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College Health Hacks
                       
Ahhh, the late teens and early 20's. This seems to be the age where life style really picks up steam in showing how habits impact health (consistent late nights studying or working, hanging with friends, eating super healthy foods or not, drinking lots of water or not!). Whether the path is college, trade training or directly into the work force, once the "kids" get past high school and enter the world of apartment/dorm/frat or sorority living, they're in a a brave new world. Now they're in a different exposure zone with lots of fun new immune system invaders and we no longer have eyes on them or their health.

No problem! Not every symptom requires evaluation by a Doc, and there are a number of easy, inexpensive Self Healthcare hacks they can learn and put into action in no time flat. Here we go... 

#1 Know yourself and pay attention to the details: Be aware of and listen to your system so the subtle changes are noticed before they manifest into a big deal. 

#2 Campus Health Center: Know exactly where it is, store that contact info in your cell and don't be afraid to use their services (better safe than sorry when you don't have a parent near by to consult).

#3 Respect your liver  (more on that below)

#4 Health Hack medicine cabinet items: (some items provide instruction for use on their container, instructions for others are currently or will soon be found in DIY Relief)
- Castor Oil: Read the label, look for cold pressed and cold processed (higher quality due to less processing)
- Bragg's ACV: (apple cider vinegar) **raw, unfiltered. It looks cloudy, that shows its quality
- Raw unfiltered honey
- Lemon juice: Whole lemon or bottled fresh squeezed (ie. Santa Cruz 100% lemon juice)
- Probiotics: Immune strength and support. Depending on the source, the gut houses %70-%80 of your immune system. Eating high processed foods, taking lots of antibiotics and drinking alcohol negatively impacts the balance of beneficial bacteria in your gut. BTW, probiotics populate your gut which helps strengthen your immune system, while digestive enzymes help your stomach digest your food.
- Vitamin B-12: sublingual (aka under the tongue) for quick absorption into the blood stream
- Oregano oil: Health food stores sell it, sometimes its expensive but it is a powerful natural antibiotic, antiviral, immune supporter and all purpose killer of things that make you sick.
- Whole fresh garlic cloves: Same properties as Oregano and is easy to use liberally in cooking especially soups!
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So, what's so important about the liver? Here's the very short story!

Your liver is a detoxifying power house. It's responsible for major metabolic functions which ultimately create clear thinking, full body health and strong immune function. The liver destroys dead blood cells, foreign substances and toxins inhaled or ingested. It clears the blood of drugs, hormones, environmental & food toxins and other harmful substances. It functions in the production and storage of important minerals such as iron and processes as well as stores many vitamins including but not limited to:
 
* 95% of vitamin A (needed for vision, soft tissue and bone health including teeth)
* vitamin K (deficiency can cause nose bleeds, and more recently found to help fight certain cancers) 
* B-12 (important for nerve, brain and heart function, mood balance, general energy level 

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