Many
healthful food products, such as dairy products, vegetables, and fruit,
naturally contain sugars. The sugar in these foods gives them a sweet taste. It
is important for people to include these foods in their diet, as they come with
a range of other nutrients that provide valuable health benefits.
However,
manufacturers tend to add sugar to foods such as cereals and cake and some
drinks. It is these added sugars, or free sugars, that cause health problems.
Unlike foods and drinks that naturally contain sugar, those with added sugar
provide no nutritional value. They are also a poor energy source, as the body
digests added sugar very quickly. Consuming too much may cause health problems
over time.
The average American Consumes 19.5 teaspoons of sugar every day. This translates into about 66 pounds of added sugar consumed each year, per person.
6 Reasons Added Sugars are Bad for Your Health
Inflammation (body and brain)
Damages gut lining which leads to leaky gut – bacteria, toxins and undigested food particles can move out of the gut and into the bloodstream (80% of the immune system is in the GUT)
Causes serious health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, fatigue, skin issues, aches and pains, hardening of arteries, depression, allergies, pain, cancer, digestive issues, hormonal imbalances, etc.
Interferes with vitamin and mineral absorption
Depletes the body of:
Vitamin D
A high intake of sugar, particularly fructose, increases the production of a devious enzyme which degrades stores of vitamin D. A shortage of Vitamin D can lead to a suppressed immune system and numerous health problems, including certain cancers.
Calcium
Everyone knows calcium is vital for strong bones among other health benefits. However, because calcium absorption is tied to vitamin D levels, sugar’s adverse effects on vitamin D will negatively impact calcium’s absorption as well. To make matters worse, excess sugar intake also increases calcium excretion.
Magnesium
The high blood sugar and elevated insulin levels associated with excess sugar intake decrease magnesium absorption and cause the kidneys to excrete magnesium faster. Since magnesium is key in stabilizing blood sugar, a vicious cycle commences. As blood sugar regulation is impaired even more magnesium is excreted. Cutting the sugar helps ensure that magnesium, critical for many bodily functions, is absorbed and maintained.
Chromium
Chromium, like magnesium, is involved in blood sugar regulation. Depletion of chromium contributes to decreased glucose tolerance, a precursor to diabetes. As with magnesium and calcium, high sugar consumption promotes chromium excretion, putting you on a fast-track to deficiency. In fact, one study published in the journal Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental data showed that consuming a diet consisting of 35% simple sugars increased natural mineral excretion rates by 300%!
Vitamin C
Unlike most mammals, humans are unable to synthesize their own vitamin C so we must obtain it from outside sources. High glucose levels inhibit vitamin C from entering our cells, decreasing absorption rates. Further research has shown that individuals who reduce their sugar intake experience significant improvement in vitamin C levels and its benefits.
A large study involving more than 75,000 women found that those who consumed a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar had up to a 98% greater risk of heart disease, compared to women with the lowest intake of refined carbs & sugars.
Hormonal disruption
Insulin resistance: Insulin is highly affected by diet because of the many different signals going on throughout the body as a result of the glucose, and the resulting energy that is produced from carbohydrate intake. Once insulin resistance develops, the muscles, fat, and liver cells don’t respond to it properly, leading to a chain reaction in the body.
Causes PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) which disrupts reproductive hormones
Acne, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, excess hair on the face and body, irregular periods, fertility problems and depression.
Sleep disorders
Sugar is linked to trouble falling asleep as well as restless and disrupted sleep.
Irritability & mood changes
Sudden peaks and drops in blood sugar levels can cause you to experience symptoms like irritability, mood swings, brain fog and fatigue.
Sugar-rich and carb-laden foods can also interfere with the neurotransmitters that help keep our moods stable. Consuming sugar stimulates the release of the mood-boosting neurotransmitter serotonin. Constantly over-activating these serotonin pathways can deplete our limited supplies of the neurotransmitter, which can contribute to symptoms of depression.
Here are some easy & healthy holiday recipes that the whole family will enjoy without the guilt!
Simple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
4 Servings
Ingredients:
2 large or 3 small sweet potatoes
2 tsp oil (grapeseed or avocado)
1 tsp garlic powder, or to taste
1 tsp salt, or to taste
1 tsp black pepper, or to taste
Instructions:
Wash and scrub sweet potatoes
thoroughly. Run a peeler over them and peel about half of the skin. Dry
potatoes well with a paper towel.
Cut sweet potatoes in half
length-wise, and then cut each half into 4 long strips. Chop each of the strips
into small cubes, about ½ thick.
Line a large baking sheet with
parchment paper. Spread onto baking sheet, drizzle with 2 tsp olive oil, and
sprinkle with garlic powder, salt and black pepper. Toss to coat.
Bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes
or until crisped, flipping once halfway through to make sure that both sides
get crispy. Turn broiler on low for 60 seconds at the end if needed to get crispy.
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Mustard Dressing
8 Servings
Ingredients:
2 lbs fresh brussels sprouts, halved
lengthwise
6 tbs extra virgin olive oil
½ tsp and 3/8 tsp salt, divided
¾ tsp black pepper
2 tbs apple cider vinegar
1 tbs grainy mustard
2 tbs chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss together
Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper
in a large bowl. Transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet lined with aluminum
foil. Roast at 450°F until golden and just tender when pierced with tip of a
knife, about 20 minutes, stirring once after 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together vinegar,
mustard, 1 tablespoon parsley, remaining 3/8 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/4
teaspoon pepper in a large bowl. Add remaining 1/4 cup oil in a slow, steady
stream, whisking constantly, until emulsified.
Add sprouts to dressing; toss to coat.
Transfer to platter; sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley.
Green Beans with Lemon and Garlic
6 Servings
Ingredients:
2 lbs green beans, ends trimmed
1 tbs extra virgin olive oil
3 tbs butter
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tbs lemon zest
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
Blanch green beans in a large stock
pot of well salted boiling water until bright green in color and tender crisp,
roughly 2 minutes. Drain and shock in a bowl of ice water to stop from cooking.
Heat a large heavy skillet over medium
heat. Add the oil and the butter. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and
saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the beans and continue to saute
until coated in the butter and heated through, about 5 minutes. Add lemon zest
and season with salt and pepper.
Pumpkin Pie
9 Servings
Ingredients:
1 pie crust
1 15-oz can pumpkin puree
3 eggs
¼ cup pure maple syrup
¼ cup coconut sugar or organic cane
sugar
¼ cup unsweetened almond milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 ½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp allspice
¼ tsp salt
Instructions:
Make pie crust as directed
Prehead oven to 350 degrees
Make the filling: In a large bowl, add
the pumpkin puree, eggs, pure maple syrup, coconut sugar (or regular sugar)
almond milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, ground ginger, allspice and salt. Mix
until well combined and completely smooth. Pour into pie pan.
Bake for 50-60 minutes until filling is
no longer jiggly. Check pie after every 20 minutes to make sure crust isn’t
burning. If it is getting a little too golden brown, simply cover pie edges
with foil or a pie shield.
Allow pie to cool for at least an hour
before serving. Pie should be kept in fridge once completely cool. Top with
whipped cream or ice cream. Store pie in fridge.
Adrenal fatigue and brain fog
can severely impact one’s life and overall health; getting to the root cause of
your symptoms is the only way to truly overcome these issues.
Adrenal Fatigue
Whether
your adrenal glands aren’t producing adequate amounts of hormones or if your
body has been under abnormal and extensive amounts of stress, adrenal fatigue can
be detrimental to one’s health. Your adrenal glands are responsible for
different vital tasks including maintaining metabolism, fight-or-flight
reactions, regulating hormones, managing inflammation and controlling blood
sugar levels.
Symptoms
of adrenal fatigue include:
Tiredness
Trouble
falling asleep or waking up
Salt
and sugar cravings
Needing
caffeine to get through the day
Headaches
Weakness
Lightheadedness
Loss
of appetite
Unexplained
weight loss
Low
blood pressure
Hair
loss
Excessive
sweating
Sudden
intense pain in the lower back, legs or abdomen
Severe
diarrhea or vomiting
Dehydration
Loss
of consciousness
Irregular
menstruation
Digestive
issues
When
the adrenal glands are unable to keep pace with the demands of ongoing
fight-or-flight arousal, they can’t produce quite enough of the hormones you
need to feel good. Conventional medicine practitioners usually prescribe
steroids, which do not correct the underlying organ dysfunction and only bring
along a list of other bad side effects.
Giving
your body the nutrition it needs to overcome adrenal fatigue is the priority.
Focusing on improving nutrition and decreasing stress will help as well.
A
high-protein diet is recommended with incorporated fresh fruit, vegetables,
elimination of sugary and processed foods, and limited consumption of alcohol
and caffeine. See food chart on back for more recommendations.
Reducing
stress is very important. Incorporating meditation, deep breathing exercises, unplugging
from electronic devices and regular exercise will all help with adrenal fatigue.
Check out these apps for easy to follow meditation guidelines: Headspace, The Mindfulness
App, Calm. See our handout on anxiety & depression.
Brain Fog
Brain
fog is not a condition in itself, but is very likely to be a sign or symptom of
another underlying issue. Everyone experiences the occasional confusion or forgetfulness,
but when it becomes a chronic issue, action needs to be taken.
Symptoms
of brain fog include:
Constant
confusion
Disorganization
Disorientation
Feeling
scattered
Diminished
ability to react
Difficulty
thinking or expressing thoughts
Loss
of attention
Memory
lapses
Lack
of focus
Slower
decision making
Forgetfulness
Fatigue
and irritability
Low
energy
The
solution for brain fog is similar to the solution for adrenal fatigue; the
priority being getting your body the proper nutrition it needs to overcome the
underlying inflammation causing the symptoms in the first place.
A
balanced diet, regular exercise schedule, quality sleep and stress reduction
practice are very important to overcoming brain fog. Removing foods like gluten,
wheat, dairy, yeast, fried foods, sugar, lectins (legumes, beans, peas, lentils),
nightshades (eggplant, tomatoes, peppers, grains, soy) can help lower your
current inflammation. See food chart below for more recommendations.
Aerobic
activity (running, dancing, biking), anaerobic activity (HIIT training, speed
drills) and restorative practices (yoga, walking, Pilates) will all help with
brain health.
According
to the CDC, 35% of adults in America aren’t getting enough sleep.
Sleeping less than seven hours a night is associated with serious health consequences: obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, and frequent mental stress.
Common causes of sleep disorders:
Stress, Anxiety, and Depression:
These can be two of the most common causes of chronic sleeplessness. Stress,
anger, worry, anxiety, and negative thoughts can have a dramatic effect on
sleep quality.
No one can avoid all stress, but you
can counteract its detrimental effects by learning how to produce the
relaxation response, a state of deep rest that is the polar opposite of the
stress response. The relaxation response puts the brakes on stress and brings
your body and mind back into a state of equilibrium. Check out these meditation
apps: Headspace, The Mindfulness App, Calm (they are currently running a FREE
promotion for teachers!)
Stimulants:
Excessive use of caffeine, such as energy drinks and coffee, can be one of the
most common causes of intermittent and transient sleeplessness. This is sleeplessness
that occurs periodically or only for a few nights at a time.
Are you drinking more than 1 cup of
coffee a day? If so, you may be addicted to caffeine which could be
contributing to your restlessness. Try switching to green or black tea for your
caffeine, and be sure to not drink any past 2pm. You can also try herbal tea 90
minutes before going to bed – look for chamomile, lavender or valerian root.
Another common stimulant is technology
– stay away from screens 60-90 minutes before you get to bed; your descent into
deep sleep will be quicker and more effortless.
Medications:
Some medications can interfere with sleep, such as antidepressants, ADHD
medication, corticosteroids, thyroid hormone, high blood pressure medication,
some contraceptives, pain relievers that contain caffeine, diuretics, and diet
pills.
With Nutrition Response Testing,
Chiropractic & Neurocranial adjustments Dr. Lisa has successfully helped
people reduce or completely wean off of medications that could be keeping you
up at night.
Allergies and Respiratory Problems:
Colds, sinus infections, and upper respiratory problems can make it hard to
breathe at night which can cause sleeping difficulties.
Reoccurring colds and infections are a
sign of deeper underlying dysfunction in the body. With Nutrition Response
Testing and Advanced Allergy Therapeutics Dr. Lisa can get to the root of your
sensitivities which can help with sleep disorders.
Nocturia:
Frequent urination and constantly getting up in the middle of the night to use
the restroom can cause sleep disturbances.
Don’t drink any fluids 90 minutes
before going to bed to avoid getting up in the middle of the night. Avoid
alcohol, caffeine, chocolate or sodas.
Chronic Pain:
A variety of conditions that cause chronic pain can also disrupt sleep, such
as: arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, inflammatory bowel
disease, headaches, lower back pain.
If you experience chronic pain,
Chiropractic & Neurocranial adjustments can help restore balance to the
musculoskeletal system. If Chiropractic adjustments do not completely resolve
the chronic pain, there may be underlying dysfunction in the body which can be
handled with Nutrition Response Testing.
Foods for Restful Sleep
Complex Carbs
Skip the white bread, refined pasta,
and sugary, baked goods, which may reduce serotonin levels and impair sleep.
Instead, choose stick-to-your-ribs whole grains or proteins for your bedtime
snack: Turkey, tuna, popcorn, oatmeal, or whole-wheat crackers with nut butter
or good quality cheese are all good choices.
A Handful of Nuts
Nuts are a good source of
heart-healthy fats. And almonds and walnuts, specifically, contain melatonin, a
hormone that helps to regulate your sleep/wake cycle. Eating them can increase
your blood levels of the hormone, helping you sleep more soundly.
Kiwi, Figs & EZ MG
Two kiwifruits 1 hour before bed has shown to improve total sleep time and efficiency.
Figs have been known to help an individual sleep due to their high content of magnesium, which is a mineral that is directly linked to improving the quality, duration, and tranquility of sleep. Figs also help regulate the metabolism, to help reduce sleep disorders and the occurrence of insomnia.
Magnesium activates the parasympathetic nervous system which is responsible for getting you calm and relaxed. It also regulates melatonin, which guides sleep-wake cycles in your body. Try our EZ MG by Standard Process to help you achieve restful sleep.
To watch the Health Talk on our Facebook, click here 🙂
A
man’s body goes through many different changes throughout life. Following a
healthy diet, exercise routine & mindfulness practice will help keep your
body in balance and at ease.
Muscle Loss
Age-related muscle loss, called sarcopenia, is a
natural part of aging. After age 30, you begin to lose as much as 3% to 5% per
decade. Most men will lose about 30% of their muscle mass during their
lifetimes.
One possible contributor to sarcopenia is the
natural decline of testosterone, the hormone that stimulates protein synthesis
and muscle growth. Think of testosterone as the fuel for your muscle-building
fire. Therefore, the best means to build muscle mass, no matter your age, is
progressive resistance training. With PRT, you gradually amp up your workout
volume—weight, reps, and sets—as your strength and endurance improve. This
constant challenging workout builds muscle and keeps you away from plateaus
where you stop making gains.
Natural Ways to Boost Testosterone
Exercise & lift weights
Eating enough protein, fat and carbs
Minimize stress and cortisol levels
Get enough Vitamin D
Zinc, Vitamin B, Ashwagandha
Restful, high-quality sleep
Limit exposure to estrogen-like
chemicals (BPA, parabens, plastic)
Relaxation Exercises:
No one can avoid all stress, but you can counteract its detrimental effects by
learning how to produce the relaxation response, a state of deep rest that is
the polar opposite of the stress response. The relaxation response puts the
brakes on stress and brings your body and mind back into a state of
equilibrium.
Progressive
muscle relaxation: a two-step process in which you
systematically tense and relax different muscle groups in the body. With
regular practice, it gives you an intimate familiarity with what tension—as
well as complete relaxation—feels like in different parts of the body.
Loosen clothing, take off your shoes,
and get comfortable.
Take a few minutes to breathe in and
out in slow, deep breaths.
When you’re ready, shift your
attention to your right foot. Take a moment to focus on the way it feels.
Slowly tense the muscles in your right
foot, squeezing as tightly as you can. Hold for a count of 10.
Relax your foot. Focus on the tension
flowing away and how your foot feels as it becomes limp and loose.
Stay in this relaxed state for a
moment, breathing deeply and slowly.
Shift your attention to your left
foot. Follow the same sequence of muscle tension and release.
Move slowly up through your body,
contracting and relaxing the different muscle groups.
Most Common Chronic Illness in Men: Heart Disease
Inflammation in the body creates a dangerous
environment for your health. It can cause heart, liver, hormonal and prostate
problems among other things.
How to lower your risk:
Eat a diet high in fiber (see diagram
below for food tips)
Regular exercise
Avoiding smoking & drinking
alcohol
Reduce stress (meditate, restorative
exercise like yoga)
Have healthy relationships
Healthy Eating for Prostate Health
Eat a 2:1 ratio of vegetables to
fruits each day. Go for those with deep, bright color.
Choose whole-grain options.
Limit your consumption of red meat,
including beef, pork, lamb, and goat, and processed meats, such as bologna and
hot dogs. Fish, skinless poultry, beans, and eggs are healthier sources of
protein. Opt for grass-fed, hormone free meat, dairy & eggs – they are the
best source of protein because they provide the proper ratios of all the
essential amino acids.
Choose healthful fats, such as olive
oil, nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), and avocados. Limit saturated fats from
dairy and other animal products. Fats from dairy and animal products are
healthy when the source is clean. Avoid partially hydrogenated fats (trans
fats), which are in many fast foods and packaged foods.
Avoid sugar-sweetened drinks, such as
sodas and many fruit juices. Eat sweets as an occasional treat if at all.
Cut down on salt. Choose foods low in
sodium by reading and comparing food labels. Limit the use of canned,
processed, and frozen foods. Use unprocessed salts like sea salt.
Watch portion sizes. Eat slowly, and
stop eating when you are full.
The
best-known cleaning products are also the ones laced heavily with harsh
chemicals. Mr. Clean, Windex, Clorox — all effective, none organic or safe for
the body. The problem with switching over to more ecofriendly cleaning products
— ones that won’t coat your home with brain-cell-killing fumes — is that lots
of brands claim to be “natural” or “organic.” But unlike the
USDA-certified-organic stickers you can look for in a grocery store’s produce
section, you won’t find any such federal regulation in the housekeeping aisle.
(These kinds of companies aren’t even required to list their ingredients,
meaning they can sneak in chemicals without mentioning them anywhere on the
bottle.)
Some
of the most dangerous toxins out there reside in our cleaning products, and
we’re putting our health at risk by exposing ourselves to them on a daily
basis. Researchers at the University of Washington tested a variety of popular
household cleaning products, including air fresheners, all-purpose cleaners,
soaps, laundry detergents, dish soap, dryer sheets and fabric softeners, as
well as personal care products like shampoos, deodorants and lotions.
Volatile
organic compounds are gases emitted from solids or liquids. They’re found in
many household products, from paints and varnishes to cleaning products and
disinfectants. The EPA states that some of the risks associated with VOCs are:
Eye, nose and throat irritation
Headaches, loss of coordination and
nausea
Damage to liver, kidney and central
nervous system
Some VOCs can cause cancer in animals,
and some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans
In
summary, this is what they found:
A whopping 133 volatile organic
compounds (VOCs) in the products – even in those labelled ‘green’, ‘natural’ or
‘organic’.
On average, 17 VOCs were found in each
product, with anywhere from 1-8 of those 17 chemicals being toxic or hazardous.
Nearly half of the products contained
at least one of 24 carcinogenic air pollutants that have no safe exposure
level, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Check
out EWG.org or the “ThinkDirty” app to check the toxicity levels of your
household cleaning items and beauty products!
“Clean” Cleaning
Products
Green Works
Dr. Bronners Castile Soap
Ecos
Seventh Generation
Method
JR Watkins
Mrs. Meyers
Common Good
Making Your Own Cleaning Products
(use glass bottles if possible, essential oils
optional)
All-Purpose
Cleaner
2c water
2tb castile soap
OR
1c water
1c white distilled vinegar
½ lemon juiced
Deep-Cleaning
Bathroom Cleaner
1 2/3c baking soda
1/2c liquid castile soap
1/2c water
2tbs white vinegar
1. Mix baking soda and liquid soap in
a bowl. Dilute with water and add the vinegar. Stir the mixture with a fork
until any lumps have been dissolved. Pour the liquid into the bottle. Shake
well before using.
Carpet
Stains
2bs salt dissolved in 1/2c white
vinegar
Let the solution dry, then vacuum. For
larger or darker stains, add 2 tablespoons borax to the mixture and use in the
same way.
Glass
& Mirror Cleaner
1/2c rubbing/isopropyl alcohol
1/3c white distilled vinegar
Distilled water
Add alcohol & vinegar to the
bottle, then fill with water.
Laundry
Stain & Spot Remover
1 1/2c water
1/4c liquid castile soap
1/4c liquid vegetable glycerin
Treat spot immediately and let soak
before tossing into wash
Gnat
Trap
Mix 3 parts apple cider vinegar and 1 part water
in a shallow bowl. Add 3-4 drops of dish soap. The smell of the vinegar will
attract them and the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the vinegar/water.
Now when they land they are stuck.
