144 posts shown.
Wait, aren't the Chinese setting up the Port of Savannah to be some massive future warehouse for all their goods in the States? I think I saw it on CNN or something recently.
Before I even start importing anything from China, I’d double-check this. It’s entirely possible that pretty soon, the exact same stuff sitting in a warehouse in Savannah will be cheaper than whatever I try to "import" myself.
Here are some thoughts on that healthy eating piece from today's Free Dalmatia:
advice from a nutritionist
WAKE UP YOUR METABOLISM!
Foods that boost your body's defenses include carrots, endive, dandelion, chicory, strawberries, eggplant, plums, radishes, red bell peppers, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, mustard, rosemary, plus tea and coffee—which, thanks to caffeine and tannins, help break down stored reserves and fat.
Written by Dr. Donatella Verbanac
I’m sure you’ve wondered a million times how some people can eat massive amounts of food and never gain an ounce. The answer is their metabolism. Those people just have a faster metabolism, meaning they burn through calories way quicker. For everyone else—whether it's genetics or something else—metabolism can be a bit sluggish. There are foods that can help even those slow metabolisms speed things up, not just by kicking certain biochemical cycles into gear, but by directly mobilizing fat tissue. They basically help with breaking down, absorbing, and efficiently getting rid of fat.
In your small intestine, bile helps emulsify fat droplets into tiny particles after the food passes through the stomach, where it was hit by gastric or hydrochloric acid. Once those fats are broken into tiny droplets in the small intestine, the lipase enzyme—secreted by the pancreas—can work much more effectively. The efficiency of lipase, the enzyme that breaks down fats (triglycerides) into their components to aid metabolism, depends heavily on how well the bile manages to scatter those big fat globs into tiny, accessible droplets.
A dysfunctional liver
When the liver isn't performing well—maybe due to some hereditary issue or something acquired in the liver-bile system—you won't get enough bile synthesis or secretion. If that happens, the fat can't be "prepared" or "scattered" properly, which kills the effectiveness of the lipase enzyme. This usually shows up in two ways:
1. The fat from food can't be utilized (this is what happens to extremely skinny people);
2. Fat builds up in the subcutaneous tissue (which is way more common).
So, what's the fix? To have good fat metabolism, you need a healthy liver to go along with your hormonal balance. The liver is the organ that can turn certain food substances (proteins and carbs) into fat, but it can also use fat directly for energy. To keep the liver in "peak shape," you need to eat foods with hepatoprotective effects—basically stuff that protects the liver and clears out toxins. To "wake up" our metabolism, we need ingredients containing iodine to stimulate adrenaline production, as well as things that tone the nervous system and help maintain neuroendocrine balance. Doing this directly impacts how well the immune system works, boosting the body's ability to fight off foreign invaders and unwanted mutated cells.
Losing the weight
Finally, here are some foods recommended for this purpose: carrots (fresh or as juice), endive, dandelion, and chicory (these contain bioflavonoids—bitter substances that kickstart excretion and detox systems), strawberries (which cleanse the body by working on the liver and kidneys, great for skin health too), eggplant (stimulates bile production), plums (use fresh, ripe ones, not dried), radishes (fresh or juiced), spices—red bell pepper, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, mustard, and rosemary—plus tea and coffee (two cups a day), which, because of the caffeine and tannins (in tea), help break down reserves and stimulate lipolysis (fat breakdown).
When using these foods, we have to follow these basic rules:
— look, you can't just toss these things into your current diet and call it a day; you actually have to swap them out for the junk you're eating now;
— and don't go overboard. You really need to use them in moderation, because honestly, even a tiny amount is usually enough to get the job done;
— if you actually commit to making them a permanent part of a balanced meal plan, they'll definitely help you finally torch that stubborn fat and lose the weight.
rustymoose54 said:I honestly don't get you. What's the end goal here? Are we making this a club for people who don't realize the flu isn't an autoimmune disease?😁
Look, I don't care how people choose to treat themselves—whether it's mainstream medicine or some alternative stuff, whatever. It's your life. But when someone stands up and publicly claims something I know for a fact is just plain wrong, I'm going to say something. If you're taking this personally, sorry, but that sounds like a "you" problem.
Oh, please, give it a rest...
I never, and I mean never, said the flu was an autoimmune disease. You just twisted my words into that just so you could have something to play with, which—let’s be honest—is clearly your specialty.
I hope your little "game" provided enough entertainment for you today.
Kyle Nelson2 said:And the whole attitude toward being sick...
It’s pathetic when someone makes their illness their entire personality...
Like, I walk into a hospital, sit in the waiting room, and just have to listen to old ladies going, "Oh, you don't understand, I am just so incredibly sick..." blah blah blah...
Honestly, I’d hand them a deck of cards or a chess set just so they’d shut up about it for five minutes...
I’m with you on this. Your mindset regarding sickness matters more than people realize.
How many times have we heard those over-the-top stories about how someone "miraculously" survived some specific ailment...
Kyle Nelson2 said:I have some... but I won't bother saying anything since my posts just go unnoticed anyway😛
Where did that even come from?
It’s a damn shame that people who actually had useful, constructive ideas decided to bail...
I seriously hate it when a topic that could actually be helpful gets hijacked by everyone's stupidity and ego trips...
I really don't have the energy to go down a chemistry rabbit hole right now.
I’ve hated chemistry since forever... biology was always my thing. I even spent some time teaching high school physics and math—specifically for seniors back when the curriculum here lumped all the sciences together into one big mess, so I couldn't even specialize in "science" as its own subject. Honestly, if I haven't grown to love chemistry after all these years, I'm probably never going to.
It would be great if we could pivot this thread back to alternative ways to boost the immune system.
For instance... does your family have any special little rituals or remedies passed down through the generations?
driftinggull13 said:Regarding the sugar thing, having some isn't inherently bad; if you overdo it, sure, your blood sugar spikes. But if your body actually functions correctly, insulin and other mechanisms neutralize that pretty fast. This whole idea that you get a massive crash afterward that forces you to crave more sugar is just childish nonsense. It doesn't happen that quickly or that intensely. Look, I'm not advocating for bingeing on sweets, but claiming sugar is straight-up toxic is just plain stupid.
Whole grain flour isn't that different from white flour—it just has a bit more fiber. At the end of the day, both are mostly starch. It’s the same kind of logic used for the brown vs. white sugar debate.
I think healthy eating is really about moderation, eating a variety of foods, and obviously staying active. All this obsession with "healthy" versus "unhealthy" foods isn't really about the ingredients themselves (assuming they aren't spoiled), it's about habits, taste, and mostly just a specific lifestyle philosophy, much like being a vegetarian or a vegan.
You know how people say it: if you go vegan or vegetarian, you might not actually live longer, but it'll certainly feel like you're doing something right.
😉
I think we're talking about two completely different things here... most Americans generally eat quite healthily..
But just imagine one of my days from a year ago:
Chocolate for breakfast, McDonald's for lunch, and instant noodles for dinner... day after day... mixed in with stuff I half-cooked in the microwave or just threw together..
Basically, I was living on fast food, constantly in a "rat race," stressed out and rushing around everywhere..
That lifestyle absolutely wrecked my health (because it wasn't how I lived for all those years before..) I almost got diagnosed with arthritis, my thyroid antibodies went haywire (even though my thyroid was always fine), and my white blood cell count was all messed up..
After two months of peace, quiet, and actual home-cooked meals.. all of that vanished.. I don't have any of those issues anymore (knock on wood)
rustymoose54 said:You clearly haven't got a clue, despite all that Googling you've been doing, honey. 😁
Must've thought it was fibromyalgia or something.
Look, if you’re living with a chronic condition—especially those of you dealing with the fallout from autoimmune issues—you seriously need to get your flu shot. It’s basic math. If you catch the flu, your primary illness is going to take a massive hit. It’s just asking for trouble. 😉 )
Look, we're talking about autoimmune diseases here. We're talking stuff like lupus, certain kidney disorders, or Type 1 diabetes—which, for the record, has absolutely zero to do with being overweight or having a bad diet. None. Zero.
Look, even if you aren't dealing with a primary autoimmune disorder, the recommendation to get vaccinated still applies to you. There are plenty of chronic patients out there whose main diagnosis has absolutely nothing to do with autoimmune issues, but they’re still just as vulnerable. It's a valid point that shouldn't be ignored.
Since you’re acting like such an expert on the whole "cytokine storm" metaphor, why don't you start by actually explaining what cytokines are first? You know, since you're clearly the authority on alternative immunology and all that. 🙂 😁
First off, quit coming at me for no reason. Seriously. If you’ve got some kind of massive grudge or just feel like picking a fight, go find someone else to bother. I'm not your punching bag.
What I was actually getting at was...
I’m dealing with fibromyalgia again. Honestly, it’s just one thing after another. It feels like my whole body is constantly under attack, and I'm just sitting here trying to make sense of it all. It’s exhausting. And don't even get me started on those Frito-Lay types...
Look, I’m no expert... that's exactly why I'm asking.
Look, I know a little bit about Cytokine Storms... and cytokines too. That's why I'm asking.
If you ask me, stress is the absolute biggest killer of your immune system. Period.
Kem: can someone give me a professional breakdown of what
'Cytokine Storm'😁 actually means... and how would we even say that in plain American English?
rustymoose54 said:For God's sake, preventing the flu and living with autoimmune diseases have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Why can't you just admit you're dead wrong?🙄
What’s even the point of reading scientific papers if you don't grasp the basics? Look, I'm not trying to be mean, it's not a crime—you just clearly lack the necessary background because you spend your life doing other things. But hey, that's why schools and universities exist.
I don't have the energy for this back-and-forth.
Let me be clear—I started this thread to learn more about alternative treatments... or those remedies passed down through generations, etc... so I could dig deeper (based on actual research conducted by professional bodies that are properly documented) into these concepts.
Take elderberry, for example. A natural alternative to Relenza is Nature's Bounty made from elderberry.
My job has zero to do with medicine, but why should that stop me from researching these ideas? Honestly, I think everyone should be doing the same.
Second off... my logic is pretty simple: if a person's immune system is already compromised—say, by something like arthritis, severe asthma, bad eczema, fibromyalgia, etc.—they're going to be more vulnerable if they're exposed to other illnesses.
If that isn't true, then why is it that people in those "weakened immune system" groups are constantly advised to get their flu shots?
nimbledriver81 said:Some of us actually do that, honey. But it’s not exactly a walk in the park.
And for the love of God, stop saying VACCINE. My ears are literally bleeding at this point, and trust me, I’ve heard enough nonsense in my life to know when it's grating.
And FYI "strain" means variant
"solution" means answer
You just love to hear yourself talk, don't you? Not just here, either. Nobody’s telling you to shut up, you just won't.
I’ll speak however I want. I use the word vaccine because it's the actual English word—vaccine—and solution...
plus all the scientific papers I look at use those terms.
rustymoose54 said:Look, Angela Kelly, anyone can mess up their cookware once in a while. Why are you getting so worked up? Good grief, I wasn't trying to insult you.
Besides, spreading misinformation about health and meds is potentially DANGEROUS. Stopping the lies and actually trying to give people the right info is vital for the general public. Or don't you agree? 🙂
And that's just facts... which is why I spent forever digging through scientific papers. I mostly stick to sources from US, British, or Canadian state-run universities specializing in alternative medicine.
Did you even know that over in the UK, Medicare—well, their version of it—actually covers homeopathic hospitals? Patients can choose to go there instead of using standard methods, and it's all covered by insurance.
Honestly, all this lecturing from so-called "experts" is getting old. Why don't you guys just go find somewhere else to play pretend? Maybe you could be useful elsewhere, like developing a vaccine for avian flu or some other medication actually effective enough to cut down the need for alternative stuff... I only started this thread because there aren't any properly formulated chemical drugs out there that help with things like (so far unknown strains of) influenza... or arthritis... or fibromyalgia...
For crying out loud... if you're all such geniuses, why don't you just find us a solution for these diseases then? 😁
Until then, we'll just have to keep fighting the good fight the only way we know how.
steelsailor17 said:I’m curious about something, though I doubt anyone actually knows the answer here.
If I caught a standard seasonal flu, for example, and built up some immunity that lasts maybe two or three years, what happens if I get close to people infected with bird flu? Does that immunity from the regular flu offer any protection at all—like 100%, or just some small percentage—or does it mean absolutely nothing since we're talking about a completely different virus?
It's a totally different disease...
Autoimmune diseases and the flu aren't even on the same page... I never once said they were related. I was just starting a conversation about alternative ways to handle the flu and autoimmune issues..
The only thing they actually have in common is— well, just the human immune system
.
* Can we please stop the bickering? Keep the attitude in check and quit the constant nitpicking.
Nice one, slyraven82. It’s actually a relief we have someone here who really knows their stuff when it comes to macrobiotics...
I'm hoping you can find some time to post more about how much diet actually matters in our daily lives, and maybe share how you used those macrobiotic principles to kick the flu and other illnesses to the curb.
Here’s another plant you really need to watch out for if you're living around here—wild fennel:
http://www.yourhealthsite.com/issue/article/697/
slyraven82 said:GINGER
It’s an incredibly high-quality plant..
I usually toss it into my fresh juices.. though it’s kind of fibrous, so my juicer has a hell of a time grinding it down.
If you want to actually enjoy this stuff, modern blenders that make thick smoothies are the way to go.. seriously. Just throw in some celery, parsley, maybe a banana, apple, lemon, and mango.. mmmm... then just chug it.
I actually have one of those heavy-duty blenders that can crush ice, so sometimes I just throw in frozen fruit.. makes it even better. But honestly, sticking to seasonal fruit is the best move.
I’m telling you, people need to stop overcomplicating things. I was reading about some fancy Chinese green tea earlier, and honestly? It’s just tea. But apparently, everyone acts like it’s some magic potion that’ll fix their entire life. It’s fine, sure. It’s good for you. But let's not pretend we're all going to live forever just because we swapped our morning coffee for a cup of leaves. I'm still trying to get through my day without a massive headache, so maybe I'll give it a shot, but I'm not holding my breath.
Natural grape juice. Just sitting there. Honestly, sometimes I feel like we overcomplicate everything when the simplest stuff is right in front of us. No additives, no weird lab-grown junk—just pure, straight-up grape juice. It’s one of those things that actually makes sense if you stop overthinking it.
I’m honestly sick of seeing everyone act like they’ve cracked the code to perfect health just by eating a few pieces of fish once in a while. It’s always the same thing—everyone preaching about omega-3s like they're some kind of magic pill. Look, I get it. They're good for you. But let's be real for a second. If you actually want to get your levels up without spending a fortune at Whole Foods every single day, you need to know what you're looking for. We aren't talking about those cheap oils that taste like cardboard, either. You want the real stuff. Salmon, mackerel, even those little sardines if you can stomach them. Or go the plant route with chia seeds or walnuts if the smell of seafood makes you gag like I do. It shouldn't be this complicated, but apparently, for some people, it is. Just eat your healthy fats and stop overthinking it.
Asparagus. That’s it. That’s the whole post. Honestly, I don't even know why I'm typing this. Maybe it's just one of those days where everything feels a little pointless, or maybe I'm just staring at a grocery bag wondering why I bothered buying it in the first place. It's fine. Whatever.
You guys aren't gonna believe this—sauerkraut. 😕
Let me throw one more into the ring: chocolate (you know, the kind we call baking chocolate here in the States)