Nutrition, Digestion & Health
The importance of Water
Good health requires a well hydrated body. Only a body that has sufficient water is able to function properly. Read about how important water is to your health - improve energy levels, improve digestion, improve concentration and memory, relieve pain. If you'd like to read more, i highly recommend the book, The Body's Many Cries for Water written by Dr F. Batmanghelidj, MD or visit his website www.watercure.com
Drinking the RIGHT kind of water is paramount to achieving good hydration. In addition to the above information, read about how bottled water isn't all that it is promoted to be ... http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/08/01/Is-Bottled-Water-Really-Pure.aspx
Not only water bottles contain the dangerous BPA. Bisphenol-A, or BPA is an estrogen-mimicking chemical used to make hard plastics and epoxy resins, found in numerous products that you probably use every day, including:
- Polycarbonate plastic baby bottles
- Large water-cooler containers and sports bottles
- Bottle tops
- Microwave-oven dishes
- Canned-food liners
- Some dental sealants for children
- Water supply pipes
The use of BPA is so pervasive -- industry uses more than 6 billion pounds of BPA a year -- that scientists have found that 95 percent of people tested have dangerous levels of BPA in their bodies.
Read more about the dangers of BPA at ttp://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/09/26/Warning-Metal-Water-Bottles-May-Be-Hazardous-to-Your-Health.aspx.
Stress
Stress is blamed for many problems in modern day life: from a wide variety of health issues, to career burn-out and even making people more accident prone. Today, demanding work and family roles, high speed living, managing finances and relationships may all trigger our stress response. Empower yourself and learn how to take control of your stress - to read more click here
To help identify where your stress lies, feel free to complete the questionnaire. DASS measures stress, anxiety and depression levels which is useful in assessing the most suitable treatment for your personal benefit. Click here for the DASS questionnaire.
Mental health, the gut and stress
Did you know that a healthy mind and balanced emotions are strongly related to the health of our digestive system or 'gut'? Stress impacts hugely on our body's digestive capacity. Read more and learn how you can regain emotional stability, health and vitality - click here
Oils ain't oils
Essential fatty acids or EFAs are so named because they cannot be made by our body. This means that we must ingest them as foods or supplements. EFAs are essential for heart health and good circulation; supporting immune function; improving joint flexibility; cell membrane structure; brain function; nervous system; pregnancy and foetal development; protecting the aging mind; improving behaviour, focus and learning in children; healthy eyes; and reducing harmful effects of stress.
EFAs are made up predominantly of Omega 3 and 6. We get more than enough of the Omega 6 variety through plant oils including corn, sunflower and olive oils. However, we generally consume far below our body's needs of Omega 3. In addition, excess consumption of Omega 6 oils actually blocks the Omega 3 oils.
Omega 3 fatty acids fall into two major categories: plant derived (flaxseed) and marine derived (fish oil). this is often confusing and many people think that the two are interchangeable. However, only fish oil provides pre-formed EPA and DHA, the fatty acids that the body actually uses. Flaxseed oil contains alpha linolenic acid (ALA) which can only be partially converted into EPA and DHA, but that conversion is slow and easily inhibited by lifestyle and health factors. These include high consumption of saturated fats or trans fatty acids as well as deficiency of any of a number of vitamins and minerals which are essential for the conversion.
Research shows that less than 15% of ALA converts to EPA, and less than 5% converts to DHA if at all. Fish oil is the optimal and direct source of EPA and DHA. Flaxseed contains many health promoting benefits but does not provide the necessary amounts of EPA and DHA.
So which fish oil to buy? Quality is essential here. Contamination is an issue as is improper storage. Fish oils can go rancid easily and should always be stored cool - preferably refrigerated. EPA and DHA are used for different functions in our body - it is best to consult a qualified practitioner to ascertainn the best type or blend for you and your children.
Recently, Krill oil has been touted even better than fish oils. Read about the differences between krill and fish oils.
Not all vitamins and minerals were created equal
Natural remedies have been used by man for thousands of years. So why is it that they sometimes receive a bad rap? There is a vast array of products readily available on the shelves of supermarkets and health food stores, but not all are the same or as valuable to our health. To the untrained person, the decision about which one is best can be daunting. All vitamins and minerals weren't created equal. Therefore, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a qualified health professional and always tell them what other medications or products you are using as there are possible interactions between nature's health and man-made medication.
Dagmar prescribes quality practitioner-only supplements which are of the highest grade giving you value for money. Supplements contain nutrients that are readily available for your body. All current patients are eligible to purchase their supplements from the clinic thereby ensuring quality and monitoring so as not to imbalance the body's needs.
Dr. Alexis Carrel received a Nobel Prize for proving that a living cell would be immortal if it had sufficient amounts of nutrients in proper balance of all elements needed. He proved that cells simply need proper nutrition and to have wastes and pollutants removed to live indefinitely in their life-supporting fluid.
Every cell in your body must have minerals to live and function. Every beat of your heart requires minerals. Your brain cells and nervous system utilise minerals to deliver electrical signals to every part of your body. Vitamins, enzymes, hormones, the immune system and almost all biological activities need a wide variety of minerals to work right. The skeletal structure (the skull, bones and teeth) depend on an adequate mineral supply to stay strong. Click here for factors in our daily lives that increase the need to supplement.
As an example, magnesium is the activator for over 300 enzymes. Also it is integral in the production of ATP, the energy compound of the body. Magnesium is seriously deficient in the average diet.
Similarly, zinc is a component of all cells. It is a cofactor in nearly 70 different enzymes, and provides significant benefits for the immune system, growth and development of muscular and skeletal structures, and tissue repair. Today's foods contain too little for our needs, especially those of children.
Are you deficient in minerals? Do you feel tired? Just don't have the energy to cope with all that is happening in your life? Are you feeling down, depressed? Perhaps your body is deficient in minerals.
Contact Dagmar today for a comprehensive mineral deficiency analysis.
Click here for information on the humble Vitamin C
Click here for information on Iron
The Acid - Alkaline Balance or pH
In 1932 Otto Warburg won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his discovery that cancer was anaerobic: cancer occurs in the absence of free oxygen. As innocuous as this discovery might seem, it is actually a startling and significant finding. What it basically means is that cancer is caused by a lack of free oxygen in the body and therefore, whatever causes this to occur is the cause most diseases.
Much has been written on this topic and I can highly recommend books by Robert R. Barefoot & Carl J. Reich, MD on Calcium and its role in the maintenance of health. A note however: ensure you receive only quality products and always seek the advice of a qualified health professional.
Visit this site for information about quality coral calcium as mentioned in the above books: http://www.coralcayhealth.com.au/
There is much we can do in our daily lives to help our body maintain the delicate acid-alkaline balance.
Click here for an easy reference list of foods that cause acidity in our body and others that help neutralise excess acidity. Dagmar is also able to provide effective treatments which alkalise the tissue, thereby ensuring oxygen reaches every cell in your body.
Low salt intake will contribute to acidity build up in some cells. High acidity within the cell can damage the DNA structure and be the initiating mechanism for cancer formation. Salt is important - not the processed stuff, but salt high in minerals and nutrients like Celtic Sea Salt and Himalayan rock salt. And with salt, goes water - ensure you are drinking sufficient purufied water daily to remain well hydrated. 40ml of water for each kg of body weight. Rule of thumb for salt intake: for every 10 glasses or 2 litres of water add half a teaspoon of unrefined salt per day.
Diabetes is on the increase. Read what Dr Mercola has to say about this avoidable condition.