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| What is the deal with whole grains? Well, most of us are very familiar with this naturally delicious food. However, the exact nutritional value of whole grains and products made with or from them is not always common knowledge. So, here are some of the basics for those who like to stay in the know. |
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| Now first of all, I know that there are a lot of people out there that have sworn off grains. These people believe that grains are full of carbohydrates that make you gain weight. Well, that is true..but not so for whole grains. Let me explain. |
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| The food industry has basically crammed our major markets with hundreds of thousands of highly refined, high-calorie products that have been made from grain. Of course those products are chuck full of the carbohydrates that will definitely make you gain weight. The carbohydrates that are in white pasta, doughnuts, refined, cookies (especially "fat free"), sweetened breakfast cereals, bagels, white bread, sports bars, snack foods white rice, and sweets (candy) of all kinds. These are the foods that are making us fat. |
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| What is not realized here are that there are different kinds of carbohydrates, and they don't always make you fat. Genuine whole grain brown rice, real whole grain cereals such as oatmeal, true whole-wheat bread (stone ground is the absolute best version) do not make you fat. As a matter of fact, it's the exact opposite. HUH HAH surprised aren't you? These foods and other whole grains promote good health and reduce our risk of developing many chronic diseases. |
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| Americans, in general, get very few whole grains in their diet. It had been recommended that we eat six to eleven servings of grains every day (see Food Guide Pyramid) and most of us do, but not whole grains. That makes a BIG difference. |
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| Whole grains are chuck full of goodness. |
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| Fiber -- aids in digestion and also offers protection against certain diseases. Here are the two main types of fiber: |
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| Insoluble fiber...(hemicellulose, lignin, or cellulose) absorbs water, but does not dissolve it, so you end up feeling full. Insoluble fiber works as a natural laxative by stimulating the intestinal walls to contract and relax, making food move through the digestive tract. It speeds up the movement of waste in the colon so that substances that may be harmful to the intestinal lining don't linger in your intestines. It also prevents constipation, promotes regularity, and adds bulk and softness to stools. |
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| Soluble Fiber...(pectins, gums, or mucilages) does dissolve in water and is found in fruits, legumes, barley, and oat bran. Pectin binds to fatty substances and prevents their absorption by the body and promotes their excretion as waste. This act lowers cholesterol. It helps to regulate the body's use of sugars and soluble fiber also reduces the risk of heart disease. |
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| Grains are not a significant source of fat unless, fat is actually added to the grain during cooking. For example , cakes, muffins, etc. Contained within the grain itself is mostly unsaturated or monounsaturated fat and is perfectly healthy for you. As a matter of fact, it promotes good health. What it really boils down to is the whether or not the grain that you are consuming is a whole grain. Very important - with significant differences (as I have pointed out some of the differences to look out for). |
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| The phytochemicals isoflavones, polyphenols, and flavonoids are all found in whole grains. These act as antioxidants and are health-promoting within the body. However, if the grains that you are consuming have been refined, then the germ of the grain have been lost during this process of refinement; the germ is exactly where these phytochemicals exist. |
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| Grains are also an important source of minerals and vitamins. Such as B vitamins, vitamins E, A, and C, beta carotene, selenium, copper, iron, and zinc. Again these are found inside the whole grain and (most of the nutrients are within the germ) when grains are refined, these are lost within the process as well. |
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| Whole grains and soy products are two crucially important food categories, and too many of us are unfamiliar with them. Get to know your grains. |
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Whole Wheat
(stone ground is the best)
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Corn
(stone ground corn meal)
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Wheat - Bran
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Buckwheat
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Barley
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Oats
(rolled oats cook fast & easy)
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Rye
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Whole - Kernel Hominy
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Grits
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Rice
(brown is much better for you)
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| That's some, just to get you started on the right track. Oh, and did I forget to mention how good Whole Grains are for the health and beauty of your natural hair. Just marvelous, so try your best to incorporate these tips into your diet. Remember Whole Grains (especially stone ground) are the optimum choice of grains. With very little or no added fats, sugars, or oils to them. |
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| Referred to by some as the 'philosophers' stone of ancient. The ultimate remedy. |
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| Silica is a nutrient that can safely & effectively replenish lost calcium in the teeth & bones. Vegetal Silica, in its organic form is a most vital nutrient. |
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| The human fetus obtains the large amounts of calcium needed to create it's skeleton from silica. Wow! I sure didn't know that before I started researching this fabulous nutrient. |
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| Silica is extremely supportive to your hairs good health. Using it topically (externally) has it's benefits but using it internally has greater worth to your hairs health. I want to explore both. |
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| External Benefits -- Clinical studies have revealed a reduction in hair loss via silica therapy. When organic silica is added to your hair care regimen |
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| (shampoo/conditioning/etc) it helps to prevent baldness & stimulates healthier hair growth. Silica assures beautiful shine, luster, & strength. I know your are loving that. Another wonderful thing is that organic vegetal silica can dissolve completely! Making it an absolutely perfect add in to your regular shampoo. |
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| Internal Benefits -- One of the worlds most effective remedies against degenerative effects & disease on the body. Of course this is great news for your hair!
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| Springtime horsetail is especially rich in silica. It contains more than ten trace elements including silica (of course), potassium, manganese, copper & zinc in noticeable quantities. Yummy, Yummy for your body! |
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| Daily silica needs for humans are 20 - 30 mg. The following are a couple of natural foods that contain silica: |
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| Food (100g) |
Silica Content (mg) |
| Corn |
19.0 |
| Parsley |
13.0 |
| Red Beets |
21.0 |
| Barley |
233.0 |
| Lettuce |
6.0 - 7.0 |
| Strawberries |
6.0 |
| Oats |
595.0 |
| Millet |
500.0 |
| Potatoes |
200.0 |
| Whole Wheat Grain |
158.0
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| When properly extracted [horsetail derived silica] yields the maximum concentration of natural vegetal silicates. Such a pure extract is equal to approximately five times it's weight in dried horsetail. Never confuse vegetal silica with merely ground up or powdered horsetail herb. To grind the harvested herb simply into a fine powder can cause gastric irritation or similar undesirable side-effects. Because then the abrasive quality remains. |
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| Aqueous Extraction -- Horsetail must be properly extracted to be effective. I do not recommend that anyone try to do this on their own unless you have the technique (know how) & proper tools to separate & isolate the silica contents. This can only be possible with a 'proper extraction method', removing any unwanted ingredients or impurities. |
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Although silica is a wonderful supplement...certain folks may want to take precautions...
Please note that Horsetail has blood thickning qualities and is sometimes even used in relation to high blood loss circumstances...SO if you are a person that would not do well with this type of reaction due to a medical condition or medication...such as
...you are taken a blood thinning medication due to a heart condition
This may not be the way for you INTERNALLY
Please be sure to take all things into consideration when trying herbs internally and such...as they are alternative medicines and should be taken properly...
| Soy, Soy, Oh boy. Is it really a big deal? Well quite frankly it is a very big deal -- where your health is concerned. Not only a great component for great health for your body -- but a wonderful booster for your hair as well. Just as silica is good for your hair externally & internally, so is soy. |
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| External Benefits -- Let's go with an easy to find, easy to use, easy on the pockets, with lustrous results soy product; Lecithin. |
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| Lecithin is a natural emollient, antioxidant, emulsifier, & spreading agent. Which makes it an excellent addition to your own hair regimen. Soft, manageable hair is what you will get from using this particular soy product. |
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| The emulsifying properties makes this an excellent ingredient for natural products as well. Chuck full of phospholipids, which is a must for excellent cellular health.
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| Internal Benefits -- Cooked soybeans contain 23 % of the recommended daily allowance of folacin, 22 % of the RDA for calcium, 49 % for iron, and 53 % for phosphorus. O.K. ! Now that's what I am talking about.
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| Soybeans that have been dried have value as well. One half cup serving of cooked dried soybeans contains the protein of a 2 oz serving of meat, has an equal amount of iron of three eggs, and the calcium equivalent of a half cup of milk. |
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| I am sure most of you have heard of Tofu by now. In China, natives call it 'meat without bones' or 'meat of the fields' since it is rich in protein and minerals. And these are of course nutrients that are necessary for healthy hair, growth, & strength. Making Tofu an excellent choice as an addition to your diet. |
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| Again, soybean lecithin is an interesting ingredient that should not be brushed off. It is becoming of great interest to the medical field. Choline [a necessary component for certain brain activity] can be derived from lecithin. Choline is taken from the digestive tract by the blood & then sent up to the brain where it becomes acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter that plays a vital part in memory. That sounds like great news to me. Did I just say that -- (ha-ha-ha) -- did you get it? Oh, never mind. |
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| As I am (& have been) researching, I am finding out just how MUCH A HEALTHY DIET DIRECTLY CONTRIBUTES TO HAIR THAT 'GLOWS'. So read up & eat up. |
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| When it comes to healthy hair, good nutrition is absolutely necessary. For a good appearance outside you have to be well inside. There are certain foods that you should definitely include in your diet to achieve shine, sheen, strength elasticity, & growth to your hair. |
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| *Green, Leafy vegetables (kale,spinach,collard,swiss chard,dandelion) |
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| *Whole grains, rice, pasta |
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| *Beans (navy, red, adzuki, black-eyed peas, lentils) |
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| These are just some basic foods to immediately include in your current diet. Now everybody has their way of doing things & you don't have to try ALL of the foods at the same exact time. The best way to me, from my own personal experience, is to gradually incorporate these new foods into your system. This way you won't put your body into shock -- introducing the good stuff. |
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| Eventually you will find yourself really getting into it. Especially as your new habits help to produce the results that you have been looking for. |
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| I Will Be Updating This Portion For The Tribe On An Ongoing Basis |
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...you may visit the 'nappyhood messageboard' for the latest NI8 news & links...
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