Monday 15 July 2013

Why You Need More Salt, Not Less

New study proves sodium guidelines are deadly

There's no other way to put it: Any doc who's still pushing the government-backed low-sodium diet is a complete ignoramus, plain and simple -- because the problem facing most Americans these days isn't too much salt... it's TOO LITTLE! 

I don't need to see yet another new study to know those guidelines have been an absolute train wreck -- but if you're under the care of an ignoramus, tell him to get out his copy of the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

If he actually reads it instead of leaving it on his desk to impress visitors, he'll find a new study showing the REAL levels of salt you need: between 4,000 and 6,000 mg a day. 

That's way above the government-recommended limit of 2,300 mg a day, up to quadruple the 1,500 mg a day recommended by the clueless hacks at the American Heart Association, and even well above the average U.S. intake of 3,400 mg a day. 

In other words, you might have to BOOST your salt intake to get what you need! 

I know that's not what you've been told, but the numbers don't lie: Patients in the new study who got less than 3,000 mg a day were 8.6 percent more likely to die of heart problems and 5 percent more likely to suffer heart failure than patients who got between 4,000 and 6,000. 

Of course it IS possible to get too much salt -- and the new study proves that as well. But in this case, "too much" is more than 7,000 mg a day -- and the only way you could possibly get that is through a crap-tastic diet of packaged foods, TV dinners, fast foods and other processed yuck. 

Cook your own meals from fresh ingredients and salt it to taste, and you'll have absolutely nothing to worry about. 

Now pass me the salt. 

Source: William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.  

You Need More Salt, Not Less - Dr. Joel Wallach

Dr. Joel Wallach talks about the many conditions that stem from low salt levels in the body. You might be surprised to find out what those are!

Low-salt diet is deadly

"The Great Salt Speech" isn't just bad advice -- it's a deadly lie, and a new study proves it.

You know the speech I'm talking about. It's the one doctors deliver in their Most Serious Voice right after taking your blood pressure, sentencing you to bland low-sodium meals for the rest of your life.

But as I've told you time and again, a low-salt diet won't lower blood pressure OR protect your heart -- and now, the latest research shows it can actually boost the odds of any early death by more than 500 percent!

Researchers from the University of Leuven in Belgium tracked 3,861 people 60 years old and younger for a median of nearly 8 years, and found absolutely no link at all between sodium and blood pressure levels.

Repeat: No link at all between sodium and blood pressure levels.

Overall, they found a 4.1 percent rate of death from heart-related conditions among those with the lowest intake, 1.9 percent among those with moderate intake, and 0.8 percent among those with the highest.

That means patients with the lowest salt intakes were more than five times more likely to die of cardiovascular disease than those with the highest, according to the new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Now, this might fly in the face of everything you've heard in your doctor's office... but it's perfectly consistent with the studies I've been telling you about.

One study last year found that seniors with the lowest salt consumption had the highest risk of bone breaks and an early death. (Read about it here.)

Even one of the authors of the new study says that in his 25 years of research on salt, "it was almost impossible to find an association between blood-pressure and 24-hour sodium excretion."

Tell THAT to your doc next time he opens his trap about sodium and blood pressure.

Source: William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider. 
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.

Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit: http://www.biocura.co.za/

US report finds exercise doesn't stop obesity, it's all about diet

A new report from the United States shows that obesity rates are continuing to rise despite more Americans becoming more physically active.

Health experts say the key to reversing obesity trends has everything to do with food.

The study by the University of Washington looked at three million Americans over the past decade and found increasing levels of exercise reduced death, heart disease and diabetes but did not put a dent in obesity rates.

Professor Bruce Neal, from the George Institute for Global Health at Sydney University, says the problem is the same in Australia.

"We've seen physical activity go up, but obesity continues to rise. What this basically says is that the cause is diet," he said.

"Vast amounts of food, fundamentally unhealthy, really large, really energy dense."

He says food is now responsible for most chronic diseases.

Nutrition and obesity expert Ian Caterson says stopping obesity comes down to diet.

"Getting fit is important but to change the obesity, we've got to change what we eat," he said.

To read the full article and "Prevalence of physical activity and obesity in US counties, 2001--2011: a roadmap for action" click : HERE

Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.

Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/

Which Fruits & Vegetables have the Highest Levels of Pesticide Residue?

Industrial agriculture has brought a dependence on chemical solutions to the challenges of crop production. Instead of Integrated Pest Management, broad-spectrum pesticides are routinely used as the first and only line of defense.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) analyzed data from pesticide testing carried out by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. 48 fruits and vegetables were rated using a combination of six parameters (e.g. number of different pesticides, average amount, percent of samples with residues).

Here are 10 conventionally-grown fruits and vegetables that had the highest levels of pesticide residue. Buy organic if possible, or better yet from a local organic farmer.

1. Apples
2. Strawberries
3. Grapes
4. Celery
5. Peaches
6. Spinach
7. Sweet bell peppers
8. Nectarines (imported)
9. Cucumbers
10. Potatoes

For detailed information on what pesticides are found on what fruits and vegetables, as well as their health effects, visit What’s On My Food?

As EWG points out, their report does not mean you shouldn’t eat these fruits and vegetables. And proponents of industrial agriculture will be quick to point out that none of the levels exceeded federal standards. However, federal regulations do not account for additive effects (ingestion from multiple sources) and synergistic effects (the effect of one chemical amplifies the effect of the other chemical).

We are exposed to pesticides and other chemicals in the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. People in rural areas near non-organic farms are more exposed.  In the U.S., regulations amount to “innocent until proven guilty.” Only when the chemical shows obvious effects years later does it get banned or restricted, and only when this kind of information is not squelched by industry and government.

Local food usually has far less of the pesticide and chemical residues than their mass-produced counterparts because local food is not stored and shipped long distances, which requires fungicide application or other treatments like chemicals that control ripening.

As with so many food problems, buying local and growing our own is the best thing we can do as a solution.

Source: http://www.realfarmacy.com/fruits-vegetables-with-the-highest-levels-of-pesticide-residue/

Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.

Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/

Sunday 14 July 2013

Wake Up to the Benefits of Power Napping – Boost Clarity, Happiness and Cardiovascular Health

By Carolanne Wright

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Albert Einstein, Leonardo Da Vinci, Nikola Tesla, Winston Churchill and John F. Kennedy all have one thing in common: daily mid-afternoon naps. Linked with clarity, increased performance, memory, mood and even heart health, naps are an economical (and fun) way to boost mental and physical health. Many companies are now sanctioning office nap times to increase productivity and morale. By following a few simple steps, a blissful catnap can become a happy and healthful habit.

Guilt Free Napping

Seeking an excuse to grab a bit of shut-eye? Take a look at the following benefits:

Cardiovascular Heath

Greek researchers found that men who took a 30 minute nap at least three times a week lowered their risk of dying from a heart attack by 37 percent. Factors such as smoking, diet and activity level were included in the study.

Healthy Weight Management

When energy naturally drops in the afternoon, coffee and sugar tend to be the usual stimulants of choice. But afternoon sleepiness is a biological rhythm related to a slight decrease in body temperature — nature is telling us that it wants us to take a nap. By attempting to ward off drowsiness with caffeine and sugary snacks, biorhythm is disrupted, extra calories are consumed and a rollercoaster ride of energy spikes and crashes begins. This vicious cycle contributes to unwanted extra pounds.

Alertness, Improved Mood and Performance

A mid-afternoon nap can help with depression, dullness and lack of clarity — all of which can hinder physical and mental performance. As seen in the Harvard Health Letter, a New Zealand study found that “air traffic controllers working the night shift scored better on tests of alertness and performance if they took advantage of a planned nap period of 40 minutes.”

According to Sara Mednick, PhD, sleep medicine researcher and author of Take a nap! Change Your Life, a nap will also:

- Reverse aging
- Strengthen the sex drive
- Accelerate the ability to perform motor tasks
- Enhance how the body utilizes carbs
- Minimize stress hormones
- Alleviate migraines
- Reduce brain chatter before nighttime sleep

Read the rest of the article at : Wake Up World

Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.

Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/

Aspartame - When a diet drink... isn’t

London - Sweeteners used in diet drinks to help weight loss can be just as harmful as full-sugar versions, a food expert has warned.

Aspartame is put in fizzy products such as Coke, Pepsi, 7UP and Sprite as a healthier option.

But a study claims that some drinks containing the ingredient are linked to weight-gain, diabetes and heart disease – with just one can a day said to increase risks of high blood pressure.

Professor Susan Swithers said that it was not uncommon for people to be given messages that artificially-sweetened products are healthy.

But she claimed: ‘The data to support those claims is not very strong, and although it seems like common sense that diet sodas would not be as problematic as regular sodas, common sense is not always right.’

Professor Swithers, of Purdue University in Indiana, US, claims that one possible explanation is that having a low-calorie drink or two is treated as a licence to over-indulge in fatty or sugary snacks.

Another is that artificial sweeteners fail to trigger the brain regions and hormones that tell us we are full and so we eat more.

The drinks may also double the odds of developing metabolic syndrome – a cluster of symptoms that greatly increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

Writing in the journal Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, she said: ‘The current public health message to limit the intake of sugar needs to be expanded to limit intake of all sweeteners, not just sugars.’

But British experts said that diet drinks do no harm.

Sue Baic, of the British Dietetic Association, said: ‘There is a large body of evidence that shows that diet drinks can be really useful.’

Gavin Partington, of the British Soft Drinks Association, said that the professor had produced an opinion piece that ‘runs contrary to decades of scientific research’. - Daily Mail

Source: http://www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/when-a-diet-drink-isn-t-1.1546129?utm_medium=%5B%27facebook%27%5D&utm_source=dlvr.it#.UeHNAI6WZwY

Medical Disclaimer
The content of this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical or health care advice or treatment for any medical or health conditions. Do not use the information on this website for diagnosing or treating any medical or health condition. If you have or suspect you have a medical problem or health issues, promptly consult your professional registered / licensed health care provider.
The information contained in this blog and related website should not be considered complete as it is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad consumer understanding and knowledge of diet, health, fitness, nutrition, disease and treatment options.

Dr JPB Prinsloo is the oldest, most established homoeopathic practice in South Africa.
The practice, situated in Pretoria, was established in 1956.
To learn more about homeopathy, homeopathic treatment and the legal requirements for practising as a homeopath, visit:
http://www.biocura.co.za/