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The HC Wellness Center offers both traditional and alternative therapies to assist clients in achieving optimal health, wellness and balance. Featuring as its principle service Colon Hydrotherapy, formerly seen only at fine spas and destination resorts, HC Wellness Center & Spa is one of the first to offer this valuable wellness service to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. HC Wellness Center & Spa is a premier North Carolina spa providing the most luxurious, and beneficial wellness and beauty services available to the Charlotte Metropolitan and surrounding areas. Established in 2004 with the vision of combining traditional spa treatments, that promote relaxation and well being, with the most advanced skin, body and wellness services. The HC Spa supplies a moment of luxury for your body, mind and spirit. Here nature and science meet harmoniously as the finest massage, skin care and spa treatments await you.
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Saturday, December 5, 2015

Learn How Healing Your Thyroid Can Heal Your Whole Body

image-1One in eight women will develop a thyroid disorder during her lifetime. And, the number of people suffering from thyroid disorders continues to rise each year. But the bigger problem is that nearly 60 percent of these people are completely unaware of their condition—let alone how to heal it.Millions of people are suffering—trying all kinds of diets, pills, and treatments to clear their mental fog, to boost energy and lose weight. Unfortunately, they will all fail unless they learn how to heal the underlying thyroid issues. 

Every cell in the body has receptors for thyroid hormone. These hormones are responsible for the most basic aspects of body function, impacting all major systems of the body. You can think of the thyroid as the central gear in a sophisticated engine. If that gear breaks, the entire engine goes down with it.
image-2
Most people know that thyroid disorders can cause weight gain, digestive problems, and fatigue. But did you know they can also cause symptoms like brain fog, depression, dementia, dry skin, hair loss, cold intolerance, hoarse voice, irregular menstruation, and even infertility?
Thyroid hormone directly acts on the brain, the G.I. tract, the cardiovascular system, bone metabolism, red blood cell metabolism, gall bladder and liver function, steroid hormone production, glucose metabolism, lipid and cholesterol metabolism, protein metabolism and body temperature regulation. For starters.

Read our last blog for more information: http://healthyconnectionwellnesscenter.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-gluten-thyroid-connection.html
 
Tuesday, December 1, 2015

The Gluten-Thyroid Connection

The Gluten-Thyroid Connection

After suffering from Thyroid problems for 30 years I finally went Gluten Free and within two weeks my hair has stopped falling out and I am losing weight without even trying.  If you have these issues please read this article.


wheatThis article is part of a special report on Thyroid Disorders. To see the other articles in this series, click here.

In the first article in this series, I showed that hypothyroidism is an autoimmune disease in 90% of cases. In this article we’re going to discuss the connection between autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) and gluten intolerance.

Several studies show a strong link between AITD (both Hashimoto’s and Graves’) and gluten intolerance. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] The link is so well-established that researchers suggest all people with AITD be screened for gluten intolerance, and vice versa.

What explains the connection? It’s a case of mistaken identity. The molecular structure of gliadin, the protein portion of gluten, closely resembles that of the thyroid gland. When gliadin breaches the protective barrier of the gut, and enters the bloodstream, the immune system tags it for destruction. These antibodies to gliadin also cause the body to attack thyroid tissue. This means if you have AITD and you eat foods containing gluten, your immune system will attack your thyroid.

Even worse, the immune response to gluten can last up to 6 months each time you eat it. This explains why it is critical to eliminate gluten completely from your diet if you have AITD. There’s no “80/20” rule when it comes to gluten. Being “mostly” gluten-free isn’t going to cut it. If you’re gluten intolerant, you have to be 100% gluten-free to prevent immune destruction of your thyroid.

So how do you find out if you’re gluten intolerant? Unfortunately, standard lab tests aren’t very accurate. They test for antibodies to gluten in the bloodstream. But antibodies in the blood will only be found in cases where the gut has become so permeable that gluten can pass through. This is a relatively advanced stage of disease. Blood tests will miss the many milder cases of gluten intolerance that haven’t yet progressed to that stage.

Stool analysis is far more sensitive, because it detects antibodies produced in the digestive tract that aren’t yet escaping into the bloodstream. Using this method at Entero Lab, Dr. Kenneth Fine, a pioneer in the field, has found that up to 35% of Americans are gluten intolerant.

In addition to the stool analysis, Dr. Fine’s lab uses a cheek swab to test for the genes connected with gluten intolerance and celiac disease. People with HLA DQ genes are more likely than the general population to have autoimmune disease, celiac disease and gluten intolerance. Dr. Fine’s research shows that more than 80% of Americans have one of these gene types.

When I first read Dr. Fine’s research, I was astounded by the implications. It suggests that 1 in 3 Americans are gluten intolerant, and that 8 in 10 are genetically predisposed to gluten intolerance. This is nothing short of a public health catastrophe in a nation where the #1 source of calories is refined flour. But while most are at least aware of the dangers of sugar, trans-fat and other unhealthy foods, fewer than 1 in 8 people with celiac disease are aware of their condition. I would guess that an even lower proportion of people are aware they are gluten intolerant.

One reason gluten intolerance goes undetected in so many cases is that both doctors and patients mistakenly believe it only causes digestive problems. But gluten intolerance can also present with inflammation in the joints, skin, respiratory tract and brain – without any obvious gut symptoms.

As much improved as Dr. Fine’s methods are, they aren’t perfect. In some patients with autoimmune disease, their immune system is so worn out they can no longer produce many antibodies.
Hashmioto’s, the most common autoimmune thyroid condition, is primarily a Th1 dominant condition. I’ll explain what this means in further detail in a future article. For now, what you need to understand is that in Th1-dominant conditions, the Th2 system is suppressed. The Th2 system is the part of the immune system responsible for producing antibodies. When the Th2 system is severely depressed, the body’s ability to produce antibodies is impaired. The levels may be so low that they won’t show up on a test. So, even if you have gluten intolerance, your test for gluten antibodies may be falsely negative if you have Th1-dominant Hashimoto’s.

This is why I recommend that you avoid gluten if you have AITD, regardless of whether tests show an active antibody response. This is especially true if you have one of the genes (HLA DQ1,2, or 3) that predisposes you to developing gluten intolerance. In my opinion continuing to eat gluten when you have a confirmed autoimmune condition simply isn’t worth risking the immune destruction it could cause.

In fact, the more I learn about gluten and its effects on the body, the more I think we’d all probably be better off not eating it. Mark Sisson has written extensively about the dangers of gluten and gluten-containing grains, so head over there and have a look if this is new to you. The short version: foods that contain gluten (both whole grains and flours) contain substances that inhibit nutrient absorption, damage our intestinal lining, and – as I’ve described in this article – activate a potentially destructive autoimmune response. What’s more, there are no nutrients in gluten-containing foods that you can’t get more easily and efficiently from foods that don’t contain gluten.

The good news is that if you have AITD and are gluten intolerant removing gluten completely from your diet will dramatically improve your health. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it.
by: Chris Kresser
Monday, November 9, 2015

Warm Up with Your Slow Cooker

Warm Up with Your Slow Cooker
Just set-it-and-forget-it! So goes the appeal of the slow cooker and it just so happens to be the perfect time of year for it. Slow cooker meals are a great way to enjoy healthier home cooking while saving time, money and calories from eating out. We've compiled a small collection of yummy recipes that will make you and your crockpot happy! 

* Remember you can substitute any meat of your choice, just adjust the cooking time and/or temperature.
Crockpot Chicken Soup
  • 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken, cut into chunks
  • 1-2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 1-2 cups carrots, chopped
  • 1-2 cups celery, chopped
  • 1 head garlic, chopped
  • 2 cups kale, chopped [don't use baby kale, you want the heartier kale]
  • 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
Directions: 
 Put the vegetables in first, put the chicken on top, pour in the broth (you could probably use water if you wanted), season to taste, cover and put on Low for 8 hours. I stir about every 2-3 hours, make sure the meat is now getting covered by broth so it can fully cook. If I want a bit more heat or to finish it sooner, I'll turn it up to high for 2 hours in the middle of cooking.
 If your crockpot gets a bit full -- wait to add the kale, let items cook down a bit and settle into the pot, then slowly incorporate kale over the first few hours.
 Seasonings to use: rosemary, thyme, pepper, salt (add less), tarragon.
Creamy Pork Chops 
  •  1 can cream of chicken soup
  •  1 can cream of mushroom soup
  •  1 cup water
  •  4 pork loin chops
  •  Rosemary
  •  Black Pepper
Directions:
Pour the two cans of soup and water in the crock pot and mix. Put pork chops in the crock pot and then season with rosemary and black pepper to taste. Cook on low for 8 hours.
Use Campbell's Healthy Request soups for less fat, and sodium. Recipe is pretty low in calories.

Quick Turkey Dinner
  • Slice up 1 medium Granny Smith apple and line bottom of crockpot
  • Top with 1-2 turkey breasts
  • Cover with another layer of apple slices
  • Add 1 can of cranberry jelly
  • Cook on low 8-10 hours. Serve with steamed vegetables and voila!...a turkey dinner without all the fuss!
  
Apricot Chicken!
  • 6 frozen chicken breasts
  • 1 packet french onion soup mix
  • 1 jar of apricot preserves
  • *optional: half a bottle of french dressing
Directions:
Throw it all in the crockpot on low for about 8 hours. Also delicious served over rice. 



Cilantro-Lime Chicken 
  
  • 16 oz of chicken (or more and yes, this can be put in frozen)  2 cans of black beans, rinsed and drained (no salt added)
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 1 bunch cilantro, chopped
  • 3 T. lime juice
  •  3 garlic cloves (or 1 t. garlic powder)
  •  1 t. cumin

    Directions: Cook on l
    ow for 8 hours. If you go silly and forget to drain the beans, it turns into chili.    

    CrockPot Recipe for Sweet and Spicy Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Stew with Coconut Milk

    Makes 4-6 servings; recipe inspired by Sweet and Spicy Asian Pork Shoulder from Real Simple Magazine.

    Ingredients:
    1 - 1 1/4 lbs. ground turkey (I use ground turkey with 7% fat, but not turkey breast)
    2 tsp. + 1 tsp. olive oil
    1 onion, chopped in pieces about 1/2 inch
    2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into pieces about 1 inch
    1/2 cup low-sodium soy sauce1/2 cup chicken stock
    1/3 cup sugar, Splenda, or Stevia granulated (I used Stevia; use Splenda or Stevia for South Beach Diet)
    2 T brown sugar (or use 2 T more of the sweetener of your choice)
    2-3 T Chili Garlic Sauce (I used 2 T, which was plenty spicy for me!)
    2 tsp. minced ginger (I used minced ginger from a jar)
    2 tsp. minced garlic
    1 can light coconut milk
    1/2 cup green onions sliced in 1 inch pieces + more thinly sliced green onion for garnish if desired
    cooked white or brown rice for serving, optional

    Instructions:
    Spray CrockPot with non-stick spray. I used a 3.5 quart CrockPot for this recipe.

    Heat 2 tsp. olive oil in a heavy frying pan and brown the ground turkey, breaking it up with the turner as it cooks. This may take 7-8 minutes but don't rush the browning step. Put browned meat into the CrockPot. Add 1 tsp. more olive oil if you need it and saute the onions until they are soft and lightly browned, about 4-5 minutes. Add onions to the CrockPot. Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into pieces about 1 inch square. Add sweet potatoes to the CrockPot.

    Mix together the soy sauce, chicken stock, sweetener of your choice, brown sugar (or more sweetener), Chili Garlic Sauce, minced ginger, and minced garlic and pour over ingredients in the CrockPot. Cook on high for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until the sweet potatoes are done and starting to fall apart just a little. (I stirred it a couple of times, but it's not essential.)

    When the sweet potatoes are done, add the can of light coconut milk and the green onion pieces, turn heat to low, and cook 30 minutes more. Serve hot, with brown or white rice and garnished with thinly sliced green onions if desired.

    To Make with Leftover Turkey:
    Add the leftover chopped turkey about 10-15 minutes before you add the coconut milk.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
  • Thursday, August 27, 2015

    Back-to-School with Essential Oils

    Back-to-School with Essential Oils 
    Helping to Keep Kids Healthy...Naturally
     
    N o matter how hard you work to keep your children healthy, they're going to experience sickness from time to time. It's no fun and it can be discouraging when it happens but it's going to happen. As mom, you're in charge of your children's health. That means feeding them healthy foods, limiting their exposure to toxins and helping them get better when they're sick.
    Today we want to share the 10 best essential oils that you can use for your little ones to help them feel better or get better when they're sick or hurt. And you can trust in the authenticity and integrity of Nature Sunshine's oils, because:  every bottle of essential oil is absolutely pure...down to the last drop.



    5 Simple Children's Remedies Using Essential Oils

    1. Congestion Steam: 10 drops of Eucalyptus in one quart of hot water. Hold face over bowl with towel draped over bowl and head. Inhale steam deeply for 5-10min.

    2. Nighttime Massage Oil: 12 drops of Lavender in one ounce of sweet almond oil. Massage into skin before bed to promote a restful nights sleep.

    3. Cuts & Scrapes Healing Salve: 7 drops of Tea Tree Oil and 6 drops of Lavender, mixed with one ounce of melted coconut oil. Allow to harden and apply as needed.

    4. Earache Oil: 6 drops of Sandalwood and 6 drops of Chamomile to one ounce of Jajoba oil. Place 2-3 drops in ear 2-3 times a day as needed.

    5. Energy Bath: Place 6 drops of Citrus oil in baby bath tub or 30 drops for full-sized tub. Mix well and bathe as normal.
     
     
    Monday, May 4, 2015

    Easy Non-Toxie Gardening





    Non-toxic and Homemade Remedies
    Homemade remedies are inexpensive and, best of all, you know what is going into your garden. Many homemade sprays have been used with good results to control harmful insects. They usually involve noxious (but non-toxic) ingredients such as garlic, cayenne, stinging nettles or horsetail which are diluted in water and blended to be sprayed on the plants. Here are a few simple formulas:

        Soft-bodied insects (mites, aphids, mealybugs):
        Mix one tablespoon canola oil and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Shake well and pour into a spray bottle. Spray plant from above down, and from below up to get the underside of the leaves. The oil smothers the insects.

        Grubs:
        For lawn or garden grubs, there is a natural remedy called milky spore. The granules are spread on the soil and cause the grubs to contract a disease that kills them. This natural control affects only the grubs, leaving the beneficial organisms unharmed. Milky spore multiplies over time and will sit inactive, waiting for grubs to infect. One treatment is said to last 40 years. The grubs are actually the larvae of Japanese beetles. So, when you kill the grubs you kill the beetle.

        Mites and other insects:
        Mix two tablespoons of hot pepper sauce or cayenne pepper with a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Let stand overnight, then stir and pour into a spray bottle and apply as above. Shake container frequently during application.

        Earwigs, slugs, and other soft-bodied garden pests:
        Sprinkle diatomaceous earth over plants and around edges of garden beds. The diatoms particles are very small and sharp – but only harmful to the small exoskeletons of insects, slugs and snails. Insects cannot become immune to its action, as it is a mechanical killer – not a chemical one.

        For more information about nontoxic slug and snail control, read our article Natural Slug Control.

        Fungal diseases:
        Mix two tablespoons of baking soda into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and spray affected areas. Repeat this process every few days until problem ceases.

        Powdery mildew:
        Mix equal parts milk and water and spray on infected plants. Three treatments a week apart should control the disease.

        Insects and fungal diseases:
        Combine one tablespoon of cooking oil, two tablespoons of baking soda and a few drops of Ivory soap into a quart of water. Pour into a spray container and apply as above.

        Insects on fruit trees:
        Lime sulfur and dormant oil, available at nurseries and garden centers, can be sprayed on the trunk and branches of dormant fruit trees. This concoction will suffocate insect egg cases. Because the oily spray is heavy compared to the other water-based sprays, you'll need a pump sprayer. These are fairly inexpensive, and are available to rent from some nurseries. Only use this method while the tree is dormant, however, or it can kill the tree.

        Commercial dormant oils may contain petroleum oil or kerosene. A less toxic method is to make your own. Mix 1 cup vegetable oil and 2 tbsp liquid soap in one gallon (4 liters) water. Mix the soap and oil first, then add the water. Shake often during use.

               
    Caution: Sprays which kill harmful insects will also kill beneficial insects. Use these homemade remedies selectively, only spraying the infected plants. Apply them early in the morning or just before dark. Re-apply after a rain. Wear protective clothing when spraying insecticides.
    Tuesday, March 10, 2015

    Colonoscopy Prep....Oh Crap!

    Colonoscopy Prep....Oh Crap!
    Know matter what kind of prep you're prescribed its not fun guzzling gallons of icky chemicals knowing what will be an uncomfortable end result. The gurgly belly, the bubbles, praying you'll keep down the prep, feeling like an oompa loompa, making sure you have your at home "prep kit": stock of good TP, wipes, cream, new comfortable fuzzy pants, & 100% charged iPad. 
     
    Did You Know: Colorectal Cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death and yet early detection can increase the odds of survival significantly. So why are so many people avoiding early detection (e.g. a colonoscopy)? 
     
    A thorough exam of the colon is necessary to detect cancer, precancerous growths or other abnormalities. And yet, a successful colonoscopy depends on having a clear colon to allow for an unobstructed view of the colon wall. Without proper pre-cleansing, the results won't be accurate. Many people resist having a colonoscopy because they do not want to take the harsh chemical laxatives recommended to prepare for the exam. Others find the side effects of these drugs, such as diarrhea, abdominal cramping, nausea and vomiting, to be so unpleasant that they won't return for a follow up.
     
    Question: Is this the only way...or is there a better alternative????
    Answer: Colon Hydrotherapy.

    Colon Hydrotherapy has been used for years as a comfortable alternative prep for colonoscopies. It is an effective, convenient and gentle process that removes wastes from the entire length of the colon leaving it clean and clear for your exam. Once clients try it, they never go back to the harsher laxative pre-treatment. 
     
    "Recently my doctor scheduled me for a colonoscopy
    and after hearing about colon hydrotherapy at HC Wellness,
    I decided to try that instead of the prep I went
    through last time. I can remember being so sick
    from drinking the prep then spending what felt
    like days in the bathroom and then feeling so
    exhausted afterwards, all I wanted to do was
    sleep. This time I did 2 colon hydrotherapy sessions
    back-to-back and after I felt rested and ready to go.
    Not only was my colon in good health but the doctor
    said my colon was nice and clean. I will NEVER go
    back to the old, out-of-date method as prep again!"
    - Donald B.
    colon

    Use the following schedule to prepare your bowel for a colonoscopy:
    Colon Hydrotherapy Session 1: 7 days prior to exam
    Colon Hydrotherapy Session 2: 24 hours prior to exam
    Colon Hydrotherapy Session 3: morning prior to the exam
     
    Diet should be as follows:
    Eat a fruit, steamed vegetable and/or liquid diet 4 days prior to exam. Foods that leave residue in the body such as meat, cheese and refined carbs (bread, crackers, pasta, etc) should be avoided. Drink purified water; do not drink soda or other carbonated beverages, added gas will only make it more uncomfortable.

     
    Call today to get started. 704-823-1577
    Wednesday, January 14, 2015

    Recipe to help people suffering with Cancer


    A woman who remained anonymous that lived in Bosnia, wanted to share her recipe to help people around the world that have suffered the ravages of the horrid disease, cancer.

    This recipe only includes two ingredients, ginger and honey, that is extremely easy to prepare. The Bosnian woman claims this recipe brought her back to life. She suffered from cancer of the endocrine glands and because of this she was connected to machines for 3 weeks. However, she managed to heal herself without chemotherapy or an operation, thanks to this medicine.

    To prepare this recipe you will need 2 large roots of ginger. Clean the ginger and grind them into very small pieces.

    Next, mix the ginger into around 6 cups of raw organic honey.

    Put this mixture in an airtight container. Consume 4 tablespoons of this throughout a day everyday. Make sure you do not use a metal spoon. Use a plastic or wooden spoon only.

    You should notice the improvements somewhere around after three days.



    Photo: A woman who remained anonymous that lived in Bosnia, wanted to share her recipe to help people around the world that have suffered the ravages of the horrid disease, cancer.

This recipe only includes two ingredients, ginger and honey, that is extremely easy to prepare. The Bosnian woman claims this recipe brought her back to life. She suffered from cancer of the endocrine glands and because of this she was connected to machines for 3 weeks. However, she managed to heal herself without chemotherapy or an operation, thanks to this medicine.

To prepare this recipe you will need 2 large roots of ginger. Clean the ginger and grind them into very small pieces.

Next, mix the ginger into around 6 cups of raw organic honey.

Put this mixture in an airtight container. Consume 4 tablespoons of this throughout a day everyday. Make sure you do not use a metal spoon. Use a plastic or wooden spoon only.

You should notice the improvements somewhere around after three days. 
    https://www.facebook.com/HCWellness?ref=hl

    Call for more information 704-823-1577