by Wally Bishop | Oct 9, 2023 | B Vitamins
Last week, we talked about the importance of protecting your DNA and how specific nutrients, like B Vitamins, can help. Today, we want to discuss a metabolic process and a byproduct that significantly impacts cellular health – methylation and homocysteine.
You’ve probably not heard of either one; however, their impact and how they’re tied together uniquely are important to understand. Your diet has a significant influence on both the methylation process and homocysteine.
What are methylation and homocysteine?
Methylation is a key biochemical process that occurs millions and maybe even a billion times a second (I would call that warp speed)) and is critical, even essential, for the proper function of almost all of your body’s systems. Methylation helps repair your DNA, reduces inflammation, and keeps the cellular detoxification system functioning optimally. The methylation process helps recycle two very powerful molecules, glutathione (GSH) and methionine from homocysteine.
Homocysteine is a harmful protein formed during the methylation process in our bodies. In particular, The Methionine Cycle. High homocysteine levels can cause neurological conditions, stroke, heart disease, and cancers. Homocysteine can be converted to important non-harmful compounds with the proper nutrition.
For the methylation process to function optimally, it is very dependent on Selenium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B12 (cobalamin), Vitamin B9 (folate), Choline, and the compound betaine. Betaine is an amino acid glycine derivative converted from the essential nutrient Choline. If you have low levels of these B Vitamins, homocysteine levels build because they can’t be converted to Sam-e or GSH without them.
How Does Homocysteine Affect Our Health?
As homocysteine levels increase, this can damage our DNA and increase cellular inflammation across our body. Higher homocysteine levels are associated with increased heart disease and cancer in some studies and not as much in others.
However, the other studies consistently showed that HDL (heart protective cholesterol) levels were low when homocysteine was high, while Folate, B2, B6, and B12 levels were low. We know adequate levels of these nutrients lower homocysteine levels, thereby increasing cell and heart-protective HDL cholesterol levels.
The relationship between cancer and homocysteine levels provided similar results in studies for different cancers. It isn’t very clear. They find an association between breast cancer and lower B6, B12, and Folate levels, but not necessarily because of elevated homocysteine. Still, lower levels of these nutrients are linked to a greater risk of breast and other cancers.
If you want to protect your DNA and reduce your risk of cancers and heart disease, make sure you are getting adequate levels of Selenium, B2, B6, B12, Folate, and Choline. Every day, have several servings of a variety of colorful foods from the garden to reduce your risk of disease and illness.
Almost every health organization’s common theme is to “increase our intake of vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and nuts and seeds and reduce our intake of processed foods, red and processed meats.”
Another way to increase your intake of these B Vitamins and nutrients is to supplement your diet with Vive Shake. To see how this whole-food nutrient-dense supplement will help you, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
by Wally Bishop | Sep 26, 2023 | Honey
Last time, we introduced honey as nature’s medicine. Today we want to talk about a special type of honey – Unique Manuka.
Unique Manuka Honey (or UMF Honey) is a honey made from the pollen of the Manuka Tree in New Zealand. It has additional medicinal value because of compounds made specifically from this tree’s pollen. They call it the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF).
Manuka Honey comes with different ratings of medicinal strength, specifying how much of the UMF is in the batch. There are imitators out there. Active Manuka is not the same as Unique Manuka Honey. Additionally, look for the UMF Certification, and the container or bottle should state it is bottled and labeled in New Zealand. Manuka Honey only comes from New Zealand.
UMF ratings specify the honey’s healing activity level.
- UMF5 to UMF9 are very low activity levels
- UMF10 to UMF15 are useful levels
- UMF16 and over are superior levels with very high activity
Cautions on Honey
Always use raw unfiltered honey from local bee growers. Local raw honey retains all of its natural healing and nutritional properties when it is raw. Once pasteurized and filtered, most of the health benefits are destroyed.
Do not give honey to children under 1 year of age.
Also, do not eat honey made from the pollen of the rhododendron flower. In rare cases, it can make you sick.
Organic Honey
If you are looking for organic honey, make sure the label says certified organic. There is no such product as organic honey unless a beekeeper has a least a 10 square mile area that is organic where their bees can roam. Bees roam up to 5 miles daily, gathering nectar and pollen.
Honey is a bit controversial. It is considered a non-vegan food, and commercial bee production, like the slaughter of commercially raised animals, is cruel and unnecessary. It also destroys a lot of bees during honey harvesting. With that said, buy from local small beekeepers who are careful not to kill bees during the harvesting of this miracle food.
Why Honey is Awesome
Honey has very powerful healing properties and can be used with a variety of spices for additional super health-boosting potential. Honey is a healthy sugar replacement and can make recipes and foods taste great while giving us health.
Make this very anti-inflammatory smoothie by mixing 16 ounces of fresh brewed green tea, 1 tbs. of raw honey, 1 tsp. turmeric, 1 tsp Ceylon cinnamon, 1 tsp. fresh ginger, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1/2 cup organic blueberries, 1/2 cup organic strawberries, 1/2 cup organic watercress juice. Blend and drink throughout the day!
Now that you know how good raw honey is for you, start using it every day. Honey will keep you buzzzzzzing, and your taste buds and your body will love you for it!
While honey isn’t an ingredient in Vive Shake, we do recommend using organic local raw honey as part of your total nutrition plan. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
by Wally Bishop | Sep 19, 2023 | Honey
Honey is a powerful food, it’s nature’s medicine. Raw honey is a natural antibacterial. It can knock out and even wipe out just about any type of bacteria you list, including MRSA. Additionally, honey has a long list of healing health properties and has a lot of research backing up these statements.
Would you have ever thought something so simple from nature could be so powerful and actually heal and prevent so many health issues? I knew raw honey was healthy but really didn’t know it was this powerful until I began reading the studies and research on honey. Honey belongs in your kitchen next to every NutriBullet or Vitamix and should be eaten every day, small amounts go a long way!
Honey is an amazing substance. Its use for food goes as far back as 8,500 years ago in murals found in Spain and for medicine as far back as 5,000 years ago in Greece, India, and China.
Honey is literally a gift from the honeybee! The honeybee makes honey as food for baby bees (larvae) and for food for the hive when nectar is in short supply during the winter.
Honey is mostly sugar composed of fructose and sucrose, smaller amounts of other sugars, and other nutrients and antioxidants in a water base. The honeybee transforms nectar into honey through the regurgitation of an enzymatic substance into honeycombs, and then, through evaporation of enough water, you have honey.
Yes, that is how bees make honey!
Now the Good Stuff!
Honey has outstanding health properties. It’s amazing when you see honey is just sugars, water, and a small amount of other nutrients. Fake honey does not offer the health benefits that real raw honey does. (Did you even know fake honey existed?) You always want to look for raw honey.
Research studies tell us many positive things about honey. Let’s look at a few.
- Honey can keep skin supple and can help reduce scarring because it keeps skin hydrated.
- Honey is great for digestive support because it acts as a prebiotic and kills bad bacteria.
- Honey is very effective for sore throats when mixed with lemon juice and green tea and then sipped on.
- Honey mixed with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and green tea makes a very powerful anti-inflammatory drink. If you use a lot of cinnamon you should only use Ceylon cinnamon. The other type of cinnamon found in most grocery stores is a variety called cassia cinnamon. Cassia cinnamon has coumarin, a toxic compound that can damage your liver if consumed in higher quantities.
While honey isn’t an ingredient in Vive Shake, we do recommend using Organic Raw honey as part of your total nutrition plan. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009. Next time, we’ll talk about a special brand of raw honey – Unique Manuka.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
by Wally Bishop | Sep 12, 2023 | Mushrooms
Last week we introduced the basics of mushrooms. Today we want to talk about their benefits.
Mushrooms as a Superfood
Records show that mushrooms have been studied extensively for their health-promoting properties. The use of mushrooms for medicinal purposes goes back thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians called them their plant of immortality.
Almost every mushroom you find in your local store has many health benefits, even the white button mushroom is a powerful promoter of health.
Yes, mushrooms are a superfood and one of the most health-promoting foods on the planet! Likely 50% of edible mushrooms are considered functional foods. Functional food means that they have a potentially positive effect on health beyond the basic nutrition they provide.
They are low in calories and fat and are cholesterol-free. Mushrooms contain a moderate amount of fiber and over a dozen minerals and vitamins, including copper, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and a number of B vitamins such as folate. Mushrooms exposed to sunshine can also contain Vitamin D, and some also contain B12 depending on the soil conditions they grow in.
Types of Mushrooms
Chanterelle Mushrooms
There are around 2,000 edible varieties of mushrooms, but only a handful are available at your local grocery store or market.
They include:
- white, or “button”
- brown cremini
- portobello
- shiitake
- oyster
- wood ear
- enoki
Seasonal varieties available at farmer’s markets and some grocery stores include:
Countless scientific studies have revealed a variety of ways mushrooms can be useful in helping with adverse conditions and in improving overall health.
Potential Health Benefits
Amazingly, research has identified more than 200 conditions that may benefit from the consumption of mushrooms and more than 100 different positive health benefits they can produce for the body.
- Promotes healthy gut flora
- Enhances immune function
- Protects from neurological disease
- Anti-aging
- Aids in weight loss
- Help with diabetes
- Protect the liver
- Detoxes heavy metals
- Anti-cancer
- Heart protective
- Anti-inflammatory
- Make bones stronger
- Enhance digestion
- Anti-viral and antibacterial
- Help with Rheumatoid arthritis
- Anti-mutagenic
Ways to Consume More Mushrooms
There are so many great recipes for mushrooms! One of the things I like best about using mushrooms in recipes is that they can have the same texture as meats. I recently made a Creamy Mushroom Chowder (OMG, so delicious!) We used a combination of shiitake, cremini, and portobello mushrooms.
The portobellos gave it a dense meaty texture, which makes them a great replacement for giving dishes that meaty feel. Each type of mushroom has a unique flavor to add to the meal or recipe. If you would like my recipe for the Creamy Mushroom Chowder send me a message.
Enjoy your mushrooms as burgers, chowders, soups, grilled, sautéed or baked. They are versatile!
Vive Shake includes an extract of Lion’s Mane mushroom. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
by Wally Bishop | Sep 5, 2023 | Mushrooms
I can’t remember when I first discovered mushrooms, but I remember the subtle, earthy flavor made me feel in some unique way connected to nature. It tasted wholesome and nurturing.
I had no clue of the medicinal value of what I was eating at a young age, I just knew I liked it! When they are cooking, I can smell the earthiness and yumminess, be it a stew, sautéed or grilled!
Please don’t eat mushrooms from your yard or forest without the advice of a professional trained in edible mushrooms, not all are edible. Some are very poisonous.
Mushrooms are types of fungi that not only offer great medicinal and nutritional value but also help support the earth, plants, water, air, and us. Mushrooms are not mold or yeast. However, to err on the side of caution, if you have candida overgrowth, discuss mushroom consumption with a qualified health professional.
World Wood Web!
Mycelia are tiny thread-like structures that make up mushrooms and fungi. While mushrooms might be the most familiar part of a fungus, most of their bodies are made up of a mass of thin threads known as mycelia.
We now know that these threads act as a kind of underground internet, linking the roots of different plants. Wow, did you get that? Mycelia acts as an underground communication network between plants of all kinds.
That tree in your garden is probably hooked up to a bush several yards away, thanks to mycelia. Because of this network of communication, each mycelium helps boost the immune system of plants and trees and helps transfer nutrients and water between plants connected to the underground network.
The largest living organism in the world is a 2,000-plus-year-old 2200-acre bed of mycelia in Oregon. It’s the World Wood Web!
Mushrooms Detoxify Soil
Mushrooms are also powerful detoxifiers of the soil in the ground. They can break down hydrocarbons in petrochemicals, turning them into harmless chemicals. Mushroom expert Paul Stamets describes how mycelium and mushrooms do this natural, very beneficial task. They also break down rock over and over, creating soil.
Next time, we’ll get into the health benefits of mushrooms and how you can better incorporate them into your diet. Vive Shake includes an extract of Lion’s Mane mushroom. To see how this whole-food, fiber-rich supplement can add to your wellness routine, contact us today at info@viveshake.com or 877-878-3009.
Vive Shake and the recommendations contained on this site and our blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. They are for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.
