"Elevated Homocysteine levels" .... Should we be asking our Doctor to include checking for elevated "Homocysteine" levels in our next routine blood test? ... Inflammation, High Homocysteine levels may be indicator of certain disease' s...Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Arthritis, Lupus etc.

I have written about elevated Homocysteine levels and it's relationship to inflammation and illness on my website  back in August of 2005... At the time I was reading and studying a book written by Dr. Richard Flemming called "Stop Inflammation Now".

Patient's following his "Primarily Plant based Diet" ... where able to reduce elevated "Homocysteine levels.



Reducing Inflammation may be key to a healthier you... the role of enzymes.

Homocysteine: One of the Best Objective Markers of How Healthy You Are

Posted By Dr. Ben Kim 

• Natural Health Care

As a general marker of overall health status, few tests carry greater predictive weight than homocysteine.

The amount of homocysteine in your blood is one of the best objective indicators of how healthy you are and how long you are going to live.

A high blood level of homocysteine is a reliable risk factor for each of the following:

• Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
• Cerebrovascular accident (stroke)
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Thyroid-related health challenges
• Neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
• Depression
• Infertility
• Chronic Pain
• Digestive Disorders

Diet,... You are what you eat! You can make a difference.

For Inspiration to a healthier you...
Here is a link to a recipe for Low Fat Vegan PumpkinCarrotRaisin Muffins...
I have made this twice now and can tell you that they are delicious...

I added small amounts Chia seeds, Flax meal and Hemp seeds for an added boost of nutrition.

Keep the faith,

Laurel

Parkinson's- Plant-based Nutrition - Fasting Optimizing Healing for Degenerative Diseases

This page is a resource for those of you who would like to do some research on how a raw food diet may help you feel better.... provides specific documented information for those of us struggling with degenerative disease's.

Impacting PD and MS into Permanent Remission" by Jim Tibbetts 


Plant-based Nutrition  -  Fasting   Optimizing Healing for Degenerative Diseases

Can degenerative diseases be cured? or at least put into remission......Curing the incurables  Parkinson's, MS???


Keeping the faith,

Laurel

Immune System and Parkinson's ... Bacterium Nocardia?

Continuing my research...

How the Immune System and Gut Health play a important role in maintaining my health.

I started reading a new book today... Perfect Health Diet... don't let the name fool you into thinking that this is another "Diet book".

This book is well documented with over one thousand citations to scientific literature written clearly and simply for the layman (me) to understand.

I came across some interesting information that correlates with what I have previously blogged about..."How the Immune system and Gut health" play an important role in health... and possibly how the Bacteria known as "Nocardia"- Nocardia/Parkinson's may be related to Parkinson's Disease Symptoms.


Parkinson's - Another look

Parkinson's- Pesticides

Parkinson's - Glyphosate Trichlorethylene

Neurotoxicity 


 Parkinson's disease and exposure to infectious agents and pesticides


I could go on and on with more documentation... but I think you get the idea... The Environment seems to play a big part in overall health problems.

My question is "What can I do about it to help myself?"

I don't have any  answers for you ... That is why I keep researching and reading about every possible link that could have caused my illness.

You may ask Why?  The reason is simple.... having Parkinson's Disease can  be and is exhausting!

I keep thinking and hoping that maybe someone will come up with a non drug approach to curing this devastating illness called Parkinson's.

In the meantime ...
I can try to do my best to reduce inflammation in my body through alkaline anti-inflamdomatory diet, exercise and supplements.

Breakfast Smoothie today- blend in high speed blender

1/2 Avocado
1 T cacao powder
1 T honey
6 500 mg chlorella tablets
Handful of Spinach
1 T chia seeds
1 C Almond milk
ice

Lunch

flax crackers
guacamole dip

Keep the faith, keep moving

Ketogenic diet... not working for me!

After only 3 days I have given up on the Ketogenic diet.... It seems to interfere with the effectiveness of the supplements and herbs that I use to control my Parkinson's symptoms.


I was going to blog everyday and give you updates on symptoms... but my tremors have been almost uncontrollable... making it almost impossible to do much of anything.

Remember we are all individual and you could have a more or less positive experience with this diet.
This is just me sharing my personal experience!

So back to Alkaline recipes... hopeful  to get tremors under reasonable control soon!



Breakfast today

Green Smoothie - Blend all in high speed blender

1 C Almond Milk  (homemade)
1/2 avocado
Spinach,,, Handful
1 T raw honey
1 T chia seeds
1 T cacao powder
6  500mg Chlorella tablets
ice

Ketogenic Diet and Parkinson's ... taking a closer look

Ketogenic Diet and Parkinson's

Seems to deserve a closer look ... researching this week about the how the Ketogenic Diet may have beneficial positive affect on symptom relief of Parkinson's symptoms.

Lots of  really interesting information on this topic... well worth reading and researching for yourself.

Dr. Perlmutter - Neurologist  

Neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects of the ketogenic diet

ketogenic-diet-for-epilepsy-and-other-neurological-disorders/ 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles 

Neuroprotective and disease-modifying effects of the ketogenic diet

Clinicaltrials and Ketogenic Diet 

perfecthealthdiet.com/category/disease/parkinsons/ 

www.eat2think.com/2013/03/the-coconut-oil-dementia-diet.html 

coconutketones.com/pdfs/VanItallie_Parkinsons_Ketogenicdiet

Day 1 Coconut Ketogenic Diet... I started this yesterday and am going to try and do my best to document my journey.  It takes a lot of thought and preperation.  All meals are homemade and prepared by me based on the ketogenic diet and using coconut oil and coconut flour and flax seed meal... along with other  non traditional items.

Difficulties that I see are going to be cutting out sugar and addition of Protein at each meal.

Sugar, hopefully I will experience some good things after the initial withdrawal symptoms... this could be tough!

Protein, this has proven to conflict with my supplements in the past... but willing to give it a chance... I will let you know how this goes.

Coconut Oil - adding coconut oil, taking by the spoonful prior to my meal and use in cooking

Apple Cider Vinegar (Bragg's) 2 T 3 x per day to help aid in digestion

Breakfast Day 1

1 slice homemade pizza (Coconut flour and flax meal crust)

1/2 avocado

1 poached egg

Lunch

1/3 c coconut milk

2/3 c almond milk (homemade)

1 scoop Chocolate Whey Protein powder(purchased from The  People's Chemist)
ice

Dinner

Roasted Chicken
Yellow squash -olive oil and butter

Salad- greens, cucumber, radish, red pepper


Day 2

Breakfast

2 slices Bacon  (grass fed)
2 eggs (free range)
1/2 avocado

Lunch

1/3 c coconut milk

2/3 c almond milk (homemade)

1 scoop Chocolate Whey Protein powder(purchased from The  People's Chemist)
ice

Dinner

Pulled Barbecue Pork ( homemade from scratch)
steamed yellow squash with olive oil and butter

Recipe for Pulled Barbecue Pork (no sugar added)
1 pkg boneless pork ribs (not grass fed)
1 box organic vegetable broth

Cook ribs in large pot with vegetable broth for several hours until pork is tender.

Cook the sauce in separate sauce pan for at least 1 hour, then blend smooth in blender, add to large pot with cooked pork and cook for several more hours.

1  20 oz can organic crushed tomatoes
1  small can organic tomato paste
1 20 oz can pineapple chunks with juice
1 T raw honey
1 yellow onion diced
4 cloves garlic smashed
1 T organic Worcester sauce

Seasoning to taste:  Turmeric powder, garlic powder, cayenne powder, cumin powder, crushed red pepper, paprika

Listening to my inner voice...My body seems to know what it needs!

I got woke up this morning with my inner voice telling me to get up and make some soup... so I did!

The recipe follows:

I used all Organic Vegetables and Seasonings
Chopped all veggies into  large chunks


1  Yellow Squash 
1  Medium head of Cauliflower 
1/2 Yellow Onion
1 Clove Garlic

I put all of the above veggies in a medium pot, adding about 1 cup of Spring water so they could
steam/simmer for about 10-12 minutes.

I then carefully took the hot soup ingredients and ladled it into my Vita Mix Blender. 
Blending the ingredients to a smooth consistency.

Once blended I added the following:

1 Can Organic Coconut Milk
1 T Miso Paste
Turmeric powder, Kelp seasoning and Cayenne pepper .... to taste! I didn't measure these spices... just a dash of each based on taste.

It turned out PDG (pretty darn good!)

After looking at the ingredient list I used above... I realize that most are on the alkaline food chart.

My body seems to be telling me something ....getting more Alkaline may help me feel better... so I will listen to it!  

Going for my morning walk....  gotta keep moving!

Move it or lose it!

Keep the faith
Laurel

Paleo/Ketogenic recipe....A non traditional pizza crust.. Pretty Awesome!

Craving Pizza and not wanting to make a traditional wheat crust .... trying to stay away from Gluten.
I have been looking at Paleo recipes for Pizza...

This recipe looked simple and I had the ingredients on hand.


Paleo recipe for a thin crust pizza made from Flax meal and Coconut Flour. It called for the following ingredients:

1 C Mozzarella cheese (shredded)
1 T Flax meal
1 T Coconut flour
1 Egg
1/8 t Baking soda

I mixed all of ingredients together, it formed a moist dough... rolled it into a ball/ then pressed it out onto a piece of parchment paper with my palm to form a thin crust. Placed on a cookie sheet and put this into hot oven/450 degrees for about 8 minutes ... then flipped it over and baked another 5-8 minutes until it got a crispy golden brown color. Pulled it back out of the oven and added my toppings of

Marinara sauce (homemade leftover)
Fresh Spinach
Chopped Green pepper and Green onion
Mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese (shredded)

I then popped it back in the oven for about 10 minutes... until cheese melted and started to brown.

It tasted Awesome!  I couldn't believe how good this was.... The crust was crispy around the edges and firm enough to pick up and eat like real pizza slices. And I didn't get a belly ache like I normally would have if I had eaten a traditional crust with Gluten in it!

The recipe makes a thin crust pizza approximately 8"x10".  I ate about 2/3 for lunch and ended up having the last piece for dinner.

Will be making this recipe regularly... no more  missing out on Pizza for me!

Ketogenic Diet may prove beneficial for Parkinson's and Alzheimer patient's.

Coconut Ketogenic Diet  this makes interesting reading! Using Coconut Oil may be beneficial to your health.

This is my journey... I share it with you!

Apple Cider Vinegar- What is it good for...?

ACV or Apple Cider Vinegar - Specifically- Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar

What is it good for?

Maybe....Absolutely everything!

Apple Cider Vinegar has been highly regarded throughout history. In 400 B.C. the great Hippocrates, Father of Medicine, used it for its amazing health qualities.

I have been using Bragg's Apple Cider Vinegar for years now ... making my own Salad Dressing's and occasionally taking a tablespoon in water when I happened to think about it... usually when I am having digestive issues. 

After re-reading about the positive benefits Apple Cider Vinegar can have on health. I have decided to add to my regular routine ...2 T in water in the mornings and 2 T in water prior to each meal. 

I will get back to you in a few weeks to let you know if I notice any changes in my body.

Meanwhile...

Breakfast today

Homemade Flaxseed crackers and Avocado with lime juice.

Flax oil benefits may surprise you...   Good Health via what you eat...Worthwhile reading!

Keep the faith
Laurel

Probiotics and Fermented foods... do we need them?

Probiotics...  Studies are showing that taking Probiotics may be beneficial to health!


Neurological health


Does Parkinson's begin in the gut?

Women's health  


If you suffer from Bladder and/or Vaginal Infections...
Probiotics may or may not prove beneficial in helping to prevent future infections.

Finding the right one for you ...Not all alike!
Seem's like this is going to take some investigation on the consumer's part...Probiotics can contain many different strains of bacteria...
Read the labels and do the research... find out which one may work better for the condition your trying to treat!

Fermented Foods 

Healing your gut may help in healing whatever else is ailing you....

Eating Fermented Foods may prove beneficial!

Juice this morning... heavenly!

Apple, Beets and Carrot...who ever thought that this combination could taste so good! And the health benefits... not so bad either!

No recipe needed here... just push apple, beets and carrots through your juicer to extract juice, then combine juices in a nice glass cup (no plastic, please!)... drink immediately and enjoy!

For some added nutritional punch ... I have added any one or all of the following to my Apple, Beet and Carrot juice.

Lemon 

Fresh Ginger

Kale

Turmeric  according to recent research... this herb could be particularly beneficial to Parkinson's sufferer's.

Cayenne combined with Turmeric may help to enhance the positive effect of Turmeric. FYI... just remember a little goes a long way!

Kelp seasoning


Came across this article today... thought it was worth sharing!
Longevity... a few tips from the People of Okinawa!


People of Okinawa, an island southwest of Japan's main landmass, are known for their longevity.



Thinking ahead  for my week ...

I am making home made Flax crackers

I am soaking 2 cups of flax seeds in 2 cups of water they will soak overnight.  Tomorrow I will add some pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, grated onion, grated carrot with a little shake of Turmeric, Cayenne and Kelp seasoning.  I will then spread this mixture onto to dehydrator sheets and place in the dehydrator for about 8-10 hours.
These make great flax crackers... I eat them with a variety of dips, salsa's and guacamole throughout the week!

Keep the faith

Is Gluten really the problem? My journey continues... knowledge=power

Gluten Free!?

Is Gluten really the problem...

Much of what I am hearing from people today is that they seem to have "stomach and/or bowel issues", along with other health problems. Consisting of a variety of symptoms  ie:  Bloating, gas, constipation, diarrhea  and stomach pains.

People I know and meet are going Gluten Free... including myself!
The problem is that going Gluten Free doesn't really help resolve all the issues!

It seems to be a deeper problem.

Inflammation at the root of all illness

GMO- Genetically Modified

The more I read about GM foods... the more I realize I don't want to eat it! None of it!

GMO labeling-why we need it!

That's why my diet is consisting more and more of real whole foods.

I feel better eating this way!

Not only are my stomach issues resolved eating this way...

Parkinson's symptoms are better!

Tremors are better controlled and my muscle rigidity is much better.


It works with my alternative treatment using Herbs and Aminos for my PD.

Breakfast today

Sweet Potato Smoothie-
1/2 cooked peeled sweet potato (frozen)
1/2 raw shredded peeled sweet potato
1/2 banana (frozen)
1 C Almond Milk (homemade)
1/2 c spring water
1/2 shredded carrot
sprinkle of each ( to taste)
 turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne
3 ice cubes

I found this website yesterday Young and Raw



I thought that the diet plan they offer looked great. Well planned and not too expensive! Only $39 for 30 day meal plan and lots of information to help you get started and stay on track.  If your looking for a way to improve your health... take a look at what your eating. You may want to start eating real whole food.

Top 10 Anti-Inflammatory foods

Til next time...
Keep the faith, keep moving!