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Sunday, February 28, 2016
Rep. Margo Davidson Financial Fitness Forum
5 Ways to Use Hemp Oil in Your Beauty and Hygiene Routine
Hemp oil is a fantastic natural supplement to your beauty and hygiene routine. Like olive and avocado oil, it has a naturally green color due to its chlorophyll content, which makes it an excellent anti-inflammatory oil. Many people use hemp oil in the kitchen because of its nutty, earthy flavor, but hemp oil is also a fantastic beauty product. If you enjoy using it in your cooking, try some new ways to use hemp oil outside the kitchen!
Why not just use hemp oil in the kitchen, you ask?
Applying natural treatments to the skin topically allows for maximum absorption and benefits, since the skin is the largest organ we have. This is just one reason it’s important to avoid chemical treatments and commercial beauty products. What we put on our skin goes into our bloodstream and organs. Therefore, what is good for your body internally is the best for it externally, too.
So let’s take a look at why hemp oil is one of the best natural beauty aids of all time and the most beneficial ways to use it, shall we?
Hemp oil: benefits and uses
Essential fatty acids: the perfect ratio of omega 3, 6 and 9 for your hair and skin
Hemp oil is rich in specific fats that make it especially nourishing to the brain — and also to the body. These beneficial fats include omega 3, 6 and 9, which are all vital for obtaining a well-rounded essential fatty acid profile.
You may have heard that omega-6 fats can have an inflammatory effect on the body. This generally refers to sources from processed foods that contain very refined vegetable oils, or fats from conventionally-farmed animals that are fed a diet full of GMO grain, corn and soy.
However, hemp oil is different; it contains a specific type of omega-6 fat known as GLA, which stands for gamma linolenic acid. This type of fat is actually fantastic for metabolism and maintaininghormonal balance. It’s also very healing to the skin and promotes a youthful glow.
Magnesium: muscle relaxant and sleep aid
Hemp oil is a great source of magnesium, which relaxes muscles, cools inflammation and prepares the body for rest and rejuvenation. Magnesium also helps relieve cramps or muscle aches, which is great if you exercise on a regular basis. Hemp seeds are one of the highest plant-based sources of magnesium, and though the oil is not quite as high, it still retains much of the nutrition found in the seed because the oil is cold-pressed, leaving all the nutrients intact.
Magnesium is also an important mineral to nourish the nervous system, promote a healthy digestive system, and promote relaxation to help you sleep. One way to maximize the benefits of using hemp oil for this purpose is to first take a warm bath in Epsom salts, which are pure magnesium salts. Then dry off and moisturize your body with hemp oil. This is such a relaxing way to wind down before bed, and it makes your skin look amazing too. You’ll sleep better than ever!
Because hemp oil is very soothing to the skin and very cooling, it can also help relieve dermatitis and eczema.
Vitamin E: hair treatment and wrinkle cream
Many women and men take vitamin E to promote healthy hair growth or silky hair. A better option than buying pricey vitamin E capsules at the store is to simply rub hemp oil all through your hair a few minutes before you shower and wash your hair. Around a tablespoon of the oil is all it takes — you want to coat your hair but not saturate it. Using hemp oil on your hair will help make it silky, strong and will even help it grow!
Hemp oil is also excellent as a beauty treatment due to its high vitamin E content. Use just a tiny bit under your eyes and eyelids instead of harsh wrinkle cream. Hemp oil’s anti-inflammatory properties combined with vitamin E will help promote healthy, youthful skin and reduce wrinkles.
Moisturizing and cleansing: perfect as a makeup remover
Hemp oil is also very moisturizing to the skin and absorbs better than olive or avocado oil. For this reason, it makes an excellent makeup remover and face cleanser. If you’re prone to acne, you’ll want to use hemp oil only for removing makeup, and then finish with an apple cider vinegar/lemon juice toner, which will help cleanse the skin of excess oil and bacteria but won’t promote dryness.
Hemp oil is better to use than makeup removers because it’s very nourishing to the skin and won’t strip away good oils the skin needs to actually fight bacteria. When the skin becomes too dry and undernourished, harmful bacteria can make their way into the pores. Dead skin from dryness can cause bacteria to fester, which in turn can lead to acne. Using harsh creams can create a vicious cycle that further dries the skin and makes things worse. Hemp oil is a better alternative and is also very alkaline — it’s naturally cleansing and will remove impurities while still being gentle.
To use as a makeup remover, apply a teaspoon of hemp oil to a cloth and pat around your eyes first to gently rub away your eye makeup. Then, rinse the cloth a few times and apply another half a teaspoon of oil to the cloth, rubbing together and squeezing out the excess water. Wash the rest of your face removing your makeup as normal. Rinse and use a toner, such as apple cider vinegar, as needed. Pat dry.
Natural scent: a refreshing alternative to chemical-based body lotions
One of the best things about hemp oil is that it’s easy to apply. It also has an amazing scent that’s so much better for you than toxic, chemical-based perfumes. The smell is somewhat earthy and nutty — it’s extremely refreshing after a bath or shower. Hemp’s scent also has a naturally calming effect, much like eucalyptus and rosemary.
More uses for hemp oil:
- As a shaving cream
- As an overnight hair mask (wrap hair in a towel)
- To relieve vaginal dryness
- Removes any debris stuck on the skin (glue, sticker residue, etc.)
- Enhances the skin when taken internally (one tablespoon daily) due to it’s essential fatty acid content
How to choose the best hemp oil:
There are a few major brands of hemp oil on the market, most of which are a high quality, but you’ll still want to be careful. Avoid flavored hemp oils if you happen to come across any, and also those that contain preservatives or additives. You’ll want to look for raw, cold-pressed hemp seed oil that’s organic and non-GMO. You can find these online or at health-food stores. An eight-ounce bottle of hemp oil will last around one to two months, depending on how much you use it each day.
Storage tips:
Hemp oil that is consumed internally should be kept in the fridge because the oil has the potential to go rancid in a hot kitchen. If you use it in the bathroom, it should not go rancid as long as it’s kept in a cool closet or drawer. However, if your storage space is directly beside your shower, consider keeping your oil in a drawer or closet away from heat and steam.
Using natural oils on the skin is a great way to promote natural beauty. Nature’s most amazing foods have the potential and power to keep us healthy, youthful and radiant.
Which natural oils do you use in your beauty routine?
—Heather McClees
8 Reasons Fiber Is Vital to Your Diet, and 3 Ways to Tell If You Have Enough
A lack of fiber in your diet can cause major damage over the long term. This indigestible substance may seem like just a filler, but it actually serves a number of essential functions in the body.
- Fiber protects your heart: A 1999 study performed at Northwestern University and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that adding 10 more grams of fiber per day to participants’ diets decreased their risk of heart attacks by 29 percent.
- Fiber prevents intestinal disease: A low-fiber diet is associated with an inflammatory condition called diverticulitis, which causes tenderness and cramps in your lower gut, and eventually intestinal damage.
- Fiber helps maintain a healthy weight: Eating a fiber-rich meal helps you feel full and satisfied.
- Fiber fights chronic disease: Inflammation, which is associated with chronic conditions such as high blood pressure and elevated LDL cholesterol, can be lowered by eating enough fiber.
- Fiber feeds your immune system: The friendly bacteria that live in your gut and help you fight off illness thrive by fermenting the fiber that passes undigested through the stomach and small intestine.
- Fiber lowers your risk of stroke: Researchers have found that with every seven grams of fiber consumed on a daily basis, the risk of stroke is decreased by seven percent.
- Fiber keeps your skin clear: By helping move toxins through the system faster, fiber may help prevent acne or other inflammatory skin conditions.
- Fiber supports gut health: Fiber consumption results in the production of short-chain fatty acids by gut bacteria, which helps reduce inflammation and prevents digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Wondering how your diet stacks up? Here are three simple ways to check if you’re getting enough fiber:
Look in the toilet
Let’s dive right into things and talk about poop. Your bowel movements can provide a measure of dietary fiber in a couple of different ways. Keeping an eye on what you eat and when it comes out the other end (this is very easy to do by eating beets) is a great way to determine your “transit time.” Food should be moving through your system in less than 24 hours — eating enough fiber can help support efficient elimination.
For our next exercise, look in the toilet next time you go. If your poop sinks, this indicates a lack of fiber in your diet. Healthy poop floats on the surface of the water.
Keep an eye on your figures
There are two types of numbers you can check to determine whether your fiber intake is adequate. The first is weight — if the number on the scale is gradually creeping up over time, experts say this may be a sign of insufficient dietary fiber. Fiber helps you feel satisfied after a meal, and eating too little fiber may contribute to overeating.
The other figure to watch is your cholesterol. If you go to regular checkups with a health-care practitioner, you will have a record of your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels over time. While total cholesterol is no longer considered a major indicator of health, HDL (the healthy type of cholesterol) should always be significantly higher than LDL (the one that is viewed as unhealthy). If your LDL levels are creeping up over the years, increasing your fiber may be one way you can help reverse this damaging process.
Monitor your mood
If you tend to get hungry, tired or moody often throughout the day, this is a sure sign of fluctuations in blood sugar. Fiber is a key nutrient that helps stabilize blood sugar and insulin levels by delaying the absorption of sugar in the digestive system.
It’s time to get busy cranking up your intake of fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds! Soaked and sprouted gluten-free whole grains and legumes are also excellent sources of fiber, if you tolerate them well. Find out more about natural ways to increase your dietary fiber.
—The Alternative Daily
Major Health Organizations Against Antibiotics for Common Colds
In an attempt to reduce the amount of unwarranted antibiotic prescriptions handed out by doctors, the American College of Physicians (ACP) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are teaming up on the issue. In a study published this month in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the ACP and CDC urge physicians and health-care practitioners to stop prescribing antibiotics for the common cold.
Clinicians most commonly write antibiotic prescriptions for acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs), according to the recent study. These ARTIs include common colds, bronchitis without pneumonia, sore throats, and sinus infections. However, the ACP and CDC suggest that antibiotic use for ARTIs is inappropriate, and may be a factor in the prevalence of antibiotic resistant infections, or “superbugs.
It is estimated that more than two million Americans fall ill to antibiotic resistant infections every year, with roughly 23,000 of those cases resulting in death, according to the CDC.
The prescribed use of antibiotics may be spiraling out of control. One in five emergency room visits are due to adverse effects caused by antibiotics, according to the CDC. Antibiotics are also the leading cause for emergency room visits for adverse drug events in children under the age of 18.
Federal health officials suggest that approximately 50 percent of all antibiotic prescriptions given by clinicians are inappropriate. “Reducing overuse of antibiotics for ARTIs in adults is a clinical priority and a High Value Care way to improve quality of care, lower health care costs, and slow and/or prevent the continued rise in antibiotic resistance,” ACP President Wayne J. Riley said in a press release.
The economic cost of antibiotic use is also reaching staggering numbers. Unwarranted antibiotic prescriptions are costing the nation three billion dollars, according to news reports.
Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasingly worrying issue among health organizations and governments around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that diseases and infections such as tuberculosis, MRSA and gonorrhoea, among others, are becoming resistant to the drugs commonly used to treat them.
The WHO also found that many common infections are becoming resistant, including “urinary tract infections, pneumonia, [and] bloodstream infections in all regions of the world.”
In an attempt to combat inappropriate antibiotic prescription and use, the study outlined a “symptomatic prescription pad,” similar to the Symptomatic Relief for Viral Illnesses Prescription Pad developed by the CDC. This is a simple checklist that assists clinicians in discussing the non-antibiotic options available to patients for sign and symptom relief from ARTIs.
The symptomatic prescription pad also comes with a kind of disclaimer that explains the reasons antibiotics are not being prescribed. It states:
“You have been diagnosed with an illness caused by a virus. Antibiotics do not cure viral infections. If given when not needed, antibiotics can be harmful. The treatments prescribed below will help you feel better while your body’s own defenses are fighting the virus.”
Here are some alternative cold remedies that may help with your cold symptoms, without the need for antibiotics:
- Research suggests ginseng can prevent and also reduce cold symptoms by nearly 50 percent.
- Try a warm lemon and turmeric morning elixir with a touch of honey and cinnamon for a boost of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory assistance.
- Ginger tea contains sesquiterpenes, compounds that may help you battle your rhinovirus symptoms in an all-natural way.
- Enlist essential oils to help alleviate cold symptoms. Juniper essential oil contains deoxypodophyllotoxin, a useful compound for upper respiratory tract infections. Mix a few drops in a bowl of hot water and breath in the steam.
What are a few alternative ways you prevent or manage the common cold?
—Stephen Seifert
Replace Your Multivitamin and Fix a Hangover with Cucumbers
What do you think about cucumber? For most people, cucumber is a veggie (although technically a fruit) that is placed as an afterthought in salads and cold side dishes. I must admit, even I don’t pass by them in the grocery store and say, “Wow, let’s get one of those amazing cucumbers!”
After learning a few things about cucumbers that I didn’t already know, I now feel guilty about brushing them off. Cucumber is actually an amazing vegetable with an impressive nutritional profile. In fact, it can even be eaten in place of your daily multivitamin.
A little about this humble veggie
Cucumber, or Cucumis sativus, is in the same family as melon and squash. Commercially, cucumbers are divided into two groups, slicing and pickling. Slicing cucumbers generally have thick skin and are larger than the thin-skinned pickling cucumbers.
Cucumber has even escaped the eyes of researchers, being upstaged by the cruciferous crew (broccoli, cabbage, etc.) until it was found that it contains three beneficial lignans (lariciresinol, pinoresinol and secoisolariciresinol), which have been associated with a reduced risk ofcardiovascular disease as well as several different types of cancer, including ovarian, prostate, breast and uterine.
Here is what my long-overdue research on this unappreciated veggie revealed. I hope you, like me, have a new respect for cucumber when you are done reading.
Cucumber is a nutritional powerhouse
Cucumber is a superfood containing almost all the vitamins you need each day, including B vitamins, vitamin C, fiber, vitamin K1, copper, potassium and manganese. Eat just one cucumber daily in place of a multivitamin.
Need an energy boost?
Rather than reach for that third cup of coffee, chomp on a cucumber instead. The carbs and B vitamins in cucumber provide sustaining energy that can last for hours.
Drank a little too much?
To avoid having your night out turn into a morning nightmare, try eating some cucumber. Eat a cucumber right before bed and your hangover pains will be lessened. Cucumber contains a mix of B vitamins, sugar and electrolytes that keep you hydrated and feeling great after a night out on the town.
Eating too much sugar?
Reduce cravings by snacking on cucumber slices rather than reaching for sugary snacks. I have started keeping a little dish of sliced cucumber by my desk. With a sprinkle of sea salt and a little pepper, this snack keeps me full all day long!
Feeling stressed?
If you are having a crazy day, boil a few slices of cucumber on the stove and breathe in the steam. The aroma of cucumber can promote feelings of calm and relieve anxiety. Want an extra boost? Add a few drops of anxiety-busting lavender essential oil into the mixture.
Does your breath stink?
If you suffer from halitosis, aka bad breath, you may want to consider eating cucumber instead of reaching for sugary breath mints. Phytochemicals in cucumbers kill bacteria that cause bad breath and cavities. Eat a slice after each cup of coffee or meal for breath that stays fresh all day long.
Are you stopped up?
There are any number of reasons why you may experience constipation. Sometimes it is the result of stress, medication or eating a highly processed diet. Cucumbers are high in fiber, which can keep you regular and keep your digestive system working at full speed.
Do you need a detox?
Cucumber not only contains a lot of water, which helps keep the body hydrated, but it also has detoxifying properties. A study from 2013 published in the journal Fitoterapia found that cucumber has “a cleansing action within the body by removing accumulated pockets of old waste materials and chemical toxins.” Want to detox? Eat a cucumber… or three! Better yet, eat cucumber daily to keep toxins from building up.
Do you need an immune boost?
The blend of nutrients in cucumber make it ideal for boosting the immune system and treating common ailments like the common cold and flu viruses. The anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber fight inflammation of the nose and throat when you are suffering from a cold.
Is your blood pressure high?
High levels of potassium in cucumber help regulate blood pressure by boosting electrolyte levels and mitigating the damaging effects of sodium overconsumption.
Do you want to fend off free radicals?
Cucumber, like melon, is high in antioxidants. This prevents the spread of free radical damage that can lead to premature aging and cancer.
Do you have puffy eyes?
Nutrients in cucumber make it effective at relieving inflammation both internally and externally. Place fresh cucumber directly onto swollen areas to reduce puffiness within just a few minutes.
Are you feeling bloated?
Every once in a while, I just feel bloated. The good news is, now I know that all I have to do for relief is eat a cucumber! The high water content and potassium in cucumber make it a mild diuretic that can fight bloating.
Do you want to build your bones?
Cucumber is high in magnesium, calcium, and vitamin K1 — all essential for bone health. Eat cucumber regularly if you are eating a low-meat or low-dairy diet.
Are you starting to forget things?
Cucumber is naturally high in copper, which is essential for brain function. A study from 2014 published in the journal Aging Cell found that the chemical known as festin, commonly found in cucumber, is effective at fighting the damage of Alzheimer’s disease.
Is your skin looking tired?
Perhaps you’ve seen cucumber used at the spa, and for good reason. Cucumber contains compounds that refresh and rejuvenate the skin from both the inside out and outside in. Create a pulpy mixture of cucumber and a few drops of lemon juice and apply directly to the face for a mask that is both healthy and refreshing.
Do you want strong, shiny hair?
Cucumber contains silicone, sulphur, phosphorous and calcium, all necessary for healthy hair growth. Eating cucumber regularly can reduce hair loss and strengthen hair shafts.
The compounds in cucumber also help hair look shiny and healthy. Massage cucumber juice into your hair after bathing and allow it to sit for about five minutes before rinsing away with lukewarm water.
Try adding a few of these uses for cucumber to your weekly routine and soon you will feel energized, refreshed and stress-free. Who knew the humble cucumber was such a superfood?
What is your favorite way to use cucumber?
—Susan Patterson
6 Unusual Ways to Boost Your Immune System
How do you boost your immune system? Traditional answers include eating a healthy diet, exercise, getting enough vitamin D, more sleep, and avoiding things that harm your immune system. Although these are excellent ways to maximize your health, you can boost the immune system in other ways. These six unusual methods offer out-of-the-box ways to boost your immune system.
Get a massage
According to a 2006 study conducted by the Group Health Research Institute in Seattle, getting a massage can boost your immune system. The researchers found that when patients received massages after treatment, their cortisol levels dropped and their levels of dopamine and serotonin rose.
When stressed, our bodies release a hormone known as cortisol. An increase in cortisol drives the body to crave carbohydrates, fatty foods and sugar. When we eat these foods, we may satisfy the craving, but it sets off a vicious cycle that is very hard to break, and which depletes the immune system. So by reducing cortisol levels through massage, the immune system improves.
Visit a chiropractor
If your bones are out of alignment, it could be making your immune system suffer. A 2010 study published in Chiropractic & Osteopathy found that a chiropractic adjustment raises white blood cell count. Another article published in Psychology Today reported that during the flu epidemic in 1917 and 1918, regular chiropractic adjustments were able to drop a patient’s mortality risk from five percent to 0.25 percent.
Take a hike
Exercise is important, but where you exercise may be just as important. A study from 2009 conducted by Japanese researchers found that when men spent six hours hiking in the woods, they had higher levels of white blood cells and other immune boosters. Surprisingly, this health boost lasted a full month after their walk. Hike outdoors once a month or more for a lasting immune system boost.
Play the drums
It sounds unbelievable, but researchers from the Loma Linda University School of Medicine in California tested 111 people to determine if banging on a drum could benefit the immune system. They found when study participants used a drum, their immune systems showed instant improvement. Those who drummed in a group had the biggest immune system boost. Start that drum circle with your friends. It’s healthy!
Take a cold shower
No one wants to take a cold shower, but it may help your immune system to become a powerful disease-fighting machine. According to research, after a cold shower the body increases its metabolic rate while trying to warm up, which gives your immune system an extra boost. In one German study, participants who took cold showers caught fewer winter colds than their warm-shower counterparts.
Mellow out with music
Music is good for the soul, and also good for the immune system. Researchers have found that listening to peaceful music lowers cortisol levels and increases levels of immunoglobulin A, which is a natural immune booster. Music with a peaceful, soothing vibe had a greater effect than energetic music. If you would play it for a baby’s naptime, then it will benefit your health, too.
Of course, the basis of a healthy immune system begins with a diet rich in whole foods. Add some of these creative immune system boosting ideas to your already healthy lifestyle, and you will be amazed at how strong your immune system becomes.
—The Alternative Daily
Job Posting - Power Point Specialist
My name is Alexis La Rosa and I represent The Fountain Group. We are a national staffing firm and are currently seeking a (an) PowerPoint Specialistfor our Fortune 500 client. This position is located in Malvern, PA.
RELEVANT JOB HIGHLIGHTS/QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
If you would like to hear more about the position, please respond with a copy of your resume in word form with your best contact information or contact me at (813) 769-9546.
If you are uninterested, it is not necessary to respond.
Please forward this email to any friends or colleagues
RELEVANT JOB HIGHLIGHTS/QUALIFICATIONS
Required:
- Innovator who can collaborate to create impactful presentations
- Expert level PowerPoint skills
- Adobe Creative Suite
- Keynote
- Video Experience
If you would like to hear more about the position, please respond with a copy of your resume in word form with your best contact information or contact me at (813) 769-9546.
If you are uninterested, it is not necessary to respond.
Please forward this email to any friends or colleagues
Job Posting - Project Coordinator
Hi,
We are currently sourcing for a position with our client and would like to discuss this opportunity with you. Rangam Consultants is an award winning company for Staffing solutions and services. We are a multiple service provider in the Information Technology, Scientific, Engineering and administrative fields. We have a proven track record for successfully delivering mission critical consulting, support and recruiting services to various government and Fortune 500 clients. The details for this position are as follows: Job Title: Project Coordinator Job Code: RCI-JSN-41912 Job location:- Titusville NJ 8560 Duration: 10 Months |
JOB DESCRIPTION:
24 hours/wk The main responsibilities would include: 1) General project management support across the work streams. 2) Scheduling, registration, and logistics support for our Brave Conversations training classes 3) Coordination with external partners 4) Administrative and logistical support on monthly and quarterly Culture team meetings 5) Administrative and logistical support of our Communications initiatives 6) Recurring budget tracking and reporting support If interested: Please provide us the following information: 1) Hourly rate on W2 or expected salary _________ 2) Resume in Word format __________ 3) Contact information, where we can reach you _________ 4) Your Status (Citizen/EAD/Green Card)______ I look forward to hear from you. Best regards, Anish Patel
Rangam Consultants Inc.
Somerset NJ 08873
Direct No:- 908 704 8843 Ext - 208
Fax: 908 253 6550
Email: staffing@rangam.com
Alt e-mail id: rangamconsultantsinc@gmail.com
FOR ALL CURRENT OPEN JOBS @ RANGAM CLICK HERE
Message Id : 4485492
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Surprising Health Dangers of Too Much Iron
Check the ingredients on any box of cereal and you will get the definite impression that Americans are seriously deficient in iron. You’ll find iron added to cereals, oatmeal, baby food, bread, and even some canned goods. While not eating enough iron can have damaging side effects — such as anemia, headaches and fatigue — too much iron can be just as bad, and possibly worse.
Are you iron deficient?
Iron is necessary to transport oxygen throughout the body. It also helps regulate cell growth and other vital systems. Too little iron leads to anemia, fatigue and reduced immune function. Because of this, iron supplements in foods and vitamins are common.
However, if you have too much iron, you can also experience problems. In fact, one study from 2001 published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that in a group of 1,000 elderly people, 3 percent were deficient in iron, but 13 percent had too much iron. Everyone else had normal iron levels.
You can have your iron levels checked by your doctor (most will check during a routine blood test) to determine if you have too little or too much iron.
Healthy iron levels range between 20 and 80 ng/ml. If you have lower levels than that, then you are iron deficient, but if you have higher levels, you have an iron surplus. Anything over 100 is potentially dangerous.
What happens if you have too much iron?
Iron is difficult for the body to remove, which means that it can build up in your heart, liver or pancreas. Too much iron can lead to the oxidation of tissues, which can cause the following:
- Liver cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart problems
- Diseased liver
- Bacterial or viral infections
- Alzheimer’s disease
Risk factors that may lead to excess iron
Since iron is released through blood loss, women tend to have lower levels of iron than men because of their monthly menstruation. However, even women who are menstruating could still have high iron levels if they absorb more iron in a month than they lose. Individuals who do not often lose blood (typically men and older women) are at greater risk for iron toxicity.
In some cases, genetic factors contribute to how much iron your body uses, absorbs, and releases.
Individuals who drink a lot of alcohol are more likely to have too much iron in the body because alcohol allows your body to take in more iron than normal. Drinking wine along with red meat, for example, increases how much iron your body is able to absorb from the meat. This is not always a bad thing, but if you are predisposed to having higher iron levels, you probably want to avoid it.
Other common risk factors include the following:
- Cooking in iron pans regularly
- Eating a lot of foods fortified with iron
- Taking iron supplements
- Drinking water high in iron (usually found in well water)
Since the healthy range of serum ferritin lies between 20 and 80 ng/ml, below 20 is a strong indicator that you are iron deficient and above 80 suggests you have an iron surplus. The ideal range is between 40–60 ng/ml. The higher the number over 100, the worse the iron overload, with levels over 300 being particularly toxic, eventually causing serious damage.
Can you get rid of excess iron?
If your iron levels are near unsafe levels, there are some healthy ways to reduce your iron intake or release excess iron. Avoid taking in too much iron by staying away from food cooked in iron pans and foods that increase iron absorption (such as alcohol). Some foods, like clams and red meat, are high in iron so you may want to stay away from them for a few weeks.
Studies suggest that certain herbs and spices like tea, rosemary, and turmeric can help your body eliminate excess iron more efficiently. In a study from 2006 published in Free Radical Biology and Medicine, when mice ate turmeric extract (curcumin) they were able to reduce their liver iron levels. Including turmeric in your cooking could help reduce your stored iron.
As with all supplements, be sure to take only what you need. If you take iron supplements or go out of your way to increase your iron intake, you may be doing more harm than good. Next time you visit your doctor, have your blood tested for iron levels and only supplement for iron if your levels are low.
—The Alternative Daily
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