Artificial Colors

We have discussed your need to start reading your labels.  You need to really pay attention to more than just the calories on those containers.  Check sodium levels, check for artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and artificial coloring.  You will be amazed at the amount of artificial colors that you will find.  Why should I bother?

Artificial colors have been proven to increase the likelihood of cancer, ADD/ADHD, and severe allergies among other things.  Did you know that the UK has already banned the use of certain POPULAR food colors?  Some states are requiring that a full listing of artificial colors be provided on food labels.  The most dangerous ones are listed below with their findings - this is by no means a complete listing and this post is more for education - you need to be a smart consumer!

The report Food Dyes – A Rainbow of Risks [download PDF] reviews the risks that have been known for quite some time:

Blue 1, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 have long been known to cause allergic reactions in some people. CSPI says that while those reactions are not common, they can be serious and provide reason enough to ban those dyes. Furthermore, numerous studies have demonstrated that dyes cause hyperactivity in children.

Tests on lab animals of Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6 showed signs of causing cancer …

Yellow 5 also caused mutations, an indication of possible carcinogenicity, in six of 11 tests…

In addition, according to the report, FDA tests show that the three most-widely used dyes, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6, are tainted with low levels of cancer-causing compounds, including benzidine and 4-aminobiphenyl in Yellow 5.

Think about a single bag of M & Ms?  How about Easter candy?  Please be very aware of the food colors that are being added to your foods. 

Alternative Medicines

I have been asked several times about the different types of medicine that fall under alternative medicine.  Here is a partial list with a bit of information on each. 

Naturopathy - the belief that the body can heal itself if provided with the proper diet, exercise plan, and mental well being.  Ailments are warning signs that the body is not healthy and changes must be made to one of the three pillars to bring the body back to a healthy state.

Homeopathy - the belief that small preparations of natural remedies will stimulate the immune system to heal itself.  Similar to immunizations - give a diluted form of the disease in small amounts to stimulate the body to create natural immunity to the disease. 

Reflexology - massaging of the hands, feet, and ears to stimulate internal healing.  Our hands, feet, and spine all have points that are all directly related to our organs.  If you run your hands lightly over your hands, do you have any tender spots? knots? pain? Massaging these areas will also stimulate the directly related organ.  The webbing between your thumb and pointer finger - if massaged - has been known to relieve migraines.  Have you ever noticed that when you are stressed, you rub your temples?  It automatically calms and relaxes you.  Have you ever found yourself touching your chin when you are thinking?  Yes, another acupressure / reflexology site.  http://www.reflexology-research.com/

Acupressure - applying pressure to specific sites to induce a change or stimulate an organ.  By applying pressure or centering energy at specific points you can change the energy flow and stimulate the immune system.  Many have used acupressure to quit smoking, to stop addictions, to heal emotional scars, and to heal ailments.  http://www.acupressure.com/

Acupuncture - inserting needles into specific points on the body to relieve / heal ailments and to relieve pain.  This is a very well known Chinese therapy that many people use for many of the same reasons as acupressure - the primary difference between the two are the needles.  http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/acupuncture-whatis.html

Chiropractic Medicine - adjusting the spine to relieve ailments.  As with reflexology, the understanding that there are points along the spine that directly relate to organs http://www.dorn-method.com/index_files/SpineOrgansConnectionsTable.htm  With Chiropractic medicine, the proper adjustments to the spine will extend to the connected organs and aid in healing.

Aromatherapy - in the simplistic of terms, aromatherapy is healing with scents.  Smells carry the strongest memories we have.  How often have you smelled something and immediately thought of an ex boyfriend / girlfriend?  Or smile because that smell brings a flash of a favorite childhood memory?  My favorite smell is cinnamon - it carries with it the memory of my grandparents and my childhood.  Smell is a very STRONG healer.  Aromatherapy can involve baths, candles, massage, pretty much any where and anything.   

Massage - healing through touch and pressure points on the body.  The healing power of touch is HUGE.  We transfer energy when we touch one another.  Massage for some is intensely personal and intimate.  Someone with energy medicine back ground is able to feel spots on the body that need attention.  Knots / tenderness in certain areas may relate back to organs.  If you visit a masseur, make sure to pay close attention to any sore spots and check online to see what organs they relate back to - and check to see if you have a problem, disease, illness related to that organ.

Energy Medicine - healing by transferring, realigning, and / or absorbing energy from others.  Donna Eden is the first person to openly discuss energy medicine.  She is able to see energy, like some can see auras and is able to use her energy to fix energy paths in others.  She related a story in her book about a woman that had a bad hip - it had bothered her for years.  Donna ran her hands lightly over the area and both women began to quietly weep - in repairing the energy flow in that area, she had released a memory that had been trapped that was very painful.  Once relieved, she never had pain in that hip again.

Herbology - using herbs to heal.  This can be by eating the fresh herbs, creating tinctures, poultices, etc.  Herbs have a lot of power in them.  Using them requires an experienced hand - herbs can cause the same adverse reactions as pharmaceutical drugs - so please use caution and study the herbs before using.  Some herbs do have reactions with pharmaceutical drugs. 

Get High on Exercise!

Exercise has a variety of different stigmas - some people view it as a means to make themselves thinner.... some view it as that dreaded thing that the MUST do... some refuse to partake... and some love it... crave it even.  Exercise can play a very positive role in your life.

If you are one of the people that hate exercise - you get sharp pains, you get winded, your knees hurt, your back hurts... STOP!  Let's take this too step by step. 

Step one - You need to change the way you are looking at exercise.  Hopefully by the time you finish with this post you will have what you need to change the way you look at exercise. 

Step two - GET UP!!  Laying down = worst possible position for ANYTHING but sleeping.  Sitting = lowers metabolism, slows blood flow, leads to clots, heart disease, poor organ function, diabetes, and a whole host of ailments.  Standing = burns more calories than the previous two, but no positive step forward.  Walking = minimally raises metabolism; when you walk - walk with purpose - swing your arms and walk faster.  I am not asking you to go from sitting on the couch to running a marathon.  You can't do it all at once... you have to take baby steps.

The easiest way to get step to to work, is to find something you love to do - dancing? biking? hiking? blading? gardening? belly dancing? kick boxing? martial arts? horseback riding? swimming? ceramics? antiques? golf? Is there something you have always wanted to do, but have never had the guts to do it... NOW IS YOUR TIME!!!  I bet there is someone in your circle that would love to try the same thing, but like you haven't had the guts to try it.  If you want it bad enough you can do it... just put one foot in front of the other.  You will notice I am sure I put a couple things in there that have NOTHING to do with exercise... I said we need to take baby steps.. if you aren't doing anything - getting up - getting ready - going out - doing something you love is your first baby step!!  Make big signs... make a pact with a friend... it is easier to be motivated to make a lifestyle change when you do it with someone.  So... what did you choose? 

Step three - make it consistent.  You need to be doing SOMETHING at a minimum daily.  Now, WAIT!!!  Before you freak out on me... this doesn't mean you need sustained cardio (running, aerobics, kick boxing, etc) every day.... you need to be ACTIVE every day... for at least thirty minutes.  Walking, working in the yard, cleaning house, etc.. when you go out to get the mail - go for a walk - pay attention to how beautiful your surroundings are.  Can you walk to pick up the kids, rather than drive?  How about take the stairs rather than the elevator? Did you want dessert after dinner??  Walk to the ice cream parlor rather than drive.   Get into a routine of looking for ways to extend your exercise - or movement - every day.

Step four - make it last.  Cardio.. cardio.. cardio!  You WILL fall in love with cardio, I promise.  Most of us hate it because it hurts, it burns, etc... all cardio doesn't need to hurt.  My favorite home workout is a DVD on kickboxing (Gaiam - Kickbox: Core Cross Train DVD with Patricia Moreno).  The reason it is my favorite workout for home is because I get winded, and get a great workout, but without the pain of running or other types of workouts.  You need to get some type of sustained cardio workout at least three days a week (when you are ready) for no less than thirty minutes - obviously that may not be possible initially - do what you can... remember BABY STEPS!! 

I highly recommend that when you get to the cardio stage that you choose several different types of workouts.  This benefits you in a variety of ways.  It gives you variety so that you don't get bored with the same routine.  It stresses different muscles for a better, well rounded weekly workout.  And it makes you try something different!  I recommend pilates / yoga at least once a week.  This helps bring you back to your center and grounds you.  I recommend some type of martial arts (not all are aggressive and competitive) - Tai Chi is on the low end and can help you calm your mind.  Tai Bo (kick boxing) is more aggressive and works many different muscles - a total workout.  I recommend some type of dance too - this will help you be more flexible, more centered, more self confident (oh yes!), and will make you happy!  I am a TERRIBLE dancer - but I love to 2-step (repetitive) and I love belly dancing (makes me feel very feminine)... find yours...

So.. now that I have given your your direction... let me explain the WHY!  This is the hook! :)  I used to be one of those people that HATED (I never use that word - ask my kids) and yes I do mean HATED exercise.  I tried doing too much at once - I got shin splints - I had side cramps...I hated it.  I wasn't drinking enough water, that was part of the problem.  Not getting enough water before, during and after exercise will cause muscle cramps, stresses the body and heart, and can cause additional problems related to dehydration.  Once I learned to properly warm up, build up to a good sustained workout that didn't HURT me, and then worked my way back down... something amazing started to happen.  I started getting happy... after class I was on a natural high... nothing could get me down, and I slept GREAT!  Which meant my daily life improved.  Why?

During sustained cardio endorphins are released into the bloodstream that affect us like a natural, giddy high.  It is a wonderful feeling - one you want to repeat over and over again!  This page has a great description for you: http://www.healthcentral.com/fitorfat/408/41285.html   Another benefit is a boost to your metabolism.  Your metabolism is boosted for 24 hours after a workout and that means that your body burns calories much better than when you are not exercising.  So... the goal... Get High on Exercise!!          

Minerals / Vitamins

Depending on your diet you will more than likely need more vitamins / minerals.  We have all heard of yin and yang.  This is the delicate balance that exists in every facet of our existence.  Our health also maintains a yin / yang balance  Eating only fruits and vegetables tips the balance heavily in the yin direction.  Eating only animal protein tips the balance heavily in the yang direction.  Both are unhealthy. 

Here is a general overview from one extreme to the other from Michael Tierra's book "the way of herbs":
Extreme Yin
  - watery fruits (orange), small fruits (hawthorn, juniper, lycii)
  - small fruits (cherry, blueberries), flowers (chamomile, honeysuckle, elder)
  - leaves (spinach, comfrey, alfalfa, skullcap)
  - roots (carrot, parsnip, turnip)
Balanced between Yin & Yang
   - seeds (rice, sunflower, oats), neutral roots / bark (echinachea, slippery elm, sassafras)
   - dairy (cheese), bitter roots / bark (rhubarb, genatian, cinnamon)
   - fish (tuna, salmon), long roots (dandelion, burdock, ginseng)
   - poultry (chicken, turkey)
Extreme Yang
   - red meat (beef, pork, venison), processed roots (rehmannia, red ginseng)

How do we get from here to the discussion of minerals and vitamins?  If we are eating a properly balanced diet rich in a full spectrum of colors and textures, you should have no need for supplements.  However, we not always have the ability to obtain enough of the proper nutrients in our foods.  If you eat a primarily Yang diet (meat & potatoes) you are more likely to have a deficiency in vitamins.  If you eat a primarily Yin diet (fruits & vegetables) you are more prone to mineral deficiencies. 

Below is a SHORT list of important Vitamins and Minerals - please remember that ALL vitamins and minerals are important... if you feel you are lacking in any you should strive to change your diet to better accommodate your body's need than to take supplements.... if you can help it.

Iodine - we have discussed in depth iodine deficiency.  This is one mineral that can be very difficult to obtain naturally.  Tuna, Salmon, Iodized Salt, and root vegetables that have been grown in iodine rich soils are all good sources of iodine.  Iodine works primarily with your metabolism and thyroid, which is the reason that many people are misdiagnosed with Hypothyroidism instead of iodine deficiency. 

Recommended reading: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-iodine.html

Calcium - we all know about calcium and its benefits to bones, but there are more health benefits of calcium in our diet - heart health, proper weight management, fights cancer, and helps maintain a healthy alkaline level (cancer can't live in an alkaline environment).  Foods rich in calcium include salmon, tuna, spinach, broccoli, oranges, almonds, soybeans, and peas.  It is important to note that for proper absorption the proper compliment of magnesium must be taken, if it isn't taken naturally.

Recommended reading: http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0NAH/is_1_32/ai_81391090/

Zinc - Zinc's best known benefit is that it strengthens the immune system (healing, rebuilding cells, and skin), it also aids in the absorption of minerals and vitamins, also aids in healthy vision,  helps balance blood sugar, aids in proper weight management, and is anti-inflammatory.  Foods rich in zinc are oysters, wheat germ, veal liver, sesame flour / tahini, beef, pumpkin / squash / watermelon seeds, chocolate, lamb, and peanuts.

Recommended reading: http://www.vitamins-nutrition.org/vitamins/zinc.html

Recommended reading - Mineral Chart: http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/minerals-nutrition-chart.html

Vitamin B Complex - The entire group of B vitamins is very necessary for good mental health, strong immune system, healthy skin and muscles, promotes cell growth, and a wide variety of other benefits, much too long of a list to provide here.  Foods rich in vitamin B include liver, beef, turkey, brazil nuts, tuna, oats, avocados, legumes, and bananas.

Recommended reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B_vitamins

Vitamin C - we all know that vitamin C helps fight colds and boosts our immune system, it also helps promote healthy skin and collagen, helps lower cholesterol, helps fight Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), and it helps keep us young! All of your fruits are a good source of vitamin C the best however, are

broccoli, bell peppers, kale, cauliflower, strawberries, lemons, mustard and turnip greens, brussels sprouts, papaya, chard, cabbage, spinach, kiwifruit, snow peas, cantaloupe, oranges, grapefruit, limes, tomatoes, zucchini, raspberries, asparagus, celery, pineapples, lettuce, watermelon, fennel, peppermint and parsley.

Recommended reading: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=109

Recommended reading - Vitamin Chart: http://www.healthalternatives2000.com/vitamins-nutrition-chart.html

A Healthy Environment

Many ailments / allergies / diseases have environmental factors that need to be taken into account.  This post is part education and part alternatives for a healthy environment. 

Let's start with the education.  There are many things in our homes / yards that can cause both allergies and weaken our immune system.  Things you may not even think about.  Carpet - have you ever smelled fresh carpet installed in a home?  Do you get a headache from it?  There are potentially harmful fumes that are given off by carpet of any age.  In addition, we are unable to get all the dirt, dust, dust mites, mold, mildew out of carpet which can potentially add to asthma / allergies.  Furniture - more and more we are seeing low or zero VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) for our furniture because of the types of materials our furniture is made from.  Paint - again we are seeing more and more low / zero VOC paints on the market.  Microwave - the energy waves that heat our food in a microwave changes the physical makeup of the food / water and potentially can be very damaging to our bodies.  In addition, those waves don't remain in the microwave - they are spread through the house.  It is recommended that you do NOT use a microwave for anything, including heating water.  Plastic containers for foods - plastic containers release harmful chemicals into our foods.  You should store all food in glass / ceramic containers.  Get rid of any plastic tableware (plates, glasses, silverware, serving dishes).  If you must use a microwave, make sure you do NOT put plastic in the microwave. Bedding - pillows / sheets / blankets / towels - all should be natural fibers.  Electronics - TV / Computer / Cell phone - these things all change the electromagnetic field in your home.  Opening windows helps to disperse the build up.  Make sure to turn things off completely when not in use.  Pay close attention to the THINGS in your home that can release potentially harmful fumes - not just at the beginning of it's life when you can smell it - but all through the life of the product. 

In addition to the things in your home that can potentially be a factor are the things you use to clean your home.  If a chemical has a warning about toxic fumes - it should never be used in your home.  Those fumes do not disappear because you can't smell them - if you do not open your house regularly those chemicals build up in your home and can be very hazardous.  There are studies out there showing that most homes are more toxic inside than outside.  The things in our homes and the chemicals we use to clean our home are the reason for this high level of toxicity. 

Now let's discuss options.  What can you do to create a more healthy environment...

Obviously, changing out furniture and carpeting can be a costly step.  We are going to start with some less expensive, and less difficult measures.  Just make sure that you pay attention to the VOC levels when making your next major purchase - or when you decide to renovate / move.  Next, we will discuss products you can purchase that are safe for you and your environment.

Natural Cleansers - there are a host of natural cleansers out there that you can purchase if you don't want to take the time to make your own.  Clorox, Windex, Greenworks are some of the most common.  Some you can find at the grocery store, Lowe's has a stock of them (oh yeah, I was surprised too), and obviously your natural food stores will have stock.

Natural Hair Care - I use Pureology products - they were created by someone who's friend had cancer and they wanted an all natural alternative.  iherb.com also has a host of different options as well.

Natural Beauty Care -  There aren't many out there that you can get at any grocery / drug store.  In another post we will discuss recipes and options. I use a natural oatmeal bar from the natural food store because my skin is quite oily and very sensitive.  The oatmeal soap actually balances my skin. 

Now for a list of things that are far safer for you, less expensive, and more effective than the harsh chemicals we have become accustomed to using.

Vinegar - you should have JUGS of vinegar in your home!  There are so many uses for vinegar that will surprise you.  Vinegar can be used in place of anything bleach is used for.  Whitening laundry, wiping down counters, showers, killing mold, mildew, and fungus.  It also can be used as a toner for your face, and will help eliminate dandruff if you rinse your hair with vinegar after washing.  Vinegar has been long known to help normalize bile production and helps relieve acid reflux / ulcers.  Rinsing fresh produce in vinegar will help remove toxins / herbicides / pesticides.  Vinegar also soothes and heals burns and bug bites.

Colloidal Silver - I wrote a whole post on the nutritional value of Colloidal Silver but there are also several environmental benefits.  I have been told that if you add several tablespoons to your mop water, it will kill any little creepy crawlies that scuttle across your floor.  Also, use it in your cleaning water when cleaning your cabinets, silverware drawers for the same benefit.  It is also used to heal / relieve ear aches - a couple drops in each ear.  Colloidal Silver also helps heal sore throats by gargling twice a day with silver.   

Baking Soda / Vinegar - Baking soda and vinegar help unclog drains, and clean silver.  For drains - pour about 1/3 c baking soda down the drain (after the water level has dropped below the drain) and then pour 1 c vinegar down the drain.  Pour another c vinegar if it still bubbles.  Wait 10 minutes and then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain.  The more the better... you want to make sure that all the baking soda has been removed from the pipes.  For silver cleaning, use a bowl large enough to completely submerge your silver and have more than 1/2 left for "fizz."  fill with enough vinegar to cover the silver product and then slowly pour baking soda over until the fizzing stops.  Then take an old toothbrush and scrub.  You may have to repeat this process a couple times.

Salt and Baking Soda - Both have been used for centuries as an abrasive - both can be used to scrub stoves, caked on grunge on pots / pans / plates, ovens, mildew, mold, etc..

Tomatoes / Ketchup - can be used to clean copper and / or brass pans.

Rubbing Alcohol - Anyone have kids?  Kids that like to get into your permanent markers?  That like to draw on walls? carpet? etc???  Rubbing alcohol will remove those lovely drawings - make sure to take photos before you remove your little Picasso's creations. 

Lemon Juice - lemon juice's acidic base helps dissolve soap scum and hard water stains.  Grind it up in the garbage disposal to get a clean fresh smell.  Mix with olive oil as a furniture polish. 

Recommended Reading - additional natural solutions: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/cleaners

Outside / Yard / Garden - there are some very simple ways to remove many of the harmful chemicals from your outdoor space as well.

Garlic / Onion - Garlic and onion keep away a host of bugs - as they are natural pesticides.  Plant onions around your roses to keep away aphids.  Sprinkle a combination of garlic / onion granules on your yard to keep away mosquitoes.  I use http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DN7OQW/ref=wms_ohs_product_C and they work for about three weeks.... I love having the birds around - and they feed off the mosquitoes - so how to keep them off the yard so I am not eaten alive?  These work great! 

Eucalyptus / Lemongrass Oil - 32oz spray bottle, water filled to w/in 2" of top, 40 drops eucalyptus oil, 15 drops lemongrass oil.  Spray around your doors / windows outside to keep bugs from coming in the house.  Use in your laundry (final rinse) to do the same for your clothing / bedding.  Another natural pesticide. 

Marigolds - these pungent flowers have been used for centuries to keep pests out of the garden.  Plant them throughout your garden to keep away pesky critters that want to enjoy your crops.

What's the Cause - 5?

So... we have discussed in four posts about the foods that affect illnesses... now we need to discuss other possibilities.  We have touched lightly on how thoughts affect your body, but we need to go a little deeper.

People with positive outlook on life live longer.
People that think in positive terms rather than negative have healthier bodies
People that think positively have far fewer debilitating illnesses / diseases
Positive people are far less likely to have a fatal disease

As we discussed previously, there are three pillars of Naturopathy - Diet, Exercise, and Mental Well Being.  One thing you may not like to hear - you will need to come to terms with - We cause our own illnesses with our thoughts.  OUCH!  I don't like the idea of me thinking myself sick.  How about you?  But this message has a positive one too - We can heal those illnesses with our thoughts.  Ok!  That is easier to take - but is it any easier to live? 

We discussed Chakras in a previous post - and I gave one example from Dr. Christiane Northrup's book "The Wisdom of Menopause."  I was blown away when I realized that my issues with my relationships was the cause of my female reproductive organs... and that if I had dealt with those issues as a teen and early adult - I never would have had to have a hysterectomy.  I had caused all my pain and suffering by not listening to what my body was telling me... all those warning signs... I thought it was "just me."  Never once did I think that I was in control. 

I am not going to give you the technical names of each Chakra - go out on line if you are interested to get more details - for our lesson, we don't need the formal names.  The Chakras are numbered 1 - 7 from base of spine to top of head.

7th Chakra (Crown) is the top most Chakra and can affect any organ in the body.  This Chakra's emotional connection is with things we can not control and things that must be accepted without a visual connection (God, life's purpose, the bigger picture). 

6th Chakra (Third Eye) is between your eyes and affects the head (eyes, ears, nose, brain).  This Chakra's emotional connection is with perception, morality, and thoughts. 

5th Chakra (Throat) sits at the base of your throat and affects that general area and also includes your mouth, neck vertebrae, and thyroid.  Communication, timing and will power are all connected with this Chakra.

4th Chakra (Heart) sits between your breasts and affects your organs in this general area as well as, upper esophagus, diaphragm, and your blood vessels.  This Chakra's emotional connection is with emotional expression and relationships.

3rd Chakra (Plexis) sits in the center of your chest and affects your abdomen, upper intestines, liver, gall bladder, lower esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, adrenal glands, spleen, and middle spine.  Self-esteem, personal power, responsibilities, addictions, and a need for power and success are all related to this Chakra.

2nd Chakra (Sacral) sits in the lower abdomen basically where a woman's uterus sits and affects all male / female sex organs, large intestine, lower vertebrae, pelvis, appendix, and bladder.  Personal power, limitations / boundaries in relationships, independence, creativity, money, power, sex, and personal responsibilities in relationships are all related to this Chakra.

1st Chakra (Root) sits at the base of the spine and affects all muscles and bones, the spine, blood and immune system.  Safety / Security, trust, fear, independence are all related to this Chakra.

Take a look at your life and your chronic or repetitive ailments - where do they fall?  Do you have any of the emotional baggage that contributes to that illness?  Take them seriously and resolve your issues. 

Let's take a positive step towards a longer HEALTHIER life together!!

What's the Cause - 4?

Installment number four....

Fibromyalgia - from all the research on line, they have no idea what causes it... but that it is becoming one of the most common conditions.  Inflammation, nerves, muscles.  Remember our discussion on what happens to toxins when we are not properly hydrated?  Those toxins get stuck in the muscles and will cause a variety of issues, including the possibility of fibromyalgia. A diet in foods that are anti-inflammatory, and that strengthen the immune system are recommended. 

Recommended Reading - http://www.holisticonline.com/remedies/cfs/fib_alt_med.htm

High Blood Pressure - high salt and fatty food diets are known for their cause of hypertension.  People that are overweight, do not exercise enough, drink excessively, and smoke are all prime candidates for high blood pressure concerns.  So, obviously a change in lifestyle and diet will make a huge difference.  Not everything can be accomplished in one day - so take it a step at a time.  For some people diabetes, adrenal, and / or thyroid problems will also increase blood pressure, as will some medications. 

Foods / Herbs for hypertension include garlic, hawthorne, omegas (3/6/9), calcium, magnesium, potassium, plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, and grains/seeds.  Reduce the amount of fried, fatty, sugary foods in your diet. 

Recommended Reading - http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Hypertension.htm

High Cholesterol - There have been loads of studies for high cholesterol and there are plenty of websites out there that will help you naturally manage your high cholesterol.  Primarily - be very careful in the foods you eat - and exercise, exercise, exercise! 

Certain foods help keep your body alkaline and help maintain good cholesterol numbers - you might be surprised at several of them... almonds, walnuts, oatmeal, blueberries, salmon / tuna, red wine, soy, extra virgin olive oil, cayenne, green tea, apples, shitake mushrooms, artichoke, garlic, avocado, and dark green leafy vegetables.  And again, if there is a list of what you should eat... there is also a list of what to stay away from: fast food, fried food, processed foods, junk food, dairy, tropical oils, and sweets / baked treats.  You also have herbs that help - fenugreek, cayenne, garlic, hawthorne berries, flax seed, and ginger.

Since LDL is broken down in the liver, good liver health is necessary... which means lowering alcohol and caffeine intake and increasing the intake of foods high in B complex vitamins, magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and iron.  Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, organic fruit juices, nuts, seeds, legumes, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, and brussles sprouts.

Recommended reading - http://www.webmd.com/cholesterol-management/guide/heart-healthy-diet

Diabetes - There are many contributing factors for diabetes including hypertension, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, obesity, certain medications, smoking, high stress lifestyle and certain illnesses.  Certain illnesses (hypothyroidism / iodine deficiency) can lead to diabetes if not treated in time. 

Super foods for diabetes include asparagus, blueberries, grapefruit, beans, broccoli, carrots, fish, flaxseed, cranberries, apples, melon, nuts, oatmeal, red onions, raspberries, spinach, soy, green tea, tomatoes, and Greek yogurt.

Recommended Reading - http://www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/#"