Importance of Vitamin K2

What vitamin is lacking and is a contributing factor for why Calcium is not going into the bones as well as it should?  Most people think that Calcium and Vitamin D are the only nutrients that are important for bones.  Do you know the importance of K2?  The last blog talked about the importance of Magnesium and bone health.

Vitamin K2 plays a significant role in balancing the Calcium in the bone and arterial tissue.  There is a relationship between Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) and osteoporosis.  The Rotterdam study studied 4,800 healthy elderly individuals.  Those with the highest one third of K2 intake had a 57% reduced risk of dying from CVD compared to those with the lowest intake.  They also had a 52% reduced risk of vascular calcification.  Vitamin K1 provided no cardiovascular protection.  The following websites provide additional research on K2: www.vitamink2.org and http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Research/Vitamin-K2-shown-to-reduce-arterial-calcification-in-kidney-disease-model.

When you have adequate Vitamin D and Calcium but are deficient in Vitamin K2, the result may be an increase in vascular calcification and a decrease in bone matrix.  Several studies in the elderly indicate the effects of K2 supplementation on both bone mass and bone strength is related to the body's ability to increase osteocalcin activation.  K2 has a short shelf life (1-2 hours) and should be taken in divided doses for the best effect.  MK4 (menaquinone-4) is found in butter, egg yolk, and animal. MK7 (menaquinone-7) is found in fermented foods.  MK7 is the best K2 to supplement with your Calcium, Magnesium, D3, and K.  Taking mega-doses of D3 without sufficient K2 can lead to Vitamin D toxicity.  According to Rheaum-Blauc (nat uropathic physician who wrote the book Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox! How a Little Known Vitamin Could Save Your Life) says that Vitamin K2 is thought to have no toxicity issues.  She says it is really important throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding for the development of strong teeth, bones, and proper facial form.   Please ask your doctor before taking any supplement.

K1 and K2 are two different forms of K.  K1 comes from the greens etc. that we eat and encourage blood clotting.  Vitamin K2 helps to incorporate the calcium and other minerals to go into the bone.  This helps to keep calcium from accumulating in other tissues where it doesn't belong.  If you are on a blood thinner - check with your doctor about taking any supplements.

I am not a doctor.  This explanation is for better understanding of what the literature is presently showing, thereby helping you to empower yourself for better health.

Magnesium and Why You Need It In Your Diet

What nutrient is 80% of the population greatly lacking?

Magnesium is a mineral necessary for a lot of conditions such as:

1) Osteoporosis
2) Muscle Spasms
3) Kidney Stones
4) High Blood Pressure
5) Stress
6) Insomnia
7) Cardiac Arrythmias
8) Depression/Anxiety
9) Constipation
10) Seizures
11) Twitching, Sore Muscles
12) Fibromyalgia

Magnesium helps to detoxify the body from environmental toxins such as lead and mercury. Magnesium helps regulate cortisol production and assists in the production of thyroid hormones. Hormones such as progesterone, estrogen, and testosterone require magnesium for synthesis. Magnesium is necessary for Vitamin D to perform its functions.  It is essential for the production of serotonin which helps calm the body.

Diabetics usually need supplemental magnesium.  Deficiency in magnesium is common in diabetics and may prevent some of the complications such as retinopathy.  Diabetics should take Vitamin B6 each day because it appears to help magnesium get inside the cell.  Magnesium helps to reduce triglycerides, cholesterol, and blood sugar so that may be why the ketogenic diet works so well.
Why may you be low in magnesium?  Anyone who exercises a lot or has been under a lot of stress usually needs more magnesium.  Anyone who does not eat a good diet with a lot of vegetables (especially dark green veggies), raw nuts and seeds, wild caught fish, and whole grains usually needs more magnesium.  If you eat a lot of sugars or carbohydrates, you usually need more magnesium. Other things that decrease magnesium are excessive salt intake, excessive alcohol intake, drinking distilled water, overcooking vegetables, some prescription drugs, such as some diuretics, some blood pressure pills, and some antacids, and some anti-depressents, and fluoride in drinking water can bind with magnesium so that the body can not use it.

Before you start taking magnesium, you should:

1) Check your magnesium blood levels to see if you are one of the few who does not need it
2) Check with your doctor.  Supplementing with magnesium may lower dosages of some medications such as for blood pressure, thyroid, diabetes, etc. so if is important to check with your doctor before taking magnesium,

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR MAGNESIUM LEVELS CHECKED RECENTLY?

Supplements for Weight Loss

Wouldn't it be nice if there was a magic pill that would melt the fat away?  Well, I don't have that, but there are some wonderful supplements for assisting weight loss that my customers say really help.  Some of my top selling favorites that will support your effort to lose weight AND inches include the following:

1) Caralluma - suppresses the brain's appetite.  Caralluma is a cactus like plant which contains a phytochemical called pregnane glycosides, which blocks the enzyme citrate lyase, so fat cannot be stored.  It also increases energy levels.  In 2013 a study was published in which over a 12 week period, taking Caralluma showed a significant decrease in body weight, BMI, hip circumference, systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglyceride levels, and total fat and saturated fat intake.  Caralluma is a mild stimulant.

2) Gymnema - is an Ayurvedic herb that decreases sugar cravings and helps balance blood sugar.  This herb is very helpful in staying on track with a Ketogenic diet, especially in the beginning stages of the diet.

3) Garcinia Cambogia - 750 mg, 60% hydroxycitric acid seems to work best by Natural Factors.  Customers say it decreases their hunger by providing a feeling of fullness.  It also is thought to increase serotonin that helps appetite regulation, helps curb food cravings, and increases fat burning.

4) Essential Oils for Weight Loss
     a) The best essential oils to decrease appetite are : peppermint, cinnamon, grapefruit, rosemary, lemon, marjoram, thyme, orange, and ginger for internal use ONLY if the oil is labeled that the oil is able to be ingested and never more than 1 drop is used at a time. These oils can also be mixed with a carrier oil to be applied on the feet or to be diffused/inhaled.
    b)  Slim and Sassy by doTERRA - this is a blend of grapefruit, lemon, peppermint, ginger, and cinnamon essential oils.  It promotes healthy metabolism, helps manage hunger cravings, and helps to calm your stomach and uplift your mood.  It is a great oil to start your day with!

Thanks for reading and check back soon for more helpful tips to living a healthy life! 

Ketogenic Diet and Weight Loss

When I broke my femur, I knew the inflammation and pain was the worst I ever experienced.  The doctor did not prescribe a CRP blood test which was a significant test for inflammation.  Inflammation is a contributing factor for me in weight gain and can be a contributing factor for autoimmune disease, cancer, bone loss, etc.  I found in my research that a Ketogenic diet is the best diet to fight inflammation.  Research shows that on average three times more weight is lost on a Ketogenic diet than low fat diet.  It has lowered triclycerides and blood sugar better and has better compliance than a low fat diet.  In addition, it is about equal in decreasing bad cholesterol and fat loss.  In a 20 year study of 82, 800 women which compared lower carbohydrate diets and heart disease, it was found that lower carbohydrate diets that were high in vegetable sources of fat or protein had a 30% lower risk of heart disease, and approximately 20% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes compared to women who ate high carbohydrate, low fat diets.  But women who ate low carbohydrate diets that were high in animal fats or proteins did not see any such benefits.

A low carbohydrate diet can be described as 50-100 grams of carbohydrates a day.  This amount of carbohydrates did not work for me. I had to stay under 30 grams in order to lose weight, keep my blood pressure and blood sugar normal and lose inches.  I only lost 20 pounds but went down 6 dress sizes.  My diet usually consists of 3/4 low carbohydrate vegetables and 1/4 protein source. If I do not use enough good fats (coconut oil, ghee, avocados) in my diet, I do not lose weight either.  Since my blood sugar spiked after surgery, I was told that I was diabetic and I had to use a glucometer to check my blood sugar.  I found that even low carbohydrate fruit (berries) increased my blood sugar by 30 points.  I am severely carbohydrate sensitive like many of my customers who can't lose weight.  I also drink enough pure water, never diet pop, to keep urine light yellow.  I have not had to use any pain medication except curcumin and boswellia (Europharma works best for me) since I started this diet.  My customers have asked "Can my knee pain be better in 2 weeks?" Amazing.

If I eat too many carbohydrates, I am really hungry for the next 2 days. Make sure to let your doctor know that you are on a Ketogenic diet because your diabetic or blood pressure medication may need to be lowered.Thanks for reading our blog, and if you like what you hear, make sure you LIKE us on Facebook and check out our website www.comfreycornernaturalfoods.com.


*Please note that although we are highly trained in natural medicine, we are not doctors and are not able to diagnose or prescribe.*


Sources:https://wwhsph.harvard.edu/nutritionalsources/carbohydrate/lowcarbohydrate-diets/

-A new major study-a low carb diet yet again best for both weight and health markers-Diet Doctor

-A low carbohydrate, Ketogenic diet versus a low fat diet to treat obesity and hyperlipidemia - a randomized controlled trial - PubMed - NCBI

-A randomized trial comparing low fat and low carbohydrate diets matched for energy and protein - PubMed - NCBI

-New Major Study funded by the American tax payers through the National Institute for Health oover a 1 year period.

Essential Oil Roller Bottle Blends

Essential Oil Blends

Are you looking for a great way to maximize the benefits of essential oils?  Roller Bottles made with essential oils are an easy and cost effective way to use your favorite oils!  Here are some of our favorite roller blends!

A Little of My Story

Hello Friends! I wanted to share a little more of my story...I should have been dead by now.  The new treatment for skin allergies, thought to be safe, ended up being whole body radiation...when I was only 4 years old. You can understand when I am leary of all new treatment and medication until they have been on the market over 10 years to see what the long term effects will be.  This is why I continuously stay up to date on research being done by the top naturopathic doctors and take many alternative healing classes each year.

Unfortunately, many doctors have very little schooling in diet and nutrition. Calories in-calories out is valid for some people.  I however, did not find that worked.  Are you exercising, think you are eating a healthy diet, but still not losing weight? Maybe I can help because that was my life.  I ended up having to decrease my caloric intake to 500 calories a day in order to lose 1 to 2 pounds a week.  I  watched Dr. Oz and decided to follow a diet he suggested to no avail. When eating the whole grain pasta he suggested, I ended up gaining 3 more pounds that I would have to lose.  During this time I was taking care of my mother, up much of the night sometimes, working full time (50 to 60 hours a weeks), and understandably stressed.  Did you know that stress can contribute to weight gain or weight loss regardless of how well or poor you eat?  Add menopause to the equation, and you may find yourself in even more of a struggle to lose or maintain weight.  In my next post, I am going to give you some great tips for stress reduction, diet, supplements, and essential oils.  Also watch for delicious and healthy recipes on my blog.  Thanks for taking the time to read some of my story, and perhaps it helps you to see why Comfrey Corner Natural Foods is so very important to me. Until Next Time, Cheryl

Welcome to my Blog

Hi, I am Cheryl, owner of Comfrey Corner Natural Foods on Park Ave West in Mansfield.  I opened the store after being a Pediatric and Medical Surgical Nurse since 1966 when I started as a nurse's aid.  I went on to Ohio State University where I graduated with my Nursing Degree.  I taught nursing for 12 years.  Even back in the 60's, there was research on natural healing so I could teach about it to my nursing students.  I opened Comfrey Corner Natural Foods in 1978 with the distinct reason to educate and empower as many people as I could about taking care of their own health.  Who other than yourself cares more about your health than you?  I started this blog because I want as many people as possible to stay or become healthy.  Too many people tell me that Comfrey Corner is their last resort because no one else can help with their condition.  I am not a doctor.  I cannot diagnose or prescribe, but I can direct you to the most credible and up to date information for you to make informed decisions about your own health. Sound good?