Cory Quirino's Inside Out

Options for beauty and wellness

MANILA, Philippines—The questions are constant, the answers varied.

In the search for the exact, right approach to any given beauty or health challenge, your options are many. Here are some of them:

Q: I am suffering from regular swelling/bloating or manas. Are there any natural diuretics (drugs that increase the volume of urine) I can take?

A: Apart from the usual medication your doctor will prescribe, there are natural ways to manage this condition.

Alfalfa—Dubbed as the great healer by biologist Frank Bower, the leaves of this legume has eight essential enzymes. Rich in vitamins A, K, B6, E, and D; calcium, phosphorus and potassium, alfalfa is a good laxative and a natural diuretic and urinary tract infection fighter.

Take three tablespoons raw with your salad or consume one capsule daily. Caution: Not good for anyone with autoimmune disorder like lupus.

Sweat it out through exercise. This is the surest way to get rid of bloating.

Q: Is there any natural antibiotic I can take to boost my immune system?

A: Garlic—Rich in vitamins C and B, calcium, protein, potassium, and phosphorus, this amazing bulb is a natural antibiotic. It was dubbed the “Russian penicillin” when it was used by the Soviet Army.

It can lower cholesterol, especially LDL (bad) cholesterol and, as a blood purifier, it also has the ability to lower blood pressure.

Interestingly, the component DAS or diallyl sulfide may actually render carcinogens inactive and suppress the growth of cancerous tumors. The best way to take garlic is in the form of capsules. Buy the raw, aged, odorless kind. It will not leave you with bad breath.

If you insist on taking garlic fresh and raw, swallow four little pellets/teeth of garlic after a meal. Some with sensitive tummies may not be able to digest them. They can cause acidity and gas pains.

Q: How can I lose weight fast?

A: There is never a fast, easy solution to weight loss. But over a period of three weeks you can lose six pounds. Fair enough? Here’s how:

Morning regimen: Drink a warm cup of apple cider vinegar (organic, Bragg’s) with ¼ teaspoon of honey on an empty stomach. After ten minutes, take two tablespoons of virgin coconut oil with water. Wait another 10 minutes.

Then consume two capsules or two tablespoons of C-Lium fiber or any fiber drink you may have. If you want a high-end supplement to boost your energy and speed up fat-burning, consume a small packet of PXP (polysaccharide peptides) with warm water. You will feel less hungry because it is predigested food.

After 20-30 minutes, have a bowl of fresh fruits and a glass of vegetable juices. Possibly add a small bowl of high-fiber, low-sugar cereal like Fitness or a bowl of old-fashioned oatmeal. No sugar or milk.

Exercise three times a week. Do not take any sugar/dessert at night. Eat a bowl or plateful of fresh salad before every meal.

Q: My insomnia problem will not go away despite any medication.

A: Insomnia is largely a restless mind condition. You need to transfer your focus from problems to solutions. The more you think about your situation, the higher your stress level.

Take up a mind-development course. One of the most effective is Jimmy Licauco’s. By understanding how your brain works, you can manage your life by controlling your mind.

Another remedy is to take an after-dinner walk. A nighttime stroll can be so relaxing. There is also a new remedy in town called Brown Rice Tea. Not your ordinary tea, this one is organically grown in Thailand and manufactured in Singapore.

It is the only tea in the market that you can also eat as a healthy snack food. Its nutty, toasty flavor may just make it your favorite mini-snack.

Being highly nutritious, it directly benefits your health and has a balancing effect on the body. Low-sodium/caffeine and preservative-free, this tea, if taken during the day, is an energy booster. If taken at night, one hour before bedtime, it becomes a relaxant and sleep inducer.

For those with active bladders, it also controls nighttime urination. Call 7234460, Team Asia Corporation.

An affirmation a day drives the blues away. So today, affirm: “My heart is as radiant as the sun.”

Love and light!

Reference: Ear Mindell’s “Vitamin Bible for the 21st Century”

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/lifestyle/lifestyle/view_article.php?article_id=85043

posted by Misteryo Philippines Network (MPN) @ 7:25 AM