The Parasite Cleanse...

After 10 amazing days of traveling through Central America I am back home and feeling excited to get back into the routine of things.  Blake and I had a great time surfing, swimming, eating, running and simply just being.  Although we had great travels we did go though areas with contaminated water and food and had the usual experience of diarrhea and vomiting.  This isn’t too new to us as we have traveled multiple times though these areas and at one point or another on the trip there are some digestive problems.  So now that we are back home its time to cleanse the system.  First we are starting with a parasite cleanse!

What’s a parasite cleanse?

A parasite cleanse is a holistic approach of killing off possible parasites you were exposed to through contaminated water or food.  Parasites are organisms that live on a host and feed off of it in order to live. Use of herbal supplements, a specific diet, hydration and rest is part of the program to kill off these pests.  

Supplements suggested for a parasite cleanse include:

·     Black Walnut 

·     Woodworm

·     Oregano Oil

·     Grapefruit Seed Extract

·     Clove Oil

Most health foods stores will have supplements with all of these suggested oils in capsule form ready to go with the recommended doses as well.  The brand I found at Mother’s Market that came highly recommended is from Health Force Super Foods and its called SCRAM.  

The Diet…

 The diet suggested for the parasite cleanse is a simple clean eating program.   In order to kill parasites in your system and kill off the bad bacteria and the fungus that these parasites live off of, you’ve got to get rid of bad bacteria.

 Foods to eliminate include:

·     Wheat

·     Sugar

·     Dairy

·     Alcohol

·     Processed Foods

·      Pork (most contaminated food with parasites). 

Some Foods to incorporate into the diet include:

·     Garlic

·     Onions

·     Coconut oil and milk 

·     Papaya and its seeds *(the seeds of papaya fruit contain high levels of the proteolytic enzyme papain, which can help rid your body of parasites such as intestinal worms)

·     Probiotic rich foods including fermented yogurt, kraut, and keifer.  

·     Pumpkin Seeds

** It is suggested to consume at least a ½ to a whole cup of pumpkin seeds a day while on the parasite cleanse.  Curcurbitin in pumpkin seeds has shown anti-parasitic activity due to its ability to paralyze worms so they drop off the intestinal walls. Pumpkin seeds are also able to kill eggs as they contain a natural fat that is toxic to parasite eggs.  Eating pumpkin seeds raw, roasted or crushed up in smoothies or salads is suggested.  

For the next 14 to 21 days I will be going on this parasite cleanse to rid my body of any possible pests from this last trip. Although this regimen may seem extreme it’s a simple and natural way to rid the body of any pests.  It’s also helping me with adjusting back into my daily work after being on vacation and indulging! Stay tuned for an updated blog post on my journey through the cleanse.  

What is a Reset? And Why should I do it?

About 4-5 times a year I try to make an effort to “reset” my body and get back on track with the food I am consuming.  This reset usually comes after a lot of travel, holidays, or when I feel I am just off track.  A reset is NOT an extreme detox, but more of eliminating the bad to allow my digestive system to calm down and heal a bit.  During travel and holidays I allow myself to indulge (in moderation!!) a little more than usual and sometimes it takes my body for a loop.  Between bloating, fatigue, tummy issues, and skin irritation my body screams for a reset button so that it can get back to its normal. 

A reset is the perfect way to recalibrate your system without extreme dieting or starvation.  I don’t believe in crazy juice cleanses or cutting calories.  What I do believe in is optimal digestion and proper gut health for the best break down of food into usable energy.  My reset usually includes homemade soup with my own broth, simple salads, smoothies with minimal fruit, beans, and lightly seasoned proteins like wild salmon, tempeh, and eggs.  I always eliminate sugars including honey and maple syrup to get cravings low and I usually eliminate coffee as well.  Since I have an allergy to dairy I continue to stay clear but for others who don’t have an allergy I recommend eliminating dairy.  To help my digestive system I drink a lot of herbal teas like mint and dandelion root and also eat a lot of fermented foods including pickled veggies, kraut, kimchee, and kombucha (watch for added sugars!!! GT’s is my favorite brand that doesn’t have added sugar).

Another aspect to my reset is strategic eating throughout the day.  I eat within 60 minutes of waking and then eat every 3-4 hours until an hour before bed.  I start my day with a medium sized meal leaving lunch to be another medium sized meal and dinner to be a smaller meal.  Eating lighter at night allows the digestive system to really break down food from the entire day versus if you have a large meal for dinner the digestive system is taxed by breaking down what you just ate before bed. 

Other aspects I add in my reset is mindful meditation and eating, gentle yoga, dry brushing, and myofascial stretching.  These are all little ways to aid the body in recovery from stress.

So, how long should a reset be?  This all depends on how off you are feeling.  Sometimes my reset will be a few days or a few weeks.  I normally try and stick with at least 10 days to allow my body to fully recover.  By the end of the reset I always notice improvements in my digestion, skin complexion, sleeping patterns, energy, libido, and mood.  The first few days I usually feel resistance and crave sugar and desserts, but after day 3 or so I am feeling pretty good and able to power through. 

I encourage anyone to try a reset!  Experiment and see if it helps your body get back to optimal function, especially if you are feeling like your eating patterns have been off for a bit and you are noticing signs of poor digestion like bloating, gas or fatigue. Getting rid of processed food, sugars, and simple carbs are easy to do and easy to replace. Resets are not meant to be extreme, but more so meant to be intentional.  Reflect, journal, and really take the time to tap into what the body is telling you.  I promise it will be an experience you enjoy and will want to come back to when you are feeling less than perfect!  

*** This article is not meant to treat any diseases,  Consult with your primary doctor to see if you are able to do something like a reset if you are dealing with any disease, pregnant, or elderly. **

What sugar is best, and what kind should I use?

I get asked this question a lot.  There are many different sugar and sugar alternatives to use these days so I understand why this can be confusing.  Below is a list of some of the worst and best sugars and when and where to use them.  Factors like glycemic index and its affect on blood sugar and insulin as well as amount of fructose are taken into account when dividing the good from the bad.  Something to keep in mind is that sugar, weather good or bad, if over consumed and can have a poor effect on the body in a number of ways including diabetes, weight gain, obesity, hormone imbalance, fatigue, brain fog and so much more.  The key is moderation!  It is recommended to consume no more than 6 teaspoons a day.  That’s not a lot!  Most American’s consume an average of 15 to 19 teaspoons of sugar a day! 

Reading food labels and avoiding packaged food are some of the best ways to stay clear of added sugar.  Things like condiments and “Health Bars” are culprits to hidden sugars.  I am a huge advocate for packing and cooking your own food for consumption.  It puts you in the drivers seat to optimal health. 

The Bad ….

White table sugar, High Fructose Syrup, and ALL artificial sweeteners including aspartame (Equal, NatraSweet), Saccharine (Sweet N Low), and Sucralose (Splenda).    These sugars should be avoided at all costs.  They cause system wide inflammation, spike and crash blood sugar levels, and mess with insulin.  Don’t be fooled by zero calorie sweeteners, they cause more harm on the body and eventually lead to increased fat storage. 

Brown Sugar:  This sugar is basically white sugar with molasses added back in at the final stages of processing.  Brown sugar is high in glucose and fructose and contains pesticides so its best to stay clear of this sugar as well. 

The Not So Great:

Agave:  This sweetener is still on the chopping block on weather it’s good or bad, but from what I have seen in research it’s not the best.  Although it has a low glycemic index (around 20-22), it has high fructose content, even higher than high fructose syrup.  Fructose is not as easily absorbed and is being linked to insulin sensitivity as well as gut and liver problems.  A little bit of agave can go a long way, so if you do use it, less is more! 

The Good:

The list below is comprised of the best sweeteners that have a lower glycemic index as well as provide other nutrient and health benefits.  When choosing a sugar or sweetener these are the ones to choose from. Although they are on the good list, over consumption can still stress the body.  Use mindfully and in moderation. 

 Raw Honey:  Not just any honey, but RAW honey.   Honey has a GI of 35- 50 and a ton of health benefits.  Honey contains antioxidants, minerals and vitamins, has antimicrobial properties, and aids in digestion.  There are so many uses for honey between skin care, burn care, and with food.  I usually use honey on hot cereals and with smoothies. 

Pure Maple Syrup: Pure Grade A Maple Syrup is another sweetener that contains antioxidants and small amounts of minerals.  Maple Syrup has a GI of 50-55, with a low fructose percentage of 35 percent.  When buying maple syrup checking the label and making sure that it is one single ingredient.  I use Maple Syrup for everything including granola, baked goods, and dressings. 

Coconut Palm Sugar:  When coconut palm sugar came to my local market I was very excited.  Coconut sugar can be replaced 1:1 for regular sugar.  The taste is perfect and I use it with all of my baking when white or brown sugar is called for.  Coconut palm sugar has a GI of 35 and a low fructose percentage compared to regular sugar.  Coconut palm sugar is made from the sap of the coconut palm. 

 Stevia: This plant sweetener is derived from the South American stevia plant.  This sweetener has no calories and affects blood glucose very minimally with a GI of 0. When buying stevia make sure its pure organic stevia with no additives.  A little bit goes a LONG way with this sweetener. 

Black Strap Molasses: This sugar extract is a thick tar like texture that has a GI of 55 and is great to use with healthy baking.  Black strap molasses contains a bunch of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium.  It’s also known for some health benefits including dermatitis, joint pain, constipation, regulating menstrual flow and more. 

Ditch the stuff on the bad list, and make room for the ones on the good side.  Always use in moderation, as well as use what’s best for your body.  Introducing these sugars one at a time into your diet to see how your body reacts is a great way to find what sugar is the best for you.   

Hope this helped.  Leave comments below if you have any questions.