GI Track PH Levels Need to be in Balance
Now Playing: The Vatimin Lady
THE pH FACTOR -
ACID RAIN IN THE BODY
by Lynn Hinderliter CN, LDN

The human body contains up to 60% water overall: the brain is 70% water; the blood, 82% and the lungs almost 90%. We are an inland sea, and a blight can descend on our bodies if the acid /alkaline balance of this "water of life" is not maintained, just as the acid in rain is blighting some of the forests of the world..

All of the cells of our body are washed by the liquid medium of that sea, which allows nutrients to be transported from place to place, and laves away the toxins our cells discharge. When pH is imbalanced, the system breaks down - if the body's pH deviates too far to the acidic or too far to the alkaline side, cells can become poisoned by their own toxic waste and die.

Interestingly, scientists are now determining that the pH of our actual oceans is changing, with a concomitant effect on the health of the denizens of the sea.

Acidity can be a factor in:

irritability, anxiety and depression
excess mucous
lowered immune system function
Dysbiosis
aches and pains, inflammation
premature ageing because of cellular inefficiency

Many chronic disease states accompany an acid body condition : cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arteriosclerosis and stroke; many cancers; diabetes; many autoimmune diseases; osteoporosis, indigestion, bowel imbalances and dysbiosis; much inflammation, such as of the joints and the bladder..

I am not suggesting that acid pH is the only cause, or that correcting it will bring about a miracle cure: but any attempt to balance and bring health to the body needs to address this serious instability if it wishes to succeed.

Water is considered neutral at a ph of 7. Anything under that is increasingly acid, anything over - increasingly alkaline. The human body operates optimally at a pH that varies from 6.8 to 7.5, depending on the time of day: pH tends to peak at 6 o'clock in the evening, and at noon, with the lowest point coming at 6 o'clock in the morning. These readings represent homeostasis, or balance. When the pH is operating within these normal parameters, cells can take up nutrients as and when needed, depending only on availability, and can discharge wastes efficiently.

Calcium in particular is dependent on the correct pH for absorption. In addition, when the body is acidic, it will withdraw calcium from the bones in an attempt to provide the alkalinizing minerals necessary to correct balance.

Here is an excellent definition from Health Freedom Resources :

The cells of the body in health are alkaline, but in disease states the cell pH is below 7.0. The more acid the cells become, the sicker we are and feel. The cells won't die until their pH gets to about 3.5. Our bodies produce acid as a by-product of normal metabolism. This is the result of our bodies burning or using alkaline to remain alive. Since our bodies do not manufacture alkaline, we must supply the alkaline from an outside source to keep us from becoming acid and dying.

Food is the means of replenishing the alkaline to the body. The main determining factor of alkaline is the organic minerals. One can equate organic minerals with alkaline for better understanding. Foods are of two types, acid or alkaline. This refers to the ash value of a food. (Meaning the type of residue that remains after the food is digested and processed). Is it acid, or is it alkaline? If there is an acid residue (inorganic acids), the body must neutralize this acid to keep the blood from getting acid. The acid is neutralized with alkaline.

Ideally there is adequate alkaline in the diet to do this. However, if there is not, the body must extract alkaline from its cells to neutralize the acid. This, of course, causes the cells to become acid, and thus diseased. Because our bodies are an alkaline entity, in order to maintain health, the majority of our diet must consist of alkaline ash foods.

We can remain in health by consuming a diet that is 70-80% alkaline and 20-30% acid. The more alkaline the better. If we become too alkaline by eating a majority of alkaline foods, we will lose our appetite and automatically want to fast, during which time the normal acid metabolic by-products will return the body's pH back to normal. It is interesting to note that some foods which qualify as a real food have an acid ash reaction. This is probably nature's way of keeping a balance so that the real food consumer does not become too alkaline. Also note that the acid content of these acid ash real foods is very low and they still contain valuable nutrients which can be utilized by the body.

You can buy strips to measure pH at some health food stores. You can also order them directly from us. You can measure either urinary or saliva pH. Urinary pH should fall around 6.5, lower is acidic; salivary pH should be measured at least 2 hours away from a meal, and is healthy at 7.4, acidic below that.

Diet determines whether we tend towards the acid or alkaline and the average U.S. diet might almost be designed to cause us to err!

Proteins (pork, beef, chicken, ham, turkey etc.)

grains

coffee and tea

eggs

beer, wine and pops

most breads, spaghettis and pastas

refined rice

chocolate

all promote an acid state in our body fluids.

Dairy foods, potatoes and onions are mostly neutral, and

fruits

vegetables

beans and soy are on the alkaline side.

Occasionally I am contacted by confused clients who have found conflicting information from different experts concerning the pH of a food: I received this EXCELLENT clarification from another of my contacts, who is a long-time student of this health element:

"There is a lot of double talk by so-called experts. In some cases, the references are just the opposite of what they should be - I found that the reason apparently is that some experts are referring to the acid/alkalinity of food BEFORE these foods are eaten. There is a chemical change in the body which converts the (e.g.) acidity to alkalinity AFTER ingestion of the food. This should take out a lot of confusion about the chemical formation of the different foods.

There are some "superfoods" that are natural buffers that I use and recommend frequently. A natural buffer is a substance that counteracts the acid state of the body, and chief among them are concentrated green foods like

barley grass

spirulina

Chlorella

and some wonderful combinations of dried vegetables, sea vegetables and cereal grasses.

As a side note, I often have people tell me that their arthritis has been helped by taking a green food, and this is part of the reason why: people with arthritis are almost without exception highly acidic, which is a pro-inflammatory state. All concentrated green foods are helpful in alkalinizing pH.

Chronic acidosis also affects the function of the liver, causing congestion: when the liver is not functioning properly, inflammation can result: beneficially affecting this condition will also be of benefit in arthritis.

The other buffers I use and recommend most frequently because they are healthful in many other ways also, are

Brewers Yeast ( a natural source of B vitamins, selenium and chromium, among other things)

powdered Lecithin (a concentrate of the Phosphatides in soy)

Bee Pollen

Kelp.

Vitamin C (as Ascorbate for blood type O, as ascorbic acid for others) is an option that can have other benefits for those whose faulty pH accompanies a severe disease state where low immunity is a factor. Increase the amount of Vitamin C gradually until you have determined what your bowel tolerance is, and when that is established, I recommend using half that amount in the morning and half last thing at night to help regulate the body's acid balance.

I recommend a product by Vaxa called pH Balance.

Stress almost immediately causes acidic conditions in the body. For more about the effect of stress on our health, read my article on Stress and the Adrenal Glands.

In my article on digestion, you will find information about Hydrochloric acid and digestive health. Since stomach acid is a significant factor in maintaining pH balance, and is affected by stress, you will find that interesting too.

I find it vexing that some Doctors are still recommending Tums as a source of Calcium for their patients: it is a truly ironic recommendation, since Tums is designed to suppress stomach acid, and calcium is very poorly absorbed unless sufficient stomach acid is present. Sufficient HCL in the stomach, and a proper acid environment there, are also essential for keeping the body in proper pH balance. Lack of acid in the stomach often leads top too much acid in the body, which in turn leads to the withdrawal of minerals from the bones to correct and neutralize the problem.

At the moment there are no studies that support the importance of pH balance to health, and there are even some respected nutritional authorities that do not agree - Dr. Andrew Weil among them, who comments negatively here. However, in another place he emphasizes the importance of keeping the urine alkaline for urinary tract infections, and I wonder whether perhaps there is some confusion between blood pH ( which is regulated by the body) and urinary and salivary pH, which are at the mercy of the diet. If the pH of the mouth affects caries, and the pH of the bladder affects infections - then I submit that all places in between are also affected by an imbalance.

Other Articles from the Vitamin Lady

Antioxidants in Food List
Now Playing: In Search of the Highest Food Antioxidant

1. Antioxidant List

2. Largest Antioxidant in Food Study

Herbs Rich Source of Healthy Antioxidants; Oregano Ranks Highest

Better health may be only a dash and sprinkle away: Researchers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture have found that herbs, in addition to making food tastier, are an abundant source of antioxidants and could provide potential anticancer benefits when supplementing a balanced diet.

Herbs have higher antioxidant activity than fruits, vegetables and some spices, including garlic, the researchers say. Some herbs should be considered as regular vegetables. People should use more herbs for flavoring instead of salt and artificial chemicals.

In what may be good news for pizza lovers and Italian food connoisseurs everywhere, the herbs with the highest antioxidant activity belonged to the oregano family. In general, oregano had 3 to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied.

On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, which are known to be high in antioxidants. In comparison to the antioxidant activities of a few select fruits and vegetables, the potency of oregano ranks supreme: Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.

For example, one tablespoon of fresh oregano contains the same antioxidant activity as one medium-sized apple, she says.

Adding a moderate amount of herbs may go a long way toward boosting the health value of a meal, especially as an alternative to salt and artificial additives.

Even if you're not into oregano, other herbs also appear to pack a significant antioxidant punch. Among the more familiar, ranked in order, are dill, garden thyme, rosemary and peppermint.

The most active phenol component in some of the herbs with the highest antioxidant activity, particularly oregano, was rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant.

Antioxidants have become synonymous with good health. They are a class of compounds thought to prevent certain types of chemical damage caused by an excess of free radicals, charged molecules that are generated by a variety of sources including pesticides, smoking and exhaust fumes. Destroying free radicals may help fight cancer, heart disease and stroke, researchers believe.

Fruits and vegetables have long been viewed as a rich source of antioxidant compounds. Health officials have been urging consumers for years to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to gain the health benefits of antioxidants, but progress has been slow, according to researchers.

More recently, researchers have begun to formally study the health benefits of herbs and spices. The two differ mainly by source. Herbs typically come from the leaves of plants. Spices come from the bark, stem and seeds of plants. Both have been used for thousands of years to flavor foods and treat illness.

Now, herbs have emerged as a quick and easy way to get a concentrated source of antioxidants - without all the extra calories of whole foods.

Herbs can be consumed in a variety of ways. Some people prefer to drink herb extracts, which can be made by adding herbs to hot water to make potent antioxidant teas. Others use concentrated herbal oils available in some health food stories. Most of us prefer a little dash and sprinkle of the familiar leafy or powdered versions to add flavor to our favorite meats and vegetables.

In general, fresh herbs and spices are healthier and contain higher antioxidant levels compared to their processed counterparts. For example, the antioxidant activity of fresh garlic is 1.5 times higher than dry garlic powder.

Just as consuming too much of any food product can carry health risks, herbs should be used with moderation.

Whatever form they take, herbs are no substitute for a balanced diet. Pregnant women in particular should consult their physicians before taking herbal supplements.

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry November 2001

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dr. Mercola's Comment:

Well, now we know the difference between an herb and a spice.

Amazing how two of the most popular Italian herbs, garlic and oregano are two of the most useful nutritional herbs.

If you are not using these two useful herbs I strongly encourage you to consider using them. Remember that most of the major anti-infection benefits of garlic are lost unless you use it raw.

You can use 1-2 cloves in your vegetable juice to obtain maximum benefit. The chlorophyll in the juice also tends to cut down on the potentially offensive garlic odor.

Related Articles:

RAW Garlic For Parasites and Viral Infections

Oregano, Other Essential Oils Destroy Strep Pneumonia Cells


Tropical and Subtropical Fruit

Benefits

1. Defends Against Free Radicals*

The xanthone flavonoids and other compounds in mangosteen fruit are responsible for its high level of antioxidant activity. In vitro tests have been conducted on XanoMax mangosteen 10% extract to determine the level of free radical scavenging ability in both watery and fatty environments. A major test recognized as the industry standard for measuring antioxidant activity is known as the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) assay.

The ORAC test is an in vitro assay that works by measuring the amount of free radical damage done to a fluorescent probe (measured by a change in probe intensity). Antioxidants lessen the damage to the probe fluorescence, which indicates a reduction in free radical damage. This measure is used to quantify the antioxidant's (or combination of antioxidants) capacity to quench free radicals. This quantification is known as the total ORAC value. The total ORAC value provides a relative measure of total antioxidant strength of any substance, allowing for comparison of different mixtures. A high ORAC value corresponds to a high total in vitro antioxidant capacity.

The development of the ORAC test has led to a number of commonly eaten foods being assessed in terms of total ORAC scores per serving. Similarly, particular combinations of antioxidants, such as those in nutritional formulas, can also be assessed for their total ORAC scores. This has led to the ability to determine the potential usefulness of a particular supplement in increasing overall antioxidant capacity.

When XanoMax mangosteen 10% extract was tested for ORAC value, the resulting antioxidant potential was over 3,500 ORAC units per gram of extract. This result is extremely high. ORAC values of compounds vary with their nutrient concentration, moisture content and other factors. For comparison purposes, whole blueberries, considered to be a rich source of antioxidants, had an ORAC value of 61 units per gram, while pomegranate tested at 105 ORAC units per gram.1 XanoMax mangosteen extract is a potentially rich source of beneficial antioxidants*

2. Maintains Healthy Immune Function*

Evidence from several animal and in vitro studies on various cell lines suggests that components of mangosteen fruit extract may play a role in modulating several factors important to healthy immune function. Of the active components, xanthone derivatives seem to play the major role in influencing parameters of immune function in animals and in vitro models. Mangostin is the xanthone derivative that most of these studies have focused on.

A study published in 2002 assessed the effects of mangosteen extracts on the release of histamine from rat cell lines. The comparison was made to extracts of a plant frequently used in Japan, Rubus suavissimus, which is a known inhibitor of IgE-mediated histamine release from these cells. The assay showed that the mangosteen extracts used inhibited the release of histamine from these cells more potently than the extract of Rubus suavissimus. In addition, the authors compared the two herbs for prostaglandin E2 synthesis in another rat cell line and found that the mangosteen extract potently inhibited prostaglandin E2 synthesis in this in vitro trial, whereas the other herb had no effect.2

An earlier study was performed in guinea pig tracheal and rabbit thoracic aortal tissue. In this study, alpha mangostin prevented histamine-induced contraction and was shown to be a competitive histamine receptor antagonist in the smooth muscle tissue of the trachea and aorta of the animals selected. The results seen in this laboratory study were determined to be concentration-dependent. The authors suggested that alpha mangostin should undergo further studies to determine its effects on the modulation of the histamine response.3

Further in vitro assessments point to potential actions of mangosteen components in modulating effectors of occasional inflammation in the immune system. Studies in rat glioma cells suggest that mangostins inhibit enzymatic reactions that can lead to the production of specific prostaglandins.4,5 By inhibiting these reactions, mangostins may play a role in modulating overall immune function, promoting healthy immunity.

Mangosteen and its constituents hold much promise for their potential ability to enhance immune function and promote health. In addition to being a highly nutritious food, mangosteen extract is full of antioxidant activity. It has an extremely high ORAC value and a great potential for enhancing free radical defenses in the body. Best Mangosteen 10% extract contains XanoMax, which is standardized to a high level of active mangostin, the class of compounds shown in in vitro studies to benefit certain aspects of immune function. Safety Scientific References

1. XanoMax: High-potency extract of Mangosteen, Garcinia mangostana. Renaissance Herbs. From www.renaissanceherbs.com
2. Nakatani K, et al. Inhibitions of histamine release and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by mangosteen, a Thai medicinal plant. Biol Pharm Bull. 2002 Sep;25(9):1137-41.
3. Chairungsrilerd N, et al. Pharmacological properties of alpha-mangostin, a novel histamine H1 receptor antagonist. Eur J Pharmacol. 1996 Oct 31;314(3):351-6.
4. Nakatani K, et al. Gamma-Mangostin inhibits inhibitor-kappaB kinase activity and decreases lipopolysaccharide-induced cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in C6 rat glioma cells. Mol Pharmacol. 2004 Sep;66(3):667-74.
5. Nakatani K, et al. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandin E2 synthesis by gamma-mangostin, a xanthone derivative in mangosteen, in C6 rat glioma cells. Biochem Pharmacol. 2002 Jan 1;63(1):73-9.

Benefits of Using an ORAC Supplement:
- Reduced "biological" age
- Increased energy and vitality at the cellular level
- Increased mental clarity and focus
- Reduced free radical damage and oxidativestress
- Decreased physical and mental decline
- Lower total cholesterol and LDL levels
- Strengthened immune system
- Anti-Oxidants and Free Radicals

Free radicals are molecules which harm healthy body cells. The accumulated damage caused by free radicals is considered a primary cause of the aging process. You can dramatically slow-down this aging process (anti-aging) by combatting free radical activity with anti-oxidants.

ORAC+ ?slows the Aging Process? (anti-aging)
Extraordinary scientific research from Tufts University has evaluated the antioxidant needs of the average person PLUS the antioxidant power (referred to as Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC Value) of fruits and vegetables. Their research has concluded that we need approximately 5,000 ORAC Units per day to have a significant impact on plasma and tissue antioxidant capacity. Consumption of a minimum of three servings of fruits and vegetables per day provides approximately 1200 ORAC Units. This means the average person is short approximately 3800 ORAC Units each day, depending on the fruits and vegetables they are choosing.

ORAC+ fills the gap to ?mop-up? all the body?s free radical generation on a daily basis to slow the aging process (anti-aging).

ORAC+ has been independently tested by one of the world?s foremost laboratories specializing in Oxygen Radical Absorbing Capacity (ORAC). Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC) measures the total ?Antioxidant Power? of foods and nutrients by calculating the ability of a product to protect against potentially damaging oxygen free radicals.

Serving size: 1 heaping teaspoon (5 grams) provides more than 4400 ORAC value.
ORAC+ Contains:
Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus)
? 10 times more concentrated than regular bilberries
? Known to help correct night vision
? Strong antioxidant properties

Grape Seed Extract (Vitis vinifera)
? Contains Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPCs) known for powerful free radical scavenging effect
? Grape seed tannins reduce total blood cholesterol and LDL
? Improves circulation
? Decreases capillary permeabilityand fragility

Green Tea Extract (Camelia sinensis)
? Associated with a lower risk of cancer
? Our green tea contains 80% polyphenols with greater antioxidant protection than vitamins C & E

Prune Extract (Prunus domestica)
? Highest ORAC value determined to date (over 400,000 per 100 grams)
? 71 times stronger than regular prunes
? Contains neochlorogenic acid, an effective inhibitor of cancer-causing nitrosamines

Blueberry Leaf Extract (Vaccinium murtilis)
? 117 times stronger in ORAC value than regular blueberries
? Contains 16% chlorogenic acid (CGA) and 60% polyphenols
? CGA helps limit the production of toxic nitrosamines from nitrate preservatives in foods

Apple Skin Extract (Malus domestica)
? 660 times more concentrated than apples
? Removes metabolic waste from the body
? Helps inhibit lipase activity and fat absorption

Red Wine Extract (Provinols?)
? Processed without the use of solvents and dried without the use of additives
? Contains approximately 95% polyphenols
? Contains three superoxidant polyphenols: catechin, quercetol, and resveratrol
? Every serving of ORAC+ contains the red wine polyphenols found in one glass of red wine (alcohol free)

Pomegranate Extract (Punica granatum)
? Called the "The Fruit of Immortality" by the ancient Egyptians
? Contains ellagic acid, a scavenger of tobacco smoke free radicals
? Over 40% ellagic acid and 70% polyphenols
? ORAC Value over 2,000 per gram

White Cherry Extract (Prunus avium)
? Very high in antioxidant potential
? Good source of vitamins A & C
? Contains ellagic acid, a natural compound with cancer-preventative properties

Resveratrol (Polygonum cuspidactum)
? Extracted from over twenty plants, including red wine and red grape juice
? Helps prevent deterioration of high-density lipoprotein, important fatty acids for heart health
? Standardized to 20%

Plus a fruit juice powder blend containing:
Blueberry Juice, Cranberry Juice, Apple Fiber, Pectin & Juice, Raspberry Juice, Concord Grape Juice, Blood Orange Juice, Watermelon Juice, Strawberry Juice,
Plus Lecithin, natural Beta Carotene (from Dunaliella Algae), and the equivalent Vitamin C found in two oranges.
Key Phytonutrients in ORAC+
Resveratrol
Chlorogenic Acid
Phloridzin & Phloretin
Anthocyanidins
Polyphenols
Ellagic Acid
Astrone
Catechin
Quercetol
Epicatectin
P-Coumaric Acid
Gallic Acid
Proanthocyanidole B1, B2, and B3
Oxygen Radical Absorbence Capacity (ORAC)
ORAC is an exciting and revolutionary new test tube analysis that can be utilized to test "Antioxident Power" of foods and other chemical substances. It calculates the ability of a product or chemical to protect against potentially damaging free radicals.

This analytical procedure measures the ability of a food, vitamin, nutritional supplement, or other chemical to protect against the attack by free radicals, or to act as an Antioxidant. The test is performed using Trolox (a water-soluble analog of Vitamin E) as a standard to determine the Trolox Equivalent (TE).

The ORAC value is then calculated from the Trolox Equivalent and expressed as ORAC units or value. The higher the ORAC value, the greater the "Antioxidant Power".

LIFE


Life is all around us. We are alive and life is in us. To come to a better understanding of what we are, we use models and the teachings of the truth that Jesus taught us.

We study in all the best schools to learn all about who we are and where we are going.

Biology teaches us about the cells within us, and the DNA that keeps us going. Just four amino acids in extremely long double twisted strans that if all of it was linked together from just one of us, it could run a line to the moon and back several times. That is how much DNA is in just one of us!



Biology Lessons

There are only a dozen amino acids that we do not make ourselves. Just like there are a dozen vitamins, minerals, lipids, and fats that we do not make ourselves that we need to get from food to survive. Yet food is made up of tens of thousands of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats that we eat, and that we make within our bodies.

The things that are wrong with the world is what is killing us. Toxins, pollution, climate change, mutations, free radicals, and poisins or "side effects" that many take to get well that they call medicine is what is killing us.

What we need to do is to find a solution to our problems and hope that this will save us. Good vitamins can keep us healthy. Just a few have all the anti oxidants we need to patch up the harm that has been done to us. Yet, we are not the only thing that is trying to survive. Without the plants, the animals and good climate we are doomed!

Who will feed the earth the anti oxidants they need to survive? We need to stop polluting the earth with gas, oil, and coal burning machines homes, and business. Passive solar energy is the answer!

The earth gets one /200 billionth of the sun's energy, but many of us waste much of it with extravagant spending, while the rest of the world starves to death.

When will the people stand up for good old walking, and riding a bike and for more bike ways and pathways and ways to work from home?

Bike Trail Search


Maybe we need to get the rest of us thinking about these things and really doing something about it before it is too late!

Small Steps to a Healthy Family Lifestyle
Now Playing: from U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Childhood Obesity Basics

We are bombarded every day with conflicting information about our health. Is it better to eat a low-carb diet or a balanced diet? Should we be physically active three times a week or five times a week? And how can we be expected to follow any of these recommendations when we're always so busy?

It's no wonder that many of us throw up our hands and give up. But if we want to live long and fulfilling lives, it's essential that we learn the real facts about health, nutrition, and physical activity.

Luckily, the real facts are pretty straightforward. All you really need to know about a healthy lifestyle is:

- Eat a healthy diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grain products -- and be sure to control portion sizes.
- Get physically active at least five times a week, for thirty minutes or more.
- Avoid tobacco and illegal drugs altogether.

Sounds simple, right? Well, if it were that easy, we'd all be effortlessly fit and healthy.

Today's lifestyle doesn't allow much room for health. And that's where Small Steps comes in. We know that it's impossible for many people to make dramatic lifestyle changes. Instead, we want to help you learn ways that you can change small things about your life and see big results.

Check out these 100 Small Steps to see what you can do to change your family's life.

1. Walk to work.
2. Use fat free milk over whole milk. (As long as your child is at least 2 years old)
3. Do sit-ups in front of the TV.
4. Walk during lunch hour.
5. Drink water before a meal.
6. Eat leaner red meat & poultry.
7. Eat half your dessert.
8. Walk instead of driving whenever you can.
9. Take family walk after dinner.
10. Skate to work instead of driving.
11. Avoid food portions larger than your fist.
12. Mow lawn with push mower.
13. Increase the fiber in your diet.
14. Walk to your place of worship instead of driving.
15. Walk kids to school.
16. Get a dog and walk it.
17. Join an exercise group.
18. Drink diet soda. (If your kids must drink soda and are aleady drinking enough milk.)
19. Replace Sunday drive with Sunday walk.
20. Do yard work.
21. Eat off smaller plates.
22. Get off a stop early and walk.
23. Don't eat late at night.
24. Skip seconds.
25. Work around the house.
26. Skip buffets.
27. Grill, steam or bake instead of frying.
28. Bicycle to the store instead of driving.
29. Take dog to the park.
30. Ask your doctor about taking a multi-vitamin.
31. Go for a half-hour walk instead of watching TV.
32. Use vegetable oils over solid fats.
33. More carrots, less cake.
34. Fetch the newspaper yourself.
35. Sit up straight at work.
36. Wash the car by hand.
37. Don't skip meals.
38. Eat more celery sticks.
39. Run when running errands.
40. Pace the sidelines at kids' athletic games.
41. Take wheels off luggage.
42. Choose an activity that fits into your daily life.
43. Park further from the store and walk.
44. Ask a friend to exercise with you.
45. Make time in your day for physical activity.
46. Exercise with a video if the weather is bad.
47. Bike to the barbershop or beauty salon instead of driving.
48. Keep to a regular eating schedule.
49. If you find it difficult to be active after work, try it before work.
50. Take a walk or do desk exercises instead of a cigarette or coffee break.
51. Perform gardening or home repair activities.
52. Avoid laborsaving devices.
53. Take small trips on foot to get your body moving.
54. Play with your kids 30 minutes a day.
55. Dance to music.
56. Keep a pair of comfortable walking or running shoes in your car and office.
57. Make a Saturday morning walk a group habit.
58. Walk briskly in the mall.
59. Choose activities you enjoy & you'll be more likely to stick with them.
60. Stretch before bed to give you more energy when you wake.
61. Take the long way to the water cooler.
62. Explore new physical activities.
63. Vary your activities, for interest and to broaden the range of benefits.
64. Reward and acknowledge your efforts.
65. Choose fruit for dessert.
66. Consume alcoholic beverages in moderation, if at all. (Adults only, of course)
67. Take stairs instead of the escalator.
68. Conduct an inventory of your meal/snack and physical activity patterns.
69. Share an entree with a friend.
70. Grill fruits or vegetables.
71. Eat before grocery shopping.
72. Choose a checkout line without a candy display.
73. Make a grocery list before you shop.
74. Buy 100% fruit juices over soda and sugary drinks. (But stick to the AAP limit of 4-6 ounces for younger kids.)
75. Swim with your kids.
76. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, and other low fat seasonings.
77. Remove skin from poultry before cooking to lower fat content.
78. Eat before you get too hungry.
79. Don't skip breakfast.
80. Stop eating when you are full.
81. Snack on fruits and vegetables.
82. Top your favorite cereal with apples or bananas.
83. Try brown rice or whole-wheat pasta.
84. Include several servings of whole grain food daily.
85. When eating out, choose a small or medium portion.
86. If main dishes are too big, choose an appetizer or a side dish instead.
87. Ask for salad dressing "on the side."
88. Don't take seconds.
89. Try your burger with just lettuce, tomato and onion.
90. Try a green salad instead of fries.
91. Bake or broil fish.
92. Walk instead of sitting around.
93. Eat sweet foods in small amounts.
94. Take your dog on longer walks.
95. Drink lots of water.
96. Cut back on added fats or oils in cooking or spreads.
97. Walk the beach instead of sunbathing.
98. Walk to a co-worker's desk instead of emailing or calling them.
99. Carry your groceries instead of pushing a cart.
100. Use a snow shovel instead of a snow blower.

100 Small Steps to Healthy Living

The Long Neglected Theory of Cardiovascular and Heart Disease
Now Playing: The Unified Theory of Human Health thru Vitamin C
"Vitamin C is Needed by Everyone"


By Owen Richard Fonorow 2002

"Vitamin C has been under investigation, reported in thousands of scientific papers, ever since it was discovered (circa) fifty years ago. Even though some physicians had observed forty or fifty years ago that amounts a hundred to a thousand times larger (than the RDA) have value in controlling various diseases, the medical profession and most scientists ignored this evidence." Linus Pauling HOW TO LIVE LONGER AND FEEL BETTER, 1986, pg 106 paperback.

We often hear in the Media of theories that attempt to explain what causes cardiovascular disease (CVD) leading to heart attack and stroke. There is a cholesterol theory, a fat (saturated and polyunsaturated) theory, the long neglected Dr. Kilmer McCully homocysteine theory, an oxidized cholesterol theory, a free-radical/heavy metal theory, and even a microbe theory. Each of these theories attempts to explain what causes the lesion in the artery that is the precursor to CVD.

At least one major theory is never mentioned in the medical journals or lay media: The Vitamin C Theory. Linus Pauling and Matthias Rath, MD, jointly identified the great problem of cardiovascular disease as a vitamin C deficiency disease; chronic rather than acute. This idea has yet to be seriously investigated by modern medicine.

Cardiologists routinely tell their patients that there is no “proven” value in taking vitamin C for heart disease. Technically, this statement may be accurate, but it is misleading. The implication is that experiments have been run that prove vitamin C has no value. No such experiments have ever been run. On the contrary, all research and experiments we know of provide evidence that vitamin C does, in fact, have great value[1].

It is incredible that after more than a decade since Pauling and Rath first published their Unified Theory, modern medicine and its schools, the pharmaceutical companies and the United States government have failed to make the slightest effort to investigate the effects of large amounts of vitamin C and the amino acid lysine in relation to CVD and heart disease. This is even more surprising when one considers that there are no proven treatments for heart disease. According to Dr. Julian Whitaker, heart by-pass operations and angioplasty were never clinically “proven” before being adopted by the medical profession.

The neglected vitamin C theory, proposed by Nobel Laureate Linus Pauling and his associate Matthias Rath, MD, is a unifying theory that encompasses homocysteine, lipid imbalances including Lp(a) excesses, infections and stresses, diet, free-radicals, lesions, lack of CVD in most animals, and raises the important issue of mechanical stresses in the blood stream. The arguments are straight-forwarded and most people can understand them. If more cardiovascular patients could learn about the Vitamin C Theory much suffering would end. Pauling’s recommended high-dosage treatment is having spectacular success among the lay public who have discovered it.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jeff Fenlason - The Two Day “Miracle” Recovery

Jeff Fenlason, 52, of North Carolina is but one of thousands of people who have experienced the Pauling Therapy miracle. His case provides clear and convincing evidence in favor of the Vitamin C Theory. Jeff has allowed his real name to be used and his entire testimony is posted at http://www.paulingtherapy.com/. Fenlason is somewhat unique in that he did not have Chelation or any other alternative therapy before adopting the high-dosage Pauling therapy. His “two day” reversal was after ten years under the care of modern cardiology.

Concentrate and Meditate and Contemplate

Concentration gives the message of alertness. Meditation gives the message of vastness. Contemplation gives the message of inseparable oneness.

If we meditate on a specific divine quality such as light or peace or bliss, or if we meditate in an abstract way on Infinity, Eternity or Immortality, then all the time we will feel an express train going forward inside us.

We are meditating on peace, light or bliss while the express train is constantly moving. Our mind is calm and quiet in the vastness of Infinity, but there is a movement; a train is going endlessly toward the goal. We are envisioning a goal, and meditation is taking us there.

In contemplation it is not like that. In contemplation we feel the entire universe and farthest Goal deep inside ourselves. When we are contemplating we feel that we are holding within ourselves the entire universe with all its infinite light, peace, bliss and truth. There is no thought, no form, no idea.

In contemplation everything is merged into one stream of consciousness. In our highest contemplation we feel that we are nothing but consciousness itself; we are one with the Absolute. But in our highest meditation there is a dynamic movement going on in our consciousness. We are fully aware of what is happening in the inner and the outer world, but we are not affected.

In contemplation, too, we are unaffected by what is going on in the inner and outer worlds, but our whole existence has become part and parcel of the universe, which we are holding deep inside us.

We concentrate because we want to reach the Goal. We meditate because we want to live in the heart of the Goal. We contemplate because we want to become the Goal.

Concentration, Meditation, and Contemplation

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2000 Generations One Race: Homo Sapiens
Now Playing: Y-chromosome and mtDNA tracers
Most scientists today agree that Homo sapiens -- modern human beings --originated in Africa some 200,000 years ago, and that between 60,000 and 100,000 years ago, small groups began migrating out of Africa and spreading out across the continents.

Over time, these groups of migratory humans became isolated from one another, and eventually mutation and other evolutionary pressures produced slight genetic changes, some of which are responsible for the differences in appearance we've commonly used to divide up human beings into racial groups. But periods of isolation were followed, as trade and transportation were developed, by periods of admixture -- the mixing of populations that had previously been separate.

A map of the migrations of early humans, as reconstructed via DNA studies.

By tracing slight changes in DNA and by combining that data with a calculation of the rate at which genetic material changes over time, researchers have been able to reconstruct the general pattern of the historical migrations of peoples across the globe, starting in East or South Africa and extending north into Europe and Asia and eastward to the Pacific Islands and through the Americas, to the tip of South America.

The research indicates that all humans alive today share a couple of common ancestors, a woman who lived in Africa around 150,000 years ago (with the 1st~ mtDNA marker), and a man who lived in Africa around 60,000 years ago (with the 1st~ Y-chromosome marker), at around the time human beings began to leave Africa to explore the rest of the world.

Considering that commonality, it's no surprise the amount of variation between even the most disparate groups of human beings is very small. It's estimated that people share some 99.9% of their DNA. Even looking at that .1% that does vary, 85% of the variation that has been observed is unconnected to membership in any particular group of people; only 15% of the variation is between defined groups. In fact, because as a species we spent the most time in Africa, the greatest amount of genetic variations are currently found among people living on the African continent -- on a genetic level, an individual of East African ancestry may have more in common with a European than with a West African.

Since the differences that separate groups of humans are truly miniscule -- amounting to a little more than one-tenth of one-tenth of a percent of the entire human genome -- researchers into the genetics of populations have to work with extremely minute variations in the code of life.

What they look for are genetic markers known as "single nucleotide polymorphisms" or SNPs (pronounced "snips"). These are single-"letter" variations, where one of the four bases that make up DNA -- adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), or thymine (T) -- is substituted for another at a specific point within a known gene. In particular, scientists look for and document SNPs whose frequency varies widely between different population groups.

These SNPs are referred to by scientists as being highly "informative," that is, they correspond to differences in ancestry, though they may not be within the genes that code for skin color, nose shape, hair texture, or any of the other physically observable characteristics we think of as indicating race.

While the actual science is quite complex, and depends heavily on statistics and information theory, one can think of a group of SNPs that occur together -- that is, they seem to be inherited together as a group -- as making up a "haplotype," and a group of haplotypes as a "haplogroup."

When the SNPs in question are highly informative -- that is, they have been observed to occur noticeably more often in one or more population groups than simply among human beings in general, they can be used to make deductions about the history of populations and the heritage of individuals.

Basically, these informative markers (and groups of informative markers linked in haplotypes and haplogroups) can be used to infer ancestry and linked to particular regions of the world or estabilished lines of descent, then simple DNA testing can be used to make surprisingly clear deductions about what sort of genetic heritage a particular person might have -- the very premise behind AFRICAN AMERICAN LIVES.

A map of the general distribution of genetic markers informative of ancestry among populations worldwide.

The map of admixture test results above shows both the variation and commonality among the world's population groups.

Four common groups of genetic markers are shown on this map: Blue indicates the markers found most widely in Europeans; maroon sub-Saharan Africans; beige East Asians; and aqua Native Americans. As you can see, there is a fair amount of shared genetic information among today's human beings -- even the "purest" African, Native American, East Asian, and European groups (marked with "P"s on the map) bear the genetic legacy of encounters with other groups.

While haplogroups are not directly analogous to races or ethnicities, certain haplotypes and haplogroups are observed more frequently in some groups of people than others. It's possible, in some sense, to think of these haplogroups and haplotypes as branches of the human family tree.

It's a far more complex and varied type of tree than 19th century theorists of race had in mind -- a better image to keep in mind might be a dense, intertwined network of roots, with new shoots springing up from a number of intersections.

Remember, over the course of human history populations have gone through periods of isolation and intermixing, so the difference between groups is largely a matter of different statistical frequencies of variations from an agreed-on standard, not a radical difference.

There is a biological dimension to what we understand as race, but it differs from the simplistic, linear understanding of racists who have sought to ground their ideologies in science. Looking at the human genome, race is nearly as complex a biological concept as it is a social one.

The Journey of Man: A Genetic Odyssey by Spencer Wells

Around 60,000 years ago, a man--identical to us in all important respects--lived in Africa. Every person alive today is descended from him. How did this real-life Adam wind up father of us all? What happened to the descendants of other men who lived at the same time? And why, if modern humans share a single prehistoric ancestor, do we come in so many sizes, shapes, and races?

Showing how the secrets about our ancestors are hidden in our genetic code, Spencer Wells reveals how developments in the cutting-edge science of population genetics have made it possible to create a family tree for the whole of humanity. We now know not only where our ancestors lived but who they fought, loved, and influenced.

Informed by this new science, The Journey of Man is replete with astonishing information. Wells tells us that we can trace our origins back to a single Adam and Eve, but that Eve came first by some 80,000 years.

We hear how the male Y-chromosome has been used to trace the spread of humanity from Africa into Eurasia, why differing racial types emerged when mountain ranges split population groups, and that the San Bushmen of the Kalahari have some of the oldest genetic markers in the world.

We learn, finally with absolute certainty, that Neanderthals are not our ancestors and that the entire genetic diversity of Native Americans can be accounted for by just ten individuals.

It is an enthralling, epic tour through the history and development of early humankind--as well as an accessible look at the analysis of human genetics that is giving us definitive answers to questions we have asked for centuries, questions now more compelling than ever.

Resources

According to the multi-regional model, an archaic form of humans left Africa between one and two million years ago, and modern humans evolved from them independently and simultaneously in pockets of Africa, Europe, and Asia.

Wells' work and that of others confirms the more widely accepted Out of Africa model, which says that all modern humans evolved in Africa and then left in several waves of migration, ultimately replacing any earlier species.

"Genetic evidence tells us that Homo sapiens are of recent origin and arose in Africa," said S. Blair Hedges, a molecular biologist at Pennsylvania State University.

"African populations have the most ancient alleles [gene pairs that code for specific traits] and the greatest genetic diversity, which means they're the oldest," Hedges explained. "Our species probably had arisen by 150,000 years ago, with a population of perhaps 10,000 individuals."

Chris Stringer, director of the Human Origins Program at the Natural History Museum in London, said: "The multi-regional model of Homo sapiens evolving globally over a long time scale is certainly dead."

Whether archaic humans and modern humans interbred is another point of debate. "Given the uncertainties, it isn't yet possible to establish whether we are entirely recent African in origin 'certainly my preference' or whether there was a little bit of hybridization/assimilation" between modern and archaic species," said Stringer.

Wells says there is no genetic evidence that supports the idea of intermixing, and several DNA studies actually argue strongly against it.

Today, there is general agreement that Homo erectus, the precursor to modern humans, evolved in Africa and gradually expanded to Eurasia beginning about 1.7 million years ago.

By around 100,000 years ago, several species of hominids populated the Earth, including H. sapiens in Africa, H. erectus in Southeast Asia and China, and Neandertals in Europe.

By around 30,000 years ago, the only surviving hominid species was H. sapiens.

But when did we leave Africa and where did we go? Here's where opinions diverge widely.

Wells says his evidence based on DNA in the Y-chromosome indicates that the exodus began between 60,000 and 50,000 years ago.

In his view, the early travelers followed the southern coastline of Asia, crossed about 250 kilometers [155 miles] of sea, and colonized Australia by around 50,000 years ago. The Aborigines of Australia, Wells says, are the descendants of the first wave of migration out of Africa.

Many archaeologists disagree, saying the fossil record shows that a first wave of migration occurred around 100,000 years ago.

"Archaeological evidence suggests that there were modern humans in at least two places in the Levant region of the Middle East 90,000 years ago," said Alison Brooks, a paleoanthropologist at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. "They disappear from the Levant about 10,000 years later, but could have survived further south in Asia? We just have no evidence."

"There's evidence of Homo sapiens in Australia 60,000 years ago, and they'd have to go through India and Southeast Asia to get there."

Wells agrees that there may have been early human forays into the Middle East, but argues that the Levant of 100,000 to 150,000 years ago was essentially an extension of northeastern Africa and was probably part of the original range of early Homo sapiens. These early settlers were replaced by Neandertals in the region about 80,000 years ago.

"There's a roughly 30,000-year gap in the archaeological record of Homo sapiens outside of Africa," said Wells. "The real expansion occurred in the Upper Paleolithic (around 40,000 years ago) into the uncharted territory of Asia proper."

Brooks agrees there's a gap, but puts it closer to 20,000 years.

Richard Klein, an anthropologist at Stanford University, has one explanation for the gap and the subsequent waves of colonization beginning around 45,000 years ago.

Klein thinks Homo sapiens may have been anatomically modern 150,000 years ago, but did not become behaviorally modern until about 50,000 years ago, when a genetic mutation related to cognition made us smarter.

He theorizes that this change in thinking ability enabled modern humans to craft sophisticated tools, build permanent lodgings, hunt more effectively, and possibly develop language. It also led to greater travel.

Other possible triggers for the burst of migration 45,000 years ago include an increase in population, which spurred competition and innovation; a change in diet, with consumption of more meat and fish; the acquisition of language; and climate change.

Populating the Globe

Wells says a second wave of hominids left Africa around 45,000 years ago, reproduced rapidly, and settled in the Middle East; smaller groups went off to India and China.

Isolated by mountains and the sea for many generations, and exposed to a colder climate and less sunlight than in Africa, the Asian populations became paler over time.

Around 40,000 years ago, as the grip of the Ice Age loosened and temperatures briefly became warmer, humans moved into Central Asia. Amid the bountiful grassy steppes, they multiplied quickly.

"If Africa was the cradle of mankind, then Central Asia was its nursery," said Wells.

Around 35,000 years ago, small groups left Central Asia for Europe. Cold temperatures kept them there. Cut off from other groups, these migrants became paler and shorter than their African ancestors.

From there, around 20,000 years ago, another small group of Central Asians moved farther north, into Siberia and the Arctic Circle. To minimize physical exposure to the extreme cold they developed, over many generations, stout trunks, stubby fingers, and short arms and legs.

Finally, around 15,000 years ago, as another Ice Age began to wane, one small clan of Arctic dwellers followed the reindeer herd over the Bering Strait land bridge into North America.

According to the genetic data, says Wells, this initial group may have included as few as two or three men, perhaps 10 to 20 people in all. Also isolated, they too acquired distinct physical characteristics.

Many archaeologists, however, believe that Australia, the Middle East, India, and China were inhabited much earlier.

"The dates don't compare well to the order or the geography of the migration patterns revealed by the fossil record," said Brooks. "Y-chromosome data give consistently younger dates than other types of genetic data, such as mitochondrial DNA."

Hedges said that "the dates of expansion and colonization discussed by Wells may be correct, but they almost appear to be too recent. Most geneticists are getting data that agree with most archaeological and fossil data." He noted, however, that all of the different methods used for dating can generate errors.

"If you step back a bit and look at the bigger picture, there is a lot more agreement in this field today than there was a decade ago," Hedges said.

"There's almost certainly not an Adam or Eve," said Tishkoff. "Each of our genes have their own history, which could be passed on from different ancestors. It's more likely that a lineage can be traced back to a population of 50, 100, or even several thousand people." Others agree.

"The fact that one man apparently gave rise to the Y-chromosome genes of all moderns does not mean he was our only male ancestor," said Stringer. "What it means is that his male progeny were more prolific breeders or luckier, and their Y genes survived while those of his contemporaries didn't. But those contemporaries could have passed on many other genes to present-day peoples."

That's "absolutely correct," said Wells, adding: "The real significance of the date of our common Y-chromosome ancestor, is that it effectively gives us an upper limit on when our species began to leave Africa."

One point of wide agreement among those who study human origins is that more and more insight will come from closer collaboration between disciplines.

"Greater discussion and collaboration between geneticists and paleoanthropologists would be good for both," said Stringer.

"It's worth bearing in mind," he said, "that studies of recent DNA are studies of the genes of the survivors. Such studies can't tell us anything about non-survivors, such as the Neandertals and Solo Man in Java. We still require fossils, archaeology, and, where possible, ancient DNA for the whole picture of human evolution."

Wells's work described in Journey of Man draws on genetics, palaeoanthropology, palaeoclimatology, archaeology, psychology, and linguistics.

"I really see the field as a collaborative, synthetic effort to make sense of our past," he said. "The notion that any single area of investigation, operating in isolation, could have all the answers is ludicrous."

National Geographic Human Origins Resources

HEALTH BOOST
Now Playing: Seven Day Plan to Eating and Living Healthier
Rid your diet of allergens and additives, rethink your approach to food, and gain energy—all in the course of a week. What better way to start spring?

Body and Soul

Body and Soul says that within the first week, you will develope paranormal energy reserves, the likes of which you hadn't seen since kindergarten when you live healthier.

"I would spring out of bed at the crack of dawn with more vigor and exhilaration than I knew what to do with. More than anything, I felt unprecedentedly, indescribably healthy."

This change in healthy living is brought about by "eliminating foods that commonly increase toxins and inflammation, while encouraging your body to metabolize and release stored toxins."

Health experts tell us that "the root cause of many diseases is inflammation. So detox plans that follow the basic tenets of an anti-inflammatory diet (limit intake of foods high in omega-6 fatty acids and refined carbs, increase intake of omega-3s, whole grains, and antioxidant-rich produce)" will make you much more healthier.

1)- The first step is to eliminate wheat, dairy, and overly fatty foods and track how you feel each day.

Health Plan don'ts (and dos)
What's the core idea behind the Body+Soul detox plan? Making a shift away from allergenic, inflammatory, or just plain unhealthy foods. We've targeted those that contain artificial additives, hormones, saturated fats, or allergy-promoting substances?and put organic, nonallergenic, whole foods in their place. Use this chart to stay on track.

Avoid Meat (beef, pork, and lamb) and all types of poultry
Why? Can contain added hormones and antibiotics
Choose Ocean game fish such as halibut and salmon, which contain high levels of healthy omega-3 fatty acids

Avoid Potentially allergenic protein sources (dairy products, eggs, soy products)
Why? Aside from causing allergies in some people, dairy and eggs often contain antibiotics; dairy can cause mild-to-severe digestive distress
Choose Raw, unsalted nuts and nut butters (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, and walnuts); raw, unsalted seeds (flax, pumpkin, sesame, and sunflower); beans and peas (adzuki, chickpea, kidney, lentil, navy, and pinto); and sprouts (lentil, mung, and pea)

Avoid Partially hydrogenated oils and saturated fats
Why? Pose health risks
Choose Healthy oils (such as cold- and expeller pressed organic olive and sesame oils)

Avoid Carbonated water in the form of seltzer or in soda
Why? Can cause bloating, unnecessarily stressing the body during cleansing
Choose Fresh, filtered water, which helps the body flush out toxins

Avoid Common allergenic grains (corn, wheat, and white flour) and derived products (breads, cereals, and crackers)
Why? Overprocessed; potential allergenic reactions include headache, diarrhea, and irritable bowel syndrome
Choose Unrefined, fiber-rich, nonallergenic grains (amaranth, buckwheat, oats, quinoa, brown and wild rice) in whole form rather than in breads and pastas

Avoid Citrus fruits (grapefruit, lemon, orange, tangerine, and lime)
Why? Can be allergenic
Choose All other fruits in natural, whole, organic form (rather than juiced or dried)

Avoid Nightshade vegetables (eggplants, peppers, white/yellow potatoes, tomatoes)
Why? Potentially allergenic for some people
Choose Antioxidant-rich leafy greens (bok choy, collard greens, dandelion, kale, mustard greens, romaine, and spinach) and other colorful vegetables (carrot, pumpkin, yam, and yellow squash)

Avoid Condiments (bouillon, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, soy sauce, and tamari)
Why? Highly processed; many contain refined sugars and additives
Choose Flavorful herbs that enhance digestion, such as basil, bay leaf, cinnamon, cumin, fennel, garlic, ginger, marjoram, oregano, rosemary, and sage

Avoid All sources of refined and artificial sugar and corn syrup (found in sodas, alcohol, desserts, and sugar-free gum and diet drinks)
Why? Both refined and artificial sugars pose health risks when used in excess
Choose Unrefined sugars (honey, maple syrup, and rice syrup) in modest quantities


Seven-Day Detox Plan
DAY 1: Clean Up
Before you embark on this seven-day plan, read our general guidelines ("Detox Basics," above) to identify any contraindications that may apply. You'll also learn how best to approach the plan so that you maximize its benefits. On Day 1, you'll begin swapping nutritionally problematic foods for healthier ones. See "Detox Don'ts (and Dos)," above, for an overview. Don't be surprised if you feel moody or headachy as a result, especially if you normally drink caffeine. This response will likely lessen in the coming days.
+ Start drinking 8 glasses of filtered water and walking for at least 20 minutes daily.
+ Eliminate caffeine.
+ Eliminate alcoholic drinks.
+ Eliminate soda and all other carbonated beverages.
+ Get protein from wild salmon, halibut, nuts (raw, unsalted), beans, and peas-as well as sprouts like lentil and mung.
+ Eliminate meat and poultry.
+ Replace refined sugars and artificial sweeteners with sparing doses of honey, maple syrup, and brown rice syrup.
+ Eliminate all processed foods made with white flour.
+ Start a food journal. Track mealtimes, the foods you consume, and how you feel.

DAY 2: Boost Nutrients
Now that you've eliminated the main nutritional offenders, it's time to fine-tune your diet. Today you'll choose those vegetables that lend extra nutrient support as you detox. You may be experiencing general malaise. Drink more water and add small servings of nuts to keep your energy up.
+ Go 100 percent organic.
+ Vary your vegetables. Eat plenty of colorful veggies, including dark leafy greens.
+ Eliminate nightshade vegetables: eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers.
+ Enjoy fruit, but avoid all types of citrus and dried fruit.
+ Eat fresh foods; eliminate canned and packaged foods.
+ Avoid condiments. Season your meals with flavorful herbs and spices instead.

Day 3: Ditch Dairy
Today's task can prove surprisingly difficult (unless you're a vegan). But because dairy products-and soy-can cause allergies, eliminating them will give your body a break.
+ Remove all dairy.
+ Eliminate eggs.
+ Eliminate soy. Replace soy milk with almond or rice milk.
+ Practice healthy snacking, which will benefit you nutritionally and emotionally, as you make your way through the plan. Try apple slices with a dollop of almond nut butter; cabbage leaves filled with raw vegetables; or carrot sticks and frozen grapes.
+ Add seeds (such as sunflower or pumpkin) to your diet. As with nuts, opt for raw and unsalted.

Day 4: Good Grains
You're now ready to make the final dietary shift, eliminating potentially allergenic grains. With your nutritional changes complete, focus on visualizing the cleansing process that's under way. Doing this helps you "see yourself clean," says Deborah Musso at Sea Change, and mentally supports your body's efforts to cleanse.
+ Eliminate any potentially allergenic grain, including all wheat-derived products, such as bread and crackers. Try amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, oats, and wild rice instead.
+ Cut out corn and its derivatives (such as tortilla chips and corn breads). Instead of corn oil, cook with olive oil and use sesame and flax oils for flavor.

Day 5: Slow Down
The next two days emphasize good self-care. When you detox, your energy levels may wane as your body uses energy to eliminate. You may also be feeling cranky or antsy, so take this day to focus inward.
+ Counter any symptoms of comfort-food withdrawal with creative snacks. Try "baklava oatmeal," made with rolled oats, honey, and pistachios-and other invented treats.
+ Practice non-food ways to satisfy yourself, such as yoga or tai chi, but avoid fast-paced aerobic activity.

Day 6: Pamper Yourself
Indulge yourself today. Enjoy your favorite home-spa treatments, or try one of these ideas.
+ Take a warm shower and apply your favorite salt or sugar scrub to your entire body in circular motions.
+ Get a massage.
+ Give yourself a steam facial. Cover your head with a towel and lean over a bowl of boiled, herb-infused water (try chamomile or eucalyptus).

Day 7: Take Stock
Now that you've reached the final day, how do you feel? Eager to make the transition back to your regular diet? Ready for more cleansing? Either way, note the mind/body boost you feel?and consider making detox part of your regular program for health.
+ If you're ready to resume your normal diet, start with the foods you suspect may negatively affect your system (such as dairy or refined carbs). Eat one group at a time for a few days to see how it affects you. Then permanently remove any problem foods from your diet.
+ If you'd like to continue beyond the seven days, learn more about health living.

Dancing With Neutrinos
Now Playing: NOVA - 21 Feb 2006


Nova Neutrino (Ghost Particle) Homepage

2001 Standard Model of the Universe ---> The Theory of Everything (11D)

1- Neutrinos have some mass and travel less than the speed of light. They also have no electrical charge.

2- Neutrinos have three flavors: electron, muons and taus.

3- Neutrinos oscillate from electron to muon to tau flavors etc..

4- Everything is descended from neutrinos

Neutrino Timeline

There is still a mystery about where are all the anti-particles that were supposedly formed with the "Big Bang?"

The Standard Model of particle physics must be modified.

The transcript of the television program is usually available one to three weeks after the original broadcast date.

Common Cold Cures

Herbs and Supplements for the common cold

Learn more about the common cold

Astragalus
Celery Seed
Echinacea
Eucalyptus
Garlic
German Chamomile
Goldenrod
Goldenseal
Licorice
Linden
Marshmallow
Peppermint
Siberian Ginseng
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
Wild yam
Yarrow
Zinc

Learn more about each herb.

University of Maryland Medical Center Complementary Medicine Program