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Volume 2, Issue 5

Welcome to Heartland's NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY newsletter. We are excited to share relevant news about natural health topics and offer alternative and complimentary options for you and your family. We are committed to helping you find more complete answers to your health concerns, and look forward to being a friend as you seek greater health through innovative natural products, ideas, and educational resources. For personalized direction, call our helpline at 1-888-772-2345.

TOPICS IN TODAY’S ISSUE:
-Did You Know? Xenohormones can suppress your immune system
-In the News: How to sidestep high blood pressure
-Alkalizing Your Body
-Recipes for Health

Self-love, my liege, is not so vile a sin as self-neglecting.
- William Shakespeare, from Henry V

The relationships we have with the world are largely determined by the relationships we have with ourselves.
- Greg Anderson

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DID YOU KNOW?

Xenohormones can suppress your immune system. What is a “xeno” hormone? First, a hormone is a communicator in the human body, serving to coordinate bodily functions. They act like keys with special access into cells to provide important messages. Second, xeno means foreign. So a “xeno” hormone is a foreign element from outside the human body that carries out a hormone-like communication inside the body. It is “interference” in the body’s sophisticated communication system.

The most notorious interrupters are xenoestrogens. Somehow many synthetic chemicals in today’s environment are able to communicate with cells in a pattern almost exactly like estrogens, as if they had the special access code. Petroleum derivatives, pesticides and air fresheners are examples of xenoestrogens, which are being linked to the “feminization” of wildlife. It is taking longer to notice the negative effects of xenohormones on humans, but the symptoms are widespread – resulting in the epidemic proportions of what Dr. John Lee has coined as “Estrogen Dominance”. This imbalance is known for rapid maturation (early onset puberty) of girls, excess fatty tissue under the breasts of boys and men, and conditions ranging from PMS to prostate inflammation. (See http://www.heartlandnatural.com/progest_infoqa.htm#ShouldUseNP_Anchor for a full list of symptoms.)

Your immune system is not exempt. “There are now quite a number of studies showing that exposure to xenohormones suppresses the immune system, in particular hampering T-lymphocyte function and lowering the proportions and numbers of the natural killer cells. These are two of your immune system’s most important defenses.” – John Lee, MD1

How can you better protect your immune system? Number one: decrease your xenoestrogen exposure. Find natural solutions to replace pesticides and petroleum derivatives (including artificially scented candles and air fresheners). Try Heartland’s super versatile All-Purpose Solution. Number two: Reduce other immune depressors, especially white sugar, smoking and negative emotions. Forty-two teaspoons of white sugar is enough to shut down your immune system for the day! Number three: Eat foods that boost your immune system – including rich sources of vitamins C and E. Number four: Protect your immune system by flushing out excess estrogens and xenoestrogens through a hormone balancing program like Heartland’s Natural Progesterone Cream. You’ll be amazed at how good it can feel to have balanced hormones, and you might wonder why you have waited so long to do something so simple and so safe to help eliminate PMS, hot flashes, low sex drive, fibrocystic breasts and so much more. Call us today for more information: 1-888-772-2345.

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IN THE NEWS

How to sidestep high blood pressure
From the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter, June 2002

People tend to worry most about cancer, but, in fact, cardiovascular disease kills nearly twice as many Americans and Canadians as all cancers combined. Hypertension (high blood pressure) is often a major factor in cardiovascular disease: if untreated, it can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
One out of four adults has hypertension, and it is estimated that two out of five people who have high blood pressure don’t even know it. The famous Framingham Heart Study has produced an even more startling statistic: 90% of people who reach age 55 will eventually develop hypertension. The good news is that many people can dodge this bullet. New research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine in April, confirmed that REGULAR AEROBIC EXERCISE reduces blood pressure in healthy people, as well as in those that have hypertension.

A note from John R. Lee, MD on hypertension and women2

Hypertension undoubtedly has many causes. Estrogen dominance is one of them. Estrogen and progestins adversely affect cell membranes, resulting in sodium and water influx into cells (causing intracellular edema or water retention) and loss of potassium and magnesium. The net result is often hypertension. Dr. Milton G. Crane has extensively studied the effects of estrogen, progestins, and progesterone on cell membranes, plasma renin activity, high blood pressure, and aldosterone excretion rates. He has concluded that estrogen dominance and oral contraceptive agents are a major cause of hypertension in women.

This was borne out in my practice. The water retention caused by estrogen is the culprit. Since the extra water is contained within body cells and is not loose in the extracellular spaces, it is not effectively reduced by diuretics. In women not on contraceptive pills, estrogen dominance is synonymous with progesterone deficiency. When progesterone is resupplied, weight goes down (excess water is excreted) and blood pressure returns to normal. Patients report to me that after starting progesterone their diuretics suddenly started working. If you are on diuretics or other anti-hypertensive drugs and using progesterone, it is wise to monitor your blood pressure and reduce or eliminate your antihypertension drugs gradually as needed to prevent low blood pressure (hypotension).

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ALKALIZING YOUR BODY

How did Hippocrates heal his patients in ancient times? His dietary recommendations were calculated according to present biochemical means and the ratio was revealed to be 80% alkaline-forming and 20% acid-forming. Modern Naturopathic Healing Methods are also based on this principle of 80/20.

ALKALINE HIGHLIGHT: Squash. Rated moderately alkaline-forming at a 5.5. Winter squash is more acid at a 5.0 and butternut and sweeter squash rates more alkaline at a 6.0. Chayote (cha-YOH-tay) Squash is featured in our recipes for health. Also called a mirliton, it is a pear-shaped, tropical squash that is light green in color. Chayote resembles a summer squash and combines the cool flavors of cucumber and zucchini with the crisp texture of an apple. Chayote squash does not need to be peeled and can be eaten raw, baked, roasted, steamed, sautéed, fried – or in soup! Chayote contains vitamin C.

ACID HIGHLIGHT: Eggs. Whole eggs (cooked hard) are moderately acid-forming at a 2.5. Egg whites, on the other hand, are only slightly acid-forming at a 3.5.

Ref: Alkalize or Die, by Dr. T. Baroody

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RECIPES FOR HEALTH

Creamy Mexican Chayote Soup (Sopa de Chayote) from www.soupsong.com
A delicate and interesting prelude to spicy Mexican food – or to the most elegant many-course meal. Serve hot as a first course.

- 2 large chayotes, peeled and sliced
- 2 onions, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- 1 potato, grated
- 3 cups vegetable or chicken stock
- salt and white pepper to taste
Garnish: slices of green onion, cilantro leaves, and fresh squeezes of lemon.

Simmer chayote slices in 2 cups salted water in a medium saucepan until tender, about 20 minutes. Puree chayote solids, then add 1 and 1/2 cups of the cooking water and continue blending until smooth. You can throw out the rest of the cooking water.

Sauté onion and garlic in the butter in a large saucepan until the onion is soft. Grate in the potato and stir for a minute. Pour in chicken stock, bring to a boil, and cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, until thickened. Heartland note: use hormone-free butter and chicken or use substitutes.

Pour the pureed chayote into the stock, stirring, and season to taste. Let simmer, uncovered, for about 5 more minutes. When ready to serve, ladle into bowls, sprinkle a few green onion slices on each, squeeze in some fresh lemon, and top with a sprig of cilantro. Serves 4.

Send us your own favorite recipes for keeping your family healthy naturally! E-mail to recipes@heartlandnatural.com

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REFERENCES:

1. Lee, John R., MD, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer”, p. 292.
2. Lee, John R., MD, “What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about Menopause”, p. 254.
Quote sources thanks to MotivationalQuotes.Com

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NEWSLETTER INFORMATION

NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY is written, copyrighted and produced by Heartland Products, Inc. All trademarks are representative of the company that owns them and in no way endorse Heartland Products, Inc. Additionally, Heartland Products, Inc. provides this material for informational purposes only and is not responsible for the use of the information. For information about reprinting the NATURAL SOLUTIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY newsletter or an article from the newsletter please send an email to info@heartlandnatural.com .