Category Archives for "guest/interview"
August 17, 2016
- in guest/interview , health by allan
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The hidden toxins lurking in your food | Mike Adams
In his book, Food Forensics, Mike Adams (aka the “Health Ranger”) reveals some terrible toxins that lurk in the food we eat. Mike has dedicated himself to performing laboratory evaluation of the foods we eat and reports the results.
Lead
Lead and other heavy metals are often in the food we eat, even when it is organic. The key to avoiding toxins like lead is to look at the country of origin. China and India have shown to have a higher contamination of heavy metals, such as lead. Whereas the United States, Canada, and Europe is very clean. Mike grows much of his own and I buy most of my vegetables and meat from local farmers.
Lead tends to be stored in our bones in place calcium. It does this when proper calcium intake is not sufficient. It is critical to get calcium from plants as our bodies are not able to absorb the mineral calcium that is provided by most supplements. As we age and our bones break down (osteopenia), lead that had accumulated in our bones over our lives can release lead, damaging our kidneys.
Bisphenol A (BPA)
BPA is a chemical in our plasticware. It is an endocrine disruptor. which means it will affect your hormones. It can cause cancer in women and feminization in men. This disruption can be quite devastating to your body. You should avoid plasticware whenever you can, and you should never heat food in a plastic container.
Aspartame
I had an addiction to Diet Coke. Over the years, people kept telling me I needed to stop. It wasn't easy, but I managed to kick that habit.
The artificial sweetener, aspartame is poison. It distorts our natural taste preferences, causing us to eat more. It also causes us to choose unhealthy foods and beverages. But you can re-adjust your taste threshold with some effort.
Lifetime Detox
The good news: our bodies can clean themselves if we work to avoid the toxins and eat things that can help us defend against those we can't. Avoid the extreme detox supplements. They can be quite dangerous. Consider every meal an opportunity to detox. You are constantly in the process of rebuilding your blood and body. If you give your body good food, you will be building yourself with better, cleaner materials.
Sharable Quote:
Ask yourself, how do I wish to feel and perform tomorrow? – Mike Adams
Links:
August 15, 2016
- in fitness , guest/interview by allan
Play Golf Forever | Suzanne Clark
Yes, we're staying on our “play” theme for just one more episode. In episode 136, I explained how playing sports can help keep you motivated to workout as a way of improving your performance on the court, field, or in this case, golf course. Our guest, Suzanne Clark, author of Play Golf Forever, shows you how to make sure that you're in shape for golf, but these lessons are applicable to any sport you choose to do.
Key take aways from this episode:
Sarcopenia is a muscle wasting that affects us as we age. It can begin as early as age 30. Most of us will lose 1% of our muscle mass each year, which means we've lost 30% or more by the time we're in our 60s. Resistance exercise is the best way to slow or stop sarcopenia.
To avoid injury on the course, players should:
- Get lessons: Taking golf lessons will ensure you're swinging the club properly and help you avoid injury.
- Conditioning: Having an “off the course” workout program can ensure your body is properly conditioned for the game.
- Warm up: Have a regimen of warming up before you practice or play. Having your muscles warm and primed for the work ahead does matter and so many golfers skip this step.
With attention to your body you can ensure you stay healthy and uninjured. And then you can play golf forever.
Contact Suzanne Clark at: Fitter Forever
August 3, 2016
- in guest/interview , health , mindset , weight loss by julie
Why can’t I stop? | Dr. Bruce Odlaug
Brian Odlaug received a PhD from the University of Copenhagen in Public Health. He is knowledgeable about and conducts seminars on the topic of behavioral addiction. His new book, Why Can’t I Stop, takes a closer look at behavioral addiction.
When it comes to eating and nutrition, many people wonder if they’re actually addicted to sugar. If so, this addiction is more of an emotional and behavioral issue than simply a lack of will-power. In fact, behavioral addictions are remarkably common. They are under recognized when compared to substance addictions. Often times, there is shame and secrecy involved, and the addiction will go unnoticed and untreated. Many people will continue to function normally in their work and relationships. Over time however, their lack of presence and financial or health consequences may become evident.
So how is a food addiction diagnosed? It’s actually not a formal diagnostic set, but there are certain questions to ask and specific behaviors to look for. Typically, it’s not just the quantity of food consumed, but it involves food consumed over a longer period of time. The individual knows there are consequences to consuming the food and they have a desire to cut back, but they are unsuccessful in attempts to limit themselves. They may even give up other activities to prioritize eating. Cravings and urges are common. Those addicted to food can even become irritable or restless when they are unable to eat. Essentially, if you don’t have the ability to control your urges, you may have a problem.
So how can one overcome a food addiction? Key strategies include eating only at specific meal times, not eating alone, and removing unhealthy foods from the home. Understand your triggers and fill your time with other fun activities. Family members can also get involved by modeling healthy relationships with food, helping with cooking and controlling meals, and encouraging fun and healthy activities.
If you are struggling with a behavioral addiction, you are not alone. Though the solution may require seeing a physician and taking medication, the addiction can be addressed.
August 1, 2016
- in guest/interview , health by julie
Movement for self-healing | Meir Schneider
Dr. Meir Schneider is the founder and head teacher of the School for Self-Healing in San Francisco. Born blind, Dr. Schneider taught himself to see and developed a program for healing and recovery for others. He is also the author of Movement for Self-Healing.
Dr. Schneider explains that everyone has to deal with aging and many will experience back problems. A back injury can be debilitating and prevent people from feeling like they can move. Though the body contains more than 600 muscles, the ones that are commonly used are overused with great intensity. This can cause the muscles to become more spastic and tense, and can lead to immobility, arthritis, and back problems. To age properly, we must become more flexible and start to use the muscles we have never used before. One reason why is because humans are connected organisms. If we are not using one part of our bodies appropriately, this will be reflected in every other part of body.
In our modern world, we sit on chairs and walk on cement. This can tighten the muscles in the hip and lower back. When the lower back can’t support the rest of the back, the neck begins to hurt and you will begin to slouch as a result. Often times, the best solution for back pain is to stand up and look in the distance. To become stronger and better as we age, we need to stretch and move frequently.
Surprisingly, emotions can play a large role in causing back problems. The connection between the body and mind is powerful. Stress and negativity can cause the muscles to be tense. A massage that incorporates movement can also be quite helpful.
The key to self-healing is finding the muscles you never knew you had, opening them up, connecting your body and mind, and relaxing your muscles. Following these steps will help you along your path to self-healing. To learn more about Dr. Meir Schneider, the School for Self-Healing, or his book Movement for Self-Healing, visit www.self-healing.org or call (415) 665-9574.
July 27, 2016
- in fitness , guest/interview by julie
The tao of running | Gary Dudney
Gary Duney is a columnist for Ultrarunning Magazine. He has been a runner for more than 40 years, having completed over 200 marathons and ultra-marathons. He is also the author of The Tao of Running and discusses running motivation in today’s episode.
Gary explains that older runners are able to adjust their workouts to their specific level of fitness. They tend to do well with long, slow distance runs or a combination of running and walking. Running is a simple exercise that provides a great calorie blast. However, many look at running as difficult or painful. In his book, Gary explains that the Taoist recognizes that life may be difficult and full of unpleasant experiences. Similarly, an individual who has never run before will experience both pain and excitement in this new challenge. In accepting all parts of the run, one will have rich and rewarding experience that is felt emotionally, mentally, and physically.
Some people are also afraid to run. In response to this, Gary speaks about the benefits of staying relentlessly positive. It is so very important to substitute the negative with the positive in order to avoid falling into a downward spiral. When things start to hurt during a run, the inclination is to think that something is wrong. Recognize that you are supposed to be feeling this pain when running a hard race. Other people around you are likely feeling the same way. Acknowledge the pain and see it as something positive. Be aware of the negative self-talk. Consider using mantras to help you stay focused.
To find your running motivation, challenge yourself to do a little bit more. Realize that you are only as old as you choose to be and that you can do anything that you set your mind to. Running is also a great option for improving your cardiovascular fitness and endurance. To learn more about Gary Dudney or The Tao of Running, visit www.thetaoofrunning.com or email Gdudney@comcast.net.
July 20, 2016
- in guest/interview , health , weight loss by linda
The china study solution | Dr. Thomas Campbell
Thomas Campbell, MD, is a board certified family physician and instructor of clinical family medicine at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry. He coauthored The China Study, which sold more than a million copies and inspired the 2011 documentary Forks over Knives. He also is director of the T. Colin Campbell Center for Nutrition Studies, a nonprofit organization in Ithaca, New York, which promotes optimal nutrition through science-based education, advocacy, and research in partnership with eCornell, Cornell University's online course provider. He lives in Rochester, NY.
The China Study Solution is based on the book, The China Study, which is based on a very comprehensive study in rural China which showed that a whole-food, plant-based diet has the potential to prevent and reverse many chronic diseases. The China Study became a worldwide phenomenon, selling more than a million copies and inspiring countless readers to reinvigorate their health by making better food choices.
With Dr. Campbell we discuss his 3 food group concept, which is inspired by nature:
- Animals, or animal sourced food group;
- whole plant food group; and
- processed plants or plant fragment.
We also discuss transitioning to a plant-based diet, whether going cold turkey or a gradual transition over time, as well as the options and health benefits. Changing our behavior can be hard, but Dr. Campbell discusses his six-step approach which he has developed based on many years of observation in his family practice.
While there is plenty of science-based information in The China Study Solution, Dr. Thomas Campbell’s book also provides practical tools and advice on stocking your kitchen, reading food labels and navigating social situations.
July 18, 2016
- in guest/interview , health , weight loss by allan
The love diet | Dr. Connie Gutterson
Dr. Connie Gutterson is a New York Times bestselling author, a registered dietician, and nutrition instructor. Her new book, The Love Diet, talks about the importance of self-love for health.
Dr. Gutterson explains that self-respect and self-love is key to freeing one’s self from a cycle of shame and weight gain. Many patients in these cycles put themselves second, while making someone or something else in their lives the priority. They may find themselves in a state of unhappiness and poor health. This lack of self-love can make it difficult for an individual to make changes in their life for the right reasons. Negative thoughts can lead to self-sabotoge.
The first step to making a change is realizing that no one is perfect. You first need to realize your worth and commit to breaking the shame cycle, which involves a feeling of shame after eating, followed by poor sleep and stress. This can lead to a craving for sugar, overeating, and becoming depressed. The body can produce cortisol, which can lead to weight gain and a change in blood sugar levels.
The Love Diet explains that there are two components to fitness—the emotional and nutritional pieces. The program goes through seven stages, with each stage having a focus for each component. Stage one includes a moderate elimination diet to regain control of blood sugar levels. Stage two is called Veggie Boost and focuses on non-starchy vegetables. Stage three incorporates different sources of protein, not just meat. It also discusses how sleep and stress can affect the appetite. Stage four discusses portion sizes and introduces fruits. Stage five brings in a more diversified, varied diet that includes dairy. Stage six introduces legumes and discusses mindful eating. The last stage increases whole grains.
Though this is a methodical process, it has great flexibility. If something doesn’t work, this program offers alternatives. The key is to find your self-love for health, in addition to fine-tuning your diet. To connect with Dr. Connie Gutterson or learn more about The Love Diet, visit www.conniegutterson.com.
