Xtend Your Life

One of the most valuable lessons Ive learned over the past 25 years of holistic practice is the significance and importance of balance in all arenas of health. The balancing of protocols is of optimum importance in maximizing our success and efficiency in treating the whole person.

Most of us have heard about balanced nutrition all of our lives; if we eat sensibly from the different food groups listed in the food pyramid, we should experience the benefits of that discipline. But, as we all know, the food pyramid changes from time to time. What my parents generation thought of as a balanced meal would not meet the approval of at least half of todays nutritionists.

I now know the proper nutritional program that helps me perform optimally. However, I also know that as vital and imperative as a healthy nutritional program is, that it is only a component of wholeness. As alternative practitioners, we should aim to balance nutrition, along with other alternative adjunct modalities, to maximize optimal health. A properly balanced protocol of synergistic procedures addressing the whole person perspective will provided the most therapeutically empowering approach!

In the 21st century, we are finding our patients to be more receptive to alternative forms of healthcare. In this affirmative environment, w hat will separate the general alternative practitioners from the most successful ones is the application of more effective and efficient protocols. These practitioners will be able to get the fastest, most effective, and cost efficient results!

In our ambition to balance adjuncts, we must evaluate the weight of each component. Nutrition, for example, is largely a supportive therapy, and we must be careful to afford this highly effective modality the proper environment in which to perform optimally.

As we increase our efforts in nutrition, without the balance of other protocols, we can sometimes end up over-prescribing and giving our patients more pills than they can swallow. Patient compliance and confidence can frequently fall off in the nutritional treatment program and referral potential.

Nutrition must be applied in its most efficacious role for both the patient and the doctor. Chiropractic and h omeopathy offer a deeper -acting therapy to better address the roots of disease. While nutrition works primarily on a biochemical level, homeopathy works bioenergetically, to correct nerve interferences throughout the whole nervous system where the hands of the chiropractor cannot reach. I have found nutrition and herbs to be more supportive in their therapeutic effects, while chiropractic and homeopathy are more curative.

When the energetic control systems of the body (like the nervous system) work properly, everything else we doincluding balancing body chemistry with supplementationworks better. Every chemical within our body has a very specific charge to respond and do what it is told by the energetic control system. When the total control systems of our body function properly, the nutritional and herbal supplements will work much better. Conversely, when the control systems of our body are not working properly, nutritional supplements cannot achieve their maximized effect.

Homeopathy, like chiropractic, works at the highest levels in the hierarchy of our health to maintain homeostasis. The marriage of chiropractic and homeopathy empowers the chiropractor to more successfully work with the whole nervous system to better fulfill the high call of chiropractic. Homeopathy allows additional therapies, like nutrition, the opportunity to maximize their potential and is essential to completing chiropractic destiny. Without it, chiropractic can never realize its full potential.

Many sincere and searching chiropractors have turned to complex, time -consuming procedures to help the chronic majority in our society. These labor-intensive procedures are wonderful tools. However, these great tools can leave the doctor burned out and unable to significantly reach a sick and suffering society with the greatest good.

So many of our patients are affected by some so-called incurable problem or recurring health issue irresolvable with nutrition, traditional medicine, or even chiropractic alone. They are open to and hungry for someone to come along with an answer to their impasse. Lack of wellness has been robbing people of their quality of life for too long, and they are seeking a doctor willing to step up to try to help them.

Homeopathy assists us chiropractors in addressing the myriad of patient complaints more effectively and efficiently. In working with those who might have lost hope or been tempted to acquiesce to their condition, it particularly makes far more sense to use the faster acting, more streamlined procedures first and save the protracted, labor-intensive procedures for only when they are needed. Prioritization of these procedures empowers the chiropractor to be of the greatest value to society.

Through its proving, the over 200 year-old science of homeopathy offers chiropractic the detailed compilation of neuro-sensory reflex responses with the elements of our environment. Thus, homeopathy better equip s us to attend to the whole nervous system. Homeopathy is potentized with serial dilutions and successions beyond the molecular level affecting correction at the higher levels of our bioenergetic controls. In short, we beneficially influence not just the chemical realm, but the whole person with homeopathy.

Together, homeopathy and chiropractic empower the chiropractor to better balance the whole nervous system. With the application of both of these modalities to clear nerve interferences throughout our entire control system, everything we do to enhance our patients health works better: application of nutrition, herbs, diet, exercise, etc. We will commonly even see improvement in the ability to think and believe more positively.

It is common to observe the correction of recurring subluxation patterns using homeopathy indicating its deeper, curative effect(s). In fact, homeopathy works so deeply, even inherited health problems and weaknesses can be corrected. Homeopathic miasm remedies are available that have been clinically proven to correct inherited weaknesses in individuals today that have been passed down through thousands of years in their family tree.

With homeopathy as our primary adjunct to chiropractic, we have more efficiently been able to help more people faster with fewer visits and less money spent. Subsequently, this approach has led to greater patient satisfaction, which generates a higher number of referrals and committed, lifetime patients. The more competently and effectively we can help people, the more successful and fulfilled we will become as practitioners.

Our society is plagued with chronic, recurring health problems. The doctor, who is able to help the majority of these people in less time and less financial outlay, has all the ingredients for a super successful practice. Nutrition and herbs are great therapies; they are essential to a wellness practice. However, using chiropractic and homeopathy as our primary tools, our natural programs are no longer limited to the biochemical realm, and we are better equipped to correct problems at the highest levels in the hierarchy of health. Instead, we can now treat the whole person, both biochemically and bioenergetically, eliminating the need to force results by over-treating patients within the limitations of one or two modalities excessively or exclusively. By treating the whole person, we will become more efficient and proficient practitioners. This is what spells success in a fast-growing and competitive natural healthcare market.

In my experience of 25 years as a holistic-style practitioner, I credit homeopathy and chiropractic first and foremost for the most effective resolution of so many health problems. Whether you just want to improve your effectiveness as a musculoskeletal practitioner, or move more successfully into a full-fledged eclectic style practice, homeopathy holds an essential power position for the chiropractor wanting to maximize results!

Enjoy the journey!

Author: Dr. Frank King
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Athletes undergoing strenuous training and competition have greater need for nutrition in sports than the sedentary population. Obtaining adequate nutrients will ensure maximal recovery time and lower rates of infections.

Increased perspiration associated with sport, particularly endurance sport, can lead to an increased loss of minerals and potentially set us up for nutritional deficiency diseases as the nutrient intake sufficient for the general population is not always sufficient for athletes.

Nutrition in sports is often only taken into consideration when we suffer an illness or a disease and sometimes we can leave it too long with fatal consequences. Athletes lose more electrolytes like magnesium, potassium and sodium due to perspiration. Extra iron is needed when athletes become anaemic, as they commonly do. Minerals are needed in higher amounts and supplementation can ensure adequate intake is achieved.

Bone & Joint Health

Optimal bone strength is important for all athletes. Stress fractures can bring an abrupt finish to years of training because the athlete’s diet is not providing the necessary nutrients they require to maintain the strength of their bones.

In order to keep you joints healthy you need more than just calcium – it has been clearly demonstrated that the body requires a range of minerals, vitamins, amino acids, essential fatty acids and other specific nutrients for the formation, repair and maintenance of healthy bones and joints.

Many scientific studies now acknowledge the effects of certain nutrients in preventing and even reversing the effects of joint wear and tear.

The 90 essential nutrients – 60 minerals, 16 vitamins, 12 amino acids and essential fatty acids give your body the nutrition required for the maintenance and repair of healthy bones and joints.

Reduce inflammation and joint pain...

Nutrients such as glucosamine & chondroitin sulphate are beneficial in promoting joint repair and lubrication.

New Pain Relief Supplements such as ‘CM’ – (Cetyl Myristoleate) provide significant pain relief for joints and muscles – without the side-effects of NASAIDS (non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).

NSAIDs can cause irreparable damage to the joint and stomach lining and the anti-inflammatory effects over the long term are no better than glucosamine and chondroitin which also repair the joint.

You should experience measurable results from any supplementation within 90 days.

Factors that may influence outcome include: quality of the product, supplementing with a single nutrient (as opposed to all 90 essential nutrients), poor absorbability – liquids have better absorbability and digestive enzymes can be of great help in speeding up the healing process through nutrition.

Sports Drinks – How Many Nutrients Does Your Sports Drink Have? A simple question – and for most people who drink Gatorade, the answer to that question is ‘three’. That’s right, a whole three nutrients.

The whole key to good nutrition in sports is to put back what the body sweats out. Obviously we need to drink a lot of water – as a guide, the average person should drink about 8-10 glasses of water per day. When you exercise and you sweat, then you should double this amount for every hour you train.

When you sweat, you sweat out minerals (at least 60 in trace amounts), you burn up protein (amino acids) as well as glucose and your requirements for energy increase.

Look for sports drinks containing the maximum number nutrients including minerals, vitamins, amino acids and other nutrients beneficial for nutrition in sports and overall health including Ginseng, Green Tea and Taurine.

The Couch Potato Factor

So what is ‘secret advantage’ of the couch potato? They don’t sweat! While an obese person may be more likely to suffer a range of diseases associated with obesity – the athlete who over trains and sweats without fuelling her body with a great source of nutrition is just as likely to suffer diseases such that threaten the quality of life as she gets older. The warning signs are tiredness, fatigue, erratic blood sugar levels, abnormal heart rhythms and the end result is one of many chronic nutritional deficiency diseases.

The solution is simple, put back what you are losing through a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition and proper daily supplementation.

Copyright Paul Newland – http://www.global-longevity.com

Author: Paul Newland
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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What are Glyconutritionals?

The Greek word “Glyco” means “Sugar”. Most people think of sugar as being bad for you. However, there are actually TWO kinds of sugars. One is the refined or “extracellular” sugars which have been long associated with human disease. The other sugars are “intracellular” which can be found in fruits and vegetables and provide the body with nutrition it needs. These sugars, also known as complex carbohydrates, have been studied for years. However, only recently have we begun discovering their purpose in the body.

An increasing number of scientists believe that certain carbohydrates represent the next frontier in the search for non-toxic treatments for various degenerative conditions. Even though we have just begun to scratch the surface in understanding the full potential of these carbohydrates, the research being reported in just the last decade has ignited a new level of hope and optimism with some of the world’s leading immunologists. The March 23, 2001 issue of Science Magazine is devoted to the topic of cellular communication and the role that simple sugars play in that arena.

Healthy bodies are comprised of many components working together in sophisticated harmony, and must have accurate internal communication to function correctly. In it’s most basic form, this communication occurs at the cellular level. Glyonutrients form what can be referred to as the alphabet of your body!

To maintain a healthy body, cells must “talk” to each other. Their language is one of touch, written in saccharides (or simple sugars) on the cell surfaces. These simple sugars combine with other molecules to make glycoforms such as glycoproteins when combined with proteins or glycolipids when combined with fat. Of the 200 monosaccharides that occur naturally in plants, 8 have been discovered to be components in the cell surface glycoforms (see Harper’s Textbook of Biochemistry–1996). Like thousands of different “keys” projecting from the cell surface, they will either unlock the required functions of the adjoining cell or not. If the right keys are available, the body functions smoothly. If not, it doesn’t. Acta Anatomica, a European journal, states that these simple sugars have a coding capacity that surpasses that of amino acids!!

Only two of the eight monosaccharides are found in todays diet. Our diets have changed in response to the demands for quicker, cheaper food. Consequently, we are not eating foods that contain the necessary fuels for our cells to communicate in a healthy, effective manner. While our body has the capacity to manufacture these simple sugars, the conversion process is complicated. During the conversion process your cells are exposed to tens of thousands of free radical hits each day. This requires time, energy and a host of other micronutrients in order to complete the conversion. Viruses can also interfere with our bodys ability to make these conversions. People who are ill or who have inborn errors of metabolism are especially vulnerable to a breakdown in the process. Whenever the monosaccharides cannot be made, communication is slowed down or impaired as a result.

Since your body has more than trillion cells and fully regenerates all of its cells in approximately 1 year, any miscommunication or slowdown could cause major health problems. With millions of cells regenerating each day, it’s easy to imagine what could happen if during this process, the cells didn’t regenerate correctly. This is why glyconutritional supplements are so very important!

So what are the experts saying about these powerful compounds? Check out some compelling evidence that the scientific and medical world are jumping on board by leaps and bounds:

February, 1990
Magazine, Bio/Technology
Capitalizing on Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are identified as essential for immune function. Almost without exception, whenever two or more living cells interact in a specific way, cell surface carbohydrates will be involved.

1995
Magazine, Nature
Cell surface sugars are necessary for recognition and immune function.

1996
Medical Textbook, Harpers Biochemistry
Vol. 24, Murray, et. al.
Glycoprotein chapter reviews the sugars necessary for cell-to-cell communication.

March, 2000
Launching of glycoscience.org, the first Web site devoted to the nutritional importance of certain saccharides called glyconutrients.

October, 2001
National Institutes of Health grants $34 million grant to Scripps Institute to study glycobiology

2002
GlycoScience.org receives a merit World Wide Web health Award for credibility, clarity and appropriateness

October 2002
Magazine, New Scientist
Sugar Rush
Emphasizes glycobiology as the basis of understanding immunology, neurology and developmental biology.

February, 2003
MITs Technology Review
Glycomics identified as One of 10 Emerging Technologies That Will Change the World.

2003
GlycoScience.org receives two Silver World Wide Web Health awards for credibility, clarity and appropriateness.

December 2003
Nutritional company that pioneered research in field of glycobiology, presents GlycoScience.org Web site and 8th Annual World Congress on the internet in medicine (MedNet) International Conference, Internet in Health for All.

2004
18,032 Medline articles with keyword glycoprotein published.

So the obvious question becomes, what can all this science do for me? Well, no one can claim a cure for anything, but imagine what would happen in your body and consequently your health when your cells are given the proper building blocks to restore and maintain wellness in every system of your body? This is solid science with solid proof in hundreds of thousands of people. The next question is, what will YOU do with this powerful information?

Author: Lori Wilton
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The quality of food we eat (or lack thereof) has a profound affect on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD. For many people, nutrition alone can effectively work as an ADHD alternative treatment.

A growing body of research points to nutritional deficiencies – especially with essential fatty acids and amino acids – as a contributing factor of Attention Deficit Disorder and learning deficiencies.

Put down the Ritalin bottle for one minute to consider these Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition research findings;

• A George Washington University School of Medicine study found that hyperactive children who ate a meal high in protein did equally well, and sometimes better, in school than non-hyperactive kids.
• An Oxford University (England) study evaluated the effects of fatty acid supplementation in average intelligence children with significant reading and writing disabilities. The ADHD symptoms in children receiving Essential Fatty Acids significantly improved over the children in the control group receiving a placebo.
• Researchers first tied Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD with lower essential fatty acid in 1981. Studies examining essential fatty acid blood levels in children with behavioral problems in 1983 confirmed this Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition connection.
• Researchers further documented the essential fatty acid deficiency tie to Attention Deficit Disorder in a 1987 study. Then, a 1995 study comparing essential fatty acid levels in ADHD boys against a control group of boys without ADHD found significantly lower levels of Omega-3 fatty acids.
• In 1996 Purdue University researchers have found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater frequency of Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD.

Attention Deficit Disorder is the most common behavioral disorder in children. Not all Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children are nutritionally deficient in essential fatty acids, statistics and studies show that a significant number of ADHD children are.

Physicians predominately use stimulant drugs such as Ritalin for Attention Deficit Disorder but studies show that Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD children whose treatment program includes only stimulant medication remain at a high risk for vandalism, petty crime, frequency of alcoholic intoxication, and possession of marijuana. Additionally, ADHD medications do not always work, have a host of harmful side effects and never treat the cause the Attention Deficit Disorder.

With Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD, nutrition and food is one the first aspect of treatment to consider, as an ADHD alternative treatment or used in conjunction with traditional ADHD stimulant drug treatment.

Fatty acids are used to make brain and nerve tissue in the body and are crucial for proper growth, mental function, the immune system and brain development. The body cannot produce the two fatty acids families, Omega-3 and Omega-6, on its own and therefore must receive these key Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition ingredients through diet and supplementation.

Although the typical Western diet is high in the Omega-6 family of fatty acids (found in corn, sunflower, canola and safflower oil, margarine, vegetable oil and shortening), most Americans young and old are highly deficient in Omega-3.

Learning specialists now believe many childhood behavior and learning problems are associated with Omega-3 deficiencies. This deficiency has a greater impact on males because their requirements for essential fatty acids are, in general, much higher. It is no surprise that boys are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder at a much higher rate than girls.

ADHD adults and parents of ADHD children should include food high in Omega-3 fatty acids daily. That said, many children simply will not eat the Omega-3 rich salmon, mackerel and sardines.

Enter flax seed and flax oil – food of the gods when it comes to Omega-3 fatty acids.

Flax seed and flax oil are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids and offers Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition vital to support healthy childhood behavioral and IQ development. One to two tablespoons of flax oil should be part of a every Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition food action plan.

In addition to the positive affects on brain functioning, flax oil also works to prevent heart disease and certain types of cancer. Flax oil helps soften skin, balance energy, burn fat, stimulate the metabolism, strengthen the immune system, manage diabetes, help prevent autoimmune disease and inflammatory disorders. Flax oil also helps alleviate PMS and some menopause symptoms.

Here are some great ways to sneak flax oil into the daily diet;

• Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil in flavored yogurt.
• 1 tablespoon of flax oil in fruit smoothies is virtually undetectable.
• Mix 1 tablespoon of flax oil with one tablespoon maple syrup or honey as a sweetener instead of granulated sugar.
• Use 1-2 tablespoons of flax oil when making tuna salad or egg salad while proportionably decreasing the amount of Miracle Whip or mayonnaise used.
• Flax Butter: Melt one stick organic butter and mix with 4 ounces flax oil when cooled to room temperature. Refrigerate until the flax butter solidifies and use in place of margarine.
• Omega-3 Ice Cream: Mix 2 cups yogurt with 1 tablespoon flax oil and fresh or frozen fruit. Serve when frozen.

Most studies conducted on the affects of essential fatty acids found that at least 10 weeks of supplementation is needed to adequately raised fatty acid levels in brain cells. Follow a diet high in Omega-3 fatty acids for at least 10 weeks, and preferably 12 weeks, before judging the effectiveness of nutrition on Attention Deficit Disorder and ADHD symptoms.

Important points about flax oil:

• Flax oil is highly perishable and should be kept refrigerated at all time.
• Heat destroys the health-giving flax oil properties. Use flax oil only with cold foods, cold proteins are best.
• When buying flax oil, use only high quality, cold-pressed flax oil. The date pressed and a freshness date of four months or less from the pressed date should be on the label. If not, dont buy it!
• Do not use flax seed oil beyond its expiration date since the oil will turn rancid.

Essential fatty acids are not the only element needed when addressing Attention Deficit Disorder ADHD nutrition. Amino acids, from which protein is made, are an integral element since amino acids and essential fatty acids are both needed to work in the body. Therefore, adding quality protein is a key in Attention Deficit Disorder nutrition.

Attention Deficit and hyperactive people can greatly reduce the level of unfocused or misdirected energy simply by starting the day with a protein based breakfast. A solid protein breakfast can increase concentration, reduce restlessness and increase mental and physical calm.

Instead of starting the day with sugared cereals, pancakes covered in syrup, sweet rolls, doughnuts or danishes, try these brain-boosting breakfast ideas;

• Scrambled eggs, toast and fruit.
• Whole wheat toast with peanut butter.
• Fruit and yogurt smoothie with flax oil.
• Protein shake.
• Bacon and eggs with toast and milk.
• Egg and sausage patty on English muffin.
• Yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of flax oil.

Author: Jeannine Virtue
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Times

Incorporating these fat loss tips will improve your nutrition program. Start
off slowly and add one a week, you don’t have to adopt all of them at
once. Before long, youve cleaned up your nutrition program and on
your way to reaching your goal. Trendy diets, fads and the infomercial
product of the month, are not going to help you reach your weight loss
goals. A well thought-out nutrition and exercise program will.

Eat breakfast

Proven time and again, those who eat breakfast are more successful at
controlling their weight than those that don’t. Plus, when doing strength
training exercises (and you know you should be), it’s even more
important to make certain you fuel those muscles after an overnight fast.
The perfect time for burning fat because glycogen, blood glucose and
insulin levels are all low.

Unfortunately, it may also be perfect for burning muscle, because
glycogen levels are low, and levels of the catabolic stress hormone
cortisol are high. If you skip breakfast and eat lunch at noon, youre not
only in a highly catabolic (muscle wasting) state, youre also sending an
unmistakable starvation signal to your body.

Eat less sugar

Start reading labels! Sugar is hidden in almost every commercial food
item. A single tablespoon of ketchup gets 3 of its 4 grams of carbs from
sugar. A 12 oz can of cola has a staggering 40 grams of sugar, and ALL
of the carbs in a cola are sugar! Why does that matter?

Simple sugars are digested very quickly and cause a rapid spike in
blood sugar. Your body then releases large amounts of insulin. Insulin
quickly clears the glucose from the bloodstream leading to low blood
sugar (hypoglycemia.) Low blood sugar causes cravings, hunger,
weakness, mood swings and decreased energy. These cravings for
sugar result in a vicious cycle of ups and downs in blood sugar levels
throughout the day.

Eat More Often

Studies have shown that those who eat 4-6 smaller meals per day have
less body fat than those eating 2-3 meals a day, even if both groups eat
about the same number of calories. This is because of maintaining
steady blood sugar levels. Too much insulin activates fat storage
enzymes and forces fat in the bloodstream into fat cells for storage.

High insulin levels also inhibit enzymes that promote the breakdown of
existing stored body fat. You can manage your blood sugar and insulin
levels by choosing fewer simple carbohydrates, more complex
carbohydrates, eating fiber and having your carbohydrates with lean
proteins approximately every three hours.

Eat protein

Be sure to include enough protein for your level of activity (you are
exercisingright?)

Protein speeds up your metabolism because your body has to work
harder to digest, process, and utilize it compared to fats or carbs.

The “thermic” effect of protein is one of the reasons that a higher protein
diet is more effective for fat loss than a diet high in fat or carbs. Too
much of any food can be stored as body fat, but protein is less likely to
be converted to fat than any other nutrient.

Eat nothing from a box

The closer your food is to nature the better off you are. Have you looked
at the ingredients list in most packaged food these days? You need to
be a scientist to figure out what half the ingredients are. Stick to real,
wholesome foods, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, etc.

Eat your vegetables

I don’t mean fast food french fries. Try to get as many vegetable servings
into your meals as you can. It’s nearly impossible to over eat vegetables.
They are full of fiber and will help keep you full between meals. They
also contain loads of antioxidants. Raw is great, steamed is another
good way to have them. Hold the heavy cheese sauces please!

Eat protein and carbs together

If you want to keep your blood sugar in check, then don’t eat your carbs
by themselves. Strive to always have balanced meals of protein, carbs
and healthy fats. You’ll feel better and your muscles will thank you.

Prepare your own food

Best for several reasonsIt’s cheaper than eating out, you know exactly
what you are eating, and it saves time. It takes no more time to cook up 6
healthy chicken breasts than it does to cook one or two. Make things
easy. Prepare them over the weekend and your lunches for the next few
days are done. While you are at it, put on a pot of brown or wild rice, or
bake up some sweet potatoes and you’re good to go.

Drink water

LOTS! Most people are already dehydrated. Strive to drink a gallon a
day. If you drink a lot of coffee, then you need an extra 8 oz for each cup
of coffee. Exercise will put more demands on your fluid levels. You need
water. Drink 50-75% of your body weight in ounces of water. Add an
additional 16 oz for strenuous exercise. No complaining!

Get more exercise

Get some exercise on most days of the week, and alternate between
strength training exercises and cardio training. If you are a beginner,
shoot for two weight workouts a week and progress to 3 or more
depending upon your goals. Get in as many cardio sessions as your
schedule will allow, but aim for at least 3.

Commit to adopting these nutrition program changes and you’ll be well
on your way to reaching your weight loss goal, whether it’s ten pounds
or many more. Sound nutrition and exercise will always succeed in the
long run. Don’t give into the temptation of fads.

The information contained in this article is strictly for informational
purposes and is not intended to provide medical advice. If you are
sedentary or over 40 please get clearance from a doctor before starting
an exercise program.

—

You have permission to publish this article electronically, without
changes of any kind, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included,
and remain working hyperlinks. Please send a copy of the URL where
you have posted this article.

By Rick DeToma

Rick DeToma is a fitness coach, and trainer who specializes in home workouts. Contact Rick for a no obligation telephone fitness assessment at: http://www.tailored-fitness-home-workouts.com/contact.html

Get more tips like these by subscribing to Tailored Fitness News http://www.tailored-fitness-home-workouts.com/newsletter.html

Author: Rick DeToma
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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The topic of nutrition is one that is always present in our lives no matter where we turn. Its on the news, magazine articles, at school, at your doctors office, and even is a major topic for many books.

Over the years, there have been many ideas presented how to structure your diet so you ensure a good state of health. The RDA established by the government recommends certain percentages of nutrients that are claimed to be a healthy standard for all people in this country.

Now you have many scientists and researchers stating that the RDA standards are too low and need to be revised to reflect higher percentages of nutrients. There are other scientists and doctors that claim based on your body type, you should only eat certain types of foods while avoiding others.

Many health officials advise the public to limit total fat intake to a low percentage of their total daily calories. There are other groups that claim eating a good portion of fat in the diet is actually healthy. So, who is right and what constitutes eating healthy?

Well, I think that society has made nutrition much too complex. Trying to calculate every single calorie and each percentage of nutrients every day is a little too unrealistic let alone confusing. I believe we need to simplify the aspect of nutrition in our lives.

Before we do that though, we need to grasp the real meaning of what nutrition is. Nutrition is any food item or substance that supplies the body with vital nutrients that enable it to carry out normal physiological functions.

Nutrition does not constitute food items that either deplete the body of nutrients and/or increase the energy expenditure by the body in order to process that food item. Nutrition from food should supply your body with vital compounds necessary for physiological functioning and not strip away nutrients.

Based on many peoples diets today, there are numerous food items and store bought supplements that actually strip nutrients from the body. To eat too many of these foods and/or ingest poor quality supplements will actually leave your body less nourished than before you ate them. This does not make any sense! A good analogy will serve to explain this concept.

Picture if you will your paycheck that you receive from work. Now, lets say that every time you get your paycheck, you go to the bank and deposit it immediately. As in the normal case when you deposit your check into your bank account, it reflects as an increase in total account value.

Now picture that every time you deposit your check in the bank, instead of adding value to your account, it actually diminishes your account value. You wouldnt like that very much would you? However, this is exactly what happens when you eat foods that contain little or no nutritional value.

Food items such as coffee, French fries, corn chips, soda, hot dogs, pretzels, white bread, donuts, milk and many other food items contain little or no nutritional value to them. By consuming these foods, vital nutrients will be taken from the body in order to process them accordingly.

I am not advocating avoiding these foods forever. I am simply stating that people eat way too many of these low nutrient foods in their diet. I would recommend adding plenty of raw vegetables when eating low nutrient foods to compensate for the lack of nutrition in these foods.

For example, lets take an average portion of chicken breast. If you ate simply this portion of meat, it would require enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and other bionutrients for the body to process it accordingly. In essence, as in this case, the body will have lost vital nutrients in the process of digesting this meat. Most people would view that by eating a piece of meat that this would serve as nutrition for the body.

In reality, this meat added no nutrients to supply the body with its needs and it only really contributed protein. Yes, protein is important to receive in your diet and chicken is a very good source of protein. However, it is that many people dont eat enough fruits and raw vegetables to compensate for the lack of nutrition in their diets.

A typical dinner of chicken, baked potato, and a small serving of peas is still lacking a large percentage of nutrients. How? A baked potato really does not contain very much as far as nutrients. Yes, it has carbohydrates but it has no real adequate nutrients as in vitamins and minerals. Peas, if bought frozen and heated will have lost almost all vitamins and will contribute only some minerals, some fiber, and some protein.

This meal just does not contain enough raw enzymes, vitamins, and minerals in order to nourish your cells adequately let alone to process the food itself. Thus, even though you may have eaten a large meal as in this case, you still have not contributed many nutrients to your body to allow for normal physiological functioning.

When the body does not receive enough nutrients with every meal, it will draw these vital compounds from its reserve. The body normally uses vitamin and mineral reserves in times of emergency such as when a person has a cold, flu, or some other illness.

Think of the reserves like a savings account in which you use only for times of real need or urgent emergencies. You only want these reserves being tapped into at these times of real need. You do not want your reserves being used on a regular basis just to aid in processing the food you eat.

If your reserves keep getting used in non- emergency situations, as is the case when one eats a low nutritious diet, then eventually they become depleted. Once this happens, one is setting themselves up to become deficient in many nutrients, become susceptible to low immunity, and experience poor physiological functioning of the major organ systems.

At the point the reserves get used up, the body will eventually start taking whatever nutrient it needs from other sources. For example, if one has lost extensive calcium reserves, then the body will take it from the bones and teeth.

Calcium is the most abundant mineral in your body and is very important in serving to buffer the acid produced by eating acidic foods and foods that contain very little or no nutrient content. So, if someone is not receiving proper amounts of calcium in their diets, then the body will eventually take what it needs from your bones and the teeth.

This is a condition no one wants to be in. Taking a calcium supplement would not restore this condition. In fact, taking store bought calcium supplements could actually aggravate this condition. Cells CANNOT absorb store bought supplements since they are synthetic and are not recognizable to your body.

In taking a store bought calcium supplement in this case, you will aggravate this calcium deficiency because your body now needs to process this unrecognizable compound and will use up vital nutrients in doing so.

Does it not make sense to eat foods that already contain the needed nutrients for proper digestion and that feed your cells with the vital compounds they require for normal physiological functioning of your body? Food items such as pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, potato chips, cheesesteaks, meatball sandwiches, pop tarts, processed cereals, white breads, and many canned/packaged foods contain very little or no real nutrients that are essential to the cells of your body.

In modern times, convenience has taken priority over actual nutrient content of foods. People tend to go for the food items that take very little time to prepare. In this choice for convenience though, many people will not receive proper amounts of nutrients that are essential for optimum health.

One can never get true nutrition from canned or pre-made foods. True nutrition only comes from whole foods that are close to nature as possible. Whole grains, fruits, legumes, vegetables, nuts, roots, seeds, eggs, and pure oils are the best way to receive the vital nutrients that the cells require for optimum health.

When preparing a meal, one should always seek to make these whole foods the main portion. You dont need to deprive yourself of your favorite food items. One just needs to structure their diets in a fashion where they are receiving a fair amount of raw nutrients on a regular basis. Eating only a couple pieces of fruit and a couple vegetables a day simply will not supply your cells with all the nutrients the body needs for normal functioning.

The Best Diet

Many people wonder if there is a special diet that benefits everyone. There are many books and programs that claim their diet regimen is healthy for everyone. I say that you are the only one who knows what the best diet is for you. Every person has his or her own unique blood makeup and genetic structure.

A diet that serves one person may not serve another. Your unique blood makeup will determine what suits you best. Some people do well eating meat while others do poorly when they eat meat. Some people do best on grains and vegetables while others do best with eating cheeses and other high fat & high protein foods.

You are your own master and only you know how you feel after eating certain foods. My recommendation is to experiment and observe the kinds of foods you eat and determine how you feel. For example, when you eat meat, how do you feel in the hours afterward? Do you feel energetic, alive and balanced? Or, do you feel tired and have indigestion? Again, you are the master of your body.

Allow your body and cells to tell you what the best diet is for you. I do recommend the following daily regimen for everyone. Conform the following recommendations to your body type. For example, if you know that you require meat in your diet, then just add meat to these recommendations. If you are a grain or cheese type then add these to my recommendations.

Suggested Daily Regimen for Optimum Health

Eat 4 to 5 fruits a day. I know that this sounds like a lot. You can easily consume this many fruits by incorporating smoothies into your diet. For example, take 2 bananas and a mango with a little distilled water and then blend into a smoothie. You can combine many fruits to make great tasting smoothies.

Another example, take a papaya and strawberries with some water and blend. A great idea is to freeze bananas and then use these in all your fruit smoothies since bananas make a great binding ingredient. Freezing them adds that refreshing smoothie texture. Make a commitment to yourself that you will eat 4 to 5 fruits a day. They taste great and it is healthy for you.

Eat as many raw vegetables as you can every day. Eat a variety of veggies, especially ones that are dark green since they contain chlorophyll, a compound that is very beneficial for your health. Also, vegetables contain fiber that is very important for proper bowel health and elimination. Make large raw vegetable salads for lunch and dinner and make the portions to be more than 50% of my whole meal. For example, make a large salad of red romaine lettuce, onions, avocado and red peppers. How about a salad of cucumber, fennel, olives, tomato, and carrots?

There are many combinations that you can come up with. Just be creative! Again, you can add shredded meat to these salads if you are one who does well with meat, or add walnuts if you do well with nuts or add goat cheese or hard-boiled eggs. Add whatever that serves you well. Only you know what serves you well. I cant tell you that nor can anyone else. Listen to your body because it is always communicating with you. Learn to hear its message!

Use healthy oils every day: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, coconut oil or pumpkin oil on all your raw salads. These oils are very beneficial to your health. Use them daily since the fats in these oils are very healthy. If you are concerned about gaining weight from ingesting these oils I have news for you. You will not gain weight from every food item that has fat in it.

As you will discover in the chapter on weight management, it is not a healthy practice to limit all fat consumption. In fact, limiting your overall fat consumption can actually program your cells to store more fat on your body and may increase your chances of weight gain.

The issue with fat is the type of fats that people ingest that are not suitable for long term health. Almost all prepared foods such as canned and pre-packaged food items contain what are called hydrogenated oils that are chemically altered and are very dangerous to your long term health.

These oils can cause all sorts of health ailments and shorten your life span. Almost all restaurants and food manufacturing companies use these hydrogenated oils in their foods for the preparation process. If you ever see an ingredient listed as HYDROGENATED, then you know that it is not healthy.

Juicing: This is a great way to receive raw nutrition without digestion. You can juice any combo of raw vegetables. Pick veggies that are super green like spinach, kale, and parsley. Juice at least 3 to 4 times a week and notice how much better you feel.

Use seaweed: varieties like dulse, kombu and hijiki in your salads and meals. These sea plants are packed with vital nutrients and are great keeping you body clean.

Make homemade soups and stews with fresh vegetables. You can add anything you like. How about adding egg to make egg-drop soup or how about chicken broth soup. Be creative. Make a large pot and then store the rest in a big corningware container. Eat some every day for a main meal or a snack. You can dip whole grain rye crackers in it for an extra crunch.

Make your own homemade ice cream: Freeze bananas and then put them into your food processor and pulse. You now have instant banana sorbet. You can also freeze strawberries, pineapple, mango, peaches and watermelon. Use any combo of these fruits. Just pulse them in your food processor and you have instant sorbet. You can add fresh mint, ginger and other spices to make it an extra special treat.

To make you own ice cream just pulse some frozen bananas or any fruit you like. Add this mixture to organic milk or goat milk and then add some vanilla extract. You can add some stevia to make it sweeter and some lecithin (found in health food store) to make it creamier, Then just put this into the freezer for a couple hours. Voilayou now have an awesome natural treat. Experiment with this and other combinations.

Words of Wisdom

You are the only one that is responsible for your body and health. No one else will make sure that your cells are receiving proper amounts of nutrients. Some people will pay extra money to put the highest-octane gas in their cars to ensure they run well.

However, when it comes to putting the highest quality food into their bodies, the same attention is not there. Just because your belly is full and you are no longer hungry, does not mean that you have really nourished your body!

Your body is your main vehicle. You need to take care of it and love it just as you would a child. You have 70 to 100 Trillion cells in your body and each one has its own intelligence. In essence, you are carrying 70 to 100 Trillion little babies with you at every moment. Only you are responsible for them and only you can nurture and feed your cells appropriately. Your body responds to you the way you treat it. If you want optimum health, then you need to nurture your body and cells.

Eating healthy does not have to be lacking in taste. If you take care of your body then it will thank you in return by giving you optimum health and a great feeling. Isnt your health worth it? Make the commitment today to start nurturing your body and fueling it with Mother Earths pure and whole foods!

IF YOU DONT TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY, THEN WHOM DO YOU THINK WILL?

Rino Soriano is a Holistic Wellness Consultant & Health Coach. He specializes in empowering people to create optimum health for their entire lives. Rino had chronic fatigue syndrome for over 4 years and through self empowerment and holistic modalities he healed himself.

Rino’s expertise in knowing how to create and maintain optimum health is truly revolutionary.

Rino now also offers online seminars for chronic fatigue syndrome sufferers that coaches them to restore their health.

His book How To Create & Maintain Optimum Health For Life is receiving high praise. http://www.healthsecretsneverbeforerevealed.com

Educating & Empowering People For Optimum Health

Rino Soriano -”The Chronic Fatigue Buster” http://www.holistichealthexpert.com

Author: Rino Soriano
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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