24.6.07

Sugar :-(

Americans consume between two to three pounds of sugar every week. The sugar is being processed in so many foods we eat. These foods are not just sweets. Sugar in large quantities can be found in peanut butter, mayonnaise, bread, ketchup and many other categorically “non-sweets” products.
Now let’s get to the question: Why is Refined Sugar bad for you?
Refined Sugar is bad for you because it raises the insulin level in your blood.
Raised blood insulin levels depress the immune system. If your immune system is depressed then your ability to fight disease is weakened.
Raised blood insulin levels can cause weight gain. Insulin promotes the storage of fat; so, when you eat foods high in refined sugar, you increase fat storage. Obviously, the result is rapid weight gain.
Refined Sugar contains no vitamins or minerals so in order for sugar to be metabolized it must draw on the body’s reserve of vitamins and minerals. When these reserves are depleted, metabolization of cholesterol and fatty acid is impeded, contributing to higher blood serum triglycerides, cholesterol, promoting obesity due to higher fatty acid storage around organs.
In summary here are ways that refined sugar can affect your health.

http://ezinearticles.com/?Why-is-Refined-Sugar---Known-As-White-Sugar---Bad-for-You?&id=119462
Fruit

http://www.5aday.co.nz/5aday.html?mode=display&parent_id=2015&content_id=2214&id=2214&section_id=

17.6.07

Artificial Sweeteners

Aspartame is a major contributing factor to the growing obesity problem.

To be safe stay away from anything any
artificial sweetener between 950 to 956.

Aspartame has been proven to increase appetite, especially carving for sweets & is also a leading suspect to brain tumors & other health related problems.

3.6.07

Sleep


Getting enough sleep is essential to our bodies functioning properly.
Sleep is both regenerative & restorative. It is an important part of maintaining ones energy levels & in order to achieve this, the average women needs 8 hours of good sleep a night.
If your not wakening up well rested try going to bed an hour earlier & getting an extra hour of restorative sleep.

2.6.07

Symptoms associated with Liver Dysfunction



http://www.liverdoctor.com/Section2/08_symptoms.asp

Digestive Problems Indigestion. Reflux. Haemorrhoids. Gall stones and gall bladder disease. Intolerance to fatty foods. Intolerance to alcohol. Nausea and vomiting attacks. Abdominal bloating. Constipation. Irritable bowel syndrome. Pain over the liver - (upper right corner of abdomen & lower right rib cage).

Blood Sugar Problems Craving for sugar. Hypoglycaemia and unstable blood sugar levels. Mature onset diabetes (TypeII) is common in those with a fatty liver.

Nervous System - Poor concentration and “foggy brain”. Overheating of the body, especially the face and torso. Recurrent headaches (including migraine) associated with nausea.Immune DysfunctionAllergies - sinus, hay fever, dermatitis, hives, etc. Multiple food and chemical sensitivities. Skin rashes and inflammations.

External Signs - Coated tongue. Bad breath. Skin rashes. Dark circles under the eyes. Yellow discolouration of the eyes. Red swollen itchy eyes (allergic eyes). Acne rosacea - (red pimples around the nose, cheeks and chin). Brownish spots and blemishes on the skin (liver spots). Red palms and soles which may also be itchy and inflamed. Flushed facial appearance or excessive facial blood vessels (capillaries/ veins).

Looking after the Liver


The liver is hardest-working organ in the body. I have Auto Immune Hepatitis of the Liver I can not afford to neglect my liver.Dr Sandra Cabot has written a great best book on looking after your liver.




Vitamin K - green leafy vegetables and alfalfa sprouts..
Antioxidants - found in fresh raw juices such as carrot, celery, beetroot, dandelion, apple, pear and green drinks like wheatgrass and barley-grass juice, and fresh fruits, particularly citrus and kiwi fruit.
Selenium - sources of the antioxidant selenium are brazil nuts, brewers yeast, designer yeast powders (very good source), kelp, brown rice, molasses, seafood, wheatgerm, whole-grains, garlic and onions.
Methionine - is essential for detoxification. Is found in legumes, eggs, fish, garlic, onions, seeds and meat.
Essential fatty acids - Seafood, cod liver oil, and fish oil. Seafood may be fresh, canned or frozen such as sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, trout, mullet, blue mussels, calamari, tailor, herring, blue eye cod, gemfish. Fresh avocado, fresh raw nuts and seeds, legumes (beans, peas, lentils), wholegrain, wheatgerm, green vegetables such as spinach, green peas and green beans, eggplant, cold pressed fresh vegetable and seed oils, freshly ground seeds, especially flaxseeds (linseed), evening primrose oil, black-currant seed oil, star flower oil. Essential fatty acids are required for healthy membranes in every cell of the body and plentiful amounts are required for healthy liver function. This is why strict low fat diets are not beneficial for general health, weight control or liver function.Natural sulphur compounds - are found in eggs (preferably free range), garlic, onions, leeks, shallots and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts