Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion – Page 25

October 13, 2009October 18, 2009

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Daily Food Shopping: Food Be My Ally!

Making good choices starts here: stores and markets.

Walking into Fred Meyer, I realize that 85% of the store is simply irrelevant to my life — because highly processed food is NOT nutrition. But, the other 15% of the store holds many of the answers to health, healing, and weight loss.

The produce section is vibrant, with the colors of fruits and vegetables glistening from the light above. My eye for deals seeks out quality and fair-priced products.

I ask myself….What fruits/vegetables have I NOT had recently? These are the ones that need to be cycled back into my diet.

I pick up some fresh apples, a couple pears, avocados and two English cucumbers (I only have one left now). Next, it’s off to the bulk food section…

Careful to avoid any internal conflict, I simply avert my eyes from any of the chocolate, sugary treats. Instead, I see that oatmeal is on sale for a mere 76 cents per pound. I filled up my bag with six large scoops of oatmeal, which rang up at $1.75. In terms of nutrition, that gives me hundreds of grams of fiber, slow carbs, protein, and weeks of hot breakfeasts.

Next, I had a desire for lentils, but I already ate many lentils last week. Instead, I opt for the green split peas, which brings back happy childhood memories. Maybe I’ll make a soup with this green, slow carb, high fiber, high protein food.

Very low glycemic index

Now it’s on to the refrigerated section of the health aisle. I pick up two bulk Nancy’s low-fat yogurt at about $10 total, which should last me two weeks. Actually, Yogurt is a fantastic addition to smoothies and protein shakes. The amount of sugars listed on the label does not reflect how it works in your body. In fact, since yogurt is a fermented food, much of the sugar has been altered by the living cultures — meaning that there is actually LESS real sugar than what you see on the label. Eat up, my friends.

As I returned home tonight, I ate an entire cucumber — if not for the nutrition, then for the fact that it fills me up due to high water content. Before I go to bed, I will drink more Kefir to get the healthy probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and protein so that when I wake up in the morning, I will be my balanced, optimistic, and handsome self.

Food is my friend

…and I intend to keep it that way. Be a part of the movement, and find yourself in the OUTER aisles of the grocery store — that is where the TRUE nutrition resides.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion Weightloss Now

October 10, 2009October 11, 2009

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Is the H1N1 vaccine safe?

A recent study shows that 40% of American adults do NOT trust the H1N1 vaccine.

"Getting closer...almost ready for your injection?"

What do we really know about the vaccine?

This is how it was created…

“We have injected viruses into hen’s eggs, where they will grow for two or three days before being extracted,” said Dr James Robertson, a virologist .

Then the virus will be broken open and its eight genes extracted and mixed with harmless laboratory flu strains to create a range of hybrid viruses. Researchers will then select one that possesses the right features for the vaccine: a harmless virus that stimulates immune responses when injected into humans.

When it comes down to it, the H1N1 vaccine is very similar to any other seasonal flu vaccine. It seems to be relatively safe with the typical, acceptable side effects usually felt at the site of injection.

The difference lies in the fact that H1N1 affects significantly more children — KILLING many who were otherwise healthy (allegedly, define healthy).

Personally, I’m not getting the shot, and I am NOT SICK, now — or in the future.

Revive-MY-Immunity Lifestyle :

8 hours of sleep every night
Balanced diet: Fruits, vegetables, protein, nuts, oils, and whole grains.
Fermented foods for bacteria/viral immunity: Kefir, Raw Sauerkraut, Kombucha, and Yogurt.
Eight glasses of water per day
Adapt to stress, with healthy support system
WASH hands as I come in contact with others

It may be a risk to neglect an effective vaccine, but even if sickness did strike, a mighty immunity could bomb Swine Flu into submission very rapidly.

So do you get the vaccine, or RISK it by going business-as-usual?

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion

October 8, 2009October 18, 2009

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[SPECIAL REPORT] Medical Drugs: Prescription for Symptoms & Suffering?

“When your toolbox only has a hammer, everything looks like a nail”

Going to hammer your body

This was according to a leader in the natural health field, Dr. Michael Murray in his Seattle speech tonight south of downtown, as he added that the dangerous anti-inflammatory drugs, Celebrex and Vioxx, “should never have been approved.”

Even though healthcare can be frustrating at times, we each have a stake in our own health. More and more Americans are uninsured, future unknown, and in pain. Hip replacements mean big money for corporations, while the market for prescription drugs sees increases in profitability, especially in the United States.

A Common Scenario:

You wake up one morning, in pain. Soon, you call up the doctors office for an appointment — sometimes you wait over a week. Upon the doctor entering the patient room, you explain your symptoms to get treatment. And almost every treatment seems to include a prescription for a pharmaceutical drug.

“My throat hurts.” Prescription for antibiotics. “My ankle hurts.” Prescription for anti-inflammatory. “Your cholesterol is too high.” 10 year Prescription for Statin.

Each symptom is treated separately, even neglecting the person it belongs to. What if you’re experiencing emotional anxiety from your painful condition? Here, let me refer you to a head doctor.

Prescription drugs are directly linked to American culture. SHOCKING STATISTICS:

On average, Americans over 55 years old will be prescribed 34 prescriptions per year.
As a result, they will be on EIGHT Prescription Drugs at any one time.
In 1975, Americans consumed less than 18% of the World’s pharmaceutical supply.
By 2000, Half of the ENTIRE WORLD’s market of pharmaceuticals was here in the USA.
Thanks to Drug Companies, doctors receive $20,000,000,000 worth of advertising directed towards them every year. Thats 20 BILLION dollars influencing docs to make decisions on your behalf.
The drug Prozac was approved after conducting four studies supporting its use. In actuality, ELEVEN studies were performed, several of which did not make it through the publication process.

The marketing divisions of drug companies heavily utilize persuasion psychology to make its products more appealing. They make us THINK that drugs are the solution. Despite my incredible respect for established doctors, many doctors perpetuate the myth that drugs alone can heal.

Only your body, that which is of nature, will heal itself.

Whether you believe in God or Gaia, no amount of hamburgers and insulin pills can cure diabetes. Instead, the seeds of life, such as plants, fruit, and nuts play a greater role in disease prevention than any pharmaceutical. Prescription drugs work on an artificially chemical level, which usually inhibits other healthy processes in your body. Since our diet is the largest part of healing, we must take responsibility for ourselves by making smart choices one day at a time.

The ultimate in Healing technology

Diet pills alone will never get you lean and Prescription drugs alone will NEVER get you healthy.

To be healthy, each person must realize their value and purpose, while relating to the world in a beneficial way. For example, eating an apple is a positive way of relating to the planet. We can all help each other do this. I hope that my own journey inspires others, because I am in awe of the healing powers of living foods and natural herbs.

Where do we go from here?

For now, my friends, we must equip ourselves with greater assets than prescription tools alone. Understand that healing is a process on many levels. Moreover, it’s wise to understand just how penetrating direct-to-consumer advertising is. (The Power of Persuasion: How We’re Bought and Sold, google: Read page 19, second paragraph)

Aside from my vote, I hope to advance the dialogue by posing these observations…

Is it ethical for drug companies, using top of the line persuasion technology, to advertise directly to consumer?
What would the world be like in terms of advertising and health implications if the largest industry in America was the Broccoli & Cucumber Farmer’s Association instead of a company like Pfizer?
Doctors are exposed to Rx drugs since their first year of training, but what if instead of a measly 2 hours of class, an entire YEAR of Nutrition studies were required? Perhaps then, doctors would be better able to promote your own healing powers.
What if…drug companies actually had your best interests in mind?

I welcome you all to seek out the answers that matter most to YOU, in the comments below or at your leisure.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion

October 2, 2009October 2, 2009

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Eat Meat, Look like Jessica Biel

In healthy quantities, meat can help people look like this:

Jessica Biel: FORMER vegetarian

Meat is GREAT for lean muscle, but how can I make it part of my healthy lifestyle?

I understand the arguments against meat. Aside from the protein content, there are parts of meat that just aren’t good for your body.

The GOOD part, is that we can balance the negatives of meat with other wise food choices. Here’s a little example of something I find works well for me:

Meat Eating Strategy

1. Prepare your body for digestion, and create an intestinal environment where toxins won’t survive.

20 minutes before eating beef:

Liquefy 1-2 tablespoon coconut oil and add to hot water for tea (or herbs)

The power of coconut oil lies in its ability to be used as a highly efficient source of energy, while containing natural fatty acids that burn fat and kill viruses. Meanwhile, the herbs in tea will support healthy metabolism, digestion, and anti-parasitic action.

You wouldn’t go to work without your clothes on, so why wouldn’t you be ready for the meat machine?

Coconut oil is worthy.

2. Eat vegetables, containing nutrients and fiber to aid in digestion.

In fact, 30 g fiber per day keeps disease away.

3. Consume Kefir!

Almost all of the negative effects of beef are balanced by Kefir.

Kefir, Meat, and My Body: Consuming Kefir will…

Reduce levels of Blood Pressure due to it’s naturally occurring content of Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium.
Calming effect on the nervous system, ideally allowing for more efficient digestion.
Supply body with ample beneficial bacteria which release anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-oxidant compounds specifically targeted toward nearly all the bad microbes.
Raw Kefir is loaded with digestive enzymes, which allow your pancreas to rest and recuperate.
Anti-inflammatory.
Largely acts as a cleanser for the colon to get rid of toxins.
DON’T HAVE TO EAT AS MUCH MEAT, because Kefir already contains well absorbed, easily digestible, and readily available amino acids.

Eating meat with ease…

Now you all understand why I love Kefir.

Nutrition, Immunity, and Digestion

October 1, 2009October 18, 2009

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Protein for Your Muscle, and Why the Meat Ain’t Free

There’s no denying it: Meat Builds Lean Muscle, at a cost.

Delicious, but please eat along with fiber source.

Delicious, pumped full of amino acids and toxins.

Amino acids, the building blocks of muscle, are found in very high levels in meat and high protein sources. These amino acids are involved in both the process of muscle breakdown and synthesis of new muscle.

Not all aminos are created equally

For muscle maintenance and recovery, the Branched Chain Amino Acid, L-Leucine, is the King of Aminos. In fact, L-Leucine enjoys a prioritized uptake by muscle cells due to it’s superior means of transportation. It’s important to get L-Leucine in combination with other Amino Acids, specifically L-Isoleucine, and L-Valine.

Think of it this way, the King Leucine has VIP access to the Party, and he’s bringing his entourage with him too. A high level of L-Leucine can provide greater additional uptake of the other BCAA‘s, Isoleucine and Valine.

Since muscle is comprised 33% of the triad of Branched Chain Amino Acids, it makes sense to eat food rich in L-Leucine.

Abundance of Amino Acids = Ability for Muscles to Strengthen

The Actual Cost of Meat

I’m not talking here, about the environmental impact of meat.

Actually, the most important thing to consider is YOUR internal environmental impact of meat.

Despite humans having evolved the ability to consume meat, do you think people were eating beef on a daily basis? More likely during hunter-gatherer times, humans consumed several POUNDS of Kale, Lettuce, and Greens to offset any harmful effects from meat.

Beef, to an extent, is relatively toxic to the body. It takes a high amount of body resources to digest, detoxify, and pass meat products.

How Beef Affects Your Body

Contributes to greater acidity in the body (This acidic environment allows unhealthy bacteria, yeasts, and virus to grow from within)
Potential for harmful bacteria, such as e. coli.
High in cholesterol
Most meat is high in added salt as well.
Increase Blood Pressure if body is not already in balance.
Body must produce significant digestive enzymes, which many non-rawfood eaters may be lacking.
Higher in Omega-6 Saturated Fat, offsetting the balance between Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids.
Related to pro-inflammatory response in body. (Your heart and joints don’t like that)
Most commercial meats may be loaded with pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones. (And now your meat is too).
PROVIDES BODY WITH ESSENTIAL AMINO ACIDS, NECESSARY FOR EVERY LEAN TISSUE IN THE BODY.

Overall, the Amino Acids are VERY important to life and functioning as a human being. Moreover, amino acids such as L-Lysine are anti-viral and very popular among people with cold sores.

The key is Balance and Moderation when it comes to meat.