Ascend 2 Truth

The featured nutrient for this week is a dietary fiber from the roots of the konjac plant aka elephant yam . It is primarily grown in southeast Asia and is gaining a reputation for promoting weight loss. Glucomannan is often used to make noodles and other traditional Asian foods. Like all other dietary fibers it is water-soluble meaning it absorbs a lot of water. When it is consumed, it absorbs the water in your stomach giving the sensation of fullness. That feeling of satiety occurs because the water engorged fibers take up more space in the stomach. Also, fiber naturally slows the emptying of the stomach. Therefore, it has the potential to reduce food intake from increased feelings of fullness. In addition, dietary fiber reduces the absorption of fat and protein in foods being digested reducing caloric intake. Friendly bacteria feeding off of the fiber facilitate a specific metabolic process known to produce molecules that inhibit fat accumulation and ultimately, weight gain. What ma...

  This is another modality of Ayurveda used for thousands of years. Turmeric is one of the most powerful super foods in the world backed by extensive scientific research. It is predominantly grown in India and China aka Curcuma Longa  or the golden spice . The active compound in turmeric is c urcumin which gives it the rich golden color. It has been proven to render multiple health and beauty benefits. The therapeutic properties have been identified as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects. Antioxidant -inhibits the production of compounds called free radicals generated by the oxidative process. Free radicals damage cells and cause a wide range of diseases. Anti-inflammatory -reduces inflammation in the body which naturally boosts the immune system. Almost every disorder of the body can be traced to inflammation. Antimicrobial -destroys bacteria, viruses, and fungi that cause infections. The 3 primary therapeutic properties described address a broad range o...

Congratulations to anyone who is 65 years and older! You have reached a major milestone in your journey. Any intelligent person has only the utmost admiration and respect for the advanced life phase. The mainstream refers to you as senior citizens, the elderly, older adults, seniors, and retirees. It is truly a badge of honor. Upon reaching seniority, one should have a level of wisdom and spiritual maturity that is golden, thus, referred to as the golden years . That makes you a resource of knowledge and inspiration for the younger generations.  Unfortunately, the value of the older person is often downplayed and overlooked. We are living in a youth-glorifying society that views getting older as an unwelcome event. It is understandable that a society uplifts their youth who are bursting with freshness, energy, innovation, and new possibilities. Most importantly, every young person literally represents our future. No one wants to pass the gauntlet over to someone who is not capable ...

  One of the most important naturally occurring proteins in the human body is collagen . It is synthesized from specific amino acids that are made available from the breakdown of proteins in the foods we eat. Collagen is the predominant protein in your skin responsible for its firmness and elasticity. This essential protein is part of the structure supporting the nails, bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, and tendons. It binds cells together creating a cushion for your joints and skin. It also is found in the lining of blood vessels and helps the blood to clot, according to google search results. As we get older, the synthesis of collagen in our bodies slows down significantly. The reduction of collagen formation is evident by the wrinkling of the skin, brittle nails, thinning of hair, fragility of bones, decreased muscle mass, and breakdown of the joints leading to conditions such as osteoarthritis.  As we get older, the synthesis of collagen in our bodies slows down signif...

Anyone reading my writings over the past several years might have noted that I sometimes call-out inappropriate behavior of Christians. Some may think I am being judgmental or critical, however, that is not my intention. In order to explain my interest in Christianity, I will give a brief summary of my spiritual journey. Christianity is my background and over half of my journey has been as a Christian. I was raised up from childhood in a strict Southern Baptist environment. I spent the majority of my adult years following the Christian faith and continue to follow many of those principles. Presently, I do not identify with any particular organized religion and consider myself spiritual. In 2010, I walked away from the traditional church. In 2013, I walked away from Christianity, at least, the manufactured aspect of it. I am not alone; An increasing number of individuals are doing the very same thing for similar reasons. Ironically, since I have left organized religion, I feel more conn...

Another ancient herb that I believe can work miracles is Oil of Oregano which has been used for thousands of years. It is the essential oil extracted from the leaves and stems of the same plant we season our food with. Oil of Oregano can be your immune system's best friend giving it a huge boost! It is scientifically proven to have the following properties:  Antibacterial  Bacteria are living organisms that grow, multiply, eat, and excrete. They account for a long list of health ailments from acne to food poisoning to s@xually transmitted diseases . All bacteria are not harmful and promote good health, such as those in the gut that assist food digestion. Antifungal A very common type of fungal infection is Candida yeast that can be found inside and outside the body. Another common fungus is Tinea which causes athlete's foot. Ringworm is not actually a worm, but a highly contagious fungus found on the scalp and other areas of skin.     Antiparasitic Parasites are org...

  I have great respect for the knowledge base of ancient people. One of the many herbal foods they consumed was Ashwagandha. It has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda medicine which is based in India. It was introduced to the United States just a few years ago. Its popularity took off as more and more individuals experienced positive effects from taking the supplements. Other names for it are Withania Somnifera, winter cherry, and Indian ginseng, according to Everyday Health, The Benefits of Ashwagandha  by Lorie A. Parch, June 2020. The plant is mostly grown in India, the Middle East, and parts of  Africa. The entire plant is used in Ayurveda, but it is the root that has been identified with the most benefits. It is usually grind down to a powder and sold loose or in capsules. Healthline's 12 Proven Health Benefits of Ashwagandha  by Franziska Spritzier, November 2019 explains Ashwagandha is Sanskrit (Hebrew) for "smell of the horse." The plant is describe...