In some of my past articles, I’ve written about foods that help your body stay healthy. Some may even reverse the disease process. There is no more powerful drug than that which is on the end of your fork. I recently wrote about the importance of eating organic foods, and knowing who grew the plants or raised the animals you eat. If you make one small change that makes a big difference, be mindful about the ingredients in your food. Processed foods are exactly that. They go through processes that in many cases, involve chemicals that are harmful to our bodies. Try to keep things simple and basic. Sometimes it takes a little longer to prepare, or to have a little discipline to prepare ahead. I’m going to discuss some simple foods that may assist the body in healing itself.
As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I thought I’d about mushrooms and their benefits. The three medicinal mushrooms, maitake (Grifola frondosa), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), and reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) are the most important and widely used mushrooms in alternative medicine. Medicinal mushrooms contain a high density of polysaccharides and triterpenes and over 1,000 other bioactive compounds. Many bioactive chemicals in medicinal mushrooms have been documented to support immune function and benefit a wide range of medical conditions, including cancer, and are also found to enhance athletic and sexual performance.
Medicinal mushrooms’ bioactivity have found to be beneficial in clinics when used in conjunction with chemotherapy. Mushroom polysaccharides show direct antitumor activity against various tumors, and are believed to prevent tumor metastasis. Polysaccharides from mushrooms do not attack cancer cells directly, but produce their antitumor effects by activating different immune responses in the host. These medicinal mushrooms are available in capsule form or even in their regular dried form that you can reconstitute and make broth with. Either way, get your mushrooms in as often as possible. They taste great, and are so good to help your body heal itself.
Turmeric and ginger are very popular in nutritional supplements today. You can purchase fresh turmeric and fresh ginger to make teas and broths with. They have both been used for centuries to help fight the common cold, flu, and body aches. Research is now showing their importance in raising your immune system. The chemical compound in turmeric, curcumin, may have anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties. Ginger has been used over the centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to help warm the body and fight disease.
The holidays are coming. How can we build our immune system before we get to run down?
Here’s an easy home made paste to get your ginger, turmeric, and honey in daily. Add all of the following ingredients into an airtight glass jar. Once mixed, add 1 teaspoon of the paste to warm water (under 106 degrees F to keep the honey raw) or freshly squeezed juice to help boost your immune system and increase your energy.
1 tbsp. grated turmeric
1 tbsp. grated ginger
1/4 tsp. black pepper
lemon zest
1 tsp. crushed garlic
a dash of cayenne pepper
1/4 cup local raw honey
As you see, there are simple ingredients we can find in the grocery store that help our bodies to be their best. Prescriptions are not necessary for these wonderful ingredients.
For more information on medicinal foods, please contact my office for a complimentary consultation.
For questions regarding my articles, please email me at
[email protected]
Leisa-Marie Grgula, D.C.
Chiropractic Physician
Accurate Care Pain Relief Center
21043 N. Cave Creek Rd. #A9
Phoenix, AZ 85024
602-493-2228
www.CaringPainRelief.com
