Start Anew with a Detoxification Starter Kit

Posted on January 25, 2012 by copywriters

Several detoxification programs are offered to individuals depending on their nutritional needs. Detoxification refers to the process of cleansing the body and removing the toxic substances obtained from food, air, water, and other chemicals that humans come in contact with. That is why it is important to determine the best detoxification starter kit that would work for them.

Some kits contain all the essential vitamins and minerals in separate containers plus the necessary instructions that serve as a guide when adjusting the dosage of each intake. Others may only act on a specific excretory organ. For instance, one detoxification program works on the large intestine to eradicate the toxic substances from the digestive system. A different program can target the liver, kidneys, or the blood to cleanse it and effectively restore the individual’s health status. Although all these programs use different approaches, other health factors should still be considered while removing the toxic substances in the body. These factors include exercise, fresh air, nutrition, rest, sunshine, and water.

To maintain a healthy body free from toxins, detoxifying programs should become a part of a nutritional diet. This type of program helps individuals to eat the right kinds of food and take the proper supplements that can efficiently push the toxins out of the body through the excretory organs, including the blood, kidneys, large intestine, liver, and the lungs.

Among these organs, the liver is the most metabolically active excretory organ involved in detoxifying the body from harmful and toxic substances. It serves as the body’s filter that removes waste materials from the blood. Then, these wastes undergo further filtration as the blood passes through a network of blood vessels in the kidneys. Finally, the waste materials are removed from the body, together with the excess amounts of salts and other ions, in urine. Carbon dioxide, a by-product of respiration, makes its way out of the body through the bloodstream that goes directly through the lungs, into the nasal passages, and then uses the nose as its exit point.

Naturally, the body rids itself from various toxic substances through the action of fibers found in vegetables. These fibers also contain several enzymes, which enhance the elimination of wastes from meat through the digestive system. Detoxification using herbal medicine also helps the body regain its energy. Furthermore, these herbs have vitamins, minerals, and other enzymes that are important in maintaining an individual’s health needs. For example, chamomile, horsetail, parsley, red beet, and blessed thistle contain substances that can stimulate the cleansing action of the liver. Aside from cleansing the body through the action of herbs, detoxifying the body through skin cleansing is necessary to remove some of the heavy metals that can pass through the pores when humans perspire. To induce perspiration, it is advisable that individuals take sauna bath or stay in steam rooms. In this way, the skin removes toxic substances at its maximum efficiency.

A program equipped with proper detoxification starter kit and diets can effectively remove the toxic substances found in the body. If routinely followed, it would not only maintain an individual’s well-being but also sustain the best quality of life.

Posted in Detoxification | Tagged | Leave a comment

Setting a New Lifestyle—Be Gluten-Free

Posted on January 25, 2012 by copywriters

Gluten is a mucus-like substance that can adhere to the gut, intestines, lymphatics, sinuses, and joints. Consequently, it triggers inflammation, which produces pain, leading to several health problems such as arthritis, asthma, ADD, autoimmune dysfunction, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, and even cancer. Thus, it is important to maintain a gluten-free diet if one suffers from any of these diseases.

To set oneself free from gluten, foods with wheat and other carbohydrates should be avoided. However, carbohydrates should not be completely eliminated from the nutritional plan since these biomolecules are essential in brain development. Individuals can get adequate amounts of nutrients from high quality animal protein or fat. Good quality fats from avocados and olive oil enhance proper brain functioning, thereby optimizing its efficiency. Meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables can also substitute gluten-containing carbohydrates.

Gluten is highly associated with celiac disease, a genetic disorder characterized by the body’s inability to tolerate gluten. Gluten is a type of protein found in foods containing wheat, barley, and rye. In pastries, it is used to maintain the elasticity of the dough, making it rise and keeping its shape. Its overall effect results to a chewy texture often experienced when eating bagels and pizza, which are rich in gluten. Bread and cake flours vary in their gluten content.

While maintaining a gluten-free diet sounds good for celiac patients, these individuals possess an altered intestinal flora, the good bacteria, which act against the harmful ones. Celiac patients do not have enough of these beneficial bacteria, which can allow the growth of the bad bacteria. To revive the population of beneficial bacteria, prebiotics or dietary fibers that support the growth of the intestinal flora should be taken in together with probiotics. Usually, these fibers are found in asparagus, chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, and leeks. Even wheat and barley, which are gluten-rich grains, have prebiotics.

How would individuals with celiac disease get enough doses of prebiotics? Since they must not eat any gluten-containing food, celiac patients can seek their doctor’s advice on an appropriate gluten-free prebiotic supplement that best suits their needs or they can consider eating other food choices. Along with fresh meat, fish, poultry, fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, unprocessed nuts, fresh eggs, and most dairy products do not contain gluten. Some grains and starches including amaranth, arrowroot, buckwheat, corn, flax, millet, rice, sorghum, soy, and tapioca are also free from gluten. Oats, when labelled gluten-free, may be included in the diet. However, it is usually contaminated with wheat during its growing and processing stages; hence, doctors generally exclude oats in a celiac patient’s nutritional plan.

Yet, having a diet free from gluten is a challenging task. Reading the product label or checking its list of ingredients is not enough to fully classify it as gluten-free. For instance, wheat may come in different forms such as bulgur, durum flour, farina, Graham flour, kamut, semolina, and spelt.

By strictly sticking with a gluten-free diet, individuals exhibiting symptoms of celiac disease experience relief and avoid the onset of other complications. In severe cases, when a gluten-free diet fails to work on celiac patients, doctors issue prescriptions that suppress the patient’s immune system. To completely prevent the condition from worsening, they must maintain this kind of diet for the rest of their lives.

Posted in Supplements, Weight Loss | Tagged | Leave a comment

No More Allergies: ALCAT Food Sensitivity Testing

Posted on January 25, 2012 by copywriters

The ALCAT Food Sensitivity Testing is a diagnostic tool used to determine the specific types of food that trigger various degrees of allergic reactions to certain individuals. The body reacts differently to a variety of foods and chemicals. Each individual does not exhibit the same level of sensitivity or intolerance to similar types of food, which depends highly on the varied eating habits, hormone levels, medical conditions, nutritional status, stress levels, and other factors that influence the immune system.

Through the ALCAT Food Sensitivity Testing, the types of food that should be included and excluded from the daily diet plan are grouped accordingly using a colour coding scheme. For example, those foods that trigger severe allergic reactions are categorized under the red column. This means that the foods must not be included in the diet plan and should be avoided for at least six months. Those that fall under the orange column stimulate a moderate reaction; hence, the individual should keep it out of his or her diet plan for a period of three to six months. The yellow group includes the foods that induce a mild reaction. While it may not be strictly avoided, it is still advisable to avoid the foods that fall under this group to prevent the onset of allergic reactions.

Green light is to go as to green group is to eat. Foods classified under the green column do not usually trigger any allergic reactions; thus, individuals can consume these foods freely though it is highly recommended that they eat these on a rotational basis.

Another coloured section, the blue box, is specifically allotted for a particular food that contains substances, which could lead to certain types of diseases. The blue box is divided into three distinct sections. The first box indicates that the individual exhibits reactions to a type of yeast called Candida albicans. Due to this reaction, foods that show sensitivity to this yeast must be avoided to prevent the yeast infection called candidiasis. Processed foods such as bread, pizza, and gravy mixes contain baker’s yeast and this should not be included in the diet. The second box tells the individual to maintain a gluten-free diet because he or she exhibits sensitivity to a protein called gluten. Grain products including barley, malt, oats, rye, and wheat must be removed from the diet plan. The last blue box shows adverse reactions to another protein, casein or whey. Thus, it is advisable to avoid dairy products.

The ALCAT Food Sensitivity Testing helps individuals identify their degrees of food sensitivities by utilizing a pure extract of each type of food. However, most foods do not come in their pure form—they are already in cooked meals and ready to eat packs that makes it hard to determine their content. Thus, it is important to carefully read the product labels, specifically the ingredients section, to identify the foods in it. The ALCAT Test usually provides a list of foods that must be avoided to guide individuals in searching for the right kinds of food that can keep them healthy and free from food sensitivity and adverse allergic reactions.

Posted in Supplements | Tagged | Leave a comment

Heavy Metal Testing Detects Heavy Metal Toxicity

Posted on January 25, 2012 by copywriters

Although it is rare, heavy metal toxicity is considered a clinically significant medical condition that, when improperly diagnosed or left untreated, may contribute to increased morbidity and mortality rates. Heavy metals that are usually associated with this kind of toxicity include aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, iron, lead, and mercury. They reach the internal parts of the body through ingestion, inhalation, and absorption. Contaminated food, water, and air can easily make their way through the body of those who work in the agricultural fields, as well as in industries including manufacturing, pharmaceutical and industrial settings.

With their sensitive body chemistry, children may easily acquire toxic amounts of heavy metals from their typical hand-to-mouth activities, especially when they play with contaminated soil or they accidentally eat small particles like dirt or paint chips. In other cases, medical procedures involving radiologic technology, incorrect doses of intravenous nutrition, contamination from broken thermometers, or suicidal or homicide attempts of certain individuals may lead to heavy metal toxicity.

While seeking professional assistance is recommended, heavy metal testing with home test kits can also provide reliable results to determine the amount of heavy metals present in the body. These home test kits offer a convenient way to detect contamination from different heavy metals by using a colour chart as a reference. Generally, the heavy metal home test kit uses specific chemical reagents. These reagents react with the free metal ions of the heavy metals, which allow them to change in colour to indicate the presence of heavy metals. This usually happens when these toxic substances accumulate in the body, particularly in the soft tissues.

Clear samples of breast milk, saliva, tap water, and urine can be used in heavy metal testing. For a more accurate interpretation of results, it is important to strain the sample to give out a distinct colour change. Sometimes, solid foods like raw fish and supplements can also be used to measure the amount of toxic metals. But, the solids should be soaked first in distilled water for 24 hours. When extracting fluid from raw fish samples, it is important to subject them to heat using a microwave oven for about 20 seconds. The pH should also be adjusted to about 5.0 to get accurate results.

Although home test kits are easy to use, it is good to note that interpreting the results need careful analysis. There are instances that results showing low levels of a certain heavy metal in the blood do not directly remove the individual from the risks of heavy metal toxicity. The blood does not hold these heavy metals for longer periods; thus, other fluid samples are used. For example, lead can easily travel from the blood into the organs in the body until it reaches the bones. Hence, in this case, it is important to take samples not only from the blood and urine but also from the bones.

Heavy metal testing is a practical diagnostic tool in determining the presence of the amount of heavy metals in the body. This type of test is important to identify the root cause of free radical activities that occur in the body. In this way, individuals can prevent the condition from worsening by taking in immediate treatment upon the early detection of heavy metal toxicity.

Posted in Detoxification | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hair Mineral Testing towards a Healthy Lifestyle

Posted on January 20, 2012 by copywriters

Most parts of the human body are covered with hair. Each hair strand that grows on different areas in the body has microscopic traits associated particularly to that area. For instance, in forensics, hair samples from the head and pubic regions are commonly used. In other cases, hair can be used to measure the amount of minerals and toxic substances found in the body through hair mineral testing. This is a non-invasive technique that determines the levels of vitamins, minerals, and toxins. During its growth phase, hair absorbs minerals along with heavy metals, which makes it suitable for hair mineral analysis.

To stay healthy, the level of essential minerals present in the body should be maintained within their normal levels. Without these minerals, the body would be unable to metabolize food to yield energy, build and repair tissues, secrete hormones and enzymes, or efficiently use other nutrients. Increased or decreased levels of minerals often result to health disorders. For example, if calcium and magnesium levels are reduced, an individual may experience muscle twitches or he may have trouble sleeping. Excessive sodium and potassium levels may lead to hyperactivity. Other symptoms such as adrenal dysfunction, anxiety, autoimmune diseases, blood sugar imbalance, brain fog, depression, fatigue, headaches, hypertension, irritability, and poor concentration also show an imbalanced mineral level. Serious degenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, autism, fibromyalgia, and multiple sclerosis have been associated with mineral deficiency and heavy metal toxicity.

If the results of hair mineral testing indicate an increased mineral toxicity, it is likely that the minerals were not completely utilized by the body; instead, they remain in connective tissues. This, then, suggests that an individual should change his or her lifestyle in order to push those minerals and properly nourish the body.

Studies have shown that a healthy, shiny hair indicate a healthy heart because foods that are good for the hair have beneficial effects to the heart. Nutrients including protein and iron, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin A help maintain a healthy hair, thereby supporting the individual’s overall health status. For instance, salmon and walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids; spinach and carrots both have vitamin A; Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium; and cashews and oysters have zinc. These substances, along with low-fat dairy products, vegetables and whole grains, keep the scalp and hair healthy.

Maintaining adequate amounts of macro and trace elements in the body is important to support bodily functions because these minerals are involved in various activities such as bones and teeth formation, nerve conduction, and muscle contraction. Most biochemical processes including digestion, metabolism, and regeneration of tissues also depend on these nutrients for proper functioning.

Individuals may choose to undergo hair mineral testing to determine if they lack the minerals that are vital to their health. Health problems caused by mineral deficiency and heavy metal toxicity can be identified and properly addressed, which pushes them to modify their lifestyle. Through this non-invasive technique, the current health condition may also be measured since hair analysis allows them to take a deeper look at the levels of minerals and gain a better understanding on health along with the factors that influence it.

Posted in Nutrition, Supplements | Tagged | Leave a comment