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December 20th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

A large number of scientists from around the world suggest that sugar addiction can greatly contribute to our bodies changing – and aging, much faster than they otherwise would. It has been suggested that “cross-linking” takes place when sugar molecules attach to protein molecules, causing the linked molecules to alter their function. Some of these molecules accumulate in specific soft tissues which then stiffen over time and become less functional. This can occur in arteries, tendons, cartilage and can result in failure or deterioration.

It has been determined that a high concentration of sugar in the blood is likely responsible for cross-linking and any foods that have such a high concentration, such as sodas, should be generally avoided.

When foods which are high in sugars – commonly known as high glycemic level foods, are consumed, inflammation can occur. This process also invariably releases a very high proportion of free radicals throughout the body.

Comprehensive holistic health solutions direct us towards a balanced, even perhaps defensive approach to nutrition as we get older. Foods which are known to be problematic should naturally be avoided, but we tend to avoid taking an overall view of holistic nutrition and often take shortcuts due to our busy schedules. It is unfortunate that we often put good health far down the list of priorities, until we suffer an unfortunate wake-up call of some kind. We can deduce from this that we do not prioritize our lives correctly and should put good health and longevity right at the top of the list.

When it comes to medical and scientific studies, there are far more than enough of them around to clearly show us that consuming saturated fats and high levels of cholesterol are quite bad for our health, and cause significant symptoms of premature aging too. Sugar may be one of the silent killers, as it is not regarded with such anticipation as those foods which are high in fat. The truth is that sugar has zero nutritional value and has been shown to cause a spike in appetites as well.

Further studies by dermatologists suggest that eating sugary foods can significantly contribute to the development of wrinkles. Once again it is found that when glucose enters the bloodstream it attaches to the proteins used by the body to keep our skin supple and affects their ability to perform. In such situations collagen and elastin are no longer able to help us in our battle against a weathered look.

Aging should be a natural process and we should not contribute to its acceleration. If we were to treat our bodies as a temple and take a much more educated look at what we eat or drink on a daily basis, then we would feel more productive and more able to take on the trials and tribulations that life presents to us each day. Many people preach that caloric restriction extends life expectancy by keeping the flow of insulin in check. Sugar addiction can cause insulin levels to become highly elevated and it follows that we will age far before our time, unless we’re careful.

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December 12th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

You probably don’t believe that you have any kind of sugar addiction, instead choosing to cast aside the age old saying which says that if something tastes really good, it’s likely not good for us. Whether this belief is really accurate or not is open to debate, but it most definitely applies to an excessive amount of sugar. Just as with everything else in life, we should practice moderation, because even though sugar gives us energy, too much too often is definitely unhealthy.

Energy is essential for us to function, and sugar definitely gives this to us in abundance. Our body converts sugar into glucose, but the main problem we face as we indulge in our “instant fix” diets is that we turn to simple sugars, rather than complex sugars or carbohydrates. Simple sugars contained within sweets and soda or pop give no lasting value to the human body and we generally tend to eat added sugars rather than those naturally occurring, such as found in fruits, or within a more holistic nutrition plan.

Generally speaking, foods that have added sugars tend to be very low in value to us, providing little nutrition, but may be loaded in calories which can certainly help to add to the national problem of obesity.

In a typical diet, soda represents the number one source of sugar intake, yet it provides little to us apart from contributing to the problem of tooth decay and leading to those annoying “sugar rush” feelings, closely followed by lethargy or sluggishness.

It is worth trying to remember that the typical 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. If you can envisage heaping 10 spoons of sugar into the can in your mind’s eye, this will probably put you off turning to that bright red can for a while!

Keep in mind that most sugar cravings are usually put down to just having a “sweet tooth,” and most people don’t give it any further consideration. However, an excessive attention to sugar can lead to mood swings, allergies, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, blood pressure issues and obesity.

It’s important to understand that the traditional Western diet plays too heavily on convenience, the quick fix, taste enhancements provided by fats or simple sugars and not enough on a balanced caloric intake, common sense and longevity. We might view sugar as our innocent friend but in truth, if not checked, it can lead to serious health issues and a less than productive daily life.

Many people wonder why they’re not as productive as they could be from time to time and often put this down to them just having an off day, whereas in the majority of cases a poor diet is often the reason for our lack of performance. We tend to rely on sugars and temporary fixes or that cup of coffee, not fully comprehending that we are shortcutting our way to problems and should really be looking into holistic health solutions.

Understanding the cold hard facts about your sugar addiction could lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.

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November 28th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

At present, sugar addiction is responsible for one of the scourges of modern society and a significant problem in the United States among other countries. While a general predisposition toward “fast food culture” and a collective psyche that suggests adequate food preparation time to be inefficient may be a big part of the problem, many experts point towards sugared beverages and sodas.

Over the previous thirty years, the average caloric intake has increased by somewhere between 150 and 300 per day for most Americans. It’s also accurate to say that the average American doesn’t make up for those extra calories with any kind of cardiovascular exercise, and therefore those calories don’t serve any useful purpose other than rapidly increasing the national obesity problem.

Rather than take a holistic nutrition approach, we often opt to take the shortcut and go for foods that we know will give us a little “buzz” of activity, thus assuring ourselves that these particular types of food must be good for us. Unfortunately, very little could be further from being true, and therefore it certainly shouldn’t come as any surprise that the American Heart Association has recently set specific limits on the maximum volume of sugar that they say people should consume each day.

The amount of fructose in our diet, which is widely used in processed foods, has more than doubled since the 1970s. It has been estimated that most people are consuming – on average, more than 22 teaspoons of sugar each and every day, with adolescents consuming a great deal more, most likely due to their inclination for those satisfying soda drinks. It has become widely apparent that in most people sugar is often a precursor to excessive over eating, as one of its primary effects on the brain can make the body feel that it’s undernourished and needs to consume more food.

A limited sugar diet should be an essential aspect of all holistic health solutions. It’s truly unfortunate that the problem has gone so far that politicians have had to suggest additional legislation to discourage the population, as is now being considered by the city of San Francisco for instance, in the form of a fairly significant “soda tax.”

Being overweight can contribute to many different health conditions and can place considerable strain on your heart and most of the major organs. Obesity is a national epidemic in the US, probably more so than in any other country in the world. It is also linked to a lack of productivity, depression and other illnesses.

The number one thing consumers should do to create a path toward a healthier existence is to start reading food labels. Be particularly careful when it comes to the amount of sugar added to processed foods and always pay attention to portion size. This can be very misleading and almost invariably, the size of the portion of food that ends up on your plate is much larger than the referenced portion size on the label!

Take an individual stance and cut back, as the national sugar addiction appears to be getting worse as each year goes by.

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November 26th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

Do you really need someone else to explain holistic nutrition to you? We have a sort of love-hate relationship with our authorities. On one side, we seem to enjoy complaining about how the government “gets their hands into everything,” while on the other side we seem to have the expectation that our agencies and government bodies should be keeping us “in line” and safe from harm. The sensible thing for us to do is to take personal responsibility for our own choices and realize that we shouldn’t even think about relying on others to tell us what we should or shouldn’t be consuming on a daily basis. Essentially, each and every one of us is solely responsible for our own personal health and well-being, and we should be able to make informed choices when it comes to buying groceries that will help us to live a long and fulfilling life.

In just about every aspect of society we can clearly see influential forces guiding decisions, often powered by financial interests, political groups and individuals who don’t necessarily have the interests of the citizens at heart. It usually seems that the more cash is up for grabs, the more influential forces are pushing to strive for and impose a decision, standard, product or service, when basic common sense would often dictate something else entirely. This is accurate in the food industry – just as much as anywhere else, and if you were well-aware that your sugar addiction was being fed by such political groups, you’d in all likelihood be less than pleased.

Wherever an addiction can readily occur, the more unfortunate side of consumerism shows itself for all to see. If there’s a lot of money to be made because people “must have” a particular item, then it will eventually be supplied. Manufacturers find a variety of different ways to provide us with sugar, sometimes out of necessity but many times out of excess. In some instances – many in fact, sugar is specifically added to processed foods to help preserve them, as without this addition, the shelf life would be much shorter and impractical from an economic point of view.

If you do not see evidence of the word sugar on one of those labels you are checking out, remember that the product can come in many different forms and anything ending with the letters “ose,” (like glucose, fructose) should give you a clue. Also be aware that certain sugar substitutes such as high fructose corn syrup can have the same addictive effect, and as these ingredients may carry fewer restrictions, they can be even more apparent.

The politics of power and the influence of the major manufacturers and importers should never be underestimated. Even though the administration does quite a good job of steering us in the right direction, understand that you need to be responsible for your own holistic health solutions and not rely on others to tell you what to do. Remember all that you have read about the dangers of sugar addiction and focus all the time on holistic nutrition.

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November 23rd, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

1. If you’re thinking about trying some holistic health solutions, you may want to stay at home (or go on a relaxing getaway) and enjoy a juice diet. A juice fast is basically a restricted diet or a partial fast which relieves your body of the necessary work of normal digestion, so that a great deal of healing can take place. The best juices for these reinvigorating diets are greens with somewhat mild veggies mixed with some of your favorite fruits to make them tasty. In most situations, individuals who are in excellent health shouldn’t have any problem going on a juice diet for six to nine days, but if you’re under a doctor’s supervision – for whatever reason, it’s critical that you consult your doctor first. It’s also extremely important to keep in mind that there are a variety of conditions – such as anorexia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, breastfeeding and pregnancy which make any kind of unsupervised fast or juice-fasting a dangerous proposition.

2. Do some really intense sweating. Spend 30 to 45 minutes in a sauna or steam room (avoid steam rooms that have too much chlorine in the steam), or go to an intense yoga class, or enjoy a really hot bath – just let yourself really sweat. Really deep sweating helps your skin breath – so it can do its job properly, and you can detox naturally.

3. Take up bouncing! Find a mini-trampoline and start bouncing regularly. The exercise alone will be great for your health, but a mini-tram also supposedly targets specific locations in the lymphatic system, helping to improve its overall functioning. The body’s lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart does, so it can use a bit of assistance. Most gyms usually have mini-trams, so when you go to work out, do your 5-minute warm-up while bouncing!

4. As soon as you wake up in the morning, scrape your tongue before doing anything else. Everyone’s body does a great deal of detoxing while sleeping, and that unpleasant coating on your tongue when you get out of bed (It’s called ama (metabolic debris) in Ayurveda) should be cleaned off before you even have a drink of water. Most dental care aisles at health food outlets – and many drugstores, sell inexpensive tongue scrapers.

5. Make regular use of a Neti pot. For quite some time, the yogis have been recommending “sinus bathing” as a crucial aspect of truly enlightened hygiene, and if you’d like to experience this sensation yourself, you can usually buy a Neti pot (exquisite ceramic ones and inexpensive plastic models) at most major health food outlets. You fill it with a warm saline solution and, following the instructions to the letter, allow the water to flow deeply into one nostril and then directly out the other; then repeat the process with the other side. For most people, this isn’t really a very pleasant sensation, but it certainly clears your head right up.

6. Buy a “dry body brush.” Right before you take a bath or shower, use this extraordinary dry body brush (ask someone at your local health food outlet; it’s a brush that has a removable handle, and it’s specifically intended to be used only on dry skin) to buff your skin, always beginning with the feet first. Then slowly work your way up, making upward strokes on the thighs and calves, strokes from your fingertips to your shoulders on your arms, and fairly gentle circular motions all around your chest, abdomen, and hips; this brush isn’t to be used on your face. By removing dead skin cells through gentle massaging, your skin will be warmed and energized, helping your skin to detox easily.

7. Colonics and Enemas. These are included because they’re commonly considered to be standard detox practices – and many, many people believe in them. Individuals in these circles generally say that people have some kind of toxic build-up – a toxic residue if you will, in the recesses of the colon which needs to be cleaned out.

8. Take a trip to someplace quite and clean. By “quite and clean,” I mean a spot where the air is untainted by civilization (in the mountains perhaps), and where electro-magnetic radiation is almost non-existent. There might be some people who will get frustrated that they can’t get any cell phone service, but it’s really wonderful to get away from it all. If you can take a trip for even just one weekend each season, it’ll make all the difference in the world for your sense of wellbeing.

9. Eat raw foods and make an effort to think loving thoughts. Okay, it’s two recommendations, but just by eating a diet high in raw foods, which is plant-based, even without any kind of fasting or juice dieting, you’ll make incredible headway in your detoxification efforts and quickly eliminate your sugar addiction. If at any time you find yourself experiencing a “detox crisis” – headaches, fatigue – just rest, eat sparingly, and allow it to slowly pass, or if you want to slow down the detox process to a more comfortable rate, then rest and start eating a lot more cooked food. Your thoughts during this process are of the utmost importance: make them loving, to everyone in the world, your body and yourself. This way, you detox not only your body, but the built-up negativity from the deepest recesses of your being.

10. Follow the 80/20 rule. To understand what the 80/20 rule is all about we need to understand that our body is made up of both acid and alkaline and when these two become out of balance, chaos reigns! All foods need to be alkaline, acidic or neutral, with by far the largest amounts being made up of alkaline forming foods. In this case 80% should be alkaline and the acid forming foods should represent 20%. This is a long way from the average North American diet, unfortunately.

Alkaline-based foods are largely vegetables and fruits and some nuts, while acid-based foods include animal protein, starch, sugar, alcohol, dairy and some grains. For some reason it has become traditional to serve vegetables as “a side” and in very much smaller portions, whereas according to the 80/20 rule it should be the other way around. Give it a try: 80% alkaline forming food and 20 % acid food, and experience what holistic nutrition can do for you!

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November 21st, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

It can be really difficult to focus on holistic nutrition when you suffer from cravings for those sweet, sugary products. When we actually see those temptations around us, it can be even more difficult to stay in control. We only have to travel to the gas station or the corner store for something totally unrelated and right before our eyes we see those enticing donuts in the checkout line or candy bars right next to the cash register. Cravings can be incredibly challenging to handle, particularly if you haven’t eaten anything for a few hours. The combination of feeling really hungry and that intense desire for something sweet can be hard to resist, and most of the time – before you know it, you’ve given in to your sugar addiction once again.

There are a variety of factors within the body that can be responsible for making sugar cravings happen, particularly when it comes to insulin production and long term habits. If, for instance, you’ve accustomed yourself to drinking sugary drinks regularly throughout the day, your body might have become accustomed to large spikes in glucose – and the resulting insulin production, which thereby leads to a continuous level of anticipation in your system.

It’s important to take a really balanced look at holistic health solutions in your life if you find that you are constantly having to fight off those sugar cravings. At this point, an essential area for you to give your attention to should be the balance of your overall diet. Sometimes you may not be getting as much protein as you should and you may need to realize that what your body is really asking you for is protein and not sugar.

As we’ve said before, temptations are virtually everywhere, and most of the time you can’t do much about their location. However, you can certainly clean your house of these temptations, where you have overall control and this means not stocking up on those tempting “after dinner” treats, or that carton of “Ben and Jerry’s,” sitting in its special place in your freezer!

You should know that there is a difference between simple processed sugar and sugar that is already contained within foods. Processed foods and candy bars, processed juices and soda drinks all contain sugars that contain zero calories or nutritional value and these are responsible for that “high” and subsequent low. Fruits, on the other hand, contain naturally occurring sugars which interact with your body in an entirely different way. We know that nutritional experts are always preaching at us to eat more fruits and vegetables and if you can get into the habit of eating an item of fruit every day, you will get beneficial fibers, vitamins and minerals as well.

Do not underestimate the power that this sugar addiction can have over you. You will need to make significant dietary changes and have a lot of willpower to be able to get through the early stages. Pay attention to everything that you buy in the grocery store from now on and read the labels to reveal your best buying choices. A sensible approach to holistic nutrition along with a few other holistic health solutions will soon help you to overcome your sugar addiction.

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November 17th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

Food has to be one of life’s most extraordinary pleasures, yet for some reason or another, most of us have a tendency to ignore holistic nutrition, failing to realize its incredible importance as we satisfy our desires for unhealthy foods on a daily basis. We focus on imbalance, allowing sugar addiction and other food cravings to adversely affect our lives. Fundamentally, food is a source of energy, enrichment and nutrition and dietary plans should be designed accordingly. We are eating certain types and quantities of food and drinks to enable our bodies, being the machines that they are, to function correctly.

The human body is extremely complex, and it takes an astounding interaction between all of its organs to function correctly. This amazing miracle of nature can be rather hardy, but just like any other reliable machine – over time, it’ll start to fail if it’s not taken care of regularly.

Due to our ingenuity and thirst for knowledge, our scientists have been able to determine how our body works with optimum efficiency and how we can live our lives with the goal of productivity, enjoyment and longevity in mind. If we pay attention we know that we should be ingesting certain types and quantities of food and drink, but the problem is that we rarely listen!

Most holistic health solutions require us to lead a truly balanced dietary approach, with a fundamental condition being moderation. As a species, we are lucky to have such a huge variety of foods available and once again our creativity has given us very many different ways of preparing and eating. Despite having all these options, and understanding all too well that we have to eat a balanced diet if we would like to live a long and healthy life, we still choose the easy, satisfying choices, and eat and drink all kinds of foods and beverages that are terrible for us.

Holistic nutrition clearly shows us that we need to avoid eating convenience foods, even though we often say we don’t have enough time to prepare a balanced meal. We now know that without a balanced diet and good health, nothing else matters and we should go out of our way to rectify the situation, before it is too late.

A wide variety of foods should be consumed, high in nutrients, with whole grains, organic fruits, vegetables, raw organic dairy, organic poultry, wild fish, lean organic meat and an assortment of beans and seeds. Processed sugar and highly flavored artificial foods and drinks should be avoided.

To start planning a healthy diet, take a good look at what you eat for at least a week. Write down everything and if you can, add nutritional values as found on labels, alongside. Remember to be honest about your portions, as this can make a significant difference. When you look back and analyze your diet, you will likely see that you are eating way too much fat and an inordinate amount of sugar. You must consolidate in both of these areas, as you are leaving yourself open to a variety of health problems and a general lack of productivity in your daily life. Don’t forget to add in all your snacks as well and you will surely see how you need to zero in on the benefits of holistic nutrition!

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May 10th, 2009 | in Health and Fitness | Leave a comment

Sugar is everywhere you look and it might pop up in some surprising places. Did you know that most whole grain breads have at least one form of sugar in them? We have a national sweet tooth epidemic. Even if you don’t eat a lot of sugary treats you may experience intense sugar cravings in the first few weeks of the Atkins diet. So many “healthy” carbohydrate foods have hidden sugars in them, your body may be experiencing withdrawal.

The Major problem with sugar is that your blood sugar is tied into your energy levels and your overall health. When your blood sugar is too low, you will experience intense cravings. High blood sugar is a result of eating high-sugar meals. When you eat concentrated sugar, your blood sugar will raise to high levels. Your pancreas thinks there is something wrong and then it secretes insulin to lower the blood sugar. As this happens more, you can create pre-diabetic conditions in your body as your pancreas becomes worn out and eventually cannot secrete insulin.

Fortunately, getting started on the Atkins diet plan can put a stop to this cycle. However, this doesn’t mean that sugar cravings go away automatically. Sugar products are everywhere and temptation is sometimes hard to fight.

The best way to approach sugar cravings is with planning. If you maintain a balance of protein, fat and fiber in your daily diet you will prevent blood sugar drops that lead to sugar cravings. Also, do not go too long between meals without eating. Snacks are an important part of keeping your blood sugar stable. Have some handy snacks like cheese, nuts, seeds and boiled eggs on hand with you so you can quickly stabilize your blood sugar without turning to sweet treats.

Sugar cravings can also be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. When you are low on magnesium, you will crave chocolate and other sweets. Zinc and chromium can also stave off sugar cravings. If you aren’t taking a good multivitamin supplement with these minerals, start immediately. If you are and you are still experiencing cravings, consider trying additional supplements of these nutrients.

Another tactic is to brush your teeth. Many Atkins dieters find that brushing their teeth or using Listerine breath strips can help with cravings. Both methods will numb your mouth and prevent you from wanting to eat. Drinking two large glasses of water can also help eliminate cravings. If your stomach is full, then you’ll be less likely to reach for a sugary treat.

Sometimes out of sight, out of mind is the best approach. If you find yourself overcome with cravings while you are at home, get outside and take a walk. The distraction will have you forgetting your sugar craving in no time. Calling a friend for support or logging into an Atkins support forum can also go a long way toward preventing you from succumbing to sugar cravings.

Having a low-carb version of your favorite treat is another good idea. You are less likely to feel deprived if you can have a satisfying low carb treat. There are a wide variety of low-carb products available on the market that can beat your sweet tooth. Low-carb yogurt, chocolate, ice cream and candy can all help you stay on the Atkins plan and still get something sweet to eat.

Sugar cravings are a reality of following the Atkins plan, but the previous tips will help you overcome them and stay committed to your weight loss efforts. Read more other articles about Calcium Health and Summa Health.

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