Stuck Between a Rock and the ER
Dealing with kidney stone emergencies requires a different approach than that which resolves the chronic underlying causes

Dr. Syed Haider

We usually advocate for careful, measured medical solutions. We rail against the tendency to try to “hack” biology, because biology can’t be hacked without hacking it to bits.

And yet, sometimes you just have to cut the Gordian knot, because there’s a difference between emergency care and chronic care.

In emergencies you’re willing to do things that you might never do outside of them because in every situation you have to weigh the risks and benefits. When you have time on your side you can take it easy and do things the right way, without little or no risk at all. When you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place like the ER you often have to make concessions because the ER can mean even risker treatments and procedures that are often quite expensive as well.

Kidney stones can be excruciatingly painful to pass, and sometimes they won’t pass at all if they’re too large. No matter how much painkiller you receive it may not do much at all when the spasmodic pains hit. And using the strongest opiate painkillers like morphine can worsen spasms of the ureter so patients are usually started on high dose ibuprofen, perhaps alpha blockers like tamsulosin to reduce spasms, and plenty of fluids to help flush the kidney stone out.

Kidney Stones (Nephrolithiasis) - Symptoms and Causes
If that doesn’t work then some types and sizes of stones can be broken up by a shockwave (lithotripsy) procedure, others require retrieval via a freaky endoscopic procedure call ureteroscopy, and still others may require a full on open surgery. 1 in 1000 to 1 in 2000 ureterscopy procedures will result in severe complications like avulsion of the ureter, requiring extensive surgical repair. Of course any major surgical procedure can involve complications, but for most people the biggest complication will be to their pocketbooks. With insurance you’re looking at $1000s in copays and without insurance 10s of $1000s. Finally and perhaps worst of all is the amount of time it takes to finally get relief from the stone. It could be many hours in the ER just waiting for the procedure to be arranged.

In this and other similar situations it’s always good to have a plan B, or even a plan A that you can institute yourself.

We’ve seen incredible results from two simple approaches to acute kidney stones. The first can be done by nearly anyone at any time and you just need a bunch of lemons and water. The second is more specialized and is the herb Chanca Piedra, which might be good to keep on hand if stones are a recurrent problem.

Lemons are well known to help prevent the two mosts common types of kidney stones - calcium oxalate and uric acid, they’ve been mentioned by the Harvard Health website and many dialed-in urologists will let you know about lemon juice for prevention. Lemon juice has citric acid, which becomes citrate when excreted in the urine. This reduces acidity of the urine which can dissolve uric acid stones. The citrate also binds calcium ions to prevent calcium oxalate formation.

It is not usually considered likely for citrate from lemonade or any other source to be able to shrink a calcium oxalate stone once it forms, but it seems like it should be possible. And we have to understand that even shaving off a tiny bit of an impacted stone can mean the difference between surgery and spontaneously passing it.

Now at the surface of a calcium oxalate stone in the urine there would always be some flux of calcium ions either joining the stone or leaving it. The tendency towards one or the other would be influenced by how many calcium ions are dissolved in the urine. With the addition of citrate which binds and removes calcium ions from the urine, more calcium would be released from the calcium oxalate stone, thereby leading to progressive shrinkage of the stone. Perhaps a biochemist can chime in with a predicted rate of dissolution, but lets see what we can come up with.

The likelihood of a stone passing naturally depends on its size (diameter):

1 mm: 87% chance of passing

2–4 mm: 76% chance of passing

5–7 mm: 60% chance of passing

7–9 mm: 48% chance of passing

Larger than 9 mm: 25% chance of passing

Kidney stones Memes and Images - Imgur
Based on the weight of calcium oxalate and assuming a spherical stone shape, the following are the typical weights of various diameter stones:

Small Stones (1-5 mm):

Volume range: 0.5 mm³ to 65.45 mm³

Weight range: Approximately 1 mg to 137 mg.

Medium Stones (5-10 mm):

Volume range: 65.45 mm³ to 523.6 mm³

Weight range: Approximately 137 mg to 1100 mg.

Large Stones (10-15 mm):

Volume range: 523.6 mm³ to 1767 mm³

Weight range: Approximately 1100 mg to 3710 mg.

So if we can somehow manage to dissolve gram ranges of calcium oxalate we would have a very good chance of partially or completely dissolving any stone stuck in the ureter.

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1. Amount of Citrate in Lemon Juice

Citrate Content: Lemon juice is a rich source of citrate. On average, one lemon (about 48 grams of lemon juice) contains approximately 1.44 grams of citrate.

Daily Intake: If someone were to drink the juice of 16 lemons in day (8 glasses of 500ml with 2 lemons in each), this would provide approximately 23 grams of citrate.

2. Citrate Absorption and Excretion

Absorption and Metabolism: After ingestion, citrate is absorbed in the intestines, and a portion is metabolized in the body, while the remainder is excreted in the urine. The efficiency of absorption and excretion can vary, but it’s generally estimated that about 20-40% of ingested citrate is excreted unchanged in the urine.

Urinary Citrate Increase: If we assume a 30% excretion rate, consuming 5.76 grams of citrate would result in approximately 7 grams of citrate entering the urine.

3. Citrate Binding to Calcium

Calcium Binding: Citrate binds to calcium in the urine, forming soluble calcium-citrate complexes. The effectiveness of this binding depends on the concentration of calcium and citrate in the urine.

Binding Capacity: Each mole of citrate can theoretically bind one mole of calcium (even though citrate is trivalent, often only one binding site is involved in a stable complex in biological conditions). The binding of calcium by citrate is pH-dependent, with better binding at higher urinary pH (above 6.5), and citrate itself tends to raise the pH of urine. If we estimate that 7 grams of citrate could bind to a proportional amount of calcium (assuming typical urinary conditions), it could potentially bind up to around 1500 mg of calcium (since citrate and calcium have different molar weights).

4. Impact on Calcium Oxalate Stones

Impact on Stone Size: This should significantly reduce the stone size because 1500 mg of calcium represents about 5400 mg of calcium oxalate (the oxalate contributes its own weight when combined to calcium in the stone) and 5400mg is more than the weight of even most very large ureteral stones.

Homemade Lemonade
It seems from the above that drinking plenty of lemon juice could have an outsized impact on any stone stuck in the ureter or anywhere else, and even on much larger stones stuck in the kidneys. Perhaps unsurprisingly many people have reported anecdotally that drinking lots of lemon juice when they develop any type of kidney stone has helped dissolve it.

In light of the calculations and reports it’s possible that lemon juice shrinks stones via the above laid out acetate in the urine mechanism (assuming there are no mistaken assumptions, like how fast the stone releases calcium at its surface), or that there is some other active principle in lemon juice that shrinks stones or stimulates relaxation of the ureters to allow them to pass, or that there is a placebo effect, or that people tend to be able to stomach more lemonade than they can plain water, and it’s just the relatively increased urine output that helps the situation.

In any event if I had a stone I would drink as much lemonade as I could to see if I could get rid of it, despite every publicly searchable source swearing it wouldn’t help because I tend to believe other people’s experience over biased researchers and scientists. If I weren’t quite so confident I might drink the lemonade on the way to the ER, and while waiting for a urologist to show up - if it worked, great, if not, no harm, no foul.

Chanca Piedra, Spanish for the “Stone Breaker”

The other kidney stone remedy has more research to back it up than lemon juice does, though you’ll usually have to go out of your way to find it instead of just visiting your local grocery store. Chanca Piedra is an Amazonian herb that is well known in local lore to both help prevent and treat kidney stones. Similar to lemon juice it increases citrate secretion into the urine which will bind calcium. It increases the secretion of magnesium, which also inhibits calcium oxalate formation. It also has known diuretic (increased urine flow), antispasmodic, antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects that may all contribute to fast and pain-free stone passage.

Gallstones

Now, no treatment of acute painful stones that land you in the ER would be complete without touching on gallstones. There’s sure to be a way to treat these, but unfortunately we’re not as certain of a one size fits all remedy for this (let us know what you’ve got). I would caution against removing the gallbladder though, as it’s a crucial organ for proper digestion and for maintaining proper hormonal balance since bile is directly involved in fat digestion, including cholesterol, which is the precursor of all hormones. It’s also required for the digestion and absorption of the important fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K. Of course bile will continue to be produced even without a gallbladder, but its synchronized, well-timed release during the process of digestion will be impaired.

Gallbladder Disease in Children - HealthyChildren.org
Removing the gallbladder can also contribute to estrogen excess, since extra estrogen is partly dumped into the gut via the bile and when not normally depleted may contribute to many common modern diseases such as:

Obesity

Heart Disease

Diabetes

Strokes

Cancer

Thyroid Dysfunction

Endometriosis

Uterine Fibroids

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Osteoporosis

Many people have already had their gallbladders removed, but they do keep producing bile and the situation can still be balanced out by optimizing lifestyle factors and oftentimes a psuedo-gallbladder will even reform due to dilation of the remaining bile ducts, which allows larger boluses of bile to be injected into the gut when called for, similar to what would happen with a normal gallbladder.

Coffee Enemas and Gallstones


Various enemas have been used since ancient times by every ancient medical system. Coffee enemas were first documented in the early 20th century. They were reportedly used by soldiers in WWI for pain control. They were popluarized by Max Gerson in the 1930s as an alternative therapy for liver and gallbladder flushing and support and in the alternative treatment of cancer. The best type for this purpose is organic, green, unroasted, heavy metal and mold free coffee.

This is how coffee enemas may help with gallstones:

Absorption:

Whither Caffeine? The difference between a coffee enema and simply drinking the coffee lies in where the coffee and caffeine ends up. When you drink coffee the caffeine is primarily absorbed by the stomach and small intestine, and enters the systemic circulation traveling throughout the body before going to the liver to be metabolized out of the bloodstream. However with an enema the coffee and caffeine are primarily absorbed into the portal vein which feed straight into the liver. Here the effects of coffee will be concentrated, and coffee will also be metabolised and removed from the blood, rather than traveling on to the rest of the body. Research confirms that blood levels of caffeine are 2.5X lower after a coffee enema, compared to drinking the same quantity of coffee, and this is important because caffeines effect on the brain and rest of the body is not usually conducive to healing from chronic illness.

Stimulation of Bile Flow:

Bile Production & Flow: Caffeinated coffee specifically has been shown to stimulate the production of bile by the liver and promote its flow through the bile ducts by stimulating the contraction of the gallbladder. Enhanced bile flow can theoretically help prevent the formation of gallstones by keeping bile less concentrated and reducing the likelihood of cholesterol crystallization. It should also help break up or flush out stones already present since stagnation of bile is a risk factor for stone formation.

Bile Duct Dilation: It’s possible coffee enemas cause dilation of the bile ducts, which could facilitate the passage of small stones or sludge, though this effect is not well-documented.

Lemon Juice and Gallstones

Not the first thing we think of for gallstones, but since we used it for kidney stones, lets check it out here as well. Traditionally it has been used and is usually taken with olive oil for gallstones.

Bile Production and Flow:

Lemon juice is high in citric acid, which stimulates bile production. Bile is essential for the digestion and emulsification of fats, and an increase in bile flow might help prevent the formation of gallstones and help break them down, particularly cholesterol stones. The antioxidant vitamin C in lemon juice could help support liver function including bile production.

Chanca Piedra and Gallstones

Again since we mentioned it for kidney stones it’s worth looking at here as well.

Hepatoprotective and Choleretic Effects:

Chanca Piedra has been traditionally used for various liver and gallbladder conditions. Some studies have indicated that it has hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties and may increase bile secretion (choleretic effect) which could help dissolve and flush out stones.

Potential Stone Dissolution:

Like its use in kidney stones, Chanca Piedra is believed by some to have poorly characterized litholytic (stone-dissolving) properties. While most of the evidence for this comes from studies on kidney stones, there is some traditional use and anecdotal evidence suggesting it might also be helpful for gallstones.

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Other Herbs for Gallstones

There are many herbal remedies for gallbladder issues, but they’re beyond the scope of this article and should be recommended by a practitioner who analyzes the patient’s specific situation.

Bile Acids for Gallstones

Not considered an acute remedy, but more long term, is the supplementation of bile acids that are found in normal bile, but may be “deficient” in someone with gallstones. Ursodeoxycholic acid is often used. It helps remove cholesterol from the bile and dissolves cholesterol gallstones over time. There is a pharmaceutical version and you can also get animal sourced bile acid supplements. Should only be considered as an adjunct to real deep resolution.

Bonus: Third “Rock”

There’s one acute condition you’re unlikely to get treated in the ER and that’s a severe toothache, because dentists don’t usually visit ERs. This can be as painful as any other pathology and even strong painkillers have a hard time blunting it. The ER is likely to give you an antibiotic and a painkiller and then refer you to a dentist. If you’re lucky they’ll inject a temporary nerve block that will probably wear off in a few hours. All this for a price that may be in the thousands of dollars and can involve a lot of time in excruciating pain waiting to be seen.


The single most effective and fastest treatment for any toothache, including an abscessed tooth is to bite on a fresh clove of garlic with the painful tooth. Pain is typically gone within a couple minutes. Though the garlic juice released can cause some brief burning in your mouth it’s well worth it. Garlic combines a nerve block and antibiotic in one. I have personally witnessed the effects which can last for 12-24 hours. It can be repeated as needed and can completely resolve not only the pain but even the underlying infection itself, reversing swelling, warmth, tenderness and temperature sensitivity within a day or two.

The primary side effect aside from the mucosal burning from the juice is nuclear breath and distorted taste.

Something that is much less smelly than garlic may work as well and that’s black cloves. You can try biting on 1-5 cloves with the affected tooth and often achieve the same effect, but if not you can always graduate to the garlic.


Some people hate the dentist so much they go on to live with cloves in their mouth, allowing them to continue ignoring the underlying problem of dental disease caused by dietary and other lifestyle indiscretions. This is of course a recipe for eventual disaster.

Like all the short term solutions, it’s not meant to be used as a long term bandaid. Anecdotally it is possible to actually heal teeth and avoid dentistry, but it does take dedication and significant lifestyle change. As with any disease process the approach is essentially to remove toxins and chronic pathogens which many people like have growin in the roots of multiple teeth - eg press your gums looking for any tender spots. Along with removing the harm we have to support the teeth with the right lifestyle choices and diet. Then we just have to wait long enough for these changes to take effect.

Acute Care vs Chronic

Some people figure out how to mitigate their acute kidney or gallstone issues, and then they turn that into their chronic care plan. There are many cases of patients who once they figure out that lemon juice will prevent further attacks simply drink lemonade daily and think no more of it.

The problem of course is that this doesn’t address the root cause of the problem.

It’s like having a leak in from the second floor bathroom and just painting over it, or when it gets worse just repairing the area that was leaked and making it waterproof.

Sooner or later the water will just go somewhere else and spring another leak.


The same happens in your body. The first symptom is just an early warning sign. It’s like the canary in the coal mine. When that canary died, the miners hightailed it out of there before they dropped dead too. The toxic gas dropped the little bird at much lower concentrations than it did the big miners, but once the gas started leaking they knew it would just keep building up until it got them too.

The same in your kidney or liver/gallbladder. There is some mixture of causes: toxins/pathogens and nutrient/nourishment deficiencies that is harming your organ. Left unaddressed it will keep harming your organ even if you neutralize its ability to create stones.

You’ve kept yourself comfortable by shutting up your early warning system. It’s like theres an enemy attacking and you were annoyed by the air raid sirens so you just shut them off and ignored the developing situation.

So what do you do instead?

Knowing the cause means knowing the solution.

In traditional medical thought the kidneys were linked to fear and willpower. Kidney disease or dysfunction was associated with deep-seated fears, insecurities, and a lack of resolve and resilience.

The gallbladder was seen as the organ responsible for decision-making, courage, and the capacity to act, so gallbladder issues were often linked to indecisiveness, trouble standing up for oneself, or suppressed anger/feelings.

The body often gives you a sign by compensating for lack of one thing by overdoing another. There is a common psychological thread linking the emotional aspects of both organs related to willpower and decisiveness. In both cases there may be a kind of pathological softness, in other words an inability to be firm. And this excessive softness may eventually be balanced by the hardness manifested in the stones that may form in one or the other organ.

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Two Peas in a Pod

Kidney diseases usually happen in those who have prolonged internal or external conflicts with spouses, partners or other people close to them.

The kidneys are a paired organ, and its been said by the ancients they represent two people gazing at each other intently, or one person looking deeply at their own reflection in a mirror. This symbolism underscores the traditional view of the kidneys' connection to one's partner and oneself. It suggests that one can either view their partner as an extension of themselves or as a separate entity. When individuals begin to see their partner as an outsider rather than a reflection of themselves, it disrupts their unity and causes significant stress, leading to disconnection. Ideally, a husband and wife should function as a single entity, in perfect harmony, like one soul inhabiting two bodies. This reflects the traditional ideal of marriage.

Another layer to this is seeing other people and the rest of the creation as one’s own reflection also. This is a spiritual perspective that engenders radical responsibility for everything that happens in life, including what is done to one by other people.

The idea is that the Divine Will is the only Actor in the Universe and from the perspective of each individual, everything that happens is due to Divine Providence. The purpose of existence is to better know oneself and perfect oneself to better know the Divine and draw closer to that Reality. In order for that to happen the Universe and everything in it must reflect each individuals failings, so everything that happens and everything anyone does to one is meant to illuminate ones own imperfections so they can be worked upon.

From this perspective individuals don’t blame others, but only blame themselves for whatever happens to them. It is an empowering perspective, rather than one of victimhood.

So the kidneys actually represent more than just a person’s relationship with their closest partner or companion, but actually reflect their relationship with themselves. This relationship with onesself is simply most evident in the relationship with those closest to one, but it extends to the entire universe. So even a lack of harmony with nature, particularly the light encoded circadian rhythms, can also have a significant negative impact on kidney health.

It should therefore come as no surprise that in Classical Chinese medical thought, the kidneys are considered the seat of wisdom, because it takes great insight to see one's partner and others and the entire universe all as a reflections of oneself - or in other words a Divine Act meant to illuminate your self to you. Considering the slings and arrows of fortune as “the other” entails a rejection ones own true nature, which is what is being reflected back at one. Deeply accepting oneself means accepting ones own responsibility for everything in life and improving it.

In our experience, patients with kidney issues, invariably, upon a thorough exploration of their lives, reveal some form of conscious or subconscious conflict with others. While these conflicts may not always be immediately visible, they can manifest in various subtle ways. A skilled physician needs to listen attentively to every detail of the patient's description of their condition and life experiences to identify these underlying conflicts. If patients faile to recognize and address these conflicts, and if they don’t accept guidance to resolve them, we can only offer temporary patchwork solutions rather than truly restoring kidney vitality and providing deep healing.

There may be exceptions where kidney damage results from toxic protein shakes, bodybuilding supplements, excessive intake of processed meats, or poor sleep habits (conneccted to circadian rhythms). However, even in these cases, outright kidney damage typically occurs only if the kidneys' underlying vitality has already been undermined by internal relationship conflicts, and those should always be assumed to be present, since who doesn’t have them to some degree or other?

Trickle Down vs Bottom Up

It may seem fantastical to some, but this higher level is where the weakness in organs usually originates. After organs have been weakened chronically by the energetic deficiency that manifests from an underlying psychological issue, the problem will manifest physically as typical nutrient deficiencies and toxin/pathogen build up in that organ.

It is possible to mitigate these problems from higher up, at the level of the psyche, or lower down at the level of the physical body, but for a real deep resolution you often have to work on both, because they are both interconnected and interdependent. They are just manifestations of a single whole.

Unfortunately it’s not possible to describe a generic physical or emotional protocol for every case of kidney or gallbladder disease, but the general approach will be the same because it’s founded in the basic principles of human health and disease: we are one interconnected whole, our body responds to our thoughts and emotions. Chronic harmful thoughts and emotions create chronic bodily dysfunction which manifests as deficiencies and toxicities.

It may appear to some people that their dysfunction was obviously due to a purely physical insult, like a parasite, other microbe, or a vaccine or other injury, or chronic stress or other toxicity. However these same causes affect innumerable other people who don’t end up with kidney or gallbladder issues like stones. Who gets what in response to common toxins in the environment depends on which organs are constitutionally weak. Constitutional weakness can have a genetic element as well, which predisposes someone to certain psychological issues. But this can still be fixed. Genes aren’t your destiny, their just the first draft script you've been given to edit as you see fit.

Graduating to the level of taking radical responsiblity for yourself will allow any disease to be healed. This is the most satisfying path because it’s a journey of spiritual progress which gets at the reason for your entire existence, which is to better know the Divine, by better knowing your own failings and correcting them bit by bit. The more you grow the closer you become and the more subtle your failings become that you continue to uncover. Everything that happens is just a reflection of you, taken by the Divine and cast back at you to get you to wake up and change.

https://blog.mygotodoc.com/p/stuck-between-a-rock-and-the-er

Garlic Can Kill As Many As 14 Infections.

The National Library of Medicine contains 4525 study abstracts on garlic which show that it successful treats more that 150 chronic disease.

It effectively protects against pathogenic bacteria, viruses, parasites, antibiotic-resistant MRSA and yeast infections. When ingested, allicin turns into sulfenic acid, which is the fastest acting free radical eliminator.

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Would you try this?

Try this drink to get rid of parasites! It's only a few ingredients, so you should definitely try it to get rid of parasites!

Ingredients used:
Pumpkin seeds
Garlic
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Commentary: Crickets on chicken rice? Eating insects can go from novel to normal in Singapore
SINGAPORE: The first time I chomped on a crispy cricket, it was in Thailand, at a night market in Krabi with American friends. This was 2007 and pre-social media, so I wasn’t doing it for the ‘Gram – I did it to say: “Welcome to Southeast Asia, where we eat everything.”

Perhaps not everything, or at least not yet. Earlier in July, Singapore approved 16 species of insects as food, from house crickets and silkworms to honey bees and the Giant Rhino beetle grub. That scorpion-tarantula-grasshopper skewer I had in Cambodia might have to wait.

My second time was in a Siem Reap restaurant that specialised in bugs. My mum and I sampled the most conspicuously arthropodite dishes on the menu, dreamed up by an ex-Sofitel hotel chef and a French restaurateur. These went onto Facebook with captions like: “SpiderTempura: With great flavour comes great responsibility to eat” and the shocked reactions flowed in.

The next few times, it was usually for a lark while strolling street markets across the region, to show off how unfazed I was by ingesting insects.

DRIED SEA WORMS IN LAKSA?

But I’d like to report that these critters are actually great at conveying flavour.

Flash fried like most street snacks are, their delicate exoskeletons, legs and wings become crispy convoys of seasonings and spices.

The idea of eating insects isn’t completely new to the Singapore food scene. As local foodie folklore goes, hawkers used to enrich laksa gravy with dried sea worms for a powerful punch of umami.

In 2016, the vaunted Native Bar set tongues lapping with its ANTZ elixir: Weaver ants distilled into a concoction of lemongrass gin, coconut yogurt, calamansi and basil, then topped with freeze-dried ants. The drink has since thrilled local and international cocktail connoisseurs, drawing them to the bar for a curious tipple.

NOT SO CREEPY-CRAWLY ON OUR MENUS

Try them once as a fad, they’re this season’s new avocado toast or fried chicken and waffles. Come back because there’ll be more gastronomic creations to delight in as chefs experiment with a new food.

Restaurants are already planning menus to make it deliciously easy to take that first bite.

The House of Seafood restaurant already has about 30 offerings in the works, such as salted egg crab adorned with superworms and cricket-topped sushi. Owner Francis Ng also told local media that he receives five to six calls daily asking about these dishes and expects a 30 per cent revenue increase once they’re on the menu. Insectyumz will launch cricket and mealworm snacks in original and tom yum flavours, and a cricket protein powder.

In our arcadia of haute cuisine and cutting-edge dining institutions, acclaimed and daring chefs can get their Noma on by experimenting with a whole slew of new forms and textures. The (in)famously innovative Copenhagen restaurant was an early pioneer in featuring insects as ultra-modern European gastronomy, introducing fermented cricket paste and crème fraiche with dried ants in 2012.

Some of us may not mind eating insects – say, to nourish both body and eco-conscience – but cannot get over the imagery of creepy crawlies. Some palates clam up, involuntarily clumping these 16 approved insects with undesirable cohorts like cockroaches.

Instead of whole spindly crickets or squishy-looking grub, intrepid chefs are also using them in flour and powder form.

In Europe, the edible insect renaissance has surged consumption of bug-based cereal bars, granola and flour – even creeping into sacred Italian culinary traditions to produce pasta with cricket powder. Just think of how oysters – a decadent status symbol today – used to be scoffed at as ugly, slimy polluted food of the poor in 19th century Britain and America.

Stop thinking reality TV Fear Factor tarantula chomping challenges, lean into the Parts Unknown spirit of the late iconic chef and globe-trotting food lover Anthony Bourdain.

AS LONG AS FOOD IS DELICIOUS AND WALLET-FRIENDLY

Ultimately, people in Singapore will eat most things so long as they’re delicious and wallet-friendly.

Edible insects flit seamlessly into the hearty company of chicken and duck feet, pig’s trotters, fish heads and offal that an outsider might find as gut-churning as insects.

The growing conscious eating movement will also raise the high-protein profile of this antioxidant-packed, more sustainable meat alternative that emits lower greenhouse gases when farmed.

The wellness community will enjoy exploring more gluten-free, low-carb and keto options. According to Brooklyn Bugs founder and chef Joseph Yoon, the cacao taste of mealworms elevates brownies and the nuttiness of cricket powder makes perfect cheesecake sense, so sceptical eaters can let their guards down when insects are disguised into better tasting desserts.

Related:


In the style of food fad frenzies that constantly grip our collective appetites, adventurous eaters and gourmand influencers will tuck in with gusto, and social media chronicles will set off waves of curious epicurean explorations. Perhaps the comforting auras of mala and truffle oil can ease the experience for the slightly-but-not-too-adventurous.

Insect-infused dishes can easily go from novelty to normal. Underground no more, they’ll soar into our food tourism vernacular, whether uplifting hawker favorites or headlining fine dining. Then they’ll settle down, just like Basque burnt cheesecakes and salted egg yolk anything have, and linger on the periphery of menus.

Cricket rice will never knock chicken rice off its throne, but crunchily laced with garlic, a sprinkle of insects would be an aromatic topping to complement that fragrant rice, and give that off-white splay a splash of colour for a picture-perfect platter. Tasty to the palate and tasteful on social media – now, that’s the recipe for a buzzy food fad.

Desiree Koh is a freelance writer based in Singapore.

Source: CNA/yh(ch)


https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/insects-food-singapore-alternative-meat-laksa-cricket-powder-4490986

The Parkinson’s Disease Protocol is an alternative approach to managing Parkinson’s disease, emphasizing natural remedies, dietary changes, and lifestyle modifications. While traditional treatment primarily relies on medication and sometimes surgical interventions to manage symptoms, this protocol advocates a more holistic approach. Here’s a summary of its main components:

1. Diet and Nutrition:
Anti-inflammatory Foods: Emphasizes consuming foods that reduce inflammation, such as leafy greens, berries, and fatty fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids.
Antioxidants: Encourages eating foods high in antioxidants, like fruits (especially berries), vegetables, nuts, and seeds, to combat oxidative stress.
Whole Foods: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods, avoiding refined sugars and processed foods.
Hydration: Importance of staying well-hydrated.
2. Detoxification:
Reduce Toxins: Suggests minimizing exposure to environmental toxins (pesticides, pollutants) and avoiding processed foods with artificial additives.
Detox Foods: Incorporating foods known for their detoxifying properties, such as cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower), garlic, and green tea.
3. Supplements and Natural Remedies:
Vitamins and Minerals: Recommends supplements like Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and CoQ10, which may support neurological health.
Herbal Supplements: Use of herbs like turmeric (curcumin), ginkgo biloba, and others purported to have neuroprotective benefits.
Essential Oils: Aromatherapy with essential oils like frankincense and lavender for their calming effects.
4. Exercise and Physical Therapy:
Regular Exercise: Encourages engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, to improve mobility and reduce symptoms.
Physical Therapy: Working with a physical therapist to develop a tailored exercise program that focuses on balance, strength, and flexibility.

Scientific Evidence
While there is some evidence supporting the benefits of lifestyle and dietary changes in managing Parkinson's disease symptoms, more research is needed to fully validate the efficacy of the Parkinson’s Disease Protocol. It is always advisable to consider both traditional and alternative methods under the guidance of a healthcare professional.

Diet and Exercise: There is supportive evidence suggesting that a healthy diet and regular exercise can improve symptoms and quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Supplements and Herbs: Research is ongoing, and while some studies show potential benefits, more comprehensive clinical trials are needed.

This holistic approach aims to support overall health and improve the quality of life for individuals with Parkinson’s disease through natural and lifestyle interventions. It’s essential to tailor these recommendations to individual needs and to work closely with healthcare professionals when implementing these changes.

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Embrace anti-parasitic foods into your diet!

These foods, while not magical shields against parasites, are like your culinary allies armed with potential benefits.

Think of garlic, those humble papaya seeds, and the mighty pumpkin seeds as your flavorful companions in the battle for well-being!

By inviting these foods to your table, you’re essentially inviting their natural antimicrobial properties too, potentially giving your immune system a friendly boost and creating an environment that’s less cozy for parasites.

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My pizza oozes with flavor and spices … Garlic. Onion. Oregano. Tomatoes. Arugula. And Pepperoni. So delicious!

Seriously… These are some of the most delicious cookies, pizza, cake, and ice cream you can eat -- not the dry, tasteless, supposed “health” foods they’re selling at the store.
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Everything to know about the Health Benefits of Beets
Some benefits of eating beets may include lower blood pressure and better athletic performance, among others. Eating beets raw or juicing and roasting them may be more beneficial than boiling them.

Beetroots, commonly known as beets, are a vibrant and versatile type of vegetable. They’re known for their earthy flavor and aroma. Many people call them a superfood because of their rich nutritional profile.

In addition to bringing a pop of color to your plate, beets are highly nutritious and packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and plant compounds, many of which have medicinal properties.

What’s more, they’re delicious and easy to add to your diet in dishes like balsamic roasted beets, hummus, fries, and salads, among many others.

Here are 9 evidence-based benefits of beets, plus some tasty ways to increase your intake.

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Beets boast an impressive nutritional profile.

They’re low in calories yet high in valuable vitamins and minerals. In fact, they contain a bit of almost all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs (1Trusted Source).

Here’s an overview of the nutrients found in a 3.5-ounce (100-gram) serving of boiled beetroot (1Trusted Source):

Calories: 44
Protein: 1.7 grams
Fat: 0.2 grams
Carbs: 10 grams
Fiber: 2 grams
Folate: 20% of the Daily Value (DV)
Manganese: 14% of the DV
Copper: 8% of the DV
Potassium: 7% of the DV
Magnesium: 6% of the DV
Vitamin C: 4% of the DV
Vitamin B6: 4% of the DV
Iron: 4% of the DV
Beets are particularly rich in folate, a vitamin that plays a key role in growth, development, and heart health (2Trusted Source).

They also contain a good amount of manganese, which is involved in bone formation, nutrient metabolism, brain function, and more (3Trusted Source).

Plus, they’re high in copper, an important mineral required for energy production and the synthesis of certain neurotransmitters (4Trusted Source).

Summary
Beets are loaded with vitamins and minerals yet low in calories and fat. They’re also a good source of several key nutrients, including folate, manganese, and copper.

Beets have been well studied for their ability to decrease elevated blood pressure levels, which are a major risk factor for heart disease (5Trusted Source).

In fact, some studies show that beetroot juice could significantly lower levels of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source).

The effect appears to be greater for systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart contracts, rather than diastolic blood pressure, which is the pressure when your heart is relaxed. Also, raw beets may exert a stronger effect than cooked ones (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).

These blood-pressure-lowering effects are likely due to the high concentration of nitrates in this root vegetable. In your body, dietary nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, a molecule that dilates blood vessels and causes blood pressure levels to drop (9Trusted Source).

Beets are also a great source of folate. Although research has turned up mixed results, several studies suggest that increasing your intake of folate could significantly lower blood pressure levels (10Trusted Source).

However, keep in mind that beets’ effect on blood pressure is only temporary. As such, you need to consume them regularly to experience heart-health benefits over the long term (11Trusted Source).

Summary
Beets contain a high concentration of nitrates, which can help lower your blood pressure levels. This may lead to a reduced risk of heart disease and stroke.

Several studies suggest that dietary nitrates like those found in beets may enhance athletic performance.

Nitrates appear to affect physical performance by improving the efficiency of mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in your cells (12Trusted Source).

According to one review, beetroot juice could enhance endurance by increasing how long it takes to become exhausted, boosting cardiorespiratory performance, and improving efficiency for athletes (13Trusted Source).

Promisingly, beet juice has also been shown to improve cycling performance and increase oxygen use by up to 20% (14Trusted Source, 15Trusted Source).

It’s important to note that blood nitrate levels peak within 2–3 hours of consuming beets or their juice. Therefore, it’s best to consume them a couple of hours before training or competing to maximize their potential benefits (16Trusted Source).

Summary
Eating beets may enhance athletic performance by improving oxygen use and endurance. To maximize their effects, consume them 2–3 hours prior to training or competing.

Beets contain pigments called betalains, which possess a number of anti-inflammatory properties (8Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 18Trusted Source).

This could benefit several aspects of health, as chronic inflammation has been associated with conditions like obesity, heart disease, liver disease, and cancer (19Trusted Source).

One study in 24 people with high blood pressure found that consuming 8.5 ounces (250 mL) of beet juice for 2 weeks significantly reduced several markers of inflammation, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) (8Trusted Source).

Plus, an older 2014 study in people with osteoarthritis — a condition that causes inflammation in the joints — showed that betalain capsules made with beetroot extract reduced pain and discomfort (20).

Beetroot juice and extract have also been shown to reduce kidney inflammation in rats injected with toxic, injury-causing chemicals (17Trusted Source).

Still, more studies in humans are needed to determine whether enjoying beets in normal amounts as part of a healthy diet may provide the same anti-inflammatory benefits.

Summary
Beets may have a number of anti-inflammatory effects, although further research in humans is needed.

One cup of beetroot contains 3.4 grams of fiber, making beets a good fiber source (1Trusted Source).

Fiber bypasses digestion and travels to the colon, where it feeds friendly gut bacteria and adds bulk to stools (21Trusted Source).

This can promote digestive health, keep you regular, and prevent digestive conditions like constipation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBS), and diverticulitis (22Trusted Source, 23Trusted Source).

Moreover, fiber has been linked to a reduced risk of chronic diseases, including colon cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source, 25Trusted Source).

Summary
Beets are a good source of fiber, which benefits your digestive health and reduces the risk of several chronic health conditions.

»MORE:Living with diabetes? Explore our top resources.
Mental and cognitive functions naturally decline with age, which can increase the risk of neurodegenerative disorders like dementia.

The nitrates in beets may improve brain function by promoting the dilation of blood vessels and thus increasing blood flow to the brain (26Trusted Source).

Particularly, beets have been shown to improve blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain, an area associated with higher level thinking like decision making and working memory (27Trusted Source).

Furthermore, an older study in people with type 2 diabetes found that reaction time during a cognitive function test was 4% faster in those who consumed 8.5 ounces (250 mL) of beetroot juice daily for 2 weeks, compared with a control group (28Trusted Source).

However, more research is needed to determine whether beets could be used to improve brain function and reduce the risk of dementia among the general population.

Summary
Beets contain nitrates, which may increase blood flow to the brain and improve cognitive function. However, more research in this area is needed.

Beetroot contains several compounds with cancer-fighting properties, including betaine, ferulic acid, rutin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid (29Trusted Source).

Although more research is needed, test-tube studies have shown that beetroot extract can slow the division and growth of cancer cells (30Trusted SourceTrusted Source, 31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).

Several other studies have found that having higher blood levels of betaine may be associated with a lower risk of developing cancer (33Trusted Source, 34Trusted Source).

However, it’s important to note that most studies on the topic have used isolated compounds rather than beetroot. Therefore, further research on beetroot consumption as part of a well-rounded diet and cancer risk is needed.

Summary
Some studies show that certain compounds found in beets could have cancer-fighting properties. Still, further research is needed to better understand this potential connection.

Beets have several nutritional properties that could make them a great addition to a balanced diet.

First, they’re low in fat and calories but high in water, which can help balance your energy intake. Increasing your intake of low calorie foods like this root vegetable has also been associated with weight loss (35Trusted Source).

Furthermore, despite their low calorie content, they contain moderate amounts of protein and fiber. Both of these nutrients can make it easier to achieve and maintain a moderate weight (36Trusted Source, 37Trusted Source).

The fiber in beets may also support digestive health, decrease appetite, and promote feelings of fullness, thereby reducing your overall calorie intake (38Trusted Source).

Additionally, by including them in smoothies or other recipes, you can easily increase your intake of fruits and vegetables to improve the quality of your diet (39Trusted Source).

Summary
Beets have are high in water, moderate in fiber and protein, and low in calories. All of these properties can balance your energy intake and improve your diet quality.

Beets are not only nutritious but also incredibly delicious and easy to incorporate into your diet.

You can juice, roast, steam, or pickle them. For a convenient option, you can purchase them precooked and canned. You can even enjoy them raw, either sliced thinly or grated.

Choose beets that feel heavy for their size with fresh, unwilted green leafy tops still attached, if possible.

Because dietary nitrates are water-soluble, it’s best to avoid boiling beets if you’d like to maximize their nitrate content.

Are beets good for people with diabetes?

Here are some delicious and interesting ways to add more beets to your diet:

Salad. Grated beets make a flavorful and colorful addition to coleslaw or other salads. Try this recipe for Amazing Dressed Beets or a Beetroot, Orange, and Carrot Salad.
Dip. Beets blended with Greek yogurt and fresh garlic make a delicious, healthy, and colorful dip. Have a go at this Beetroot and Honey Lemon Houmous.
Juice. Fresh beetroot juice is typically better than store-bought versions, which can be high in added sugar and contain only a small amount of beets. Try this beetroot juice recipe, which uses carrot, apple, ginger, celery, and lemon for flavor
Soup: Borscht is a popular soup in Eastern Europe and Northeast Asia. Try this classic recipe or this beetroot and tomato variation.
Leaves. You can cook and enjoy fresh beet leaves similarly to how you’d use spinach. Get some ideas for cooking beet greens here.
Roasted. Wedge beetroots and toss them with a little olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs or spices of your choice. Then, roast them in a 400°F (205°C) oven for 15–20 minutes until they’re tender. Or try these Balsamic Roasted Beets.
Summary
Beetroot is a delicious and versatile vegetable that’s easy to add to your diet. If possible, choose beets that feel heavy for their size with green tops still attached.

Can you eat beets everyday?

It’s always best to follow a varied diet.

Eating a small amount of beetroot every day is unlikely to do any harm, but a high intake could lead to low blood pressure, red or black urine and feces, and digestive problems for anyone with a sensitivity to the nutrients. A high daily beet consumption may also mean you are not getting nutrients from other foods, however, so try to vary your diet.

Always speak with a doctor before making significant dietary changes.

Are beets a superfood?

Some people call beets a superfood because they are rich in essential nutrients.

Are beets anti-inflammatory?

Beets contain betalains, a natural coloring agent with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Some research suggests belatains may help reduce both symptoms and biological markers in the body related to inflammation (8Trusted Source, 17Trusted Source, 20).

Can beets boost your sexual health?

Beets contain nitrates and there is some evidence they may improve the body’s nitric oxide production (40Trusted Source).

The body needs nitric oxide to open the blood vessels that are necessary for getting and maintaining an erection. This may make them suitable for people with erectile dysfunction, although there is no scientific evidence to confirm this.

Can beets help with sexual function?

Beets are highly nutritious and loaded with health-promoting properties.

They can support the health of your brain, heart, and digestive system, are a great addition to a balanced diet, boost athletic performance, help alleviate inflammation, and possibly slow the growth of cancer cells.

Best of all, beets are delicious and easy to include in your diet. For example, they’re a great addition to salads, side dishes, smoothies, dips, and juices.

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-beets#nutrients-and-calories

Research shows that garlic offers a wealth of #health benefits, including antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a wise addition to your regular #diet. #nutrition

Watch video click this link

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CHICKEN SHASHLIK
INGREDIENTS OF CHICKEN SHASHLIK
4 Servings-+
500 gm chicken boneless
1 medium onion
2 medium tomato
1 medium capsicum (green pepper)
2 tablespoon yoghurt (curd)
6 cloves garlic
2 inch ginger
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon coriander powder
5 teaspoon pureed tomato
2 teaspoon powdered red chilli
4 tablespoon butter
HOW TO MAKE CHICKEN SHASHLIK
Step 1 / 2 Marinate The Chicken
Chop the onion, tomato and capsicum and keep aside. Make a paste of ginger and garlic. Take a bowl, mix together the yogurt, garlic, ginger, black pepper, coriander, chilli powder, salt and tomato puree. Add the boneless chicken pieces and mix well, coating all the pieces in the marinade properly. Add the vegetables. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
Step 2 / 2 Grill The Chicken Skewers
Thread the chicken onto the skewers, alternating it with chunks of onion, tomato and capsicum. Brush with butter, then grill until chicken is cooked through and is golden brown. You can also pan grill the chicken. In this case, just ensure that you keep the flame low and keep turning the chicken pieces. You may have to alternately cover and uncover the pan and keep adding butter. Then, place the chicken skewers on a heated iron plate for sizzling effect and splash a few drops of water and oil on it. Serve immediately with mint chutney. You can also serve it on a bed of rice or noodles and it would become a complete meal. 🤤

Garlic is one of the world’s oldest crops. Historical evidence suggests that it has been used medicinally and as a food source for over 7,000 years. #diet #health #nutrition

8 International Latke Toppings ????
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Join me on a world tour of creative latke toppings based on diverse international cuisines!????Link in bio for full recipes
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Latke toppings:
???????? Tehina/Silan Latkes
· Silan
· Tehina
· White and black sesame seeds
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???????? Everything Bagel Latkes
· Cream cheese
· Lox
· Everything but the bagel seasoning from @traderjoes (black and white sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic and onion flakes, and flaked sea salt)
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