The advocacy group Moms Across America sent 10 samples of wine in to be tested by Microbe Infotech Lab in St. Louis.
The samples came from vineyards of all sizes—from very small to very large operations… The vineyards included those that use modern agricultural practices—as well as those that are “organic.”
They ALL tested positive for glyphosates.
Even the ones that had never been sprayed with Roundup (the trade name of Monsanto/Bayer’s toxic glyphosate herbicide).
Levels were much higher in crops that were sprayed directly with pesticides and herbicides—but even those that did fall victim to the reckless use of these toxins on our food supply.
Here’s another interesting tidbit:
Glyphosate is patented as an antibiotic. So, now it is not only going to be in our food source, it could be used as an antibiotic. We know that the glyphosate damages tissues, we can also be sure that it’s also disrupting our microbiomes.
Studies have shown that it favors harmful bacteria growth while inhibiting the good stuff.
Obviously, it’s becoming harder and harder to avoid glyphosates without sourcing food from remote farms—far away from “modern” agricultural practices.
With the good weather coming, I would encourage you to go to farmer’s markets and talk to farmers about how they grow their foods and what they use – so you know exactly what happens to your food.
Food and sex can be an erotic mix – if you know what you’re doing!
Food and sex can be a seriously erotic mix if you know what you’re doing, so getting to grips with aphrodisiac foods this Valentine’s Day will be really worth it.
For some people the idea of foodie foreplay is just a big NO, chocolate body paint won’t float everyone’s boat. But squirting whipped cream-on-body-parts isn’t what we’re getting at here, although that is a fun idea. We are going to explore foods that are known as aphrodisiacs all by themselves.
Even the NHS says aphrodisiac foods can help bring couples closer both physically and emotionally. It’s got to be a good thing!
So if you’re intrigued here’s our A-W list of aphrodisiac foods… how you enjoy them is up to you!
Almonds
The almond has been a symbol of fertility and an aphrodisiac through various ages and some believe that just the smell can stimulate women sexually. Sprinkle them with a little seasoning and they are ready to pop in your mouth and let it water.
Apricot Brandy
Long considered an aphrodisiac drink. In a Midsummer Night’s Dream the fairies are told of the efficacy of apricot and Shakespeare seems to have been drawing on an established folk tradition. Dried Apricots steeped in sweet Muscat wine for a week or two are favorite sweetmeat with which lovers can feed each other.
Avocado
The Aztecs allegedly called the avocado “ahuacatl” – their word for ‘testicle’… but if that doesn’t turn you on (it doesn’t do much for us either) avocados are at least a treasure trove of vitamins and good stuff.
They contain vitamin B6, which is said to increase production of male hormones, as well as potassium, which helps to regulate the female thyroid gland – not sexy but at least you’ll look and feel pretty good.
Asparagus
The humble asparagus spear is a powerful aphrodisiac – not only does it look a bit phallic but it also contains vitamin E, which makes you gorgeous (think healthy skin, hair and nails) and is also said to be a sex hormone booster. Delicious.
Bananas
Phallic again – use your imagination this is enough to get the sexy going on the aphrodisiac list. In the case of the banana it’s also making an appearance due its levels of potassium and B vitamins that aid your sex hormone production.
These beauties are a great source of instant and long-lasting energy – so have one before sex to give you the staying power to satisfy your significant other.
Bananas are excellent at regulating blood pressure, too. High blood pressure can lead to erectile dysfunction and that’s no fun on Valentine’s Day (or any other day for that matter).
So whack out those bananas and away you go!
Bone Marrow
According to the ancient Romans produces pheromones that stimulate our sense of smell that attracts us to our lovers.
Caviar
Testosterone is great for your sex life – it makes both men and women more randy and sexually stimulated. Zinc, found in caviar, stimulates the formation of testosterone so it stands to reason that posh fish eggs are in fact an aphrodisiac!
Celery
Not a universally loved veg but apparently it gets women going. Celery contains androstenone, a hormone that researchers believe attracts females when it’s secreted through sweat. Nice.
Champagne
Champagne is the drink of love often the mere presence of that expensive bottle will get you going. Champagne reaches the blood stream rapidly. Drinking too much, however, might change the outcome so drink responsibly.
Chili Peppers
Hot chili’s are thought to release endorphins that give our bodies a high. Many hot foods fall into this category but chili’s also contain the chemical capsaicin, which stimulates our nerve endings and raises our pulses for a greater sense of touch.
A little tip we have is to put a tiny bit of chili in your cocktails. Honestly, it works wonders!
Chocolate
Nothing says, “I love you” like a box of chocolates, at least for me that is a way to my heart!
It contains a stimulant called phenylethylamine, and a substance called Theobromine which is thought to act on the neurotransmitters of the brain to give you a natural high with a sense of well-being and excitement.
Use dark chocolate with a high cocoa content, as this is what makes the magic happen.
Coffee
You stand on your doorstep at the end of the perfect date, and think of saying “want to come in and tear my clothes off with your teeth?” but that’s perhaps a little forward.
Instead you murmur: “would you like to come in for coffee?”… the meaning behind the message is the same.
Coffee’s actually on the list for its stimulating qualities but it’s earned its reputation as a sexy beverage by the power of suggestion alone. Make sure you drink it in a sexy manner!
Cream
Cream doesn’thave any nutritional value, but as an aphrodisiac it gets it’s merit by sex food play! It can be a bit messy but isn’t that what sex is all about? If you want to clean up easy get the shower curtain out for this one!
Coconut
We all are aware of the coconuts health benefits as a healthy oil, but did you know it make a great massage oil and an even better natural lubricant with a great flavor or oral sex.
Cucumber
Cucumberis certainly phallic in appearance, but its aphrodisiac reputation is not based on looks alone. From a nutritional standpoint, cucumbers provide several nutrients essential to maintaining sexual health, including Vitamin C and magnesium. It also helps to decrease water retention and bloating so enjoy.
Figs
This one’s for your partner – ask them to open a ripe fig and eat it seductively in front of you. This is supposed to be a powerful aphrodisiac because the fruit’s insides look like female genitalia.
Ginger
A circulatory system stimulant, ginger eaten raw, preserved or cooked is said to increase sexual powers and desire. Ginger omelets are a great way to start the day.
Ginseng
Often found in Asian cuisines such as Chinese and Korean, ginseng is believed by many to increase sexual appetite for both men and women. Consuming Ginseng tea or shred some raw root onto a salad.
Oysters
Oysters are probably the world’s most well-known aphrodisiac and they’ve been top of the sexy food list since the age of the ancient Greeks.
They’re full of zinc that helps in production of testosterone, which not only acts on male libido but is also great for the female libido too. Raw oysters are best served with a glass of cold Champagne.
Pine Nuts
Like oysters and caviar, pine nuts are full of zinc that is great for producing sperm and for increasing the libido.
Pumpkin Seeds
More zinc! You can eat these toasted or raw and they’re great on a sexy salad with cucumbers, apples, raisins and almonds.
Radish
Egyptian pharaohs were all about radish when they wanted to up the ante in the royal chamber. It’s thought that their spicy taste could stimulate the palate and of course the shape are supposed to turn you on.
Raspberries
Succulent red fruits that are perfect for feeding to your lover and are especially good when dipped into melted chocolate – an aphrodisiac two-for-one!
They’re red which is meant as a stimulating color that indicates we are excited which our brains are programed to notice as stimulating. They are high in vitamin C, which may not turn you on but will sure keep your healthy.
Rocket
Even back in the first century A.D. they were using rocket (or arugula) leaves to boost flagging sex drives. But were as they used it with grated orchid bulbs and parsnips, we recommend toasted pine nuts, almonds and pistachios for a more palatable sexy salad!
Sweet Basil
Maybe it’s the smell, but some people think that basil has the power to stimulate your sex drive and boost your fertility – so don’t be too annoyed if he turns up with a takeaway pizza this Valentine’s Day.
Strawberries
For all the same reasons raspberries are on the list! Pop one in your champagne glass, dip them in some lush melted chocolate… strawberries are sensual, sexy and I know this is cliché but feed them in a sensual way to your partner.
Truffles
Truffles are one of the most extravagant foods out there and this point alone is sometimes enough to turn a women on.
They may not look so appealing but trust us these babies pack a punch. Drizzle a little truffle oil on some pasta, or put a few shavings on some risotto.
Their delicious taste and musky aroma certainly stimulates the palate which can lead to arousal elsewhere.
Wine
Drinking wine can be quite an erotic experience. Drinking in moderation can help to ease inhibitions and promote relaxation but alcohol is also a depressant and we all know that too much never did anyone any good.
Your Valentine’s Day or romantic date will be memorable for all the wrong reasons if you have one to many rosés! Wondering why Roses are so sexy? In part it is sacred to the love goddess in all the mythological traditions. The evocative shape of the petals and the intense perfumes make it the archetypal female emblem. It is the scents of the rose that are an aphrodisiac. Enjoy them put the petals on the bed…. Use the rose petal to gently stroke them across your lover’s body. Use your imagination and enjoy!
Four benefits of IV nutritional therapy you should know about
The skilled practitioners at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee want you to know about four benefits of IV nutritional therapy. During IV nutritional therapy, vital nutrients, minerals and vitamins are administered through an IV drip in our office. The process takes anywhere from a half hour to six hours, depending on your needs. This therapy is a valuable treatment that helps many of our patients improve their health and quality of life.
Learn more about the four benefits of IV nutritional therapy
If you have a chronic condition or other health problems, you need to know more about IV nutritional therapy.
One of the main benefits of IV nutritional therapy is that it provides important minerals, amino acids, vitamins and nutrients directly to the bloodstream. Delivery to the bloodstream ensures that all the crucial nutrients are absorbed fully into the body where they can be used to improve your health.
IV nutritional therapy allows nutrients to bypass the gastrointestinal (GI) system, so the body absorbs the maximum amount of nutrition. Many patients have a damaged gastrointestinal system that may be inflamed or harmed by viruses or exposure to toxins. Bypassing the damaged system and delivering the nutrients via the bloodstream means that you will receive the maximum benefits of IV nutritional therapy.
IV nutritional therapy allows us to deliver larger doses of nutrients to your body than you could tolerate in oral doses. Higher oral doses of vitamins and other nutrients can enter the GI system and cause stomach problems. Delivery through an IV bypasses the GI tract, allowing us to deliver the maximum amount of nutrients your body needs.
One of the most important benefits of IV nutritional therapy is that it can be used to treat several conditions and chronic health problems.
Immune deficiency
Damaged GI tract
Hydrochloric acid, or digestive enzyme, deficiency
Lack of friendly gut bacteria
Exposure to toxic metals
HIV infection
Hypertension
Asthma
Parkinson’s disease
Congestive heart failure
If you are suffering from chronic health problems, and you are not getting relief from your current treatment plan, consider the benefits of IV nutritional therapy. The experienced team at our functional medicine clinic near Milwaukee can help you feel better. Contact us for an appointment.
Many patients who come to our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee are surprised when we talk to them about food allergies and weight management. Food allergies may be the culprit behind many of their weight problems. Our team identifies the foods they need to eliminate from their diets with allergy testing and a rotation/elimination diet.
Eliminating inflammation is the key to food allergies and weight management
It’s important to understand the connection between inflammation, food allergies and weight management. When you eat a food that causes food allergies or food sensitivities, it causes inflammation. Inflammation causes several problems. It causes bloating, water retention and other digestive issues. Inflammation also causes insulin resistance, causing your body to produce higher levels of insulin. This can lead to weight gain.
Uncovering your food allergies
Allergy testing is the first step to address food allergies and weight management. Our alternative medicine clinic near Milwaukee offers three types of food allergy testing.
Rotation/elimination diet. You will need to keep a food diary to record your reactions as you eliminate certain foods, usually for 14 days. After that, you reintroduce the foods, and if you have an allergy, you will notice adverse reactions and know to eliminate that food from your diet.
Oral challenge testing. The tester feeds you certain foods in measured amounts, waiting to see if you develop symptoms. If you do have a reaction, you stop eating that food. This test helps diagnose food allergies.
IgG testing. Our practitioners perform IgG testing by taking a blood sample. This test checks for 50 or more food allergies.
Weight management is more successful once food allergies are diagnosed
Once you know which foods cause you problems, you can eliminate them from your diet. Avoiding these foods eliminates the inflammation in the body that is causing your insulin resistance and weight gain.
3 things you should know about our individualized weight loss plan
Hoping to finally lose weight and keep it off? Have you made that same resolution every year for countless years now? Maybe what you need is an individualized weight loss plan, something exactly tailored and fine-tuned to address your needs.
Our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee creates a customized plan that finds and addresses the issues that are causing your weight gain, as well as any health issues that you are dealing with as a result of your weight gain.
We would like you to know three important things that make our individualized weight loss plan unique.
We offer supplemental support as part of our individualized weight loss plan. Our individualized weight loss plan includes the support of members of our integrative medicine team. After consulting with you and doing our evaluation, we may suggest nutritional therapy or special supplements. Some people may benefit from our many alternative therapies, such as hypnotherapy or massage therapy. We will help you in every possible way.
Our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee also offers behavior modification. You may benefit from adding a behavioral modification component to your individualized weight loss plan. This helps you identify and change the behaviors that are causing your weight gain and preventing you from losing weight.
Our bariatric program evaluates health issues that may be affecting your health. Our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee addresses emotional, behavioral and health issues when devising your individualized weight loss plan. This includes an evaluation of important numbers such as your cholesterol and blood sugar. We may decide that you would benefit from a sleep study to see if sleep apnea could be causing problems with your weight loss.
Our individualized weight loss plans are much more than a simple diet plan
At our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee, we take your health and weight loss very seriously. We believe in treating the whole person – mind and body – and our individualized weight loss plans reflect this approach. If you are ready to make a change in the way you approach nutrition, weight loss and life choices, contact us today.
Linking low levels of vitamin D and bladder cancer
Many people know that they get vitamin D from milk and being outside in the sun, but what many people do not know is the potential health hazards of low levels of vitamin D in your body. At our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee, we are proponents of nutritional health, so we were very interested in a recent study* that linked low vitamin D and bladder cancer.
The study found that vitamin D may help stimulate an immune response to bladder cancer
Researchers at the University of Warwick reviewed seven studies that investigated the role that vitamin D plays in bladder cancer. Five of the seven studies they reviewed did show a link to low levels of vitamin D and bladder cancer.
The researchers also conducted their own experiment investigating the cells that line the bladder, known as transitional epithelial cells. Their experiment showed that the transitional epithelial cells activated and responded to vitamin D. They believe that this response can stimulate an immune response.
This immune system response could potentially play an important role in cancer prevention. If the system can identify abnormal cells before they become cancer cells, it could prevent bladder cancer.
Vitamin D and bladder cancer – what’s the solution?
While researchers acknowledge that more studies need to be conducted before they can conclusively connect low levels of vitamin D and bladder cancer, they agree that the potential for vitamin D to prevent cancer is very promising and exciting, especially since vitamin D is inexpensive and readily available to the general public.
Vitamin D is an important vitamin that you can obtain through food sources, sunlight or supplements. Here are a few of the important roles that vitamin D plays in the body.
Vital for bone growth and strength
Helps the body properly absorb calcium
Reduces inflammation
Helps modulate cell growth
The integrative medicine team at our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee can help you achieve your best health. For more information about low vitamin D levels and an increased risk of bladder cancer, contact us.
While each fad diet varies, typical characteristics are fasting followed by a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruits and water. Some detox diets also include colon cleansing and supplements. We’re constantly bombarded with novel detox diets and products in the media.
Like most fad diets, there is little evidence that unsupervised detox diets work. Fad diets aren’t the same as a medically supervised metabolic detox diet. It’s important to understand the difference and benefits between the two.
A metabolic detox diet, supervised by a medical professional, focuses on transporting toxins in your body to the liver or kidneys. Then, the body can eliminate the toxins by excreting them. This filtering process typically involves the digestive tract, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Some of the typical toxins eliminated from your body are:
Excess hormones
Inflammatory molecules
Prescription drugs
Alcohol
Fat-soluble substances
Many chronic illnesses build up over time with few, if any, symptoms in the early phases. Diseases such as arthritis, heart and lung disease, diabetes and high blood pressure are often attributed to toxins in the body. A medically supervised detoxification diet can flush out chemicals and toxins. Eliminating these toxins can help reduce or reverse the effects of many chronic illnesses without additional medications.
You shouldn’t undertake a strict detoxification diet on your own. Assessing and managing underlying health conditions are critical. Issues such as diabetes, blood pressure, anxiety, heart disease and other chronic illnesses must be monitored by a health professional.
The more you and your medical professional knows about your body, the better your detox diet will work. At Serenity Health Care Center, we offer a professional detox approach to help our patients improve health. Call us today to find out more about how a metabolic detoxification diet can put you on the pathway to wellness.
Gluten causes health issues for people who are sensitive to foods containing gluten. If you have gastrointestinal problems or irritable bowel syndrome, gluten could be your problem. In fact, research shows that a gluten-free diet may improve many symptoms in a variety of illnesses, including multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Gluten Sensitivity Questions
Is gluten causing your health problems? Here are some questions to help you find out if it is contributing to your poor health. If you answer yes to 4 or fewer, it’s unlikely that gluten is causing you problems. If you answer yes to 5 or more of these questions, gluten sensitivity is likely contributing to your health issues.
Unintentional weight gain
Unexplained fatigue
Difficulty relaxing or feeling
Unexplained digestive problems
Female hormone imbalances
PMS or menopausal symptoms
Muscle or joint pain or stiffness of unknown cause
Migraine or severe headaches
Food allergies or sensitivities
Difficulty digesting dairy products
Tendency to consume too much alcohol
Excessive sensitivity to physical & emotional pain
Cravings for sweets, bread, carbohydrates
Abdominal pain or cramping
Abdominal bloating or distention
Intestinal gas
Craving specific foods
Eat when upset or to relax
Constipation or diarrhea of unknown cause
Unexplained skin problems and rashes
If you answered yes to 9 or more of the above questions, I recommend that you make an appointment with your health care provider to discuss a potential sensitivity. Due to the cross-contamination of many foods, setting up a gluten-free diet on your own is challenging. Your health care practitioner or a professional that he/she recommends can help you implement a diet that is packed with nutrition and taste.
If you are looking for gluten-free recipes, check out Serenity Health Kitchen. Identifying allergies and sensitivities is one of our specialties at Serenity Health Care Center. Schedule an appointment to find out how a different diet can make you feel like a new person.
Leptin, often called the obesity hormone, plays a significant role in regulating appetite and body weight. As weight decreases, leptin falls to stimulate your appetite. When body weight increases, levels should decrease to suppress appetite. If your levels are abnormal, it has a negative effect on your weight and overall health.
Learn about leptin and optimizing leptin levels in Dr. Muth’s video.
A disorder could mean that your body is making a lot of leptin that doesn’t work. Your brain doesn’t listen. Thus, there is no decrease in appetite or increase in metabolism. This means your eat more, you gain weight…..you eat more, you gain weight. This cycle must be broken to regain your appetite signals.
Check out the video or call Serenity Health Care Center for a consultation to find out more about how you can optimize your health.
For most of us, food is a focal point in our lives. Not only do we eat to live, but we celebrate and socialize with food. Research shows that eating the right foods can help us live longer and healthier lives. Foods can prevent and/or control many chronic illnesses. Here are five diet changes that can improve your life. Isn’t it time that you start eating for your health.
Diet Changes: Limit processed and red meats
You consume less saturated fat and eat more vegetables when you limit the amount of processed and red meat in your diet. Replacing red meat with fish makes it less noticeable. Or, enjoy a meatless dinner by choosing some vegetables that you really enjoy. This is especially easy when you eat what is in season.
Diet Changes: Add Nuts and Oils
Generous quantities of olive oil, nuts and avocados can help reduce your risk of plaque build-up in your arteries. Foods high in monounsaturated fats are good for you.
Diet Changes: Eat some berries
Berries are lauded as superfoods for a reason. These nutrient-rich morsels are packed full of antioxidants. Studies show that berries may help lower blood pressure, improve blood vessel function and slow mental decline and aging. Add an assortment of blue and red berries to your diet—from cranberries to strawberries to blueberries and more.
Diet Changes: Include a variety of fruits and vegetables
Studies show that people who consume a range of fruits and vegetables daily have a reduced risk of many chronic diseases. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Choose a variety of colors for maximum benefits—dark leafy greens, reds, yellows and orange vegetables and fruits can add up to boost your health.
Diet Changes: Consider a Mediterranean diet
Strong research is showing that the Mediterranean diet is an excellent way to eat healthier. This tasty food is easy to prepare. Check out our recipe to see for yourself. Join one of Coach Pam’s affordable classes to learn more about Mediterranean food and healthy eating.
Watch for our health eating events. Classes are small and informal, so they are a fun way to learn about foods. If you have questions on nutrition and its impact on your life, call Serenity Health Care Center for a consultation.
Many people know that they get vitamin D from milk and being outside in the sun, but what many people do not know is the potential health hazards of low levels of vitamin D in your body. At our natural medicine clinic in Milwaukee, we are proponents of 
While each fad diet varies, typical characteristics are fasting followed by a strict diet of raw vegetables, fruits and water. Some detox diets also include colon cleansing and supplements. We’re constantly bombarded with novel detox diets and products in the media.