Health Research
Consultation
Education
|
Health Research |
How are you doing with your New Year’s resolution? In case you did not commit to one in January, February is a good a time to begin. Most folks have added a few pounds during the holidays and are desperate to get rid of them. Unfortunately, taking the path of least resistance, they go for the most popular quick fix diets that “guarantee” weight loss. Slow down. Quick fixes are destructive and it takes more effort to pick up the pieces and shed pounds. It becomes a cycle that repeats. Valentine’s Day is a good time to begin a journey of moderation so you will be able to enjoy sweets throughout the year without fear of obesity, diabetes or heart disease. It is amusing how we consume so many calories in the last two months of the year, when we have ten other months to indulge in moderation in preparation for the holidays. Nevertheless, moderation seems to be as novel as white bread due to our culture’s obsession with “more is better”. What is not so obvious is the damage caused by over consumption of sugar. Most health problems are linked to excessive sugar consumption. Some of these problems include:
The majority of packaged food items contain sugar disguised under the names of fructose, honey, brown-rice syrup, high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), cane juice, glucose, lactose, maltodextrin, mannitol, molasses, sorbitol, sucrose and others. You may not realize that you are consuming the white stuff unless you know these code words for sugar. All the more frustrating is that food companies do not have to list the added sugar in their products. Your to-do List How can you thwart the deceptive marketing? Start by gradually cutting out sugars. In the early 1900’s, the average American consumed about 12 pounds of sugar a year. Today experts say we ingest over 10 times this amount, between150 to 180 pounds per year in the form of sugars listed above. People develop an uncontrollable appetite for it. Refined sugars rapidly break down and are immediately absorbed into the bloodstream. This places stress on the pancreas to release insulin, a very powerful hormone that ushers the sugar into the cells. Stress causes hunger to increase, metabolism to slow down and weight gain. Food either becomes your enemy or your comfort. Neither is good. Food is fuel for the cells. Our bodies are like high performance vehicles that need high grade fuel to perform well. For example, a steam engine that requires water will shut down if you put gas in it. Another example is zoo animals. Zoo keepers know that feeding a lion grains will kill him in as little as six weeks. The cats are fed fatty red meat appropriate for their metabolisms. They survive and thrive. One of the most dangerous hidden sweets is high fructose corn syrup (HFCS). A combination of glucose and fructose known as sucrose, it is metabolized differently than table sugar. Both are basic sugars that the body uses for fuel, however, when combined and processed into HFCS, it is absorbed quicker than table sugar. Unlike table sugar it enters the cells without the help of insulin and becomes an uncontrollable source of carbon (acetyl-CoA) that converts to cholesterol and triglycerides. This is why blood becomes sludge like and has more difficulty moving throughout arterial walls. Excessive sugar consumption is the leading cause of liver disease, cancer and heart problems, not fat as consumers have been programmed to believe. HFCS was introduced into the US market in 1966 and is now the number one sweetener in this country with sales of over $4.5 billion a year. The average American consumes over 62 pounds of it yearly. It is popular because it is cheap to produce ensuring more profit for processors. This sweetener is found in sodas, sweetened drinks, ketchup, fruited yogurts, breakfast cereals, jelly, syrups, cookies, baked goods, desserts and many other foods. You have to become a food sleuth to protect yourself from the hidden dangers. The Fiber Connection Remember to include fiber (roughage) as a daily staple. Often ignored, fiber plays a pivotal role in weight loss because it acts like a sponge that soaks up fat and sugar, thus, slowing down the digestive process. There are two types of fiber responsible for very distinct functions in the body. Insoluble fiber controls the ph balance in the intestines. Aiding in digestion, it promotes regular bowel movements and prevents constipation by moving toxic waste through the colon in less time. Additionally, high-fiber foods expand the inside walls of the colon, easing the passage of waste. Good sources of insoluble fiber include: green leafy vegetables, whole wheat, seeds and nuts and fruit and vegetable skins. Soluble fiber delays the amount of time it takes the stomach to empty so that sugar is released and absorbed slower. This helps to maintain blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber also helps reduce LDL cholesterol and regulates blood sugar, especially for diabetics. Soluble fiber binds to dietary cholesterol, helping the body eliminate it. Fiber overall creates a balanced level of fats in the blood which contributes to a healthy heart. Good sources of soluble fiber include: dry beans, nuts, flaxseed, apples, oranges, carrots and oat bran. Garbage in, garbage out is not particular to the computer world. Garbage in breeds disease. The development of most diseases we suffer from today follow a very similar pattern. There is some type of agitation/invasion of an agent that occurs; an environmental toxin, a chemical herbicide or pesticide, a food compound, a virus, bacteria or a waste product. If the body removes the agent, in a timely fashion, there is not much of a problem. This is why roughage plays an important role in the overall health of the body. If the agent or toxin remains the body develops an inflammatory response in an effort to destroy the invader, damaging its surroundings and causing poor cellular health that can lead to cancer and tumor formation. Fiber is important. Make it a point to include the following into your daily regimen:
The Exercise Connection Get up and get moving. Planes are meant to fly, cars are meant to drive and your body is meant to move. Don’t underestimate the value of exercise. It will help you maintain or lose weight, balance your hormones, manage stress, improve heart function and builds more oxygenated blood, stronger bones and youthful brains. A combination of aerobic activity, strength training, stretching and core workouts provide the greatest outcome health wise. These activities help to build and tone muscles and promote circulation. Sugar substitutes Don’t be lured into believing these chemicals are any better at keeping the pounds off. They are molecular poisons that disrupt the body’s natural ability to regulate food intake and body weight. They fool your taste buds. You lose the ability to gauge sweetness in real foods and consequently consume more to satisfy your appetite. Did you ever wonder why the majority of obese people consume artificial sweeteners? Splenda is the latest
fad on the market. It is fast becoming one of the most popular sugar substitutes
used by Americans and clever marketing hides its dangers. For more details
about this imposter click on http://www.mercola.com/2005/feb/2/splenda_marketing.htm
and If you are having difficulty kicking the sugar habit, consider using natural sweeteners. Visit http://www.preservion.com/Xylitol.htm to learn more about xylitol, a safe and natural sweetener. Not only is Xylitol a sweet substitute, but it has medicinal factors that will surprise you. Stevia is another natural sweetener that is plant based and safe to use especially for diabetics. Learn more at http://www.dorway.com/stevia.html Final Tips Eat whole foods that are close to nature. Organics are preferable. Don’t be too concerned about counting calories as much as portion size and what you are putting in your mouth. Life is not about dieting but about a lifestyle that sustains vitality. Life should not be a journey to the grave but rather a ride that allows a taste of everything in moderation. Finally, keep this proverb in mind: “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and supper like a pauper and begin NOW. There is no better time. References:
Keeping you “in the know… Please visit A Special Message from Dr. John Lee’s widow, Mrs. Pat Lee who continues to keep Dr. Lee’s works alive. She has been working diligently the past few years to create opportunities for women to continue learning about how they can obtain optimal health and enjoy healthy living. Visit www.Johnleemd.com to learn more. The Virginia Hopkins Health Watch is back keeping you up-to-date on what's happening with hormone replacement research, nutrition in the news, and much more! Please visit http://www.virginiahopkinshealthwatch.com/ Dr. Ralph Moss, our country’s most respected and foremost authority on cancer research, shares his perspective on cancer rates and treatment. http://www.cancerdecisions.com/012107.html In the news… So you think your genetic predisposition is the leading cause of illness and disease? Think again. Only about 10%-15% of illness and disease is linked to a genetic factor. Most chronic illnesses and disease are due to lifestyle behaviors. While predisposed genes may increase one’s susceptibility, they do not account for the majority of illness. As an example, according to Dr. William Dietz from the Center of Disease Control (CDC), obesity is due to lack of exercise, overeating, poor diets over all, large portions and excessive sugar and simple carbohydrate consumption. Although the genetic predisposition argument is an easy out, the next time someone comments on their gene pool, remind them that their lifestyle choices have a much greater impact on their health than any gene connection. Edited by: Thomas J. Cline, MBA, President and Editor in Chief of INTEGRITY TALK, The official publication of the International Association of Ethics Trainers. Need a speaker?
Contact Cindy A. Krueger, MPH in 2007. Her lectures are engaging, candid,
humorous and may even save your life…
Health Disclaimer: The information provided on this site should not be considered as personal medical advice. Readers should research and consult with appropriate healthcare practitioners on matters related to their personal health and well-being. The information and opinions on this site are believed to be accurate and scientifically sound, based upon the best judgment available to the author. References are noted where appropriate. The publisher is not responsible for errors or omissions. Copyright © 2007, Preservion, Inc. All rights reserved
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
February
New Year’s Resolution 
Happy
Valentine’s Day