Dr. Oz's Green Drink

Dr. Oz shares one of his favorite recipes. Jumpstart your mornings with this high-fiber, low-calorie breakfast drink.

Make the breakfast drink that Dr. Oz swears by! This "green drink" is high in fiber, low-calorie and rich in vitamins.

Ingredients

2 cups spinach
2 cups cucumber
1 head of celery
1/2 inch or teaspoon ginger root
1 bunch parsley
2 apples
Juice of 1 lime
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a blender. This makes approximately 28-30 ounces, or 3-4 servings.

Best Solutions for Your Pain

From back and neck pain, to migraines and foot pain, Dr. Oz brings you the most cutting-edge techniques available today to address your most common ailments. Plus, cheap solutions to ease your pain for under $10.

Get ready to be pain-free. Dr. Oz has consulted with pain experts around the country to bring you the latest, most innovative solutions for every pain that ails you from head to toe.

1. Best Solution for Back Pain: Gua Sha


Back pain is one of the top pains most Americans face. Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that has been used to treat everything from fevers to digestive problems to back pain.

This treatment dates back 700 years and works by creating a vacuum that helps remove the body’s toxic debris, replacing it with fresh healthy blood. It involves scraping the surface of the skin to release myofascial tension and is a great way to relieve muscles that feel stuck or tight.

Traditionally gua sha is carried out with a Chinese ceramic soupspoon, but a more modern smooth-edged instrument can be used. During the treatment, you’ll experience a warming sensation. Red marks known as “sha” will appear and last for a couple of days or longer. Often you’ll only need one gua sha treatment to relieve back pain. To try gua sha, contact a medical acupuncturist or licensed acupuncturist.

2. Best Solutions For Migraines: Botox

Since the mid-‘90s, many people have turned to Botox (botulinum toxin) injections to smooth away lines and wrinkles and look younger. This potent muscle relaxer also has been shown to aid migraine pain. In the case of chronic migraines, Botox works by weakening muscles that contract, specifically those in the forehead and neck, subsequently relieving tension.

For migraines, Botox is injected directly into the trapezius muscle in the forehead, a very common muscle where people experience pain. Botox takes about a week to work and its effects can last up to 2-3 months.

The main side effect of Botox is also its benefit – muscle weakness – so it’s important to have the exact muscle injected. Make sure to select an experienced physician. Talk to your primary care provider for a referral. Botox is FDA-approved to treat migraines, so many insurance companies cover this treatment.

3. Neck and Shoulder Pain: HVLA

Osteopathic practitioners are trained to use the musculoskeletal system as its own self-regulating tool for healing the body. They are trained to use their hands to actually find areas in the body holding tension. Like MDs, doctors of osteopathic medicine have full medical licenses.

Since not all causes of pain can be identified on an x-ray, osteopathic treatments can be very helpful.

The osteopathic treatment HVLA – high-velocity, low-amplitude articulation – aims to realign the spine so there’s less stress and tension on the muscles. In this treatment, the physician uses his or her hands to locate joints that are not moving with other joints. Similar to chiropractic manipulation, it’s a way of releasing tension and muscle knots.

4. Pain From Head to Toe: Radiofrequency Ablation

Radiofrequency ablation can treat headaches, neck pain, back pain and foot pain. Radiofrequency ablation involves a radio wave that gets transmitted to the tip of a needle to create heat. This heat gently warms the affected nerve to reduce or eliminate pain.

During treatment, a probe is inserted under X-ray guidance and you’re placed under sedation for comfort. The procedure take about half an hour, can provide pain relief for up to a year, and is covered under most insurance. To try radiofrequency ablation, contact a board-certified fellowship trained pain physician.

Cheap Solutions to Ease Your Pain for Under $10

1. Helichrysum Oil

Derived from strawflower, this ancient remedy has been used for hundreds of years in Africa. It has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which are excellent at reducing muscle tension and anxiety. In addition, helichrysum is also very effective at treating wounds, bug bites, burns, joint pain and arthritis. Available at health food stores.

2. Hot/Cold Packs

Hot and cold packs are great tools for reducing pain, but you have to know how to use them properly.

When to Use Ice:

Use ice when you first experience an injury to reduce swelling and inflammation caused by torn capillaries or blood vessels.

When to Use Heat:

Use a heat pack after the acute stage of an injury has diminished and the swelling is gone. Heat is also a good way to prepare you for a physical activity. For instance, if you have chronic back pain and want to go to the gym for physical therapy, place heat on the affected area for 20 minutes, but no more since it can cause inflammation.  

Hot and cold packs are available for about $5 at any health store or pharmacy.

3. Telephone Headset

Using a telephone headset helps reduce pain by alleviating postural stress that happens when you cradle your phone, a common habit that causes all kind of problems including  neck pain, shoulder pain and even headaches. Available online or at electronics stores.

4. Herbal Plaster

Medicated herbal plaster contains menthol and methyl salicylate, both of which provide immediate cooling relief for any sort of spasm, swelling or pain. Available online or at health stores.

4 Body Pains You Should Never Ignore

While everybody experiences minor aches and pains now and then, pain can also serve as a red flag, a sign that something might be wrong. Learn about the 4 body pains you should never ignore.

Perhaps you experienced a sharp shooting sensation that you can’t explain, or a dull ache that never quite goes away. These types of pains can be clues to your overall well-being. Even if you’ve had blood work or other forms of testing done that indicated you’re in the clear, your body may be trying to tell you something is wrong. To help you prevent potentially life-threatening situations, Dr. Oz reveals the four body pains you should never ignore.

Jaw Pain: Can Signal a Heart Attack


A dull, vague pain on the lower left side of your jaw should never be ignored. This pain increases and decreases over the course of a few minutes. In addition, it moves around so you can’t quite pinpoint exactly where it bothers you. Known as “referred pain,” this sensation occurs when the nerves surrounding the heart become agitated, sending pain through the nerves in the spine to other locations in the body, specifically the left jaw, shoulder and arm.

Dr. Oz’s When to Worry Scale can help you understand the difference between benign jaw pain such as TMJ, a sinus infection or a toothache, and serious jaw pain associated with a heart attack.

Green Zone: Lowest Risk

If moving your jaw around (such as while chewing) increases the pain, it’s likely the discomfort has nothing to do with your heart.

Yellow Zone: Medium Risk

Jaw pain that happens in the morning can be an instance of referred pain and serves as a warning sign that you’re at risk for a heart attack. Your blood is thicker at this time of the day, which causes blood pressure to surge, increasing heart attack risk.

Red Zone: The Highest Risk

Pain brought on by physical activity can manifest in several areas including the chest, jaw, left arm and shoulder, a scenario that typically indicates you’re having a heart attack. Shortness of breath, a common heart attack symptom in women, may also occur. You may also get additional classic heart attack signs such as dizziness or nausea. In this case, see a doctor immediately.





Leg Pain: Can Signal Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)


This type of pain starts deep inside the calf and feels like an ache or a cramp similar to a charley horse. The leg area may become swollen and red with the sudden appearance of varicose veins.

Leg pain like this can be a sign of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which occurs when a blood clot forms inside a vein. This situation can become life-threatening when a clot gets loose and travels through the bloodstream, causing an embolism that can get stuck in the brain, heart, lungs or other area.

When to Worry Scale

Green Zone: Lowest Risk
You’ve been active or moving and have calf discomfort accompanied by swollen ankles. This combination is usually not a cause for concern and is most likely caused by a pulled muscle.

Yellow Zone: Medium Risk
You’ve been sedentary, perhaps traveling and sitting in a confined position. In these situations, make sure you maintain healthy leg circulation by getting up every once in a while and moving around or simply moving your legs while seated.

Red Zone: Highest Risk
If your leg gets red and warm, do this test: take one hand and squeeze the back of your calf. If you experience pain, this could be a major red flag for DVT. Call your doctor who will most likely order an ultrasound, a simple noninvasive test that will determine what’s going on.

Abdominal Pain: Can Signal Gallstones

Abdominal or stomach pain can be a sign of gallstones, a condition that affects 1 in 4 women in the United States. The most common symptom of gallstone pain occurs in the upper right side of the belly above the rib cage. This pain can be sharp and can spread to the back or below the shoulder blade. It usually does not go away when you’re moving around.

 

Gallstones do not often cause symptoms unless they’re blocking a cystic duct or a common bile duct. Serious complications such as a ruptured gallbladder or pancreatitis can occur.

 

When to Worry Scale

Green Zone: Lowest Risk

If abdominal pain is relieved with antacids or after you urinate or have a bowel movement, it is most likely just stomach upset.

 

Yellow Zone: Medium Risk

If moving around or changing your position doesn’t help relieve the pain, it could indicate a blockage.

 

Red Zone: Highest Risk

Abdominal pain that occurs within 20-30 minutes every time you eat fatty food could signal gallstones. Keep a log and seek help from a doctor if your pain is severe.

Pins and Needles: Can Signal Nerve Injury

Pins and needles, or tingling pain, is a common symptom of impaired circulation, such as when your foot “falls asleep.” It can also indicate that you’ve compressed or damaged a nerve (such as hitting your funny bone). In addition to a tingling or electrical feeling, it may feel like burning or numbness.

 

When to Worry Scale

Green Zone: Lowest Risk

The tingling goes away within a few minutes after you move your body, which increases blood flow to the area.

 

Yellow Zone: Medium Risk

Pain persists for several days. With this type of trauma, nerves around blood vessels, bones and muscles may be traumatized and take a little longer to recover.

 

Red Zone: Highest Risk

If you have tingling accompanied by muscle weakness, it could indicate a serious neurological condition and should be checked out by your doctor.

 

Viewers’ All-Time Favorite Tips

For the past two seasons, Dr. Oz has doled out an abundance of advice. Super-fans have written in and shared the tips that made a difference in their lives. These recommendations have helped viewers lose weight, prevent cancer and double their energy. Learn how you can follow their lead and improve your health.

The tips that follow have significantly changed viewers’ lives. Learn how these simple tasks can make a difference in yours.

1. Agave Nectar as a Sugar Substitute

Can’t stop eating the sweet stuff? It turns out there’s plenty of science to explain why. Sugar can affect your brain chemistry in the same way as cocaine and heroin. The next time that you’re craving something sweet, try using agave nectar as a natural sugar substitute. Derived from a cactus plant, agave nectar is low on the glycemic index, which means that it has only a small effect on your insulin levels and blood glucose. The honey-like consistency of agave is sweeter than table sugar, so you can use less.

2. Konjac Root to Kill Food Cravings

Konjac root comes from the Asian konjac tree. Its main component is a soluble fiber called glucomannan. This fiber slows down how quickly the stomach empties after meals and helps you feel full longer. It also leads to a lower rise in blood sugar levels after eating and suppresses the liver from making cholesterol.

You can find konjac root in supplement form and also in Shiraktaki noodles. These thin, gelatinous noodles are made from konjac fibers. They are low in calories and flavorless, making them a great addition to a soup or broth.

3. Drink Tea for Anti-Inflammatory and Metabolism-Boosting Benefits 

For centuries, tea has been used as a cure in alternative medicine. Here, a Dr. Oz viewer whipped up this recipe to maximize the benefits of teas. All these ingredients have metabolism-boosting effects. When your metabolism is increased, your body has more glucose, giving you the energy your brain and body need.

 

Ingredients : 

2 green tea bags

2 bags white tea 

2 dashes of each of the following:

Cumin

Curry

Turmeric

Red cayenne pepper

Cinnamon

Black pepper

Ginger

Paprika

 

Directions : Combine and enjoy!

 

4. Check Your Poop

Pooping is a natural body process, so it makes sense that changes in texture or color could have negative implications for your health. Check the color of your poop to ensure digestive health:

 

Brown poop of any shade is normal.

 

White or clay-colored poop indicates a lack of bile in the stool – which could be a sign of pancreatic cancer. 

 

Black poop may be indicative of bleeding in the esophagus or stomach.

 

Red poop may indicate bleeding in your rectum and the presence of a polyp. 

5. Learn the Signs of a Heart Attack

If you’re having a heart attack, every minute counts. Protect yourself by learning the signs and symptoms of this killer.

 

If you experience any of these symptoms, do not ignore them:

~  Heavy feeling in chest

~  Pain in jaw or upper back

~  Shortness of breath

~  Sweating

~  Nausea

~  Fatigue

 

Remember, if you think you are having a heart attack, call 911 immediately. Keep in mind that women and men experience different symptoms. 

6. Don’t Give Up on the Things you Love

Being healthy doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the good stuff in life. David Held, a quintuple bypass survivor and former patient of Dr. Oz, is a prime example of this mentality. Italian food was always a big part of David’s life. He found a way to fix every recipe so he could still enjoy the food he loved without putting his heart and health in danger.  

 

Remember that moderation and choosing responsible substitutions are keys to a healthy and satisfying lifestyle

 

Dr. Oz's Recommendations for Healthy Living

Wellness doesn't just happen. Only conscious choices can give you a vibrant, energy-filled existence. Like any other challenge in life, treat positive lifestyle changes as an opportunity to mature and grow. Plus, being healthy can be fun!

Diet

Avoid refined, processed foods (basically, anything with white flour).

Avoid toxic fats, i.e., foods that are fried or made with hydrogenated oils.

Eat foods rich in phytonutrients, e.g., berries, cruciferous vegetables and soybeans.

Fitness

Keep a set of medium-weight dumbbells by your bed. Do a couple of reps when you wake up and at night before bed.

Put a stationary bike in front of your TV and only watch while pedaling.

Develop a stretching routine for increased flexibility. For instance, try simple yoga poses.


Vitamins

Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (1,000 mg/day) :
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which circulates in the blood and lymphatic system. It boosts the immune system and aids in healing. It is found in many citrus fruits.

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids (3 grams/day with each gram containing 180 mg EPA/120 mg DHA): Essential fatty acids protect against hardening of the arteries by promoting the formation of good prostaglandins, thinning the blood and reducing the stickiness of blood cells. They can be found in coldwater fish like salmon and halibut and flax seeds.

B Complex Vitamins:
B vitamins are essential for the conversion of glucose into energy. You can find B vitamins in brown rice, dried beans and organ meats.

Being empowered also means being aware of the side effects of your actions. Remember that anything strong enough to help you is also powerful enough to hurt you. Many micronutrients can interact with common drugs prescribed by physicians. Please consult your doctor before using supplements.

Stress Reduction

Find something to be grateful for every day.

Take 10 slow, deep conscious breaths each morning and evening.

Smile whenever you make eye contact with another person. It will make you both feel better.

Practice distancing yourself from negative emotions by observing them without judgment when they occur.