Tag Archives: health

Sis, have you heard about phytochemicals? 🤔

In this two-part series, I’ll be talking about 7 phytochemicals you should know that are beneficial to you.

Phyto means plant. Phytochemical is simply a term that is used to describe all chemicals that are related to plant species. There are over 7,000 of them!

Phytochemicals are needed to protect the body from harmful substances that cause chronic conditions. They also keep the body functioning well. This is why plant-based diets can greatly reduce the risk of chronic conditions.

Here are 4 of the 7 phytochemicals that you ABSOLUTELY need to know about and where you can find them. Stay tuned for the rest.

Chlorophyll is the lifeblood of plants and a popular phytochemical that I’m sure you’ve heard of that is anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic. Green leafy vegetables and the blue-green algae chlorella are great sources. Chlorella can protect the body against ultraviolet radiation. It also normalizes body functions and has detoxification properties.

Carotenoids are found in bright red, yellow, and orange fruits such as citrus fruits, bell peppers, carrots, and other cruciferous vegetables. There are more than 600 naturally occurring carotenoids and all are tissue-specific, enhance immune response, and protect against depletion of glutathione, the body’s major intracellular antioxidant.

Catechins are found in a wide range of plants and in foods like tea, cocoa, and berries. They are most abundant in grape seed extract and green tea leaves. These compounds act as antioxidants and some can be antiviral, antimicrobial, and chemoprotective. Want a nice dose of them? Drink matcha tea. Matcha is high in a catechin called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate).

Curcuminoids are pigments found in turmeric which have antioxidant, anticoagulant properties and also can be anticarcinogenic, antiviral, and help to reduce cholesterol. There are so many ways to get your turmeric in – but one of my favorites for the fall is making warm turmeric milk; using non-dairy milk, turmeric, cinnamon, clove, and a pinch of black pepper. -XO

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl as I share lots of valuable tips on nutrition and health as a whole!

Western Medicine vs Holistic Treatment of Fibroids

Chile, let’s talk about the sad state of #fibroid treatment options in the USA.

Did you know that about 20% to 80% of women develop fibroids by the time they reach age 50? And for women of color, fibroids are an epidemic. Black women are up to three times more likely than others to develop uterine fibroids. One estimate is that 25% of African-American women will suffer from fibroids by the age of 25 and a whopping 80% will have them by age 50.

The root cause of fibroids is estrogen dominance, that is, too much estrogen in relation to other hormones. This can be fueled by a range of things I see in my practice all the time including poor diet, too much consumption of refined sugar, dairy, and meat, stress and unresolved traumatic experiences (rape, molestation, abuse), taking birth control, and endocrine disruptors.

Western medicine prescribes medications, hormonal injections, contraceptive pills, or other forms of birth control to control fibroid symptoms. The kicker is that most of these interventions (especially birth control) pummels the body with synthetic hormones and furthers the growth of fibroids. In addition, at certain stages, doctors may recommend a myomectomy, hysterectomy, or Laparoscopic surgery. Less frequently recommended are less invasive medical procedures such as uterine artery embolization, or radiofrequency ablation.

Surgery is not a cure for fibroids and also there are many risks. Up to 33% of women who have surgery will need a repeat procedure. Why? Nobody counsels women that in order to achieve lasting healing you have to address the root cause by changing the lifestyle, diet, and stress levels that created the fibroids!

To reduce the size of fibroids naturally, we use herbs and supplements to rebalance the hormones, encourage stress reduction and healthy emotional processing, get rid of hormonal inputs in your diet, remove the sources of synthetic hormones and use alternative therapies that support healing. More on this soon. If you or someone you know is battling with fibroids, sign up for a free call about our Hormone Balancing Academy to learn how our team can help you.- XO

P.S Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl!

Dangers of Women’s Menstrual Products

Hey girl hey! Let’s talk about women’s hygiene products. Your tampons and sanitary pads are harming your health, YES, you heard that right. Research shows that several women’s hygiene products such as pads, tampons, and pantyliners contain Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs).

EDCs, like phthalates, bisphenols, parabens, and triclocarban, are chemicals that interfere with the way the body’s hormones work. EDCs are dangerous and can lead to severe harm to the body. They can harm every organ in the body, lead to cancer and endometriosis.

Many of these products also contain chlorine bleach. Conventional tampons are created using ingredients that are exposed to pesticides and fertilizers. Wild, right?

What’s the way forward then?

✔Use non-toxic products- I use chlorine-free pads. Some alternatives are menstrual cups and reusable underwear (Chile, check for those chemicals). Do your research and find sustainable and organic brands.

✔Raise awareness- Tell people about this, share posts like these on your stories, whatever way you can get the word out there

✔Learn more about EDCs and the toxins, so you can stay updated on issues surrounding them.

Do you use non-toxic menstrual products? Share some below. To learn more about your hormones and address any imbalances, check out our Hormone Balancing Academy. -XO

P.S. Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @therawgirl. Can’t wait to connect with you:)

Staying Ageless Podcast is HEEERRE!

Hey lady hey! I’ve been working hard behind the scenes on a a reboot of my podcast 🙂 I’m excited to let you know its HEEEERRRE! And I’ll be releasing weekly episodes on Saturdays featuring interviews with amazing health experts.

Staying Ageless is a health and wellness podcast that will equip you with major keys to achieve extraordinary longevity. Tune in for a fun and engaging look at food & lifestyle choices, hear from experts as well as living examples, and learn how to personalize your nutrition and exercise regimen and boost your energy so you can stay fly til you’re 99, or close to it. To subscribe and listen to episode one search for the show in Apple Podcasts or visit the show’s website: www.stayingagelessshow.com. The show will also be available on Spotify, Deezer, Radio.com, Pandora, Stitcher, and many more soon.

This podcast wouldn’t exist without so many who inspired me, nurtured me, taught me about nutrition, helped me through my own healing crises, hired me to produce radio when I knew nothing, or lent their time, talent, & resources to help me over the past ten years.

I must say THANK YOU to: Maryland University of Integrative Health, all of my current clients who trust me with their healing process, Dr. Laila Afrika, Dr. Sebi, Queen Afua, Khepra, Dr. Natural, Eleanor Gafton, CNS, Jenny Libkhen, CNS, Amy Bronzi, BS, NDTR, Sue Roselle, CNS, Chris Bacon, Dunori (thank you double bro), my Dad & last but never least my Executive Producer Jesus.

I have amazing new episodes coming for you each Saturday, and I’d love to hear from you about topics or guests you’d like to see on the show. Email Me at rawgirltoxicworld@gmail.com and let me know if there’s something health related you’d like me to cover, or if you know a licensed health practitioner that I can have as a guest.

XO

Esosa E., MS, CNS, LDN

PS

Please subscribe and leave reviews on Apple Podcasts if you like what you hear!

Glutathione: A Powerful Antioxidant to Slow Aging & Boost Your Health

 

 

 

 

If you are about that #Ageless life, or simple want optimal health…Get your Glutathione up!

Glutathione is of the most powerful antioxidants in the body – your body makes it from three amino acids: glutamine, glycine, and cysteine, and you also get it from your diet. The highest concentration of it is actually found in our intestines and is necessary for our body to properly absorb calcium. Some of the key benefits: Prevents damage to cells, slows aging, detoxifies the body including helping with removal of heavy metals, balances and boosts immunity, reduces inflammation. 

Glutathione gets depleted as we age, with excessive stress, poor “junk food” diet, exposure to environmental toxins, within chronic inflammatory diseases or specific conditions like autoimmune diseases, and also with over-exercise. Being exposed to or taking a lot of medications can also deplete glutathione.

Chile, so how do we boost the levels we have? To start where possible reducing your exposure to environmental toxins, remove processed and junk foods from your diet, get adequate sleep, exercise regularly, and  take steps towards healing any chronic conditions. Consume sulfur containing foods cabbage, garlic, onions, spinach, all the cruciferous vegetables like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, watercress and mustard greens.

Increasing your intake of vitamin C is important, as vitamin C helps reprocess glutathione by converting oxidized glutathione back to its active form. One Canadian research study showed that when subjects consumed 500–1,000 mg of vitamin C daily for 13 weeks, this lead to an 18% increase of glutathione in white blood cells.  Supplementation can also help to boost glutathione – but you cannot supplement it directly, you need to supplement building blocks that help the body create it like N-acetyl-cysteine, alpha lipoic acid, L-glutamine, or Silymarin (from milk thistle). Other important nutrients to support production include: B vitamins and selenium. -XO Raw Girl 

PS. My calendar is still open to take FREE one on one calls. If you are a woman 30+ interested in transforming your health, getting clarity about what diet and exercise is best for you, and creating healthy rituals that stick, SIGN UP HERE.

References: 

Jones DP, Coates RJ, Flagg EW, Eley JW, Block G, Greenberg RS, Gunter EW, Jackson B. Glutathione in foods listed in the National Cancer Institute’s Health Habits and History Food Frequency Questionnaire. Nutr Cancer. 1992;17(1):57-75.PubMed PMID: 1574445.

Lenton KJ, Sané AT, Therriault H, Cantin AM, Payette H, Wagner JR. Vitamin C augments lymphocyte glutathione in subjects with ascorbate deficiency. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003 Jan;77(1):189-95. PubMed PMID: 12499341.

MĂĄrtensson J, Jain A, Meister A. Glutathione is required for intestinal function. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 1990 Mar;87(5):1715-9. PubMed PMID: 2308931; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC53553.

Moine, L., Rivoira, M., Díaz de Barboza, G., Pérez, A., & Tolosa de Talamoni, N. (2018). Glutathione depleting drugs, antioxidants and intestinal calcium absorption. World journal of gastroenterology, 24(44), 4979–4988. doi:10.3748/wjg.v24.i44.4979

Adrenal Fatigue & The Adrenal Body Type

Stress Kills.
The more I learn about the damage that stress can do in the body; the more I believe that it is one of my chief responsibilities as a practitioner to encourage my clients to not only manage their stress, but also sometimes make adjustments to bring themselves back into balance.
Lately I’ve seen quite a few clients struggling with signs of adrenal fatigue. Adrenal issues are way more common than we realize! If you or someone you know: started gaining weight around the midsection, can’t sleep, has a hard time focusing,  is losing hair or balding, has frequent cravings for carbs and salt, emotionally irritable, has high anxiety or fixation on problems, low libido, high blood pressure, reliant on stimulants to stay awake, has a hard time getting up in the morning, tired during the day, has allergies or asthma issues, acne, inappropriate hair growth in women,  blood sugar issues (stress can trigger the release of insulin!), sleep apnea /snoring, leg cramps, brain fog, bloating (because digestion is affected) etc.
The classic adrenal body type is someone who carries and gains the majority of their weight in their midsection. What happens is as cortisol levels stay elevated from chronic stress, the body moves fat around the midsection to protect the major organs. This is a complete survival mechanism and this kind of weight gain usually starts after prolonged stress or a very stressful event or trauma.
A few things you can do to bring the adrenals back to balance: getting sleep / re-balancing sleep, low impact exercise like walking or light yoga, consume potassium rich foods – potassium helps to restore adrenals and lower insulin, getting rid of stressful relationships or toxic work environments, take an extended vacation to de-stress, reduce/eliminate sugar intake, re-imagine breakfast: healthy fats, protein, and vegetables over high carbs will sustain your energy longer throughout the day.
XO  Esosa E, MS AKA Raw Girl
P.S. I am taking FREE one-on-one calls for the next week! If you would like to chat with me, and see how I can help you reach your health goals – sign up HERE.
P.S.S. Read more on Adrenal Fatigue in this PAST POST

The Benefits of Superfood Chlorella

If you’re about that #AgelessLife; strategic supplementation is key.

An awesome way to ensure adequate nutrition daily is to incorporate superfoods into meals. One of my favorite superfoods that sometimes gets slept on is Chlorella! 

Why is chlorella the bomb dot com?!

It is a green algae and cousin of spirulina that is high in protein (around 50-60%) with all nine essential amino acids, essential fatty acids, and more than 20 vitamins and minerals including potassium, zinc, iron, calcium, phosphorous, B Vitamins including a potentially active form of B12 (essential for plant-eaters), vitamin C, D,E, and K. 

Chlorella is a great source of antioxidants, and one of the highest forms of chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is the life blood of plants and has a structure similar to the hemoglobin in our blood. Chlorella’s high levels of chlorophyll have been shown to protect the body against ultraviolet radiation treatments while removing radioactive particles from the body so it’s excellent for those who are going through chemo.

Chlorella also works to synergistically balance and normalize body functions while supporting immunity, and has strong detoxification properties which aid the body in removing heavy metals, waste, parasites and other toxins. 

It can even improve body odor or bad breath y’all! In addition to being a super detoxifier, chlorella has been shown to prevent development of cancerous cells, can help to rebuild nerves in the brain after serious nerve damage,, eliminate constipation, and help to rebalance gut flora which aids in treating digestive and colon related diseases.

It’s also helpful for weight loss and correcting insulin resistance. In a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food, researchers state, “Chlorella intake resulted in noticeable reductions in body fat percentage, serum total cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose levels.” Chlorella benefits you by helping to regulate hormones, metabolism, improving circulation and promoting higher levels of energy.

Research continues to reveal that chlorella may also slow the aging process! A study published in the journal Clinical Laboratory revealed that chlorella greatly reduces oxidative stress, caused from pollution, stress and a poor diet.

Pretty dope for spirulina’s cousin huh?! 

Have you tried Chlorella? What are your favorite superfoods? Comment below or on my Instagram @therawgirl ! -XO

 

 

 

Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free Green Pancakes!

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups finely ground almond flour

1 Teaspoon Baking powder

2 Tablespoons tapioca flour (optional)

1/4 Teaspoon Salt

2 “chia” eggs (2 Tablespoons chia seeds + 4 -4.5 Tablespoons Water)

1 Tablespoon Chlorella Powder (I used Sun Chlorella)

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

3/4 cup Almond Milk

Add all ingredients to a high speed blender and blend until smooth OR mix dry ingredients followed by wet ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir until all ingredients combine evenly. Add almond milk as needed for a lighter consistency.

Prepare like regular pancakes. Serve, enjoy! XO

Speaking in DC this Weekend!

I’m really excited to be speaking in DC this weekend for the Greater Washington Urban League’s Health Awareness Day Symposium on the topic of Self-Care and Brain Health! I’ll be on from 12:20-12:40 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 945 G Street NW.

If you can make it RSVP for this free event HERE:

https://www.gwul-guild.org/events​

Hope to see you soon!

XO Raw Girl

 

The Skinny on Parasites

This week on my Instagram TV show, I discuss parasites. If you would like to watch the video, follow me on Instagram @therawgirl. Below is the written transcript. -XO

Do you know what it feels like to have your life force being sucked out of you daily? Most people do, only they don’t know what the source of their woes are. The buggers AKA Parasites! If you are thinking to yourself WTF?? or you know you have them and want to know what to do? This one’s for you boo.

Welcome to Health Bytes!

Although it sounds crazy and a little scary to think about worms in our bodies, YIKES! the fact is that 99.8% of people will be exposed to or experience health issues related to parasitic infection. You can get parasites from your pets, other people’s pets,  from kissing or having intercourse with a person who has parasites, from contaminated drinking WATER water (especially tap water), from walking barefoot on contaminated soil, from improperly cooked or handled meat, improper hygiene bad hygiene, infected fruits or vegetables, and the list goes on.

So, what are parasites? Parasites are organisms that live in our bodies and feed off of our life force. They are worms that (can be deadly) because they suck us dry by preventing nutrients from our food from nourishing our bodies, can cause damage internally to organs, and a host of other symptoms that you and your doctor will most likely mistake for something else entirely. These can be anything from stomach and intestinal complications like constipation, irritable bowel syndrome or leaky gut, mood and anxiety issues, sleep disturbances, weight issues either via excessive hunger, or excessive weight loss, skin disorders like acne or rashes, food allergies, and excessive fatigue or lack of energy. Essentially, parasites can slowly but surely erode your quality of life.

Because parasites are so prevalent, it’s a great idea to conduct a basic over the counter parasite cleanse that you can find in a local health food store at least once a year. The best cleanses usually have some form of tincture and pill combination and will include herbs such as cloves, wormwood, black walnut hull, along with other ingredients designed to kills worms and their eggs.

Cloves destroy parasitic eggs before they have a chance to develop. They are more powerful when purchased whole and ground up for consumption as they tend to lose their anti-parasitic properties rather quickly. Cloves contain powerful antimicrobial agents that travel through the bloodstream, killing microscopic parasites and parasitic larvae and eggs. Cloves are tremendously effective in killing malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, scabies and other parasites, viruses, bacteria and fungi, including Candida.

Black walnut hull is very effective at removing dead parasites and other parasitic wastes from the body. It is available in a powdered form, in capsules, as well as in tinctures. Black walnut hull has been used for centuries to expel various types of worms, including parasites that cause skin irritations such as ringworm. It also oxygenates the blood, which also helps kill parasites. Black Walnut hull is very effective against tapeworms, pinworms, Candida albicans, and malaria. It is also effective in reducing blood sugar levels, and facilitating the bodies’ natural detoxification process.

Wormwood is one of the most powerful weapons in the parasite killer arsenal. It is an extremely bitter herb that is quite difficult to down, but the effects are well worth it. It acts as an anesthetic that numbs the parasites, thus forcing them to release their grip on the body. The herb is most effective against roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and pinworms. Wormwood is the second most bitter herb known to man and has been proven a powerful herbal remedy for malaria.

Consuming Raw or Aged Garlic is one of the most effective ways to kill parasites. Garlic is an effective remedy for many types of parasites, from one-celled species to larger varieties such as hookworms and pinworms. Garlic is known to slow and kill more than sixty types of fungi and twenty types of bacteria, as well as some of the most potent viruses known to humans. All effective parasite cleanses always include garlic. It can be hard to consume large amounts of raw garlic, so another way to successfully include large amounts of garlic in your diet is to consume aged, odorless garlic pills.

Apple Cider Vinegar increases stomach acid if taken prior to your meals. This will keep the stomach free of parasites and will also ensure that you will kill off any larvae you inadvertently eat with your meals.

Coconut Oil has an abundance of medium chain fatty acids, which after converted by the body, create a substance that efficiently kills parasites, yeasts, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria in the gut.

Pungent Spices such as: turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, chilies, horseradish, and cayenne, all make parasites run for cover. While conducting your cleanse you can use all or some of these spices freely to add flavor and aid you in kicking some parasite but.

I’m Esosa E. Clinical Nutritionist & Founder of rawgirltoxicworld.com, until next time, your wealth is in your health!

For more on parasites, check out my book which includes instructions for a cleanse: Parasites, Be Gone! 

If you need a one on one consultation to develop a personalized intervention for parasitic infection or to address other conditions, improvement in your diet, or weightloss book here: www.therawgirl.com.