, with your index and middle finger placed on your forehead (over your third eye area).
3. Use your thumb to close the right nostril and inhale slowly and consistently through your left nostril. Pause.
4. Close your left nostril with your ring finger. Move your thumb to open your right nostril, and exhale slowly and consistently.
5. Inhale through your right nostril, slowly and consistently. Pause.
6. Close your right nostril, open your left, and exhale through your left nostril, slowly and consistently. Pause before moving onto the right nostril.
7. Repeat this pattern for around 10 cycles. Then, release your right hand and rest it on your right knee. Return to normal breathing.

This exercise improves the connection between both sides of the brain. It reduces feelings of stress and anxiety, lowers heart rate and relieves tension, regulate the cooling and warming cycles of the body, and revitalises your mind.

Our left nostril activates the right side of our brain, and our right nostril activates the left hand side of our brain. To activate one side of your brain more often (if you are significantly dominant in either your left or right brain thinking), you can sleep on the appropriate side of your body to activate the corresponding side of your brain.

Here are two more types of alternate nostril breathing, as described by Dr Prakash C. Malshe in his book A Medical Understanding of Yoga.

Sahita Pranayama

• Inhale through the left nostril, counting up to 16.
• Hold the breath by closing both nostrils, counting up to 64.
• In this time, make a sucking in effort that creates negative pressure inside the chest cavity (uddiyana bandha).
• Then, release the breath through the right nostril, counting up to 32.
• Repeat the process with the other nostril to complete the cycle.

This builds up the anaerobic capacity of holding your breath on inhale.

Suryabhedana Pranayama

• Breathe in fully through the right nostril.
• Then, hold your breath with a lot of effort while maintaining the chin lock (jalandhara bandha).
• Hold your breath for as long as you possibly can.
• When it is time to exhale, do so out of your left nostril, slowly, continuously, and with patience.
• This should be repeated continuously.

This Pranayama is said to extend life and awakening the kundalini as well as increasing heat in the body. The conflict between the urge to breathe and voluntarily suppressing this urge raises our body temperature without the need for shivering.

It is possible to raise your body temperature enough to sweat using this method. It has been studied, and the results showed that participants started sweating after 4 cycles of this procedure (taking about 5 minutes to complete). Their body temperature rose by 2 °F in this time. Where this heat is generated from remains to be investigated because there is apparently no shivering or muscle contraction involved.

There are some advantages to this. Raising your body temperature intentionally can ward off the common cold. Inducing a higher body temperature also provides the correct temperature for immune cells to thrive.

There are also some adverse effects that can arise when we practice this type of breathing. In scientific research on suryabhedana pranayama some participants got cold sores. Herpes bacteria thrives in warmer temperatures. It was also noted that the palms of the hands of some participants grew red after practising this for a few days in a row, and the skin of their palms became dry.

Interestingly, there is no medical treatment available for excessive palm sweating, so in fact suryabhedana pranayama could be a reliable treatment method.

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Did you know we have a nasal cycle? It can help you understand your brain better, determine when you should rest or work, and tell whether your body is functioning at its best.

The Nose

The nose filters the air we breathe, makes it moist, and brings it to body temperature.

The anatomy of both nostrils is the same, and no one would ever think that each nostril would serve different purposes. However we consider it perfectly normal that the different sides of our brains serve different purposes: we understand that the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body and vice versa. We acknowledge that each person has a dominant eye, a dominant hand, and one ear that is more sensitive than the other. So, it is logical to expect a difference between our two nostrils.

Around 80% of people experience a nasal cycle in the congestion of their nostrils, varying from 2-7 hours in length. Also, if you lie down on your side, you will notice that the nostril closest to the surface you are lying on becomes blocked while the other one clears up. The nose deserves more credit and importance than we give it.

The Nasal Cycle

Block one of your nostrils with your finger and breathe through your nose. Now do the same with the other side.

Which nostril had a stronger air flow? That’s the nostril that is currently dominant in your nasal cycle.

When your right nostril is dominant, the left side of your brain is functioning better. Your thinking, reasoning, and learning will be better at these times. Your metabolism and digestion will also be working faster. Things you should do when your right nostril is dominant:

• Reading
• Studying and/or teaching
• Giving speeches, talking in public
• Signing important documents
• Exercising

After you eat, it is a sign of good digestion that your right nostril becomes dominant.

When your left nostril is dominant, the right side of your brain is functioning better. Your creativity and inspiration will be stronger in this case. Have you ever had those times where the information won’t sink in no matter how many times you read it? That’s probably because your left nostril and right brain were dominant. Things you should do when your left nostril is dominant:

• Listening to music
• Meditating
• Creative writing
• Socialising and relaxing
• Drawing or other creative hobbies

It is very rare to have both of your nostrils in equal dominance for any length of time.

Balancing The Nasal Cycle

What’s great is that you can actually control your nasal cycle. For example, if you need your left brain activated so you can think, you’ll need your right nostril to be dominant. Lean to the left and your right nostril will clear naturally. You can even place your hand under your left armpit at the same time because there are certain pressure points that help clear the right nostril.

Sometimes you can even feel the shift between nostrils – especially if you have a blocked nose from a cold.

After eating, leaning to the left or even lying down on your left will aid digestion by making your right nostril dominant. It also makes use of gravity, so that the waste in your body can travel through the colon and encourage a healthy bowel movement. What’s more, lying on your left reduces acid reflux, improves circulation, encourages lymph node drainage, and encourages the movement of cerebrospinal fluid. Sleeping on your left is ideal for all of these reasons.

Our nasal cycle should rotate every few hours from left to right, but for some people one nostril always seems to be more dominant than the other. If our nostrils don’t balance regularly, it’s a sign of an imbalance in our systems. There are some very simple things we can do to restore balance:

• If your right nostril is more dominant, you may find that your mind and/or mind is overactive and you may have trouble sleeping. Fall asleep on your right side when you go to bed.
• If your left nostril is more dominant, you may find that you have trouble concentrating, making decisions, and your digestion may be sluggish. Fall asleep on your left side when you go to bed.

Alternate nostril breathing is also a great way to restore your natural nasal cycle.

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Cerebrospinal fluid plays a vital role in our overall health and well-being. CSF flow can be regulated voluntarily to ensure a healthy brain system. One of these ways is through conscious breathing techniques like Pranayama.

What Is Cerebrospinal Fluid?

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear liquid produced by specialised cells in the brain. The brain produces about 500mL of CSF per day (25mL per hour), but there is only about 125-150mL of CSF in your body at any given time. This is because it is reabsorbed by the body continuously.

Cerebrospinal fluid is found in the membrane surrounding the brain, as well as in the cavities inside your brain and spinal cord (the ventricular system). Cerebrospinal fluid serves multiple purposes:

• Buoyancy – the average brain weighs roughly 1.5kG, but the net weight suspended in CSF is around 50G. This helps the brain maintain its density without damaging itself by its own weight.
• Protection – Cerebrospinal fluid is a shock absorber for the brain. It protects the brain tissue from damage if it is hit.
• Homeostasis – The dynamic balance of internal chemical and physical systems is regulated by CSF. It allows substances to pass between brain cells and the cells that release hormones into the blood (neuroendocrine cells). If homeostasis is disturbed, it can cause problems like dizziness or even damage to the nervous system.
• Clearing waste – Cerebrospinal fluid plays a vital role in the brain’s lymphatic system by removing waste products from the brain. The waste is diffused into CSF, moved from the brain, and reabsorbed (as CSF) by the bloodstream.

How Does CSF Flow Through The Spinal Cord?

Breathing moves CSF through the body thanks to the pressure in the veins of our chest. These veins on the chest vertebrae column (the vertebrae at the same level as your ribs) transmit pressure upwards, to the brain.

When you breathe, the chest rises and falls. This creates a change in pressure that flows upwards to the CSF around the brain. When you breathe in, chest pressure decreases and CSF flows down the spine. When you breathe out, chest pressure increases and CSF flows up the spine into the head.

This means breathing creates a rhythmic CSF flow up and down the spinal cord.

Studies have shown that the deeper or shallower we breathe, directly influences the movement of CSF through the brain. Deeper breathing encourages CSF further up into the brain. There has also been research to show that holding your breath increases CSF flow.

CSF and Health

The movement of CSF is really important to our health. CSF flow decreases with age, which means it can collect impurities and slowly create a toxic environment. This results in impaired brain function like fatigue, depression, cognitive decline, and is possibly linked with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

The research on CSF flow and breathing supports the reported benefits of Pranayama.

What’s more, the activation of the sympathetic nervous system is linked to reduced CSF flow, while parasympathetic activation is associated with increased CSF flow. This goes to show just how effective SOMA breathing techniques are for brain health.

Optimise CSF Flow for Brain Health

This is all about enhancing your body’s natural functions and supporting the health of your brain and body, making it a vital part of achieving balance and wellness. Here are some of the most effective ways to achieve this flow of clean, healthy CSF fluid.

• Yoga – Yoga increases relaxation through conscious stretching, breathing, and mindfulness, promoting CSF circulation.
• Good posture – Correct posture results in optimal alignment of the head and spine, ensuring a proper CSF flow through the system.
• Meditation – Relaxing and focussing on the breath creates a rhythmic CSF flow through the body.
• Exercise – Exercise gets the lymphatic systems pumping, blood circulation going, and CSF flow increases and is more effective.

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Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are classed as polyunsaturated fatty acids.

There are three most nutritionally important omega-3 fatty acids:

• Alpha-linolenic acid
• Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
• Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

Alpha-linolenic acid cannot be created by your body, so it must be made from the food we eat. However, your body then creates EPA and DHA from alpha-linolenic acid – the food we eat is vitally important for this process!

Benefits of a Diet High in Essential Fatty Acids

A diet high in essential fatty acids can:

• Help prevent the growth of cancer cells.
• Reduce inflammation in your body.
• Help prevent blood clots and thrombosis.
• Increase strength and fluidity of your cell membranes.
• Lower bad lipids in your blood such as bad cholesterol and triglycerides.
• Help to inhibit the thickening of arteries and help arteries to relax and dilate.
• Stimulate the secretion of leptin helping your body to respond to insulin that helps regulate food intake body weight and metabolism.
• Help reduce the degeneration and aid the growth and function of healthy nerve and brain cells.
• Help the absorption of fat soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, K

Essential Fatty Acids and Cell Membranes

Every cell in the body is surrounded by a cell membrane, which is formed mainly from fatty acids. The cell membrane serves highly important functions such as allowing the proper amounts of essential nutrients to enter the cell and making sure waste products are quickly removed by the cell. Epigenetics experts such as Dr Bruce Lipton have shown in studies that the cell membrane is the true brain or intelligent center of the cell.

For your cell membrane to have optimum function it must maintain its integrity and fluidity. If this goes, then your cells lose their ability to hold water and vital nutrients. Your cells ability to communicate with other cells becomes greatly diminished too. Scientists have shown how the loss of cell-to-cell communication could actually be a precursor for cancer.

The majority of your cell membrane is made up of fat, which means the integrity and fluidity of your cell membrane is down to the type of fat you eat. Omega-3 fats produce cell membranes with a high level of fluidity, but if you are deficient in them and are consuming more poor quality fats found in processed foods and refined cooking oils, you develop cell membranes that are harder and less fluid.

Many in-vitro studies have shown how the incorporation of Omega-3 fatty acids into cell membranes can prevent and reduce cancer, and even kill cancer cells. They have also shown how the function of a cell can be optimized as a result, whereas poor quality fats lead to the production of weak, poor functioning, and even cancerous cells.

The Importance of Omega-3’s

Omega-3’s are essential for the production of prostaglandins that are powerful hormone like substances. Prostaglandins regulate highly important functions such as inflammation, allergic responses, nerve function, and blood pressure. Prostaglandins also regulate blood clotting, kidney function, digestion, and even the production of other hormones.

Omega-3 fatty acids produce different kinds of prostaglandins from Omega-6 fatty acids, with opposing physiological effects. All types of prostaglandins are considered beneficial, but an imbalance can be caused by eating more than one type of Omega fatty acids. For example, a high consumption of Omega-6 in processed and refined foods can lead to health problems. This is why it is important to have the right ratio of Omega essential fatty acids.

The post Essential Fatty Acids Are a Vital Part of Our Diet appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

Zinc is an essential mineral involved in numerous aspects of cellular metabolism. It is found naturally in many foods such as seafood like crabs and oysters, beef, chicken, almonds, cheese, yoghurt, and peas.

Phytates found in many grains, cereals, and legumes bind to zinc inside the gut and prevent its absorption. Meat provides much higher levels of this essential mineral than vegetables, which means vegetarians and vegans should pay attention to their zinc consumption.

What is Zinc Deficiency?

Zinc deficiency leads to a loss of appetite and impaired immune function. The more severe it gets, zinc deficiency can cause hair loss, diarrhoea, impotence, and eye and skin lesions.

Who Experiences Zinc Deficiency?

Vegetarians are at greatest risk of zinc deficiency, but alcoholics and people with digestive issues and poor stomach acid are also highly at risk. Some side effects of medications can produce zinc deficiency and low levels of almost all essential nutrients. Women who take birth control pills or undergo hormone replacement therapy have a greater risk of zinc deficiency.

Over indulgence in sex and even excessive masturbation – more than 5 times a week – can cause serious zinc deficiency, as the sexual fluids in both men and women are high in this essential mineral. Just the very act of ejaculation uses up a lot of zinc as so much energy is required in the process. Zinc is also heavily involved in the natural production of dopamine, and you get a surge of dopamine release during sex and ejaculation.

What is the Opposite of Zinc Deficiency?

Optimum zinc levels have the following benefits:

Improved athletic performance 

Having optimum zinc levels in the body helps boost the production of the three most important anabolic hormones: testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). You need these to develop good muscle tone and strong bones.

Supports reproductive health 

Low zinc in men impairs testosterone production, puts them at risk for developing prostate cancer, and causes infertility. Zinc deficiency has also been linked to low libido. If women are zinc deficient, the egg won’t mature properly and ovulation will be affected, causing infertility. Adequate zinc allows women to use estrogen and progesterone more efficiently, supporting reproductive health and ensuring that estrogen does what it’s supposed to do in the body.

Prevents cancer and boosts the immune system

Evidence links zinc deficiency to cancers of the breast, colon, ovaries, lungs, skin, and leukemia. Zinc deficiency affects the immune system because low zinc causes disrupted T-cell function. T-cells elevate the body’s immune system when viruses, bacteria, or challenges to health arise. Older people are at greater risk of zinc deficiency and there’s strong evidence that a need for more zinc may increase with age to counter inflammation, support the immune system, and ensure healthy cell function.

Improved cardiovascular health

Zinc deficiency leads to high cholesterol buildup and inflammation.

Increased insulin sensitivity and prevention of diabetes

Zinc is needed for the healthy function of most hormones, including insulin. Zinc actually plays a major role in the healthy functioning of insulin. Inadequate zinc levels can often lead to diabetes.

Increased brain health, treating ADHD & depression

Zinc plays an essential role in neurotransmitter function and helps maintain brain structure and health. Zinc is also involved in the formation of healthy cell membranes, especially in your brain. Studies show that children with ADHD tend to have lower zinc than healthy children and supplementation with zinc can help with ADHD symptoms. Dopamine, which zinc is involved with, is an important hormone that boosts energy, mood, and reward-driven learning. Low dopamine levels are linked to depression, and in some cases of depression zinc can be a wonder supplement.

How To Ensure You Get Enough Zinc

You can top up your zinc levels through high quality supplementation, but be aware that there is an upper limit to zinc levels too. Zinc toxicity can lead to immune problems and even infertility, the same as having too little zinc.

The post Zinc and Zinc Deficiency appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

In this blog post, I will go through the importance of coffee in your daily routine. Trust me; you won’t feel guilty about drinking too much coffee after reading this!

Coffee is one of the world’s most consumed beverages–right after water and tea.

Most people cannot function properly before they’ve had their first cup of coffee in the morning! We meet friends over coffee, have business meetings, and even go to a coffee shop on the first date.

Some people also like to work at a cafe while enjoying their favorite beverage!

Coffee is fantastic for your body and has many health benefits–it helps to increase your concentration, works as an antioxidant, has nootropic properties, etc. The benefits are endless!

But, only when it’s of high quality.

Drinking Coffee Has More Health Benefits Than You Might Think…

In this section of the blog post, I want to go through some of the health benefits of coffee that you might not know about.

Let’s get started.

It’s a Good Source of Antioxidants

Did you know that coffee has higher antioxidant activity than cocoa or tea?

Coffee doesn’t get its due recognition when it comes to antioxidants. In fact, scientists were able to find more than 1,000 antioxidants in coffee beans! It gets even better when more antioxidants develop when the coffee beans are roasted.

It Can Help You Have an Awesome Workout Session

If you like working out and living a healthy lifestyle, coffee is amazing for you!

Caffeine is one ingredient that most pre-workout formulas contain—along with loads of sugar which isn’t good for your health. Coffee can help you boost your performance at the gym or in the field while pumping your body with antioxidants.

A recent study has confirmed that as much as 500 mg of caffeine per se—which equals to about five cups of coffee, doesn’t dehydrate you.

So, drink up!

Coffee Boosts Your Cognitive Performance

If you go to school or work for long hours, coffee is something that you might need to survive!

One hundred milligrams of caffeine, or one cup of coffee, is more than enough to give your short-term memory a boost. In addition to that, coffee also helps keep you protected against cognitive decline.

In fact, in a Finnish study, researchers found that having three to five cups of coffee a day decreases your risk of developing Alzheimer’s and dementia later in life by 65%!

Coffee Helps You Live Longer

What if I told you that a cup of coffee could help you live longer?

In a study conducted by Veronica W. Setiawan published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, researchers found that people who drink as little as one cup of coffee a day have a 12% lower risk of death from stroke, heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, diabetes, and kidney disease.

For people who like to have three cups of coffee a day, the risk was 18% lower!

Isn’t that amazing?

This would come as a surprise to people who think that coffee is bad for their health and are trying to cut back on their consumption.

Drinking coffee has often been associated with stunt growth, heartburn, stomach ulcers, heart disease, etc.

But, what most people fail to take into account is the fact that all the harmful side effects that they associate with coffee, in general, are side effects of drinking low-quality coffee.

Are You Drinking Low-Quality Coffee?

Do you get jitters after having some coffee?

Does coffee give you an upset stomach?

Do you experience headaches, brain fog, and energy crashes after drinking coffee?

If your answer to any of the questions was ‘yes’ then, I’m afraid, that you’ve been drinking some low-quality, chemical-laden coffee.

More than half of the adults in the United States drink coffee daily.

So, there is a lot of demand for coffee in the market. It is a product that sells like hotcakes!

Coffee manufacturers take advantage of this demand and bring out products doused with chemicals, made of substandard beans on the shelves.

Low-Quality Coffee Is Laden With Chemicals and Pesticides

If you’re consuming something that’s coated with chemicals and pesticides, you probably will develop serious diseases and conditions in time.

Most coffee companies on the market purchase their beans from places that have low environmental regulations so that they can make maximum profit.

The Coffee Might Be Mouldy

Coffee beans undergo a long journey before they make it to your cup. During storage and transportation, most coffee beans develop mold, thanks to the sub-optimal harvesting and transportation of the berry.

The Coffee is Often Charred

You might think that coffee companies throw away the moldy beans.

Unfortunately, you’re wrong. Instead, they char the coffee so that you can’t taste the chemicals or mold! The burnt taste of coffee that you’re probably used to by now is a sign of there being carcinogens in it!

The Coffee Has Lost Most of Its Nutrients By The Time It Reaches Your Cup

It only takes two weeks for the process of oxidation to begin. The oxygen in the air starts to react with the oils and other solubles in the coffee while sitting on the shelves of your local grocery store.

Since a pack of coffee stays on the shelves for an average of four months, by the time the bag of coffee reaches your pantry, most of its tastes and nutrients have been destroyed!

Organic Coffee Is Good for You!

I’ve gone into detail about the benefits of organic coffee in an earlier article. You can read it here.

Organic coffee isn’t sprayed with carcinogenic pesticides and chemicals. This means that the health benefits of drinking coffee are amplified when you choose organic coffee over the conventional one.

But, not all organic coffees on the market are the same.

Most organic coffee brands mass-produce their beans. This means that not only do the coffee beans don’t get the nutrients they need from the soil; they might also be defective and of low-quality beans.

In addition to that, most coffee beans also show signs of insect damage!

In Conclusion: The Importance of Coffee in Your Daily Routine

A cup of coffee a day keeps a lot of health problems at bay.

Coffee has a bad name in the health industry, thanks to all the low-quality coffee available on the market.

However, coffee has some serious health benefits for your body, so we can’t stress the importance of coffee in your daily routine enough! By just drinking one cup of coffee a day, you reduce your chances of getting life-threatening diseases and even increase your mortality!

But, keep in mind, to enjoy all of the benefits of coffee, you must get high-quality coffee such as Kion coffee, which is organic, contains double the antioxidants than your regular coffee, and is completely free of mold and mycotoxin.

Do you have any questions? Let us know in the comments.

The post The Importance of Coffee in Your Daily Routine appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

There are a wide variety of leaky gut supplements and foods that may help alleviate the symptoms. But first, let’s take a look at how leaky gut syndrome begins.

The main function of the digestive system is to break down food and absorb it into the body. In turn, you can use these foods and nutrients for energy and other processes throughout the body.

Normally this whole digestive process goes fairly smoothly. But in some cases, certain substances like medication or alcohol, or specific food types cause leakage. Essentially, this disrupts the normal functioning of your gut lining. It means toxins, bacteria, and other substances can easily enter the bloodstream of the body.

This is often referred to as a leaky gut. And when these substances enter the bloodstream, they can lead to widespread inflammation, fatigue, bloating, joint pain, and other adverse health reactions.

How Does Leaky Gut Syndrome Start?

What exactly causes leaky gut syndrome is a bit of a mystery. Although, researchers and doctors tend to agree that it most commonly arises from an autoimmune condition, such as celiac disease or type 1 diabetes. It’s thought that the intestinal lining becomes damaged causing increased permeability of the intestinal wall. Consequently, an array of substances pass through it, creating even more issues.

Experts also believe it may occur from chronic stress, smoking, a high alcohol consumption, processed foods, and other chemicals that throw the body into an imbalanced or stressed state. Inflammation is usually a critical marker in leaky gut syndrome, and anything that causes inflammation throughout the body has the potential to impact the gut as well.

So, how can you fix your leaky gut problem? Leaky gut supplements and foods may promote a healthier gut, reducing your leaky gut issues and symptoms.

Food & Supplements for a Healthier Gut

What should you eat? Are there specific leaky gut supplements you should try? While what works for one person may not work for the next, there are a variety of foods and supplements you can consume to try to relieve your leaky gut. Let’s dive in!

1. Probiotics

Eat your probiotics has been said enough times but… we’ll say it again. Eat your probiotics! Probiotics are frequently found in yogurts and kombucha. Yet, probiotics also can be found in supplement form.

The theory goes that probiotics help maintain gut bacteria. In other words, they help promote a healthy gut by balancing the good and bad bacteria that aid in digestion. Through this, they help regulate your digestion and reduce gas, bloating, and other digestive problems.

2. Glutamine

Glutamine is an essential amino acid. However, it also works to repair the intestinal wall and lining. So, you probably know where we’re going with this. By repairing the intestinal wall and lining, glutamine may help solve your leaky gut issues. And it may even help regain regular glutamine levels since stress actually depletes this amino acid in the body. Out of all the leaky gut supplements, this one is kind of a win-win. Try it out! See if it works for you.

3. Bone Broth

This is an easy one to start including in your diet. Need a base for your soup? Use bone broth! You can also choose to make your own as opposed to buying it. But the choice is entirely up to you.

Bone broth includes certain compounds that promote gut healing and reduce inflammation. It’s also rich in an abundant of other nutrients, so why not give it a try?

4. Enzyme Supplements

Yes, you can buy leaky gut supplements that contain enzymes. You can purchase these at your local pharmacy. Digestive enzymes, like protease, lactase, amylase, and lipase, help breakdown the food you eat. In turn, they help reduce inflammation in your gut. Try taking these supplements alongside either lunch or dinner. They may help!

5. Colostrum Supplements

If you’re a mom, you’ll know all about colostrum. Colostrum is essentially the first form of milk produced by the breasts. It provides essential nutrients to newborns. And research is starting to support colostrum in supplement form. But don’t worry – the kind of colostrum in supplements is derived from cows.

And colostrum supplements have an array of benefits. They reduce inflammation, support a healthy gut, improve your immune function, and contribute to strong bones, muscles, and other tissue. Basically, on top of healing your leaky gut problems, you also get benefits that optimize your health. Who wouldn’t want that?

If you’re unsure what kind of colostrum supplements you should try, go for colostrum powder supplement.

6. Licorice Root

Licorice root in supplement form may help maintain and support the intestinal lining. If nothing else is working, it’s worth a shot. But there are some precautions around taking this supplement in large quantities. It may cause high blood pressure or edema when taking in too high amounts.

7. Collagen Powder

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body. It’s found in almost every tissue. And like other leaky gut supplements, it can definitely help improve your gut health. It aids in the production of juices in the digestive tract that contributes to proper digestion. It also may help repair a damaged intestinal lining.

Are You Ready to Heal Your Leaky Gut Problems for Good?

Gut issues aren’t fun. If you’re experiencing a leaky gut, you may further choose to try our Leaky Gut Protocol. It’s a free course for anyone who wants to heal their gut problems. You may also choose to consume the above leaky gut supplements and food choices. Find your balance, and finally restore and heal your gut. It’s entirely worth it.

The post Leaky Gut Supplements to Heal Yourself Fast appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

Psoriasis, an auto-immune skin condition, affects over 125 million people worldwide in its different forms. There are several types of psoriasis, all linked to one common issue – an underlying problem in your immune system that, when triggered by a mistaken response to otherwise harmless molecules and nutrients, causes a protective response where cells to grow too rapidly on the skin’s surface, causing a painful, dense layer.

Types of Psoriasis

There are several types of psoriasis:

• Plaque psoriasis – This is the most common type, where flare-ups cause silvery scale-covered lesions anywhere on the body, including inside the mouth.

• Nail psoriasis – This type affects fingernails and toenails, causing abnormal growth, loss of nails and crumbling nails.

• Guttate psoriasis – This is generally found in young adults and children and can be triggered by a bacterial infection, and the scaled lesions are not as severe as with other types of psoriasis.

• Inverse psoriasis – Typically affecting areas like the groin or armpits, this type of psoriasis can be triggered by a fungal infection.

• Erythrodermic psoriasis – This is the most uncommon form of the condition and can affect the entire body.

The symptoms of this condition can be severely painful and make most aspects of daily life a challenge. Typically, patients are put on an intensive drug regime to try manage flare-ups, but this often has limited success. Patients are regularly prescribed topical retinoids (steroid creams), calcineurin inhibitors, salicylic acid and other powerful immune-altering drugs that aren’t safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Ayurveda and Turmeric – Evidence-Based Psoriasis Treatment

But we have some good news – turmeric for psoriasis has been shown to have a very powerful effect on psoriasis flare-ups. Turmeric, an aromatic spice that is a relative of the ginger plant, contains curcumin, the active ingredient with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that studies have shown to provide relief from psoriasis.

While science is catching up on the benefits of turmeric, it’s been a part of healing and treatment plans for thousands of years as part of ayurvedic medicine, a type of holistic traditional healing that originates in India and focuses on whole-body healing through natural remedies, meditation, mindfulness and achieving balance.

In this practice, turmeric is often used for the treatment and prevention of serious conditions, including arthritis relief, boosting immune function, treating IBS, reducing cardiovascular complications, treating depression, and even supporting the prevention and treatment of brain conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.

How Turmeric Can Help You

If you want to use turmeric for psoriasis, it can be taken as an oral dose (a supplement, tea or cooking ingredient) or as a topical application (gel or paste) that can be applied to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis.

As an oral supplement, this study on turmeric for psoriasis found that it was highly-effective at treating plaque psoriasis, with an 81% positive response rate in one group and a 30% response in another group, with no ill side-effects.

As a topical application of the curcumin extract found in turmeric, a study by the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that over a 9-week period, patients using the gel had far fewer lesions and enjoyed a far better quality of life. It not only reduced the severity and promoted the healing of lesions, it also reduced flare-ups in general. In 72% of participants, symptoms of psoriasis disappeared completely within 16 weeks of using the gel.

In another study, it was found that curcumin also acts at a molecular level to prevent the spread of psoriasis, thereby halting or reducing more severe outbreaks.

This is because of the unique characteristics of turmeric:

• The antioxidant component that decreases the oxidative stress related to the skin lesions (this stress can lead to flare-ups).

• The anti-inflammatory components that inhibit the production of cytokines (a particular group of proteins) that lead to the flare-ups, essentially reducing the severity of the reaction that leads to the lesions or preventing it entirely. This also relieves itchiness and pain.

• The anti-microbial component that enhances of the skin-barrier function. People with psoriasis are more likely to contract bacterial or fungal infections through the lesions, worsening the condition. The turmeric’s natural anti-microbial, antiviral and anti-fungal components can help prevent these secondary infections. This also promotes the healthy regeneration of skin cells instead of the overdrive that results in painful lesions.

How to Make a Turmeric Paste

This is the easiest way to get the benefits of turmeric if you don’t have easy access to a gel rich in curcumin extract. You can use fresh or powdered turmeric from your local store. All you need to do is:

• Mix one teaspoon of water with one teaspoon of ground turmeric and mix until a paste. If using fresh turmeric, clean and peel the root, then grind in a clean pestle and mortar until it’s in a paste.

• Cover the lesion with a thin layer of the paste and cover with clean gauze. Leave for a few hours or overnight if possible.

• Clean with warm water. It’s important to know that turmeric is a strong natural dye that will turn your skin yellow, so be careful to avoid it touching your clothes or fabric.

Combine Turmeric for Psoriasis with Our Leaky Gut Protocol to Get the Most Benefit

Leaky gut syndrome is another autoimmune condition that is often linked to psoriasis. In this condition, your intestines are unable to properly control their digestive and waste processes, as tiny particles and nutrients leak out into the body’s systems through damaged areas of the gut. The body sees these particles as a threat regardless of whether or not they are actually harmful and triggers an immune response that includes inflammation and other painful symptoms.

If you have a leaky gut, this immune response could be triggering your psoriasis flare-ups – especially if you suffer from gluten or other nutritional sensitivities. Without a healthy gut, your body feels under attack at every turn, having a severe effect on your daily life and general health. This can quickly land you in serious trouble and having to take heavy medication for the rest of your life that may not offer the relief you need.

This is what happened to Niraj, who found himself housebound for 10 months, losing a severe amount of weight and facing the options of surgery or trialling a new pharmaceutical drug. As a pharmacist, he decided that bags full of medication were not the answer, so he developed the Leaky Gut Protocol.

How Did Niraj Do It?

Using the principles of ayurvedic medicine, his knowledge as a pharmacist and his passion for finding answers, he developed a program of natural, holistic treatment that not only to reduce his symptoms and their severity, but to eliminate them completely and restore his health.

This was achieved using a combination of colostrum (a superfood used in ayurvedic medicine) to promote healing, high-intensity probiotics to restore healthy gut bacteria (that are critical to combatting disease and supporting general health), a temporary diet free of trigger foods, and a regime of healthy sleep, mindfulness and stress management. No prescription drugs, no surgery and, most importantly, no life-altering surgery.

Instead of endlessly treating symptoms with drugs for the rest of your life, you can focus on fixing the cause of cause of your psoriasis, take charge of your wellness and implement a temporary, holistic and natural process to restore the health of your body as a whole.

To find out more about turmeric for psoriasis and how effective it is when combined with our natural, results-driven leaky gut protocol, contact us today.

The post Turmeric for Psoriasis Alleviates Symptoms appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

Usually upper abdominal pain can be caused by something natural like a pulled muscle but if the pain keeps on persisting then it means there are some underlying issues responsible for the pain.

The upper part of the abdomen houses various important organs, these organs include the pancreas, stomach, spleen, adrenal gland, liver, gallbladder, a part of the small intestine and kidneys. (x)

Visit a doctor for the correct diagnosis and managing your symptoms if the pain doesn’t go away in few days, this could mean it is something serious. (x)

Causes of Upper Abdominal Pain

Pancreatitis

As the name suggests, this is the inflammation of the pancreas. The pancreas is a flat and long gland that is responsible for the digestion and processing of sugar. It is located behind the stomach area and the inflammation of pancreas can cause serious upper abdominal pain.

Some symptoms may be:

• Fever
• Rapid pulse
• Vomiting and nausea
• Chronic pain
• Tender feeling when the abdomen is touched
• Shooting pain after eating
• Upper abdominal pain that shoots to the back

Gastritis

Caused by a bacteria, gastritis is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It can be caused due to excessive use of pain relievers and drinking. Gastritis can cause painful sensation in the upper abdominal area and it gets worse during eating.

Some common symptoms include:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Feeling full after eating (x)

Peptic Ulcer

An ulcer occurs on the inside of the lining of the stomach or in the anterior part of the small intestine.

Like gastritis it can be caused by an increased use of pain relievers, aspirin or bacteria. The pain of a peptic ulcer is felt on the left side of the upper portion of the abdomen.

Some common signs may include the following:

• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Bloating and burping
• Feeling full after eating a little
• Fatty food intolerance

Cancer

Various types of cancer can also cause upper abdominal pain. These include:

• Gallbladder cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Liver cancer
• Stomach cancer
• Kidney cancer
• Bile duct cancer

It depends on what type of cancer you have, the pain can be either on the left side or right side, may even spread in the entire area of the abdomen.

Some signs to be aware of are:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Jaundice
• Constipation
• Weight loss
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting and nausea

Hepatitis

This is the infection of the liver that causes severe upper abdominal pain. Hepatitis is mainly of three types and some common symptoms can be:

• Loss of appetite
• Fever
• Nausea
• Weakness
• Fatigue
• Jaundice
• Itchy skin
• Joint pain
• Dirty and dark colored urine (x)

Bloating and Gas

Severe abdominal pain can also be caused by the presence of gas or air in the abdomen. This causes the abdomen to feel bigger and look swollen due to bloating and can cause a lot of discomfort.

The following could be the cause of bloating and gas:

• Acid reflux
• Lactose intolerance
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Constipation
• Stomach cancer
• Endometriosis (x)

Do you know another important cause of bloating and gas could be a leaky gut? To find out if you have a leaky gut take the test below!

Leaky Gut Protocol

Treatment for Upper Abdominal Pain

The treatment always depends on the underlying cause of the issue. This includes getting to the root cause of the pain, avoiding any foods that trigger its onset, treating gallstones, liver issues, pancreatitis, or even heartburn.

Writing down some exact treatment or preventive measures is not possible, however there are general recommendations that can aid in lowering the symptoms and risk of developing it.

• Eat a healthy diet
• Exercising regularly
• Drinking loads of water
• Eat small meals
• Avoid laying down right after having a meal to avoid having indigestion issues or heartburn.

If the cause of your pain is due to some inflammatory bowel disease or an irritable bowel syndrome then you may want to try following our Leaky Gut Protocol to reduce or even totally eliminate symptoms!

Home Remedies for Upper Abdominal Pain

Using hot compress

The warmth of a hot compress helps in relaxing muscles of the abdomen, this reduces the pain. Apply a hot compress for about 20 minutes as often as you feel necessary.

Increase water Intake

If your pain is the result of toxins presents or some kidney issue then drinking a good amount of water will help in flushing out the toxins to relieve the pain. Staying hydrated also helps in improving a poor digestive issue.

Apple Cider Vinegar

To help with proper organ function, use apple cider vinegar, it helps in balancing the pH levels in the body. Mix a tablespoon of vinegar in a cup of water and drink this twice a day, honey can also be added to give it a natural sweetness.(x)

The post Upper Abdominal Pain Causes and Treatment appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.

Millions of people around the world suffer from blotchy skin for many reasons. The skin, in this case, develops red patches that are sometimes itchy or irritating. The patches can also appear anywhere on the body although they are commonly found on the face, neck, and arms.

Blotchy skin can be hard to control, but there are several steps people can take to control the symptoms or causes. Why it is hard to control may be because of the causes as well as the intensity or level it has extended to. Mainly, the causes include genetics, environmental conditions, changes in the weather, allergies, among others.

What is Blotchy Skin?

A blotchy skin is an uneven skin with red, dark, or white patches. The patches are caused by different factors, and they may start becoming visible when the dead surface skin is not exfoliated regularly or is over-exfoliated.

Why is My Skin Blotchy?

The skin can be blotchy due to the following conditions:

1. Hives

Hives are red welts that usually itch. The welts can be signs of an allergic reaction, stressful situations, or be as a result of an illness. Usually, the hives go away within a day even though a new one may pop up in its place.

The welts may be a few, but you may also get a bunch of them connecting and spreading across your body. If they start getting stubborn or worse, the skin becomes uneven or blotchy, and you should not hesitate to see a dermatologist.

2. Heat Rash

Red, bumpy, and itchy rashes may also lead to a blotchy skin. Such a skin usually develops when the weather is hot and humid and shows up where the skin rubs together, for example, the groin and armpits.

Heat rash is common in babies. However, adults can also be affected when they get sweaty or overheated.

3. Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is a skin condition caused by a skin reaction to an irritant and is manifested in the form of dry skin, blisters, hives, or rashes. It can also be an allergic reaction (for example to poison ivy) and sometimes irritation (from perfumes in some soaps) and result in blotched skin.

4. Psoriasis

Psoriasis happens in two forms, but the most common is plaque psoriasis. This type manifests itself as raised skin patches that have a scaly layer of dead skin cells on top. Usually, the manifestation occurs as patches around elbows, knees, the lower back, and scalp. However, blotches may appear anywhere on the body.

5. Eczema

Eczema is a skin condition that results in patches of very dry and itchy skin. The patches may be thicker and turn colors to either lighter or darker. The resultant skin is uneven, blotched one.

6. Rosacea

Rosacea manifests itself with flushing or blotches across one’s cheeks, the forehead, chin, or nose. Also, it can result in small pimple-like bumps while blood vessels may also become visible. The causes may include eating spicy foods, alcohol, and menopause.

7. Shingles

Shingles are painful rashes with blisters that show up as single stripes on one side of the body. Usually, shingles are caused by the chickenpox-causing virus, and before it shows, one may experience itching or tingling.

8. Melasma

Melasma is the manifestation of brown or gray-brown patches caused by sun exposure or hormonal changes. The patches usually appear on the face and are more common in women who are on pregnancy or birth control pills.

10. Vitiligo

When vitiligo knocks, some patches of the skin lose color or appear lighter. Vitiligo may cover only a few parts of the body or cover larger areas (including the hair, eyes, and mouth).

12. Drinking Alcohol

Too much of alcohol consumption may result in flushing of the face and blotchiness. Quite often, people who take alcohol experience hangovers the following day. When that dehydration happens, it makes any redness the body may have worse.

13. Excessive Exposure to Sunlight

With the sun producing invisible UVB and UVA lights, the skin is always at a risk of damage. Even though it is worthwhile to enjoy the sunshine for vitamin D replenishment, too much of it is harmful. When the skin is exposed to too much sunlight, it may develop sunburns, redness, blotchy skin, or even skin cancers.

Relationship Between Gut Health and Skin Conditions

Did you know there is a link between gut health and skin conditions like a blotchy skin? Yes, the gut does not only result in a smooth digestion but is also responsible for keeping your skin intact and free of infections. However, if it develops conditions like the Leaky Gut Syndrome, it becomes hard for it to perform the vigilante duties.

Also, a sick gut is associated with digestive upsets, emotional distress, metabolic dysfunction, obesity, and skin inflammation. This can be supported by the “gut-brain axis” as developed by philosophers Pillsbury and Stokes. The two philosophers discovered that alterations in the bacterial composition in the gut could lead to depression and skin inflammations.

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A healthy gut contains microbiomes that keep invasive bacteria at bay both in the gut and on the skin. The gut also stimulates the immune system to produce anti-inflammatory molecules to fight such conditions as acne, eczema, and other causes of blotched skin.

A thriving gut flora is associated with the production of byproducts, metabolites, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin, linoleic acid, and short-chain fatty acids. These products have anti-inflammatory effects just like the microbiomes. However, when the gut is not healthy, it cannot produce them, and the skin does not have enough soldiers to fight for it against inflammations and infections.

Taking Care of the Gut

To ensure you have a healthy gut, you must start with avoiding the causes of a leaky gut. The steps include eating foods that the gut needs for it to produce the beneficial compounds. You can also focus on feeding the microbiome with fiber, managing stressful situations, sleeping enough, and eating probiotic foods.

Also, you can invest in a tested, and proven protocol referred to as the Leaky Gut Protocol. This is a three-step protocol that will see you promote a healthy gut and avoid skin inflammation conditions including blotchiness. Check out the Leaky Gut Protocol here for a detailed insight and step by step application.

The post Blotchy Skin – What Is Causing My Blotchy Skin? appeared first on The Renegade Pharmacist.