Carob - A Healthy Alternative to Chocolate!

Carob fruits grow on a carob tree or shrub. They produce dark pods that contain 8 to 12 brown seeds with a sweet flavor. Carob belongs to the legume family. The tree is native to the Mediterranean region but is also grown in the US and other countries. These cultures often substitute carob for chocolate. The fruits are pods and contain the pulp and seeds. The raw state of this fruit is bright green and it hardens and becomes brown as it dries and matures.

This fruit is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and has a similar flavor to cocoa or chocolate. Carob is low in calories and is an excellent source of fiber, B vitamins, calcium, and magnesium. Carob contains three times more calcium than milk, which helps maintain a regular heartbeat and healthy bones. It improves bone density, strengthens the bones and teeth, and prevents fractures and osteoporosis. It also contains selenium that helps maintain the thyroid function and immune function.
Carob contains tannins and fiber, which improve gastrointestinal health and maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It can reduce diarrhea, heartburn, and vomiting. The tannins prevent the growth of harmful bacteria that cause SIBO (small intestine bacteria overgrowth).

Both carob and cocoa contain polyphenol, Research has shown this antioxidant helps prevent heart disease and reduces cholesterol levels in the body. This antioxidant eliminates harmful free radicals and helps prevent certain cancers. Carob is rich in antioxidants, which help improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Therefore, it plays a role in preventing cardiovascular diseases including atherosclerosis because the antioxidants in carob prevent fat deposits in the arteries and decrease fat absorption in the body. The fiber content in carob also helps with weight loss.

For diabetes, carob helps prevent spikes in blood sugar as it contains far less sugar and calories, and it is also rich in fiber, such as pectin. Carob can help stabilize blood sugar by keeping blood glucose levels within normal ranges due to its low glycemic index.
Carob does not contain caffeine and has a sweet flavor, therefore, it can be used as a substitute for chocolate or cocoa. It can be consumed at night without interfering with sleep quality, particularly for those who are sensitive to caffeine. For example, you can use carob milk to replace chocolate milk, as its flavor is very similar, but it does not contain caffeine. Simply add 1 teaspoon of carob powder to 1 glass of milk, here comes your carob milk. Carob is also free from the oxalic acid found in cocoa, which can contribute to kidney stones. Being a member of the legume family, carob contains some antinutrients such as phytic acid and lectins, which are mainly found in the seeds, you can minimize them by avoiding the seeds. Heating also helps destroy these antinutrients. You can choose roasted carob powder over raw carob powder if you are sensitive to these compounds.

Amazing health benefits of carob fruits include the following:

• Rich in polyphenols and fiber that help improve gut health.
• Help stabilize blood sugars for diabetes.
• Improve cholesterol profiles and benefit cardiovascular health.
• Promote weight loss and support fat burning.
• They are caffeine-free as a healthy alternative to chocolate.

Carob can be used in powder form in recipes for cakes, puddings, and sweets. It can be used as a substitute for cocoa powder or chocolate. Carob can act as a stool-bulking compound without blocking mineral absorption from food. You can find a variety of delicious recipes containing carob online.

Look for high-quality supplements? Fullscript not only offers professional-grade supplements, but they also have a world-class customer support team, auto-ship, refill reminders as well as fast and convenient shipping. All the supplements are 10% off now. Please register an account and enjoy a wide range of professional supplements that you can trust, I also requested their team to add more products that I have researched and recommended. More new products will be available soon. You can register your account here and enjoy a variety of health products and nutritional supplements with 10% off. 

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C15:0 - A New Essential Fatty Acid

The low-fat recommendation has been around for a few decades, but cholesterol levels and heart disease rates have gone in the opposite direction since that time. In the two decades following that recommendation, the prevalence of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) have risen to new heights. It turned out that even-chain saturated fatty acids such as C16:0 are pro-inflammatory and are associated with increased risk of metabolic syndrome and heart disease, while odd-chain saturated fatty acids such as C15:0 regulate immune responses and are associated with better metabolic and heart health.

Dietary odd-chain saturated fatty acids (OCFAs) are present in trace levels in dairy fat and some meat products. Higher concentrations of OCFAs in the body, especially pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) are associated with lower risks of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that higher dietary intake of OCFAs and higher circulating levels of OCFAs in the blood are associated with lower risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, type-2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and all-cause mortality.

Pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is an essential odd-chain saturated fatty acid with broad activities that protect cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and liver health. C15:0 activates AMPK and inhibits mTOR, both of which are core components of the human longevity pathway. C15:0 also helps repair mitochondrial function and benefits the endocannabinoid system for stabilizing metabolism, mood, and sleep patterns. It also reduces proinflammatory and profibrotic states in the human cells. C17:0 also has these effects but to a lesser degree.

A recent clinical trial has reported promising results about C15:0 supplementation in improving metabolic health and addressing a newly discovered condition known as Cellular Fragility Syndrome, which is a condition defined by a deficiency in C15:0. This deficiency affects cell membrane stability and increases susceptibility to ferroptosis – a form of cell death associated with the peroxidation of fragile fatty acids in cell membranes. Ferroptosis is related to various aging-related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The study published in The Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that supplementing with C15:0 can effectively raise C15:0 levels in the blood, which improves liver function and red blood cell health.

NAFLD has become a significant public health concern and affects one in three individuals globally including one in ten children. The disease can progress to severe liver inflammation and cirrhosis, making it a leading cause of liver cancer and also contributing to cardiovascular mortality. Research has demonstrated that C15:0 supports healthy LDL cholesterol levels, improves the gut microbiome, and reduces liver fat. C-15:0 improves the stability of our cellular membranes, boosts mitochondrial function, and increases ATP-generating capabilities. Studies have shown that C15:0 can improve mitochondria function by increasing ATP production by 350%. our bodies use C15:0 to make a metabolite called pentadecanoylcarnitine (PDC). PDC is a newly discovered endocannabinoid that activates key cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) to calm the mood, improve sleep, and reduce joint pain.

Omega fatty acids such as omega-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are highly susceptible to lipid peroxidation in the bottle and our body. In comparison, C15:0 is a stable fatty acid that is resistant to oxidation and better protects our long-term health at the cellular level.

Here are some amazing health benefits of C15:0:

+ Reverses mitochondrial dysfunction by restoring energy-generating pathways.
+ Strengthens cardiovascular and immune systems by regulating immune responses.
+ Naturally activates receptors regulating metabolism, immunity, mood, sleep, and energy.
+ Strengthens body cells against age-related breakdown.
+ Reduces inflammation by turning down pro-inflammatory cytokines.
+ Promotes healthier skin and hair.
 
Foods rich in C15:0 include dairy products like whole milk, butter, cheese, cream, beef, bison, and lamb.

By the way, I am offering a talk on September 12th at the Art Center in Parksville. The topic is "How to Decalcify Your Pineal Gland and Raise Your Vibration for Ascension". Here are some highlights of my talk:

• The connection of the pineal gland and crystalline body and DNA upgrade.
• Why is the pineal gland the gateway to higher realms and ascension?
• What is the scientific evidence that the pineal gland is defined as the 3^rd eye?
• Why is the pineal gland considered a Master Gland and what is its role in our physical health, emotional well-being, and vibration?
• What is pineal gland calcification and how to decalcify the pineal gland naturally and easily to raise your vibration and enhance your psychic abilities?

Please check my poster below for more details, I am looking forward to seeing you there.

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How to Decalcify Your Pineal Gland and Raise Your Vibration for Ascension

Lucy is going to offer a talk on How to Decalcify Your Pineal Gland and Raise Your Vibration for Ascension on Sept. 12th at the McMillan Arts Center in Parksville. Everyone is welcome!

Speech highlights

• The connection of the pineal gland and crystalline body and DNA upgrade. • Why is the pineal gland the gateway to higher realms and ascension? • What is the scientific evidence that the pineal gland is defined as the 3rd eye? • Why is the pineal gland considered a Master Gland and what is its role in our physical health, emotional well-being, and vibration? • What is pineal gland calcification and how to decalcify the pineal gland naturally and easily to raise your vibration and enhance your psychic abilities? About the speaker: Lucy Liu is a healer and medium. She was trained as a Clinical Nutritionist and worked in the medical field for many years. She has been gifted as a medical intuitive since a child. Lucy has in-depth knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Herbal medicine, energy healing, holistic nutrition, and medical Vedic Astrology. Lucy publishes blogs and videos regularly related to health and natural remedies. For more information, please visit her website: https://optimalhealthsolutions.ca

How to Boost Your Anti-aging Engine at the Cellular Level?

Mitochondria are the tiny organelles that serve as a powerhouse for your cells. They generate most of the chemical energy for your body’s biochemical reactions.  Your body uses this continuous energy supply from your mitochondria to carry out all normal functions like breathing and muscle contractions. When mitochondria are damaged, cells don’t have enough energy to properly function and maintain themselves. Also, damaged mitochondria disrupt proper cellular functions, which leads to aging. Each cell has over 1000 mitochondria when we are young, but the numbers are declining as we are aging. As we age, mitochondria become less in number and less efficient. This means your body produces less energy and your metabolism slows down. Improving your mitochondria function is critical to both longevity and weight loss. Let’s talk about natural ways to boost mitochondria productivity.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) are two molecules that have gained lots of attention in the health community recently. NMN is a molecule that naturally occurs in all living cells. It is a derivative of niacin (vitamin B3) and is particularly involved in energy metabolism. NMN serves as a precursor to NAD and boosts levels of NAD. NAD is a necessary cofactor and enzyme that cooperates with essential biochemical processes in our bodies. NADH and NAD+ are essentially divergent models of NAD, one contains bonus electrons and one does not, with electrons exchanged between the two as a catalytic chemical reaction. NAD+ is the active form of the coenzyme and NADH is the reduced form, which means NAD+ accepts hydrogen atoms and electrons from the breakdown of glucose and other fuels and becomes reduced to NADH. NAD+ is involved in various enzymatic reactions. These metabolic pathways are responsible for generating ATP, the primary energy source of cells. NAD+ is critical in maintaining cellular energy levels by facilitating these processes. Decreased NAD+ levels often lead to a complete breakdown within this chemical reaction. NAD levels normally fall with age, affecting our health in many ways, including decreased energy production because NAD participates in redox reactions that convert nutrients into energy. The mitochondria are the powerhouse for energy production and low NAD levels can cause mitochondrial dysfunction. NAD is also involved in repairing damaged DNA. Low NAD levels can cause cellular damage and increase the risk of developing cancers and other health challenges such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and weakened immunity. NAD is also involved in the energy production for physical activity. Low NAD levels can affect our endurance for intensive exercises due to a decline in skeletal muscle mass and strength.

To learn how to boost your NMN and NAD levels naturally and find other ways to boost your mitochondrial performance, please check my recent video.

Fullscript not only offers professional-grade supplements, but they also have a world-class customer support team, auto-ship, refill reminders as well as fast and convenient shipping. All the supplements are 10% off now. Please register an account and enjoy a wide range of professional supplements that you can trust, I also requested their team to add more products that I have researched and recommended. More new products will be available soon. You can register your account here and enjoy a variety of health products and nutritional supplements with 10% off.  

• To book a healing session, please click here.
• To book a reading session, please click here.
• To book a TCM treatment, please click here.
• To book a group session for a variety of topics, please click here. 

What Can Vitamin B8 Do to Your Health?

Inositol is often referred to as vitamin B8, it is a vitamin-like substance, but it is a type of sugar that influences the insulin response and several hormones associated with mood and cognition. It is found in many plants and animals and it can also be made in a laboratory. Inositols occur in 9 different stereoisomers, among which DCI (D-chiro-inositol) and MYO (Myo-inositol) are the ones with biological activity. This molecule functions as a second messenger of insulin. Inositol is used for treating insulin resistance, mental health challenges, high cholesterol, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women, Alzheimer’s disease, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), etc. It also has antioxidant properties that fight against free radicals in the body.

The synthesis of DCI in our body starts from another inositol, called Myo-inositol (MYO), using a transformation process by an enzyme called epimerase. The ratio of Myo-inositol to D-chiro-inositol can be used to predict and measure insulin resistance. Many studies suggest that a deficit in the production of DCI might lead to insulin resistance, which is a poor response of the organism to the signal sent by the insulin receptor. The more MYO and less DCI in the urine, the more likely insulin resistance can occur. DCI is important for energy production in the mitochondria, it helps generate energy from sugar. It also plays an important role in healthy ovarian function.

D-chiro-inositol makes the hypothalamus gland in the brain more sensitive to insulin. This changes how the hypothalamus responds to steroid signals and restores a normal LH to FSH ratio in women with PCOS. DCI increases the activity of a pathway that reduces blood sugar and promotes the growth of new cells and tissues.
Myo-inositol can effectively mimic the glucose-lowering effect of insulin and also increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune enhancer properties. It also helps prevent a variety of cancers and slow or stop tumor progression in cancer patients. For women with PCOS, Myo-inositol can reduce acne and facial hair, restore a normal menstrual cycle, and improve insulin sensitivity. It also regulates levels of TSH and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), which increases fertility. For people with hypothyroidism, Myo-inositol makes thyroid hormones more efficient and balances thyroid hormones. 

Both Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol improve insulin sensitivity and help restore women’s menstrual cycles. However, Myo-inositol had a stronger effect on insulin and DCI had a stronger effect on hyperandrogenism. Women with PCOS and other hyperandrogenic disorders tend to have excess body hair and acne due to high levels of testosterone and other “male” hormones. For combinations of Myo-inositol and DCI, the common ratio is 40:1. This combination may improve PCOS symptoms more effectively than the single one on its own.

Here are some amazing health benefits of inositol.

• Help restore hormone balance in women with PCOS
• Reduce acne in women with PCOS
• Increase insulin sensitivity and prevent diabetes
• Prevent diabetes in pregnancy
• Improve fertility rate
• Reduce anxiety and panic attacks
• Reduce metabolic syndromes

Inositol is generally considered safe in adults. Side effects tend to be mild and may include nausea, stomach pain, tiredness, headache, and dizziness. Most side effects occur with doses greater than 12 grams per day.
Foods that contain a high concentration of inositol include lima and Navy beans, citrus fruits, cantaloupe, and whole grains. D-chiro-inositol can be found in buckwheat, pumpkin seeds, and a type of squash called Cucurbita ficifolia. Myo-inositol is present in beans, nuts, and fruits.

Summer is approaching the end. Did you know summer is the best time to release old health challenges according to TCM? You can read here about why. I am offering $10 off for my TCM treatments including cupping, lymphatic drainage with skin scraping, and moxibustion so you can take advantage of this to heal and recover faster. Here are the treatment options. 

To book a healing session, please click here.
To book a reading session, please click here.
To book a TCM treatment, please click here.
To book a group session for a variety of topics, please click here. 

Are You Suffering from Chronic Lyme Disease?

Lyme Disease is a tick-borne illness that can cause a range of symptoms. The early symptoms of Lyme Disease typically begin within 3 to 30 days after a tick bite and may include: fever, headaches, body aches, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, skin rash, etc. As Lyme Disease progresses, more severe symptoms can develop weeks, months, or even years later. These may include severe headaches, arthritis-like joint pain, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet, shortness of breath or chest pain, brain fog, mood changes, insomnia, heart palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat. Lyme Disease has been raising a significant health concern globally, with over 476,000 new cases reported in 2023 in the United States alone. This marks a 12% increase from the previous year. What about the prevalence of chronic Lyme disease — the number of people who remain sick over time? The number of people living with the disease increases over time based on the percentage of those who contract the disease and stay sick.

One of the challenges in treating Lyme disease is the ability of the common Lyme disease bacteria Borrelia to form biofilms. Biofilms are not unique to borrelia, it also contains various types of bacteria. In my previous content, I talked about biofilm busters. Let's look into other ancient remedies for chronic Lyme disease. 

Japanese knotweed is well-known as an invasive weed; however, it is native to Japan, North China, Taiwan, and Korea. Other common names for Japanese knotweed include bushy knotweed, Mexican bamboo, Chinese knotweed, Hu Zhang, and Hojang. This plant means to “remove pain”, which is why it is called “itadori” in Japan. Japanese knotweed has been used as a spring vegetable for centuries in Asian cultures and it is highly praised because of its high content of one particular chemical -resveratrol. The roots of the plant contain a much higher level of resveratrol than the leaves and stems. Japanese knotweed is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for treating various health conditions and it has been used for treating Lyme disease in Western herbal medicine. The most important health benefits of the herb include treating cognitive disorders, improving heart health, relieving gastrointestinal issues, lowering high blood pressure, reducing cancer risk, improving insulin sensitivity, and many other health benefits. There are over 60 known plant compounds in Japanese knotweed, including resveratrol, emodin, catechin, gallic acid, quercetin, and rutin.

To learn more about other natural remedies for chronic Lyme disease, please check my recent video.

Fullscript not only offers professional-grade supplements, but they also have a world-class customer support team, auto-ship, refill reminders as well as fast and convenient shipping. All the supplements are 10% off now. Please register an account and enjoy a wide range of professional supplements that you can trust, I also requested their team to add more products that I have researched and recommended. More new products will be available soon. You can register your account here and enjoy a variety of health products and nutritional supplements with 10% off. 

To book a healing session, please click here.
To book a reading session, please click here.
To book a TCM treatment, please click here.
To book a group session for a variety of topics, please click here.