Articles
Five Surprising Uses for a Banana Peel
We have all heard of the benefits of eating a banana before a run or strenuous workout but how can you make your banana and the banana peel go the extra mile? Here are five surprising uses for banana peels to help you do just that 1. Acne & wrinkles – banana peel houses nutrients and antioxidants which work wonders on your skin. Gently rub the inner peel on your skin and leave on for 30 minutes. Wash off with warm water and moisturize. Repeat 3 times a week and see if you note any changes to your skin complexion. 2. First Aid – rubbing a banana peel against sunburn, poison ivy rash or bug bites can sooth the skin and reduce itching. 3. Placing the peel on a splinter in the skin for 15 minutes can help draw it to the surface. 4. Shoe polish – rub the banana peel on your leather shoes and then buff them up with a soft cloth, we’re calling it Natures Shoe Polish! 5. Easy composting – by adding banana peel to your compost it will help introduce a multitude of nutrients. These will introduce nutrients including calcium, magnesium, sulphur, phosphates, potassium and sodium. Simply cut the it into small pieces then bury the banana skin bits under the plant you want to fertilize (ideally next to the roots). Water the plant right away to let the soil sit on top for a bit and let the banana skin work its magic. So, the next time you finish that banana snack, save the peel and give one of these a try! We’d love to hear from you on how you utilize this powerhouse fruit!
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How to Lower Hypertension
How many people do you know suffering with this – it’s like an epidemic these days. A healthy blood pressure (BP) level should be around 120-130 over 80. Hypertension is a stealth condition as there are sometimes no obvious symptoms. For that reason it has been called “the silent killer”. I want to tell you first of all HOW to measure your blood pressure. Don’t go darting breathlessly into your doctor’s rooms, sit down and have your blood pressure taken. You have “white coat syndrome” to start with which immediately elevates it. Secondly you should have been sitting quietly and in a relaxed attitude for a good 15-20 minutes prior to the measure being taken. If you have it monitored regularly, always do it at the same time of the day, relax first and then have it done. Perhaps going to your chemist or getting your own home monitor would be more relaxing than the doctor but do monitor it if you are concerned. Hypertension doubles your risk of stroke, heart attack, dementia, kidney failure and blindness – nasty! So here are some ways to lower it or at least address it: Speak to your doctor about any medications you are taking which could possible artificially be elevating BP (cortisone does this and so do many other medications) Are you drinking too much coffee – coffee’s great but too much of a good thing will lead to elevated BP Are you drinking too much alcohol? Alcohol is linked to hypertension – I’ll leave it right there before you get irritated with me…. Are you on hormones? Again, chat to your doctor as often these can elevate BP Some antihistamines and anticonvulsants can do this – maybe your doctor could change your script Increase vegetable intake – don’t cut down on meat and fats which are very healthy, just make sure you are getting a decent amount of fresh vegetables every day. Try to have them at every meal, breakfast included (who said you can’t have veggies at breakfast? Pffft.) Eat more potassium-rich foods like sweet potato, avocado, banana, squash, leafy greens and the odd prune. Lose the seed oils and use olive oil which has been shown to have a healthy effect on BP Take a daily stroll – it’s not necessary to do an entire gym circuit each day, but exercise is important Good quality sleep is a wonderful healer, and some instances of high BP are due to too little sleep. You absolutely have to find a way to manage stress – easier said than done, but find a way Use cinnamon – this is an amazing way to not only lower blood pressure but blood sugar too. It needs to be organic Ceylon cinnamon to work (see my online store) and has other great benefits too. Such as fighting unhealthy gut bacteria and improving metabolic rate. In a study by the Journal of the American College of Nutrition in 2006, they discovered just ½ a teaspoon of cinnamon a day could be enough to lower blood pressure (I stress again organic, or it could be ‘cut’ with cornflour and be cassia which is not real cinnamon but a cheap imitation). You want pure, 100% organic Ceylon – I have an excellent one in my online store. If you eat oatmeal, add it to that, or smoothies, or coffee or sprinkle it onto anything. Really important – omega-3 fish oil – take this daily, and eat plenty of fatty fish too. Co-enzyme Q10 is known for the beneficial effect on blood pressure – take around 120mg a day – it’s heart healthy, gives energy and will help to control BP You really REALLY must stop sugar! And all high carb processed foods like breads and cereals. They just drive up insulin and blood sugar which in turn ramps up blood pressure. Take magnesium citrate – an amazing mineral for lowering BP, helping you sleep and relaxing you You might want to try more vitamin C too – according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, and a study published in Nutrition Journal, supplementing with vitamin C may help to reduce blood pressure. Head on over to my online store here for the above products Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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Avoid nightshades before surgery
AVOID NIGHTSHADES BEFORE SURGERY Are you one of those people who seems to struggle for days to recover from anaesthesia? If so, you may find avoiding the nightshades will help you recover faster. Research suggests that nightshade vegetables (tomatoes, aubergine, bell peppers and potatoes) can delay recovery from anaesthesia. Who knew? The solanaceae family of plants inhibits two enzymes which help the body recover from anaesthetic drugs. To optimise recovery, omit these for a week prior to surgery. Of course anaesthesia is also very hard on the liver, so it’s a very good idea a week prior to surgery to take both our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen and Milk Thistle. These will both do damage control and help you in the recovery process. We sincerely hope nobody needs surgery, but if you do these are a couple of tips to help you. You can get these products at https://sallyanncreed.co.za/shop Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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Anatomy of a laugh
ANATOMY OF A LAUGH When we laugh, we engage our entire body in the act. At least 15 different muscles in the face are called into action, along with our respiratory system and other muscle groups. But more importantly, laughter sends serotonin levels soaring in the brain, erasing mild depression in just a few minutes. Give happiness levels a boost The quickest way to feel better is to get moving. A brisk walk can get endorphins flowing, giving you the same feel-good boost as a shot of morphine, without the risk of drug addiction. Exercise helps you manage pain better and helps you sleep better Spread your happiness. Your happy emotions can affect others, make the people close to you happier – and make the people close to them happier. Surround yourself with positive people to remain positive too. Fake it until you make it. If you act happy, people see you as happy, and you see yourself through their eyes. You feel happy. Start with a smile to help you break free of the doldrums.
Read moreCOLLAGEN 101
COLLAGEN 101 Collagen is found throughout your body. It’s a structural element of bones, muscles, tendon, and ligaments in fact collagen and skin are always talked about together. This is because it’s a major component of your largest organ. Below I discuss Collagen 101. You may not be aware that collagen is also found in: • blood vessels • the cornea of your eye (just about pure collagen) • teeth (it’s true!) • cartilage • discs between your vertebrae • the digestive tract The fibrous nature and strength of collagen make it an ideal protective casing for your kidneys and other organs, and connects cells all over your body to each other. It’s “large scale” from bones and organs right down to the cellular level. The structure of collagen protein is what gives it the unique strength your body needs – it’s a triple helix, three chains twisting around each other – and there are 1,050 amino acids in each of the three chains that make up collagen. They’re held together with hydrogen atoms which are the smallest of all the atoms. Glycine is the amino acid that takes up the middle of the triple helix structure because it’s the only one that can fit. These long fibres don’t just exist as single protein ropes, collagen can come together to form striated horizontal sheets. Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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COLLAGEN FAST FACTS:
There are many facts surrounding collagen but below I have list of the top COLLAGEN FAST FACTS I could think of. The benefits of collagen are however endless but just too mention a few. COLLAGEN FAST FACTS: Collagen literally ‘glues’ you together. 90% of your collagen is type I, the very strongest type Type I collagen is stronger than steel – on a gram-for-gram basis (our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is type 1) Your muscles, organs, and arteries rely on type III (also found in Pure Hydrolysed Collagen). Type II collagen isn’t quite as densely packed as type I (Super CollagenT2), but it’s perfect for cushioning joints. Living a healthy lifestyle is a great adjunct to supporting healthy collagen production while taking Pure Hydrolysed Collagen powder. Collagen is a very large molecule, too large, in fact, to be easily absorbed by your skin. That fact makes collagen creams and other cosmetic products that contain the protein a bad bet for increasing levels in your skin, don’t be ripped off…. Taking Pure Hydrolysed Collagen in powdered peptide form is the best way to take it. Have it in your morning coffee, it makes it creamy and it’s tasteless. It really MUST be grass-fed, non-GMO and 100% pure, don’t settle for anything added to pure collagen. Our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen is the fastest growing brand and currently the brand leader of collagen in the country – we can hardly keep up with demand – you’ll find it in our online store at https://sallyanncreed.co.za/shop Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS)
BURNING MOUTH SYNDROME is a distressing condition that is all too common. Your mouth feels as though you have had a big gulp of boiling water and scalded your tongue and lips, gums, palate and/or throat or all of the above. It can appear out of the blue, develop over time or come and go. Some of the conditions which are linked to this include diabetes, allergies, candida overgrowth, acid reflux, thyroid conditions, menopause or medication. It also seems to be not too bad in the morning, and then get worse as the day progresses. Some of the symptoms include: Pain Increased thirst Changes in, or loss of taste Metallic taste in mouth that remains even after eating or brushing teeth Burning sensation in one or more areas of the mouth RISK FACTORS While this can happen spontaneously, some common medical conditions that can cause BMS include: Sjogren’s Syndrome Radiation therapy Chemotherapy Low blood pressure medications Vitamin B deficiency Iron deficiency Acid reflux Diabetes Thyroid problems Fungal infection in the mouth Allergic reactions to dyes, foods, toothpaste, fragrances or environmental elements OTHER RISK FACTORS YOU MIGHT CONSIDER: Being female Postmenopausal Over the age of 50 Dry mouth A recent illness New medication A recent traumatic life event Elevated stress levels Conventional therapy is merely giving salivary replacement products and various drugs, many with side effects. Here are a few things we have found to have helped people we’ve dealt with: VITAMIN B12 UNDER THE TONGUE: one of the main nutrient deficiencies which can cause this is Vitamin B12, and more than 50% of people with BMS had high homocysteine levels due to B12 deficiency. B12 reduces homocysteine, and in most cases will eliminate BMS. In addition to this, make sure you eat more beef, liver, wild-caught salmon, sardines and mackerel to boost your levels. Take B12 for around 8 months, then see how you go without it after that. It will take a little while to work. IRON RICH FOODS: sometimes in addition to a B12 deficiency – or because of low B12 – your iron stores will be low. Don’t ever take iron unless you have a blood test!! Too much iron is more dangerous than too little – but you can eat iron-rich foods like: organic beef liver, grass-fed beef, sardines, and other animal products for heme-iron (the most important one). Non-heme iron although poorly absorbed and not the same as animal-derived iron, can be obtained from spinach, pistachios and raisins. ZINC: a deficiency in zinc is also a cause of BMS, and this deficiency is widespread. Some signs of deficiency are a weak immune system, diarrhoea, allergies, thinning hair, leaky gut and acne. Zinc-rich foods include: pumpkin seeds, grass-fed beef (very nice source), cashews, cocoa powder and kefir.
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DEM BONES
DEM BONES If you think calcium is all you need for your bones, you’d be dead wrong. Without Vitamins D3 and K2, vitamin C and Pure Hydrolysed Collagen. You will not build healthy bone after about 25 years of age. Collagen makes up 90% of organic bone mass in fact not calcium! These three components are critical to healthy bone – Collagen, vitamin C, vitamin D3 and vitamin K2. Calcium gets all the ‘glory’ for bone strength but it’s only one of many elements in bone. In fact it’s actually something that can do great harm to the body. That is if it goes to the wrong place. Vitamin D3 and collagen are intricately involved in the health of your bones, and with vitamin K2, the calcium in food will be transported to bones instead of arteries where it doesn’t belong. Calcium embeds itself within the collagen matrix to provide strength and stiffness to bone. Recent studies show it’s not loss of calcium but rather collagen together with a low vitamin C status which leads to low bone density. This hence leads to an increases fracture risk. With enough Vitamin C, K2 & D3 – calcium can work hand in hand with collagen to make bones flexible not brittle, and thus so much stronger. Think of a green branch – how much stronger it is than a dead, dry branch? Brittle bones is another term for osteoporosis, and this leads to fractures – you want ‘flexible’ but strong bones. Dr Tom Levy also shows how osteoporosis is in fact scurvy of the bones – but that’s another thing – suffice to say Vitamin C in bone healthy is pivotal. Any damage to the collagen network in our bones can lead to up to a 50% loss in bone strength. As well as 30% loss in elasticity or flexibility. Bone mass peaks at the age of 20 years old. Keeping it there is the secret to never getting osteoporosis or osteopenia. Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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STRONG BONE RECIPE
STRONG BONE RECIPE Take 1 x Vitamin K2 Premium daily. Unlike vitamin K1 found in green leafy veggies, vitamin K2 is naturally-occurring in animal-based foods, notably poultry and meats like beef and pork. You’ll also find it in cheese, eggs and beef liver. But K1 is not converted to K2 in the human body. Take a 1 x Vitamin D3 Premium daily – get your blood tested if you are unsure of your D3 levels – ideal range is anywhere from 45-80. Take 2-4 x Ester C or a teaspoon of Scorbi-Cee daily for vitamin C Don’t supplement with calcium, our food is awash with calcium and new studies show the dangers of calcium supplementation are enormous (there’s even a book by Dr Tom Levy called “Death by Calcium”) Take our Pure Hydrolysed Collagen or Super CollagenT2 – see our website here https://sallyanncreed.co.za/product/collagen/ for collagen products). Super CollagenT2 is advised for osteoporosis and osteopenia. THE STRONG BONE RECIPE ABOVE IS A GREAT RECIPE FOR IMPROVING OR MAINTAINING BONE STRENGTH. Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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Berberine Complex
I think of all the products I’ve developed, this is one of the ones I am most proud of. Some studies say when you take Berberine, it is advisable to take a break every 8 weeks. I don’t really agree with this but the rationale is that it may kill off some beneficial flora if taken indefinitely. Well, this has been taken care of with a powerful probiotic blend built into the recipe. The other thing I’ve included is chromium for even better blood sugar control. Berberine on its own is an amazing product for normalising blood sugars. However with Berberine Complex you have the added chromium for that ‘double whammy’ for those who wish to lose weight while controlling blood sugar levels. Several B Vitamins (which can sometimes be depleted with long-term use of Berberine) have been added. So that this won’t happen especially Vitamins B1, B6 and B12. These vitamins may also help to control homocysteine levels and prevent anaemia. Lastly, Milk Thistle has been included in the formulation to assist the bioavailability of Berberine. Milk thistle acts as an inhibitor of the transporter that limits absorption. So this is a revolutionary product and one I think you’re going to love! Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO TAKE CALCIUM
WHY YOU DON’T WANT TO TAKE CALCIUM Calcium’s great for bones, but not for arteries! What you are told is that you need calcium for strong bones. Yes, you do – but not in supplemental form, and not without vitamin K2 being present. You have an enormous amount of calcium in the diet actually, but it’s where it goes that is the problem! It generally lands up in the wrong place, instead of going to the bones. Most often, it ends up causing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries and hardens plaque therein. In order to reverse this, you need vitamin K2 to remove this plaque. (It’s not about cholesterol notice, it’s about calcium). So how do you then remove this calcium from the arteries? More Vitamin K2 in the diet will enable the body to absorb more calcium for your bones, but removes up to 37% from where it shouldn’t be – ie. in the arteries – redirecting this calcium to the long bones where it belongs. Take a good K2 supplement and/or eat plenty of the following foods from grass-fed/pasture-reared produce such as: butter, cheese, eggs, beef, chicken liver, salami. The landmark Rotterdam Study showed that taking more than 32.7mg of vitamin K2 daily reduced arterial calcification by 50%. As well as cardiovascular death by 46% compared to those getting less than 21.6mg a day. The Calcium Score is one of the most predictive tests of having a heart attack. Statin drugs which weaken the heart muscle, block the influence of K2, and can lead to more plaque being laid down in the arteries. They prevent K2 doing its job. They also have cardio-toxic properties, and as cholesterol is not the problem, but rather inflammation which causes plaque build-up which then is hardened by calcium – you can see where this is going. Blood thinners, particularly warfarin, promote calcium build-up, preventing coagulation in the short term, but aggravating mineral plaque in the arteries in the long term. (Find a holistic doctor who you can work with – never stop anything without your doctor’s supervision.) Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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Time Frame of an Epidemic
Has it ever occurred to you that the time frame for an epidemic to occur is absolutely critical in determining public response? If rates of a disease went from 1 in 10 people to 1 in 3 people in only 10 years, there would be public outcry for scientists to determine the cause and to find a cure quickly. If the disease caused debilitating metabolic effects such as very high blood pressure that resulted in heart attacks or strokes and people of all ages were getting this disease, with many dying – the outcry would be even more urgent. But what if rates of the same disease went from 1 in 10 people to 1 in 3 people over a period of 40 or 50 years? The current generation would have no recollection of what it was like ‘before’ because things had always been this way since they were kids. The older generation would remember what it was like ‘before’. Concluding that for whatever reason that is the way it is now. Doctors and scientists of the older generation might be able to apply their knowledge and skill to find the cause. As well as a cure however it would be at the end of their working lives. Nevertheless we are facing an epidemic and the disease is obesity. Here are some sobering figures in the form of a chart, showing the % of the population 15 years and over. If you want to change your bad habits, create good ones and eat correctly, read 63 Days to Optimum Health – available from leading bookstores or from my online store here Disclaimer: You can simply click on the name of each product mentioned above (in bold) and a hyperlink will take you directly to the product for an easy purchase. Originally published on https://www.facebook.com/SallyAnnCreedSA/ in 2020.
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