Author Archive: blogger

The Benefits Of Urine Testing For Optimal Nutrition

blogger December 13, 2017

Urine testing has been used since ancient times for the detection of abnormalities. Early medical practitioners would pour urine on the ground and observe it to determine whether or not it would attract insects. If insects were attracted
to the urine, it indicated it was sweet, which we know in modern times to be a symptom of diabetes. In the sixteen and seventeen hundreds, it was common practice for physicians to actually taste their patient’s urine.

Fortunately, today’s clinicians no longer have to become quite so intimate with their patients body fluids and can rely on sophisticated analytical
techniques to uncover the wealth of information found in a simple urine sample.

Each of us has a unique physiological makeup. That is why it is very important to use vitamin supplements based on your body’s needs and biochemistry. The strategy of those low-cost one-size-fits-all vitamin supplements provide either too little of what you do need or too much of what you don’t.

Urine testing allows you to know which vitamin supplements to target specific areas of deficiency to help your body achieve an ideal nutritional and chemical balance.

For instance, urine sampling is an excellent method of evaluating:
– Hydration status
– Acid/Base balance
– Blood sugar regulation
– Existence of certain cancers
– Existence of pregnancy and complications of pregnancy
– Liver diseases
– Infections
– Functional nutritional status

While science limits us from testing for every conceivable illness, we can determine if certain nutritional deficiencies exist through urine testing. Urine testing really tells you what’s going on in your body, and what you need to know if these nutrients are getting into your cells and how your cells are using them. One of the best ways to do that is to look at the end products of your metabolism in your urine. These individual tests called ” Priva Test ” utilize a urine sample which you provide through an in-home test kit

Two main purposes exist for urinalysis:

1. The first is to diagnosis actual damage or disease to the physical kidney itself. In this instance, substances normally found in urine will be increased or decreased. This reflects alterations in the filtration system of the kidney due to disease. This
is the basis for the standard urinalysis screen.

2. The second is to detect disturbances such as endocrine or metabolic abnormalities. In this instance, the kidneys function normally but excrete abnormal amounts of metabolic end products, indicating alterations in metabolic pathways. This second function is the application that is used in the PrivaTest.

The three areas evaluated in the Priva Test are major areas of concern for any person living in our industrialized society. The three compounds measured in your urine at the laboratory give you vital information about:

– Your body’s ability to detoxify toxic substances.
– Your body’s ability to balance the production of an important regulatory compound influencing immune, nervous, and vascular system function.
– Your body’s ability to handle challenges to its antioxidant systems.

Each one of these areas can be manipulated favorably by personalized nutritional supplementation.

Nutrition

Priva Test

Holistic Nutrition In The Kitchen The Truth About Cooking Oils

blogger December 8, 2017

When it comes to holistic nutrition and all natural weight loss, choosing the healthiest cooking oil can be difficult. Rumors and opinions based on unsubstantiated facts circulate about which oil is best, which is toxic or which is most nutritious. Then there’s the question of saturated fats vs. trans fats vs. polyunsaturated fats vs. essential omega fats and unless you majored in biochemistry in college it’s easy to get confused. The truth is that various kinds of cooking oils have different natural health benefits and levels of nutritional value.

Olive Oil: One of Natures Oldest Natural Cures

As a trained naturopathic physician I am not only an expert on natural medicine, but I also know the principles of holistic nutrition and all natural weight loss in order to assist patients with making the right decisions in the kitchen. In most cases each cooking oil has both pros and cons associated with it; olive oil is no exception. Olive oil is a foundation of the famous, health-promoting Mediterranean Diet and rich in health-promoting Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids. Olive oil has been shown to help improve: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, age-related dementia, blood clots, cancer, life expectancy and more.

Dont Lose the Holistic Health Benefits of Olive Oil When Cooking, Be Aware of the Smoke Point

Olive oil tastes great and can be used in cooking or as a substitute for butter on bread. It also serves as an excellent base for a healthy salad dressing or marinade. So, is this wonderful, healthy, tasty food also dangerous? The answer is: it can be. But its not the fault of the oil; its when we mistreat it, or use it for purposes it was never intended to fulfill, that it becomes more harmful than helpful. The key to solving this paradox is to understand the concept of Smoke Point. The Smoke Point is literally the point at which oil starts to smoke. Different oils smoke at different temperatures; olive oil is one that generally cooks best at low to medium heat, much hotter and it may smoke.

Smoke when cooking is not a good thing. The olive oil decomposes under the extreme heat causing free radicals and other dangerous molecules to replace the natural antioxidants. The smoke itself is also toxic and should not be inhaled. Finally, when theres smoke, it means the oil is dangerously close to its flash point, the point at which it may catch fire. The general rule is to only cook with olive oil on low to medium heat or use it cold. If you need hardier oil for baking or high heat cooking, consider oil with a higher Smoke Point such as Canola, Safflower, Coconut, or Grapeseed.

The True Holistic Health Benefits of Canola Oil

Canola Oil has great amounts of health-promoting Omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids, just like olive oil, as well as low saturated fat and relatively high Omega-3 levels. It, however, has a higher Smoke Point and can be used more reliably for higher-heat cooking. I have recently seen some emails about the dangers of canola oil that have been spread around the Internet. This oil has been accused of being genetically engineered, full of trans fat, an industrial chemical used as an insecticide or fuel, a toxic weed, a biopesticide, a form of mustard gas, a trigger for diseases like mad cow disease and lung cancer, and full of cyanide.

In truth, expeller-pressed, organic canola oil is healthy cooking oil that is not to be feared. Just like any other food, it should not be consumed all day, every day. Everything in moderation is the best rule for a balanced and healthy diet. It is a great oil to consider for medium to high heat baking and sauting. Some caution should be used with lesser quality or less expensive forms of Canola Oil. The only way to guarantee the holistic health benefits of canola oil is to purchase organic and expeller-pressed.

Healthy Cooking and the Importance of Nutrition

Naturopathic medicine considers holistic nutrition one of the keys to achieving optimal health. In addition to homeopathic remedies, herbal medicine and other alternative health treatments, healthy, balanced eating habits are essential to total body wellness. To learn more about cooking oils contact your local naturopathic medical doctor.

Nutrition

Canola Oil, Smoke Point

Nutrition Tips For People On A Weight Loss Program

blogger December 1, 2017

People on weight loss programs often focus so much on losing weight that they forget an important aspect of staying healthy that is, providing nutrition to the body.

If you are on a weight loss program, you should follow the important diet tips given here.

Include A Lot Of Vegetables And Fruits In Your Diet

Vegetables and fruits are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Therefore, you should include plenty of vegetables and fruits, of varying colors, in your diet. This will help you to lose weight faster and also keep you full.

Avoid Empty Calories

Empty calories refer to food items that are high in calories but low in nutrition. Some examples of such food items are aerated drinks, French fries, cookies, white bread and so forth. These food items are not useful for the body. They make the digestive system sluggish and inefficient. It is best for a person to refrain from consuming these food items irrespective of whether he or she is trying to lose weight or not.

Have Small Meals At Regular Intervals

Instead of having three big meals a day, you should eat five to six small meals at small intervals of three to four hours. Eating small meals helps in improving metabolism. It also helps in easy digestion and maintaining uniform energy level throughout the day. You should include a variety of foods in your meals so that your body gets proper nutrition. For example, if you have a sandwich, which is high in carbohydrates, for breakfast, you should have fruits and nuts in between breakfast and lunch, and tofu or lean meat, which are high in proteins, for lunch. In this manner, your body will get all the essential nutrients, minerals and vitamins.

Never Skip Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You should never skip it; otherwise you will tend to consume high calorie foods during the later part of the day. A wholesome and healthy breakfast is essential for good health.

Read Food Labels

Before buying any packaged or processed food, you should read its label. Check the nutrition facts. Learn to interpret the information on food labels to avoid falling prey to marketing gimmicks. For example, a low-fat food or a low-sugar food does not necessarily mean the food is low in calories.

Do Not Completely Eliminate Carbohydrates From Your Diet

Many people on weight loss programs make the mistake of avoiding carbohydrates all together. Carbohydrates are a good source of energy. A well balanced diet should contain around 40 percent of carbohydrates. For your daily carbohydrate requirement, you should choose whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Water helps the body in transportation and assimilation of nutrients. You should consume at least eight glasses of water everyday. That will not only help your body absorb nutrients and eliminate toxins, but will also help you feel full.

It is best to seek advice of a dietician or a nutrition consultant before starting a weight loss program. They will be able to chart a diet plan for you so that you can lose weight without compromising on nutrition.

Nutrition

Avoid Empty Calories, Read Food Labels

Is Organic Produce Worth The Extra Cost

blogger November 22, 2017

We all know its better to eat more fruit and vegetables. But concerns about the safety of conventionally grown produce versus organically grown always comes up as well.

When produce is organic, it means that it has been produced without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides. There are some compelling reasons why people choose to buy organic produce. The main reason to eat organic produce is to avoid the pesticide residue left on foods. Hands down, organically raised food is better for the environment. Absence of pesticides results in healthier soil, water, and wildlife. Buying organically grown produce supports small farmers and contributes to biodiversity.

Some people choose organic produce because they believe it has a higher nutritional value than commercially grown produce. The comparisons of nutritional content between food organically grown and conventionally grown produce, however, shows little difference. Consider also that much of the produce we buy today is not always locally grown. We have many fruits and vegetables to choose from year round because they have been shipped from other parts of the country (or the world). The fact that a fruit or vegetable is organic does not necessarily translate to nutritional superiority simply because its organic. If shipped from far away, it may already be past its nutritional peak.

For many health conscious families, the purchase of organic produce is cost prohibitive. As much as they would like to eat more organically grown food, they simply cannot afford the higher cost. Most of us have a food budget and have to make choices about what we buy, and perhaps a compromise is whats called for. There are two things you can do to take advantage of organically grown produce as much as possible.

Buy local organic produce when its in season. In many parts of the USA, that means taking advantage of certain fruits and vegetables during the warmer months when available. Freezing or canning local organic produce is a possible option for when those items are out of season.

Buy conventionally grown produce from the “Clean 15” list, and organic only for those foods that are on the “The Dirty Dozen” list. The Dirty Dozen are the fruits and vegetables which have the largest amount of pesticide residues, and the Clean 15 have the least amount.

The “Clean 15”:

Onions

Avocados

Sweet corn

Pineapples

Mango

Sweet peas

Asparagus

Kiwi fruit

Cabbage

Eggplant

Cantaloupe

Watermelon

Grapefruit

Sweet potatoes

Sweet onions

The “Dirty Dozen”:

Celery

Peaches

Strawberries

Apples

Domestic blueberries

Nectarines

Sweet bell peppers

Spinach, kale and collard greens

Cherries

Potatoes

Imported grapes

Lettuce

When the warm weather arrives again, make a habit of visiting your local farmers’ markets and buy local organic produce throughout the season.

Nutrition

Gretchen Scalpi, USA

The Lean, Not so Mean, Green Juice

blogger November 15, 2017

Green juices are the new trend in the eat healthy, detox your body frenzy.

Raw juices made mostly from kale are in high demand to the point where in cities like Hong Kong, imported kale is at a shortage.

Organic shops have been forced into keeping waiting lists, for when the product hits the store.

One of the most influential advocates of the green juice diet is Gwyneth Paltrow, who describes her strict diet consisting in lots of raw juices in her book “Its All Good, published early last year.

Gwyneth follows a vegetarian diet that excludes anything from animal origin, except for fish. She claims tomatoes and strawberries produce allergies and all caffeine, chocolate based foods are poison! I personally cant imagine giving up my morning coffee, cupcakes with friends, pizza as a treat! Er yeap, not happening for me.

That doesnt mean I wont be drinking some green juices every now and then, which apparently have the same energizing effect as a cup of coffee, without all its nocive effects.

Curious about this new trend and excited about all the potential benefits, I decided to go ahead and make myself Gwyneth Paltrows Best Green Juice. Its actually nicer than it looks.
The recipe is as follows:

Ingredients:
5 large leaves of kale, ribs discarded, leaves roughly chopped
1 lemon, zest and pith removed
1 large apple or pineapple,
A 2.5cm piece of fresh ginger
1 sprig of fresh mint

Directions:
1.) Wash all ingredients well.
2.) Cut all produce to fit through juicer, juice and enjoy!

Substitutions:

Spinach watercress, dandelion leaves, kale, lettuce
Apple Pineapple , pear, cantaloupe (rockmelon), honeydew
Lemon lime, grapefruit
If youre wanting to ease into the dark leafy green juices, this is a lovely place to start. This sweet green juice has heaps of benefits:

– Its high in vitamin C
– The lemon helps to improve the absorption of the non-heme iron in spinach
– There are 7.1mg of iron
– The bromelain from the pineapple may ease arthritis, atherosclerosis and it may also help to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases due to its ability to inhibit Fibrinogen, the chemical that can cause the abnormal blood clotting that underlies most cardiovascular diseases.

Nutrition

Hong Kong