Aside from leading people to Jesus, is there anything more important to give as a gift đČđthan something that encourages health and wellness?
If you are wanting to improve someone’s wellbeing this Christmas, let me help you with your “hard to shop for” people.
I offer a free health coaching call with all new Young Living accounts using the link below. Nobody walks alone (unless they choose tođ).
(And 30% off many of our favortites thru 11:59pm MST Nov 28th??…. yes please!!)
xoxo~ liz
Breathing
Life is Better with Oils!
I’ve got….
đThieves on my nightstand and in my purse…
đBreathe Again on my desk and in my purse…
đDeep Relief on my desk and in my gym bag…
đStress Away in my purse (I used to keep it in my lab coat at the pharmacy and use it a gazillion times a day)
đTranquil on Charlie’s nightstand and Rutavala on mine
đValor on my desk.
They only work if you use ’em friends!Â
Life is better with oils.
Zinc Deficiency
âTis the season to chat about zinc (or lack thereof!). Frankly, we should have had this discussion two years agoâŠ..better late than never, right? First, take a close look at the clues I dropped in the graphic, and then hop back here to tackle this very important topic!
Approximately 25-33% of the population is deficient in zinc. The World Health Organization says zinc deficiency is the 5th leading life-threatening factor in the world, especially in 57% of the elderly population. Kind of a big deal for a micronutrient! At least 16% of all deep respiratory infections are related to a zinc deficiency (impaired taste and smell, fever, cough, sore throat, generalized weakness, pain and achy limbs, runny nose, and even occasionallyâŠ. diarrheađŹ are all symptoms of deficiency btw).
Why? Zinc is one of the white hat good guys . It has over 200 known roles in body function (just take a look again at some of the clues related to low zinc), and is a key player in our immune system:
â
Adequate zinc is essential for preventing viral entry and also supports appropriate viral response in host cells.
â
Adequate zinc supports ciliary strength and action in the lungs. These are tiny hairlike structures in the lungs that help prevent mucus buildup.
â
Adequate zinc levels directly inhibit viral replication.
â
Adequate zinc levels have a supportive role in balancing immune response during a dis-ease process.Â
Additionally, đ„zinc deficiencyđ„ has been shown to play a role in:
đ„Type I Diabetes
đ„Rheumatoid Arthritis
đ„Cancer
đ„Neurodegenerative diseases
đ„Depression
đ„Malaria
đ„HIV
đ„Tuberculosis
đ„Measles
đ„Pneumonia
đ„Hormone imbalance
Zinc Factoids:Â
đExcess is not stored in the body. Intake must occur daily.Â
đBoth deficiency and excess can negatively impact immune system function. This is but one reason to have thorough blood work run by a healthcare professional who will take the time to do a complete analysis.Â
đZinc âoverloadâ is rare, but can certainly happen. When it does, it is usually due to a copper deficiency or zinc:copper ratio imbalance. (again, labwork!)
How did we become a world of zinc deficient people? Toxins and poor farming practices. Overworked soil and fertilizers containing too much phosphorus (which binds zinc) are to blame. Zinc cannot enter into the plants and then fails to make it into the food chain.
High toxinâ ïžexposure is also to blame. Just one more excellent reason to kick your known household toxins to the curb (toxins typically found in mainstream cleaning products, personal care items, processed foods and beverages, makeup etc).
Thankfully, we have solutions in placeđ with Young Living Thieves Household Cleaner, a wonderful skincare line, and even our amazing YL Savvy Makeup collection. Kicking toxins to the curb is so easy knowing that pure unadulterated excellence is waiting to replace them!
Other causes of zinc deficiency:
đ„Chronic stress (depletes zinc rapidly)
đ„A high copper to zinc ratio
đ„Leaky gut and digestive disorders (zinc deficiency is both cause and effect!)
đ„Medication usage: ACE inhibitors (blood pressure), antacids and proton pump inhibitors, glucophage, beta blockers (blood pressure), birth control pills, corticosteroids, diuretics, NSAIDS, and statins are among those known to deplete zinc.
The USDA recommended daily allowance for zinc is 10-12 mg/day, but this does not account for the amount of toxins a person may be regularly exposed to. Many functional medicine doctors suggest that optimal daily zinc should be 20-40mg/day.Â
Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, grass fed dairy (ex: Kerrygold Butter) , cashews, almonds, spinach, asparagus, dark chocolate, grass fed meat, salmon, mushrooms, and turkey.
Thankfully, we also have several Young Living Supplements containing zinc to supplement what we may get from food:
*Organic dried Wolfberries (1.8mg per 100gms)
* Immupro chewable tablets (5mg/tablet)
*Super B (3mg/2 tablets)
*Powergize (5mg / capsule)
*Balance Complete (4mg/ serving)
*AminoWise (2.1mg/ serving)
*Master Formula (15mg/packet)Â
*MegaCal (1mg/serving)
*MightyVites (for the littlesâŠ.. 1.1mg/tablet)Â
*Mineral Essence (contains Zinc and 61 other important trace minerals)
*NingXia Red (contains zinc by virtue of its ingredients. I was unable to determine how much zinc it has per serving)
Itâs a good idea to achieve the RDA minimum requirements on a daily basis (especially since zinc is not stored in the body!). My personal preference is to try to achieve the optimal recommendations by way of the foods I eat, and then supplementing with a variety of what is available to us with a Young Living membership. Immupro and Master Formula are two of my faves!  In the event of illness, a larger mg/day may be needed.
Finally, there is a test you can do at home. Itâs called a zinc tally/challenge (you can find more info on this online). It is an oral âtaste testâ. What you taste (no or weak taste versus a strong metallic taste) is an additional clue for the âhealthâ of your zinc levels.Â
As always, do your research, and consult your favorite healthcare professional who should be well versed in analyzing blood work if you suspect you may have a zinc deficiency.
xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#ThanksYL
#watchyourzinc
#Goodmedicine
(PS: if you do not have a health care professional, I do offer blood work analysis)
What Does Posture Say About Your Health -part 1
One of the most outwardly noticeable clues to the state of both physical and emotional health is posture.
Letâs stop here and do a quick assessment before getting into the howâs, whatâs and whyâs with this simple at home test:
1.Stand with your back next to a wall, with heels 2-4 inches from the wall. The back of head, shoulder blades, and bottom are all touching the wall.
2.Look (or feel) for correct lower back curve. You should just barely be able to slide your flat hand between your lower back and the wall. If there is too much space, bring your belly button inwards towards your spine.
3.Now, walk away from the wall holding correct posture. Return to the wall after a few minutes and see if you have maintained proper alignment.Â
Howâd it go for you?đ If youâve got some work to do, youâre not aloneâŠ. Poor posture is a modern day epidemic with enormous long term ramifications.Â
*Why is posture so important? Simply put, a properly aligned body is considered a prerequisite for a healthy life! Think of a crooked little house. Itâs outward appearance is evident, and undoubtedly its crookedness promises cracked walls and foundation, probably some leaky pipes, and maybe even an electrical fire somewhere in its future if the crookedness goes uncorrected. Over time, the crooked house will become more dilapidated until it eventually becomes uninhabitable. Youâve seen these houses. They look sad.
*Posture is one of the first things people notice in others… without even noticing they’re noticing! Posture outwardly portrays mood, emotions, health, and confidence level and is a key player in first impressions.
A 2004 study in the Journal of American Geriatricsđ”đŽ found that people with excellent posture tend to live longer than those with poor posture. Like the crooked little house, there is much more going on inside our âwallsâ.
*Poor posture (standing or sitting) leads to stiffness, pain, and increased likelihood of injuries. Perhaps this is because good posture is associated with better flexibility and balance.Â
*Chronic poor posture often leads to arthritis and tendonitis.
*The state of oneâs posture has a profound effect on the heart, lungs, brain function, immune system, and digestion.
*Poor posture results in excess energy utilized to simply âbeâ. This means less energy is available for healing, metabolism, and the brainwork of thought and meditation.Â
*Slumping posture stretches the spinal cord and corresponding nerves. Remember that crooked house? This stretching of the nerves causes chronic stress, causing them to misfire, like a frayed or kinked electrical wire. Chronic slumping eventually leads to demyelination of the involved nerves. (Imagine how well a poorly insulated electrical cord works).
*Plumbing issues may result. Incontinence is often a problem in those with years of poor posture.
*Poor posture also adversely affects lung function.
*Poor posture plays a significant role in chronic pain and the effectiveness of pain management.Â
Problems associated with poor posture include:
đ„Headaches
đ„Jaw pain
đ„Back, hip, knee, and foot pain
đ„Shoulder pain
đ„Fatigue and breathing problems
đ„Compressed organs (which makes it hard to digest food properly)
đ„Exacerbation of lung conditions
đ„Anxiety, panic attacks, and emotional disordersÂ
đ„(A precursor to) cardiovascular issues
Posture is foundationally important to our health. Stay tuned! Part II will give you tools and suggestions for improving your posture. In the meantime, one of the best ways to improve posture is to move and move often! đ
Whatâs your favorite oil that gets you moving? Mine comes in a can đ âŠ. Lime and black pepperâŠ. NingXia Zyng! Have you tried it?
xoxo~ liz
#sharingiscaring
#goodmedicineishowweholdourselves
#ThanksYL
#goodmedicine
Health Detective Tip – blood clues
My husband calls me âthe noticerâ on our farm because I notice even the slightest irregularities or inconsistencies⊠It doesn’t matter if itâs a person, plant, or beast. Often what I notice is nothing to be concerned about, but acknowledging trends or patterns will oftentimes save time and heartache if we can ânip something in the budâ before we have an all-out crisis.
It doesnât matter if you live on a farmđ©âđŸ or in a city apartmentđą, becoming a casual ânoticerâ hones skills that may keep you safe, alive, and healthy. Pairing ânoticingâ with instinct (what I prefer to call Holy Spirit-led discernmentđ), along with a bit of knowledge goes a long way as a skilled ânoticerâ. We all become amateur paramedic sleuthsđ when a temperature is taken, a throat is examined for spots, sleep is lost, pain is felt, or a quick look is taken at what just dropped into the toiletđłđ±. Those are all clues that we see after the factâŠ. changes within the body have become noticeable enough that they can no longer be ignored.
âBlood goes round and roundâ air goes in and out; any variation from this is bad.â~ Paramedic 101
*Blood should move efficiently and effectively throughout the body. If it does not, trouble is on the horizon. Blood transports oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and removes carbon dioxide and other waste. It also helps regulate body temperature and pH and is a shield of protection within us by way of its finely tuned clotting mechanisms (so that we wonât bleed too much or too little) and role in immune system function.
*Healthy âcleanâ blood makes more efficient oxygen and nutrient deliveries to cells which ultimately leads to better mental health, cleaner clearer skin, better regulation of cholesterol, and enhanced liver and lung function (which allow for better offloading of cellular and pathogenic waste and toxins).
*Does your blood appear to move efficiently throughout the body?
Try this âhands-onâ clue to assess whether your vascular system may (or may not) be serving blood to the nether regions of your body well (your hands and feet!).
The Capillary Nail Refill Test is a simple test you can do on yourself or a family member:
*Note the color of unpolished nails. They should be light pink in color.
*Gently and firmly press on the nail bed of a fingernail for about 5 seconds. The nail will turn pale.
*Holding the hand above the heart, release the pressure on the tip of the finger and watch for the amount of time it takes for the original color to return to the nail.
*Upon release of pressure, the nail should return to its original color within 2 seconds.
Now, what do the results from this clue mean? If the nail bed color takes more than two seconds to recover its color, it may mean any (or all) of these things need to be addressed:
đDehydration (blood simply cannot flow well if there isnât enough water in the blood)
đAnemia
đHypothermia (if someone has poor peripheral circulation as with Raynaudâs Syndrome, a cold room can certainly affect the outcome of the press test. This in itself may be a clue, as Raynaudâs is often associated with autoimmune disorders such as lupus, scleroderma, RA, and Sjogren syndrome).
đPeripheral vascular disease (commonly caused by a buildup of plaque inside artery walls which ultimately leads to narrowing, blockage, and vascular spasms in legs and sometimes also in arms. This is another clue if the pain is exacerbated during exercise and improves when at rest.)
Poor oxygenation throughout the body is the Number One cause of declining health and disease. Blood needs to flow, oxygen needs to be delivered, and waste needs to be disposed of constantly.
What are some things you can do to encourage and support a healthy vascular system?
*NingXia Red! Our favorite red drink supports both the vascular system and the blood flowing through itâŠ. I encourage you to pick up a copy of NingXia Wolfberry: the Ultimate Superfood by Gary Young to learn more! Youâll never want to be without NingXia Red after understanding how valuable and supportive this drink is to our health.
*Eat plenty of fresh cabbage, lettuce, spinach, kale, broccoli, garlic, grapefruit, lemon, and oranges to encourage detoxification. Fruits like apples, plums, and pears have pectin fibers that are also useful in cleansing the blood.
đ«Strive to keep a slightly alkaline body. In 1931, Dr. Otto Warburg won a Nobel Prize for proving that highly oxygenated, slightly alkaline blood creates an inhospitable environment for cancer cells.
*Diaphragmatic Breathing: Use ALL of the lungs when breathing. Most people only breathe using the upper portion of their lungs. Make your diaphragm work when you breathe at least several times a day (if not always). Pairing âmindful breathingâ with positive emotions and gratitude improves the oxygenation of blood!
*Stay well hydrated! If you donât like to drink water, my guess is that youâve never tried the Young Living Vitality Drops! (Grapefruit Bergamot is my fave!)
đGlutathione: This is the master antioxidant. Sulfurzyme provides the body with essential tools needed to make glutathione. This is another one of my personal all-time favorites!
đżChlorophyll, as is found in the leafy greens mentioned above, also provides key nutrients for healthy blood. Itâs hard to get enough of it though for most people. Young Livingâs Multigreens is a fantastic way to get concentrated chlorophyll into your body on the days you just canât eat enough kale and spinach!
đ„Vitamin B12 and Folate (Super B for the win!)
đȘExercise and movement! The mere act of standing up triggers chemical changes within the body that benefit blood flow.
*Increase joy and reduce stress in your life (Have you read Dr. Emotoâs book, âThe Hidden Messages in Waterâ?)
đMassage: It improves circulation and mood!
Poor circulation can be painful and even dangerous, and the ideas above are just a few ways to support a healthy vascular system and blood supply.
What is something that you consciously do to encourage cardiovascular health?
xoxo~ liz
#caringissharing
#happybloodisgoodmedicine
#joyinmyheartisgoodmedicine
#goodmedicine
#ThanksYL