Natural Remedies and Cures

Natural sounds good and there are many “natural” remedies and cures advertised every day.  Which ones work and which ones don’t?  Consumer Reports (November 2018) and a number of others have reviewed commonly used natural remedies.  Have you tried some natural remedies and have they worked for you?  What do the experts say?
     
      1.   Apple Cider Vinegar – my daughter recently asked me about apple cider vinegar and if it helps with weight loss.  I told her that myth is very old and was around a long time ago and then keeps coming back.  The hucksters push apple cider vinegar as a great cure all.  Take in just 1-2 Tablespoons a day and they claim you have better blood sugar levels, you lose weight, reduce your cancer risk and a new claim is it cures some skin problems.  Apple cider vinegar is really good for something – to use it in salad dressing.  Dr. Chey from the University of Michigan is quoted as saying, “there’s little scientific evidence to support these health claims.”  In fact, for some people, those with heartburn, taking doses of apple cider vinegar is not recommended.  Why?  Because it can cause more harm than good.  My dentist recommends against drinking plain apple cider vinegar as it can harm tooth enamel. 
Recommendation:  Don’t take apple cider vinegar straight up.  Forget taking apple cider vinegar as a remedy for health problems, but instead enjoy it on your salad, as it adds a tangy taste to your salad dressings. 

2. Berries – lots of commercials on TV and in ads tout the health benefits of berries.  The latest are pushing the goji berries.  But they have a lot of truth to their claims.  Choosing berries such as blueberries, raspberries, cranberries, strawberries, blackberries, or goji berries does offer a lot of nutritional benefits.  Not only are berries healthy in terms of vitamins, minerals and fiber but also for those important antioxidants.  Many people call berries the super food.  The rich color of berries – the dark red, the dark blue/purple are the reason the berries are so healthy for us.  One study showed that blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and pomegranates have the highest antioxidant levels of all fruits.  Not just berries but all fruit provides antioxidants.  For example, apples are unique as they provide a different antioxidant.  Why are berries so especially good for our health?  One reason is these antioxidants can cut our cancer risk.  The fiber content of fruit is good because it helps you fill fuller longer.   
                  Recommendation - enjoy berries - add them to your cereal, enjoy them as snacks, add 
                  them to a smoothie.  And it is OK to buy frozen berries which work well in smoothies. 
Enjoy berries for good health
3.  Probiotics – what are probiotics?  They are the healthy bacteria in your gut.  Who knew that some bacteria are actually good for us?  A huge amount of research is being done on these gut bacteria, why we need them and what they do for our health.  Where can you get these “good bacteria”?  Consumer Reports recommends getting them from food rather than pills.  Yogurt is a great source.  Look for “live cultures” on the yogurt you buy.  Yogurt is also a good way to add calcium and vitamin D to your day.  And to promote the good bacteria, eat berries and yogurt.  The fiber in berries and in fruit promotes more good bacteria in your gut.
Recommendation:  Enjoy some yogurt every day.  A great way to add probiotics to your day.    
Yogurt parfait with berries
  4.  Tea – whether black tea, green tea or white tea – drinking tea is a healthy thing to do.  Now that the weather is turning colder, grab a cup of hot tea.  I like to drink my coffee every morning but I enjoy a hot cup of tea during the day.  Why is tea a healthy choice?  Because it provides flavonoids, antioxidants which promote good health such as lowering our risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.  And drinking green tea may help promote weight loss but you would have to drink a lot of it, up to 8 cups a day.  Tea does have caffeine and seems to promote mental alertness.  What about herbal teas?  They are still good for you but have lower amounts of antioxidants than the green, black, white or oolong teas.
Recommendation:  enjoy a cup of hot green, black, white or oolong tea.  Herbal teas are fine but also add some green, black, white or oolong tea to the mix.  Avoid teas advertised as dietersteas that contain senna, aloe, buckthorn or some other type of laxative. 

This week add some berries, yogurt and hot tea to your day.  Enjoy a smoothie with berries, try a new flavor of yogurt, bring some yogurt with you to work to have at lunch or a snack.  Try some different tea flavors.   We like green tea but also enjoy a number of herbal teas.  Enjoy that apple cider vinegar in your salad dressing but don’t bother taking any straight from the bottle.  Your teeth will be the better for it.

Sources:  natural remedies, Dr. Chey, study, health, herbal teas   Image sources:  berries, yogurt parfait, green tea 

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