Tea to Help with Blood Sugar

I love getting muscle tested for a personalized tea blend at the Healing Arts Tea Bar. It is the holiday season and with that comes more treats so having a tea specifically to lower blood sugar can be helpful.  There are 8 specific teas we test for that can lower blood sugar.  When we make a personalized blend people usually test for 3 different teas that we then blend together before putting in the tea bag and serving.

If you don’t test for teas to help with blood sugar you may test for other ones.  We have over 25 different organic teas from around the world! Our tea menu is different than anything you have ever seen before.  We have the teas listed and you can pick one and enjoy it either stay at the tea bar or take it to go but what is different is on the back of the menu is a list of symptoms and you can choose the symptom you want to work on and then get muscle tested for which 3 herbs your body needs.  So you don't choose your tea but your body does!

Besides getting a cup of hot tea we can also make a container for you of your personalized blend that is 12 servings. Here is the list of teas we have that can help balance your blood sugar:

Black tea-Digestion, blood sugar, lowers cholesterol, brain health, heart health, improves blood pressure

Cinnamon- Blood sugar, anti inflammatory, lower cholesterol Robots

Nettle-Blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, pain relief 

Holy Basil/Tulsi - Digestion, blood sugar, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss support, skin support, respiratory support, eye support, detox 

Marshmallow Root- Digestion, blood sugar, acid reflux, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, skin support, anti-aging, constipation, detox, liver support pain relief, heart support

Ginger  - Digestion, anti-inflammatory, lower cholesterol, brain health, immunity booster, weight loss, women’s health, pain relief, heart support, blood sugar

Green tea  - Heart support, anti-aging, weight loss support, immune support, brain health, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar

America's #1 Addiction

The concept of a sweet tooth takes on a different meaning when we realize it's not just a matter of liking something sweet after dinner, but sugar in our coffee and an afternoon treat as well. Without the constant sugar boost we feel deprived. Sugar can be a drug of choice, and constantly grazing on even so-called healthy hidden-sugar foods can train a body to demand it constantly. Here's the hopeful news: sugar addiction is not your fault.

“Being addicted to sugar and flour is not an emotional eating disorder,” says Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. “It’s a biological disorder, driven by hormones and neurotransmitters that fuel sugar and carb cravings — leading to uncontrolled overeating. It’s the reason nearly 70 percent of Americans and 40 percent of kids are overweight.”

Studies confirm a food addict’s brain operates similarly to a drug addict when they think about eating sugary, fatty foods. As these and other studies emerge and prominent experts speak out, sugar addiction has become a legitimate, concerning focus as sugar consumption, particularly as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), escalates.

“Animal studies have shown that refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine, heroin or morphine,” says Dr. Pamela Peeke, author of The Hunger Fix. “An animal will choose an Oreo over morphine. Why? This cookie has the perfect combination of sugar and fat to hijack the brain's reward center.”

It’s not just the immediate gratification that creates damage. Sugar addiction also sets the stage for future hunger, cravings, and food intolerances. Unfortunately once you are hooked on sugar hormonal havoc ensues. High blood sugar elevates insulin, which blocks your satiety hormone leptin. High levels of cortisol, your stress hormone, increase your urge for comfort foods. High cortisol during sleep increases ghrelin, your hunger hormone, so you’re more likely to ask for a stale donut the next morning with your caffeine fix.

The good news is with the right strategies, you can crush your sugar addiction in just weeks. In my office I help patients identify the so-called healthy foods that could also feed that addiction. Bottled drinks, vinaigrette dressings, and glazed meats are among the many “sneaky sugars” that add up. Going cold turkey isn’t the answer in my office. Instead, I want you to gradually taper off sugar so you never feel deprived or struggle with withdrawal. It helps if things from your diet are replaced with healthy alternatives so you don't feel so deprived.

You’ll really shift from sugar burner to fat burner when the weight falls off and you reset your body and taste buds. You can break permanently your sugar addiction in just weeks, without feeling deprived, hungry, or struggling with miserable withdrawal. Simply transition to low-sugar impact foods and before you know it, you’ll be a 24/7 fat-burning machine!



142 Reasons Not to Eat SUGAR!

Click here to read more

Candida Can Cause Cancer, Turmeric Can Kill Both

New research supports the controversial theory that yeast (aka Candida) not only contributes to cancer by feeding cancer cells but can actually cause it. The study was published in Critical Reviews of Microbiology and states:
"There is currently increasing concern about the relation between microbial infections and cancer. More and more studies support the view that there is an association, above all, when the causal agents are bacteria or viruses. This review adds to this, summarizing evidence that the opportunistic fungus Candida albicans increases the risk of carcinogenesis and metastasis. Until recent years, Candida spp. had fundamentally been linked to cancerous processes as it is an opportunist pathogen that takes advantage of the immunosuppressed state of patients particularly due to chemotherapy. In contrast, the most recent findings demonstrate that C. albicans is capable of promoting cancer by several mechanisms, as described in the review: production of carcinogenic byproducts, triggering of inflammation, induction of Th17 response and molecular mimicry. We underline the need not only to control this type of infection during cancer treatment, especially given the major role of this yeast species in nosocomial infections, but also to find new therapeutic approaches to avoid the pro-tumor effect of this fungal species."

The three ways which Candida may contribute to cancer is:
1) Candida produces nitrosamines and acetaldehyde which can cause cancer.
2) Candida causes prolonged, unresolved inflammation which can promote cancer because inflammation damages tissue.
3) The immune system cells that respond to Candida also secrete proteins that increase tumor incidence and growth.



The new research not only substantiates the concept that yeast overgrowth can be a contributing cause of cancer but indirectly increases risk of cancer due to an increase of sugar and alcohol consumption which most people with Candida do because that's what Candida like to eat. This increase in sugar and alcohol consuption skyrockets your chances of cancer. Sugar has not only been found to feed cancer but contribute to the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous ones, read "Research Reveals How Sugar CAUSES Cancer."

Since sugar promotes yeast growth which means sugar is directly AND indirectly a carcinogenic it is really concerning that cancer treatment wards in hospitals give sugary foods and beverages to their patients in the waiting room. It was okay that my father eat Oreos to put weight back on during chemo. There is such a disconnect between nutrition and health when it comes to cancer in Western medicine I only hope in time that more studies like this one keep coming out so Western medicine is not so blind.

So what can we do about it? Well, a new study published in the European Journal of Pharmacology reveals that the primary polyphenol in turmeric, known as curcumin can not only help in killing Candida but also cancer. The study states:
"Curcumin is an up-and-coming drug of natural origin with multi-target properties, and it has exhibited efficient anticancer and antifungal activities alone or in combination with conventional chemotherapy drugs and antifungal agents. The dual pharmacological activities of curcumin may make it a good candidate for the prevention and treatment of cancer and its cancer-related invasive fungal infection related complications. Further investigation is necessary to clarify curcumin's anticancer and antifungal mechanisms for better understanding."

Turmeric is a wonderful spice to start cooking with if you haven't already. If you do cook with it just cook more. I love grating the fresh root. A wonderful, organic turmeric that I like using comes from Wellblends. To read more about it, click here.

Having Trouble Sleeping? Try Sleep Snack

When one of my patients asked me if a mixture of sugar and salt would help her fall asleep I instantly wanted to say, 'Of course not!'. Such a thing is something she read online and even when asking me my professional opinion she said that maybe she was asking as an excuse to feed her sweet tooth. But instead of saying no, curiosity got the best of me and when she sent me the link and I did my research I was surprised at how the data did add up. I still don't like the idea of eating sugar so I think a simple carb with a healthy protein is the best way to go.

I love to test new things on myself first before recommending it to patients but this natural remedy is hard to test unless you have trouble sleeping. So for those of you who try it I would love the feedback!

How to Make a Sleep Snack:

It’s either a spoonful of nut butter and some honey or avocado on a gluten-free cracker right before bed.  The protein plus the carb will help you sleep deeper and get better quality sleep.

You can eat it before you go to bed as you get ready for sleep, or leave on your night stand for if you wake up in the night.

There’s a reason why your eyes snap open at 3 am. You’re having a biochemical reaction to excessive amounts of stress hormones floating throughout your body that’s trying to sleep. In a healthy body with a healthy metabolism, hormone levels cycle moderately through highs and lows throughout the day. When you have a stressed metabolism, natural peaks of stress hormone levels spike to abnormal highs, initiating a stress response. When this happens at night, it seriously disrupts sleep patterns, and often causes you to wake up—often leaving you so wired up that you’re unable to fall back asleep.

Once the body has the right balance of blood sugar and especially if you are not as stressed you won't necessarily need the sleep snack but if you take it when it's not needed it definitely won't do any harm. Either way have, 'sweet dreams'!

For other tips on sleeping well, read my other blog on sleeping tips or listen to my podcast on For Better Sleep.

America's #1 Addiction

The concept of a sweet tooth takes on a different meaning when we realize it's not just a matter of liking something sweet after dinner, but sugar in our coffee and an afternoon treat as well. Without the constant sugar boost we feel deprived. Sugar can be a drug of choice, and constantly grazing on even so-called healthy hidden-sugar foods can train a body to demand it constantly. Here's the hopeful news: sugar addiction is not your fault.

“Being addicted to sugar and flour is not an emotional eating disorder,” says Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Blood Sugar Solution 10-Day Detox Diet. “It’s a biological disorder, driven by hormones and neurotransmitters that fuel sugar and carb cravings — leading to uncontrolled overeating. It’s the reason nearly 70 percent of Americans and 40 percent of kids are overweight.”

Studies confirm a food addict’s brain operates similarly to a drug addict when they think about eating sugary, fatty foods. As these and other studies emerge and prominent experts speak out, sugar addiction has become a legitimate, concerning focus as sugar consumption, particularly as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), escalates.

“Animal studies have shown that refined sugar is more addictive than cocaine, heroin or morphine,” says Dr. Pamela Peeke, author of The Hunger Fix. “An animal will choose an Oreo over morphine. Why? This cookie has the perfect combination of sugar and fat to hijack the brain's reward center.”

It’s not just the immediate gratification that creates damage. Sugar addiction also sets the stage for future hunger, cravings, and food intolerances. Unfortunately once you are hooked on sugar hormonal havoc ensues. High blood sugar elevates insulin, which blocks your satiety hormone leptin. High levels of cortisol, your stress hormone, increase your urge for comfort foods. High cortisol during sleep increases ghrelin, your hunger hormone, so you’re more likely to ask for a stale donut the next morning with your caffeine fix.

The good news is with the right strategies, you can crush your sugar addiction in just weeks. In my office I help patients identify the so-called healthy foods that could also feed that addiction. Bottled drinks, vinaigrette dressings, and glazed meats are among the many “sneaky sugars” that add up. Going cold turkey isn’t the answer in my office. Instead, I want you to gradually taper off sugar so you never feel deprived or struggle with withdrawal. It helps if things from your diet are replaced with healthy alternatives so you don't feel so deprived.  Sweet crutches we use to help get off sugar is honey, maple syrup, coconut sugar, stevia or fruit. 

Some people are ready to cut it out completely from their diet and sometimes they even go through sugar/carb withdrawal for 3-4 days with feeling tired and headaches as the body resets.  To go cold turkey we do a Sugar Cleanse.  If you think a 10 day Sugar Cleanse is right for you try it!

You’ll really shift from sugar burner to fat burner when the weight falls off and you reset your body and taste buds. You can break permanently your sugar addiction in just weeks, without feeling deprived, hungry, or struggling with miserable withdrawal. Simply transition to low-sugar impact foods and before you know it, you’ll be a 24/7 fat-burning machine!