Best Foods for a Healthy Pancreas that Fight Diabetes

Your Pancreas is a vital organ that plays a major role in the digestion of food and the regulation of  blood sugar.

You can keep it healthy and avoid or reverse type 2 diabetes by following these same steps that help you prevent heart disease:

s Eat the healthy diet I describe in my video clips: plenty of whole grains, fish, fruits, and  vegetables, and  limited amounts of  lean meat, fat, sugar, and alcohol.

s Exercise for at least 30 minutes, 5 days a week.

s Daily physical activity.

s Keep a healthy weight.

s Know the warning signs described here, and  ask your doctor for pre-diabetes test.

s Relax.

The Pancreas is a glandular organ part of the digestive system. It is about 7 in (17.8 cm) long and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) wide, located behind the lower part of the stomach, in front of the spine. It connects to the duodenum (the first section of the small intestine) through the pancreatic duct. Its head is on the right side of your abdomen, its tail (narrow end) extends to your left side of the body. Its glandular tissue have the beta cells which secret insulin. When the beta cells do not work well, diabetes occurs.

It provides 2 vital functions:

s Exocrine-it makes/stores/releases enzymes vital for the digestion & absorption of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates from your food in the small intestine and  bicarbonate that helps neutralize stomach acids.

s Endocrine-it produces hormones insulin and glucagon directly into the bloodstream. Both control the level of glucose in the blood: insulin converts blood glucose (sugar) into energy & lowers its level while increasing the amount of glycogen (stored carbohydrate) in the liver. Glucagon increases the blood sugar level when it falls too low.

How does the pancreas work?

The food you eat empties from your stomach into the small intestine where it mixes with pancreatic digestive enzymes to neutralize stomach acid and to prevent damage to the intestine. These enzymes also break down (de-compose)  your food so that it can be absorbed by your body. So, digestion is a process that turns the foods you eat or drink into fuel. It starts in your mouth, continues to your stomach. The absorption of food happens in your small intestine. What is not absorbed here goes to your large intestine, to your colon and finally is excreted via anus. Water and alcohol are the only ones that are absorbed through your stomach which is why it is important to always eat a balanced meal when you drink alcohol.

Secondly, the pancreas produces insulin, which reduces blood sugar levels and allows your body to store food energy for future use.

Eating the foods I present in this video clip can heal and nourish your pancreas.

Foods that Damage your Pancreas

sPackaged foods and  ready-made baked goods (cookies, crackers, cakes, and donuts, French fries, onion rings, processed foods, and margarine) which are very rich in saturated fats and trans fats because they cause the formation of  gallstones. Gallstones that pass from the bile duct into the pancreatic duct can get stuck (lodged) there and blocks the flow of pancreatic juices causing pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas which, untreated leads to cancer.

sRefined carbohydrates (white breads, pastas)  and refined sugar.

s Sugary drinks (canned or bottled): regular soda, fruit punch, fruit drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, tea.

s Fat-free and low-fat products replace fat with sugar.

s Red meat in excess.

s Fried, fatty foods.

s Alcohol & tobacco in excess.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM), in short diabetes, is a group of metabolic diseases in which the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin  or the body do not respond / use properly the insulin produced. Insulin is a hormone needed to convert sugar, starches and other food into the energy needed for daily life. If left untreated, sugar builds up in your blood which causes cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic kidney failure, foot ulcers, blindness, nerve and organ damage. Diabetes  affects people of all ages.  

Types of diabetes mellitus:

sType 1- the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin. The cause is unknown.

sType 2- body cells develop insulin resistance, they do not respond to insulin well. The main cause is obesity and insufficient exercise. It is treatable and reversible.

sGestational diabetes, which affects 3-10% of pregnant women, occurs during the third trimester. Cause: presence of human placental lactogen that interferes with the proper function of insulin receptors. It is treatable and reversible.

Breast Cancer in Men and Women-Less Known Facts

Breast Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. Most breast cancers take 6 to 8 years to become big enough to be able to be seen on a mammogram or felt. You CANNOT feel a slow-growing breast tumor by touch until it is 0.4 inc (1 cm) in diameter, which makes the mammogram so vital for early detection. Although it can occur in men and women, breast cancer is by far more common in women.

Common risk factors for breast cancer in women:

§ Older age.

§ Obesity & lack of physical exercise.

§ Diet high in fat and sugar.

§ High cholesterol.

§ Heavy drinking & smoking.

§ Hormone replacement therapy during menopause.

§ Chest ionizing radiation.

§ First menstruation before 12.

§ First birth after age 30 or no pregnancy.

IMPORTANT: You can reduce your risk by practicing a healthy lifestyle,  by knowing the risk factors, and by planning and sticking to early detection testing.

Risk factors for breast cancer  in men:

§ Age-Most breast cancers happen to men between ages 60 and 70.

§ Breast cancer in a close female relative.

§ Diet rich in fats and sweets.

§ Obesity & lack of physical exercise.

§ Heavy drinking & smoking.

§ Radiation exposure of the chest.

§ Enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia) caused by drug or hormone treatments, infections and poisons.

§ Taking estrogen.

§ Klinefelter's syndrome, rare genetic disease.

§ Cirrhosis.

§ Diseases of the testicles:  mumpsorchitis, a testicular injury,  undescended testicle.

The cancer is typically detected as a hard lump under the nipple and areola. It has a higher mortality rate than female cancer mostly because men assume this condition is a women's disease and they delay medical advice and  treatment. 

Common risk factors for senior women:

§ Age - Two in three women over 55 are at risk to develop the cancer.

§ Genes – About 10% of breast cancer cases in seniors are hereditary. Know your  parents' medical history.

§ Lack of physical exercise.

§ Diet high in fats and sugars.

§ Obesity –Fat tissue stores estrogen, so if you are overweight after menopause you have an increased chance of developing breast cancer. Overweight leads to higher blood insulin levels which have also been linked to breast cancer.

§ Alcohol Intake – If you have more than one alcohol drink per day  you have a one and a half times the risk of developing breast cancer as a non-drinker.

Best Foods that Protect Your Liver and Lower Cholesterol

Important Facts about Your Liver

s Weighs around 3 pounds (1.3 kg) in adults.

s Second largest body organ after the skin.

s Situated in upper right side of abdomen, beneath diaphragm, against the ribs, above stomach.

s Is almost triangular in shape.

s It is divided into two lobes, right and left.

s Has an amazing capacity to regenerate and restore to normal size and function.

s Major functions: digestion of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, metabolism, immunity, and  storage of nutrients.

s Main filter and cleanser of your blood.

s Detoxifies your body by pumping about 2 quarts (1.8 l) of blood every minute.

s Breaks down and excretes every toxic substance that enters your body.

s Has a unique, entirely separate circulation system-the Hepatic Portal System -a series of veins carrying blood from stomach, intestine, spleen, & pancreas to the liver before continues to the heart. Your Liver 

s Produces:

Ø The bile, which removes waste and breaks down fats in the small intestine during digestion.

Ø Bilirubin, a brownish yellow pigment of bile, which gives to feces their distinctive color,  also produced in bone marrow cells. Bilirubin is the end product of aged red-blood-cell breakdown that the lives excretes into the gallbladder. It passes out of the body via the liver-gallbladder-mostly in feces, and a small amount in urine. High level of bilirubin in the blood indicates a diseased gallbladder or liver.

Ø Proteins for blood plasma (albumin/ globulin).

Ø Cholesterol and triglycerides.

s Stores:

Ø Glucose and releases it as needed.

Ø Vitamins A, D, & B-12, iron, and copper.

s Processes hemoglobin for use of its iron content.

s Clears the blood of drugs and other toxic substances.

s Regulates blood clotting.

s Filters and converts harmful waste products (ammonia, uric acid, urea, and creatinine) for excretion by the kidneys in the urine.

AVOID or MINIMIZE consuming these LIVER WEAKENING FOODS:

s Foods containing additives, trans-fats, hydrogenated  fats and oils,  and Monosodium Glutamate  (MSG) such as fast, processed,  junk, canned and packaged foods.

s Deep fried foods.

s Alcohol.

s Salt - too much salt (like in bacon, salami, and sausages) increases blood pressure and leads to fatty liver disease.

s Artificial sweeteners: Aspartame, Splenda, Nutra-

Sweet, and Equal.

s Sugary foods and drinks.

s Fructose.

s Red meat.

Impotence and Frigidity-Natural Remedies

Sexual arousal (male and female) is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, nerves, emotions, muscles and blood vessels. Male erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and low sexual desire (libido) can result from a problem with any of these.

ED, the inability to maintain an sufficient erection for a satisfying sexual activity, is a treatable medical condition that occurs at all ages with numerous physical and psychological causes. Likewise, FSADs are treatable and can occur at any age.

Stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen both ED and FSAD. Occasionally both physical and psychological issues can be the cause.
Although men and women experience sexual arousal very differently, both physiologically and psychologically, the sources of sexual arousal and libido disorders are similar to a great extent. The natural remedies described here will enhance your sexual performance. I advise you to use them with confidence.
Sexual arousal (male and female) is a complex process that involves the brain, hormones, nerves, emotions, muscles and blood vessels. Male erectile dysfunction (ED) or impotence, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) and low sexual desire (libido) can result from a problem with any of these.
ED, the inability to maintain an sufficient erection for a satisfying sexual activity, is a treatable medical condition that occurs at all ages with numerous physical and psychological causes. Likewise, FSADs are treatable and can occur at any age.
Stress and mental health concerns can cause or worsen both ED and FSAD. Occasionally both physical and psychological issues can be the cause.
Although men and women experience sexual arousal very differently, both physiologically and psychologically, the sources of sexual arousal and libido disorders are similar to a great extent. The natural remedies described here will enhance your sexual performance. I advise you to use them with confidence.

50 + and Younger-Best Exercises to Prevent Falls and Fractures, 太極拳

Daily exercise and physical activity improve not only your general health but also strengthen your bones, flexibility, and balance which help you stand on your feet and prevent falls/tumbles and fractures. Sedentary life and lack of physical effort are two of the leading  causes to osteoporosis. Your best option to prevent falls-fractures and to prevent-reverse osteoporosis is daily low-impact exercises and activities described in this video clip.

If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, AVOID  sports requiring a lot of bending and twisting like skiing, golf, or those with a high risk of falling, like skiing. Experts often recommend TAI CHI which is safe for everyone.

Regular Physical Activity and Exercise are the best way to reduce falls with their painful, expensive consequences. It is a widely recognized fact that individuals, including older adults, who are physically active:

§ Are healthier and happier

§ Have a sharper brain/memory

§ Have stronger bones/ muscles

§ Have better reflexes

§ Have better coordination &   posture

§ Have better balance & flexibility

§ Are less likely to fall

§ Better avoid injury during falls

§ Recover faster from fall-injuries

Low-impact exercises and activities, generally defined as motions where one foot stays on the ground at all times, include:

§ Walking (walking in the snow uses more energy than walking on dry land)

§ Elliptical is less stressful for your legs than the treadmill

§ Step/stairs climbing

§ Swimming

§ Water and step aerobics

§ Strength training: squats. lunges, supermans

§ Cycling not more than 30 minutes

§ Tai Chi - gentle, fluid movement fights off headaches and increases flexibility

§ Rowing machine works your arms, back, legs, and core

§ Kayaking works the arms and core

§ Hiking is walking on different terrain; choose flatter areas

§ Rock climbing, climbing in general, typically involves slow/controlled movements, which work the muscles with-out the added strain

§ Pilates sessions strengthen the core and help increase flexibility-use Pilates ball for better results

§ Ballroom dancing

§ Rollerblading-gliding on pavement puts less stress 

Physical Activity is vital at any age. Regardless how old you are, it is never too late to start to exercise, even if you already have osteoporosis or are high at risk of developing it.

Remember:

§ If you are physically active you are strong & flexible

§ You have a lower risk of falling and are less likely to injure yourself if you fall

§ You have a better chance of recovering from falls or injuries

§ You are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety because physical activity helps you feel more confident about moving around thus improving your mood. Physical activity therefore reduces your fear of falling

§ Sedentarism adversely affects your leg strength, flexibility, coordination, posture, and ultimately balance

Best Home Remedies for Eye Bags and Dark Circles

Eye Bags, periorbital puffiness or "puffy eyes," are soft swelling typically in the tissues below the eyes, sometimes around the eyes (orbits) as well. They are accompanied by saggy or loose skin and dark circles. There is a clear distinction between the puffiness caused by fluid  buildup, called periorbital edema which is temporary, and SOOF, sub oribularis oculi fat pad, which is age-related, gradual increase in the size of the fat pad of the upper cheek, lying below the lower eyelids.

Eye bags are harmless except when the swelling is severe, persistent and accompanied by redness, itching or pain which affect your legs or  other parts of your body. In this case, they may indicate thyroid or kidney disease, infections or an allergy.

Dark or blue circles under the eyes which are more visible in the morning, regardless of age, are caused by fluid retention. They are more frequent with older people. As we age the skin gradually loses its elasticity and ability to regenerate. Furthermore, the skin around your eyes is extremely thin, so the blood vessels are very close to the its surface and become visible through see-through skin.

Your lifestyle and diet have an important influence on your looks, including your eyes and skin. Choose the natural home remedies I describe here and soon you will notice the difference providing you have no underlying medical conditions that cause the swelling and dark shades under your eyes.

Common causes:

♦ Age

♦ Fatigue

♦ Oversleeping, sleep deprivation,  or interrupted sleep cycles

♦ Fluid retention brought on by:

v Pregnancy

v Menstruation hormonal variations

v Salty Diet, processed foods are your worst enemy

v Kidney problems

v Obesity

♦ Alcohol and tobacco contain toxins that lead to stress, fatigue, and hormonal changes thus leading to fluid retention and swelling around the eyes

♦ Prolonged Crying - the salt in tears may cause fluid retention in the eye area

Ways to reduce/eliminate eye bags/dark circles:

♦ Drink plenty of water

♦ Remove makeup off your face before bed

♦ Moisturize face nightly

♦ Clean your sinuses-use nasal irrigation (lavage, douche) with Neti pot, a small pot that looks like a tea pot with a long spout. Pour warm water into your nostrils over a sink. It promotes sinus and nasal health

♦ Aromatherapy steam inhalation is ideal for sinus congestion 

♦ Sleep at least 7 hours at night preferably on your back

♦ Keep your head elevated during sleep

♦ REDUCE salt in your foods

♦ AVOID processed foods, junk foods

♦ EXERCISE daily-it removes salt through sweat

♦ PROTECT eyes from UV

♦ DO NOT smoke/ REDUCE alcohol intake

♦ AVOID stress and crying

♦ RELAX

♦ TREAT allergies

Foods for a Healthy Gallbladder

When everything you eat causes pain it is time for you to have your gallbladder checked. Your major concern should be what is behind  the symptoms, the root of the problem. Say if your stomach gas and bloating are caused by fats, they are directly related to your gallbladder. When they are caused by proteins, you probably have not enough stomach acid to begin the process of digestion. If eating starch and sugars bring about gas and distention you do not have enough bowel flora.

Remember that too much  fat is as detrimental to your gallbladder as too little fat. Moderation is the key word for your general health including your gallbladder.

If you have been diagnosed with gallstones or with a slow gallbladder, stay out of pain by avoiding the trigger foods in this video clip. Improve and maintain a working gallbladder by embracing a healthy diet, above all beets, lemon juice, flax and extra virgin olive oils.

Gallbladder disease is frequently misdiagnosed. These are the signs of a malfunctioning gallbladder often ignored by doctors and patients alike:

• Constipation – the fat that enters the small intestine has to be metabolized by the bile salts and the lipase from the pancreas. When the gallbladder does not release the bile efficiently the food and its fatty contents  wait longer in the small intestine to be metabolized which causes constipation.  The bile is also lubricating the colon preventing constipation. Please remember that constipation is not always caused by lack of fiber or liquids in your diet. Do not rush into swallowing pills; rather, have your gallbladder checked and eat the foods I mention in this video clip.
•  Burping, heaviness, and bloating after or while eating a meal, especially one containing fat, when digestion of fatty meals becomes a problem.
•  Decreased stomach (gastric) acid (HCL-hydrochloric acid)
• Stomach gas and distention
• Peeling of the skin on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet is due to an inefficient fat metabolism system and metabolism problems with vitamin A (fat soluble).
•  Sleeping problems: when you cannot fall asleep until after 1 AM or you fall asleep and wake up and stay awake between 11 PM- 1 AM your gallbladder is stressed. If you are awake between 1 AM-3 AM your liver is sick. Any sleeping problems between 1 AM-3 AM are caused by excess caffeine, hormones, stress, and medications all of which affect both the gallbladder and the bile production in the liver.
• Abnormal liver function tests:  raised glutamyl transferase , alkaline phosphatase , alanine aminotransferase , and bilirubin

Foods to Fight and Heal Skin Diseases

There are more than 3,000 kinds of skin disorders. Some are easily cured and just a temporary annoyance, while others last a lifetime causing chronic symptoms, disability, and emotional distress. Regardless of what disease you have, you will find relief for the painful symptoms and ultimately the cure for most disorders by adopting the foods I mention in this video clip on a daily basis. More details in this video clip.

Most common causes of skin diseases:

• Poor or lack of hygiene
• Unhealthy diet-junk/spicy food, lack of water
• Alcohol and smoking
• Heredity
• Compromised immune system caused by HIV/AIDS, leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis
• Viral and bacterial infections
• Diabetes
• UV exposure - sunburns damage the skin and lead to premature aging, wrinkles, lax skin, brown spots, cancer
• Stress
• Lack of sleep
• Allergies and irritant
• Chemical exposure: arsenic, coal, tar, paraffin, creosote or radium

Best ways to prevent and cure most of skin diseases:

• Eat the foods I mention in my videos to fortify your immune system-fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, seeds and nuts, fish, lean meats
• Roast, bake, sauté, steam, or grill foods
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and tea
• Avoid fast and junk foods
• Avoid spices if you have itchy, sore, inflamed skin
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid smoking
• Detox often, view my  Best Detox Foods video 
• Exercise, make love, and relax regularly
• Wash your hands often, especially before eating and after using the bathroom
• Shower often to keep your skin free of bacteria
• Avoid scratching your skin, squeezing pimples, boils or rubbing broken skin
• Wash clothes, bed sheets, and towels regularly in hot water
• Do not share your towels, hair or tooth brushes, shaving utensils, and personal lingerie
• See a doctor if you have a chronic illness causing your skin disorder or your skin breaks often

Identify Foot Pain Causes and Disorders

Your feet are your body’s foundation. They act as shock absorbers while you walk or run. Your ankles withstand more pressure than any other joint in the human body. Most people are on their feet more than ten hours daily; so, some degree of feet soreness, pain, and swelling by the end of the day is normal.  Remember that most of foot problems do not require surgery. Good foot hygiene, comfortable shoes with arch and heel support, regular foot exercises, foot massage, acupuncture, together with a healthy weight and a balanced,  detox diet are the most important things you can to do for your feet. If these do not work you have a more serious foot problem for which you need to see a doctor.
Take good care of your feet. They walk you through life.

Foot problems such as hammertoes, blisters, bunions, corns, calluses, heel spurs, claw and mallet toes, ingrown toenails, toenail fungus, and athlete’s foot develop due to neglect, ill-fitting shoes, and simple wear and tear.
Your feet also can indicate if your body is under threat from a serious disease. Gout, for instance, will attack the foot joints first.

Any part of your foot can cause pain: bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, fascia, toenails, nerves, blood vessels, or skin. I will help you narrow down your pain by  its most common causes and location. Once you identify your disorder you will know what your options are and not rush into surgery or any other dramatic treatment that can do more harm than good to your health.
Foot massage and stretching are very important for improving foot blood flow and for relieving pain caused by  plantar fasciitis, heel  spurs, arch pain, tired, cold, and aching feet.
I advise you to buy an oval, rubber ball no longer than 6 inch, and  to roll your foot  over it at least once a day for minimum 15 minutes. The ball applies pressure that reduces stiffness and discomfort throughout your arch and heel. You can heat it in warm water or freeze it to offer yourself hot or cold therapy.

Voltaire - Je Suis Charlie - I Am Charlie - أنا تشارلي

Voltaire was a French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher famous for his wit, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. "I do not agree with what you have to say, but I'll defend to death your right to say it." said Voltaire in the 18th century. This credo is still held in high esteem by numerous writers, satirists, cartoonists, artists and people in many parts of our world. Charles Hebdo journalists believed in this noble principle of freedom of expression and they did it in a humorous way. Nobody deserves to die for this. Humor is one way of making daily problems easier to bear. Improve your sense of humor with the foods described in my video- "Foods that De-Stress and Make You Happy!"

وكان فولتير والتنوير الفرنسي الكاتب والمؤرخ، والفيلسوف الشهير لذاكرته، ودفاعه عن حرية الدين، وحرية التعبير، والفصل بين الكنيسة والدولة. "أنا لا أتفق مع ما لديك لتقوله، ولكنني سوف تدافع حتى الموت حقك أن أقول ذلك." قال فولتير في القرن ال18. لا يزال عقد هذه العقيدة في تقدير عال من قبل العديد من الكتاب والنقاد الساخرين ورسامي الكاريكاتير والفنانين والناس في أجزاء كثيرة من عالمنا. الصحفيين تشارلز ابدو يعتقد في هذا المبدأ النبيل لحرية التعبير وفعلوا ذلك بطريقة فكاهية. لا أحد يستحق أن يموت من أجل هذا. الفكاهة هي طريقة واحدة لجعل المشاكل اليومية أكثر سهولة لتحمل.

تحسين تتحلون به من روح الدعابة مع الأطعمة وصفها في بلدي باستخدام أشرطة الفيديو "الأطعمة التي كنت تجعل من التخلص من التوتر وسعيدة!"

كاريكاتير هو رسم بسيط تبين خصائص مواطنيها في الفكاهة مبالغ فيها، وخاصة في صحيفة أو مجلة ساخرة.

  المرادفات: الرسوم المتحركة، محاكاة ساخرة، هجاء

Caricature is a simple drawing showing the features of its subjects in a humorously exaggerated way, especially a satirical one in a newspaper or magazine.

Synonyms:  cartoon, parody, lampoon, satire

القدرة على إدراك النكتة، لنقدر نكتة، هجاء أو رسم كاريكاتوري، لتضحك على تجارب الحياة والمحن أو على نفسك يتطلب ذكاء وحكمة. لأنه يأتي مع الثقافة والتعليم.

The ability to perceive humor, to appreciate a joke, a satire or a cartoon, to laugh at life's trials and tribulations or at yourself requires intelligence and wisdom. It comes with culture and education.