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Why Detoxify?

Did you know that…

•2100 chemicals, including pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers,airpollution
PCBs, medications such as antidepressants and recreational drugs are in our water supply.
•80,000 metric tons of carcinogens are released into the air annually in North
America.”
•Over 80% of foods have genetically modified ingredients.
•The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) estimates that the average U.S. citizen has
residues from over 400 toxic compounds in their body.
•82,000 chemicals are in use today in the Unites States, but only a fourth have ever tested for toxicity.

Each and every day our bodies are exposed to chemicals from environmental pollutants, medications, contaminants in our water supply, pesticides and hormones in our food supply, and more. While our body’s natural detoxification system is quite spectacular, the rate at which we are absorbing these toxins is much to fast for our body to handle. Moreover, our detoxification system can become impaired by factors like:

  • -Inadequate nutrients, vitamins, or minerals.
  • -Certain medications
  • -Poor liver health
  • -Poor kidney health
  • -Constipation
    -Insufficient detoxifying enzymes


Toxic Exposure: The Harsh Reality

Between the early 1970s and mid 1990s the rate of leukemia patients went up by 62%, male birth defects doubled, childhood brain cancer went up by 40%, and autism increased 10 fold. Multiple studies have indicated that an increase of toxicity levels since WWII is to blame for this steady increase of illness.

Did you know that exposure to chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides begins shortly after conception? In a recent study, the umbilical cords of ten newborn babies were tested for chemicals and other toxins. On average, 200 chemicals and pollutants were detected in each umbilical cord. Mercury, Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (pollutants from burning gasoline and waste), and Organchlorine pesticides, were just some of the toxins found. Of the 287 chemicals detected, 180 are known to cause cancer, 217 are toxic to the brain and nervous system, and 208 cause birth defects or abnormal development in animal tests.

The increase of chemicals, pollutants, and pesticides since WWII has made it difficult for our bodies to detoxify these toxins on its own. The liver, kidneys, lungs, skin, and lymphatic systems are no longer able to expel all of the toxins absorbed without the assistance of detox supplements or programs.

Children and adults with a toxic overload can experience a variety of symptoms and illnesses, including:

  • -Muscle & Joint Pain
  • -Headaches
  • -Fatigue
  • -Irritability
  • -Depression
  • -Mental Confusion
  • -Gastrointestinal Tract Irregularities
  • -Cardiovascular Irregularities
    -Flu Like Symptoms
  • -Allergic Reactions
  • -Fibromyalgia Like Symptoms
  • -Cancer
    -Skin Disorders
  • -Premature Aging


The Detoxification Process

According to the Medical Dictionary, the term Detoxification (detox for short) refers to “the physiological or medicinal removal of toxic substances from…the human body.” The graph below demonstrates our bodies’ natural detoxification process:

To put it simply, the goal of Phase I is to take a compound and break it down, add a chemical group to it to neutralize it in order to prepare it for Phase II. While the goal of Phase II is to bind the substance in order to make it water soluble and ready for elimination (through feces or urine).

If either of these phases is inhibited the toxins will remain in our systems. Phase I inhibitors can include: drugs, hydrogenated fats, iron overload, grapefruit, curcumin, capsacin, quercetin, and clove oil. While Phase II inhibitors can include: low protein diets, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and yellow food dyes. There must be a balance between Phase I and Phase II in order to effectively remove toxins from our bodies.

Detoxifying Your Body

There are several programs and diets that have been created in order to rid your body of toxins. One of my personal favourites is Douglas Laboratories’ 28-Day Metabolic Rejuvenation. Through supplementation and diet, the program functions as following:

While taking the supplements individuals are asked to:

  • - avoid caffeine, alcohol, and soda pop
  • - avoid sugars and processed foods of any kind
  • - avoid dairy
  • - avoid gluten
  • - avoid citrus fruits
  • - avoid soy, yeast, peanuts, eggs and corn
  • - consume nuts and seeds
  • - consume non-whey protein
  • - consume more than 8cups of filtered water daily
  • - consume several daily servings of fresh organic vegetables
  • - consume organic turkey, chicken, or fresh wild caught fish

It is also suggested to refrain from using chemical household products.

Completing a program like Metabolic Rejuvenation will rid your body of its toxic load, allowing your body’s natural detoxification process to function optimally. I suggest doing a detox atleast once per year, and find the begining of Spring the perfect time to do it! Many of us spring clean our houses, so why not spring clean our bodies too? You will feel absoutely wonderful afterwards, I promise!

Have you ever tried doing a detox? What kind was it? What were the results?

Goldman. “A Special Report on Toxic Chemicals and Children’s Health n North America. 2004.” 2004.
Conacher. Washington D.C. Center of Study for Responsive Law. 1998.
(Soto, http:tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/archive/2—3/February/oped/index.shtml)

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Dr. Nathalie’s Top 8 Healthiest Diet Plans on the Market

Dieting was never really a concern for the vast majority of our ancestors. In fact, many were concerned with getting more fat, sugar, and carbs into their systems, than less. The first recorded person to go on a weight loss diet was England’s King William I. William was a large man, who nearing the end of his life was so big that he could no longer ride a horse. To shed the extra pounds the king went on a “liquid” diet, or in other words a “liquor” diet. It is recorded that for almost a year, King William attempted to resist everything but alcohol. Amazingly, he survived his diet and was eventually able to get back into the saddle. Since the time of King William there have been hundreds (if not thousands) of diets created, promising rapid weight loss. Obviously, some of these diets are healthier than others. I mean, I am pretty confident that the Liquor Diet won’t be making a come back anytime soon…

In 2013, diet plans seem to be moving away from low fat and low carb processed options and opting for natural and simple foods like fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Moreover, many individuals are opting for wheat-free and dairy-free diets due to recent research indicating that such foods can be detrimental to the body. The Canada Food Guide suggests eating 7-8 servings of fruits and vegetables, 6-7 servings of grains, 2 servings of meat or meat substitutes, 2 servings of dairy products, and 2-3 tablespoons of oils and fats per day. While I strongly disagree with the amount of dairy and grain suggested, the Food Guide is a good place to start if you are foreign to healthy eating.

For those of you curious about the diet plans out there, U.S News recently put out a list of the 25 Best Diets on the Market (http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-overall-diets/data). In order to create this list, a panel of experts rated each diet on a scale of 1 to 5 on seven measures: short- and long-term weight loss, ease of following, nutrition, safety, and performance as a diabetes and heart diet. The score out of 7 was then used to determine the diets’ overall score. Based on my own dietary habits and nutritional knowledge, I’ve narrowed the list down to the Top 8 Healthiest Diet Plans on the Market. In no particular order, here they are…

The Top 8 Healthiest Diet Plans on the Market


Balanced Diets

1) Mayo Clinic Diet:

This is a phase-based plan, part is diet, part lifestyle changes, all are geared to accelerate weight loss. Some recipes are included in book, but if you want a true meal plan you need to purchase Fit-It and Enjoy-It Healthy Cookbook. Regular exercise is encouraged. You eat 1200-1800 calories/day. Lots of fruits/veggies, plus a moderate amount of carbs, fiber and protein. It is more about moderation than total restriction.

2) The Flexitarian Diet:

An option for someone who may have been tempted to try a vegetarian diet, but not fully committed to giving up meat completely. Flexitarian is a blend of two words, “flexible” and “vegetarian”. Simply put if you follow a flexitarian diet you are eating more plant base foods and less meat.

The Flexitarian Diet can make it easier for people to transition in eliminating or cutting down on meat from their diet. The diet continues to include some of the basic staples items in your kitchen and fresh, natural and in season foods.

A typical Flexitarian Diet allows for 1500 Calories (3 meals, 2 snacks). Although the meat is limited, the daily diet plans include approx. 50g of protein.

3) The Mediterranean Diet:

This diet is considered to be one of the healthiest diets on the planet. Studies continue to show that eating a diet with healthy fats, and rich in plant foods is very good for you.

This is not merely a diet though, this is truly a lifestyle. In addition to nutrient-rich foods, there is leisurely dining, family involvement and physical activity.

There is a variation of this diet depending on where you go. Each region across
Europe, customizes it based on the food available and cultural preferences.

Some of the foods that form the basis of this diet plan include: vegetables, fruits, beans, whole grains, nuts, olives, and olive oil, as well as cheese, yogurt, fish, poultry, eggs and wine.

4) The Anti-Inflammatory Diet:

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet is based on a daily intake of 2,000 to 3,000 calories, depending on your gender, size, and activity level. About 40 to 50 percent of your calories will come from carbs, 30 percent from fat, and 20 to 30 percent from protein. Weil suggests striving for a mix of all three nutrients at each meal. The program calls for a variety of fresh foods, with a heavy emphasis on fruits and vegetables. When it comes to carbs, you want the kind that will keep your blood sugar low and stable. Saturated fats are to be eliminated from your diet. Your dietary fats will instead come from extra virgin olive oil, avocados, nuts, and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to reduce inflammation.

Low Carb Diets

5) Back to the Land/Paleo Diet
Some health professionals suggest we look back and not forward. The principle of this style of eating, known as Paleo, is to consume only what is available to our ancestors. (eating like a caveman).

- no processed foods
– no cereal grains
– no legumes
– no dairy
– no starchy vegetables

The plan is not usually set up for weight loss but because of the carb restrictions, many who have excess weight will drop pounds.

There is no calorie limit to this diet. You get an open pass to meat and veggies, plus some fruit and nuts. Critics of the plan question the elimination of grains, legumes, and dairy as these foods do offer nutritional benefits and are not usually the main culprits for weight gain. If someone liked the Atkins Diet, then a Paleo-style plan may work for them.

6) South Beach Diet:

This is a doctor-designed plan that focuses on 3 phases. It is a high protein, low-carb diet.

Phase 1 is designed to eliminate cravings (maintaining blood sugar levels), encourage rapid weight loss and is only 14 days. In this phase you eliminate most carbohydrates such as rice, pasta and breads. All fruit is elimated in this phase.

Phase 2 focuses on eating delicious and nutritious foods (introducing good carbs into the diet) until you reach your weight goal. Some fruit is reintroduced and you learn to adjust to smaller portion sizes.

Phase 3 is for maintaining your weight loss, its now about a new lifestyle.

There are a variety of tools available for someone to succeed on this plan. It’s flexible, the food is delicious and easy to prepare, there is an online community for support, there are interactive tools that make it manageable and fun, and there is even a mobile app to help you stay on track.

The cost of the program is a bit unclear. It seems that for the online support it costs approx. $5/week paid quarterly, which includes meal plans and recipes. In addition, if you choose to buy their prepared foods, it’s approximately $4-$6 per entrees.
Another option is to purchase the book and work on your own.

7) Glycemic-Index Diet:

The G.I. measures how fast foods are broken down to form glucose, which is the body’s source of energy. High G.I. foods break down quickly, Low G.I. foods break down more slowly. The faster the food breaks down the sooner you feel hungry, so if it breaks down slowly, you’ll have a feeling of being full longer.

The diet does the work for you in figuring out what foods are high and what foods are low. It uses the three traffic light colour categories: red light foods should be avoided, yellow light used with caution and green light foods you can eat as much as you want.

There are a variety of G.I. books on the market.

Low Calorie Diets

8) The Raw Diet
The fundamental principle behind raw foodism, also called rawism, is that plant foods in their most natural state – uncooked and unprocessed – are the most wholesome for the body. The raw food diet is a lifestyle choice. It is not a weight loss plan. That’s because the diet is typically made up of 75% fruits and vegetables. Staples of the raw food diet include:
• Seaweed
• Sprouts
• Sprouted seeds
• Whole grains
• Beans
• Dried fruits
• Nuts
Alcohol, refined sugars, and caffeine are avoided. Moreover, most raw foodists are vegans, who eat no animal products, but some do eat raw eggs and cheese made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Ensuring that you are getting all of the proper nutrients is fundamental on this diet, especially when it comes to protein.

** The Wheat Belly Diet: 
Dr. Davis’ program didn’t quite make it on US News’ Top 25 list, but I wanted to bring attention to it anyways because I very much agree with Dr. Davis’ nutritional principles. The Wheat Belly diet eliminates all wheat and grains from the diet, as wheat
tends to raise our glycemic index and cause weight gain, as well as a variety of other symptoms. In general, the Wheat Belly diet  suggests eating healthy balanced meals, that are free of gluten and grains. And since most processed foods contain gluten, it suggests eating simple, natural foods.

Note: I’m not endorsing any of the diets mentioned above. I wrote this blog to point out some of the healthier weight loss plans on the market, as not all diet plans are good for our health. In order to lose weight and keep it off you must be willing to change your lifestyle. I know how cliché that sounds, but it’s true. The diets mentioned above aren’t meant to be a quick fix, they are meant to get you to where you want to be weight wise, and keep you there through continued healthy dietary habits.

Have you tried one of the diets on U.S News Best Diets on the Market List? What was your experience? Leave your comments below.

 
References:
http://www.neatorama.com/2010/09/09/the-history-of-diets/
http://health.usnews.com/best-diet/best-overall-diets/data

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Breast Health: What is Digital Infrared Thermography?

Familiarizing oneself with the various means to detect and diagnosis breast cancer is incredibly important, and will hopefully enable you, or the women in your life, to make more informed decisions when deciding how to go about breast cancer prevention and protection. Though I do not wish to deter you from using Mammography as your prevention method of choice, recent studies have indicated that a single mammogram has 1000 times the radiation of a chest x-ray. Sadly, this has lead to an increase in Ductal Carcinoma In Situ (DCIS) of 328% since mammography was introduced in 1983. The dangers associated with ionizing radiation also include risks of cell mutations, not to mention the risk of the mechanical pressure on the breast spreading the cells that are already troublesome.

One in every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Though combating cancer is never an easy battle, early detection has the ability to save lives. Within the last decade breast cancer awareness has influenced an increase in the amount of women utilizing the preventative and proactive measures offered by the health care system. The most common of the preventative tools being the Mammogram. Other preventative/diagnostic methods include the self-breast exam, the ultrasound, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Each of these methods is an adjunctive diagnostic tool, providing varying information: Not one of these methods is 100% accurate. Though I do not wish to discredit any of these breast examination methods, I wish to make you aware of another very effective and comfortable method that may end up detecting “abnormalities” in your breasts even earlier then the other methods.

Digital Infrared Imaging, also referred to as a thermography, is one of the latest technologies being used in the fight against breast cancer. It has the ability to detect or diagnosis breast cancer, as well as numerous other ailments such as fibrocystic disease, vascular disease, and infection. The non-invasive scan, shows the function, the physiology, and the metabolism of breast tissue; giving a clear picture of the functional activity in breast tissue.

According to Medical Thermography International Inc, digital infrared imaging scans provide the earliest evidence of breast disease. The sensitivity rate is 90%. This means in 90% of the cases, the scan accurately indicates a presence or absence of disease. That being said, digital infrared imaging has a 10% false positive rate; in 10% of the cases the results may suggest disease where there is none. In comparison, mammograms have a 25% false positive rate, meaning that in 25% of the cases results suggest disease where there is none. Moreover, 20% of the false negative rates occur in tests conducted on young women, due to the density of the breast tissue of women under 50 years of age. Though thermography may not be perfect, no medical testing method is. One must base their judgment on how the method compares to others.

How exactly does Digital Infrared Imaging work? Well, the scan measures infrared heat from your body and translates that into anatomical images. Usually abnormal cells are hotter because malignant tissue mass is greedy. To feed their rapid growth they produce a chemical that makes new blood vessels grow. This is called angiogenesis. The scan shows the heat difference between normal breast tissue and problem areas. In scientific terms, the normal breast tissue acts as the control against which any hot area are compared. It is important to remember that not all malignancies are hypervascular; that is, a small number do not show increase blood supply. Unless there are other signs, a thermography scan will not detect a non-hypervascular malignancy.

At this point in time you are probably thinking, “Digital Infrared Imaging sounds rather effective! But what exactly does it entail?” All in all there are three stages to the process.

•The first is the preparation stage which lasts around 20 minutes. During this stage you may be asked to fill out a breast history form about symptoms related to possible breast dysfunction and disease. Then, in a private room you will undress to the waist and let your breasts adjust to the cool room temperature (18-22°C). It takes about 10 minutes for the breast temperature to adjust.

•Afterwards, it is time for the Screening stage which lasts about 10 minutes. You will be asked to stand with your hands on your head about 10 feet in front of a digital infrared imaging camera. Three images will be taken: straight-on, and right and left partial side views. After, you will be asked to put both of your hands in cool water (about 10°c) for 1 minute. This is a cold challenge to your blood vessels. Normal blood vessels narrow and gradually become cooler with this challenge while abnormal vessels do not narrow and remain warmer. After the cold challenge, a second series of three scans will be taken to record the changes in the response of the blood vessels to the cold challenge.
•The last stage of the Digital Infrared Imaging process is the report stage. Your scans will be read and analyzed by a member of the American Board of Thermology, and later sent to you in the mail.

Major Benefits of Digital Infrared Imaging…
(According to the Medical Thermology International Inc)

Timely
Problems can be found before abnormalities are seen with mammograms.

Inclusive
Examines the whole chest, breasts, and armpit area

Good for All Ages & Stages
Good for all ages: puberty, pregnant, breastfeeding, pre-menopausal years and post-menopausal years

Good for All Breast Types
Good for all breast types: dense, pregnant, breastfeeding, fibrocystic, enhanced (implants) and women on oral hormone medication (BCP & HRT)

Painless
No squeezing, no pressure, no touching by equipment or technician

Risk-Free
No harmful rays emitted, so digital infrared imaging scan can be done as often as needed to monitor breast health and to guide treatment

Risk Indicator
Digital infrared imaging results are a better indicator of future breast disease, than a family history of disease

As previously mentioned thermography is not perfect—But what medical test is? . Unfortunately, the method is not yet covered by our health care system. Though you may not have the financial means to obtain a thermography, getting tested for breast cancer is vital for the assurance of ongoing health and wellness. Your health is, ultimately, in your hands—make sure that whatever breast health method you decide to use is right for you!

References:

1. www.mercola.com

2. Breast Health, A new approach to breast screening unsin digital infrared imaging – www.medthermoline.com

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Are you watching what your mind consumes?

“Success is not a destination, it’s a direction – and that direction is forward.”
– Billie Sanders

I recently heard an interview with author Tim Sanders for Success magazine. Sanders discussed his trials and tribulations and how he managed to stop going sideways and move forward with confidence. Though much was discussed, what I appreciated most about Sanders interview was his idea of putting your mind on a diet.

Most of us watch what we eat. We avoid fast food joints, stick to organic whole foods. We want to live a long and healthy life and our nutrition and exercise schedule demonstrate this, but what about our minds? Are we paying attention to what our mind consumes?

In his interview Sanders states that one of the principals to success is feeding your mind the “good stuff”. Think of everything you’ve seen, heard or read today. Did it help or hinder your personal development? As Sanders states, a person is confident when they have an outlook in which success is attainable. Did the materials you subject your mind to encourage you to be a better person, to strive for success?

According to Sanders, anyone can turn himself or herself around, no matter how long they’ve been going sideways or backwards. The first step towards turning yourself around is putting your mind on this healthy diet he speaks about. In other words, be as judicious with what you put in your mind, as what you put in your mouth. After all, what we subject ourselves to, creates our reality.

Put your mind on a diet by doing the following:

- Put in less poison, less junk (Instead of watching reruns of Family Guy for two hours, read a book that will help you get to where you want to be!)
- Pay attention to constructive information that makes you better at what you do
- Hang out with hopeful/helpful people
- Avoid your e-mail/television first thing in the morning! The most important meal of the day is breakfast- treat your mind to an awesome breakfast by practicing a simple gratitude exercise.

Sanders does the following 10- Minute Gratitude exercise each morning before starting his day:
-He starts by thinking of two people that helped him go forward in life or career the day before.
-He dials into their intentions. Asking why they did what they did?
-According to Sanders, there are only two possible answers: They care about the mission or they care about you.
-Reflecting upon these good deeds, help us to realize that we are not alone in our journey.
-Afterwards, Sanders spends 30 minutes reading for a book: on either future trends or a topic that will help him in his career.

In doing so, he is starting his day on a positive and gratuitous note. If you aren’t keen on Sanders’ gratitude exercise. Spend the first moments after you wake up mediating on your day. Think positively, as a positive outlook is what will bring success!

What good things do you feed your mind? Leave a comment below.

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