NOVEMBER 23, 2011 BETA VULGARIS - NOT A SKIN CONDITION

"Know that WE have the power to heal ourselves."

For this MD RH, this couldn't be said better. We all have the power within us to 'heal thyself'. Sometimes healing needs the assistance of a health career practitioner, but it always needs you to participate in your own healing. The power of your own healing can be achieved through positive mantras, meditation and prayer, increasing your own self esteem ( through doing hobbies) and 'letting go' of anger and resentment. Each of these healing have been researched and studied to heal thyself. I do each of these almost on a daily basis. The one that I do the least is probably a positive mantra. The one that I have seen cause disease if not done properly is ' the letting go of anger and resentment. It is a tie when he comes to meditation/prayer and self esteemable hobbies. I do each of these on a daily basis. I get up extra early to meditate. On some special 'days' when dates are important to me , I meditate in any house of worship, so I can also light a candle for their remembrance.

May for today you heal thyself in any way you can.

There is a cardiovascular friendly root vegetable. It is a beet. It has been shown that the antioxidants in beets offer protection against coronary artery disease. Did you know that there are more than red beets? There are orange-yellow, white and green beets, too. Different pigments are present in the different color beets. The red color in the red beet is due to its betalin pigments. There are the reasons to eat beets...

1. Low in calories, and low in fat

2. Contains high amounts of glycine betaine. Betaine lowers a cardiac risk factor, called homocysteine. Homocysteine is an independent risk factor for atherosclerotic heart disease, separate from the lipid panel risk factors.

3. Excellent source of Vitamin C

4. Excellent source of folic acid

5. Excellent source of carotenoids, flavinoid and Vitamin A

6. Rich in niacin and other B vitamins

7. High levels of potassium. As a cardiologist, this is great for potassium replacement instead of a high carbohydrate count of the banana (which most people use to replete potassium when on a water pill)

Who shouldn't eat lots of beets ?

No one - everyone should have some beets. I love beets. In a restaurant I will always order a tri color beet and goat cheese salad (see recipe below)

Those individuals with a history of kidney stones should not eat a lot of beets. Beets are high in oxalic acid, which can contribute to oxalate stones. Be sure to know what type of kidney stones you have had in the past.

Passing red or pink urine after eating beets is common. Do not get alarmed. This is called beeturia. It is completely harmless. 10-15% or more of the general population are genetically unable to break down the red pigment, betacynanin and therefore have red colored urine.

Recipe: A simple one for anyone

Roasted Beet Salad with Goat or Sheep Cheese

- 2-3 cups fresh arugula

-4 medium roasted beets (remove greens) - red, green or orange

-1/2 cup fresh red onion, finely chopped

-1/2 cup goat cheese (about 3 - 4 ounces) crumbled

- 1 1/2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice

- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

- salt/pepper

Mix lemon juice and olive oil in small bowl. Combine all remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Pour lemon/olive oil dressing over salad and toss. Add pepper and salt as needed (light on the salt)

You may also add sunflower seeds, almonds and/or pine nuts (no peanuts of course).

Until tomorrow...