Manganese is an essential trace mineral that works closely with other nutrients, performing key roles in the body. It aids with the synthesis of carbohydrates, proteins, and cholesterol. The body requires it for normal brain and nervous system function, and it also aids with the production of digestive enzymes. 

You can find manganese in supplement form, but it exists in many different foods. It occurs naturally in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, and certain nuts and seeds, although whole grains tend to be the best natural sources. It’s a cofactor for many enzymes in the body, and it also plays a role in the blood clotting and hemostasis processes. The small intestine absorbs it through an active transport system. After absorption, manganese is typically taken up by the liver and other tissues. 

The body can maintain 20 milligrams (mg) of manganese, which concentrates in the kidneys, liver, pancreas, and bones. It’s a necessary mineral that contributes to optimal, overall health and you can read about how it aids the body below. 

Boosts Metabolism

One of manganese’s primary functions is regulating the body’s metabolism. The enzymes that manganese activates aid with the metabolism of amino acids, cholesterol, and carbohydrates. Additionally, manganese works to metabolize vitamins E and B1, and is an essential component to the metabolism of glutamine. 

Aids Cognitive Function

Some of the body’s manganese supply exists in the synaptic vesicles that are in the brain. Because of this, manganese has a relationship with the electrophysiological activity of the brain’s neurons. What that means is that manganese plays a role in maintaining cognitive function. Manganese deficiency can often increase the risk of mental illness, learning disabilities, and mood changes. In fact, several studies found that people with seizure disorders had lower blood levels of manganese. 

Powerful Antioxidant Properties

Medical experts argue that enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) is one of the most important antioxidants in the body. Manganese is actually a part of this antioxidant, which aims to protect against free radicals. SOD counteracts the negative effects of free radicals by converting superoxide into smaller molecules that don’t damage cells. One study found that SOD was less active in people with rheumatoid arthritis, compared to people without the condition. Another study concluded that low SOD levels may increase the risk of heart disease more than total triglyceride or cholesterol levels. 

Reduces Inflammation

As previously mentioned, manganese works to increase the level of SOD, making it a widely known mineral for sprains and inflammation. After consuming manganese, experts note that SOD levels increase in the body. Because SOD has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help people who suffer from inflammatory conditions, including arthritis. Several studies confirmed that adding more manganese-rich foods to the diet increased both the synthesis and functioning of SOD. 

Supports Bone Health

Manganese works with zinc, calcium, and copper to help support healthy bones. Since older women have a higher risk of osteoporosis, medical experts recommend that they maintain sufficient manganese intake. Manganese deficiency often increases the risk of bone-related disorders, as it aids the formation of bone regulatory hormones. Manganese also balances calcium and phosphorus, both of which work to enhance skeletal health. Taking manganese supplements, in addition to vitamin D, magnesium, copper, boron, and zinc, may improve bone mass in people with weak bones. 

Regulates Blood Sugar

Several studies indicate that manganese plays a role in the regulation of blood sugar. In fact, people with diabetes tend to have lower levels of manganese. Researchers, however, continue to speculate if manganese levels drop because of diabetes, or if lower manganese levels contribute to the condition’s development. Manganese is heavily concentrated in the pancreas and is involved with insulin production. Because of this, manganese may contribute to the proper secretion of insulin to stabilize blood sugar levels. 

May Reduce PMS Symptoms

According to researchers, consuming manganese in conjunction with calcium may improve PMS symptoms, including muscle pains, anxiety, mood swings, and abdominal tenderness. One study found that women with lower blood levels of manganese experienced more pain and mood-related symptoms during pre-menstruation. Other studies also concluded similar results. Despite the research, manganese’s impact on the body’s hormonal function may not be noticeable. Before supplementing with manganese to get rid of PMS symptoms, consult with a health care professional.

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When you restore and nourish your gut, you may notice that bloating, brain fog, cramps, skin rashes, and hormonal imbalances go away. All of those symptoms are common when a person experiences leaky gut syndrome, which is more common today than ever before. The digestive system cannot properly process the harsh foods in the Western Diet. Because of this, harmful substances or undigested particles permeate through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream. That’s not good news, in case anyone was wondering.

What Is Leaky Gut?

When particles enter the bloodstream from your digestive system, the body experiences system-wide inflammation. This triggers an immune response all over the body, and failure to address this can lead to food sensitivities, arthritis, IBS, skin issues, and more. Some people don’t think that this can happen, but research proves otherwise. According to several research studies, leaky gut is responsible for many health conditions outside of those that occur in the gut. The gut and immune system are closely connected and making subtle changes can improve overall bodily health, not just digestion.

A dietary change is the best first step you can take when it comes to repairing the gut. It can take time to help remedy the damage, but it is possible to see results. In addition to changing the diet, though, many supplements and herbs can lend a helping hand. If you have leaky gut syndrome, consider the following supplements to improve overall wellness. 

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant pigment, also known as a flavonoid, that exists in many plants and foods. It is readily available in onions, buckwheat tea, ginkgo biloba, St. John’s wort, green tea, and American elder. According to research, quercetin works to enhance the function of the intestinal barrier, which can help prevent leakage. It also works to reduce inflammation and boost immune function.

Marshmallow Root

The reason that health experts recommend marshmallow root for people with leaky gut is because it has a high mucilage content. That helps to cover your digestive tract in a protective lining, and it also works to support the gut’s reaction to inflammation. When you combine marshmallow root with ginger, you can help protect yourself against stomach ulcers. Lastly, marshmallow root exhibits an ability to restore the integrity of tight junctions in the intestinal wall.

L-Glutamine

L-glutamine is an essential amino acid that has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Cells that line the intestines use glutamine as fuel to keep them healthy and well. Researchers believe that taking L-glutamine supplements may help repair the intestinal wall and help those with leaky gut. Additionally, glutamine levels drop when people experience too much stress, which can make people with leaky gut vulnerable. That’s another reason to take L-glutamine.

Turmeric

Curcumin, which is the active compound in turmeric, has a proven history of benefitting the body in more ways than one. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-viral properties. It works to boost memory and reduce inflammation in joints and the gut. Curcumin can also improve the function and lining of the intestinal wall. It works to contract the proteins of the intestinal lining, which ultimately squeezes cells closer together. To help repair leaky gut, it’s best to take 10 grams of turmeric per day.

Probiotics

You can’t go anywhere these days without hearing about probiotics. That is because they are that beneficial for your health. If the bacteria in your gut are not beneficial, you run the risk of intestinal permeability. This makes it impossible to heal from leaky gut. Certain probiotic strains work to improve immune function and assist with balancing hormones. One study found that gut permeability decreased in people who supplemented with probiotics. Probiotics are friendly bacteria that you introduce to your gut. They can help your microbiome thrive! When you purchase probiotics, please do research or ask your health care professional for recommendations. The strains do different things, but you also need diversity to create a healthy microbiome. 

Slippery Elm

One of the great things about slippery elm is that it works to increase mucilage content in the digestive tract. It’s similar to marshmallow root in that regard. It also stimulates nerve endings to boost mucus recreation, which counteracts any excessive acidity that exists in the gut. That’s why many people who develop ulcers benefit from taking this herb. Finally, slippery elm provides essential antioxidants to the gut, making it a great addition to your leaky gut diet.

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Many people have the desire to eat healthily, but it can be difficult to determine which foods are necessary for the optimal health of you or your family. You don’t want to deprive yourself of certain treats that you enjoy, but you understand that solely eating unhealthy foods will result in illness or disease. With all of the conflicting information on the web about the health benefits of certain foods, how do you know which foods to add to your diet?

What if you didn’t have to do research about the foods you should eat? There are many trustworthy foods, meaning there are foods that are, quite simply, life-changing. Now, adding the foods in this article to your unhealthy diet will not fix your situation. It takes more than a few fruits and vegetables to improve your health; rather, it takes thinking about food differently and embracing fresh foods for a healthy life, not bad foods with a shelf life.

As you move forward in a healthier direction, take time to learn about the healing properties of different foods. Additionally, take the time to notice negative reactions, like bloating, gas, acid reflux, water retention, or skin irritations, after eating other foods. These are common signs of food sensitivities that you may not be aware of. When you eliminate the foods that are making you sick and focus on regularly consuming healing foods, the body will no longer be confused by food. This allows for full mind and body connection, a powerful step towards health.

Celery

Celery is one of the trendiest foods to eat or juice right now. The anti-inflammatory properties work to starve unproductive mold, fungus, bacteria, or viruses that are present in the body and eliminate toxins residing in the digestive tract or liver. Regularly consuming celery is one of the best ways to alkalize the gut. This can be attributed to the trace mineral salts, which work symbiotically with each other to raise the body’s pH and flush out toxic acids. Celery is not the bland vegetable you thought it was; rather, it helps to support neuron function and hydrate the body on a cellular level. If you have any of the following symptoms, try bringing celery into your life:

• Sluggish liver
• High cortisol levels
• Abdominal distension
• Dry eyes
• White film on the tongue
• Acid reflux
• Inflamed gallbladder
• Rashes

Raw Honey

If you are going to consume honey, the best honey you can consume is organic raw honey. Don’t think that honey is just sugar because it is far from high fructose corn syrup or table sugar. In its raw form, honey contains a wide range of undiscovered phytochemical compounds and agents that have anti-cancerous properties. The B12 coenzymes and absorbable sugar make raw honey one of the best brain-boosting foods. Additionally, raw honey supports healthy immune function because of its adaptogenic nature. In fact, it should be a go-to remedy if you are experiencing stomach problems or cold and flu symptoms. Raw honey is true medicine and it is worth adding to your diet if you are experiencing:

• Sore throat
• Inflammation
• Canker sores
• Bacterial infections in the gut
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Respiratory infections
• Bronchitis
• Eye infections

Apples

In case you didn’t know, apples are the ultimate colon-cleansing food. The pectin in apples moves through the gut, simultaneously collecting and removing bacteria, yeast, and viruses. The pectin also helps to eliminate impacted debris and protein, which hides in intestinal pockets and feeds on harmful bacteria like E. coli. Apples contain phytochemicals that help increase electrical activity and feed neurons. The pigments, especially deep reds, in the skins of apples contain compounds that help improve digestive strength, which is an essential step towards healthy weight loss. Finally, one of our favorite aspects of apples is that they contain glutamine and serine, both of which are amino acids that can detoxify the brain of monosodium glutamate (MSG). If you are experiencing the following symptoms, add one to three organic apples a day to your life:

• Hypoglycemia (and other blood sugar imbalances)
• Anxiousness
• Weight gain
• Back pain
• Acid reflux
• Equilibrium issues
• Fatigue
• Gas, bloating, or constipation
• Dandruff

Ginger

In the hectic, fast-paced world we live in, we need foods that can slow the pace and keep our thoughts and emotions from spiraling out of control. When the body remains in a heightened, reactive state all the time, stress related illnesses like adrenal fatigue, sleep apnea, insomnia, digestive issues, and spastic bladder are more likely to develop. The antispasmodic properties of ginger help to relax tense areas in the body for up to 12 hours. Ginger helps the body let go of tension, no matter if it is in the muscles or organs. One way ginger does this is by eliminating excess lactic acid from muscle tissue. While lactic acid builds up after exercise, it can also build up because of increased stress hormone production. Ginger also enhances the body’s B12 production and aids with DNA reconstruction. If you experience the following symptoms, try adding ginger to your life:

• Gastritis
• Muscle cramps
• Stomach pain
• Congestion
• Cough
• Food allergies
• Mineral deficiencies
• High cholesterol
• Fatigue

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Repairing the gut has become a popular topic recently, due to the amount of people with gut-related health issues. Whether the problem is leaky gut syndrome, constipation, or poor digestive function, you want your gut to function better and you want it to function better now.

How do you remedy a poor functioning gut? While a plant-based diet free of processed foods, refined grains & sugars, dairy products, and meat can benefit the gut, experts are realizing the importance of L-glutamine’s gut-healing abilities. L-glutamine powder was initially used to help build muscle, burn fat, and lose weight quickly. Recent studies have shown that this amino acid is greatly beneficial for people with poor gut health.

What Is Glutamine?

Glutamine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is abundant in the body. “Conditionally essential” means that the body uses it when faced with disease or after one experiences certain physical traumas. It comprises about 30-35 percent of the amino acid nitrogen in the blood, but the body also uses it in large amounts. The majority of people don’t eat enough L-glutamine in their diet, which is why they often take it in supplement form.

As one of the building blocks of protein, L-glutamine supplements are becoming more popular by the day. You don’t have to resort to supplements because there are a lot of foods that contain L-glutamine. Red cabbage, nuts, beans, parsley, dark leafy greens (spinach, collards, kale, lettuce, or turnip greens), cilantro, legumes, and asparagus are all great sources of L-glutamine. Incorporate more of these foods into your diet to experience the benefits of L-glutamine.

L-glutamine For IBS & Diarrhea

Working to balance mucus production, L-glutamine helps to establish healthy and regular bowel movements. If you experience symptoms like constant diarrhea or ulcerations, L-glutamine foods need to be regularly incorporated into your diet. People with Hashimoto’s disease or underactive thyroid should also eat L-glutamine foods.

L-glutamine For The Immune System

Glutamine may play a role in creating a stronger immune system. In a recent study in which two mice were given glutamine, results showed increased immune function and reduced reactivation rates of herpes infection.

L-glutamine For Gut Health

If you have digestive issues like IBS, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis, leaky gut, or any other gut-related symptoms, L-glutamine is necessary to improve digestive health. This amino acid is nourishes the intestines, helping them to rebuild and repair. Research has shown that L-glutamine also helps to improve gut-related immune response.

L-glutamine For Leaky Gut

Millions of people have leaky gut syndrome, which is a common cause of a lot of autoimmune diseases. Leaky gut has been known to cause things like arthritis, skin disorders like psoriasis, or Hashimoto’s disease. Glutamine fuels the cells in the small intestine, which helps to heal leaky gut, according to clinical studies. One study published in the Lancet medical journal found that L-glutamine helped decrease intestinal permeability.

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Alcoholism, previously referred to as alcohol dependence or alcohol addiction, is a severe alcohol disorder. The disease involves the habitual intake of alcohol. Alcoholism is considered a disease as opposed to bad behavior and it is very common. What distinguishes alcoholism from alcohol abuse is that alcoholism leads to withdrawal, destructive patterns, and a higher tolerance, which leads to more alcohol consumption. Alcoholism affects about 4% of women and 10% of males, and a total of 14 million Americans have alcoholism. Too much alcohol negatively affects the liver, pancreas, heart, brain, and immune system, and it can lead to an irregular heartbeat, liver failure, and an increased risk of getting cancer.

April is Alcohol Awareness Month, which intends to increase awareness and understanding of alcoholism or alcohol related issues. This month encourages people to get help if they need it, and to inspire families to seek help for any problems related to alcohol. Below, you will find some natural remedies to stop drinking alcohol.

Attend Meetings

One of the best tried and true remedies for alcoholics is to attend AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetings. These meetings, which are designed for alcoholics or people who have an alcoholic family member, are available in most cities. Attending these meetings can educate the alcoholic or family members about the severity of addiction. They are often a place of solace and help many alcoholics find sobriety. If you work the program, then the program works.

Exercise

Exercising can also help relieve the body of stress and help take the mind off consuming alcohol. When you’re exercising, your focus is not on drinking, rather, you concentrate on the way you feel. Exercise helps to boost the body’s production of endorphins, which improve one’s mood and decrease the desire and need for alcohol. Acupuncture also helps release endorphins by using certain pressure points. It also helps relieve anxiety and it increases overall wellness.

Get Your Diet Right

Taking a biochemical approach to repair the body is a great natural remedy that can aid one’s path to sobriety. First one must detox, repair the damage, and then care for the body. Remove alcohol or mind altering substances, caffeine, sugar, and nicotine from your diet. Stick to plant-based foods (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and legumes) that provide the nutrients you need for recovery because a poor diet can lead to alcohol cravings. Hypoglycemia or low blood sugar is commonly found in alcoholics and needs to be treated, otherwise relapse can occur.

Get Your Vitamins & Minerals

Consuming foods or natural, herbal supplements that are high in vitamin B12, vitamin C, glutamine, and amino acids (spirulina is a great source of these) helps repair the damage caused by alcohol. Getting healthy doses of magnesium, essential fatty acids, and calcium can also help combat alcoholism.

Where There’s A Will, There’s A Way

There has to be a will to stop the consumption of alcohol. The individual needs to commit to stop drinking and use a remedy that works for him/herself, even if it is not one of the natural remedies listed above.

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You’re at home watching your favorite Netflix show. You get the sudden urge to scarf down some ice cream, or maybe it’s French fries or chips that you crave. You may even think that life cannot go on without taking a bite of that juicy burger you’ve been salivating over. These are called cravings.

Let’s clear one thing up right out of the gate: cravings and hunger are not the same thing. Saying that craving something and being hungry are the same is like saying that fast food is healthy; it just isn’t true. Cravings are generated by the brain, while the stomach controls hunger. When you are hungry, you eat food and feel full. You can be full and still crave something. So what causes cravings?

Your body is communicating with you when you have a craving, and saying that it needs certain nutrients to function correctly. For example, craving soda usually means you are deficient in calcium. If you crave sweets, you may need more carbon, phosphorus, and chromium in your diet. To better understand cravings, we’ve compiled a list of examples of what your body needs so you won’t have them.

Sweets

A lot of people fall victim to craving chocolate. This is usually an indication of a magnesium deficiency. By eating nuts and seeds, avocados, green leafy veggies, bananas, or acai berries, you’ll make sure you get enough magnesium.

If you’re the type who craves a sugary soda, try eating more sesame seeds, kale, broccoli, legumes, and mustard or turnip greens to provide more calcium. These will supply your body with the right nutrients, so you won’t have to poison your body with soda anymore.

Flavor

Sometimes people crave acidic foods, which can also translate to a magnesium deficiency. Since magnesium is so prevalent in the body, increase your consumption of legumes, nuts and seeds, whole grains, greens, and fruit. And if it is salty foods you find yourself craving, stress can often be the culprit. Try meditation, acupuncture, breathing exercises, exercise, or consuming B-vitamins and vitamin C.

Stimulants

Craving coffee or black tea is very common. People think that they can’t live without these stimulants. What they mean is that they are lacking in certain nutrients, which causes them to want the coffee. Try eating more cruciferous veggies, cranberries, asparagus, garlic, and onion for more sulfur, or legumes, figs, cherries, seaweed, and spinach for more iron.

If you crave alcohol, you may need more glutamine, potassium, or protein in your diet. For more glutamine, cabbage, beets, spinach, and parsley are the best. For potassium, bananas, tomatoes, pineapple, citrus, or seaweed are your go-tos. Green leafy veggies, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and legumes are great sources of protein.

Common Food

People usually crave common foods like cheese, meat, chips, or popcorn for a variety of reasons. People who crave cheese are usually deficient in essential fatty acids or calcium. To get more fatty acids, consume flax oil, flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Get more calcium by eating legumes, mustard & turnip greens, kale, broccoli, and tahini.

Craving red meat means you need more iron in your diet. Try eating more beans, unsulfured dried fruit, figs, seaweed, spinach, and vitamin C-rich produce.

When it comes to chips, you probably need more chloride or essential fatty acids. Eat the aforementioned essential fatty acids and start eating more celery, tomatoes, olives, kelp, and Himalayan sea salt for more chloride.

We hope this helped to explain why you crave certain foods. You are stronger than your cravings and can use natural foods to curb them. Let us know if these suggestions helped you in the comments below.

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Not all proteins are created equal. It’s important to know what protein is before you consider it important for body mass. The first step is to understand what constitutes a great source of protein.

Protein is medically defined as any large group of naturally occurring, complex, organic nitrogenous compounds. Each is composed of large combinations of amino acids containing the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, usually sulfur, and occasionally phosphorus, iron, iodine, or other essential constituents of living cells. Twenty-two amino acids have been identified as vital for proper growth, development, and maintenance of health. The body can synthesize 14 of these amino acids, called nonessential, whereas the remaining eight must be obtained from dietary sources and are termed essential. Protein is the major source of building material for muscles, blood, skin, hair, nails, and the internal organs. Source: Mosby’s Medical Dictionary, 3rd Edition

Minerals

The minerals mentioned above such as iron, iodine, and sulfur are the key words in the definition of protein. According to the medical community, each compound of protein is composed of amino acids containing the elements carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, etc.

Minerals are the key to optimal health, not protein as we have been conditioned to believe. The human body is made up of minerals, 102 to be exact, and each contains a definite amount of electrons per atom, which gives the mineral an atomic structure.

In order to have protein, you must have the following twenty-two complete amino acids:

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Asparagine
• Aspartic Acid
• Carnitine
• Citruline
• Cysteine
• Dimethylglycine
• Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid
• Glutamic Acid
• Glutamine
• Glutathione
• Glycine
• Histadine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Ornithine
• Phenylalanine
• Proline
• Serine
• Taurine
• Threonine

Anybody engaging in a high-protein diet for health purposes is usually misinformed and misguided. The pursuit and objective should be for minerals and mineral balancing in achieving and maintaining optimal health. After all, protein itself consists of minerals.

There is no part of an animal’s body that has the twenty-two amino acids required in a complete protein. Even though we may eat meat, we’re still not getting the desired protein we think we need to have for good health.

If the minerals outlined above can’t be acquired through diet, then supplementation must be considered in order for the body to function at optimal levels.

Alternatives

Most soy-based products are made of genetically engineered strains of soy and are highly processed, meaning that most benefits of soy are eliminated.

Soy, along with corn, is the most genetically engineered grain product on the market. While eating certain products that contain soy as an ingredient in moderation is okay, eating products that are mainly soy in makeup may not be so wise. After all, soy is indigestible in the human body. If you are going to eat soy-based products, look for the non-GMO (genetically modified organism) sticker or notice on the label.

Women should also beware of the false and deceptive advertising of soy’s alleged phyto-estrogenic properties. Soy is a bean and beans are not phyto-estrogenic in nature. The term phyto refers to being plant-based. The soy industry is touting the isoflavone properties of soy in the prevention of cancer, knowing American women are very vulnerable to the thought of developing female reproductive area cancers, especially breast cancer.

Seitan (wheat meat) is a better alternative for vegetarians as compared to soy. However, seitan too can pose a health risk to individuals who suffer from so-called celiac’s disease, caused by a sensitivity to gluten, which is the sticky protein substance found in grain products.

Solutions

Nature greatly provides everything you need for your human existence on earth. Great sources of bio-protein are:

• spirulina (70%)
• blue-green algae (65%)
• chlorella (60%)
• bee pollen (55%)
• Irish moss
• Dulse
• Kelp
• Alfalfa
• Iceland moss
• moringa (pods, leaves, seeds)
• beans
• avocados
• nuts and
• seeds

If you’re a vegetarian, how do you get your protein? The same way all true vegetarians get their protein-by eating the vegetation of the earth and sea. This includes:

• grass
• wheat
• barley
• oats
• fruits
• vegetables
• nuts
• seeds
• herbs and
• seaweeds

Thank you for reading!

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