HOW TO REMOVE PESTICIDES FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

It is a proven fact that pesticides are present in all the fruits and vegetables we eat. They primarily used during cultivation of crops and in some cases may remain as residues. Wash all your fruits with 2% of salt water will remove most of the contact pesticide residues that normally appear on the surface of the fruits. Almost 75% to 80% of pesticide residues are removed by cold water washing. Most of the fruits that are likely to have pesticides are mango, apple, grapes, plums, guava, peers and peaches and vegetables like tomatoes, brinjal and okra .

The following are few simple natural and cheap tricks that can help you get rid of those nasty chemicals.

DIFFERENT METHODS TO CLEAN YOUR FRUITS :

1. Vinegar:Removing pesticides using vinegar is a natural, simple and cheap method. Natural vinegar wash not only removes pesticides but removes bacteria from the produce. Fill a large bowl with 4 parts water to 1 part plain white vinegar. Soak the fruits and vegetables you would like to clean in the mixture for about 20 minutes. Rinse it well with warm water.

2. Make Your Own Spray:This pesticide removing natural spray is super simple and easy to make with the ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen.   PROCESS: Mix 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons baking soda and a cup of water until the baking soda is completely dissolved. Pour this into a clean spray bottle. Spritz the mixture onto your fruits or vegetables and let sit for 5-10 minutes. Rinse the mixture off and enjoy the pesticide free produce.

3. Soda Salt:Soda salt can be used as a universal cleaning solution to remove pesticide residues.You can wash the fruits and vegetables with 5% soda salt. Studies have proven that using soda salt solution is effective than washing with tap water. Soda salt can therefore be treated as a general cleaning solution to remove mixed pesticides in fruits and veggies.

4. Mix1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and a cup of warm water.Pour this into a new spray bottle. The spray produce is ready. Spray it on the fruits and let sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse thoroughly to wash away the residue.

5. Mix 1 tablespoon baking soda, 1 cup white vinegar, 20 drops grapefruit seed extract available at food stores and a cup of water. Mix properly to produce the natural spray.. Let sit for around 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.

NOTE: The baking soda and white vinegar will foam when mixed together. Make sure you use a deep pitcher and pour slowly and steadily.

What is the Right time for taking Thyroid medication

Most of the thyroid patients do have this query in their minds as to what is the right time to take thyroid medication. The query is if the medication has to be taken early in the morning or just before bedtime. Still further few more have asked if thyroid medication can be taken on an empty stomach or if the medication can be accompanied with coffee / breakfast.

The fact is that most of the thyroid patients are already going through a stage of high stress and low confidence what with several problems surface associated with the imbalance of hormone level.

For best results the right time to take thyroid medication is early in the morning. The thyroid medication has to be taken on an empty stomach so that it can absorb properly. Coffee and breakfast will stop the absorption from happening to its full potential. You need to wait for at least 30 minutes before you consume coffee and an hour before breakfast.

Remember you need to wait for at least 4 hours before taking calcium or iron tablets, which can interfere with thyroid hormone absorption.

Medication normally prescribed for thyroid hormone replacement are thyroxine/ thyronorm/ eltroxin/levoxyl tablets etc. The dosage will depend upon the last medical reports and diagnosis by the Endocrinologist.

What Should Thyroid Patients Do?

To ensure you take your thyroid medication religiously, place the bottle in the kitchen or in a prominent place such that you start the day by gulping the tablet with a glass of water. I place the thyroid medication bottle beside the bed such that as soon as I wake up I take the tablet and then proceed for my daily schedules.

• Avoid eating for at least 60 minutes after taking medication. Preferably avoid high-fiber foods that can interfere with thyroid medication absorption. Several studies have indicated that having coffee or expresso at the same time or shortly after taking thyroid medication can significantly lower the absorption of the thyroid medication.
• One study published in the journal Thyroid mentions, the reduction of absorption of the medication typically ranged from 23% to as much as 55%.
• Follow consistency for medical examination. Quarterly tests are recommended. Check TSH levels in your blood and consult the physician for any change in dosage of thyroid medication.
• Ideally thyroid patients should periodically test for Sugar levels too if the thyroid problem has been diagnosed for more than 5 years. There is a correlation and high chances of becoming diabetic patients especially if it runs in the family. Be cautious about your diet and check periodically. 

Suggestions for Thyroid Patients

• The recommendations by researchers are clear, you need to wait at least sixty minutes after taking thyroid medication prior to drinking coffee or tea.
• And if that is not possible, then the thyroid patient may discuss with the Endocrinologist if the medication can be taken before bed time. Some studies have shown that taking thyroid medication at bedtime may improve absorption. This change in time will also allow a thyroid patient to have a morning cup of coffee without concern for interference with thyroid medication.

Recommendations by Ayurveda

• Eating goitrogenic foods such as rapeseed, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, maize, lima beans, soya and pearl millet should be limited. These foods contain natural goitrogens, which are chemicals that cause the enlargement of the thyroid gland by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Cooking is known to make the goitrogens elements less effective, but it would be wise not eat these foods raw. Include foods that contain iodine, such as kelp, beetroot, radish, parsley, potatoes, fish, oatmeal and bananas.
• Another important factor in the treatment of hypothyroidism is exercise. Exercise increases tissue sensitivity to the thyroid hormone, and stimulates thyroid gland secretion. An exercise regime of between 15-20 minutes per day benefits hypothyroidism. This exercise needs to be strenuous enough to raise the heartbeat, such as walking, swimming, running and cycling, except in the case of who have joint pains and can lead to risk of ligament injury.

It’s important to note, however, that any time you are finding it difficult to regulate your thyroid function while taking any thyroid hormone replacement medication, experts recommend that you take your medication consistently, ideally in the morning, at least an hour before any food or drink besides water, and at least three or more hours apart from any supplements, juices or foods that contain iron, calcium, or fiber.

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