Tropical Health

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Why I Eat Coconut Oil and You Should Too

By Susan Patterson

While it may sound counterproductive to eat fat to lose fat, coconut oil is an exceedingly healthy exception.

By now, you probably know at least one person who can’t live without having a jar of the stuff in the kitchen at all times, and there’s a very good reason for that. I don’t ever let myself run out of this tropical treasure! 

For years, many people were under the impression that all fats were bad, but scientific research has revealed that simply isn’t true. All you need to do is take a look at the rather shocking statistics related to the skyrocketing epidemic of obesity in the U.S., and many other places throughout the world, to see that those astounding numbers began increasing just about the same time fat-free diets became popular.

The big difference between healthy and unhealthy fats

While some people still think the best way to lose fat is to avoid fatty foods, in reality, eating the right kind of fat will actually help melt that fat away. I am not talking about going to the McDonald’s drive-thru and ordering a couple of Big Macs and fries, of course. There’s a big difference between that and healthy fats found in unrefined, organic coconut oil.

So yes, that friend, coworker, neighbor or family member you know who is always touting the benefits of coconut oil is right: everyone should have a jar of organic coconut oil in their kitchen. While it offers a wide range of uses and benefits, one of the very best is to help eliminate stubborn body fat. Some health experts believe about 20 percent of our ability to lose excess fat is related to how much you exercise and other lifestyle factors, while about 80 percent of the is determined by what we eat. Eating more coconut oil and less junk or unhealthy foods can be the difference you need to achieve the body changes you desire.

Coconut oil is filled with MCTs or medium chain triglycerides. MCTs are burned as energy, instead of being turned into extra flab. Extra virgin, organic coconut oil is rich in lauric acid and caprylic acid, compounds that are well-known to be utilized for quick energy. They’re also great for boosting the immune system to prevent you from becoming ill – when you aren’t sick, you’ll naturally be more active too. The more active you are, the more calories you’ll bun and the less flab you’ll have.

The research behind coconut oil tells the truth

Countless research has been conducted on the benefits of coconut oil and its ability to help one lose fat. Research in 2009, published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats was able to help people lose belly fat – even without a reduction in calorie consumption. Other research, also conducted in 2009 and published in the journal Lipids, tested the effects of consuming either two tablespoons of soybean oil or two tablespoons of coconut oil on women over a month. At the end of the period, the experts discovered that the women who took the coconut oil experienced a reduction in belly fat. Those who consumed soybean oil had an increase in belly fat. In addition to belly fat loss, the coconut oil consumers experienced a rise in HDL (the “good” cholesterol), while those who ate soybean oil saw an increase in LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) and a decrease in HDL cholesterol.

Research from Brazil looked at the weight loss connection between women who regularly ate coconut oil and discovered that it reduced abdominal obesity. A 1985 study,  published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health demonstrated that just a single injection of capric acid (an essential component in coconut oil) resulted in “initially rapid, then a gradual decrease in food consumption and a parallel loss of body weight” in male rats. The experts discovered the reason behind this too. The capric acid provided a dramatic improvement in thyroid functioning, lowering the resting heart rate and aiding the body in burning fat for energy.

Have you ever visited the South Pacific? If you have, you probably noticed that people there tend to eat lots of coconuts, and coconut oil, but the majority tend to be trim and healthy. This is further proof that even though coconut oil contains fat, it’s the unhealthy polyunsaturated fats that aren’t found in nature that lead to an increase in fat, and those stubborn pounds. Things like cookies, packaged cakes, pastries and the like. Those processed foods are what are truly linked to not only our skyrocketing obesity problem but all sorts of other ailments.

Healthy fats like coconut oil reduce in-between meal hunger pangs

There’s another reason that eating foods that contain healthy fats like coconut oil can help you lose fat. They help keep you feeling full and satisfied longer as compared to other foods. It helps to curb those in-between meal hunger pangs and cravings for foods that aren’t so healthy, which allow you to naturally lose weight because you’re consuming fewer calories.

An important caveat to keep in mind

One thing that you should always keep in mind is that if you take in too many calories without burning them off, you’re not going to lose weight. That means that if you’re consuming a certain amount of calories and add coconut oil on top of what you’re already eating, you’re probably going to gain and not lose weight. Most people probably aren’t counting calories and only budgeting a certain amount of calories/food per day, so in those cases, adding coconut oil to your diet is likely to help reduce your appetite so that you’ll take in fewer calories overall.

What this means is that it’s NOT about adding fat calories to your current diet, but replacing other, less-healthy cooking fats like vegetable oil with coconut oil. You could also switch out things like processed creamer for coconut oil in your coffee. Coconut oil can tolerate high temperatures without being damaged, and it can add a tasty tropical flavor to dishes like vegetable stir-fry, eggs or fried fish.

-Susan Patterson

How Bone Broth Can Remedy Joint Pain and Make Your Skin Glisten

By Susan Patterson

I love the way a cup of bone broth tastes on a cool fall day. To be honest, I love the way it tastes anytime. However, it is not just how it tastes that brings a smile to my face but how it works in my body and builds my immunity and just gives me pure, natural energy. Bone broth is a staple in my home and I consume at least 4 cups a week, often more.

It’s traditional

Bone broth is as traditional as it gets, no matter what your heritage, our ancestors all consumed bone broth and one point or another. Broth or stock is still made today using every part of the animal including bones and marrow, skin and feet, tendons and ligaments. Since bone broth is simmered for a very long period, the bones and ligaments release healing properties including collagen, proline, glycine, and glutamine. All of these properties have the ability to transform your health.

According to nutrition researchers Sally Fallon and Kaayla Daniel, of the Weston A. Price Foundation, bone broths contain minerals that are easily absorbed by the body including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur, and others. In addition, broths contain chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine, both compounds that are used in expensive supplements that reduce inflammation and joint pain.

Bone broth can chase away a cold

I am sure that you have consumed chicken soup when you were under the weather. According to University of Nebraska Medical Center, soup made from chicken is highly beneficial for colds and flu. Researchers found that the amino acids, that are produced when making chicken stock, reduce inflammation in the respiratory system and also help improve digestion. In addition, scientists have concluded that bone broth also boosts immune system function and can also remedy allergies, asthma, and arthritis.

Bone broth can reduce joint pain

I have quite a bit more joint pain then I had when I was younger. This is because as we age cartilage is reduced and is attacked by antibodies. Bone broth contains readily absorbable collagen

Why does that matter? As we age, cartilage diminishes as it gets attacked by antibodies (age-related degradation of joint cartilage). As bone broth simmers, collagen from the animal parts leaches into the broth and becomes readily absorbable to help restore cartilage.

Bone broth also contains gelatin, which cushions the bones and helps them “glide” without any friction. Gelatin also provides building blocks that are necessary to help form and maintain strong bones and helps take pressure off of aging joints.

Bone broth is good for the gut

Gelatin is helpful to restore the integrity of the gut lining and for reducing food sensitivities (such as wheat or dairy). Gelatin can also help with the growth of healthy bacteria and keep inflammation in the gut down. A report published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology found that gelatin is very gut friendly and supports intestinal health and integrity.

If you want beautiful skin you should drink bone broth

Collagen is necessary to form elastin and other skin compounds that help keep your skin looking and feeling young. Collagen reduces the signs of wrinkles, decreases puffiness and can also help fight off other signs f aging. In addition, many people report that they have a reduction in cellulite when they consume food with collagen because cellulite forms due to a lack of connective tissue.

Bone broth helps with detoxification

Each day we are exposed to a wide variety of dangerous environmental toxins, pesticides, artificial ingredients, and chemicals. Although the human body can detox on its own, it often has a hard time keeping up with the daily insult. Bone broth is a powerful detoxification agent that helps the digestive system expel waste and helps the liver’s ability t remove toxins, improves the body’s use of antioxidants and helps maintain tissue integrity. Bone broth also contains potassium and glycine, both of which support cellular and liver detoxification.

Make your own

You can choose to make your own broth or get it at your local health food store or online. Just be sure it is the real deal before spending the money!

-Susan Patterson

 

10 Reasons Why You Need More Protein in Your Diet and How to Get It

By Susan Patterson

Do you want to lose weight, gain muscle mass and strength, or improve your metabolic health? Then make sure you’re getting enough protein in your diet. Protein is a vital macronutrient needed for every part of your body. It’s used to build and repair tissues, make enzymes, hormones, and other body chemicals. In fact, if you’re not getting enough protein, you likely have flabby muscles, are generally weak, and have brittle bones — among other issues. Here are the reasons you need more protein in your diet.

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Here’s How You Can Build Your Immune System Fast

By Susan Patterson

No matter who you speak to, the pandemic is on everyone’s minds these days. And the question at hand, “how can I avoid coronavirus?” Well, beyond social distancing, frequent handwashing, and a disinfected home, the next most logical approach seems to be building a stronger immune system. Time is of the essence. So, while there’s currently no cure for coronavirus, researchers are exploring the links between lifestyle and stronger immune function. In the meantime, here are some healthy strategies that may help you build a stronger immune system fast.

You can’t turn your immune system on and off

Your immune system is a complex network of cells, molecules, tissues, and organs that lives throughout your entire body. It can’t be turned on and off. Its role is to protect your body from invaders like infection, disease, viruses, bacteria, and parasites. And it does a pretty awesome job doing this. But sometimes it can fail. Germs invade the body, making you sick. That’s why researchers are working hard to study the immune system and trying to find ways to make it work even better. And within the current climate, researchers need to do this quickly.

In the meantime, what can you do to build a stronger immune system? While science continues to discover the benefits of diet, exercise, and psychological stress factors on immunity, there are lifestyle changes you can make to build up your immune system and give you a fighting chance against disease, infection, and viruses.

Does getting sick build a stronger immune system?    

There is actually some truth to this question. When you get a virus, you can build immunity up for that particular strain. The problem is, there could be hundreds of different strains for one family of viruses. For instance, the coronavirus that emerged out of Wuhan, China, is the product of natural evolution, according to research published in the journal Nature Medicine.

Coronaviruses are, in fact, a large family of viruses that cause illnesses ranging from mild to severe. Coronavirus first showed up in China in 2003 as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome or (SARS). A second outbreak emerged in 2012 in Saudi Arabia as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or (MERS). So, while you can still build up immunity to the two or three viruses, there are hundreds more that have not yet been encountered. Building a stronger immune system may not cure viruses like COVID-19 but it may help your body better defend itself. Here’s what you can do now.

Maintain a healthy weight

Easier said than done, right? Well, according to research, a little goes a long way. Losing just 10 pounds could correct a somewhat shaky immune system. Body fat, in general, but particularly abdominal fat, triggers the production of “pro-inflammatory” immune cells. These circulate in the blood and encourage inflammation. Want to lose 10 pounds fast? We’re not talking about starvation here. Here are a few simple steps to lose weight fast.

  1. Up your protein intake and eat fewer carbs. High protein diets can help reduce cravings and stop you from continuously thinking about your next meal by 60 percent.
  2. Remember, “protein, fat, and vegetables.” Load up on lean meat and low-carb veggies.
  3. Avoid processed (junk) food and eat whole food instead.
  4. Lower your calories by avoiding sugary sodas and drinks. Stick to three meals a day.
  5. Stay active with cardio exercises and try to do strength training at least three times per week.

Supplement with Turmeric

Turmeric (a bright yellow spice often used in Asian cuisine) has been touted as a wonder spice that helps ward off inflammation. Research from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center found that curcumin, the active compound of turmeric may be used for immune disorders due to its anti-inflammatory effects. The problem is, a dash of turmeric in a recipe every once in a while won’t allow you to reap anti-inflammatory benefits. Instead, the Arthritis Foundation recommends supplementing with 400 to 600 milligrams of turmeric, three times per day. If you prefer spice form, take up to three grams of the root powder per day to boost your immunity and fight inflammation.

Stop smoking

This is a no brainer, but it bears mentioning. Studies have found that tobacco smoke, whether firsthand or secondhand, contributes to the development of many diseases. Smoking leads to pro-inflammatory responses and dysfunction of immune cells. What does that mean in terms of fighting off viruses? More and more evidence suggests that smoking weakens the immune system, making it extremely hard for your immune system to fight off disease, infections, and viruses.

Get enough sleep

If you are deprived or lack quality sleep, you’re more likely to get sick when exposed to a virus like coronavirus. Not enough sleep negatively affects your immune system, says the Mayo Clinic. That’s not all; not enough sleep can also affect how fast your body recovers because when you sleep, your immune system releases proteins called cytokines.

Cytokines promote sleep and also decrease in production when an infection, inflammation, or stress is present. That means that while you were up all night partying, your production of protective cytokines decreased, leaving you more vulnerable to viruses. Plus, antibodies and cells that help fight the virus are also reduced.

The hard truth is, for now, there is no cure for COVID-19. But while we wait for modern medicine to catch up, why not give your immune system a fighting chance by eating healthier and making a few positive lifestyle changes. Before you know it, you’ll be on the road to building a stronger immune system, and in turn, a stronger, healthier you.

Disclaimer: “None of this has been proven to prevent, treat or remedy COVID-19, these are just things to consider.”

-Susan Patterson

What is The Military Diet and Is It Even Safe or Effective?

By Susan Patterson

With hundreds of fad diets and meal plans floating around the internet, it can be hard to separate fact from fiction and find something that actually helps you lose weight. “The Military Diet” claims to solve all of your problems and says that you will lose ten pounds in one week. What exactly is this fad diet, and can it really deliver such astonishing results? Read on to find out.

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4 Benefits of Eating Pumpkin ( #3 Rocks)

By Susan Patterson

As the weather cools and dried leaves scatter the ground, the crisp fall air brings with it the soaring popularity of pumpkins. Coffee shops advertise pumpkin spice lattes, and grocery stores stock up on pumpkin pie supplies, but while these artificial pumpkin tasting goodies may sound great, they aren’t exactly advertised as healthy treats. Many people don’t even consider pumpkin healthy at all, due to these sugar-laden fall desserts. However, not only is this orange winter squash delicious, it possesses some serious health benefits that you have probably never even heard of.

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Can Spirulina Help With Weight Loss?

By Susan Patterson

The ocean holds many secrets, and one of them can be found right on the shelves of your local health food store. This superfood known as spirulina is a sea vegetable, like chlorella and kelp, and you’ve probably seen it listed in various natural supplements, or perhaps as an ingredient in a green smoothie.

A form of algae, spirulina has a brilliant blue-green hue that results from a pigment known as phycocyanin, the compound primarily responsible for its multitude of health benefits. It contains an exceptionally high antioxidant count that’s beneficial to the body in numerous ways, including fighting off free radical damage that can lead to premature aging and a host of illnesses and disease.

Spirulina’s incredibly powerful nutritional profile means that it’s one of the best things you can consume for better health. It’s no passing fad – in fact, to date, there are some 1,200 peer-reviewed, scientific articles that have shown it just might be the key to turning back the clock and reducing the risk of all sorts of health disorders. Here’s how –

Arsenic and Other Heavy Metal Detoxification

A December 2014 study out of George Washington University found that heavy metals like cadmium may prematurely age cells, and potentially trigger a number of diseases as we age. The researchers noted that high exposure to cadmium was associated with shorter telomeres, something that is known to help stabilize genes. They act as “caps,” and if they’re shortened too much, the cells are weakened which leads to disease, suggesting that exposure to heavy metals can play a role in chronic illnesses like kidney and heart disease.

Chronic arsenic toxicity is a worldwide problem, as the World Health Organization has reported, and the U.S. is one of the nations that are most severely affected. But the issue is more serious in places like Bangladesh, India, and Taiwan where residents consume a high level of arsenic in their drinking water. Research in Bangladesh found that as many as 3% of the population exhibited signs of arsenic poisoning, but after giving affected patients a spirulina extract that was combined with zinc, they experienced a 47% decrease of arsenic in their bodies.

This research points to the fact that spirulina may be ideal for heavy metal detoxification, which can help prevent premature aging and lower the risk of disease. As Spirulina is also jam-packed with chlorophyll, it’s well-known to help remove toxins from the blood while boosting the immune system at the same time.

Supporting Weight Loss

As we age, it seems to get harder and harder to maintain an ideal weight, but nutrient-dense, protein-rich spirulina can help with this too as it helps to decrease fat stores in a number of different ways.

Spirulina is high in fiber, which is essential for staying fuller longer as well as curbing hunger pangs that can lead to junk food binges. Its high protein content means that consuming it will help maintain lean tissue while also contributing to fat burning. That doesn’t mean you can eat whatever you want and lounge around on the couch all day, however. You’ll still need to consume a healthy, balanced diet and get regular exercise, but taking a spoonful or so of spirulina each day it will make losing weight or maintaining an ideal weight that much easier.

More Energy

Is there anyone who can’t use an energy boost? These days so many of us are lacking energy with all of the day-to-day demands placed on us. But when you consider the chemical composition of spirulina, it’s no surprise that this superfood can come to the rescue. Popular TV doc, Dr. Oz, recommends combining spirulina with lime juice to enhance energy. This combination is said to unlock sugar from the body’s cells to boost metabolic energy. He advises stirring in a teaspoon of spirulina powder to 12 ounces of fresh, organic lime juice and then freezing that mixture in ice cube trays for a healthy kick of energy.

Younger Looking Skin

As spirulina contains a high level of vitamin A, vitamin B-12, vitamin E, calcium, iron, and phosphorus, all of which are vital for your skin’s health, consuming it regularly can work wonders for aging skin. It fights those free radicals that can make your skin look tired and even flabby as well as helping to eliminate toxins, which can result in more toned and youthful skin.

Healthy Vision

Research has found that spirulina is incredibly beneficial for vision as well. In fact, it’s been proven to be effective for treating eye diseases like macular degeneration, diabetic retinal damage, geriatric cataracts and nephritic retinal damage, thanks to a powerful antioxidant called zeaxanthin. A number of studies have revealed that a diet rich in this antioxidant can help prevent the loss of vision, and a report published in The British Journal of Nutrition notes that spirulina is a rich source of zeaxanthin with high bioavailability, which means that it’s highly absorbable in the blood.

Improving Brain Health and Protecting Against Degenerative Diseases

Spirulina has also been shown to help protect cognitive functioning as we age. Taking it regularly can reduce the risk of developing diseases that can severely impact the quality of life as well as shorten it, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Taking a spoonful of spirulina a day is believed to help protect the brain from degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Researchers from Madrid, Spain compared it to foods known to be especially high in antioxidants such as spinach and blueberries in a 2008 study, which are well-known to provide neuroprotective effects due to their ability to lower inflammation and fight off free radical damage. These powerful antioxidants not only protect the brain from degeneration, but they help keep the mind sharp and focused. Some experts believe that a daily dose of spirulina may also help improve productivity and reduce ADHD symptoms too.

Lowering Cholesterol

Lower blood cholesterol means a reduced risk of heart disease, which is a major cause of death in adults who are middle-aged or older. Spirulina lowers cholesterol levels naturally while boosting the absorption of essential minerals to improve one’s total cholesterol ratio. Research published in The Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology in 2010 found that rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet for four weeks followed by the same diet, but with spirulina added, for the next eight weeks, experienced a reduction in cholesterol by 26% in the those who consumed a diet of 1% spirulina, and 41% in the group that consumed 5% spirulina.
Anyone up for some algae?

-Susan

 

 

 

9 Reasons To Eat More Pineapple

By Susan Patterson

Not only are pineapples delicious, they are also good for you, really good for you. Known as ‘Ananas comusus’ because it resembles a pine cone, the pineapple is not really one fruit but rather a group of individual berries attached to a center stalk. Each fruit has a noticeable ‘eye’ on the surface of the pineapple. The leaves are part of the stalk and the base area is where the sweetest part of the fruit can be found.

This pretty tropical delight has a tough outer shell but is loaded with sweet natural goodness and a multitude of health benefits.

Pineapples can make your skin radiant, ease digestive issue, help boost your immune system to fight off colds and reduce inflammation.

Here are 9 reasons to enjoy pineapple often:

Eye health – Pineapple is an amazing source of vitamin C, minerals, antioxidants and minerals including potassium and manganese. It helps protect against cell damage and helps to reduce the risk of macular degeneration. Pineapple also contains beta carotene which is essential for eye health.

Blood pressure – One cup of pineapple contains 1mg sodium and 195 mug of potassium, which is essential to lowering blood pressure.

Fertility – Powerful antioxidants in pineapple including vitamin C, beta-carotene, zinc, and folate can help improve both female and male fertility.

Skin – Vitamin C is essential for healthy and radiant skin as it helps with collagen production.

Bones – Pineapple has a healthy dose of manganese which is essential to a healthy bone structure, bone metabolism and creation of enzymes necessary for building bones.

Joint pain – Pineapple contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can ease pain associated with conditions such as arthritis.  Studies show that bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple can reduce swelling, bruising, pain and healing time associated with an injury or surgery.

Click Here to Discover How This Part of a Pineapple KILLS Inflammation

Blood clots – If you have suffered from blood clots before or fly frequently, the bromelain in pineapple will help protect you from clot generation.

Weight loss – Although pineapple contains sugar, it is a great go-to snack for those watching their weight. There is ample soluble fiber that helps create a delayed digestive response, which in turn controls hunger pangs and boosts metabolism.

Constipation – Fiber in pineapple helps to facilitate digestion and stool formation and rapid movement through the digestive tract.

How to enjoy more pineapple

Here are some great ways to enjoy more pineapple and all of its amazing health benefits:

Pineapple Banana Smoothie

  • ¼ fresh pineapple
  • 1 large frozen banana
  • 1 cup pure orange juice
  • ½ cup coconut milk

Add all ingredients to a blender and blend well.  Enjoy immediately!

Pineapple and Mint Oatmeal

  • 1 serving old fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup pineapple, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon  and coconut sugar
  • 2 tablespoons coconut milk

Prepare the oatmeal according to directions. Top with the pineapple, mint, milk and cinnamon and sugar.


Tropical Cooler

  • 3 cups fresh pineapple juice
  • 2 cups coconut water
  • ½ cup fresh lime juice
  • 2 cups sparkling water
  • Pineapple spears

Combine all ingredients except the sparkling water in a large pitcher and chill for at least an hour. Add sparkling water just before serving and garnish with a pineapple spear.

Click Here to Discover How This Part of a Pineapple KILLS Inflammation

— Susan Patterson