Would You Eat A Raw Food Diet?

March 10, 2008 | 18 Comments

Photo by E p i t a
A menu consisting of raw foods sounds kind of boring, huh!

Yet, people who eat raw food diets claim they feel younger, have increased their energy, healed their body of certain ailments, and have even lost weight.

But, before you answer the question above - “Would you eat a raw food diet?” - let’s clear up the definition of “raw food” as it seems everyone has different opinions. Raw does not mean eating nothing but raw vegetables …. or salads. A raw menu, according to Carol Alt over at Raw Nutrition, can consist of sandwiches, smoothies, soup, granola, hummus, and desserts. Raw simply means foods that have not been cooked. And that can include vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans, grains, unpasteurized dairy products, fish, and meat. Raw can also mean (and this is where some may disagree) food that has not been sprayed with pesticides, has no added preservatives, or has not be irradiated (treated with ionizing radiation to kill germs). I personally think of the latter as organic, but for some people this falls under the raw category because its causes foods to lose their vitality.

There are pros and there are cons to cooking these foods.

The pros are the main purpose for cooking the foods . . . to destroy all bacteria and other pathogens that could cause serious illnesses. And for that reason alone, many people understandably choose not to eat a raw food diet.

And the cons . . . that eating foods cooked at high temperatures (more than 112 degrees) can increase the rate at which we age plus it can contribute to weight gain. Again, according to Carol Alt, this is due to four things happening to the food when it is cooked at high temperatures:

1. The molecular structure changes.
2. The enzymes are killed.
3. The vitamins and minerals are destroyed.
4. The acid alkaline balance changes.

All this has an effect on how our body digests food which in turn prevents us from absorbing all the nutrients we need. The end result … the onset of weight gain and aging more quickly.

The health benefits of choosing raw foods over cooked include,

1. Weight loss
2. Slower aging
3. Better digestion
4. Increase energy
5. Improved skin appearance
6. Reduced heart disease

By simply changing how foods are prepared, we could shed our body of fat and we could lessen the effects of aging. But before giving up all our home-cooked meals, we need to decide which is the better risk,

1. Consuming foods that are cooked and considered bacteria free but which could promote weight gain and early aging, or
2. Consuming foods that are raw and facilitate weight loss and anti-aging and which perhaps is not bacteria free, but the fact that it provides better absorption of nutrients may be enough to protect against diseases.

For recipes for a raw food diet, consider Carol Alt’s book, The Raw 50: 10 Amazing Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Drinks for Your Raw Food Lifestyle.

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Beauty, Blog, Health, Weight Loss, Wellness

Curcumin For Powerful Health Protection

March 5, 2008 | 5 Comments

Photo by Buntalshoot
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a spice that acted as a safe multipurpose drug?

Scientific researchers from around the world are studying curcumin (derived from the curry spice turmeric) for its effects in fighting . . . cancer, arthritis, diabetes, cataracts, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, cystic fibrosis, and reversing Alzheimer’s disease. Curcumin even shows promise as a potential treatment for multiple sclerosis and skin disorders such as psoriasis and wounds, among many other things.

The downside is, however, that despite its benefits, in the past the effectiveness of oral supplementation of curcumin has been limited by poor absorption into the bloodstream through the digestive tract. But according to Life Extension Magazine, scientists have recently discovered an advanced formulation which is more readily absorbed than other curcumin supplement products. The new formulation is called BCM-95® and it is a registered trademark of Dolcas-Biotech, LLC. Compared to standard curcumin supplements, the BCM-95® formulation delivers up to seven times more curcumin to the bloodstream, sooner, and it sticks around nearly twice as long, which should greatly enhance the benefits of curcumin.

Is curcumin safe?

Turmeric has been safely consumed for thousands of years and it can be taken as a simple daily supplement. There have been few reports of mild gastrointestinal distress, which can be minimized by eating food with the supplement. Seems to me like a fair trade-off for the benefits it provides.

Technorati Tags: curcumin, turmeric, cancer prevention, Alzheimer’s, cystic fibrosis, cardiovascular disease, diabetes

Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Health, Wellness

Good Health Does Not Lead To A Heart Attack

March 5, 2008 | 2 Comments

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Have you ever known anyone to say he/she feels healthy and has no symptoms so therefore must be healthy, but then a few days later dies from a heart attack?

Obviously, the person was not healthy as there was a health problem that caused the heart attack. So how do we know if we are healthy?

Start this, stop that, eat what?

Each of us are on a road to either sickness (which leads to death) or wellness (which leads to good health). We constantly read about things that we should or should not be doing in order to maintain good health. And every decision we make affects our health. But making lifestyle changes is not easy and it takes time, patience, dedication, and motivation to stay on track. It is difficult to know if we are doing enough to increase the years we have left on this precious earth.

But there are key factors that will help us know if we are at least moving in the right direction.

In order to have excellent health, we need to first examine what we are putting into our body and how we are treating our body, physically and mentally. Namely, the foods we eat and the exercise we get. But we must also acknowledge the good stresses in our life from the bad. There is such a thing as positive stress and it comes from regular exercise, solving problems, and working towards goals. And negative stresses come from sleep deprivation, bodily injuries, drinking alcohol excessively, worrying about finances, difficulties with career, and arguing with spouse. Stress has a huge impact on our overall health and is a big factor in whether we will be going in the direction of wellness or sickness.

It is detrimentally important that the good stresses outweigh the bad. Some strategies to help accomplish that include,

1. getting lots of ZZZ’s
2. smiling often
3. drinking wisely
4. maintaining a good attitude
5. relaxing

Which direction are you going?

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Health, Wellness

Not Everything Causes Cancer Afterall

March 3, 2008 | 1 Comment

Photo by Midiman
A group of researchers are telling us we can relax as studies now show that not everything causes cancer as we commonly read.

According to these researchers, the only cancer-causing things we really need to worry about are smoking, alcohol, and sunlight. So we can put on our deodorant, drink our coffee, and eat our fruits with pesticides, and have no worry.

But should we really not worry?

According to the American Cancer Society, it is expected that over 1,437,180 cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2008. They say cancer cases which are most preventable are those cancer cases which occur as a result of smoking, drinking alcohol, and being exposed directly to too much sunlight. And only about 1/3 of all cancer cases could be prevented by making proper lifestyle choices.

Anyone can get cancer. While it may be true that no one knows for certain what causes cancer, we do know that by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we greatly decrease our chances of developing the horrible disease.

The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends these guidelines for cancer prevention:

1. Choose mainly plant-based foods and limit red meat and processed meat.
2. Be active every day in any way for 30 minutes or more.
3. Aim to be a healthy weight throughout life.
4. Avoid sugary drinks and processed foods high in added sugar, low in fiber, or high in fat.
5. Do not use tobacco in any form.
6. Limit consumption of alcohol.

We never know from one week to the next what the researchers will be saying. But it doesn’t take a researcher to tell us that with a little common sense and a healthy lifestyle, we greatly increase our chances of living longer.

Technorati Tags: cancer prevention, causes of cancer

Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Health, Wellness

5 Steps To Living A Happier Life

February 29, 2008 | 1 Comment

Photo by Mihaylova
Some people have a belief that happiness must be earned by first experiencing work, hardship, and pain.

My question to them is, “How do you know when you have sustained enough pain to deserve happiness?

Happiness is not something you earn, but rather it is something you bring about. It comes from within by the thoughts you have and the choices you make. Happiness is being at peace with yourself.

“There is one sure way to find happiness. That is by controlling your thoughts.” ~ Dale Carnegie

How do you find peace with yourself so that you can have happiness?

By giving more. Give to others for the simple joy of giving. Give unconditionally.
By expecting less. When you give to others, expect nothing in return. Realize that many people are not good at expressing gratitude and then you won’t be disappointed when they don’t return the favor.
By living simply. While buying that new sports car will bring you pleasure, it will not bring you happiness. Pleasure is short lived while happiness is long term.
By freeing your mind of worries. If you are worrying about something, most likely it is something beyond your power to change. Don’t dwell on problems such as finances or you may pay a higher price with your health.
By freeing your heart of hatred. Learn to forgive those who have hurt you. Not forgiving someone hurts you more than it hurts them. Chances are, they are going on with life as usual and don’t even know you are carrying the hatred for them.

Happiness is having the freedom, health, and opportunity to do great things for yourself and others. And happier people are healthier people, both mentally and physically.

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Wellness

How To Calculate Your Body Mass Index

February 27, 2008 | 8 Comments

Photo by Danlamouette
Too fat or too thin, you may be unhealthy.

Calculating your BMI can give you a general idea as to whether you are underweight, at a healthy weight, or obese. Body mass index (BMI) is a standard measurement that represents the percentage of body fat for adult men and women. It can help you determine if you are at an increased risk for health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and certain cancers including breast cancer. Starting in Europe more than 150 years ago, the BMI calculation became popular in the U.S. in the 1980’s.

But a BMI calculation is nothing more than an estimate as it can only measure so much. For instance, BMI may overestimate body fat in athletes and other people with muscular builds, and it may underestimate body fat in older people and those who have lost muscle mass. Still, it is a good tool to help determine if you fall above or below the safety line.

Here’s how to calculate your BMI.

There are several websites that will provide a calculation for you, but as first mentioned over at the Iowa Avenue blog, you can do a quick calculation with your own calculator . . . take 703 times your weight, divide by your height in inches, and divide again by your height in inches (703 x weight / height twice).

Here are what the results mean.

If your BMI is 14.9 or less, you are extremely underweight.
If your BMI falls between 15-18, you are mildly underweight.
A BMI 18.5-24.9 means you are at a weight in good proportion to your height.
A BMI of 25-29.9 means you are overweight.
A BMI of 30-39.9 indicates you are obese.
And a BMI of 40 or more indicates you are morbidly obese.

Of the U.S. population, only 33.5 percent of us have a good BMI in proportion to their height, 34 percent are overweight, and 30 percent fall under the morbidly obese category. If you find yourself in the overweight category and are wanting to lose weight, keep in mind that in order to lose one pound per week, you need to eliminate 500 calories from your day. You can do that by cutting back on the calories you consume, or by exercising, or a combination of both.

Technorati Tags: Body Mass Index, BMI, obesity, healthy weight

Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Weight Loss, Wellness

Health Sites … To Help Spread Links To Good Health

February 22, 2008 | 6 Comments

Photo by Delgoff
Need some more good health sites to read?

Occasionally, I like to share links to other health sites that I find interesting, helpful, or just plain fun. Here are a few worth checking out.

Think Simple Now is a personal growth website that has taken off in a short amount of time. The writer’s success is due to good interesting writing and having a true passion for helping others.
Healthy Habits For Life takes a strong stance on prevention for wellness. The site owner is a clinical educator and health coach in Tucson, AZ.
Lazy Man and Health is an all-health website that provides great information, much of which he learned through personal experiences and setting goals.
Walker Talk is the blog of a woman on a fitness mission to get in shape before her son’s wedding. One of her biggest motivators is her sister-in-law whom you can meet at Life Plus Fitness.
Health Ranker. “Social Media Just Got Healthy.” This is a “must check out” site for anyone in the health niche. It is a new social media news site dedicated to all things health. This is great news for us health sites AND for those who want to learn better health. Health Ranker is a new site which just launched this month and is still in Beta. So don’t be surprised if you find a bug here and there. Once you become a member, you can rate health blog posts by a few simple clicks.

Oh, and if you enjoy reading my post, please be sure to rank it.

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Wellness

Kopi Luwak Coffee vs. Yerba Maté

February 19, 2008 | Leave a Comment

Photo by Crystl
In the movie, “The Bucket List,” actor Jack Nicholson is a huge fan of a coffee named Kopi Luwak … referred to as the most expensive coffee in the world.

Kopi Luwak is in fact the most expensive coffee in the world. It sells for between $120 and $600 USD per pound. A very strange thought considering that the beans come from coffee cherries which have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet (also referred to as a cat). The civet eats the coffee cherries, but while the cherry itself is digested, the inner bean is not and it passes through. Once eliminated, the beans are collected, cleaned, and mildly roasted to make this supposedly delicious coffee. All coffees come from coffee cherries, but it is believed that the enzymes in the animal’s stomach add a unique flavor making the coffee quite pricey.

Is this coffee worth the price?

The coffee cherry is a member of the super antioxidant family and contains polyphenols that help to prevent free radical damage. It is starting to show up in skin care products as the polyphenols help stop the deterioration of collagen and lessen visible signs of aging. But it is my guess that the benefits are in the cherry itself and remain with the civet. The high cost of this coffee is due only to the rarity of it, the process of making it, and perhaps the taste, not due to any health benefits. Therefore, the health benefits of Kopi Luwak are no more than the benefits found in any other cup of coffee.

But there is a better alternative to coffee.

It has many health benefits. It is easier to find than Kopi Luwak and costs just a fraction of the price. It is yerba maté. Discovered by people of the South American rain forest, yerba maté comes from the leaves of the Ilex Paraguayansis tree.

With less caffeine than coffee, yerba maté contains three natural stimulants … caffeine (the stimulant in coffee), theobromine (the stimulant in chocolate), and theophylline (the stimulant in green tea) … which will give that kick to start the day which you get from coffee without giving you the negative effects, such as jitters, headaches, and stomach discomfort. Yerba maté also:

Has many powerful antioxidants … nine times the antioxidants of green tea.
Contains weight loss compounds … hunger fighting theobromine that sends an “all-full” signal to the brain and calorie burning xanthine.
Is known to aid digestion and regularity.
Stimulates the immune system and helps the body fight disease.
May reduce the severity of some allergies and hay fever.
Provides mental clarity, with increased alertness, and overall balance in the body.
May help prevent oral cancer.

Makes me wonder why we drink coffee at all.

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Weight Loss, Wellness

Warning: Pain Relievers, Like Tylenol, Can Cause Death

February 18, 2008 | 2 Comments

Photo by Twenty Questions
Each year, over-the-counter pain relievers containing acetaminophen are to blame for more than 100,000 calls to poison control, nearly 56,000 emergency room visits, over 26,000 hospitalizations, and more than 450 deaths from liver failure.

Many consumers believe that taking over-the-counter medications are safe as long as taken as directed. The truth is, even a low dose of acetaminophen can put us at risk for severe liver damage, a liver transplant, and even death. But you would never know it just by reading the warning on the label.

Most likely, your acetaminophen bottle has this simple message on it,

“Warning: Taking more than the recommended dosage can cause severe health problems, including liver damage.”

As it turns out, however, this widely used pain reliever causes liver failure even at doses that are within the recommended range. Doctors have reported cases of liver failure among individuals who were taking acetaminophen while following the dosage rules on the package. From these individuals, doctors have concluded that when acetaminophen is taken by consumers who are not eating (perhaps due to vomiting, fasting, or anorexia), or are drinking alcohol, the pain reliever would become very toxic and the consumer would basically be taking an accidental overdose, possibly resulting in liver failure. Yet, the warning on acetaminophen packaging is weak and does not convey the serious risks.

Why isn’t anyone changing this?

When comparing the above statistics to the millions of people taking acetaminophen without harm, the liver failure and death rates are fairly low. However, they are high enough that you would think the FDA would require the drug companies to list stronger warnings on their labels … that is, if the FDA is at all concerned about our safety. The FDA’s own guidelines require drug companies to list adverse drug events on packaging “even if there are only one or two reported events.” With acetaminophen, there have been many. It appears to be a case of the FDA protecting the pharmaceutical companies.

What you can do to protect yourself.

Acetaminophen is found in many over-the-counter medications (such as Tylenol) as well as numerous prescription drugs (such as Vicodin, Lortab, and Lorcet). You can protect yourself by:

only using one acetaminophen product at a time
avoiding the pain reliever during vomiting or fasting
and avoiding alcohol while using the drug

Half of the people who overdose on acetaminophen do it unintentionally. They are not aware of either how much they are taking or that they are taking it under conditions that could make it toxic. Taking precautions will help decrease your chances of liver damage.

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Health, Wellness

New Pepsi Raw May Be Natural, But It’s Not Healthy

February 14, 2008 | 4 Comments

Photo by Samhar Khuzam
The new Pepsi Raw is not healthy. But then again, Pepsi doesn’t claim it to be.

Pepsi has launched their newest cola product … Pepsi Raw. It is currently only available in the UK and is exclusive to bars and pubs. What do they claim is so great about this product? It is all natural, meaning no artificial colorings, preservatives, flavorings, or sweeteners. It is made with cane sugar instead of fructose corn syrup. It’s ingredients include apple extract, plain caramel coloring, gum arabic from acacia trees, and sparkling water.

But Pepsi is Pepsi. That’s all there is to it. It was never meant to be a healthy drink, and this product is no different. While the word “natural” sounds healthy, that is not what natural means. Yes, it is better, but it is not healthy. Pepsi is not even marketing it as a health drink. A spokeswoman for Pepsi was quoted as saying,

“We’re not saying it’s healthier. It’s a premium drink for people who like natural products.”

But the words “natural” and “raw” are deceiving. Most people read those words and think “healthy” or “organic.” Natural only means it is made without artificial ingredients. It doesn’t mean that healthy ingredients were used or that the ingredients (such as the apples) were grown without pesticides.

So what do I think of the product, you ask.

Well, living in the U.S., I have not tried Pepsi Raw. But I do like the fact that Pepsi has launched this product. I am a firm believer that colas should be drank only on occasion as they lack anything of value and are loaded with calories. The only healthy ingredient in Pepsi Raw is the apples, but the drawbacks from the sugar outweigh the benefits of the apples. The calorie count in 300 ml of Pepsi Raw has only been reduced from 126 calories to 117. Which will hardly assist in solving the obesity problem. It is a safer choice, though, then regular Pepsi or Diet Pepsi and I would like to see it come to the U.S. At least they are headed in the right direction.

Now, if they could only make it with stevia, ….

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Posted by Julie Alexander | Filed Under Blog, Wellness