12 Reasons to Avoid Acids and Stay Alkaline (Basic)

http://www.energiseforlife.com/wordpress/2006/07/25/12-reasons-to-avoid-acids-and-stay-alkaline/

From Alkaline Diet: "If you have read my post on acidosis & avoiding acids then you will know a little bit about how being acid is not the best of ideas if you want to remain healthy, vibrant and full of energy."

Well, here are my top twelve reasons to avoid acids & stay alkaline!

ACIDOSIS:

1. Makes Us Fat! As discussed in the acidosis post I mentioned earlier - the body creates fat cells in order to protect our organs from excess acids. The fat is designed to carry these acid wastes away to other, less critical areas of the body and it clings to these organs to provide protection. Once the body is rid of acid wastes (through a healthier diet and exercise) it no longer needs to hang onto these fats for protection and it lets them go.

   Alongside this - weight problems are also compounded by the result of yeast and fungus overgrowths wreaking havoc on our digestive systems. And guess what - yeast and fungus thrive in an acidic environment. Because your body is now not able to properly process foods and extract the full nutrition from the foods that you eat - your body is always telling you that you are hungry. To compound this problem, the yeasts and fungus have the greatest shout in this signal to the brain - and what do they make you hungry for - more sugar, which further fuels the yeast growth.

   Following a diet of mostly alkaline foods (fresh and raw vegetables, salads, fresh alkaline fruits, seeds, nuts and pure alkaline water) will clean your system of the yeast, fungus and microform overgrowth and will flush your body of the excess survival fat that it has been clinging onto (literally for dear life!).

2. Robs Us of Energy! Principally, over-acidity will cause our body to leach alkaline minerals from our bones, muscles and other tissues to ensure that the blood maintains its delicate alkaline balance. This removal of alkaline minerals (particularly calcium) inhibits efficient and effective cellular and body metabolism - making us sluggish, tired and cloudy. Put most simply - over acidification drains our bodies of energy and inhibits the body’s ability to use stored energy reserves. And as if that was not enough - with the leaching of calcium from our bones, osteoporosis very often follows.
3. Causes Allergies:The mycotoxins that thrive in an acidic environment severly stress the immune system leading to it being constantly overworked and stimulated into response mode. The result of this is absurdly heightened sensitivity to nutrition and chemicals is what is more commonly known as an allergy. Excess mucus, soreness, swelling, eczema etc are all ways for the body to eliminate toxins.
4. Causes Free-Radical Damage and Premature Aging!: Acidosis is a symptom of - and a cause of - oxidative stress and lipid breakdown. The effect of this is that free radical damage is then promoted, attacking cell walls and membranes before killing the cells themselves. The outcome of this? Wrinkles, age spots, dysfunctional hormonal systems, poor eyesight, bad memory and foggy thinking - at the very least. Healthy cells are essential to almost every body process - so premature aging could become the least of your concerns!
5. Causes Excess Mucus:Mucus is normal. It is just another mechanism by which the body eliminates toxins - it coats everything we ingest and engulfs the toxins. When toxins are engulfed the mucus becomes sticky, thick and cloudy in order to trap the toxins in. Acidic foods and drinks always contain toxins which cause so much mucus that we seem to be constantly blowing our noses! The worst offenders are dairy products, animal protein, white flour and pastas, chocolate, coffee and alcohol
6. Corrodes and Destroys Veins, Arteries and Heart Tissues! Acid is corrosive - and overly acidic blood and bodily fluids almost immediately begins to erode and destroy cell walls of the heart, veins and arteries - leading to a much weakened cardiovascular system.
7. Inhibits the Metabolism of Fatty Acids! Fatty acids are absolutely essential to the proper functioning of the brain and nervous system - without them any number of neurological problems can arise (including depression, bipolar and other mental health problems, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, brain development and learning in children, mood swings, ADHD and many more).
8. Causes Bad Cholesterol Problems! When we create an acidic environment in our bodies - the body creates LDL-Cholesterol at an accelerated rate. This LDL Cholesterol then causes huge amounts of clogging and cardiovascular problems.
9. Increases Blood Pressure! With the acid problems above, including increased LDL Cholesterol and compromised cell health - the heart has to work increasingly harder to move blood around the body. Acidosis is also to blame for venous vasoconstriction (meaning a decrease in diameter of the blood vessels) - which further adds to the workload of the heart and raises blood pressure!
10. Inhibits the Synthesis of DNA-RNA and Cellular Regeneration! For healthy cell regeneration and DNA-RNA synthesis - a cell pH CANNOT BE ACIDIC. On the flip side of this - for a cancer cell to grow, the cell pH HAS TO BE ACIDIC! An acid pH dramatically accelerates the possibility of the formation of mutated cells - otherwise known as cancer. Cancerous cells cannot contain hydrogen atoms - and healthy (alkaline balanced) cells contain plenty of hydrogen. In fact, the addition of hydrogen to cancerous cells actually heals them!
11. Stops Oxygen Delivery to Tissues! When our body’s are suffering from over-acidification the problem becomes compounded by the fact that an acid pH decreases the amount of oxygen than can reach our cells. Without oxygen our cells die!
12. AND FINALLY - AS A RESULT OF THIS: ACIDOSIS IS THE BASIS OF ALMOST ALL DEGENERATIVE DISEASES! A system that is riddled with excess acids and their wastes is compromised in so many ways - including hundreds of ways that are not even mentioned above! But even from this short list it is possible to see how acidosis can directly lead to:
    • cardiovascular disease (high blood pressure, heart attacks, arteriosclerosis, stroke, high cholesterol etc)
    • diabetes & obesity
    • liver & kidney disease
    • cancer - in any form
    • neurological diseases
    • immune system deficiencies
    • premature aging
    • hormonal problems & imbalances
    • osteoporosis

Young Coconut

One of our experimental food items for the weekend (besides the jackfruit) was a “young coconut”.

Young coconuts are the immature (young) versions of their brown hairy, adult selves. They are white, hard, and are cut into an odd shape by their growers for better shipping and use. Young coconuts are highly nutritious, delicious, and easy to digest. The young coconuts, also known as Thai, jelly, shaved, green, asian, or water coconuts, are usually found in Asian grocery stores. (That’s where we found ours.) They are white and cylindrical with a point on the top. The mineral rich water is very sweet and should be used in recipes in place of water. The coconut tree acts as a water filter and it takes 9 months to create one liter. The coconut water is identical to human blood plasma and has a similar electrolyte balance.

Here’s a young coconut recipe I want to try:

Sweet Double Coconut Chia Pudding
- Makes 1-2 servings

1 young coconut, flesh and water
1/2 cup coconut flakes
2/3 cup chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
Pinch cloves
8 drops vanilla stevia (or plain stevia and some vanilla extract)

Blend together the young coconut flesh and water, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves and stevia until well mixed. Place the chia seeds and coconut flakes in a bowl and pour the coconut mixture from the blender over the top of the dry seeds and coconut flakes. Mix well and put in the fridge to set for ten minutes.

Raw Diet

I think this is going to be my new lifestyle. I’ve been eating a mostly raw diet (70% to 80%) for over two weeks – and I feel really good. I’ve lost 8 pounds – and am feeling less achy in my joints. Pretty cool for just over two weeks!!

So here’s the basic premise: The basics of a raw food are simple. You eat only uncooked, unprocessed, fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and oils. The idea is that foods heated above 110 to 120 degrees kills enzymes. The health-giving qualities of food are locked into enzymes. We can acquire more enzymes in raw and living foods. The digestive system has to work harder and longer to process cooked foods to get nutrition and energy from it. Once cooked, a food can lose up to 85 percent of its nutritional value. Raw foodists call that "dead food." Since we are essentially what we eat, consuming the dead energy of dead foods make our bodies feel heavy and stagnant.

A raw foods diet has been linked to more energy, healthier skin, a reduced risk of heart disease and better digestion. Things like allergies, digestive disorders (GERD), weak immune system, high cholesterol, candida and weight problems may be improved on a raw foods diet.

One of my main goals is to make my body more basic (people usually call this “alkaline”). The theory on this is that if your body is slightly basic/alkaline, it’s too harsh an environment for disease to survive in. I’m looking for this change in my diet to help with my reflux, blood sugar issues and weight – and the weight improvement should help with my blood pressure and sleep apnea. I have high hopes for this diet/lifestyle. Can you tell? Well, I’m already feeling more energy, improvement in achiness and have lost some weight, so let’s see what happens! P.S. – The food is really yummy!!

Depression and Serotonin

I have a theory that my family has a problem with an imbalance of serotonin or some other neurotransmitter - and that's why we have such a high incidence of depression and being overweight. Here's an article that explains how that works - and some things you can do to improve how neurotransmitters work in your body:

Depression and Serotonin: What's the Connection?
http://www.integrativepsychiatry.net/depression_and_serotonin.html

By Valerie Balandra ARNP,BC

Depression is one of the most common and treatable of all mental illnesses. One in four women and one in 10 men can expect to develop it during their lifetime. Studies have shown that people suffering from depression have imbalances of neurotransmitters, natural substances that allow brain cells to communicate with one another. Two transmitters implicated in depression are serotonin and norepinephrine. Neurotransmitters are powerful chemicals that regulate numerous physical and emotional processes such as mental performance, emotional states and pain response. Virtually all functions in life are controlled by neurotransmitters.

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter with many important functions in the brain and body Serotonin deficiency is a common contributor to mood problems. Some feel it is an epidemic in the United States. Serotonin is key to our feelings of happiness and very important for our emotions because it helps defend against both anxiety and depression. Many of the current biochemical theories of depression focus on the biogenic amines, which are a group of chemical compounds important in neurotransmission—most importantly norepinephrine, serotonin and, to a lesser extent, dopamine, acetylcholine and epinephrine.

What causes or contributes to Serotonin Deficiency?

• Prolonged periods of stress can deplete serotonin levels. Our fast paced, fast food society greatly contributes to these imbalances.
• Genetic factors, faulty metabolism, and digestive issues can impair absorption and breakdown of our food which reduces are ability to build serotonin.
• Poor Diet. Neurotransmitters are made in the body from proteins. Also required are certain vitamins and minerals called "cofactors". If your nutrition is poor and you do not take in enough protein, vitamins, or minerals to build the neurotransmitters, a neurotransmitter imbalance develops. We really do think and feel what we eat.
• Toxic substances like heavy metals, pesticides, drug use, and some prescription drugs can cause permanent damage to the nerve cells that make serotonin and other neurotransmitters.
• Certain drugs and substances such as caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, NutraSweet, antidepressants, and some cholesterol lowering medications deplete serotonin and other neurotransmitter levels.
• Hormone changes cause low levels of serotonin and neurotransmitter imbalances.
• Lack of sunlight contributes to low serotonin levels

Symptoms
You may have a shortage of serotonin if you have a sad depressed mood, low energy, negative thoughts, feel tense and irritable, crave sweets, and have a reduced interest in sex. Other serotonin related disorders include:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic Attacks
• Insomnia
• Irritable bowel
• PMS/ Hormone dysfunction
• Fibromyalgia
• Obesity
• Eating disorders
• Obsessions and Compulsions
• Muscle pain
• Chronic Pain
• Alcohol abuse
• Migraine Headaches

How do I know if Serotonin is deficient?

Neurotransmitter testing, Questionnaires, and blood testing can help determine if you might have a serotonin deficiency. Certain test can determine if you have normal levels of the precursors and co-factor vitamins and minerals needed for the brain to produce serotonin. Additionally, hormones such as Adrenal, Thyroid, and Estrogen levels can affect serotonin levels and may explain why some women have pre-menstrual and menopausal mood problems.

How to raise serotonin levels naturally

Prescription drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, and Lexapro are classified as serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or (SSRI's). They help to keep more of the serotonin your brain is making in circulation. They are used for a wide variety of symptoms such as depression, panic attacks, anxiety, PTSD, obsessions, and compulsions. There are serotonin/norepinephrine re-uptake inhibitors (SNRI's) such as Effexor and Cymbalta that keep more serotonin and norepinephrine in circulation.

Nutrient therapies such as Targeted Amino Acid Therapy naturally increase the levels of neurotransmitters that a person has been found to be deficient in.5 hydroxytryptophan and Tryptophan are widely known for their ability to help depressive symptoms by raising serotonin levels in the brain.. Numerous clinical trials have studied the efficacy of 5-HTP for treating depression. One compared 5-HTP to the antidepressant drug fluvoxamine and found 5-HTP to be equally effective.

It can be used alone or in combination with medication to keep dosages low and to prevent the "poop out" many people experience with medication.

• tryptophan —> 5-HTP —> serotonin

Herbal Remedies such as St. Johns Wort are available to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Some work in a similar way to the SSRI antidepressants.

Things you can do to increase your serotonin levels and improve overall health.

• Exercise at least 30 minutes three times a week.
• Walking, yoga, stretching.
• Get plenty of sunlight.
• Drink 6-8 glasses of water daily
• Prayer and meditation

Eat at least three meals per day. Skipping meals promotes high stress and low energy. Eat protein with every meal. Eat Complex carbohydrates such as brown rice. Avoid sugar, junk food, white pasta, white rice, white bread, cookies and cake. No Caffeine, alcohol, or NutraSweet (aspartame). NutraSweet can be toxic to your brain. Alcohol can worsen depression, anxiety, and sleep problems.

Cancer - 5 Best / 5 Worst Foods

Cancer Prevention - 5 Natural Foods That Prevent Cancer (BEST)
http://ezinearticles.com/?Cancer-Prevention---5-Natural-Foods-That-Prevent-Cancer&id=1798898

The national cancer institute as well as world cancer research fund believes in healthy eating to prevent cancer. The five important foods to be incorporated in our daily diet for preventing cancer are as follows:

Vegetables:

Broccoli, cauliflower, onion, garlic, carrot, sweet potato, spinach, beans, avocado, lettuce, asparagus are some of the vegetables to be included in our daily meal to protect ourselves from cancer. Broccoli, cauliflower, kale contains antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin which help reduce the risk of prostate or any other form of cancer. Beans, spinach, lettuce, avocado contain folate which is a preventive food for pancreatic cancer. Tomatoes and sweet potatoes are rich source of beta carotene, a preventive vitamin. Vegetables should be preferably taken in raw form as they are richer in nutrients.

Fruits:

Another important food group to be included in our day to day life for avoiding cancer. Fresh, organically cultivated fruits eaten in raw form or extracted as juice prove healthy for an individual. Fruits like banana, grapefruit, orange, papaya, red grapes, strawberries, raspberries; blueberries are few important fruits which help reduce cancer. Papaya is believed to prevent the absorption of nitrosamines from processed food and cultivation soil, which are major cause of cancer. While banana is rich in potassium and red grapes are rich in bioflavonoid; the berries too are believed to possess anti cancerous nutrients.

Fish:

This white meat is rich in Omega 3s and essential fatty acids which act as a preventive measure against breast cancer. They are healthy for our heart and brain. The fish oil is believed to protect from prostate and colon cancer.

Liquids:

drinking lots of water, juice, green tea and chai is essential for keeping our body healthy. Drinking 5 liters of water everyday washes down all the toxins from our body. While vegetable and fruit juices provide essential nutrients and vitamins. Green tea is a rich source of antioxidant. It has been proven by the American institute of cancer research that green tea contains phytochemicals which are believed to stop the transformation of normal cells to cancerous cells.

Soy:

it is a rich source of protein. At the same time soy is also believed to be rich is phytochemicals responsible for prevention of breast cancer. Soy can be taken daily as soy milk, tofu, granules, pulse. Any form of soy proves beneficial except the processed form. We should avoid soy chips rich in salt as well as other processed soy snacks. In fact any form of processed food be it salami, chips, sausages or cool drinks is unhealthy and major cause of different kinds of cancer.

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Top 5 Cancer Causing Foods (WORST)
http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-5-Cancer-Causing-Foods&id=1780435

Have you ever wondered which foods are best to avoid when trying to prevent cancer?

The secret is to be able to identify which foods contain ingredients that are carcinogens, or cancer promoters. Once you know which ingredients will end up giving you cancer, you can read labels and avoid those foods altogether.

So, what are the ingredients to avoid?

Let's start with sugar. One of the ways cancerous tumors develop is by feeding on sugar in the bloodstream. If you are continuously overloading your body with sugar you're giving your body what it needs for cancer to flourish.

Next is sodium nitrite. This chemical is added to certain foods... mostly lunch meats and bacon...on purpose in order to make it look reddish and fresh. Once upon a time, meats were preserved with salt, but manufacturers eventually switched to this much more dangerous form of meat preservation.

Then there's hydrogenated oils. When oils are heated in the presence of hydrogen and metal catalysts, it makes them hydrogenated. this preserves the shelf life, but also creates trans fats. Aside from causing cancer, trans fats are bad for your heart and can even interrupt metabolic processes.

Finally, there's the acrylamide factor. Acrylamides are created during the frying process, when starchy foods are subject to high temperatures.

And so, taking all of the above into consideration...the top 5 cancer causing foods are:

1. Hot Dogs - Usually preserved with sodium nitrite and full of fat (among other things!)
2. Donuts - These contain hydrogenated oils, sugar, white flour and acrylamides. Talk about the perfect cancer causing food!
3. French Fries - Often made with hydrogenated oils. There would also be acrylamides present.
4. Processed meats and bacon - Lots of saturated fat and nitrites. You can find some without, but you'll have to ask.
5. Chips & crackers - Usually have white flour, sugar, and trans fats. many manufacturers also hide MSG in the form of yeast extract, and mess around with serving sizes so you actually take in a lot more bad stuff than you think.

There you have it. Avoid these foods most of the time and you're well on your way to avoiding that dreaded 'C' word altogether.

If you or someone you care about is already past the point of prevention...or if you'd just like some resources to help others...there are over 350 natural, non-toxic cancer treatments that have been proven to work and you can find them here: http://killcancernow.blogspot.com

To your health!

...so what's the story on Ezekiel Bread?

Ezekiel Bread Is Living Grains

http://www.wowyouarereallylucky.com/food-choices/ezekiel-bread-is-living-grains.htm

Ezekiel Bread Is The Best

Ezekiel brand bread is my favorite bread. It is one of the best made breads available at the grocery store. Ezekiel bread is not made with whole grain flour, but sprouted grains. It is flour-less. It is truly 100% live grain bread, and certified organic. Living grains are not ground into flour, but sprouted with warm water to allow the live vitamins and nutrients to become more intense. The sprouting process not only increases vitamins and minerals but also causes a natural change that allows the protein and carbohydrates to be more easily absorbed.

Ezekiel Has Only Good Ingredients

The ingredients list is simple and clean: organic, sprouted wheat, barley, millet, lentils, soybeans, spelt, yeast and sea salt. That is it. No flour, preservatives, or chemicals. Ezekiel bread comes in many flavors: Cinnamon Raisin, Sesame, Sprouted Wheat.

Good Choice For Vegetarians

All of the breads are low glycemic, low carb with only 15 grams of carb per slice. Each slice has 4 grams of protein and 4 grams of fiber. Due to the variety of sprouted grains in the bread, Ezekiel bread is a complete protein and a terrific choice for everyone especially vegetarians.

Good bread is hard to find

I would prefer a fresh made bread. Unfortunately, you will not find any decent choices of breads at the grocery store other than Ezekiel. Most of the bread in the fresh bread section is a blend of whole grain and white flour. When you do find a 100% whole grain (as listed in the ingredient list), then it carries high fructose corn syrup, other sugars, chemicals, bread conditioners or hydrogenated fats in the ingredient list. If you can find a good quality bakery in your area, you may be able to find a quality bread made with whole grains and other quality ingredients. Remember it must say whole or 100% or stone ground in the ingredient list right in front of the grain type. It is hard to find true whole grain, because the grocery store choices are few and far between and the bakery frequently doesn’t have their ingredient list available. Ask to see the ingredient list. It is their responsibility to have it for you. If they don’t have it, then don’t by their bread. If you can not find a fresh whole grain flour bread at a bakery near you then try Ezekiel Bread. It is found in the freezer case of your favorite grocery store.

http://www.foodforlife.com/sprouted-grain-difference/ezekiel-4-9.html

The Superfoods

What is a “Super Food”? http://www.superfoodsrx.com/superfoods/

Well, the most important thing for everyone to know is that superfoods are easy to find in every local supermarket. They’re worth looking for!

These nutritional powerhouse foods are loaded with nutrients crucial to a healthy, long life.

If you can include a variety of them in your diet, everyday, we promise they will change your life!

These foods were chosen because they contain high concentrations of crucial nutrients, as well as the fact that many of them are low in calories. Foods containing these nutrients have been proven to help prevent and, in some cases, reverse the well-known effects of aging, including cardiovascular disease, Type II Diabetes, hypertension and certain cancers.

When you click on each superfood you’ll find information including a list of the primary nutrients that elevated them to superfood status.

Apples
Avocado
Beans
Blueberries
Broccoli
Cinnamon
Dark Chocolate
Dried SuperFruits
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Garlic
Honey
Kiwi
Low Fat Yogurt
Oats
Onions
Oranges
Pomegranates
Pumpkin
Soy
Spinach
Tea
Tomatoes
Turkey
Walnuts
Wild Salmon