Marthas Vineyard Holistic Retreat

All about Hormonal Imbalance

Roni DeLuz — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 10:35:19 +0000

All about Hormonal Imbalance And….

Hormones play a key role in defining the overall health and well being of every woman. The hormonal balance in any woman is governed by the delicate balance of two of the most important hormones, namely progesterone and estrogen. While estrogen is predominant in the first half of the menstrual cycle, progesterone is prime in the second half. One of the chief causes of hormonal imbalance is defined in medical terms as ‘estrogen dominance’ which, as the named denotes, means the presence of more estrogen than progesterone in the female body.

Hormonal imbalance can happen to any woman, belonging to any age group. Typically, the symptoms of hormonal imbalance are evident in women from their late twenties till their fifties. Most commonly, the symptoms of hormonal imbalance are experienced during the premenstrual cycle.

Hormonal imbalance completely disrupts a woman’s physical, mental and emotional health. Fluctuation in hormonal levels may typically affect:

Mood swings
Sexual desire
Fertility and ovulation

Some of the common factors that lead to hormonal imbalance are elucidated below:

Diet and nutrition
Menstrual cycle
Post partum
Birth control pills
Glandular problems
Premature menopause
Environmental chemicals
False estrogen produced by Candida
Improper/unregulated lifestyle
Lack of exercise
Stress
Age

Good news is that hormonal balance in women can be effectively controlled with the help of herbal medicines and subtle changes in lifestyle. Trained medical experts such as obstetricians, reproductive endocrinologists and gynecologists who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of hormonal imbalance in women and/or the abnormalities associated with them. Some of the common changes in diet and lifestyle that can be self introduced and implemented are:

Eating wholesome and organic food
Intake of plenty of fruits and vegetables
Reduced intake of overly processed food items, especially refined sugar

If you experience any of the above mentioned symptoms that make you believe that you are suffering from hormonal imbalance, do not panic. Hormonal imbalance is not something that cannot be controlled. Start by consulting a specialist who will advice you on measures to check the imbalance. Proper medication and care can lead tremendous results for Hormonal Imbalance.

Supplements for the treatment of Arthritis and Joint Problems

Roni DeLuz — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 18:36:05 +0000

Do you suffer from arthritis and joint problems?

Typical signs of arthritis and joint problems that may indicate the need for joint repair supplements are as follows:

Early morning stiffness in the limbs
Joint swelling and discomfort
Reduced ability to move
Wear and tear of cartilage
Redness of the skin around the joint and inflammation
Generalized pain that causes irritability

One or a combination of the above mentioned conditions could be a symptom of arthritis and joint problems. Irrespective of your age and lifestyle, arthritis may strike anytime and demand a prompt joint repair. It is specially noted that people who are overweight or obese are more prone to pain in the hips and the knees and consequently suffer from arthritis and joint problems.

Holistic approaches for the treatment of arthritis and joint problems can be quite effective. To maintain optimal mobility, it’s important that our ligaments and muscles are in perfect working order. When a malfunction occurs it can lead to the generation of friction that may rupture the joints. When joints become damaged, we experience severe stiffness, pain and osteoarthritis. Arthritis is clearly the most common form of joint trouble that results in excruciating pain in both men and women. The common belief that arthritis strikes only with age is a myth. In fact, a lot of perfectly healthy and active young men and women can also suffer from arthritis and joint problems and may be required to undergo joint repair. I write about this because it’s one of the most common conditions we face at the Martha’s Vineyard Holistic Retreat.

It’s also why I created a special formulary for arthritis and joint problems.

In cases of arthritis, test results usually show a considerably low level of collagen. There are many joint repair dietary supplements that can be used to ease the pain of arthritis. The effectiveness of the dietary supplements for arthritis and joint repair can be felt by:

A reduction in joint pain
Improved mobility of limbs
Rehabilitation of damaged cartilages to accelerate joint repair

There are several factors that you must consider while opting for a dietary supplement for arthritis and joint problems. In the case of organic supplements for arthritis and joint repair, the extraction of the supplement must be completed before the blending. Purity of the components must be given due importance since synthesized additives diminish the effectiveness of the supplement for arthritis and joint repair.

Arthritis can be extremely painful and may restrict movement to a great extent. However, with proper care and with the correct use of supplements for arthritis and joint repair, the symptoms can be put to ease. For more information on arthritis and joint repair and to find out how so many have helped themselves live a more comfortable and healthy lifestyle visit please sign up for our newsletter.

I hope you found this information useful – Dr. Roni, your partner in wellness.

Click here to learn about our Wellness Detox program

Arthritis and Joint Problems

Vital Tips On Detoxing

Roni DeLuz — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 01:57:35 +0000

Are you thinking about detoxing?

If you have been experiencing frequent headaches, constipation related skin problems, nausea, weight gain and general lack of vitality and a host of other unexplained health issues, you should consider detoxing your body. Detoxing is short for detoxification. As the name suggests, it involves cleansing the body of all the potentially harmful dietary and environmental toxins and revitalizing it.

Detoxing primarily accelerates the elimination of body waste, cleans the colon, enhances blood circulation, purges allergenic or fatty food items from the diet and replenishes the body with nutrients to promote optimal health and functioning of the liver.

Processed foods, a stressful lifestyle and environmental pollution can lead to the build-up of toxins in the body over a period of time and if not flushed out it can lead to chronic disease. Since the liver is the chief organ involved in the process of detoxing, extra care should be taken during the detox program in order to ensure that this vital organ’s functioning is not hampered.

If you’re considering detoxing I want you to be successful, renewed by the experience and enjoy all the benefits that detoxing can accomplish. So in order to bring your liver on track and regain the lost sheen on your face? Here are a few tips:

1. Go slow. Choose a detoxing program that is not too harsh on your body. However, do not choose a very mild cleansing technique since that would be totally ineffective. The ideal way to proceed is to graduate from a gentle program to a more vigorous one.

2. Pregnant women or those experiencing their menstrual cycle should hold-off on detoxing.

3. Allow enough time for each cleansing process. A bowel cleaning session may require up to 4 hours of purging.

4. Do not over exert yourself while on a detoxing program.

5. Before beginning the cleansing program, throughly read all the instructions carefully. Include the food items required for detoxification after consulting a dietician.

6. Consult a trained detox/cleanse practitioner to diagnose and address your specific problems. Provide the practitioner with all the minute details pertaining your issue, lifestyle, diet and habits.

7. Before going full throttle with the detoxing/cleansing process, decide the cleansing order with your health practitioner. Prepare yourself for colon cleansing, kidney cleansing, liver cleansing, lung cleansing or skin cleansing, depending upon your problem and place them in the right order. Prepare your body and mind accordingly. With the right order and preparation, detoxing can produce excellent results!

I hope you found these tips useful – Dr. Roni, your partner in wellness.

Click here to learn about our Wellness Detox program

Detoxing

The Benefits of Juicing

Roni DeLuz — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:05:05 +0000

Juicing has uncountable benefits. Juicing makes fruits and vegetables quick, convenient and ready for consumption, on-the-go. Vegetables and fruits are rich sources of raw food. It must be noted that our intestine has limited capabilities when it comes to absorbing all the essential nutrients from raw vegetables or fruits. Juicing these natural food items facilitates the absorption of these vital nutrients by the intestine.

Juicing fruits and vegetables is a great step towards putting our fast modern lifestyles on track and inducing essential food items that not only help in the process of healing but also providing the body with its much needed energy. Juicing involves minimal effort and make fruits and vegetables ready to be consumed immediately.

How often do cut fruits and forget to eat them, or leave a raw fruit half eaten and tend to other tasks? How many times have you thrown an apple because it turned brown? Fruits and vegetables, being perishable, produce toxins when cut and left to stay for long durations. They can thus be harmful to the body. Juicing averts such a scenario, making sure you get complete nutrition from your fruits and vegetables. Since juices are consumed immediately after they are extracted, juicing reduces the chance of perished food entering the body. Although freshly squeezed juice is most suitable for consumption, when kept in air tight jars that allow no oxygen to pass through, it can be kept fresh for long durations too.

Juicing indeed has many benefits:

It helps in retaining the total nutritional value of a fruit or a vegetable. Fresh juicing ensures that your body gets an immediate boost of energy and vital nutrients. Additionally, juicing is a boon for mothers whose children do not like to eat raw fruits and vegetables. Juicing ensures that all natural goodness of fruits and vegetables are preserved and presented in an attractive manner.

Juicing makes it easy for our body to digest high grade nutrients and feed them to our cells. Juices help in detoxifying and cleansing the body along with repairing and healing damaged cells and providing the essential nourishment.

In other words, juicing makes it possible for our bodies to receive holistic nutrition in order to keep pace with our faced-paced schedules.

For more information on juicing and to know how it can help in healing, please visit http://www.mvholisticretreat.com/

Menopause: Hot Flashes

Roni DeLuz — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:30:30 +0000

Hot Flashes: Causes, Symptoms & Cure

What are Hot Flashes?

A hot flash is a typical feeling of warmth, most commonly felt in the head and neck and gradually
spreading to the whole of the body. Hot flashes may last from as brief as 30 seconds to as long as a few
minutes. However, it must be noted that a hot flash is only a symptom and not the problem itself. Hot
flashes become more pronounced during the phase of menopausal transition in women. They may also
be caused as a side effect of various medical conditions and treatments.

Hot flashes are generally followed by redness of the skin and perspiration. Hot flashes can also occur as
a result of certain uncommon medical conditions.

Some of the common causes of hot flashes are:

•Decline in the levels of estrogen when a woman approaches menopause
•Hormonal change due to ageing
•Irregular thermoregulation or the body’s ability to adjust and control its temperature
•Uncommon medical conditions and reactions to medicines

Here are the key symptoms of Hot Flashes:

• Redness of the skin, also known as flushing
• Excessive perspiration which can be more pronounced at nights and occur during sleep
• The release of serotonin hormone (in cases of the Carcinoid syndrome)
• Infections or cancers associated with fever and night sweats

Hot flashes are not usually a serious problem. I see many clients at the retreat with this condition. It
presents itself with other emotional common symptoms such as depression, weight gain, anxiety and
insomnia.
Thankfully, hot flashes do have quite a wide variety of effective
treatments such natural herbs, bio-identical hormone therapy, use of phyto-estrogens and other
alternative therapies. However, before opting for a therapy for hot flashes, it is advisable to consult a
natural specialist who can guide you with the proper steps and therapies. Most importantly, make sure
that the treatment, remedies or therapy that your specialist provides is medically approved and 100%
safe for use.

Hot flashes are not uncommon, and pose no grave danger to your health. About 75% of women going
through the menopausal transition phase experience regular hot flashes. Therefore, it is a very natural
symptom that occurs when your body tries to get accustomed to the new change. Hormonal imbalance
can happen to any woman, belonging to any age group. Typically, the symptoms of hormonal imbalance
are evident in women from their late twenties till their fifties. Most commonly, the symptoms of
hormonal imbalance are experienced during the premenstrual cycle. Detoxing the body can often alleviate Hot Flashes by allowing the body to re-balance itself.

Click here to learn about our Wellness Detox program

Hot Flashes

Dr. Roni on Radio – October 2, 2011

Roni DeLuz — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 17:22:58 +0000

If you are having problems playing this file please download QuickTime from Apple Computer, Inc. DOWNLOAD

Fresh Juices for Breakfast

Roni DeLuz — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 17:06:38 +0000

The benefits of fresh juices

Fresh juices are better and quicker than most breakfasts. Breakfast is the most important meal of our day. Unfortunately, owing to our modern lifestyles, we have disowned the idea of kick starting our day with a proper, nutritious breakfast. Those of you, who skip your breakfast, or any important meal for that matter, can compensate for the loss with the help of fresh juices.

Gone are the days when fresh juices were only supposed to be sweet.

With mankind’s relentless experiments in evolving new tastes and techniques, a surprising variety of vegetables and food items can be juiced these days. Thankfully, our choice of fresh juices is not restricted to the regular apple, orange or mixed fruit options and we have a far wider access to a wide variety of vegetable and other flavors. The good part about using vegetables for the purpose of making fresh juices ensures that we receive our daily quota of vegetable nutrients too. Blame it on our lifestyle again, but most people these days are consuming lesser and still lesser vegetables owing to their busy schedules. Vegetables take longer to cut and cook. The easy way out, therefore, is to juice them!

Making fresh juices from fruits and vegetables.

The same can be said about fruits too. Peeling and eating an orange may seem difficult to fit in our schedule of getting ready for work in the morning. Similarly, nibbling on an apple while working simultaneously may take you ages to finish the apple. We all know that fruits and vegetables, if cut and left to stay, develop harmful toxins as they begin to get stale. This is where making fresh juices from fruits and vegetables make sense.

Making fresh juices has another big advantage.

We might be used to discarding certain portions of fruits and vegetables when we chop them, thus throwing away some very important nutrients in the food items. However, while making fresh juices, we tend to include all these parts and thus get a super nutritious and tasty concoction to drink.

What more, fresh juices can be mixed to form a wide range of lip smacking flavors.

Sprinkle some spice on them sparingly and you have delicious glasses of good health!To summarize, juices are wholesome drinks. They are quick and easy to make and much faster to consume. So what are you waiting for? Make a glasses of fresh juices now and skip the bagel and cream cheese or the egg and cheese from convenient stores.

For more information on making fresh juices please visit http://www.mvholisticretreat.com/juicing-detoxing

Dr. Roni DeLuz • Your Partner In Wellness

Toxic Foods

Dr. Roni — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 21:56:11 +0000

Learn the three levels of food and which foods to stay away from and which foods to incorporate into your diet. – By Dr.Roni DeLuz PHD, RN, ND

3 Toxic Foods to Stay Away From

Food used to be more nourishing and less toxic. Today we are living in a very toxic foods world which brings me to three a subjects that I love to discuss and write about: toxic environment, toxic food, and toxic bodies. We have what I call “3 levels of food”

The third or bottom level of food is “over-civilized” or over-processed food. It is what a majority of Americans eat today; high in sugar, high in salt, high in chemicals, and low in fiber and nutrients.

How did our toxic foods get so bad?

It saddens me to have to mention that the huge American farm corporations apply approximately a billion pounds of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and rodenticides to our food supply. This poses a danger to us because these toxins remain as residues on our food which can lead to many diseases including cancer.

What do you consider “over-civilized” or over-processed foods to be?

It?s not uncommon to find many families still eating canned and boxed food that is high in chemical preservatives. A typical toxic foods meal at this level might look like this: canned green beans, boxed white minute rice, canned brown gravy, instant boxed corn bread, fried chicken and soda or milk. These foods are high in fat, salt, sugar, preservatives, antibiotics and pesticides. They are low in fiber, nutrients and enzymes. Most people who eat like this are grossly overweight, in poor health, and lack energy, mental clarity, physical vibrancy. Their immune system is weakened to the point where they are constantly getting colds, viruses, and chronic ailments. To help you get on the right track and for more details about detoxing for health and weight loss read about the At Home Detox Program.

The second level of food is what I call “live organic” food and it is getting increasing attention today. Live means foods that occur in nature like vegetables, fruits, grains, and nuts. This level of food is what our grandmother is talking about when she says, Eat your vegetables, its fresh out of the garden, toxic foods aren’t.

But things have changed Grandma!? Take our spinach or collard greens for example; 25 years ago the soil was richer and the nutrient level higher. Today we would have to eat 15 cups of greens to get the same nutrients our grandparents got from one cup! A shocking fact is that the United States has lost 75% of its top soil to date. However, this second level of food is certainly a better quality food than the third or bottom level.

What does a typical second level meal look like?
A typical meal of second level food might look like this: Salad of cleansing vegetables such as baby greens, grated carrots, cucumbers, freshly sliced beets, sliced tomatoes, and chopped green onions with your own freshly made salad dressing made with flax or almond oil, minced ginger, chopped basil, and tarragon vinegar.

Brown rice and curried lentils. This is less toxic, no preservatives, full of nutrients, natural enzymes, essential fatty acids, and fiber. It is low in sodium and the PH balance of this food is more alkaline than acid and it?s easier to digest and metabolize. This level of cleansing food supports health, weight loss and the organs that detoxify our bodies. All Americans should be at this food level vs. digesting toxic foods.

I call the first level of food “maximum nutrition in small doses”

It concentrates the live organic foods of the second level with nutrient formulas or supplements which are far superior to the other two levels. These formulas come packaged as green powder, anti-oxidant drinks, protein powder, and cleansing herbs. They are a powerful help to our detoxification organs such as the colon, the liver , the kidneys, the skin and the lungs. The supplements include high powered nutrients: phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids, and essential fatty acids and more. All these good nutrients support your body at the cellular level which promotes increased energy, mental clarity, a balanced hormonal system, an improved immune system, and protection against degenerative diseases. You feel better, lose weight and move toward optimal health.

What makes these supplements superior?
You know one glass of green drink has the nutrient content of 18 to 10 servings of rich green vegetables such as spirulina, barley, spinach, wheat grass, and other rich greens as well as phytonutrients, enzymes and aloe vera.

What does a diet of the first level of food look like?
It?s organic and live foods such as a vegetable plate, nuts, a salad and chicken almondine along with antioxidant fruit drinks, protein shakes, green drinks, enzymes and herbal cleanses. This is a detoxification and cleansing diet, nutrient packed with all the benefits of the second level plus an added advantage to support your entire body.

It’s a Toxic Foods World

In this toxic world our body is exhausted working overtime trying to digest food laden with toxins. That’s why many people are tired and sleepy after eating. You want your body to take a break from time to time so put your digestive system on a vacation and go on a detoxification diet. Eating with maximum nutrition in small doses is vital to your wellness, longevity and vibrant life. Removing toxic foods from your daily regime is an excellent start.

Your partner in wellness,

Dr. Roni DeLuz RN, ND, PHD.

Coming soon…

Understanding Cancer & Detox

Dr. Roni — Sat, 05 Mar 2011 21:51:56 +0000

Each year more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer. Whether it is breast, lung or stomach cancer, the cause of all types of cancer can be linked to one root ? toxins. – By Dr.Roni DeLuz PHD, RN, ND

Can Detox help reduce climbing Cancer rates?

Each year more and more people are being diagnosed with cancer. Whether it is breast, lung or stomach cancer, the cause of all types of cancer can be linked to one root ? toxins. With cancer rates climbing each year, millions of people want to know how they can prevent it as well as fight it. The question remains, does detox help?

Our bodies are complex organisms, but at the base of it all are the cells that make up each part of our body, organs and tissues. The cell is the most basic form of life and our bodies are made up of trillions of them. However, when these cells are influenced negatively by the toxins in our diet and environment, they begin to malfunction and can become cancer cells. If cancer cells are allowed to grow and spread, they form tumors that will only continue to grow until the body itself eventually dies.

Every physical, mental and emotional feature that our body displays is there for a reason. Our entire body is made up of individualized cells that have specific functions in the body. Cardiac cells make up our heart muscles, muscle cells make up our muscles and our tissues are made up of a variety of different tissue cells. Each cell has a purpose and many of these cells have the job of defending our bodies. For instance, the lymph nodes filter the blood system for viruses, bacteria and other foreign substances. The liver is responsible for cleansing the blood of invaders as well, particularly toxins and foreign chemicals.

Cells become ill themselves when they don?t receive enough oxygen. This lack of oxygen could be due to a lack of nutrients or due to exposure to extreme cold or heat. They may be exposed to radiation which kills them, and they are often exposed to toxins from the environment. While our cells never stop working, they may not be working properly and when this happens, the chance for cells to turn cancerous increases significantly. Detox can help keep the cells functioning properly by ensuring that they receive the oxygen and nutrients that they need to do their jobs. Detoxing is not necessarily all about losing weight, but improving the body?s nutrition. When provided with enough nutrition, the body uses nutrients to heal itself and to flush out the toxins which cause cells to malfunction. When detoxing, all of this happens in the body naturally.

The goal of detoxing is to cleanse the body. One type of detox that is commonly used by cancer patients to fight cancer and to restore their bodies is juice detoxing. The juices of vegetables, lemons, oranges, melons and grapes are highly alkaline. Through this type of detox, the toxins are cleansed from the body at a rapid rate. Fresh juice is also healthy because it is full of antioxidants and phytochemicals. These antioxidants kill free radicals in the body that are responsible for causing cell malfunction and cancer. In fact, a report published by the American Institute for Cancer Research and the World Cancer Research Fund found that cancer rates would drop by 20% if people received at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. This is possible through juicing!

Visit our products page to find detox supplements that will help you to prevent cancerous cells from forming.

MV Diet Detox: 21 Day Kit Dr. Roni?s 100% natural healthy detox that allows you to safely lose 21 pounds in 21 days includes a complete 21 day supply consisting of: 1 Antioxidant Berry Drink; 1 Vegetable Drink Mix (choice of 2 flavors); 3 Green Drink Mix (choice of 3 flavors); 2 Inner Cleanse and PM supplements; and 1 Protein Mix (chocolate or vanilla) for 9 days of post-detox maintenance. $213.95

Understanding Detox Soups

Dr. Roni — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:46:10 +0000

The goal of a detox diet is to cleanse the body so that it can naturally lose unnecessary weight. To do this, one must attain maximum nutrition in their diet, which can often be accomplished by consuming soups – By Dr.Roni DeLuz PHD, RN, ND

Can you diet and detox with soups?

The whole goal of dieting is to lose weight. Unfortunately, the typical “diet” has a poor connotation associated with it as most people think of dieting as starving. When it comes to a detox diet, however, the goal is to cleanse the body so that it can naturally lose unnecessary weight.

A detox diet is all about getting maximum nutrition and the best way to do that is through veggies. Vegetables have a wide variety of vitamins and minerals present as well as other healthy components such as antioxidants. The FDA recommends four to five servings a day, but if you were to cook up this many vegetables each day it would be difficult to get all the veggies down. So, in an effort to ensure maximum nutrition, you have to think outside the box in terms of preparation. The best way to do this is to either juice or cook soups.

Even if you have never made a wide variety of soups in the past, you probably have at least one or two recipes that you are familiar with. To keep things simple, you can make your own variation of these soups. However, you will need to remove any of the white flour, white rice, milk, cream, meat, butter and salt from these recipes. Yes, they will look and taste different, but you can add flavor by using natural herbs rather than these other ingredients, which are more likely to contain toxins.

When cooking soup, remember to focus on nutrition that will be helpful in losing weight. You;re not trying to please a culinary critic. If you need more flavor, try adding parsley, onion, garlic or cilantro to your soup. You can also create your own soups with different combinations of vegetables and seasonings. You don?t have to limit yourself to one or two recipes.

Soups are easy to make as well. All you need is two cups of cut-up veggies, four cups of water, herbs and spices to taste. These can be cooked overnight in a crock pot and until the vegetables are soft. Once the vegetables are fully cooked, simply puree in a blender or food processor.

There are soups for a variety of tastes; sweet, savory, or spicy. Here are a few popular soup combinations:

Celery, collard greens, onion, green beans, sweet potato, cayenne, cumin, curry, ginger and garlic.
Carrots, cauliflower, onions, spinach, green beans, seasoned with garlic and salt-free vegetable seasoning.
Broccoli, celery, kale, chard, scallions, onions, spinach and seasoned with cayenne pepper, salt-free seasoning and garlic.

· Carrots, cauliflower, green beans, kale, seasoned with salt-free Cajun seasoning, bay leaves, cilantro, parsley and garlic powder.

Supplements can also be very helpful when incorporated in a detox. Visit our products page to find detox products and supplements that will help you cleanse your body naturally.

MV Diet Detox: 21 Day Kit Dr. Roni?s 100% natural healthy detox that allows you to safely lose 21 pounds in 21 days.ncludes a complete 21 day supply consisiting of: 1 Antioxidant Berry Drink; 1 Vegetable Drink Mix (choice of 2 flavors); 3 Green Drink Mix (choice of 3 flavors); 2 Inner Cleanse and PM supplements; and 1 Protein Mix (chocolate or vanilla) for 9 days of post-detox maintenance. $213.95

Herbal Detox Tea Specially-blended with select, all natural herbs to support a healthy liver and digestive system. Helps fortify your system against toxins and pollutants. $19.95 + S&H

Natural Cleanse Tea An all natural blend of herbs that may help promote regularity and support healthy digestive and urinary functions. $14.95 + S&H