Many people today have digestive problems due to low stomach acid, which has similar symptoms of having to much stomach acid: heartburn, sour stomach or an overall upset stomach. Stomachs produce hydrochloric acids to digest food in the right amount, so that it doesn't effect the lining of the stomach itself. But if too little stomach acid is produced, it can ulcerate the stomach lining, as it will also not be producing bicarbonate of soda, which protects the stomach lining. However, certain foods can be eaten to aid or reduce this.
Stomach Acid is Needed to Break Down Food
First off, your stomach has acid in it because it’s supposed to. Stomach acid plays a big part in breaking down the food we eat. Our stomachs have to secrete lots of hydrochloric acid (HCI) every time we eat to break this food down into a soupy mix which is passed on to the small intestine where the nutrients are absorbed into the body. Stomach acids have a major role is breakdown and absorbing protein which build lean muscle mass, hormones and enzymes and absorbing minerals which build strong healthy bones and metabolism. In my practice those with low stomach acids run low on energy, and experience low sex drive, low iron, joint and muscle pains, and sluggish thyroid. Once addressing the root cause of their many symptoms with diet and supplements, most symptoms disappear. Without proper amounts of acid in the stomach food will not digest properly, and this is the starting phases of most illnesses as cells are starved of vital nutrients. Defense Against Infection Proper levels of HCI in the stomach are also your first line of defense against bacterial and viral infections. All day long we unavoidably ingest all kinds of bacteria and viruses through the mouth, nose and food we eat. These germs just cannot survive the trip into the stomach because of it’s the acidic environment. The healthy stomach essentially remains sterile. Normally yeast, that live lower down in your digestive tract, can also move up into the stomach if it becomes more alkaline, and start to take host of your digestive system. Proper acid levels in the stomach prevent this over-growth from occurring. As you can see the role that stomach acid plays in digestion is a very important one. To take medications that completely or almost completely shut down or neutralize stomach acid for long periods of time is asking for a whole host of health problems, and not dealing with the underlying issue to begin with. So are symptoms which clearly indicate low acids and a self-test too. Symptoms
- visible leafy greens in your stool - constipation or diarrhea fluctuations - Silver mercury filling in your teeth - Red meat leaves you tired Self Test
Take 1 oz of applecider vinegar in water on a empty stomach or 1 HCI betaine supplement capsule. Upon consumptions check out these symptoms in your stomach and not your esophagus as it will feel warm, to see if you have high, good or low acid High Acid- extreme burning pain in your stomach (if so take down 1 cup of milk or almond milk asap) Good Acid- warm or light burning sensation in your stomach Low Acid- little of no symptoms after consumption 3 Top Foods to Keep Your Stomach Acids Strong
if you have low stomach acids here are 3 top foods to help you and consider supplementing with Pan-ox-5 or Betaine HCI from Douglas Labs available at your all clinics where i consult. "Good" Fats
Coconut oil is good to consume until your stomach acid production goes back up, as they are high in protein, which stimulates the production of stomach acid. They also stimulate the liver to produce bile which is necessary in regulating stomach acid levels. Also this amazing fat help to increase energy and burn body fat. Sauerkraut or Kimchee
These two pickled vegetable dishes contain a lot of helpful things to stimulate acid production in the stomach. These can cause healing reactions to "candida"--the term for the disease that causes someone to have low stomach acid in the first place. Eating unheated sides of these are important, especially since cooking these will make the molecules within them bind together more and make them harder to digest. Ocean Sea Salt
It's a good idea to start eating ocean sea salt--some of the purest salt--with every meal. Salt is important to overall digestion, but it also stimulates the production of acid in the stomach. Again, this is another food you only want to consume until your stomach acid is back to the level it should be. If the problem persists, consult a doctor and consider taking betain hydrochloric acid supplements to supplement your digestion after eating.  Creamed Chia
(excellent antioxidant and digestive support)
Ingredients
· 7 cups water, filtered
· 2 bags of Indian chia
· 1 bag of rooibos tea
· ¼ inch ginger root, sliced thinly
· ½ tsp. stevia powder
· 1 cup coconut milk or almond milk
Directions
In a saucepan combine all ingredients together and simmer for 5 minutes
According to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the Spring and Fall seasons provide the best opportunities for deeply detoxifying and cleansing the body of harmful impurities that have collected in our organs and tissues over the past months and years. Fundamental philosophies in TCM state that the energies which manifest as seasonal changes in our external environment are also reflected in the body, and spring offers a unique transitional period of time when internal energies rise and expand, providing movement and growth to carry us away from the conservation and stagnancy characterizing the energies of cold winter months prior. This expansive energy helps to remove some of the body's burden of toxins in preparation for the high activity of summer, and this energy of upward growth toward the sun means emotions and issues stored deep within the past also have an opportunity to be released. With a little preparation and mindfulness, the forces of renewal and rebirth that are so pervasive during the spring season can be harnessed and used to greatly benefit the body, mind and spirit during a spring cleanse. In TCM, spring is related to the wood element and to the liver and gall bladder. As such, the liver is the focus of the spring cleanse. As we detoxify the liver, however, we also need to make sure that other parts of the body - especially those involved in secretion and detoxification – are well supported. Otherwise, we may experience toxic backups with symptoms such as constipation, digestive disturbances, respiratory congestion, headaches, and others. With both of these goals in mind, the process of detoxification necessarily includes drainage and elimination. Drainage is the discharge of toxins and waste products from the organs into the system – while elimination is the actual removal of these waste products through the urine, feces, sweat, skin, and respiratory tract. A spring cleanse can be as short as 3 days, or as long as 21 days, but I find that 10-14 days is optimal for most individuals. You might choose to start with a preparation phase, followed by a middle segment that is more intense, and wind down your cleanse by repeating the preparation phase. But however you plan your detox, a fresh healthy diet with a focus on organic, seasonal vegetables, should always serve as the foundation. Are you ready to toxic, rejuvenate, and turn over old cells into new shinny one's? If so check out my spring cleansing promotion.
 Pink Lemon Cleanse
This is a great and easy drink to quench your thirst, tap in to those fat cells, scrub your liver and leave you clean inside and out.
This beverage is high in vitamin C, and best stored in a glass container in the fridge for long use.
ENJOY!
Ingredients
- 2 grapefruits, peeled and seeded
- 4 fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup raspberries
- 1 lemon peeled and thinly sliced
- 3 litres filtered water
- 1 tsp. stevia
- Ice
In a blender thoroughly blend in all ingredients except mint, lemon and raspberries, strain pulp and pour juice in glass container. Add in mint leaves, raspberries, lemon and ice, let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours for juice to pick up flavor and enjoy with friends or on your own.
We like to think that both man and women are equal, while this is true in some cases. Unfortunately, on the scale, men have the upper hand, but why? Because of the male body’s naturally higher muscle mass, men are able to shed weight faster than women because muscle burns more calories, even at rest. Plus, the female body has been hardwired to store stubborn fat in all our favoirate parts. Researchers found that women have a harder time turning off their thoughts and feelings about food, which can make weight loss more difficult. So what can you do about it? Plenty! Here are seven weight-loss tips women can co-op to shed pounds safety and effectively. 1. Create – and Stick to – a Plan Because men are often solution-oriented thinkers, they tend to be more methodical and businesslike when it comes to fat loss, adopt this approach by taking time to plan a week’s worth of healthy meals and solution-oriented workouts at the beginning of every week. When you have a healthy meal plan in place, it slashes your risk for spontaneous overeating. If you plan your workouts in advance, you won’t slack off at the gym or skip one — and the sense of accomplishment you’ll get from sticking to your plan all week will keep you on track long-term. 2. Build Strength Pumping iron helps build calorie-burning muscle, making weight training or strength training a key piece of the weight-loss puzzle for both men and women. Ladies don't be scared our hormones save us from bulky muscles as we don’t have the testosterone levels required for serious muscle development. To make the most out of your time in the gym, challenge yourself — women can lift more than they realize, and heavier weights provide a bigger benefit. You’ll know you’re working hard enough if you have to struggle to get the weight up at the end of a set. 3. Eat More Protein Protein is essential for building lean muscle and boosting your metabolism, which can promote weight loss. But many women think having it at dinner is enough, and this is an area that i stress all the time to my client, you need more protein!. The body needs protein all the time, plus it can help you feel full, everyones protein amounts vary, if you need help figuring this out send me an email naturalife17@gmail.com, plus im very creative in coming up with ways to add in more protein in tasty ways in my diet guides and recipe program 4. Keep It Simple Most guys eat when they’re hungry, and stop when they’re full. When they are trying to lose weight, men stick to the basics, which can have big pay-offs. A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition actually found that eating a wide variety of foods in one meal can result in a larger total calorie intake. Plus, skipping fussy sauces and side dishes can cut calories. She suggests that when you have fishchicken, or a lean cut of meat, you eat it broiled, baked, steamed, or poached with just a few spices for flavor. 5. Don't Skip Meals If you skip breakfast or lunch to “save” calories or to make up for an indulgent night, stop. The stereotype that men rarely, if ever, pass up a meal can result in a big metabolic benefit. We need to keep our metabolism revved up by eating regularly, Plus, you’ll burn more calories if you eat at regular intervals, having three sensible meals and three light snacks per day that add up to a your total fuel intake that’s suitable for weight loss. 6. Get Fit With Friends Many men make exercising fun by joining a pick-up game of basketball or football with a group of friends. Take a page out of their playbook, and join a team sports league yourself. If balling isn’t your thing, consider trying a local running or walking group. You can also organize your own group fitness outing such as a hike around a nature trail or weekend jogs at a local track with a group of friends, or playing outdoors with the kids. You’ll be more likely to stick to your workouts if you know you have other people counting on you to show up, plus exercising with others can make sweating off pounds more fun. 7. Move Past Diet Slip-Ups When men slip up on a weight-loss program, they’re likely to move past the digression and get back on track at the very next meal. Women have a tendency to dwell on their mistakes. But feeling guilty about that rather large piece of pie you ate for dessert won’t help — and dwelling on it just reinforces a negative emotional hungups about food. Instead, after an indulgent night, wake up and start fresh with a renewed determination to make smart choices and treat your body well.  Still need a Fat Burning Boost- It Here!!
XanthiTrim - XanthiTrim by Pure Encapsulations is a formula utilizing Xanthigen, which is a propriety blend of brown seaweed, and pomegranate seed oil. Xanthigen provides a synergistic combination of fucoxanthin, found in these two ingredients. Xanthigen supports healthy weight loss by maintaining healthy liver fat metabolism, along with supporting inflammatory balance, and healthy trigylceride levels. Fucoxanthin has shown in study groups to promote thermogenesis, along with promoting resting energy expenditure, or metabolic rate. Included in this formula is green tea extract, and soy lecithin phosolipids. This combination enhances the absorption of EGCG, which is known to promote metabolism rates as well.
XanthiTrim supports healthy weight management when combined with a healthy diet and exercise. XanthiTrim contains 300 mg of Xanthigen® per serving, a synergistic combination of fucoxanthin from brown seaweed and pomegranate seed oil. In a 16-week, randomized study, Xanthigen® supported healthy weight management and fat metabolism in volunteers. What Is It? XanthiTrim promotes thermogenesis and energy expenditure to support healthy fat metabolism and metabolic rate when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.* Uses For XanthiTrim Weight Management: XanthiTrim contains 300 mg of Xanthigen® per serving, a synergistic combination of fucoxanthin from brown seaweed and pomegranate seed oil. In a 16-week, randomized study, Xanthigen® supported healthy weight management and fat metabolism in volunteers. This was attributed in part to its ability to encourage resting energy expenditure and thermogenesis, the body's natural ability to dissipate caloric energy as heat from the mitochondria of adipose tissue. This results in oxidation and utilization of fats rather than fat storage. In this study, Xanthigen® also maintained healthy liver fat metabolism and function, healthy inflammatory balance, and healthy triglyceride levels. Subjects were on a moderately calorie-restricted diet. GreenSelect® Phytosome is a proprietary, caffeinefree extract from green tea, that is 1 part GreenSelect® green tea to 2 parts phophatidylcholine. This allows for greater absorption of epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, one of the primary components known to support healthy metabolism. Green tea has demonstrated the ability to promote resting energy expenditure and thermogenesis in a number of clinical studies. A 90-day study involving GreenSelect® Phytosome revealed its ability to support healthy weight management and body composition in subjects following a calorie-restricted diet.* What Is The Source? Xanthigen® is derived from a proprietary blend of brown seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida and Laminaria japonica) standardized to provide a minimum of 1,275 mcg fucoxanthin, and pomegranate seed oil. GreenSelect® Phytosome is derived from green tea leaf extract (Camellia sinensis) standardized to contain 13% epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and soy lecithin phospholipids. Medium chain triglycerides are derived from coconut and palm oil. ® is a registered trademark licensed exclusively to PoliNat. International patents pending. GreenSelect® Phytosome is a registered trademark of Indena. Recommendations Pure Encapsulations recommends 2 capsules daily, in divided doses, with meals and 8 oz. water. Are There Any Potential Side Effects Or Precautions? Not to be taken by pregnant or lactating women. In rare cases, green tea can cause dizziness, insomnia, agitation or fatigue. Consult your physician for more information. Are There Any Potential Drug Interactions? Green tea may be contra-indicated with blood thinning medications. Green tea extract may also interfere with the absorption and effectiveness of a number of other medications, including certain heart, anti-diarrhea, cold and hay fever medications. Consult your physician for more information.
XanthiTrim by Pure Encapsulations was selected by our staff due to its popularity in the Weight Loss category of high quality supplements and vitamins. View one of the following links to learn more about the ingredients used in XanthiTrim, read XanthiTrim reviews or browse related articles.
Supplement available in my Clinics. 1 month supply for
 Okay, so no one likes to publicly talk about this topic, but yet we all seem to complain or what more of it, what I am I talking about, Libidos or better known as sex drive. While gathering my information for the free presentations upcoming at the clinics, I noticed something quite interesting. The majority of nutrients, which are responsible to increase libido, are found in foods high in fat and fish. Interesting enough these are the same foods we do not consume much of due to the scare of becoming overweight and ingesting heavy metals. As a nutritionist I find is quite interesting too that those who complain of low sex drive are follow a low in fat and no fish consumption diet. When more of these special foods are included in the diet, sex drive increases and clients are much happier. You do not have to be twenty again to experience the joys of life in the bedroom; you just need to feed your body right to bring out the kitten in you. Managing stress is also very important in keeping the romance cooking late at night, but again nutrition plays a major role in regulating stress by providing the adrenal glands and nervous system the fuel it needs to keep on top of the oncoming stress the day. With-out these important nutrients our battery is drained quite quickly and hard to recharge. You do not have to become overweight or toxic to build a healthy libido, you just need to understand nutrition and how it affects the body. So if you are ready to become twenty again and get closer to your spouse, come and see my FREE Health presentation at the Mount Royal Village Family Chiropractic Clinic March 28th at 6pm or at The Centre for Healthy Living Clinic.March 5th at 7pm After the month of March I will be allowing everyone to see the secrets nutrients that boost libidos, before that you will either join us or just have to wait.
SHAKE IT DOWN BABY!  Here is a quick and easy recipe to get things going! Ingredients1 tsp. Maca powder 1 fresh kiwi, peeled ¼ cup / 60 ml cantaloupe, peeled, seeded and cubed Juice of 1 naval orange ¼ cup / 60 ml fresh strawberries or mixed berries 1 Tbsp. / 15 ml wheat germ 2 Tbsp. / 30 ml walnut butter 1 ½ cups / 355 ml coconut water 1-2 Tbsp. / 15-30 ml agave nectar, depending on your sweet tooth InstructionsBlend all ingredients until smooth. If you need to add more liquid, then orange juice, coconut water or even ice cubes will do. Make it the way you like it. Pour into two glasses, garnish with a fresh, happy-looking strawberry and sip over candlelight. Oh yeah!
Gluten-free diets are being touted as the solution to everything from digestive troubles to weight loss, so what exactly is gluten and how does it affect our health?
Gluten is a protein found in the grains wheat, barley, and rye. Most of us unknowingly love it, because gluten gives our favorite foods that special touch: It makes pizza dough stretchy, gives bread its spongy texture, and is used to thicken sauces and soups.
To people with a chronic digestive disorder called celiac disease, gluten is truly evil: Their bodies regard even a tiny crumb of it as a malicious invader and mount an immune response. . Problem is, this immune reaction ends up damaging the small intestine, which causes both great gastrointestinal distress and nutritional deficiencies. If untreated, these responses can then lead to intestinal cancers as well as complications such as infertility and osteoporosis.
Experts once thought celiac disease was a rare disorder, believed to affect one in every 10,000 people. But an Archives of Internal Medicine study in 2003 suggests that celiac disease is far more prevalent than anyone had suspected, affecting one in 133 North Americans. With increased testing and awareness, more people realized why they felt sick after eating a piece of bread, and food companies discovered a new market
What if you a Celiac but still feel horrible after eating bread?
Now another problem is emerging, and experts are referring to it as non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Gluten sensitivity can lead to similar celiac symptoms such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and bloating. But unlike celiac, sensitivity doesn’t damage the intestine like it does in Celiacs. For years, health professionals didn’t believe nonceliac gluten sensitivity existed, but experts are beginning to acknowledge that it may affect as many as 20 million North Americans.
Does gluten free diet make your thin?
Gluten-free dining can seriously limit the number of foods you can eat. With fewer choices, you’re a lot less likely to overeat, and therefore lose weight only when you stick with protein, fruits and veggies and not to substitute those gluten foods with non-gluten variety as they mostly highly processed leaving no fiber, or nutrients to support healthy weight.
Should You Go Gluten-Free?
If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the answer is easy: Yes, you have to. But if you just want to give the diet a spin, know this: It’s a giant pain in the butt. Giving up gluten may sound as basic as cutting out bread or eating less pasta, but because gluten makes foods thick and tasty, it is added to everything from salad dressing to soy sauce to seasonings.
Besides the hassle, you can end up with serious nutritional deficiencies. “Gluten-free doesn’t necessarily equal healthy, especially when people yank vitamin-enriched and wholegrain foods from their diets and replace them with gluten free brownies,” Most gluten free dieters who eat gluten free breads are more likely to miss out on important nutrients such as iron, B vitamins, and fiber, unless you consume hearty versions that are made out of quinoa, and whole brown rice.
This is where careful meal planning comes in, which may explain why some people feel so good when they go G-free: They’re eating real food instead of ultra-processed packaged fare. If you skip the gluten-free goodies and focus on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, dairy, and gluten free grains like amaranth and quinoa, this can be a very healthy way of eating. It is also extremely to support your gluten free diet with a high quality multivitamin such as D.G.S.T from Douglas Labs a multivitamin with extra digestive support including; enzymes, probiotics and green bitters.
Six Signs of Gluten Sensitivity
More than 2.5 million people may have celiac disease, yet only an estimated 150,000 have been diagnosed. That’s because people can be asymptomatic for years, and the symptoms of celiac disease can also overlap with other medical problems, so it often confuses both patients and doctors alike. That said, if you think you might have a problem, do not ax gluten from your diet before being screened by a specialist. If you go off gluten entirely before having a test done, your results may come back negative even if you have the disease.
Celiac disease has hundreds of recognized symptoms, according to the Celiac Sprue Association, a non-profit for those with the disease. Here are some common problems:
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Unexplained weight loss
• Anemia
• Fatigue
• Infertility
By limiting or avoiding gluten products and taking digestive enzymes such as Ultrazymes and Probiotic 4000 along with Digestive supportive Multivitamins such as those from Douglas Labs, you will be sure on your way to less digestive distress.
 Blueberry- Cottage Cheese Muffins & Apple spice- Cottage Cheese Muffins
This is an amazing addictive muffin recipe that you are going to love!
½ cup low fat cottage cheese
1 egg
¾ cup almond flour
½ tsp. salt and 1 ¼ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda & cornstarch
2 pack stevia powder
2 scoops whey protein, natural or vanilla
1/3 cup almond milk or kefir
1 cup berries, fresh or frozen
Note * for apple spice muffins replace berries for chopped apples and add cinnamon spice
Fork blend the cottage cheese and egg together. Add the flour, salt, baking, soda powder and sugar; stir to combine. Add milk and stir lightly, then gently stir in the blueberries. Coat baking pan with coconut oil and spoon batter into muffin cups and bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15-18 minutes. Yield: 10 muffins, med size
* it is best to take off the muffin paper cups when muffins are still warm to avoid sticking
Nutritional value
Calories; 175
Fat; 10.5
Protein; 13.2
Carbs; 9
Glycemic load; 6
 There are many things that interrupt quality sleep. Stress, diet, lifestyle, and habits, all afflict but the most influential factor is the amount of power vault the surrounds you during the day and more importantly at night when your body finally believes it going to get a break from the daily electromagnetic radiation or ionizing radiation. I have been speaking to my clients for years about this, and now I would like to educate you a little more on this topic.
Our bodies are electrical instruments. They like to be in an environment with no more than a few volts. Unfortunately, beside from the daily normal stress we encounter we also experiencing stress from electromagnetic radiation and ionizing radiation. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not doing anything!
There are many electromagnetic radiation or ionizing radiation surrounding us each and every day, which are negatively disrupting our electromagnetic energy, causing us to experience many negative effect most commonly seen as poor sleep, low energy, weight gain, anxiety, depression and increase cortisol stress hormones.
Here is a list of the daily radiation we encounter daily:
Electric blanket
Eating microwaved food
Wireless Internet
Cellular phones
Radio clock near the head of the bed
Using a computer for a number of hours
X-Rays
Being in a car or plane for a long time
Standing in front of a microwave
Wearing a watch
Watching TV
Ultrasound
Sleeping with the TV on
Having and TV in the Bedroom
Now please do not think I am going to tell you to stop using your cell phone or to never watch TV. I’m just here to educate you about the effects of these wonderful technologies and gadgets we use daily, and to how to enhance your sleep for you to feel energized and refreshed in the morning.
What does Television do to your brain?
Television puts people into a hypnotic trance within a minute - as measured by their brainwaves.
In addition, your brain needs to dip into the lower frequencies of alpha many times a minutes. The television prevents you from doing this! Therefore, watching television adds reduces your peace of mind and adds to your stress, especially if you have a television set in your bedroom and believing that it relaxes you into sleep.
Suggestions
Make an experiment, and take the TV out of your room for 1 month and see the difference .You can also place a silk black cloth over the TV screen and unplug it from the wall this is a practice of the Asian culture. What does the radio clock near our bed do to our health?
Having a radio clock near the head of the bed seems to affect a surprisingly large number of people. Presumably the radio clock puts out an electromagnetic field which interfered with your brains electrical field. The fact that you are in the bed for so many hours every night gives the effect extra strength - at the time when you most need to be unaffected by anything. Suggestions
Move the radio clock as far from the head of your bed as possible. Having a radio clock near the head of the bed seems to affect a surprisingly large number of people. This will also help you not sleep in and force you to get up and moving. More on Electromagnetic waves and your health?
Dr. Mercola has a great article on cancer- causing radiation, This Scientific American article highlights some very interesting research from Sweden -- a country that is on the forefront when it comes to investigating the harmful health effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF), and micro wave radiation such as that from cell phones. To read more about this click here
 Lifestyle recipe for quality sleep
1. Sleep in darkness- make sure your room is completely dark and or were an eye mask
2. Don’t eat before bed- contrary to popular opinion, eating before bed will lead to weight gain, and disrupt your sleep, lead to indigestion and leaving you wresting with your sheets
3. Drink yourself to sleep- Now don’t get excited no booze here please, I’m talking about herbal teas that promote sleep, my favorite is Easy Now or Nightly Night from Traditional Medicines.
4. Avoid stimulating food or beverages- alcohol, pop, coffee and even black tea
5. Cool down- make sure your room is not to hot (over 21 degrees Celsius). Your body temperature usually drops when you fall asleep, so a cooler room is more aligned to your body’s own innate sleep temperature
6. Sleep or get intimate- those are the only two things you should be doing in your bed. Period
7. Relax stressed Jess- 5-10 min meditation or journaling your thoughts, ideas or project for the next day, is a great way to escape your stressful day and the one coming.
 Fitness is one of the major hallmarks of optimal health. I passionately believe that for optimal mental and physical health, you need to exercise regularly.
Fitness, at any age, plays an important role in promoting your optimal mental and emotional health, helping you reach and maintain your ideal body weight, helping to slow your rate of aging, helping you enjoy more quality sleep at night, increasing your overall energy levels, help increase or maintain your flexibility
Around the age of 40, most people begin to lose about 8 percent of their muscle mass every ten years. And most chalk it up to "getting old".
However, researchers have discovered that losing muscle mass as you age doesn't need to happen. In fact, a recent study of 70- and 80-year-old competitive athletes found that they had almost as much thigh muscle mass as athletes in their 40s.
Losing muscle mass is not a 'normal' part of aging. Rather, it is a by-product of inactivity.
When you avoid exercising your muscles for any significant period, your muscle fibers begin to break down or "atrophy".
However, here is the good news – researchers have discovered that it is possible to repair and rebuild inactive muscle. And you can start doing it at any age, even if you have not worked out for a long time. Naturally, the sooner you start exercising, the less damage you will have to repair.
Research is showing us that a balanced approach to fitness is most beneficial for building muscle and optimal health. Ideally, you want to meet all of these goals in your routine:
· Build strength and flexibility
· Create balance and stability
· Promote cardiovascular fitness
· Burn fat
Aerobic activities such as cycling or using an elliptical machine, along with core exercises and stretching can provide your body with the balanced routine it needs for optimal fitness.
If you have been working out for a while now and have not seen the results you desire, something may be missing.
Many personal trainers claim it is simply "the fastest way to get clients fit, including my personal Trainer Rikki Opazo, which I have been practicing and I have really seen a difference in my body in just 4 months vs. all the years I have exercising.
It is not cardio. Nor is it jogging or long distance running. And it's not hour-long gym workouts or aerobic exercise classes.
You see, scientists are discovering that it's intensity, not duration of exercise that may be the missing piece of the puzzle in becoming fit and slimming down, and this type of high-intensity exercise also called “peak fitness” is especially beneficial for aging bodies, called peak fitness.
Peak Fitness workouts can help serve as your personal fountain of youth – at any age.
As you reach your 30s, you enter what's called "somatopause," when your levels of human growth hormone (HGH) begin to drop off rather dramatically.
You can start to pile on body fat – particularly unwanted "middle age spread". You start to lose muscle mass and you may also feel more fatigued.
Not only do declining levels of HGH change how your body burns fat, they also play a critical role in your aging process where you can actually look and feel older.
Don’t think your too old to start exercising, Research shows that age isn't a factor. Regular exercise, even when started late in life, offers health benefits.
Peak Exercises or high Intensity Exercise Resource Fitness Trainer- Rikki Opazo, www.rapturewellness.com
Exercise Videos- P90, P90x, P90X+, Chalean, and Insanity
 Lemon‑Lime Sport Drink
The young coconut water provides the electrolytes, while the agave nectar delivers an easily digestible form of slow‑release carbohydrate. The ginger helps minimize inflammation, after exercise or a hard day at work.
- Juice of 1/2 lemon
- Juice of 1/4 lime
- 3 dates
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp agave nectar
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- Sea salt to taste
Filter out lemon and lime pulp from the juice if so desired. In a blender, combine all ingredients; process until smooth. Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks. Some settling may occur, so re‑blend before drinking. Makes about 3 cups.
 Kombucha is a living health drink made by fermenting tea and
sugar
with the kombucha culture. The result can taste like something between sparkling
apple cider, champagne or a lightly flavored pop or soft drink, depending on
what kind of tea you use. It's not what you'd imagine fermented tea to taste
like.
The origins of Kombucha have become lost in the mists of time. It is thought to have originated in the Far East, probably China, and has been consumed there for at least two thousand years.
The first recorded use of kombucha comes from China in 221 BC during the Tsin Dynasty. It was known as "The Tea of Immortality".
It has been used in Eastern Europe, Russia and Japan for several centuries. Russia has a long tradition of using a healing drink called"Tea Kvass" made from a "Japanese Mushroom". In Germany komuncha was to treat cancer patients, metabolic disorders, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The Kombucha Culture
The Kombucha culture looks like a beige or white rubbery pancake. It's often called a 'scoby" which stands for ' symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts. The culture is placed in sweetened black or green tea and turns a bowl full of sweet tea into a bowl full of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and health-giving organic acids such as probiotics.
As the Kombucha culture digests the sugar it produces a range of organic acids like glucuronic acid, gluconic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, butyric acid, malic acid and usnic acid; vitamins, particularly B vitamins and vitamin C; as well as amino acids, enzymes. No
wonder I feel so good when I drink this bubbly beverage! And of course there are all the benefits of the probiotic microorganisms themselves. The Kombucha culture is a biochemical powerhouse in your kitchen.
You might wonder if fermenting tea with yeasts would produce an alcoholic beverage. It's a good question. The yeasts do produce alcohol but the bacteria in the culture turn the alcohol to organic acids. Only minute quantities of alcohol, typically 1% by volume remains in the kombucha brew.
Kombucha and Health
Many health claims are made for kombucha but there is less research on the benefits of kombucha than there is on fermented milk products. It has certainly been shown to have similar antibiotic, antiviral and anti-fungalproperties in lab tests. In rats it’s been shown to protect against stress and improve liver function. There is a lot of experiential evidence from people who have been using kombucha over many years. Many of the benefits reported include improvements in energy levels, metabolic disorders, allergies, cancer, digestive problems, candidiasis hypertension, HIV, chronic fatigue and arthritis. It’s also used externally for skin problems and as a hair wash among other things.
The Organic Acids
Glucuronic acid-The body's most
important detoxifier. When toxins enter the liver this acid binds them to it and flushes them out through the kidneys. Once bound by glucuronic acid toxins cannot escape. A product of the oxidation process of glucose, glucuronic acid is one of the more
significant constituents of Kombucha. As a detoxifying agent it's one of the few agents that can cope with pollution from the products of the petroleum industry, including all the plastics, herbicides, pesticides and resins.
It kidnaps the phenols in the liver, which are then eliminated easily by the kidneys. Kombucha can be very helpful for allergy sufferers. Another by-product of glucuronic acid are the glucosamines, the structures associated with cartilage, collagen and the fluids which lubricate the joints. It is this function that makes Kombucha so effective against arthritis.
Lactic
Acid- Essential for the digestive system. Assist blood circulation, helps
prevent bowel decay and constipation. Aids in balancing acids and alkaline in
the body and believed to help in the prevention of cancer by helping
to regulate blood pH levels.
Acetic
Acid- A powerful preservative
and it inhibits harmful bacteria.
Usnic Acid- A natural antibiotic that can be effective against many viruses.
Oxalic Acid-An effective preservative and encourages the intercellular production
of energy.
Malic acid-Helps detoxify the liver.
Gluconic Acid- Produced by the bacteria, it can break down to caprylic acid
is of great benefit to sufferers of candidiasis and other yeast infections such as thrush.
Butyric acid-Produced by the yeast, protects human cellular membranes and combined
with Gluconic acid strengthens the walls of the gut to combat yeast infections like candida.
Making your own Kombucha
I have never made Kombucha but here is a link to a youtube video
in making this healthy bubbly beverage
Or it can be bought and found in all natural health food stores and some regular grocery stores. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkJ_nHpoeMY
References; http://www.seedsofhealth.co.uk/fermenting/kombucha.shtml
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