Every Monday & Wednesday!

Enjoy 20% off your order at Vitamin Lady At Middle Earth ®

Monday to receive 20% off your Order Every Monday and Wednesday at The Vitamin Lady®
Offer is only good on online purchases that are shipped to you. It does not apply to local purchases nor online purchases with local pickup.

Discount Mondays AND Wednesdays!

I am happy to announce I have added Wednesdays to my 20% discount day at  Vitamin Lady At Middle Earth®!  Your Wednesday just got a lot better because starting tomorrow, November 16th, 2016, every Wednesday you’ll receive a 20% off of your entire purchase of $99.00 or more! I am offering the 20% discount off of your total purchase price, in addition to all other rewards and discounts. This promotional program will continue until further notice. This offer is good in my online store at http://shop.vitaminlady.com  The offer is not good for phone orders or for walk ins to the actual store.  Happy Shopping! 

So What Is Cholesterol?

Cholesterol

By: Cindy Mitchell

What is Cholesterol

There seems to be a lot of confusion concerning cholesterol and the “good” and “bad” aspects of it. Let’s explore what this is all about. Cholesterol is a vital substance because it is a fundamental building block of the body. Every cell of our bodies is made of cholesterol, fatty acids (in the form of triglycerides), and proteins, among other things.  Cholesterol is found in the walls of our cells and is essential to them.  It is also found in our bile.  Our bodies produce bile as a sort of glue that helps digest fats.  Without bile (and its component cholesterol) we would simply not digest fat and the nutrients contained in fat.  Cholesterol is the starting material that produces sex hormones and all our oil-soluble vitamins (A,D,K, and E), and we simply would die without it.

How Does It Work

Cholesterol is transported throughout the body in particles called chylomicrons, VLDL, LDL, and HDL.  The first two of these particles transport triglycerides and the latter two transport cholesterol.  The difference between LDL and HDL is significant.  LDL carries cholesterol to the cells of the body and HDL carries cholesterol away.  If you think of LDL as a delivery truck and HDL as a “pick-up” service, you’re looking at it correctly.

None of these particles are bad or good.  They each have a job to do.  However, I believe any of these particles, if small enough, will lodge in the walls of our arteries and create inflammation.  Inflammation in the arterial wall attracts constituents of our immune system called macrophages, which try to destroy the inflammation caused by the embedded particle.  Once this occurs, the residual particle and macrophage become forever lodged in the wall and plazue begins to form.  Enough plaque and you eventually have heart disease.

What You Can Do

If you are worried about heart health and cardiovascular disease, focus on lowering the number of particles is probably the best idea, and to do that, you should eat a balanced diet that is low in simple carbohydrates (which convert to these particles).  If you eat healthy and avoid simple carbs, you will ultimately affect the number of particles in your blood, and that is good for you in the long run.

 

Happy Health to you

10 Best Uses for Brewers Yeast

Brewers Yeast Best UsesImage result for Brewers yeast pictures

By: Cindy Mitchell

Brewer’s yeast is named as such for one very simple reason — it’s used to make beer. However, this yeast,
produced from a single-celled fungus called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, has been found to have some awesome nutritional and health benefits.

Does this mean beer’s now good for you? Sorry to disappoint, but you should still consider adding brewer’s yeast to
your daily routine. Here are the 10 best benefits of and uses for brewer’s yeast:

1. General Nutrition — Brewer’s yeast is an easy way to add a nutritive boost to your meals or snacks. This yeast is
rich in protein, amino acids, fiber, B-complex vitamins and trace minerals. These essential nutrients have lots of
amazing health benefits that we’ll get to in a minute.

2. Digestive Aid — The nutrients found within brewer’s yeast strengthen and support proper breakdown and digestion of
food. This yeast also contains some “good bacteria,” or probiotics, which also support healthy digestion. Lastly,
brewer’s yeast is known to activate certain enzymes to prevent or relieve digestive issues like diarrhea.

3. Menstrual Relief — Women who add brewer’s yeast to their healthy diet can help reduce the severity or occurrence of
their symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), which often include cramping, bloating and food cravings/changes in
appetite.

4. Skin Conditions — The B vitamins and trace minerals found in brewer’s yeast can help correct any nutritional
imbalances that could lead to acne breakouts, helping to reduce the inflammation and clear the skin. These same
nutrients may also improve the symptoms of other skin conditions, such as eczema.

5. Immune System Support — Brewer’s yeast contains a very important trace mineral, selenium, that acts as a powerful
antioxidant within the body, fighting off the potential damage of free radicals. This yeast is also said to strengthen
the gut’s mucus membrane to keep out infection.

6. Energy Booster — This is one of Dr. Mehmet Oz’s favorite reasons to try brewer’s yeast. He’s discussed this
supplement on “The Dr. Oz Show” multiple times, but his most popular recommendation is to sprinkle some brewer’s yeast
onto freshly popped popcorn. It will add a cheesy, nutty flavor and the B-complex vitamins and  protein will give you a
pick-me-up.

7. Blood Sugar Regulation — The chromium found within brewer’s yeast is known to maintain the ideal amount of blood
glucose. Chromium can help lower glucose levels in the blood while boosting glucose tolerance and therefore lowering
the amount of insulin a diabetic needs.

8. Respiratory Wellness — By strengthening the immune system, brewer’s yeast can help you fight off the common cold
or flu and maintain healthy respiration, especially during the cold and allergy season.

9. Heart Health — Adding brewer’s yeast to your diet may help you lower your LDL, or “bad” cholesterol into the
desired range, as part of a healthy, balanced diet and regular exercise. Brewer’s yeast is rich in a type of fiber
known as beta glucans, which inhibit cholesterol absorption, lowering LDL and raising HDL, or “good” cholesterol.
Cholesterol management helps reduce the risk for heart attack, stroke and heart disease.

10. Weight Management — The protein and fiber in brewer’s yeast can be a great source of healthy fuel for a workout
and help you feel satiated. The chromium also keeps blood sugar levels stable, preventing the spikes and crashes that
can lead to overeating.

Brewer’s yeast is most commonly available as a powder or in flake form and is usually yellow in color. Top prepared
foods with the yeast as desired and enjoy! As always, speak with your physician before adding brewer’s yeast to your
routine for the purpose of managing any of the health issues mentioned above.  Although, I do not have the brewer’s yeast posted on my website,
I do carry it in the store if you are looking to purchase it for your daily use.

 

Magnesium Body Butter

Magnesium Body Butter

By: Cindy Mitchellmag body butter

 

 

 

½ cup
Coconut Oil
¼ cup
Shea Butter
¼ cup
Cocoa Butter, Pure
(don’t like the smell of chocolate? double up on the shea butter and leave this ingredient out)
¼ cup
Magnesium Topical Spray
(optional) 10 to 20 drops
Lavender Oil

This magnesium body butter is wonderfully moisturizing and is great for helping your body relax.

 In a microwave or double boiler over low heat, melt the coconut oil with the butter of your choice

  1. Pour into medium-sized bowl and let cool at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or until it begins to get opaque.
  2. Using a mixer or blender, whip ingredients together, while slowly adding in the magnesium liquid.
  3. Place in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes or until oils are solid but still soft to the touch.
  4. Add in your desired drops of essential oil and re-blend to create a nice whip and fluffy texture.
  5. Place completed body butter into a glass jar or jars of your choosing with a tight seal.

To Use:

Spread onto skin to moisturize before bed. A little bit goes a long way. Relax and enjoy!

Resource: Now Food

 

Shingles on the Face: Symptoms, Treatments, and More

Shingles on the face 

By: Cindy Mitchell
How Common Is Shingles?
Approximately 1 in 3 people in the United States develops shingles in their lifetime. About 1 million cases of shingles occur every year in the United States.

Shingles, or zoster, is a common infection that occurs due to a herpes virus.

Shingles is a rash that usually appears on one side of the chest and back. It can also develop on one side of the face and around the eye.

The condition can be very painful and can sometimes have long-term side effects. No cure for shingles is available, but early treatment can lower your risk of serious complications.  The last few weeks I have had several different people in the store that have found their self with shingles.  Each one of them have told me in their words the odd things they had went through in having this painful infection.

What are the symptoms of shingles?

Shingles causes a red rash that forms a band on one side of your body or face. The rash can appear anywhere on your body or in several places. The second most common rash site is the face. It can spread from the ear to the nose and forehead. It can also spread around one eye, which can cause redness and swelling of the eye and surrounding area. The shingles rash occasionally develops in the mouth.

Many people feel a tingling or burning sensation days before the first red bumps appear.

The rash starts out as blisters filled with fluid, or lesions. Some people have a few clusters of blisters scattered about, and others have so many that it looks like a burn. The blisters eventually break, ooze, and crust over. After a few days, the scabs start to fall off.

Other symptoms of shingles are:

  • itchiness
  • sensitivity to touch
  • pain
  • fatigue
  • a headache
  • a fever

CAUSES

What causes shingles?

The varicella-zoster virus causes shingles. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox, or varicella. You can only get shingles if you’ve had chickenpox.

After you recover from chickenpox, the virus stays in your body for the rest of your life. It can remain dormant forever, but if it reactivates, you get shingles. It’s not clear exactly what reactivates the virus, but it’s more likely to happen if you have a compromised immune system. You can get it at any age, but your risk increases after age 60. It’s also not clear why some people get shingles primarily on the face.

COMPLICATIONS

What are the possible complications of shingles?

Shingles on your face can cause various complications depending on where the rash appears on your face.

Eyes

Shingles around the eye is a serious condition. The virus can affect all parts of your outer and inner eye, including the cornea and nerve cells that react to light. The symptoms include:

  • redness
  • puffiness
  • swelling
  • infection
  • vision problems

Shingles in or around the eye can lead to permanent blindness.

Ears

Shingles near or in the ear can cause infections. This can lead to:

  • hearing problems
  • balance issues
  • facial muscle weakness

Sometimes, these symptoms remain long after the rash clears up, even becoming permanent.

Mouth

If the shingles rash develops in your mouth, it can be very painful and make it difficult to eat until it clears up. It can also change your sense of taste.

Other complications

One of the most common complications of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This condition causes pain where you had the rash, even after it has healed. It can last weeks, months, or years.

If you get a bacterial infection on your rash, you could have permanent scarring.

Shingles causes a small increase in the risk of stroke for a few weeks to a few months. That risk is higher if you have shingles on the face.

Shingles can affect the brain, spinal cord, and blood vessels, but it’s rare. Pneumonia and brain inflammation are possible.

Complications send about 1 to 4 percent of people with shingles to the hospital. About 30 percent of them have a suppressed immune system. Shingles leads to about 96 deaths each year in the United States.

DIAGNOSIS

How is shingles diagnosed?

If you have symptoms of shingles, especially if they involve your face, see your doctor or ophthalmologist right away.

Doctors can usually diagnose a shingles rash by performing a physical exam. Your doctor can also take a scraping of your skin rash and send it to a lab for examination under a microscope.

It’s particularly important to seek treatment if you have a compromised immune system. Early treatment can help cut down on your chances for serious complications.

TREATMENTS

How is shingles on the face treated?

Shingles will have to run its course, but quite a few treatment options are available. These include:

  • antiviral drugs
  • anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, especially when the face or eyes are involved
  • over-the-counter or prescription strength pain relievers
  • a cool compress to soothe the rash
Antivirals And Shingles
Antiviral drugs can help shorten the severity and duration of the illness. They’re more effective if you start taking them right away. They also lower the risk of long-term pain.  At first sight of shingles L-Lysine and Vitamin C may help you to get through the virus faster.

You should also keep your skin cool and clean to help lower the chances of infection.

OUTLOOK

What is the outlook?

If you have a particularly severe case of shingles, it could take months to go away. It can also become a long-term problem for some people. If you have postherpetic neuralgia, you may need to see your doctor more often.

Complications that involve the eye or ear may require ongoing care, especially if you have lingering vision or hearing problems.

Most people have shingles only once, but it can recur. This is more likely to happen if you have a weakened immune system.

If you haven’t had any major complications, your symptoms should clear up within a matter of weeks with few, if any, lasting effects.

PREVENTION

How can you prevent spreading the virus?

You can’t give shingles to someone else, but the varicella-zoster virus is very contagious. If you have shingles and you expose someone else who has not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, you can give them the virus. They’ll get chickenpox, not shingles, but this puts them at risk for shingles later on.

You’re contagious when your blisters are oozing,  or after they break and before they crust over. Do the following to avoid spreading the virus to others:

  • Keep your rash covered, especially when the blisters are active.
  • Try not to touch, rub, or scratch your rash.
  • Wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Avoid contact with people who’ve never had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine, especially:

  • pregnant women
  • infants
  • people with HIV
  • people who take immunosuppressive drugs or chemotherapy
  • organ transplant recipients

 

Resources : Judith Marcin, M Don May 27, 2016

Nettle Tea Benefits and Warnings

Nettle Tea

By: Cindy MitchellNettle Tea Benefits and Warnings

Have you ever been stung by a nettle? It’s hard to forget that burning sensation, the pain and burning from hives and blisters. Stinging nettles are found all over the world, and bloom every year. It’s almost impossible to get away from the invasive plant.

What Is Nettle Tea

In one of those strange-but-true twists of nature, it turns out that the plant that can cause you so much harm could be the very solution to treating your problems. The stinging nettle, Latin name, Urtica dioica, has been used medicinally since at least 3 B.C. In medieval times, it was used to treat pain in joints, as well as act as a diuretic. Today, nettle root is used to treat urinary problems associated with an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia), urinary tract infections and hay fever. Nettle leaf, meanwhile, is most commonly used to treat pain, osteoarthritis, allergies and hay fever. The leaves and stems can be eaten in a salad, cooked into soup or made into a tea, but the nettle root is more likely to be extracted with alcohol to make a tincture, dried and taken in capsules, or dried and made into a tea. The plant has few known side effects, but as with any medicinal preparation, you may want to consult a health care practitioner before adding nettles to your diet or treatment plan.

Nettle Tea Benefits

Nettle tea affects the kidneys directly. “Nettle is a diuretic. [It] increases urine output and removal of uric acid (under physician supervision). Thus it can be useful for edema, inflammatory arthritis or gout,” says naturopath Dr. Robert Kachko, ND, LAc. Studies show that by combining nettle with saw palmetto, patients can find relief from urinary problems. In addition to affecting the kidneys, “nettle has many constituents and is considered one of our most nutritive herbs, we call it a ‘trophorestorative’ for this reason,” says Dr. Kachko. “Its main constituents are flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol), carotenoids, Vitamin C, Vitamin B, Vitamin K1, triterpenes, sterols and minerals.” Ten grams of nettle contains 290 milligrams of calcium and 86 milligrams of magnesium. In comparison, 10 grams of raw spinach contains 10 milligrams of calcium and 8 milligrams of magnesium. If you’re no Popeye, try nettle tea for some of your daily nutrition needs.

Nettle Tea for Allergies

Hay fever affects millions of people, and nettle tea is effective in controlling the itching and sneezing typically associated with it. A study at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine concluded that 58% of the participants who were given freeze-dried nettles for treatment of hay fever experienced a reduction in symptoms. Since over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines can have side effects like drowsiness, seizures and dry mouth, nettle tea is a good alternative for people with sensitivities.

Nettle Tea for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

The diuretic nature of nettle tea improves kidney function, and as a result can improve the symptoms associated with BPH. It “improves frequency, urgency, urinary flow, and can also lower the sex hormone binding globulin which impacts testosterone levels,” says Dr. Kachko. So not only can it potentially improve your kidneys if you have BPH, it might also put your sex life back on track. According to the book “Campbell-Walsh Urology,” extracts from the roots of stinging nettle contain phytotherapeutic products made up of plant oils, fatty acid chains, phytosterols and phytoestrogens. These compounds have anti-inflammatory effects, alter growth factors, regulate lipid peroxidation, inhibit 5alpha-reductase and protect the bladder as well as the muscles that control its function.

Nettle tea, has a ton of great benefits and I do carry Nettle tea in the store, has a light taste.   Although I did not have the tea listed on my website, if this is something you would want to order direct from me just call me toll free 1-800-234-7494.   Very affordable as well.

Resource: LiveStrong.com