I'm gonna start a small series of blogs on toxicity and the dramatic effect it can have on our health. I recently attended a 3-day seminar with Dr. Mark Schauss, someone who has been studying the effects of toxins on our lives for about 30 years. He also runs a company that does lab analysis, so he's seen over 80,000 lab tests(aka smart dude, knows what he's talking about). We covered where toxins are present and different ways to detox. Toxins have been linked to a number of problems including obesity, numerous diseases, hormone disruption, inability to lose fat and a host of other issues. I'll mention which foods to buy organic, what sunscreens to use, what cosmetics have toxins present, how to detox environmental toxins and a number of other issues.
To start I'll list the 10 things he mentions in his book "Achieving Victory Over A Toxic World" that people can start doing today. I'll go into more detail of each in the future.
10. Don't let your plastic bottle get hot. Especially since it's the summer, don't leave your plastic bottle in the car and then drink out of it. It's a great way to ingest phthalates. Phthalates have been found to disrupt the endocrine system. Several phthalate compounds have caused reduced sperm counts, testicular atrophy and structural abnormalities in the reproductive systems of male test animals, and some studies also link phthalates to liver cancer
9. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes.
8. Sweat, think exercise or a sauna. I know plenty of people that are not great sweaters, myself included. If this is the case you should be taking saunas regularly.
7. Get Laboratory testing done as a precaution, especially if you are having health issues.
6. Get rid of your mercury fillings. Mercury is one of the most toxic substances known to man. Dr. Andrew Cutler has a great book on this entitled "Amaglam Illness".
5. Detoxify heavy metals. Much more on this in the future, as different substances can pull out different metals.
4. Increase glutathione production and make glycine part of your life. "Problems occur when we are overwhelmed with too much oxidative stress or too many toxins. Then the glutathione becomes depleted and we can no longer protect ourselves against free radicals, infections, or cancer and we can't get rid of toxins. This leads to further sickness and soon we are in the downward spiral of chronic illness." - Dr. Mark Hyman
3. Never microwave food and plastics together.
2. Get educated and get involved.
1. To ensure your best chance at good health, lower your use and lessen the toxic load your body has to handle.
More coming soon, feel free to add a comment or question below.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
I love Sleep!
After performing biosignature assessments to over 20 people on Saturday I realized how many people struggle with sleep quality. I used to be in the same boat before I looked into ways to help improve my ability to fall asleep as well as stay asleep throughout the night. Quality sleep is crucial for recovery, fat loss and muscle building. Through my research this is what I came up with.
1. Cortisol is our stress hormone. It is released by the adrenal glands and is involved with proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function and inflammatory response. We want our cortisol to be high in the morning and lower at night. When it stays high at night it becomes very difficult for our bodies and nervous system to calm down and fall asleep.
2. Tips to help reduce cortisol at night? Take some time away from the TV and computer before bed. Having light from the computer and TV right in your face will halt the pineal gland from producing melatonin, which is crucial for falling asleep. I like to read a book or some clients have had great success with using Holosync http://www.centerpointe.com/
3. Your bedroom should be completely dark, so you can't see your hand in front of your face. This includes street lights from outside, the small red dots on the TV, alarm clock etc. If your skin is absorbing light throughout the night it will ramp up cortisol production, bad! Want your kids to sleep better? Don't have them use a night light or unplug it after they fall asleep.
4. Turn your cell phone off! There seems to be increasing evidence that radio waves emitted from cell phones can mess with sleep cycles.
5. Other ways to reduce cortisol involve supplementing with magnesium, I personally take magnesium in capsule form with dinner and a topical mag applied behind the knees right before bed. Magnesium is a common deficiency in people and in this case can act as a nervous system sedative. Other people have also had success with ZMA, a zinc/magnesium combo. Also with kids I have heard about parents applying topical mag to the bottom of their feet to help calm them down before bed to ensure better sleep (as always consult with your Dr. first).
6. Another supplement that clients have raved about is Uber-inositol. This is a mixture of magnesium glycinate and inositol. Warning, the first time you try this take it on a Friday or Saturday night when you can sleep in because it will knock you out cold.
7. Chinese medicine relates waking up between 1-3am (assuming a 10pm bedtime) with liver issues. I clearly don't practice Chinese medicine but I have noticed a direct correlation with excess alcohol consumption on a weekend and waking up between 1-3am the following couple nights. Something to think about.
Sweet Dreams!
1. Cortisol is our stress hormone. It is released by the adrenal glands and is involved with proper glucose metabolism, regulation of blood pressure, insulin release for blood sugar maintenance, immune function and inflammatory response. We want our cortisol to be high in the morning and lower at night. When it stays high at night it becomes very difficult for our bodies and nervous system to calm down and fall asleep.
2. Tips to help reduce cortisol at night? Take some time away from the TV and computer before bed. Having light from the computer and TV right in your face will halt the pineal gland from producing melatonin, which is crucial for falling asleep. I like to read a book or some clients have had great success with using Holosync http://www.centerpointe.com/
3. Your bedroom should be completely dark, so you can't see your hand in front of your face. This includes street lights from outside, the small red dots on the TV, alarm clock etc. If your skin is absorbing light throughout the night it will ramp up cortisol production, bad! Want your kids to sleep better? Don't have them use a night light or unplug it after they fall asleep.
4. Turn your cell phone off! There seems to be increasing evidence that radio waves emitted from cell phones can mess with sleep cycles.
5. Other ways to reduce cortisol involve supplementing with magnesium, I personally take magnesium in capsule form with dinner and a topical mag applied behind the knees right before bed. Magnesium is a common deficiency in people and in this case can act as a nervous system sedative. Other people have also had success with ZMA, a zinc/magnesium combo. Also with kids I have heard about parents applying topical mag to the bottom of their feet to help calm them down before bed to ensure better sleep (as always consult with your Dr. first).
6. Another supplement that clients have raved about is Uber-inositol. This is a mixture of magnesium glycinate and inositol. Warning, the first time you try this take it on a Friday or Saturday night when you can sleep in because it will knock you out cold.
7. Chinese medicine relates waking up between 1-3am (assuming a 10pm bedtime) with liver issues. I clearly don't practice Chinese medicine but I have noticed a direct correlation with excess alcohol consumption on a weekend and waking up between 1-3am the following couple nights. Something to think about.
Sweet Dreams!
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