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Health Articles
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SUGAR... THE NOT SO SWEET TRUTH
The average American consumes about 150 pounds of sugar each year mainly in the form of refined foods such as baked goods, sodas, sports drinks, ketchup, candy and drink sweeteners. Most people don’t know much about sugar other than it tastes good, and can cause tooth decay. The fact of the matter is that sugar is at the root of many of today’s health problems and most of us eat way too much of it.
The devastating effects of sugar on our health have been documented in many medical journals around the world. When you realize how much damage sugar can do to the body it’s not hard to see that sugar is not so sweet after all. The list of problems connected with sugar is incredibly long. Tooth decay, diabetes, heart disease, obesity, intestinal yeast overgrowth, and arthritis, to name a few, have all been linked to sugar consumption.
Most importantly, studies have shown that sugar weakens our immune systems. The ability of our immune cells to destroy bacteria and other harmful organisms is greatly decreased after ingesting sugar. This makes your body more susceptible to colds, viruses, fungal and bacterial infections, and even cancer.
The human body does not need refined sugar at all. Actually white sugar lacks most essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, proteins and essential fatty acids, yet it is high in calories. It is no wonder that it is often called an empty calorie food. It is true that our bodies use the sugar glucose as a primary energy source, but we can get all the glucose we need from unrefined whole foods like whole grains, dried beans and whole fruits. Refined sugar includes white sugar, brown sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. Be sure to keep this in mind and read ingredient labels when doing grocery shopping.
So what do we do if the sweet tooth cravings get the best of us? Try eating whole fruits such as grapes, berries, or apples instead of reaching for cakes and cookies. Choose the herb stevia as a sweetener or baking additive. Stevia is many times sweeter than sugar, so a little goes a long way. It is generally safe for diabetics and can be found in most health food stores. Stay away from aspartame and other artificial sweeteners. Aspartame has been linked to several health problems including severe headaches in some people. The last things any of us need in our bodies are more man made chemicals.
Eliminating sugar from your diet is a great step in leading a healthier life. We all need a little sweetness in our lives from time to time, but we don‘t need it in the form of refined sugar.
WHOLE FOOD DIETING
“What is the difference between whole foods and refined foods?” is a question that comes up often when talking about healthy diets especially when discussing carbohydrates. Basically a whole food is a food that has not been processed or altered from its natural state. Examples of whole foods are brown rice, whole grain breads, and unprocessed fruits and vegetables. In order to really appreciate the value of eating whole foods we must understand what knowledgeable doctors and dieticians call the “Krebs cycle“.
The Krebs cycle is the metabolic pathway that all carbohydrates go through in our bodies in order to be broken down into useable energy. It’s a very complex system and many different nutrients are required to complete the cycle.
Conveniently, all of these necessary nutrients are present in natural whole foods. For example, if you eat a kernel of unrefined wheat you are getting exactly the amount of micronutrients needed to digest and metabolize the carbohydrates in that grain.
A problem occurs when we eat processed grain products like white bread and white pasta. These refined foods have been altered by man from their natural state. In other words, many of the nutrients necessary for the completion of the Krebs cycle have been removed. The main reason for this is to add “shelf life” to our foods. When you stop and think about this, it means that any fungus, bacteria, germ, rodent etc. is reluctant to eat a processed food and therefore it lasts longer on the shelf.
If only we humans could be so smart! When we eat these processed foods we must provide, from storage in our bodies, the necessary missing micronutrients needed to complete the Krebs cycle. We can keep on ticking like this for a while, but eventually we run out of places borrow from and our bodies get less and less efficient due to nutrient deficiencies. Ultimately, as we become more and more run down, chronic illness is more likely to result.
How can we avoid this? Choose whole grain breads and pasta products over processed types. It is important to read food labels carefully. Many processed products masquerade as “whole” foods when in reality they are not. Remember that if it says “enriched” on the label, this simply means that some of the nutrients were put back in after processing. A good simple rule to follow is to eat foods as they are in nature. Eat fruits and vegetables with the skin on (if the skins are edible of course) as opposed to peeled. Wash produce well and stay away from foods with chemical additives. Eat organically grown foods if at all possible. While it may not be possible to solely eat whole foods in your daily diet, any increase will be a step toward a healthier life. The less refined foods you eat - the better you will feel! Give it a try.
BIO-IDENTICAL HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY
Hormonal health affects almost every aspect of a woman’s life. Hormonal imbalances can diminish a women’s quality of life and make it seem as though their lives are spinning out of control. These imbalances can present themselves in numerous ways at many points in a woman’s life.
Symptoms include: Decreased concentration and memory, depression, mood swings and irritability, weight gain, fatigue, urinary tract infections, P.M.S., dryness, hot flashes and night sweats, sleep difficulties, hair loss and low libido.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective way to balance a woman’s hormones and relieve the symptoms associated with hormonal imbalances. Unfortunately, lately HRT has received a lot of negative criticism in the news due to the results of a Women’s Health Initiative study. A portion of the clinical study was stopped early after results showed that a synthetic hormone combination increased the risks of developing invasive breast cancer, heart disease, stroke and blood clots. The data and safety board concluded that the risks of using a synthetic estrogen-progestin drug combination outweighed the benefits. The key word here is synthetic. The synthetic hormones used in the study are derived from horse urine, and have been developed because they are longer lasting, more potent and, most importantly for the drug companies, because they are patentable.
It is unfortunate that the lay press and even scientific studies often group all forms of HRT together as if they are a single medication. This is not so. In reality, women’s experiences and clinical outcomes of HRT differ vastly depending on whether the hormones are synthetic or bio-identical, and on the dose, dosage form and route of administration.
Bio-identical HRT seeks to copy the body’s natural process as closely as possible to bring the body back to a healthy balance. Bio-identical hormones, unlike the synthetic ones that were used in the above referenced study, have the identical chemical structure of the hormones the body produces naturally. Bio-identical hormones are derived from natural plant sources and are converted by biochemists to hormones which are identical in every way to those made by the human body. These may include estrone, estriol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA and pregnenolone. In addition to alleviating symptoms of hormonal imbalances, some long term benefits of using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy include: protection against heart disease, improved cholesterol and lipid profile, protection against endometrial cancer, and protection against osteoporosis. Bio-identical hormones can be made in doses and dosage forms convenient to each individual woman to fit her lifestyle, comfort level and personal goals.
Without HRT many women feel miserable, exhausted and unable to cope with life. It is therefore important to weigh any risks involved against the positive effects of HRT. At The Center for Advanced Wellness we feel that using bio-identical hormone replacement is a safer choice than using the synthetic version. Decisions about whether to stop, start, or change your HRT should be made on an individual basis only after consulting with a knowledgeable physician.
SILVER - MERCURY DENTAL FILLINGS AND CHRONIC DISEASE
Most American dentists treat tooth decay by drilling and filling teeth using “silver fillings". This has been the accepted practice for several generations. Silver fillings are actually a mixture of silver, copper, tin, zinc and mercury. The amount of mercury in this mix is approximately 50% and older fillings may contain even more.
Mercury is one of the most poisonous substances known to man. Unknown to most of us, the safety of silver fillings has been debated since the 1800’s. The current official opinion of the American Dental Association is still that when mercury is combined with other metals and used in dental fillings, the properties of mercury are rendered harmless. There is, however, a growing awareness among health care practitioners that this is not the case. Incidentally, in some states there are warnings out to dentists not to use silver fillings in children and pregnant women. Several European countries have banned the use of mercury fillings.
Research has shown that mercury vapor is continuously released from silver fillings in measurable amounts from the instant the fillings are inserted. Mercury is inhaled, swallowed and absorbed directly into the mouth. ( See Vimy, MJ & Lorscheider, Fl, J. Trace Elem. Exper. Med 3:111(1990)). Hal Huggins DDS., in his breakthrough book titled: “It’s All in Your Head- Diseases caused by Silver - Mercury Fillings”, describes his work in establishing that mercury is indeed released from silver fillings and can produce illness. Additionally he shows that proper filling removal and removal of stored mercury in the body has been shown to result in remission of the illness.
Studies have linked mercury exposure from the environment with a variety of illnesses including allergies, chronic fatigue, depression, GI disorders, immune system suppression, neurological disorders, birth defects, kidney disease, heart problems, hypertension and skin disease. Mercury can interfere with any process or organ in the body, but it has a marked effect on the immune system. If a person has a chronic health problem for which a case cannot be found and mercury fillings are present in the mouth, mercury toxicity may be a contributing factor.
To test for mercury levels in a person the compound DMSA ( Dimercaptosuccinic Acid) is used to chelate (bind to) mercury in a provocative oral dose. Analyzing mercury in a collection of urine over the subsequent 6 hours can give an indication of the mercury burden in the body.
If mercury levels are substantial, DMSA can then be used to rid the body of toxic mercury. If this is the case, your doctor will explain the dosages of DMSA required.
If you decide to have your silver fillings removed, care must be taken to go to a qualified dentist. Large scale unprotected silver filling removal can make your condition worse. Your doctor can advise you in this regard.
CANDIDA ALBICANS: A HIDDEN MENACE
Most people are unaware there are several pounds of different types of micro-organisms living in the average person’s intestinal track. Some of these micro-organisms are beneficial and others can cause harm. The secret to good intestinal health is to keep these micro-organisms (or flora) in proper balance.
One of the biggest culprits in terms of poor intestinal health is a yeast called Candida Albicans There are about 81 strains of yeast organisms. Candida Albicans is the most common yeast found in the human intestinal tract. Normal intestinal bacterial flora keeps this yeast in check. The overgrowth of Candida in the intestinal tract is affecting a great number of people in the United States. The majority of these cases go undetected.
If you're not feeling well, but not really sick, or if you suffer from chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia and other intractable symptoms, and standard lab tests don't show anything wrong, then you may be suffering from systemic yeast overgrowth. Common symptoms include digestive complaints, allergic symptoms, brain fog, fatigue, depression, insomnia, and irritability to name a few.
Candidiasis is the medical term for the condition that occurs when a common yeast (primarily Candida Albicans) in the intestines has taken over.
Yeast does not contribute anything to your well being, but is always part of our natural bowel flora. Ironically, Candida is harmless when it is in balance with the other organisms that live in the intestinal tract. If an imbalance occurs, Candida can take over. They can also establish colonies on the skin, in the vagina, as well as in the colon. The normal bowel flora is essential for human health. These beneficial micro-organisms include bacteria such as acidophilus and bifidus, both of which can be found in healthy yogurt. The functions of these beneficial intestinal flora include Synthesis of vitamins and fatty acids, degradation of toxins, prevention of colonization by harmful micro-organisms, and stimulation of normal immune system response.
Candida is an opportunistic organism. It is a stubborn pathogen and can revert to an even more stubborn fungal form if not treated early.
One of the worst factors affecting gut flora, and the growth of Candida Albicans, is the repeated and prolonged use of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs.
Of all the antibiotics used in the United States, large amounts are routinely fed to livestock. Nearly all the animals raised for food in this country receive antibiotics sometime during their lifetimes. This has caused resistant strains of bacteria, and probably yeasts as well. There is no legislation that limits the use of antibiotics in animals used for food. This is the result of pressure from the beef and poultry producers. It is best to look for antibiotic-free meat and eggs now stocked at some health food stores and markets. You will usually pay more for these products, but it is well worth it.
Not only does Candida over-growth affect adults but evidence now points to Candida imbalance as a common cause of allergies and ear infections in infants and young children. Since the usual treatment for ear infections is broad-spectrum antibiotics, symptoms may develop of oral thrush, clear nasal discharge, diarrhea, and diaper rash.
As a child grows, many other symptoms may occur and persist into adulthood. Children with recurrent ear infections tend to receive repeated and prolonged courses of broad-spectrum antibiotic drugs. These drugs cause alterations in gut flora including the proliferation of Candida, and tend to suppress the immune system. They also promote the absorption of food antigens that can play a major role in causing food allergies, hyperactivity, Attention Deficit Syndrome (ADD), and related behavior and learning problems.
Besides anti-biotics there are other drugs that upset the ecological balance of the intestinal flora and suppress the immune system which will allow Candida overgrowth. Cortisone, prednisone, and other steroid-type drugs give the opportunist Candida all the growing space it needs. Our defense system becomes paralyzed by these drugs.
The typical western diet high in sugar and other refined carbohydrates feeds Candida. Candida thrives on sugars. Also, stress causes an additional burden on the immune system and makes a person more vulnerable to eating the wrong foods.
Hurrying through meals may contribute to the proliferation of Candida. It is vital to chew slowly and produce the proper saliva that prepares the body for healthy digestion. Not chewing food carefully can set us up for not allowing our friendly microbes to do their jobs in providing us with our own vitamin-B and vitamin-K factories and the assimilation of the other nutrients we derive from food.
Candida organisms can spread out from the lower bowel to colonize the entire digestive tract. The common round yeast forms of Candida can revert to a pathological form of budding rhizoids (finger like extensions that sprout from the body of the yeast cell). These rhizoids can puncture the colon and the small intestine walls. The rhizoids emit chemical waste products which can leak through the intestinal lining and lead to chronic systemic conditions.
At our center we are experts in diagnosing and treating Candida overgrowth. Our successful protocol involves proper diet, pro-biotics such as acidophilus, and prescription and natural anti-fungal medications.
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