Tag: Digestive Health

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The use of manuka honey medicinally is becoming far more than just an “alternative” treatment.

A type of honey native to the country of New Zealand, it’s produced by bees that pollinate the Manuka bush.  And, although the conventional medical community had dismissed its value for some time, there’s now an increasing interest in its therapeutic uses by the general public, integrative healthcare providers, and researchers.

One of the big things driving the renewed interested in manuka honey is the increase in antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens – which has resulted in more interested in the development of novel antibacterial agents. There’s also a growing number of studies that support not only the antimicrobial and antibacterial benefits of this honey but additional health benefits, as well.

Studies show it’s a smart move to eat manuka honey
Several studies have shown and highlighted the antibacterial and antimicrobial effects of Manuka honey. One study investigated the use of this honey on four types of bacteria found in chronic wounds – Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis.  In fact, the manuka honey was found to help inhibit the growth of these types of bacteria.

A different study, published in the Journal of Wound Care, specifically looked at the bacteriological changes that occurred in sloughy venous leg ulcers that were treated with manuka honey – compared to the use of hydrogel.  In four weeks of treatment, 70% of the wounds treated with manuka honey – as opposed to only 17% of those treated with hydrogel – had MRSA eradicated.

The results show the incredible potential this honey has at preventing infection by harnessing its antimicrobial properties.  Other studies have not only shown that the honey enhances wound healing, but it also helps decrease pain in burn patients and amplifies tissue regeneration as well.

Additional health benefits of this healing honey
Manuka honey offers many other health benefits beyond treating and healing wounds, and most of them are a result of the honey’s antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

Additional health benefits include:

Promotes healthy teeth and gums: Most Americans have some type of gum disease, and minimizing oral bacteria is the best way to keep teeth and gums healthy. Studies show that manuka honey’s antibacterial activity attacks the oral bacteria associated with tooth decay and gum inflammation.

Sore throat relief: Many find that manuka honey offers relief from a sore throat, and its antibacterial and antiviral properties can help reduce inflammation and kill the bacteria causing throat pain. It also provides a soothing effect by coating the inner lining of your throat.

Improved digestion: Digestive problems like IBS, which is associated with symptoms like irregular bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain, may be effectively treated with manuka honey.  It helps reduce inflammation of the digestive system and may offer significant relief.

Gastric ulcer prevention: Stomach ulcers are very common, and these sores on the stomach’s lining can cause bloating, pain, and nausea. The most common type of bacteria responsible for ulcers is H. pylori, and research shows that manuka honey may work as an antibacterial agent against this type of bacteria, helping to prevent ulcers.

No doubt, manuka honey has unique antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties that offer a variety of health benefits.  Make sure to look for manuka honey with a high UMF number to reap the best results.

Be sure to pick up your Manuka Honey available in four different UMF strengths at Whitaker’s Natural Market!

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Papaya For Digestive Help!

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme found in concentrated amounts in unripe papaya fruit. It is similar to bromelain (found in pineapple) and has many of the same health benefits. However, there are a few medicinal traits unique to papain that can help improve the body’s overall health.

Papain for Digestive Issues
For instance, if you cook with red meat, you may know that papaya is a well-known fruit used as a tenderizer. This is because the enzymes in the fruit help break down the proteins in the meat. The papain in papaya does the same thing in the body. However, what makes papain a bit more special is that it doesn’t require a certain level of acidity or alkalinity within the body.

This is of vital importance for those with enzyme deficiency problems, as well as for those with low hydrochloric acid output in the stomach. It is important to understand that pepsin produced in the stomach to aid in protein digestion is activated only in an acid medium. This requires a healthy output of hydrochloric acid that is insufficient in many people—especially as they age. Since papain does not require hydrochloric acid, many people with digestive problems will be helped by daily supplementation with papain. In fact, you’ll often find papain in digestive enzyme formulas for this reason.

Papain as an Anti-Inflammatory
While papain is certainly effective as a digestive enzyme, it is also just as effective as a systemic enzyme. If papain is taken between meals, it makes its way into the bloodstream where it helps reduce pain and inflammation, as well as fluid retention following trauma and surgery. In fact, studies have shown that papain possesses strongly marked anti-inflammatory activity, and this ability is no less than that of the pharmaceutical drugs butadion and indomethacin.

We are pleased to offer two digestive enzyme blends that feature Papain as a main ingredient.

NOW® Super Enzymes is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that supports healthy digestion. Formulated with Bromelain, Ox Bile, Pancreatin and Papain, Super Enzymes helps to optimize the breakdown of fats, carbohydrates and protein.  Also, excellent for someone having early stage gallbladder and pancreas issues!

NOW® Plant Enzymes is a comprehensive blend of enzymes that helps to support proper digestion. This product’s combination of enzymes assists in the breakdown of fats, fiber, proteins, and carbohydrates, thus optimizing the availability of nutrients in the food you eat. NOW® Plant Enzymes also includes lactase to support the digestion of dairy products for those who are sensitive to lactose.

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Health Benefits of Activated Charcoal

If you’ve ever used a water filtration system or pitcher, you’ve already seen the benefits of activated charcoal in action. Activated charcoal does essentially the same thing in your intestinal tract that a charcoal block does in your water filter. Toxins and chemicals bind to the activated charcoal, and since the charcoal doesn’t get “digested” per se, these toxins are then flushed out. It can attract and trap thousands of times its own weight in gases, toxins, food additives and other chemicals. In fact, activated charcoal is estimated to reduce absorption of poisonous substances by up to 60%. Even more, it can absorb over 3,000 known drug residues.

Activated Charcoal for Poison or Overdose – While common uses of this natural remedy aren’t vast, activated charcoal can be quite effective when it counts. A perfect example of this is its use by hospitals to treat certain types of poisoning and drug overdoses. In fact, research shows that it in some cases, it may work even better than stomach pumping.

Activated Charcoal for Teeth Whitening – One unexpected use for activated charcoal is its ability to help whiten teeth naturally. In the same way it works in the body, it adsorbs plaque and toxins from the mouth, killing bad bacteria and removing stains.

Activated Charcoal for Gas and Bloating – Another positive effect of activated charcoal is that it may help reduce gas and bloating when eating known gassy foods. A double-blind clinical trial showed that symptoms of bloating and abdominal cramps attributable to gaseousness were significantly reduced in both groups by activated charcoal.

Activated Charcoal for Skin Health – In addition to some of the benefits already detailed, you will probably find activated charcoal in many natural remedy first aid kits in case of bug bites, rashes, and even acne. It is known to help with issues ranging from mosquito bites to bites from snakes and poisonous spiders.

Activated Charcoal for Digestive and Internal Health – Even with an extremely healthy diet, our bodies are exposed to countless toxins from our environment, the food we eat, and the water we drink, which can create an unhealthy stress on our bodies and organs. Removing these toxins can provide many positive side effects from more energy, less joint pain, increased mental functions, a decrease in premature aging and improved digestive functions. Activated charcoal helps absorb and flush out the toxins that are causing damage and extra stress to our organs including candida and mold, allowing our entire body to function better.  

How to Use Activated Charcoal
If you have talked to me in the store before, you may very well have heard me recommend Activated Charcoal for a lot of reasons.  You want to take it 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals, supplements, and prescriptions unless taking it with a meal to reduce a gas reaction.  Why you might ask?  While Activated Charcoal is selective in its choices of what to bind to, it can at times bind to things we want to retain, so taking it separately allows it to focus on all the negatives we want to remove.  I also typically recommend 2 capsules twice daily, so be sure to pick up your bottle of Activated Charcoal the next time you are at Whitaker’s.