Saturday, October 26, 2019

Coffee, Wine, Weed & Health

By                  Expert Author Michelle J Stewart

The past few weeks have included buzz-worthy info on coffee, wine, weed and health. The three stimulants can be addictive, enjoy a robust retail market (weed in limited states) and may have health benefits. My clients and readers of this blog know my mantra-"There is no one thing that is all good or all bad and moderation is the key." Though the research on the three is still a work in progress, the following is a brief overview of how they can impact your health.
COFFEE
According to the Statistic Brain Research Institute, 54 percent of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee daily and 65 percent of these drinkers are consuming the coffee during breakfast hours. The key component associated with coffee consumption is caffeine. Coffee is a stimulant that can improve mood, increase energy and cognitive function. When coffee is consumed, caffeine is absorbed in the bloodstream, and travels to the brain where it blocks a neurotransmitter. This blocked neurotransmitter leads to a stimulant effect, thus people may feel more alert, energetic and positive, with improved cognitive functions.
WINE
I'm a wine enthusiast and I enjoy drinking wine in moderation. U.S per capita consumption of wine is approximately 3 gallons, much less than in other countries. Wine does have benefits for heart health, reduced risk of cancer and long-term depression. Red wine is high in antioxidants which are linked to heart health and reduced blood pressure. One of the antioxidants that has been touted recently is resveratrol. Although resveratrol is still being studied, this antioxidant in red wine is thought to protect blood vessels, reduce LDL (Bad) cholesterol and prevent blood clots.
White wine also has positive effects on heart health as a result of the antioxidants found in the wine grapes. There has also been early research which links drinking two to three glasses of champagne a week to the prevention of brain disorders such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Now a glass of bubbly is always a good thing, however, note this research continues in search of definitive proof.
WEED
Still considered taboo in many circles, weed, aka marijuana, may also have health benefits. One-fifth of Americans live in states where marijuana is legal. The label medical marijuana refers to the use of the whole, unprocessed marijuana plant or its extracts to treat symptoms of illness and other conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has NOT approved the marijuana plant as medicine. However the FDA has approved the scientific study of chemicals in the plant called cannabinoids, which have led to two FDA-approved medications that contain cannabinoid chemicals in pill form.
To date research by the National Institutes of Health has focused on two cannabinoids-THC and CBD. CBD is a cannabinoid that does not create a "high." Findings indicate that THC can stimulate appetite and reduce nausea which can be beneficial to patients undergoing chemotherapy. Researchers continue their work and are conducting preclinical and clinical trials with marijuana and its extracts to treat symptoms of illness and conditions of diseases that affect the immune system including HIV/AIDS, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), pain, inflammation and seizures.
This post is a brief overview of trending topics on coffee, wine and weed. These subjects will continue to be of interest and the upcoming California Wine and Weed Symposium will certainly be a catalyst for more conversation.
Take Away: There may be undiscovered health benefits with coffee, wine and weed in the future, however my caveat is to make wise choices and moderation is essential.
Michelle J. Stewart MPH, RDLD/N, CDE is an experienced food and nutrition communication expert specializing in wellness with a holistic approach to living your best life. Michelle has been leading the way to a healthier you for more than 25 years. She is zealous when it comes to wellness from the inside out and empowering whomever she comes in contact with to take charge of their health and wellbeing. Her motto is "EAT LESS MOVE MORE" Sign up for her Free Report 10 Weight Loss Tips for Life when you visit http://thenutritionplanner.com.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9763956

Keeping Your Heart And Brain Healthy

By          

Do you know that there is a connection between homocysteine and your heart and brain health?
Homocysteine is a type of amino acid (building block of protein) that is produced by the human body during protein metabolism. It is not obtained from the diet. The body makes homocysteine from the amino acid methionine in the diet via a multi-stage process. After that, the body uses folate (vitamin B9), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 to recycle homocysteine back into methionine or convert it into another amino acid cysteine.
At normal levels, homocysteine is neither dangerous nor unhealthy. But when homocysteine is not properly metabolized, it builds up inside the body and acts like a toxin. Elevated homocysteine levels cause inflammation to rise, damage the lining of the arteries, and increase the risk of blood clot formation, resulting in blockages.
A clot inside the blood vessel is called a thrombus. A thrombus can travel in the bloodstream and get stuck in the lungs (a pulmonary embolism), in the brain (a stroke), or in the heart (a heart attack). People who have abnormally high levels of homocysteine are at an increased risk for coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
Many studies have shown that raised levels of homocysteine is detrimental to the brain too. Elevated homocysteine damages DNA and induces cell death, which leads to brain atrophy or shrinkage in dementia. It increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other mental abnormalities such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.
What Causes High Homocysteine
Most adults do not know that they have elevated homocysteine as there may not be any symptoms. A simple blood test can determine your status. However, doctors do not routinely order the test unless patients have a family history of heart disease. Hence, you may want to ask your doctor about it.
  • Optimal level is below 8 umo/L.
  • A reading above 10 umo/L is considered high and is associated with increased heart attack risk.
  • Above 15 umo/L, it is a medical condition called hyperhomocysteinemia. At these levels, the prevalence of dementia, along with cognitive and functional impairment is almost double.
High homocysteine may be caused by a number of factors -
Vitamin deficiencies
To maintain normal levels of homocysteine, the body requires folate, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12 obtained from the diet. Deficiencies in these vitamins may lead to increased levels.
Genetics
People born with the MTHFR (methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase) gene mutation produce less of the enzymes that are normally used for metabolizing homocysteine. This metabolic disorder is like an enzyme defect and is passed from parents to children. It is estimated that up to 30-50 percent of the population may carry a mutation in this MTHFR gene. The severity and type of symptoms vary from person to person depending on how much fewer enzymes a person produces as a result of the MTHFR mutation. The reduction may range from 10-30 percent to as much as 70-90 percent.
Individuals with the MTHFR mutation are likely to have higher homocysteine levels, increased inflammation and risk of heart disease, diabetes, birth defects, difficult pregnancies, anxiety and depression, fatigue, and an impaired ability to detoxify.
How to find out if you have the MTHFR mutation? These days, genetic testing can be easily done with a saliva test kit ordered from www.23andme.com. It is inexpensive and non-invasive. You collect the saliva sample at home and mail it back to the lab.
Stress
Stress-induced neurotransmitters - epinephrine and norepinephrine - are metabolized in the liver via a process that also uses folate. As a result, chronic high stress may result in a depletion of this critical B vitamin that is key to maintaining normal levels of homocysteine.
Too much animal protein
High consumption of animal protein, especially unhealthy processed red meats like cold cuts, bacon, and canned meats from factory-farmed animals, may lead to high homocysteine levels.
Excess caffeine
Drinking too much coffee and energy drinks may deplete the body of vital B vitamins, which are essential for normal homocysteine metabolism.
How To Keep Homocysteine Levels In Check
Improve Your Diet
High homocysteine not only increases inflammation, but also makes it harder for the body to detoxify the accumulated chemicals, heavy metals, and toxins. Therefore, by eating healthier foods, you can lessen the burden a bad diet imposes on your body.
  • Reduce intake of inflammatory foods such as sugar, deep-fried foods, processed meats, meats from factory-farmed animals, conventional dairy, vegetable oils, trans fats, and preservatives. Eat mostly organic, unprocessed foods.
  • Get plenty of antioxidants to combat the inflammation by having more vegetables of different colors or drinking vegetable juice daily.
  • Cut back on caffeine and alcohol. Too much caffeine increases homocysteine levels and alcohol is inflammatory.
  • Focus on healthy fats such as coconut oil and milk, olive oil, grass-fed butter and meats, wild-caught Alaskan salmon, sardines, avocado, nuts and seeds.
  • Increase consumption of fermented foods as the supply of good bacteria can help reduce inflammation in the body. Examples include fermented vegetables like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles, unsweetened yogurt and kefir, kombucha, and tempeh.
Get Enough Folate
Folate, also known as vitamin B9, is naturally found in foods such as beans, legumes, liver, spinach, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, and beets.
Folate primarily helps the body make new cells, specifically by playing a role in copying and synthesizing DNA. It also helps the body utilize vitamin B12 and amino acids. If you do not have the habit of eating vegetables everyday, you may run the risk of a folate deficiency. Symptoms include -
  • elevated homocysteine levels
  • anemia
  • poor immune function
  • poor digestion
  • ulcers on the tongue
  • changes in hair or skin pigmentation
  • birth defects
Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate found in lower quality supplements and "fortified foods" such as orange juice and refined grains.
For those individuals with the MTHFR mutation, your bodies will not be able to convert folic acid into folate. If you have been taking folic acid supplements and your homocysteine levels are still high, this may be the reason. Therefore, you should either get more folate from the diet or take the active form of folate supplements instead. Look for 5-MTHF (5-methyl-tetrahydrofolate) on the label. Avoid products that say "folic acid".
Have Adequate Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. Best food sources are turkey breast, chicken breast, grass-fed beef, pinto beans, chickpeas, avocado, pistachio, sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, and amaranth grain.
Vitamin B6 is needed to -
  • regulate homocysteine levels within the blood
  • maintain healthy blood vessels
  • manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels
  • support brain function and mood
  • help treat anemia
  • protect eye and skin health
  • prevent or reduce symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
For people living in the western world, it is rather rare to have a vitamin B6 deficiency as most people consume enough calories and are not experiencing malnourishment.
Get Enough Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also called cyanocobalamin, is found mostly in animal foods such as beef and chicken liver, seafood, and meats.
  • For this reason, vegans and plant-based eaters are more likely to develop a vitamin B12 deficiency. Unfortunately, algae foods, such as blue-green algae, which are popular among vegans are not a very absorbable source of vitamin B12.
  • Elderly people who have impaired digestion are also more susceptible for deficiency because they tend to produce less stomach acid that is needed to convert vitamin B12 properly.
  • Other high risk groups include smokers, alcoholics, those with anemia, and digestive disorders like celiac disease, Crohn's disease, gastritis, or other stomach and small intestinal disorders.
Vitamin B12 benefits your mood, energy level, memory, heart, skin, hair, digestion, hormonal balance and more. Therefore, a deficiency can show up in many different symptoms, such as chronic fatigue, mood changes, poor memory, joint pain, muscle aches, heart problems like palpitations, or feeling run down.
As a supplement, vitamin B12 can be taken in tablet form, in drops that you place under the tongue, or in oral spray form. Sometimes, seniors do better with drops and oral sprays as they have trouble absorbing the vitamin from the stomach.
All B vitamins are water-soluble, that means the body has the ability to flush out any excess through the urine. Hence, B vitamins are considered safe and non-toxic.
Maintain A High Omega-3 Status
Studies have shown that homocysteine-lowering B vitamins require healthy omega-3 blood levels to derive the cognitive benefits. When omega-3 levels are low, the B vitamins have no effect.
Therefore, to protect your brain from premature aging, make sure you have enough B vitamins and omega-3s. Eat several servings of mercury-free fish such as wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, and herrings every week, or take a high quality omega-3 supplement daily.
Exercise Regularly
Regular physical activity helps lower inflammation, manage stress levels, and improve sleep quality, immune function, hormonal balance, and body weight control. Find a type of activity you enjoy and stick with it. People who exercise into their old age tend to have better quality of life.
Carol Chuang is a Certified Nutrition Specialist and a Metabolic Typing Advisor. She has a Masters degree in Nutrition and is the founder of CC Health Counseling, LLC. Her passion in life is to stay healthy and to help others become healthy. She believes that a key ingredient to optimal health is to eat a diet that is right for one's specific body type. Eating organic or eating healthy is not enough to guarantee good health. The truth is that there is no one diet that is right for everyone. Our metabolisms are different, so should our diets. Carol specializes in Metabolic Typing, helping her clients find the right diet for their Metabolic Type. To learn more about Metabolic Typing, her nutrition counseling practice, and how to get a complimentary phone consultation, please go to http://cchealthcounseling.com/


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9852679

Clearing Up The Metabolic Syndrome

By        Expert Author Pamela Weinman

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of health issues - increased blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat around the waist, high triglyceride (bad cholesterol) levels and low HDL (good cholesterol). When even three of these conditions occur together, the individual is at high risk for heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
This kind of full-blown metabolic disorder cannot be considered rare either. About 35% of adults in the United States have metabolic syndrome and 1 in every 4 people are at risk of developing it.
Our lifestyle is largely to blame for this kind of dysfunctional metabolism that can turn life-threatening. Indeed, it is the combination of unhealthy food habits, a sedentary lifestyle, excessive stress and dependence on comfort foods that play havoc with the system and drive it out of gear.
Now there are metabolic syndrome diet options and people are largely aware of what they need to do to get their body back on track. Losing weight is definitely critical. Eating the right foods, being more active and managing the stress levels is equally essential for managing the metabolic syndrome and also keeping such conditions at bay.
However, how many people actually make the required changes in their lifestyle and stick to healthier options is another question altogether. For instance, the intake of processed foods, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, sugar, refined carbohydrates and trans-fatty acids needs to be strictly moderated. Along with shifting to a plant-based diet, regular exercise and fitness is also important.
What to do?
Knowing what to do and actually doing it are not synonymous. This is where a certified health coach can help you reverse the symptoms of metabolic syndrome.
Health coaches do not tell you to just follow a metabolic syndrome diet, lose weight or exercise regularly. They concentrate on building a deep awareness of the healthier habits and how they can help you. You will be advised on the specific types of exercises that improve blood glucose sensitivity and reduce elevated insulin levels. You become conscious of the types of food items that improve your cholesterol function and how to incorporate them in your daily life. Apart from the special meal plans, you also learn how to shop right and keep the temptations under control.
Instead of dramatic changes, health coaches set small goals that are more realistic and achievable. Even the small steps help boost the metabolism and minor changes in weight, sugar levels and triglyceride start showing up. The coach keeps you motivated and buoyant throughout with pep talks and constructive encouragements. You become aware of the undue stress levels and how to make the triggers more manageable. The lifestyle changes slowly and it is sustainable as well.
Therefore, a health coach makes is possible to make the positive changes for managing metabolic syndrome and to build long-term health.
The author is a health coach by profession as well as a writer in this field. She has penned her article down to highlight how the metabolic syndrome diet boosts up you and lowers the chances of certain diseases.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9835159

The Hows and Whys of Hydration

By       Expert Author Bonnie R Giller

Water is the elixir of life. You can survive for over a month without food, but a week without water is fatal. We take water for granted in First World countries; millions of people worldwide struggle every day for access to clean, fresh water.
Funny enough, many people here in the United States struggle to meet their suggested daily water intake. With access to sweetened sodas, energy drinks, and those delicious on-the-go frappuccinos, it's understandable if you're bored with "plain" water. There's no reason not to add a little flair to your water, especially if it means you'll stay hydrated.
The formula to staying hydrated isn't a complicated equation, but it does vary from person to person. It's important to replace any fluid that's lost throughout the day and night, and those variables can change drastically day-to-day and person-to-person. If you're exercising in extreme heat or humidity, you're going to lose fluid more rapidly than if you're chilling at the movies. The color of your urine is a good way to determine your hydration status. If your urine is pale and straw-colored, you're adequately hydrated. If it's dark, like the color of apple juice, you're low on fluids.
Sweat It Out
Dehydration can occur even if you're not sweating. In extreme heat and cold, your body loses fluid very quickly without sweating at all. You may not realize it, but you even sweat when you're swimming! Spending the day frolicking in the pool isn't a preventive measure. Athletes need to be even more aware of dehydration risks. Athletes tend to sweat more overall than people who aren't as physically fit, and they may push themselves longer and harder, causing even greater fluid losses.
Drink Up
Drinking is the ONLY way to rehydrate. Pouring water over your head or showering to cool off are only superficial - you need to actually drink the water for your body to replenish its stores.
Some early signs of dehydration include:
• Thirst
• Flushed skin
• Premature fatigue
• Increased body temperature
• Faster breathing and pulse rate
Try adding some flavor to your water to get you excited to drink it! You can create an at-home version of those expensive store-bought flavored waters for almost no cost!
Add any of the following to your water:
• A twist of citrus! Try lemon or lime or even a slice of orange. Throw in a few raspberries for extra flavor and color.
• Small pieces of fruit, like honeydew or pineapple.
• A slice of cucumber with a few gently crushed mint leaves ("bruising" them releases more flavor).
In Conclusion
Don't let dehydration slow you down this summer. Be sure to drink whenever you're thirsty. If you're engaged in physical activity in the heat, be sure to hydrate adequately before starting, take frequent hydration breaks to top off your fluid reserves, and continue to keep it up after you're done. Water doesn't have to be boring. Dress it up and drink it up!
Bonnie R. Giller helps chronic dieters and people with medical conditions like diabetes take back control so they can get the healthy body and life they want. She does this by creating a tailored solution that combines three essential ingredients: a healthy mindset, caring support and nutrition education.
Bonnie is a registered and certified dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator and certified intuitive eating counselor. Learn more about Bonnie and her nutrition services at http://www.BRGHealth.com.
Get your Free Guide "5 Steps to a Body You Love without Dieting" at http://www.DietFreeZone.com
Author *Bonnie R Giller


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9963800

This WILL Prevent 95% Of All Diseases

By      Expert Author Alicia Diane

When it comes to nutrition, what is the first thing that usually comes to mind?
Most people would say VITAMINS!
But in short, that isn't even the half of it.
See, there is much more to health and nutrition than what is presented in the media and the medical industries.
Vitamins account for less than 20% of your daily essential nutrients! (Essential* meaning the body requires, but does not produce it)
If you really try hard, you can consume all of your vitamins, amino acids (protein building blocks) and fatty acids from plants (produce).
This is because plants CAN make these nutrients.
They pull carbon out of the air and create carbon-chains through photosynthesis.
However, what most people do not understand is the amount of nutrients that your body can actually absorb and utilize, is solely dependent on another essential nutrient.
That cofactor comes in the form of specific minerals.
Before you overlook this statement, consider this for a moment...
Plants DO NOT make minerals of any kind!
They MUST be absorbed from the soil!
If the soil is deficient of any essential mineral, you can be certain the plant is deficient of that mineral!
It has been proven both chemically and biochemically that any living vertebrae (human or animal) requires 60 essential minerals to sustain itself!
Where as, plants only require 3... Any good farmer, or husbandry man knows that N-P-K (Nitrogen-Phosphorous-Potassium) is the only combination of minerals, necessary, for plants and vegetation to grow and produce the highest yields.
See, farmers are paid by tons and bushels. There are no incentives for them to add in minerals into their soil! These soils are overworked and overused!
The minerals are gone, and bearing a flood, they are NOT coming back!
Don't believe me? Take a look at US Senate document #264, from the 74th congress and let the evidence speak for itself. (found at the bottom of this article)
Therefore, if the minerals are not in the plants, they are not in you!
Did you know there is not a single function in your body that can take place without minerals?
That air, food, energy, vitamins, proteins, hormones and enzymes CANNOT be utilized without one or more of these mineral cofactors!?
Now, you might be supplementing with a daily multi-vitamin or multi-mineral, but understand this.
A supplement is only as good as your body's ability to absorb it!
You are not what you eat... You ARE what you absorb!
The majority of supplements today, are found in pills. These pills are toxic and poorly absorbed in our body's.
They are metallic or 'elemental' minerals, which consist essentially of ground up rocks, things like oyster shells, egg shells, dolomite, limestone, calcium carbonate, clay's of various kinds and seabed minerals.
This form is ideal for plant consumption, but when it comes to humans, their bio-availability (absorbability) is only a mere 8-12%.
This falls to 3-5% once you reach the age of 35-40+.
Chelated (key-lated) minerals are metallic, with a protein or enzyme wrapped around them, this increases their absorption by about 40%.
The idealistic mineral form is colloidal, plant derived minerals.
They are very small in particle size, roughly 7000 times smaller than a red blood cell.
Every particle is negatively charged (-) and since your intestinal lining is positively charged (+), they actually have an electrical or magnetic gradient, that concentrates these mineralsaround the lining of your intestine.
Plants convert metallic minerals from the soil, in their tissues, to colloids or colloidal form, and this is how we store them in our body.
This is also how we transplant them from storage place to site of use, in the colloidal form.
These 3 things together create 98% efficient absorption in the BODY!
It is understood that mineral deficiencies are the main limiting factor for -
  • Health
  • Athleticism
  • Stamina
  • Longevity
"You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a MINERAL deficiency" - Dr. Linus Pauling
Believe it or not, if you take proper care of yourself now, you can live to be 120-140 years of age!
Those folks you see who are over 100 should actually be the NORM, not the exception.
I'll give you a few examples so you can see what I mean:
In Eastern Pakistan there is a group of people called the Hunza's who are famous for longevity, typically living 120 to 140 years.
Next, in what is now Western Russia, there are the long living Russian Georgians made famous in the seventies by Dannon Yogurt.
South of them are the Armenians, the Abkhazians and the Azerbaijanis who were studied for 60 years because they routinely lived to be 120- 140.
In the Western Hemisphere the Vilcabamba Indians in the Andes of Ecuador, are famous for living a long time.
Then in South Eastern Peru there are the Titicaca who are famous for living to be 120-140 as well.
Even Americans can live a long life, despite what many consider to be bad diets and poor habits.
As of 2010, there were 53,364 people in the U.S. who were 100 or older.
The long-lived cultures have certain common denominators.
  • They all live in high mountain villages, that are about 8,500 to 14,000 feet in elevation.
  • They all get less than 2% of precipitation each year.
  • They don't have any rain, snow or dew. (Very dry places)
  • They get all their drinking water and all their irrigation water for their crops from what we call 'Glacial Milk.'
Glaciers in every one of those communities grind up the parent rock of those mountains, about 4 inches per year. There's can be 60 to 72 minerals in each one of these places.
The water that comes out from underneath those Glaciers isn't clear like Perrier or Evian Water. You take a glass of it and hold it up and it looks like Jersey Milk.
They have irrigated with it, year after year, crop after crop, generation after generation, for 2,500 to 5,000 years.
They have no diabetes, no heart disease, no high blood pressure, no arthritis, no osteoporosis, no cancer, no cataracts, no glaucoma, no birth defects, no jails full of drug addicts, no taxes and no DOCTORS!
Yet they live to be 120 to 140 without DIS-EASE!
Are these colloidal minerals important?
You bet your life they are important and every time you don't take them in every day you are chopping off a few hours or a few days of your life...
Every animal and human being that dies of 'natural causes' actually dies of a nutritional deficiency!
If longevity is something you would like to accomplish, you need -
90 essential nutrients in your BODY every day:
  • 60 minerals
  • 16 vitamins
  • 12 essential amino acids which are your protein building blocks
  • 2-3 essential fatty acids
If you don't have these in complete numbers and optimal amounts, over time you ARE going to get a deficiency disease.
One sentence that has killed more people than all the wars in American history... You get all the nutrition you need from the four food groups.
Information gives you the ability to make decisions with confidence.
I hope you have enjoyed my message!
By giving your body the 'proper' raw materials everyday, you'll be taking the necessary steps in living healthier and living longer.
Make the decision to take control of your personal health and longevity program today.
Just as there are many manufacturers of aspirin, there are now many manufacturers of vitamins and mineral supplements.
Be sure to get your colloidal minerals derived only from the very best organic plant source deposits.
Colloidal Minerals are the mineral source our bodies were designed to use, not ground up rocks.
All disease, aging itself and even death are caused by groups of your cells not functioning properly, not replicating efficiently, or dying off too rapidly.
In other words, if your cells are healthy than so are you!
Visit my web page at [https://mindfulbodytips.com]
Learn how safeguard your health today! http://bit.ly/mindfulbodytips
If your cells are weak, not replicating properly, or dying, then you are sick, weak and/or dying.
If you have any questions or comments, please send me a message at Alicia@mindfulbody.tips
Kindly yours, Alicia


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/9924064

Change Your Diet To Change Your Life

By       Expert Author Carmen Gilfillan

Balancing your diet and your busy professional life can be a difficult task. Considering how you're spending most of your time at work, you have little time for your nutrition and diet. But good health is necessary to live; how can you then make time to pay attention on your diet?
Actually you don't need to, not much anyway as there are a few ways that you can modify your diet. These are very small and it takes almost no time to make these changes. Here are three small but very useful dietary modifications you can make:
Avoid Cooked Breakfasts
First thing in the morning the body is still in cleanse mode. As such it is important to avoid heavy, cooked breakfasts first thing as this is going against what your body naturally wants to do. Eat light breakfasts such as fruit first thing in the morning, which lines your stomach and may result in you eating less.
Alternatively, try eating something like porridge with flaxseeds or pumpkin seeds. Both of these seeds are a good source of omega-3 (another source of which is fish) which is good for the joints and can help prevent depression, and brain conditions such as Alzheimer's and Dementia. So avoid cooked breakfasts in the mornings and opt for something that's easier on your digestive system.
Reduce your portion sizes
You tend to lose track of what you eat and how much you eat when your mind is preoccupied. You're worried about deadlines, presentations and meetings at work, so you don't pay attention to how much you're eating. You can, however, easily rectify this by simply reducing your portions sizes. Reducing your food intake means you don't overeat, and you'll be consuming only what your body really needs.
Overeating is one of the most common causes of obesity, acidity, high cholesterol and diabetes. By eating smaller portions you reduce the risk exponentially of ending up with one or more these conditions. In addition to reducing your portion sizes, try to eat more slowly so you can more easily recognize when you're full, as well savouring the flavour of your food.
Drink more water
While caffeine may be beneficial in the short term by keeping you awake and alert, the extra sugar dosage you get from it is not. Avoid coffee if you can as it is an artificial stimulant. If you absolutely need it, try to skip the sugar or reduce the amount. In addition, increase the amount of water you consume throughout the day by keeping a water bottle with you and taking periodic sips from it. The water will keep you hydrated and refreshed throughout the day and reduce the need for coffee and other stimulants.
These small but simple dietary modifications will allow you to live a much healthier and more nutritious lifestyle. Contrary to popular belief, the key to a healthy lifestyle does not require big changes. Small modifications, much like the ones discussed in this article, can make a huge difference to the quality of your health and life. The challenge is to stick with them, not give in to temptation and be consistent.
Carmen Gilfillan is the founder of Stimulus Development & Training. Stimulus specialises in helping people overcome emotional trauma, experience emotional breakthroughs and live their best lives. We do this through Life & Wellness Coaching, Emotional Freedom consultations and training in the areas of personal, professional and spiritual growth. Check out our website at http://www.stimulus.uk.com to book your free Emotional Breakthrough consultation.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10136745

Living Healthy Lives By Choice

By 

How to live healthy and disease free for the rest of your life. Do you think that is pipe dream? If you think it is not possible, then you have already defeat your purpose. However, if you think it is possible, then I want to categorically tell you that it is can happen, and it is happening.
I am going to tell you and show you how to make it happen for you, as it is for me and many others.
Listen to me carefully, we are healthy by design and sick by default!
Living a healthy life is a matter of choice we make every day by the things we do, the food we eat and drink, and overall life we live. I am going to show you how to live a dynamic, vibrant healthy life. How to live your full life and never get sick, and how do do all this without drugs or surgery.
How to look like you have found the secret of the fountain of youth.
Let me ask you this all important question,
Why Are We Sick?
If we don't know the cause of something, it almost impossible to fix it. So, we have t0 first explore what is making us so sick, and I am sure some of the reasons that are making us sick might surprise you.
To put it at the very basic and say, there are only two reasons why a person become ill.
  1. You "catch" something, meaning, your body picks up a germ, generally a bacteria or a virus.
  2. Your body develop an illness or a disease. That will happen because something has gone wrong in your systems, causing some imbalance.
Something is not working as it should, and a disease or an illness develop. Examples are, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, acid reflux, arthritis, etc.
Remember that our focus is living healthy, so now, let's dig a little deeper in these two causes of all illnesses and diseases. And I'll start with the first cause of catching something.
We said before that is either a bacteria or a germ causing the problem. But look at this fact, the atmosphere is filled with these small and most times invisible creatures. Have you ever ask why some people in the same environment where others who pick up the germ and they are fine!
Don't tell me everyone is made up differently, and you will soon understand why this argument cannot stands the test of a day.
I said earlier that we are healthy by design, meaning, our bodies are designed to fight off those bacteria and germs that are bombarding us every day.
That inbuilt apparatus is called the Immune System which has two fundamental functions which are vital to the survival of the person.
  1. The Immune System is for identification of all types of micro-organisms and foreign bodies that are potentially dangerous to the individual.
  2. The Immune System is also for destruction of these micro-organisms, substances or foreign bodies.
Our Immune System can be weakened from a variety of ways, and these are some of the most common:
A. Under or malnourishment which is a lack of essential nutrients like vitamins and some trace elements.
B. Stress, can either be physical or psychological. Obesity can be a cause.
C. Chemotherapy which comes in the form of anti-cancer medication
D. Infectious diseases come from "catching" something
E. Dieting includes the foods that contribute in special ways to the correct functioning of the complex Immune
System
F. AIDS: Is the Immune System deficiency caused by a viral attacks on your body's defense mechanisms.
Let me remind you of the two reasons why people get sick:
  1. You catch something and your body cannot fight it off, as a result your body give in to the germs.
  2. Your body develops something in the genetically weak areas.
In both of the above cases the causes are the same.
A. Your Immune System is weak
B. Toxins are attacking your body

When we consider those two fundamental causes for illnesses, we can conclude that all sicknesses come from one or a combination of four things. This is what Kevin Trudeau in one of his books called: "Natural Cures They Don't Want You To Know About" said about why we get sick.
These are the four basic reasons Kevin give for all sicknesses:
  1. People get sick because they have too many toxins in their bodies
  2. We are suffering from nutritional deficiencies, meaning our cells are not getting enough nutrients in their proper proportions.
  3. We are exposed to and negatively affected by Electromagnetic Chaos (EMC).
  4. You have trapped mental and emotional stress
According to Kevin, these are the only four reasons why our Immune System could be weak or why genetically weak areas in the body can break down, and thus allowing illness and diseases to develop.
Although Kevin said these are the only reasons for all illnesses, I would like to add one more reason why we get sick.
Because I want to establish this fact, or I should say this TRUTH!!
We as living creatures called human beings are different from all other living things. Only human beings are created in the image and likeness of Elohim.
As a result, only human beings are created in His image and likeness, meaning, just like how Elohim exist in three formalities as Father, Son and Holy Ghost, we also exist in three dimensions as body soul and spirit.
To state it correctly, we are first and foremost spirit, with a soul in a body.
As a result of this enlightened truth, we can also get sick from a spiritual perspective. The medical experts call this psychosomatic illnesses
Psycho in psychosomatic comes from the root word psychic, and mean among other things, the supernatural or spiritual.
There are researches surrounding psychosomatic illnesses which seems to provide sufficient scientific evidence that the mind or the intangible part of a person, or a person's beliefs and thoughts, have the ability to cause physical changes in the body.
If we are going to be Living Healthy lives, holistic healthy lives, then all three areas on man's existence must be covered. Complete health is in spirit, soul and body.
Therefore I will say people are sick because of these five reasons
  1. We allow too many toxins in our bodies for too long
  2. We are not eating properly balanced meals resulting us suffering from nutritional deficiencies,
  3. We are exposed to and negatively affected by electromagnetic chaos (emc).
  4. We do not properly manage mental and emotional stress
  5. We ignore the Spirit-man that is more real than the physical man
There are things we can, and other things we cannot control. Therefore, the only way to manage those uncontrollable things, is to ensure the cells of our body are vibrantly healthy and strong to function as they should.
One such things we cannot control is electromagnetic fields to which we are all exposed.
What is electromagnetism?
Electromagnetism is a scientific word in physics used to describe one of the fundamental forces of nature. This force is between subatomic particles such as protons and electrons. You have to have a basic knowledge of physic to appreciate these terms.
Electromagnetism helps to hold matter together. It is also used to describe how a magnetic field is created by the flowing of electric current.
Our body has electromagnetic fields and communication systems. Electromagnetic chaos come about when wireless devices like the laptops, computers, televisions and cell phones are used too frequently. And even more dangerous when we sleep with them in the bedroom.
The resulting distortion creates chaos within the body's electromagnetic fields and communication systems. This causes physical, mental and emotional imbalances.
Electromagnetic chaos is a negatively powerful force and causes disease.
When we are able to reduce, eliminate, or neutralize these powerful negative frequencies, then we can reverse the negative reactions, resulting in the "curing" of symptoms and disease.
Living Healthy Through Balanced Diet
There are areas where we have complete control. For example, in the area of nutrition to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
People suffer unnecessarily because they do not eat the right way.
The proper way to ensure you are eating a balanced diet, is to include portions in your meals every day.
The portions should be considered in colors. So, in your daily eating, make sure you consume 50% green, 35% yellow, and 15% red. In so doing, you are covering all the basic nutritional needs of your cells.
Eating like this is the natural way to live healthy life and cancel the imposition of nutritional deficiency diseases.
In other words, we will not suffer from those noncommunicable diseases (NCD), that most people develop from improper or unhealthy eating habits.
For example, we will not suffer from the disease they call cancer. If we are to reveal the truth, cancer is not a disease, but rather a nutritional deficiency.
"According to Pharmaceutical Research, 95% of the causes of cancer are rooted in our lifestyle; our habits and rituals. The result of what we eat and don't eat. Only 5% of all cancers have a genetic link in their etiology, (causes of cancer)".
The naked truth is, there is no disease called cancer. Cancer is a tumor- like growth that occurs as a result of a nutritional deficiency of vitamin B17.
Most doctors won't tell you this, but take it from me, only your body can cure itself!
There are certain things you can do to help your body heal itself better, or cure itself of illness, sickness and diseases.
I stated earlier one of the fundamental reason you are sick is because of too much toxins in your body. What that comes down to are six areas that have direct relations to toxicity in your body.
These six areas are:
1. Exercise
2. Rest
3. What goes in your body
4. What comes out of your body
5. Your thoughts
6. Words you speak
Did you know that when you are toxic your body becomes highly acidic? Good health mean your body pH should be alkaline. When your body pH is acidic, you are vulnerable to illness and disease.
If your body pH remains alkaline, you virtually cannot get sick!
Every single individual who is diagnosed with cancer, has a pH that is too acidic.
One man said it all in this way - "If man made it, don't eat it." Put another way, eat only what comes from the plant, and not what come out of a plant.
There is so much that could be said here about genetical modification by man of virtually all fruits and vegetables to make them more disease resistant.
And even worse than that, how farmers have to produce more per acre in order to make more profit, by using chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. So when you eat a piece of that fruit or vegetable, it is loaded with toxic chemicals.
The bottom line is this, if you are going to be living healthy life and experience vibrancy and high energy, you must clean the accumulated toxins from your body.
Live Good Health By Eliminating Toxic Built-up
It is important to know that from a baby, you have been flooding your body with toxins.
These toxins and poisons included everything form vaccines, prescription and nonprescription drugs, from the air we breath, the water we drink, swim and shower in, and all the chemical from the food we eat.
You should learn about getting a full-body fat/lymphatic detox once per year. And in between that, do a complete colon cleanse, do a heavy metal cleans, do a liver/gallbladder cleanse, do a parasite cleanse, and a candida cleanse.
Other Measures to Good Health
You should drink eight full glasses of purified water every day. You need to drink more water, and the water must be pure. Water is necessary not only for flushing and nourishing your cells, but also for keeping them hydrated and pH balanced.
It is recommended that if you are going to be living healthy life, you should use a rebounder (mini trampoline) for at lease ten minutes a day.
By simply using this device on a daily basis, can provide more health benefits for your cells than almost any other form of exercise.
A rebounder stimulates every single cell in your body simultaneously.
It also stimulates the immune system and is amazingly effective in cleansing toxins out of the cells. The rebounder is said to be the most incredible exercise device made by man.
If you are going to be living a healthy life, you must stop putting toxins in your body!
If you stop doing the things that are causing your symptoms and disease, then you have in effect "cured" yourself.
Most medical practitioners won't tell you this, because their interest is to have you coming back to them as often as possible to sell you more drugs to suppress the symptoms.
So, in concluding this article on living a healthy lifestyle, let me summarize:
The best way to get rid of any and all illness and disease that you may be suffering from, and prevent them from recurring. Also to slow down or potentially reverse the aging process is to do the following:
  1. Get rid of all the toxins that have built up in your system.
  2. Stop, or at least reduce the toxins entering your body. It is almost impossible to totally prevent toxins from entering our bodies, but we can drastically reduce the amount.
  3. We must ensure our elimination systems are clean and not sluggish. That will make the toxins we put in and those develop in our body naturally are getting out freely and quickly.
  4. We are to make sure we are getting adequate amounts of nutrition in the various forms such as vitamins, minerals, enzymes, co-factors, and life-sustaining "energy".
  5. Make an effort to reduce or neutralize the electromagnetic energy attacking our body's energy fields and cells.
  6. Do everything to reduce stress
  7. Understand that our mind, and thoughts and words can create a healthy alkaline body pH, and actually change the way out body genetically defective DNA structures into normal healthy DNA structures.
Remember, living good healthy is our responsibility.
The choices we make every day determine the quality of our health.
It is Adrian T Brown here your health enthusiast with a profound question for you: Why People Sick?. You may or may not be responsible for your present health status.
One thing is for sure, you can do something about it. What you think, say and do, believe it or not is creating or destroying your health.
Starting today, right here, right now, can be the beginning of a disease-free, pain-free life. Weight Loss Friendly Foods is where you should start, take action...


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10146261

A Time for Everything? Is There Really?

By     Expert Author Joan Kent 

In Ecclesiastes it says, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Well, food addictions may be an exception to this guiding rule.
When I was running my weight-loss program, a woman in the class objected to the food rules. She viewed them as too strict. "I want eating to be natural," she said.
The rules seemed fairly natural to me:
- Eat when your body gives you the signal that it needs and is ready for food - hunger.
- Stop eating when your body gives you the signal that it has had enough - hunger is replaced by comfortable fullness.
- Avoid addictive foods, which throw off the first two rules.
But they didn't feel natural to her.
So what was she really looking for? Possibly she wanted the go-ahead to eat whatever she felt like eating with no thought of consequences. Or no consequences at all.
She and another woman in the group complained to our strength-training coach that they wanted a day off.
Impatiently, the coach replied, "There's no day off. This is it - the way you eat, the way you train - all the time."
What does this have to do with the quote at the beginning?
With food addictions, certainly with sugar addiction, sliding off the plan with no consequences can't really happen. There's no opposite: say, a time to comply, a time to eat sugar. Nope.
Instead, when we realize the magnitude of the decision we've made, what happens is sadness.
It's a big step. It's okay to feel sad. We can grieve and mourn the old way of eating and the junk we used to eat that made us need to go through this big change.
Through the deaths of my entire family, I found out that grief shows up whenever it wants, not when it's convenient.
"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran
Your Grief Tip: Allow yourself to feel sad over the loss of sugar, other junk, and food binges. Then let go.
Get lost in your new process. Accept giving up foods and eating habits that once had emotional significance for you. Talk with like-minded people who are giving up the same things and understand what you're facing. Better things are on the way.
If you see it through, you'll probably reach the opposite of the time for mourning: "a time to dance."
That feeling of freedom is what I wish for you. If you'd like help getting there, perfect! That's what I do. Just visit http://www.LastResortNutrition.com and grab your free Empowered Eating Consult. Find out how easy, painless, even enjoyable quitting sugar can be!
Brought to you by Dr. Joan Kent, best-selling author of Stronger Than Sugar: 7 Simple Steps to Defeat Sugar Addiction, Lift Your Mood, and Transform Your Health.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/10190434

How to keep your brain healthy as you age

Written by Ana Sandoiu on September 8, 2017







Thursday, October 10, 2019

How Nutrition Helps In Addiction Recovery



Click here for more information: https://www.truthofaddiction.comWe've often heard people talk about, when you want to overcome an addiction, address your physycial needs. Get enough sleep, exercise, eat well. That is all very important. But what I wanted to focus on today, is the nutrition piece. This isn’t just about eating well, as we all should. But really understanding that the neurotransmitters in the brain are synthensized by nutrition. When you quit an addictive begavior, you don’t feel well, you are agitated, your mood is low and it seems that cravings run wild. The reason is that neurotransmitters are off. Feeling these things, are a manifestation that they are off. So I am not giving you advice of eating lettuce more lettuce in your diet. What I am talking about is specific key nutrients that restore dopamine levels and other neurotransmitters in the brain. There is research to show that addicted individuals, especially those to substances, once they quit, have diminished and malfunctioning neurotransmitters in the brain. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers, they affect us in how we feel, act and behave. So, this is why not just for nutritious foods, but key nutrients is very important for someone who struggles with addiction, because once you quit, depressed mood agitation, lethargy starts to set in. Click here for more information: https://www.truthofaddiction.com