Natural Remedies - Ask Michale Hartte

FIRE CIDER IMMUNE TONIC

With fall in full swing, it’s time to think about boosting our immune system.

Starting now can really help when cold and flu season hits. What better way than to have an immune tonic on hand (your very own natural medicine in a bottle)!

Sore throat, achy body, and fatigue is anything but fun.

Thinking back, I wished I started making Fire Cider Immune Tonic 4 weeks back because although making it takes little time, you’ve got to wait 4 weeks to use it.

Making your own Natural Medicine not only can be both rewarding but work fast to fix many common ailments. Fire Cider Immune Tonic, in particular, is really effective as both a preventative to colds and flus but also can help stop them in its tracks when used correctly.

Let’s get started – shall we?

How to Take Fire Cider Immune Tonic

Most folks take 1-2 Tbsp once a day as prevention and if cold and flu symptoms appear, increase does to every 3-4 hrs.

How to Make Fire Cider Immune Tonic

I would suggest doubling or tripling the recipe to have it ready all fall and winter long. You can offer it to your kids too. Think of it like taking a ‘health shot’ every day or to stop any signs of acute illness.

Need help pulling together the exact eating and wellness plan for you? Contact me at askmichale@gmail.com to book your FREE DISCOVERY CALL.

Keeping Fit n Healthy Simple.

Get Clean. Look Lean. Feel Healthy.

Kale Soup with Veggies (perfect for the cold and flu season)

by Michale Leave a Comment

Warm-up with a hearty, healthy Kale Soup this winter.

Jam-packed with veggies, this Kale Soup with Veggies is not only quick to make its also

highly nutritious to keep immune system optimal
contains specific herbs to fight off colds and flu
supports liver health for help removing toxic compounds that drive inflammation

Just add your favorite protein source and it’s a complete meal in a bowl.

It’s all here in my newest recipe, Kale Soup with Veggies

Do me a favor? Please send me your feedback?

I would love to know how you enjoyed it?

Was it easy to make?

Did your family love it too (even the picky eaters)?

For more recipes like this, download my FREE slim and filling recipe book

Got a specific health issue you need help fixing? Book your FREE 15 min trouble shooting session here. Go to Michale’s Calendar

Want your own Personalized Nutrition Plan to FINALLY get healthy, reach your ideal weight, look and feel like yourself again? Go here – contact me for your plan now! Offering Skype, Facetime, Phone, or in-person appointments.

Just one appointment will give you exactly what you need to get your body and health back!

20 years experience helping individuals get their health (and body) back!

3 Natural Ways to Avoid the Cold and Flu

by hartteuser Leave a Comment

The cold and flu season is upon us.

You and I both know there is nothing worse than getting a cold or coming down with the flu.

A cold makes us tired, moody, achy, with an overall feeling of – yuk!

Did you know the average adult has 2 to 3 colds per year?

Children have, on average 5-8 colds per year.

The common cold lasts 7 to 10 days. With 3 colds a year each lasting 10 days, that is an entire month of feeling horrible! Children even longer with working parents then needing to stay home and take care of them.

However, I know you are reading this quick blog because you’re proactive with your health.

It makes perfect sense then, to avoid the cold and flu, doesn’t it?

Let’s start this fall season by focusing on our immune system.

For your Personalized Nutrition Plan click here Get One on One Help

Here are 3 Simple Ways to Avoid the Cold and Flu and stay healthy all season long,

#1 Wash your hands – do it THIS way and at the RIGHT time

This strategy sounds so basic but it really does works to reduce both the risk of catching and spreading the virus. Since research shows that the cold virus can last up to 30 minutes on unwashed hands, this simple lifestyle habit can really help you stay well over the cold months ahead.

Do it THIS way – 3 Steps

Here is the most effective way to wash your hands and avoid the cold and flu.

Step 1 – Use warm soapy water and wash your hands to a count of 15.

Step 2 – Make sure you wash under the fingernails, between your fingers, and back of hands.

Step 3 – Rince hands well and dry completely.

At the RIGHT time

Before and after you make and serve food.
After you use the bathroom.
After you blow your nose or cough into your hands.

Let’s all remind our children of the importance of washing hands as well as they tend to forget:)

#2 Remember to get outside

Colds are more frequent during the months when people live inside.

Yes, I understand, it’s a cold temperature out there. However, I encourage you all to get used to it and get outside regardless. When dressed appropriately, you know you always feel better being outside, right?

Moreover, getting regular outside exposure helps your immune system to avoid the cold and flu in 3 major ways:

Mounts an immune response by interacting with vitamin D receptors on T cells (lymphocytes). This translates into higher vitamin D levels.
Regulates genes that make us cathelicidin, an anti-microbial protein that protects against virus invasion. Outside exposure has been described by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, Ph.D. as a way to ‘clean your blood’.
Helps lower inflammation by triggering a healthy T regulatory response regulated by your circadian rhythm.

Amplify a healthy immune response by eating more green leafy vegetables full of chlorophyll and drink enough water. The interaction between chlorophyll, sunlight, and water really helps optimize the entire body to be more robust, vibrant, and healthy.

#3 Take a proper probiotic (that’s proven to work)

Emerging evidence supports the use of a properly formulated probiotic to reduce both the occurrence and duration of colds and flu.

A recent meta-analysis with 20 trials concluded that ‘probiotics reduced the duration of infection by an average of 30%’

(King et al 2014)

HMF Intensive Probiotic Facts and how to order

The ProChild Study showed conclusively that probiotics in combination with vitamin C significantly reduced the incidence and duration of both coughs and colds and absenteeism from school.

The probiotics used in this study were the HMF probiotics under the brand, Genestra (which is all I use in my clinical practice, for myself and family members with confidence).

See the studies below (Lab 4 is under the brand Genestra).

Fig 1: Total number of days with cough and cold symptoms

Fig 2: Reduction in incidence of symptoms of coughs and colds

Significant reduction in the use of cough and cold medicine in the group taking the Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C (Fig 3, *P<0.05).
24.1% of children in the placebo group received oral antibiotics compared to only 14.3% of children taking the Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C (Fig 4).

Fig 3: Total number of days of medication usage

Fig 4: Number of children with at least one day of oral antibiotic use

30% significant reduction in the incidence of absenteeism from school in children taking the Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C (P=0.007). The number of days with absence due to coughs and colds alone were virtually halved in children taking the Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C (Fig 5, 14.2 days in placebo vs 7.5 days in the Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C group).
The number of visits to the GP for any reason was reduced by 43% with the use of Lab4 probiotics and Vitamin C (Fig 6).

Fig 5: Total number of days absent from preschool facilities

Fig 6: Total number of physician visits

The full study can be found here The ProChild Study

For help choosing the right probiotic for you or your family, just ask Michale by clicking here

Contact Michale

HMF Intensive Probiotic Facts and how to order

HMF Child Probiotic Facts and how to order

For a full comparison chart of all the HMF Probiotics go here

HMF Probiotic Comparison Chart

Final Thoughts

Your body has an amazing ability to fight off infections, and avoid the cold and flu, but often times we get in it’s way. Poor food choices, indoor living, lack of movements all contribute to poor health.

Let’s all make it a focus this season to wash our hands, get outside and take our probiotics!

For help getting started or to have your own Personalized Nutrition Plan, I offer one on one Private Consults.

Just go here for more info and to get yours now!

For your Personalized Nutrition Plan click here Get One on One Help

What are you waiting for? It’s time for you to get the health you deserve!

20 Years experience getting people’s health back.

Keeping Fit n Healthy Simple!

Please share this with others struggling to get their health back!

How To Prevent Cold Or Flu And What To Do If You Get It

by hartteuser Leave a Comment

Getting Sick Simply Sucks!

I can say this because that is exactly how I felt… shitty. Now that I am at the end of it, I wanted to share some information that could save you from suffering. Prevent cold or flu here.

So here it is – some useful information about how to prevent the cold or flu and what to do if you get it.

What Is A Cold?

A cold is an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus.

Common Cold Symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing, coughing, congestion, fatigue and sometimes, with accompanying body aches. Basically – you feel miserable.

You don’t want to be around people and vice versa.

What Is The Flu?

The flu is also an upper respiratory infection caused by a virus.

Flu Symptoms include fever, muscle aches, headache, fatigue, chills, sore throat, cough, runny or stuffy nose. Sometimes there is also mental confusion, ear infections or plugged ear, nausea, and vomiting.

Basically, it comes out both ends if you know what I mean!

Flu can transition into pneumonia, which is why we want to treat it right away so it doesn’t progress.

How Can I Prevent Cold Or Flu?

Prevent infection by making your body inhospitable to microbes.

The whole premise of this statement is to change the environment that supports the growth of these viruses.

As Pasteur said so infamously on his deathbed, ‘The microbe is nothing; the environment is everything.“

Your body is the environment I am referring to.

Let’s first look at factors that increase your susceptibility to infection:

Your Diet

‘You don’t GET a cold – you EAT it’!

DIET: Avoid a diet high in refined grain and sugar.

Why? Refined, heavily processed carbohydrates feed microbes and encourage them to flourish. Sugar feeds cancer and lowers your resistance to fight infection.

DIET: Check for food allergy or sensitivities.

Why? Eating foods that you are allergic or sensitive to create whole body inflammation. A key driver to all disease and illness.

Metabolic Imbalances

METABOLIC IMBALANCE: Check for Low stomach acid (hypochlorhydria).

Why? Many infections enter through our mouth. Even the ones we inhale get trapped in our mucous, which is then coughed up and swallowed. These microbes need to find their way into an ‘acid’ stomach bath – which kills them.

METABOLIC IMBALANCE: Check for Low thyroid function (hypothyroidism).

Why? When you have a low thyroid, everything in the body slows down. This includes your ability to fight infections too.

Low Micronutrient Status

LOW MICRONUTRIENT STATUS: Poor immune function

Why? Your body needs to have enough zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and selenium for a proper immune response. Being low in any one of these micronutrients sets the stage for low immune function.

LOW MICRONUTRIENT STATUS: Low vitamin D.

Why? We see more infections in the winter months than the summer partly due to lack of being outside and getting natural sunlight.

Toxicity

TOXICITY: Check for Chemical exposure.

Why? Our body uses enzymes to function. Chemicals block enzymes and inhibit function. This is ‘bad news bears’ when it comes to being optimal. Chemicals also increase inflammation, a key driver to disease.

Avoiding And Treating Infections – Take The 3 Pronged Approach

Prevent cold or flu by doing this.

#1: Make the body’s environment as inhospitable as possible for pathogenic viruses.

Eat a diet that mimics your ancestors: Meat, fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and berries. Enjoy on occasion fruit; whole grains, and dairy. All foods free from toxic chemicals (eaten ideally organic or spray free); and properly raised or grown.

At the very least, think about what your grandma ate and just eat that way.

Grains, nuts, and seeds should be soaked or sprouted to avoid gut irritants (known immune suppressants). My book, The Fit n Healthy Plan, The healthy diet & lifestyle plan made easy

The Fit n Healthy Plan literally walks you through step by step what an ancestral diet is and how to incorporate it into your busy life. Includes easy instructions on how to soak your grains, nuts, and seeds too.

BONUS: This plan works by balancing your body’s metabolic systems while naturally removing the unwanted toxins that contribute to modern day diseases.

Check for low stomach acid. Test yourself by clicking this link: Low Stomach Acid Questionnaire.

Check for low thyroid. Test yourself by clicking this link: Low Thyroid Test Questionnaire.

Get your micronutrient test done. Sample Micronutrient Test. Go to this link to find out how: Micronutrient Test.

Do a detox. How toxic are you? Test yourself by going here: ADP Detox Questionnaire

Stay warm. Pathogens thrive in cold environments. Heat destroys them.

Stay hydrated and drink clean water. A good rule of thumb: Consume 1 litre of filtered water for every 50 lbs of body weight. Drink away from meals.

Practice good dental hygiene. I personally think not enough attention is given to good dental practices. Dental decay is a marker symptom of other diseases and metabolic imbalances including unhealthy digestive function. Brush teeth twice daily, Remembering to floss also. Oil pulling is a strategy that I’ve been doing every morning to keep my mouth clear of pathogens.

Oil pulling, also known as “kavala” or “gundusha,” is an ancient Ayurvedic dental technique that involves swishing a tablespoon of oil in your mouth on an empty stomach for 4 – 20 minutes. This action draws out toxins in your body, primarily to improve oral health but also to improve your overall health. I use coconut oil and oil pull first thing in the morning while I make my organic cup of coffee.

After I perform my morning oil pull, I scrape my tongue.

Tongue scraping also known as Jihwa Prakshalana, is the Ayurvedic self-care ritual done as an oral hygiene practice that removes bacteria, food debris, fungi, toxins, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue.

The tongue is part of the first line of defense in your immune system. Scraping your tongue prevents toxins from being reabsorbed into your body and boosts overall immune function.

Take probiotics regularly. These are of proven benefit to keep your immune system healthy. Helps to prevent cold or flu. Look for probiotic made from human strains (not animal). Check out the HMF (human microflora) probiotics by Genestra.

#2: Treat infections aggressively.

Take vitamin C to bowel tolerance Take enough that is sufficient enough to cause loose stools. This kills infectious microbes AND takes the load off the gut to allow for more energy to optimize the immune system. Look for a NON GMO source like C1000 by Genestra

Take zinc – 25 to 40 mg. The primary role of zinc is to activate over 200 enzymes with a vital role in immune function and digestion. Look for zinc picolinate by Genestra.

Take yarrow. 30 drops in a little water, 3 -4 times a day. Yarrow is traditionally used in herbal medicine to relieve fever and colds. Look for organically grown and ideally from small farms for best results. Check out this Yarrow by Jardins La Val’heureuse

BONUS: More information on yarrow can be found in my blog post How I Stopped A Cold In One Day.

Take an herbal combination for colds/flus. This is great for children who don’t like to take supplements. Easy to administer. Simply place herbal drops in water or directly in the mouth. I personally use and recommend BIO – COLD/FLU by Jardins La Val’heureuse

Try a Master Tonic

Master tonic (aka Fire Cider) is a traditional folk remedy infused with powerful anti-microbial, decongestant, and circulatory herbs and spices.

Take 1 tbsp every hour until symptoms clear.

I took Daniels formula throughout the day for 4 days and not only did I really enjoy the taste, I felt it working with every shot.

As a preventative, take 1 tbsp every day.

You can contact Daniel by clicking here Its all about the gut

Master Tonic ingredients: Garlic, Ginger, Horseradish, Turmeric, Onion, Hot pepper

Master Tonics healing properties include: Anti viral, anti microbial, and anti parasitic

Switch to a low-carb Ketogenic Diet. Avoid grains, dairy, and limit fruit. Obviously, avoid all sugar!

Allow yourself to get a temperature. Viruses are very temperature sensitive. For a body to run a fever is a good thing as this event kills pathogenic viruses. Optimal temperature is 102.3 degrees Celsius.

DO NOT SUPPRESS SYMPTOMS – THEY ARE NATURES WAY OF FIGHTING INFECTIONS.

Get outside sunshine. Sunlight on bare skin kills microbes. In fact, getting natural sunlight not only increases our vitamin D levels, but it also cleans our blood. We knew this long ago when it was used as an effective treatment for tuberculosis.

Be good and kind to yourself. It’s OKAY to take some time off and just get to bed. Rest is one of your best medicines!

I Hope you’ve found this helpful to prevent cold or flu.

Here is a quick summary of the link provided above.

BOOKS:

The Fit n Healthy Plan, The healthy diet & lifestyle plan made easy

TESTS:

Low Stomach Acid Questionnaire.

Low Thyroid Test Questionnaire.

Sample Micronutrient Test.

Micronutrient Test.

ADP Detox Questionnaire

SUPPLEMENTS:

HMF (human microflora) probiotics

Want help optimizing your immune system, prevent cold or flu, and stay healthy? Please Contact Me.

Want your very own Personalized Nutritional Plan (including testing, assessment and plan) Get One On One Help HERE.

Write me a comment by writing it below. Love to connect with you!

How do you fix constipation?

by hartteuser Leave a Comment

How do you fix constipation?

Constipation (less than 1 bowel movement a day) can be uncomfortable and downright painful.

While it may seem like a good idea to reach for something to fix it, instead, I would encourage you to take a bigger picture look to what’s causing it.

Constipation is usually due to 3 main causes.

But before I share these 3 main causes, we need to know what a healthy stool actually looks like, right?

Look below and compare your current stool to the Bristol Stool Chart.

The Bristol Stool Chart

You want Type 3 and Type 4 – These are healthy stools

3 Often Overlooked Causes of Constipation

1) Low Hydrochloric Acid (HCL)

When your body isn’t producing enough hydrochloric acid, it can cause serious and chronic constipation.

The importance of hydrochloric acid

Think of hydrochloric acid as the ‘started kit’ to proper digestion.

Your stomach acid is involved in many critical roles, including:

Digestion of proteins necessary for 50,000 functions in the body, including mood enhancing neurotransmitters.
Absorption of KEY minerals, including bone building calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, boron, iron, and zinc.
Ensuring proper B12 absorption, critical for neurological health. B12 is a methyl donor, which is necessary for cardiovascular and brain health.
Helping to kill unwanted parasites, viruses, and pathogenic bacteria to keep your immune system humming.
Triggering the rest of the digestive system to work (pancreas, intestines), otherwise the contents of the stomach rots causing fermentation resulting in acid reflux, gas, bloating and stomach pain.

Causes of low hydrochloric acid

A diet history of too many carbohydrates and sugars and not enough protein and fat
Aging (it is estimated that those over 40 have half the HCL as those that are 18 yrs)
Chronic stress
Low zinc, thiamine, and vitamin C
H. Pylori (in excess)
Antacids – they impair normal HCL production which in time, a chronic lowering of overall production

How to test for low hydrochloric acid at home

There are 3 easy ways to test for low hydrochloric acid production.

These tests are a simple way to see if low HCL are the cause of your constipation

Self Exam

Take both your hands and find your xiphoid process – the bottom of the sternum where it meets the ribs (located in the #3 spot in the above diagram).

Using both hands, slide along the rib cage in both directions while pushing in and up into your ribs.

Is your left side more tender than your right? It occurs when you have low hydrochloric acid production.

Apple Cider Vinegar Test

When you do experience digestive upset after eating, take 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar. Do your symptoms dissappear? It could be a sign of low hydrochloric acid production.

Betain HCL Tablet Test

Just before you finish your meal containing a good amount of protein and fat, pop 1 tablet of betain HCL. If you experience a slight burning sensation in your stomach, you have plenty of hydrochloric acid production. If you have no burning, this could be a sign of not enough HCL production.

How to fix constipation caused by low HCL

Include 1 tsp of fermented foods to your evening meal or take a good quality probiotic.
Take a digestive enzyme that contains enough betain HCL
Take 25 – 30 mg of zinc, 1 cap, 2 X per day of B complex (methylated form), and 1-3 gramx of Vitamin C per day.
Have 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar in a little water just before meals
Be calm just before you eat
Chew, chew, chew your foods

If you suspect low stomach acid as the cause of your constipation, there are many ways to fix it naturally.

To get started or for more information, contact me here

2) Low Bile Flow

Bile is a digestive fluid made by your liver and stored in your gall bladder.

Bile is important for the break down of dietary fats.

When your liver isn’t producing enough bile or it’s too thick to flow freely (peanut butter vs water like), fat can build up in the intestinal wall and slow down the digestive tract causing constipation.

The importance of bile flow

Think of bile flow as the ‘fat emulsifier’.

Proper bile flow is involved in many critical roles, including:

emulsifies fat (de-greases with a detergent-like action) so the rest of the fat breakdown can happen in your intestines.
Critical to the absorption of health building vitamins A, D, E, and K
Sterilizes the gut of unwanted pathogenic invaders
Helps your body rid excess cholesterol and waste products

Causes of Low Bile Flow

Since bile is made by the liver, a sluggish liver will cause an impairment to proper bile flow.

Signs of sluggish liver include:

nausea following a meal containing fat.
bad breath, excessive body odour, bad taste in mouth
pain on inside of right shoulder blade
high AST, ALT, and GGT on blood tests

Additionally, because bile is stored in the gallbladder, a sluggish gallbladder will reduce healthy bile flow

Gall stones
Abcesses
Cholecystitis

Other causes of low bile flow include:

obesity
diabetes
old age

How to fix constipation caused by low bile flow

Squeeze 1 full lemon into your water daily.
Add 1 to 2 tsp of Celtic or Himalayian salt into your daily water amounts or add to meals
Make sure to add 1 to 2 Tbsp of healthy, raw oils to each of your meals, daily (olive oil, flax seed oil, pumpkin seed oil, avocado oil), nuts, seeds, olives and avocados are a good choice too.
Add bitter foods to your daily diet: radicchio, kale, arugula, dandelion leaves, and radish.
Additional foods to stimulate healthy bile production: beets, garlic, and celery.

If you’ve had your gall bladder removed, it is important to take a good quality digestive aid that contains HCL and ox bile just before you eat.

The one I use in my clinic is Pan Ox 5 by Douglas Labs. Available upon request by contacting me here

3) Lack of movement

Sitting for too long can also lead to constipation issues.

Our bodies are meant to move to be healthy.

Physical activity increases muscle activity in your intestines.

Exercise can especially be helpful in the morning for getting the digestive system “fired up,”. Not to mention soothing stress and putting you a positive mindset.

How to fix constipation from lack of movement

Best exercise for best ‘poops’ would have to be something where you jump up and down.

For that reason, I recommend rebounding.

Jumping on a mini-trampoline stimulates the bowels and lymphatic system, using gravity to get the waste products out and you clean and lean.

Even light exercise can support bowel function. Movements like stretching, walking, jogging, yoga, swimming or dancing. The key is just to get moving!

Make it a goal to fit in more movement and formal exercise most days of the week. If you sit at work, set your timer and get up every hour for about 10 minutes. That can be all you need to ‘get things moving’.

Well, that’s it!

How to fix constipation starts with finding the underlying cause. As with many conditions, just treating the symptoms ignores the real problem. Additionally, waiting to see your Doctor about your constipation can make the treatment options limited to strictly medications.

If you experience constipation for more than a couple weeks, and looking for someone to help find the underlying cause and constipation remedies I am available to help relieve your constipation for good.

Simply contact me by clicking here. Contact me

If you have a question and need an answer, Just Ask Michale by going here Askmichale.com

Want your own Personalized Diet plan? I currently have space for one on one consults. To learn more or to get started, simply go to Get one on one help