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We seek it here, we seek it there. We seek happiness everywhere.
Yet it eludes us. All of our activities — our pursuit of fame and fortune, our quest for meaningful relationships, our drive to build or change things — are directed searches for this ephemeral state. We get there, but we can never heave a lasting sigh of relief because the feeling is gone almost immediately. (more…)
There’s nothing wrong with feeling tired. It’s your body’s way of telling you “Give me some rest.”
But staying tired — week after week — is a health problem, one you don’t have to live with and shouldn’t.
If you have been feeling tired for a while, answer these three questions: (more…)
Some former athletes (including you if you used to work out regularly) consider themselves “bulletproof.” Since they were in superb shape for so many years, they assume their health will always be better than average. (more…)
Do you depend on the major media for your health information? If so, you may think osteoporosis affects only women. (more…)
This is a fat country. And that means Americans are prone to a long list of fat-related health problems. Heart disease and high blood pressure are two of the big ones.
Dr. Al Sears, my personal physician, has helped me lose more than 25 pounds of fat, reduce my blood pressure, and strengthen my heart with an amazingly easy “eating program” he has developed over several years. It’s based on relatively large quantities of high-quality protein (wild salmon, grass-fed beef, and organic eggs, cheese, milk, beans, and nuts). (more…)
Surprise. Surprise. Yet another important bit of information has been swept under the rug by Big Pharma.
Turns out that statins, a $20 billion cash cow for the drug industry, have a serious side effect: They can cause a huge drop in the body’s level of CoQ10. And if you’re one of the 13 million people on statins, there’s a good chance your doctor is not aware of it. (more…)
Familiarizing yourself with the ingredient list on food labels is now more important than ever. While some additives are fairly benign, too many of them can cause significant health problems. Take “inorganic phosphates,” for example, which are used to improve food texture and water retention in processed foods (including meats, cheeses, and baked goods).
It has already been shown that the phosphates in soft drinks and snack chips cause calcium to leach from the bones, linking them to osteoporosis and kidney stones. Now we can add cancer to that list.
Research conducted at Seoul National University has determined that inorganic phosphates have been associated with both the development and growth of lung cancer in laboratory rats. These effects were found at levels that mimicked our intake on a typical American/Westernized diet.
In a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, researchers observed lung cancer tumors in mice fed with either a 0.5 percent or 1.0 percent phosphate diet. At the end of four weeks, the mice on the higher-phosphate diet had an increase in the formation of new lung tumors as well as an increase in the size of existing tumors. The researchers think it may be due to the role phosphates have in biochemical signaling pathways.
Although naturally occurring phosphates are necessary for human nutrition, the researchers noted that the consumption of phosphates in processed foods has more than doubled since the 1990s. Our hectic American lifestyle – which leaves little time or energy for home cooking – often forces us to rely on convenient pre-packaged foods and restaurant meals full of health-harming substances.
While food industry experts have downplayed this study, I would strongly recommend limiting your intake of inorganic phosphates. Doing so will help protect your bones, and could even lower your risk of lung cancer.
Stick to foods in their most natural state. Especially limit high-carb processed foods laden with cancer-causing phosphates. If you want to save on prep time for meals, choose precut veggies and salads and frozen vegetables. But always read the labels to make sure they have no additives.
[Ed. Note: Making wise choices when it comes to diet and lifestyle can have a dramatic effect on your health. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN - founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies - can give you easy-to-understand directions for living the healthy life you've always wanted. Learn more here.]
“If you’re not making mistakes, then you’re not doing anything.”
So said John Wooden, the Hall of Fame basketball coach for UCLA who won a record 10 NCAA championships.
So many people do everything they can to avoid making mistakes – yet mistakes are the corrective feedback we need to help us reach our goals. Better to take action and correct mistakes while you’re in motion than to sit idle trying to figure out how not to make a wrong move.
It’s like driving a car. You must always have your hands on the wheel so you can make minor adjustments. You must continually modify and correct your course based upon ongoing feedback.
When you make a mistake and someone points it out to you, don’t say “I’m sorry.” The correct response is: “Thank you for telling me that. I’ll work on it.”
People who see feedback as helpful are grateful to learn what is steering them away from their goals. It may be tough to listen and be open to change – but it’s what the best of the best do.
Yes, you have the option to agree or disagree with the feedback – and you’ll become better at discerning what is helpful and what isn’t the more you practice listening to it. But you’ll never get anywhere if you view mistakes as negative and feedback as undesirable.
My best students LOVE getting my advice – even, as they would say, “raked over the coals.” They beg me to show them their mistakes.
Keep all of this in mind as you go through your day today. Mistakes are nothing to fear. Nor is the feedback that will help you improve.
[Ed. Note: Matt Furey is an internationally recognized expert in the fields of self-development, fitness, and martial arts, and is the president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation, Inc. With Matt's 101 Ways to Magnetize Money, you can learn the REAL SECRETS of financial success known only to the most prosperous men and women who have ever lived. Find out more right here.]
I’ve just gone through a serious health scare. My 98-year-old grandmother, Mama Da, was admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.
Our local family hustled to create a 24-hour care program for her. After all, why should a 98-year-old have to stay in the hospital by herself when she has children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and a great-great grandson?
I got the day shift – the scariest shift of all. Nine hours when I watched Mama Da struggle to breathe – and had to listen to the doctor explain the seriousness of her condition.
Mama Da told me that she wasn’t afraid to die, and she proceeded to tell me everything she wanted done – and not done – when her time came.
I was alone in the room with her, and I was scared. I needed some backup – some reinforcements – to help me cope with this situation. So I told her that I had notified our family, and they were trying to get there as soon as possible to see her. That didn’t seem to matter to her.
Then I said, “Mama Da, Moon and Pot are getting on a flight from Maryland as we speak to come to see you.” Then a funny thing happened:
Her eyes opened up and she said, “Really? Who else?”
So I went down the list, “Shorty and Sidney are driving through the night… Gigi is cutting her vacation short in Orlando… Daty and VaVa are flying in tomorrow from Philly… Carole, Kuky, and Marley are flying in from Miami… Bibi and MaMa will be here on Saturday… Joey and Angela got one-day round-trip tickets to come and spend a few hours with you… Ferg and Chrissy are hitting the road at 2:00 a.m. and will be here by noon… and the rest of the family are calling me non-stop to let me know when they’re planning to come.”
As I ran down the list, I saw a light in Mama Da’s eyes that I hadn’t seen in the past 24 hours. She was getting excited about seeing her family. And when the kids, grands, and great-grands came to her hospital room to kiss her and talk to her, I watched her draw energy from each one of them.
In fact, she started to look and feel so good that many of our family members jokingly said that Mama Da was making up the whole pneumonia thing as a way to create an impromptu family reunion!
For several days, Mama Da’s hospital room was so full of our loud family having fun that the nurses asked us to keep the noise down!
During the nights, we had more than enough willing aunts and cousins volunteering to sleep in the room with her and stand guard.
I was very glad for the extra help. But while I was waiting for the reinforcements to come, I re-learned two very important lessons:
For one thing, my family has some really crazy names! And, most important, specificity works!
When I told Mama Da that family was coming, it didn’t register with her. But when I told her exactly WHO was coming… WHEN they were arriving… WHAT they were doing to get to her… and WHERE they were coming from… man, it really boosted her curiosity – and possibly her will to live.
That got me thinking about writing sales copy – and the importance of reinforcing your copy with ultra-specifics so you can grab your prospect’s attention and keep it.
So I want to show you two quick and easy ways for you (or your copywriter) to reinforce your copy too:
#1. Name names.
As I said, specificity sells. So build credibility in your copy by using exact names and numbers. Here’s an example from my own copy…
BEFORE: “Numerous scientific studies have shown that this remarkable ‘brain food’ can help you restore memory loss and sharpen your thinking.”
“Numerous scientific studies” is pretty lame. That’s like when I told Mama Da “Family is coming.” It just didn’t get much of a rise out of her.
I needed some specific details to put MEAT on this baby! So here’s how I changed that line of my copy…
AFTER: “Scientific research from Stanford University… Vanderbilt University… the Memory Assessment Clinic’s facility in Bethesda, Maryland now prove this remarkable ‘brain food’ can help you restore up to 12 years of memory loss and sharpen your thinking.”
See the difference? Name names and give specifics. Referencing those prestigious institutions builds credibility in the prospect’s mind – and stating that the product can restore up to 12 years of memory loss is powerful.
#2. Don’t be afraid of long headlines.
One of the first copywriting “rules” I learned was that headlines should be no more than 7 words. That way they would POP and grab the prospect’s attention. Sure, I learned the rule – but, more important, I learned when to break the rule too.
The truth is, it’s a stupid rule. The goal of your headline is to stop your reader dead in his tracks. If you can do it with one or two words – GREAT! But I’ve had many successful promotions with 20… 30… or more words in the headline. Here’s an example of how one of my headlines “grew”…
BEFORE: “Why Your Vitamins Won’t Work”
When I was telling Mama Da about all the relatives who were coming to visit her, I had no idea which ones she really wanted to see. Was it the young grandkids who would bounce on her lap… the teenagers she’d helped raise… or her own children? So I decided not to take a chance. I’d just list them all and see which ones piqued her interest.
Which brings me to my headline. “Why Your Vitamins Won’t Work” wasn’t bad – but it was too general. I wanted the prospect to stop and say, “Hey, I’m taking that stuff – so I’d better read this!” – and the best way to achieve that was to give ‘em a long list. So here’s how I reinforced the copy – and the results went through the roof…
AFTER:
Why
CoQ10
Garlic
Lutein
Ginkgo
Calcium
Bilberry
Probiotics
Vitamin C
Magnesium
Chondroitin
Glucosamine
Low-fat diets
Omega 3 fish oil
Grape seed extract
Blood pressure drugs
Weight-loss supplements
Cholesterol-lowering drugs
Won’t Work
Yep! That was the actual headline! Well over the 7 word “limit,” but who the heck cares? It worked!
So don’t be afraid of long headlines. Just make sure every word you use counts.
The Lessons Go Both Ways
It’s all about communicating your message as clearly as possible. And this just goes to show how you can apply what you learn about that in your personal life to your work… and how you can apply what you learn through your work to your personal life.
PS: In case you’re wondering how Mama Da is doing, here’s an update. We brought her home from the hospital after a 6-day stay. The pneumonia damaged her heart and lungs – and she already had diminished kidney function. So with the help of hospice, we’re just going to keep enjoying her – and listening to her thousands of stories – for as long as she’s still with us.
Mama Da always told us that she doesn’t plan to leave us with a dime, but that we will be rich with her memories. She’s definitely lived up to that promise. I am so thankful to be blessed to have had her in my life for 48 years.
[Ed. Note: Carline Anglade-Cole has 20 years of direct-mail experience in mailing-list strategies, new-product development, and creating kick-butt controls. She is the author of How to Write Kick-Butt Copy: Straight Talk From a Million-Dollar Copywriter, Anatomy of a Kick-Butt Control: How to Create a Winning Promo From Start to Finish, and Which One Won? How to Write Kick-Butt Headlines and Boost Response! Contact Carline directly by visiting her website at www.CarlineCole.com.
For more moneymaking and sales secrets, check out ETR's comprehensive Internet Cash Generator program here.]
Well-meaning parents and teachers rely on psycho-stimulant drugs to deal with children who might otherwise be unmanageable. But perhaps the cause and the cure of ADHD can be found at the dinner table and in the school cafeteria.
In 1997, the student body of Central Alternative High School in Appleton, Wisconsin was out of control and getting worse. On a typical day, the faculty would cope with discipline problems, drug use, truancies, expulsions, dropouts, and weapons violations. A police officer was on staff to help maintain order.
That same year, Natural Ovens Inc. of Manitowac, Wisconsin began a 5-year study to find out if healthy nutritious foods could make a difference in reducing behavioral problems and improving academic performance at the school. The company took over providing meals and managing the cafeteria. Junk food was banished.
Gone was the typical cafeteria fare of pizza, burgers, tacos, and fries. In their place, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole-grain breads, and entrees free of chemicals and additives. Natural Ovens had its own cooks prepare recipes the old-fashioned way. Students learned, maybe for the first time in their lives, how to eat properly. And the changes were dramatic.
Teachers reported that their students were calm and well-behaved. Dropouts and expulsions became almost nonexistent and students who were on a downward spiral turned their lives around. Academic achievement went up, while discipline problems went down. Students became more focused in class and had more concentration to study.
The old argument that administrators used to justify feeding children junk food – “We might as well, because they’re only going to eat it outside of school anyway” – proved to be unfounded. Once students made the connection between nutrition, learning, and behavior, the change stuck. They weren’t running to fast food joints after school for a junk-laden fix.
We can all learn a lesson from the young people in Appleton, Wisconsin. Bad food leads to bad behavior. And even worse – to a lifetime of failures and health problems.
Michael Masterson has observed that children all over this country have a metabolism that is off balance and burdened with toxins and chemicals from processed foods, too much sugar, and dangerous additives that affect neurochemistry. Our solution has been to mask the problem with even more dangerous chemicals in the form of prescription medications.
How can we call this a cure?
It’s time we paid attention to nutrition as the first and most important influence on health. If you have a child with ADHD or another learning or behavioral problem, take this article to your next PTA meeting. Join other concerned parents and lobby your school district to offer fresh nutritious meals that are free of additives and genetically modified ingredients.
Start making the same dietary changes at home. Stop buying junk food. Spend the money, instead, on organic produce and grass-fed meats. Your grocery bill may even go down! If you need some recipe tips, sign up for a free subscription to our natural health newsletter, Total Health Breakthroughs. Nutrition experts Kelley Herring and Laura LaValle offer great-tasting, easy-to-prepare meal ideas that feature fresh organic ingredients and the nutrients our bodies need.
You and your kids are worth it.
[Ed. Note: It truly is possible to improve your health just by making wise choices when it comes to diet and lifestyle.Find out how to live the healthy life you've always wanted.]
“You are a product of your environment. So choose the environment that will best develop you toward your objective. Analyze your life in terms of its environment. Are the things around you helping you toward success – or are they holding you back?”
Like most of us these days, Stan has been focusing on work, work, and more work. Doing so has kept him out of the gym and eating for convenience rather than health. He’s been taking in more calories than he uses, and now his doctor tells him his triglyceride level is too high.
A high triglyceride level (usually anything over 200 mg/dL) is simply the result of an energy imbalance within your body. Rather than fat and glucose (sugar) being utilized, they float aimlessly in the blood.
Since metabolism likes to be as tidy as possible, it packages unused fat and sugar into a storage molecule known as a triglyceride. Once merged, triglycerides are then stuffed into your belly, your muscles, or even your liver.
With high triglycerides, Stan risks obesity, Type II diabetes, and heart disease. In one fell swoop, his doctor prescribed a round of cholesterol-lowering drugs, anti-diabetic meds, and, for safe measure, blood pressure drugs.
Since Stan reads the headlines while sipping his sugary cup of joe, he knows these drugs aren’t his best option. Instead, he chose to follow my natural recommendations.
The natural enemy of triglycerides is a hormone known as glucagon. High triglyceride levels are usually accompanied by high insulin. Insulin stores fat while smothering glucagon production. Bring it back to the surface, and glucagon will smash triglycerides, as well as all the medical complications that accompany them.
How do you do it?
First, space your meals out by five hours. This will help insulin simmer down and cause your body to produce glucagon. Make sure you are consuming mostly healthy fats from seeds and nuts , grass-fed beef, real butter, cod liver oil, and avocados.
Second, start supplementing with a teaspoon of psyllium husk and about 300mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily. This will slow the absorption of calories and speed up sugar metabolism, reversing your body’s energy imbalance.
Finally, start exercising.
[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology and is a best-selling author. He holds a master's degree in organic chemistry and has firsthand experience in drug design. Get the benefit of his knowledge and insight with his no-BS practical guide to living young naturally without dangerous, prescription drugs]
For more natural ways to avoid illness, stay healthy, and live longer, sign up for ETR’s free natural health newsletter]
When our eyes don’t take in enough sunlight, we can “experience a serious mood change… sleep too much… have little energy… crave sweets and starchy foods… [and] feel depressed,” according to the National Library of Medicine. Studies link those symptoms to low levels of brain chemicals like serotonin and melatonin. Not only do we need sunlight in our eyes to produce those neurotransmitters, we need sunlight on our skin to produce vitamin D.
We’ve long known that vitamin D is critical for building and maintaining strong bones. But a big surprise in recent years has been that vitamin D also plays a critical role in insulin regulation, making it important for the prevention of diabetes and heart disease. It’s also important for the regulation of your immune system, with studies linking low vitamin D levels to an increased risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancers, as well as to multiple sclerosis (an autoimmune condition).
It’s hard to get enough sunshine during the winter months. And in summer, many avoid exposure to direct sunlight because they’re concerned about skin cancer. In addition, drugs used to treat heartburn, acid indigestion, and ulcers can deplete the body’s stores of vitamin D.
What this means is that you have a good chance of being deficient in this critical vitamin.
It’s easy to restore the vitamin D your body needs. You can get it by spending a few minutes in the sun each day. You can also get it from food sources, especially eggs, fatty fish, and fish liver oils. And if you don’t like fish, there are supplements.
When taking supplements, avoid the old form of vitamin D (ergocalciferol). Vitamin D 3 (cholecalciferol) is the best form to use. Experts are now recommending that we get at least 1,000 IUs per day.
[Ed. Note: It truly is possible to improve your health just by making wise choices when it comes to diet and lifestyle. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN - founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies - can give you easy-to-understand directions for living the healthy life you've always wanted. Learn more here.
Dr. Al Sears and Jon Herring reveal the amazing, life-saving benefits of sunshine in Your Best Health Under the Sun.]
One of the primary causes of problems related to aging – not just the outward signs of aging but also cataracts, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, atherosclerosis, etc. – is oxidative stress, where the immune system has more free radicals than it can handle.
You probably know that the battle against health-stealing and wrinkle-causing free radicals is best fought from the inside – with a low-sugar diet, for example, to reduce the damaging effects of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products) on the tissues. However, another huge source of oxidative stress, our polluted environment, is harder to fight.
One of the most important – but rarely mentioned – defenses against environmental toxins is glutathione peroxidase, a.k.a. glutathione.
Glutathione is manufactured in the liver, and is often referred to as the most powerful antioxidant in the body. According to a 2003 article in Redox Report: Communications in Free Radical Research, glutathione not only instantly neutralizes free radicals, it is a key way for the body to detoxify chemicals in pollutants like fuel exhaust and cigarette smoke. Glutathione is also a powerful detoxifier of heavy metals, a known cause of rampant free radical activity. In other words, glutathione provides a powerful one-two punch against aging by helping to reduce the damage from free radicals and helping to eliminate toxins from the body.
Aging is associated with significant declines in glutathione. In addition, glutathione is depleted by many drugs, including acetaminophen and ibuprofen. It also becomes depleted simply because, due to increased demands by the environment, it can be used up about as fast as our bodies can make it.
So, what can you do to build up your glutathione levels?
Unfortunately, glutathione itself cannot be absorbed via the digestive tract, so it cannot be taken in supplement form. But cysteine is an amino acid that the body uses to make glutathione, and you can get cysteine from some foods – including most animal proteins, especially whey protein isolates and eggs – as well as from N-acetyl cysteine and SAMe. (I use both of these supplements extensively in my practice.)
[Ed. Note: It truly is possible to improve your health just by making wise choices when it comes to diet and lifestyle. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN - founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies - can give you easy-to-understand directions for living the healthy life you've always wanted. To learn more about how to stop aging in its tracks and add more life to your years, click here.]
It’s hard to believe, but true. You can “turn off” disease-promoting genes and “turn on” disease-preventing genes simply by changing what you eat and how you live. But that’s not all you can do to make your genes healthier.
In addition to the antioxidants that protect DNA from free-radical damage, there’s a process that is absolutely essential to keep your DNA healthy: methylation.
But methylation doesn’t just protect your DNA. It is, in fact, at the very core of our biochemistry. It is involved with:
• producing neurotransmitters
• cell communication
• reducing the heart-harming amino acid homocysteine
• enhancing detoxification
• reducing inflammation
It’s no wonder that improper methylation increases the risk of almost every chronic illness, including cancer, heart disease, depression, Alzheimer’s, and more.
The good news is that, given the right ingredients, your body is a veritable methylating machine. Those ingredients are vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and folate. And here are the delicious foods that provide them:
•Vitamin B6: wild salmon (6 oz = 68% of what you need every day), organic, free-range chicken (1 breast = 64%), chickpeas (1 cup = 57%)
*Vitamin B12: clams (3 oz = 692%), oysters (1 dozen, Eastern wild = 545%), mussels (3 oz, New Zealand Green Lipped = 168%), wild salmon (6 oz = 88%), grass-fed beef (3 oz = 14%)
•Folate: lentils (1 cup = 90%), black beans (1 cup = 64%), endive (3 cups = 53%), spinach (3 cups = 44%)
This is yet another example of how a delicious meal like pan-roasted wild salmon with a spinach and lentil salad can please your palate while preserving your health.
[Ed. Note: One of the best ways to stay in peak condition is to eat good foods. Nutrition expert Kelley Herring has collected dozens of her healthiest and most delicious recipes in her e-book Guilt Free Desserts. Pick up your copy today.
Extending your life and living out your years in tip-top health is really a matter of making simple lifestyle choices. For more easy-to-implement expert advice on how to lose weight, stay healthy, and live a longer, fuller life, sign up for ETR's natural health e-newsletter.]
One of the tests for “true age” – the biological age of your body rather than your chronological age – is balance. You can test your balance simply by standing on one foot with your eyes closed. (Just be sure you have someone there to catch you in case you start to fall.)
If you can stand on one foot for more than 10 seconds, with the other foot raised about a foot off the floor and your eyes closed, you have excellent balance. Most people cannot do this at first. But with practice, I now have to time my one-foot balance with a clock rather than a stopwatch… and that is a sign of being biologically younger than my years.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), “Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries for persons aged more than 65 years.” Most falls occur due to a lack of balance, which declines as we age. Fortunately, resistance training and a bit of practice will help you keep your balance decades longer.
[Ed. Note: Jon Benson is a life coach and nutrition counselor who specializes in helping individuals discover a life-altering mind/body connection. His work in the field of post-40 fitness and mental empowerment has helped countless thousands rediscover a youthful body and positive outlook. Discover how you can do the same by clicking here.
For a free source of expert advice about how to add years to your life and life to your years, sign up for ETR's natural health e-newsletter.]
My kids understand that I don’t give out medication easily. The use of any drug -prescription or otherwise – can mean unpleasant side effects, needless expense, and even life-threatening injury. So, to avoid all that, I prefer to protect my kids by giving them two nutritional supplements that have proven to be safe and effective at warding off illness, especially in the winter.
Both of these nutrients have proven to be non-toxic, with absolutely zero addictive properties. You can feel comfortable giving them to your kids (and taking them yourself) to boost immunity.
[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology and is a best-selling author. He holds a master's degree in organic chemistry and has firsthand experience in drug design. Get the benefit of his knowledge and insight with his no-BS practical guide to living young naturally without dangerous, prescription drugs.
For more natural ways to avoid illness, stay healthy, and live longer, sign up for ETR's free natural health newsletter.]
Happy New Year’s Eve! I hope you are taking the time to set some goals and make plans for the year ahead.
Considering the turmoil in the economy, I understand if your primary concerns are to protect your wealth, boost your earning power, and increase your financial independence. But if you want to achieve all of that (and certainly if you want to enjoy it), you must also focus on your health.
When your mental and physical health are in top form, your thinking improves… you have more creativity and energy… you are more confident… your relationships get stronger… and your success is an inspiration to those around you.
When your health is at its best, your skin maintains its youthful appearance. You have fewer aches and pains. Your immune system protects you from illness. And your body naturally sheds fat, leaving a leaner, fitter you staring back from the mirror.
So I urge you to make the strongest commitment to regaining or maintaining your health and fitness this year. The great news is that it is not complicated and it doesn’t require toil and sacrifice. In this article, I will share with you two very simple things you can do that will make a PROFOUND impact.
It doesn’t matter whether your goal is to lose weight… heal a condition… reduce pain and inflammation … improve your appearance… have more energy and stamina… live longer… break free of prescription drugs… or just feel well again… the following two steps will help you achieve it!
The first and most important step you should take is to strictly limit the amount of sugar and high-glycemic carbohydrates in your diet. Carbs that are high on the glycemic index are rapidly converted to glucose in your system. This raises your blood sugar levels and requires a rush of insulin to shuttle the glucose molecules into the muscles where they can be used as fuel.
Here’s why that is a bad thing: Perpetually elevated blood sugar and insulin levels lead to premature aging, wide swings in mood and energy, reduced immunity, and chronic inflammation. Not to mention a much higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s and more.
Insulin is also the hormone that controls fat storage. If you want to convert your body to a perpetual fat-burning state, you must keep your insulin and blood sugar levels low. For many people, controlling insulin levels by eating a low-glycemic diet can produce nearly effortless weight loss.
High-glycemic foods that you should limit or avoid include starchy carbohydrates – potatoes, flour, rice, pasta, corn, cereal, bread and other grain products (even whole grains), and baked goods. If you can’t live without bread, tortillas, and cereal, look for Ezekiel 4:9 organic sprouted grain products made by Food for Life. They are all low-glycemic and taste great.
You should also strictly limit the amount of sugar in your diet. In one form or another, sugar is in most foods. And it is a primary culprit in our epidemics of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Read the labels and try to avoid anything with more than 10 grams per serving.
And don’t use artificial sweeteners. They can damage your health – and there are better alternatives. If you wish to sweeten foods and drinks or make your own desserts at home, use sweeteners like erythritol and stevia (or agave nectar, in moderation).
With these all-natural ingredients, you can make low-glycemic desserts that are perfectly healthy and taste even better than those made with sugar.
The second highly important step you must take to improve your health and longevity, lose weight, and slow down the aging process is to balance your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
Omega-3s and omega-6s are known as essential fatty acids. They are essential to every cell in your body, and they must be consumed in your diet. Your body cannot manufacture them. However, while omega-6 fats are essential in small amounts, they actually promote disease when consumed in unnaturally large amounts.
Based on our evolutionary history, the ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 in the diet is 1:1. Our ancestors evolved over millions of years eating that way. However, our modern diet has skewed the ratio significantly.
A hundred years ago, the average American ate less than one pound of vegetable oil per year. Today, the average American eats more than 75 pounds of these polyunsaturated omega-6 fats each year. So, instead of the ideal 1:1 ratio, most people consume anywhere from 20 to 50 times more omega-6 than omega-3 fatty acids!
This is a prescription for cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cataracts, infertility, skin wrinkles, and much more. The twofold solution is very simple:
• First, reduce – as much as possible – the omega-6 fatty acids in your diet.
Strictly limit vegetable and seed oils – corn oil, soy, canola, safflower, and sunflower oils. You should also avoid fried and processed foods. Potato chips, baked goods, salad dressings, margarine, shortening, etc. all contain vegetable oils and high levels of omega-6 fats.
Replace any vegetable oils you currently use with extra virgin olive oil, organic grass-fed butter, and organic unrefined coconut oil.
Conventionally raised meats are also much higher in omega-6 fatty acids than meat from animals raised on their natural diet. Cattle raised on corn, for example, have a much, much higher ratio of omega-6 fatty acids in their meat than cattle raised on a natural diet of grass. Grass-fed beef is generally very rich in beneficial omega-3s. Buy organic, naturally raised meats whenever possible. (U.S. Wellness Meats is a multi-family run business that takes great care of their customers.)
• Second, boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in very few foods, which is why most of the population is deficient. This is a shame, because omega-3s are one of the most beneficial nutrients in the human diet. Hundreds of published studies show that optimal omega-3 levels can greatly improve your overall health, optimize your weight, increase your energy, and help you retain mental function as you age. Omega-3s also reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and depression. And they can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, hyperactivity, diabetes, digestive disorders, and a host of other conditions.
While you can get omega-3s from flaxseeds and walnuts, these plant sources contain only the fatty acid ALA. The best omega-3 fats are those found in fish – DHA and EPA. Your brain is highly dependent on DHA. Low DHA levels have been linked to depression, memory loss, and a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Wild Alaskan salmon (not farm-raised) is one of the best food sources of these fats. But your best bet is to take a fish oil (not cod liver oil) supplement. I recommend Carlson’s Lemon Flavored. I find it’s easier to take from the bottle, rather than swallowing capsules.
1. Eat a low glycemic diet, and
2. Balance your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio.
And you will have taken two of the most important steps toward a lean, fit body and a lifetime of health.
Of course, that’s not all there is to it. You should also break a sweat on a regular basis. You should eat a varied, natural diet of whole foods, and avoid chemicals and preservatives. Drink plenty of purified water every day. And allow your body to rest peacefully at night.
It doesn’t matter what your age or prior bad habits… or how overweight and unhealthy you might feel at the moment. You can experience a higher level of fitness and the profound sense of well-being that comes with it – and you can accomplish it this year!
Make 2009 the healthiest and most successful year of your life!
[Ed. Note: Following Health Editor Jon Herring's recommendations isn't difficult - and it can have a profound effect on your life. But don't worry. It doesn't mean eating boring, tasteless food. You can enjoy low-glycemic desserts that are delicious and healthy with the help of Jon's wife, Kelley. A nutrition expert herself, Kelley Herring has created Guilt-Free Desserts - a book full of easy-to-make, mouthwateringly delicious, 100% healthy recipes you can make at home. Order today, and you'll receive the e-book Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres for free.
And for a source of motivation, fitness advice, weight-loss recommendations, and details about the latest health breakthroughs all year long, sign up for ETR's free natural health newsletter.]
Jon Herring reveals why you should take a few minutes and head outside today – and every day.
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You may think you’re up on the latest health information. But even if you were to read all the thousands of medical journals out there, you probably wouldn’t be getting the whole story. Because when they are trying to get their studies published, drug companies are more likely to submit outcomes of those that favor benefits of the new drugs they are promoting.
Understandable, maybe. But that means you may not be aware of the poor outcomes of many new drugs. In fact, many trials that showed poor outcomes were still not published several years after the FDA approved the drug.
An independent review of these studies concludes: “The information that is readily available in the scientific literature to health care professionals is incomplete and potentially biased.”
This should make you even more skeptical about the benefits touted by drug companies.
Discuss all new medications thoroughly with your doctor – and be sure to get a second opinion if anything seems fishy or too good to be true.
[Ed. Note: For unbiased reports on the latest health breakthroughs, sign up for ETR's natural health newsletter.
For more about exactly what you should be doing to improve your health, visit www.RaySahelian.com, the website of Ray Sahelian, MD, internationally recognized as a moderate voice in the evaluation of natural supplements and the author of Mind Boosters.]
You know by now that there are “good” fats and “bad” fats. And you’ve probably heard that small amounts of omega-6 fatty acids from seeds and plants are essential for your body. When combined with omega-3 fatty acids from fish, omega-6s appear to play an integral role in maintaining health. Together, these two fats can help regulate brain development, energy production, and immune function, and control inflammation.
However, large quantities of omega-6s promote oxidative stress by disabling the body’s second defense against cancer: the antioxidant. Adding insult to injury, they increase inflammation within skin cells. And inflammation can be a driving force behind the growth of skin cancer and its ability to spread to nearby tissues and organs.
This omega-6 threat did not exist 100 years ago. Our ancestors consumed only small quantities of omega-6 in the form of whole corn, seeds, and legumes. Their ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was about 1:1. Today, a large segment of the population consumes a ratio of at least 20:1.
The omega-6 overdose exists thanks to the advent of technology – chemical extraction methods, to be exact. Instead of getting omega-6 in its natural state – from plants and seeds – our primary sources are now plant and seed oils (corn, safflower, and sunflower). A single tablespoon of omega-6-laden corn oil is derived from a whopping 12 to 18 ears of corn.
The ideal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids has not yet been determined. One thing is certain, the overdose of omega-6 manifests into poor health as well as dry, brittle skin that predisposes us to skin cancer.
The best thing you can do to protect against skin cancer is rid your diet of omega-6-laden plant and seed oils while consuming more protective omega-3 fatty acids.
[Ed. Note: Shane Ellison is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute Research Grant for his research in biochemistry and physiology and is a best-selling author. He holds a master's degree in organic chemistry and has firsthand experience in drug design. Get the benefit of his knowledge and insight with his no-BS practical guide to living young naturally without dangerous, prescription drugs.
For more natural ways to stay healthy and live longer, sign up for ETR's free natural health newsletter.]
“I need your advice. I had an angiogram and I have 3 plugged arteries. The doctor at Stanford hospital said the dye they use in heart surgery may damage my kidneys to a point where I might need dialysis from then on. I am hoping you have a suggestion to clean out my arteries without surgery and kidney damage.”
Peter K.
Manteca, CA
—
Dear Peter,
You might want to look into chelation therapy. While it is widely used to remove heavy metals from the body, it has recently been successfully used as a non-surgical treatment for clearing the arteries.
Chelation (from the Greek word “chele,” which means “to claw”) uses a chemical reagent – ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid (EDTA), tetrathiomolybdate (TTM), DMSA (succimer), penicillamine, metallothionein (MT), and others – to grab onto a mineral and cause the body to excrete it in the urine. And there are several theories on how it works to clear the arteries.
One theory is that chelation directly removes calcium found in fatty plaques that block the arteries, causing the plaques to break up. Another theory is that it may stimulate the release of a hormone that, in turn, causes calcium to be removed from the plaques or causes a lowering of cholesterol levels. A third theory is that chelation therapy may work by reducing the damaging effects of oxygen ions (oxidative stress) on the walls of the blood vessels. Reducing oxidative stress could reduce inflammation in the arteries and improve blood vessel function.
Chelation has been found to be a safe, effective alternative to coronary bypass surgery or balloon angioplasty. The average cost is about $100-$125/treatment, with 20 to 30 treatments normally prescribed. It is typically not covered by insurance (which means $2,000-$4,000 out of pocket), but is far less costly or invasive than bypass surgery.
The Integrative Medicine Group at Stanford may be able to help you find a physician in your area offering chelation therapy. Also, you may be interested to know that a clinical trial is being run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The “Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy” will involve more than 2,000 patients at more than 120 locations (including Stanford). You may be eligible. Find it online at clinicaltrials.gov. Frequently asked questions can be found at nccam.nih.gov/news/2002/chelation/q-and-a.htm.
Remember, chelation is not a cure-all. Like surgery and drugs, it doesn’t treat the underlying cause of the problem. That’s why it is essential to embark upon a full-spectrum wellness program that includes healthy dietary changes and exercise. I’m not a physician, so make sure you check with your primary care physician about all your options.
- Kelley Herring
[Ed. Note: For expert advice on the best foods to eat, easy exercise routines you can do, as well as how you can apply the latest health breakthroughs to your own life, sign up for ETR's natural health newsletter. Get your free roadmap to feeling better and living longer right here.
Who says dessert can't be healthy? Nutrition expert Kelley Herring's brand-new recipe e-book, Guilt-Free Desserts, reveals 40 easy-to-make, mouthwateringly delicious, 100% healthy desserts you can make at home. Order today, and you'll receive the e-book Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres for free.]
You probably know that green tea has an array of active compounds that promote health – from calming theanine to antioxidant EGCG and heart-healthy tannins and cancer-fighting flavonoids.
But there’s another active compound in tea that produces some very unpleasant effects. Fluoride.
Fluoride is a toxic substance that can negatively impact multiple organ systems. It has been linked to hypothyroidism, skeletal fluorosis, brittle bones and teeth, gastrointestinal inflammation, and more. And because tea leaves accumulate more fluoride than any other edible plant, enjoying this otherwise healthy beverage could put your health in jeopardy.
To reduce your exposure to fluoride, here are a few things you can do:
1. Steep Less. The longer you steep, the more fluoride you’ll reap. In fact, in one study, after tea was steeped for 10 minutes, the measurable amounts of fluoride (and aluminum) almost doubled.
2. Go for White. While all true teas come from the Camellia sinensis plant, the amount of fluoride varies with the different “colors.” Green tea contains the most, black tea is next, and white tea contains the least. Instant tea mixes have been found to contain very high levels of fluoride.
3. Opt for Extracts. Many tea extracts, like Body Ecology Diet’s Green and Black Tea Extracts and Chi Green Tea Extracts, are free of fluoride.
[Ed. Note: Making your life - and the foods you eat - healthier doesn't have to be difficult or expensive. You can find recipes for plenty of wholesome, healthful meals - plus get the latest breakthroughs in health and fitness - in ETR's natural health newsletter. Sign up for free right here.
Survive the holidays with nutrition expert Kelley Herring's brand-new recipe e-books, Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres. You'll find 60+ healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
This time of year, family dinners, cocktail parties, and get-togethers pack our calendars and fill us with festive fare. But while the season is a welcome and joyous time, it is all too easy to overindulge.
Along with sticking to your exercise regimen and taking time to rest and de-stress, a little planning and the following simple nutritional strategies can help you stay healthy and maintain your weight.
Holiday Health Strategy #1: Beware of Hidden Hydrogenation
Buttery pies and flaky-crusted appetizers, piping hot from the oven, are oh-so-alluring. That is, until you find out they are loaded with trans-fats. Unless you are hosting the party or made the dish yourself, it’s safe to assume the baked goods being passed around are of the store-bought variety, which are typically packed with partially hydrogenated oils. If you’re going to avoid any food during the holidays, you should skip the puff pastries and pies. Reach, instead, for whole foods like shrimp cocktail, crudites, and baked sweet potatoes.
Holiday Health Strategy #2: Don’t Fall Victim to the Drink Dilemma
Most cocktails have around 150 calories, but many festive sips can pack a whopping 300 calories and more than 20 grams of sugar (like traditional egg nog). Because your body doesn’t register liquid calories the same way it does calories from food, this can easily equate to an extra pound of fat on your body. And it’s not only the calories, but also the way in which we process alcohol. When you drink alcohol, your body will burn through acetate – a byproduct of alcohol metabolism – instead of body fat.
To ensure that you don’t fall victim to the drink dilemma, consume in moderation. To reduce sugar and calories, choose light, non-sweet cocktails and “cut” fruit juices with sparkling mineral water. (And if you drink, be sure to see Strategy #7 below on folate.)
Holiday Health Strategy #3: Stay Off the Hormone Roller Coaster
Foods rich in refined carbohydrates spike your blood sugar and put your body on a hormone roller coaster, triggering more hunger and more eating.
To avoid this destructive cycle, focus your holiday plate on lean proteins (including organic poultry, wild fish, and grass-fed meats), healthy fats (like nuts and olive oil), and nutrient-dense veggies (especially leafy greens and crucifers). Beware of the refined carbs lurking in not-so-obvious places – like sauces and gravies made with white flour.
Holiday Health Strategy #4: Choose a Smaller Plate for Less Weight
With a large spread, it’s tempting to grab a big plate and try everything the host has to offer. A good strategy is to scope out the buffet line first and choose the items you’ll be having (opting for the roasted Brussels sprouts instead of the creamy casserole, of course). Then, when it’s time to dine, use a small plate to help keep portions (i.e., calories) under control. And remember… nothing tastes as good as thin feels!
Holiday Health Strategy #5: Makeover Your Old Desserts
Did you know that one piece of pecan pie has more than 500 calories, 65 carbohydrates, and 32 grams of sugar? And that eating 100 grams of sugar can reduce your immune system’s ability to kill germs by a whopping 40 percent! Not only does sugar depress your immune system, it meddles with your endocrine machinery, encourages fat storage, promotes cancer, and physically ages you through the production of advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs).
The good news is that now you have a sweeter option – erythritol. This “almost sugar” is all-natural, has no calories, and has a glycemic index of zero. Use it cup for cup in all of your favorite recipes to safely sweeten and delight your guests. (They’ll never know the difference!)
Holiday Health Strategy #6: Chew on This
Have you ever been “done” eating, only to make your way back to the buffet line one last time? Here’s a surefire way to send your body the message that the kitchen’s closed: Chew a piece of all-natural, sugar-free gum. Not only does peppermint taste terrible with mashed potatoes, but chewing gum has been found to reduce hunger and specifically stave off cravings for sweets (according to recent research published in the journal Appetite).
Holiday Health Strategy #7: Bolster Your Immune Arsenal
We often don’t think of our immune system – until it fails us. And stress, alcohol, sugar, and lack of sound sleep and sunshine – known immune wreckers – are par for the course during the holidays.
The good news is that you can strengthen your defenses and get your immune system in tip-top shape to guard against many common winter woes. Along with a high-quality whole-foods multivitamin/mineral and a fish oil supplement (both of which you should be taking every day), here are some of the best-known immunity boosters to keep on hand:
Following these simple nutritional strategies can help you stay healthy now, so you don’t pay a big price later. But don’t be afraid to savor a taste of your favorite holiday food and splurge a bit. Remember, wellness is all about balance!
[Ed. Note: As nutrition expert Kelley Herring points out, you can find plenty of all-natural methods for staying healthy throughout the holidays and beyond. For a twice-weekly dose of the latest breakthroughs in weight-loss programs... healthful recipes... and other ideas for achieving optimal health, sign up for ETR's free natural health newsletter.
Survive the holidays with Kelley's brand-new recipe e-books, Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres. You'll find 60+ healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
Do you reach for a Red Bull for an afternoon pick-me-up? After reading this (or drinking that), you may have a change of heart.
A recent study conducted at Adelaide University found that people who regularly drank sugar-free Red Bull had a cardiovascular profile similar to that of people with heart disease. In fact, they found that drinking just one sugar-free Red Bull increased the “stickiness” of the blood and raised the risk of blood clots.
So what causes this? The main ingredients in Red Bull are taurine (an amino acid), glucuronolactone (a normal human metabolite), caffeine, and B vitamins. And the diet version – the one used in this study – is sweetened with sucralose and aspartame.
To beat mid-day fatigue, make sure you stay properly hydrated throughout the day. And enjoy organic green or white tea, lightly sweetened with all-natural stevia. It’s calorie-free too, packed with antioxidants and actually good for your heart.
[Ed. Note: As nutrition expert Kelley Herring points out, you can find plenty of all-natural methods for staying healthy. Now, you can access the latest breakthroughs in weight-loss programs... healthful recipes... and other ideas for achieving optimal health - all from one of the largest integrative-medicine practices in the country. Learn more here.
Survive the holidays with Kelley's brand-new recipe e-books, Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres. You'll find 60+ healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
For what seems like forever, nutritionists like me have been urging people not to skip breakfast – for a number of reasons. For one thing, studies have found that people who skip breakfast are far more likely to be overweight or obese than those who eat breakfast on a regular basis. Researchers have also found that there’s a correlation between eating breakfast and better performance/concentration at school and work, more energy, and improved well-being.
But those of us who have been on the breakfast bandwagon seem to have left out one of the most important details: the breakfast menu. Because even if you eat breakfast, all bets are off if you choose the wrong foods.
In a new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, researchers confirmed that breakfast eaters, in general, eat fewer calories during the day. But the study also showed that people who eat a really high-calorie breakfast are more likely to eat more calories during the day. Plus, their average intake of important nutrients (like calcium) falls.
When you think about it, this makes sense. Breakfasts that are very high in calories are almost certain to include junk like pastries, donuts, and other “foods” that have nothing to do with reaping the benefits of a solid, high-protein, low-calorie breakfast that’s been shown to moderate cravings. In fact, a high-calorie junk-food breakfast is far more likely to lead to overeating during the day – exactly the opposite of what you want.
So don’t skip breakfast. But do skip the donuts.
[Ed. Note: Opting for fruit and eggs instead of muffins and donuts is a simple way to stay healthy and keep your weight under control. For more natural, easy-to-implement strategies that can help you burn fat, get fit, and stay healthy, sign up for. ETR's natural health newsletter.
For more natural ways to feel better and live longer, check out nutrition expert Jonny Bowden's book The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth.]
When you visit your healthcare provider, beware of a one-size-fits-all approach. Advice should be tailored to your current health concerns, past history of illness, and any significant genetically based illnesses in your family history.
A good example to note here is soy. While it may seem like an innocuous little bean, soy poses a number of potential health issues – and should always be avoided by women with estrogen-positive breast cancer.
Be selective when choosing a healthcare professional. He should listen carefully to your health concerns and respect your thoughts on treatment options. I can’t tell you how many stories I have heard about doctors who make their patients wait an hour, only to breeze in for a five-minute visit – just long enough to write a prescription. Or doctors who become defensive and indignant when their patients come armed with information or pose questions about alternative treatments.
If your doctor will not spend the time and make the effort to understand your personal situation and history, or if he is offended by your wish to educate yourself about your treatment options, seek a new doctor. Immediately. Likewise, if the advice you receive seems one-sided, or the doctor seems to be a “do as I say, not as I do” kind of guy, go elsewhere.
Evaluate your doctor the same way you would evaluate any service professional. You wouldn’t go to a financial planner who is destitute. Nor would you put much faith in a personal trainer who is obese. And neither should you patronize a doctor who appears not care for his own health.
[Ed. Note: One of the best ways to protect your health? Arm yourself with knowledge. You can get the latest health breakthroughs, inside information from leading health experts, and easy-to-follow strategies for improving your fitness and diet with ETR's natural health newsletter. Get a free subscription when you sign up today.
The holidays are coming up, and nutrition expert Kelley Herring can help you sail through them without ruining your waistline. Check out her brand-new recipe e-books - Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres - for more than 60 healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
The Internet has improved life in so many ways. Especially when it comes to making informed choices about your health.
Maybe you go online to check your symptoms… look up treatments for your uncle’s colon cancer… or search for a tasty low-carb dinner you can prepare for your family. If so, you’re not alone. According to a Health Tracking Household Study by the Center for Studying Health System Change, 32 percent of American adults look to the Internet for health care information.
But this ocean of information can sometimes be harmful. Researchers from the University of New South Wales have found that people could be placing their health at risk by reading only what they want to read. Professor Enrico Coiera told one reporter that “there can be negative consequences if people find the wrong information.”
Not a big surprise.
But despite the sea of misinformation, the Internet offers unparalleled tools to help you make better decisions and navigate your own personalized course to wellness.
To make the most of online health information and become a more savvy surfer, keep your eye out for these five warning signs.
1. Hidden (or Not So Hidden) Interests
If you go to a doctor and you’re surrounded by posters, pens, and magnets promoting pharmaceutical drugs, you’re not surprised when he pulls out his prescription pad, right? You should be just as aware when browsing through health websites.
Take the WebMD and Prevention sites, for example. While they talk a big game about “natural health,” their ads tell a different story. Pull up an article on “sleeping better” and it’s surrounded by ads for Lunesta and Ambien. Click on “heart healthy foods” and you see smiling faces promising a better life if you take Lipitor or Crestor.
I’m not saying you can never trust advertising- supported websites or publications. Many of them (including Early to Rise and Total Health Breakthroughs) have an advertising policy that’s congruent with their editorial policy and core health principles. But when the advertising takes center stage, make sure you take a close look at the affiliations and potential hidden interests that could compromise the advice that’s being giving and potentially harm your health.
2. Advisors Who Contradict Themselves
If you subscribe to certain health newsletters or visit so-called “health” websites, you will often be disappointed to learn that many only add to your confusion and frustration. And you might notice that quite a few “gurus” blatantly contradict themselves.
Take Dr. Andrew Weil, for example. His mantra is to reduce inflammation by eating a nutrient-dense, low-glycemic diet. This is great advice, and you would be well-served to follow it. But many of his actionable recommendations completely oppose this simple concept.
About a year ago, I subscribed to Dr. Weil’s free e-newsletter. And five times in the last year, he has featured cornbread as his “Recipe of the Day” – a recipe that calls for white flour and sugar and scores a blood-sugar-spiking 95 on the glycemic index. I probably don’t have to tell you that this is precisely what you DON’T want to eat if your goal is to reduce inflammation. Thanks, but no thanks, Dr. Weil.
Use your own common sense when you feel your “guru” has fallen short – and don’t be afraid to use the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of the newsletter.
3. Incomplete Advice
You know that swimming is good exercise. But swimming in chum-filled waters with sharks circling beneath you is probably not a “healthy” choice.
The same is true of health information. It’s important to look at every angle to see the big picture.
Take the recommendation that you should drink eight glasses of water per day. I believe that’s good advice. But what kind of water should you drink? Very few websites that give this advice mention that you should avoid water that has been chlorinated and fluoridated – and that you should stick to purified spring water or tap water that has been filtered to remove chemicals and contaminants.
The same goes for advice about things you should avoid. I often read that “meat is bad because it is contaminated with hormones and pesticides and full of unhealthy fat.” While this might be true of some meat, the advice is incomplete. Advice that covers all the bases would tell you that conventional meats can be full of hormones and pesticides and unhealthy fat. And that’s why you should always insist on organic meats from animals that are raised on their natural diets.
Astute and trustworthy online advisors present all the angles so that you know the hazards and the benefits… and can choose for yourself. Beware of health advice that is one-sided.
4. Costs That Outweigh the Benefits
“Ten grams of fiber per serving” is proudly emblazoned on the online image of a popular high-fiber cereal box. Yet “also packs a hefty 15 grams of sugar” is not.
Here’s another one. An online diet program appears to be affordable and convenient. Until you notice the small caption at the bottom of the page stating you must also purchase all of their packaged foods – at $10/meal. (And they are loaded with artificial sweeteners and other unhealthy ingredients.)
It is no surprise that companies choose to tout the benefits of their products and services while minimizing (sometimes to the extent of deceptively hiding) the drawbacks.
When evaluating health information, be vigilant and read the fine print. Temper the attributes against the potential negatives.
5. Your Own Tendency to Use the Online Sea of Confusion as a Crutch or Excuse
In a recent chat with my aunt, she told me she read an online article about the importance of eating only wild salmon. She threw her hands up in the air and said: “They’re always changing their minds. First it was eat fish, then it was eat salmon. And now they say if it’s farmed salmon it’s worse than not eating fish at all. I give up.”
If you are unhealthy and/or overweight, take responsibility. Do your own research and make your own decisions. And be ready to accept the fact that there is new information available every day. Your health is ultimately in your own hands. It is up to you – and only you – to change it.
And you can! Simply by translating the information and advice you find online into knowledge… and then into action.
Living healthy is not a sacrifice. It doesn’t take a lot of time or money and it doesn’t have to be difficult. Have the courage to put your knowledge into action and be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Gravitating Toward Balance
With all of these words of caution, now let me tell you something that will put your mind at ease.
Your body innately knows how to be healthy.
It naturally gravitates toward a state of balance, and, when challenged with illness or stress, can find its way back to health given proper nourishment, rest, and recovery.
While there is certainly a place for emergency medicine, in most cases Western medicine only attempts to mask the symptoms of disease. Medicine rarely addresses the cause.
The way to address the causes of poor health, aches and pains, premature aging, and disease is with nourishing food, sensible supplements, pure water, and vigorous exercise. Your “default” should always be what is natural.
Armed with a discerning eye, the newfound knowledge widely available on the Internet, and the courage to put it into action, the power of prevention and the wealth of wellness is yours for the taking!
[Ed. Note: The Internet has its share of bad advice... but it's also an excellent resource when you're trying to get fit and healthy. Now, you can access the latest breakthroughs in weight-loss programs... healthful recipes... and other ideas for achieving optimal health - all from one of the largest integrative medicine practices in the country. Learn more here.
The holidays are right around the corner - along with tons of high-sugar, high-carb holiday goodies. Nutrition expert Kelley Herring can help you survive the holidays with her brand-new recipe e-books, Guilt-Free Desserts and Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres. Click here for 60+ healthy recipes you can easily make at home.]
Admit it. You’ve always fantasized about cruising down the freeway in a Lamborghini. Or a Ferrari. Or maybe a Hum-V.
Well, there’s no reason you CAN’T do it. And you don’t have to shell out six figures for the thrill.
Michael Masterson has never been an advocate of buying fancy new cars. He’s always recommended getting your cars slightly used. Since they depreciate so much the instant they leave the lot, buying used is a smart way to get an almost-new vehicle without losing a lot of money.
But there’s another option …
Rent.
According to Prince & Associates (reported in MSN), over half of millionaires surveyed plan to rent luxury goods over the coming year. That includes exotic cars.
Of course, renting a Ferrari every weekend is going to cost a pretty penny. (And there are better things to spend your money on.) But if you want to enjoy an occasional Sunday drive in a Lamborghini or Bentley, renting could be cost-effective.
Where to find your weekend driving machine? Typing “luxury car rentals” into Google yields millions of results. Or you could join an exotic sports car “time share.” Club Sportiva, one such program, offers “driving packages” that begin at $3,500 for 12 days a year.
[Ed. Note: These days, "living rich" is more important than ever. How do you live like a billionaire without spending a lot of money? What are the inexpensive luxuries you enjoy? Let us know right here.]
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Life extension is one of the most popular research topics in the world right now. You might have heard what scientists have learned about calorie restriction, for example. Many studies have found that if you cut calories from an animal’s diet, they can live longer. This works with mice, monkeys, and even household pets.
But does it work for humans?
Researchers at the University of Florida’s Institute on Aging recently investigated the possibility that calorie restriction could help extend the human lifespan. In this study, human subjects either decreased their dietary intake by 20 percent less than needed to maintain their weight, or they increased their energy expenditure by 20 percent through exercise. (The subjects needed a lot of discipline, because this went on for more than a year.)
The researchers found that both diet and exercise helped reduce oxidative damage to the subjects’ DNA. And they expected that this would have a positive effect on lifespan.
What does this mean for you? It means that you might not have to starve yourself to live longer. Both diet and exercise appear to have the same beneficial effect on the aging process.
Of course, the best thing to do – for both life extension and weight control – is to combine diet and exercise for a double-whammy. Not only will you lose pounds, you could also add years.
[Ed. Note: Combine eating right and exercising to get the best health results. For ideas about which foods you should be eating and which foods to avoid - and recipes for delicious, healthy meals - sign up for ETR's natural health newsletter.
And for a short workout you can do to build muscle and burn fat at the same time, all while getting in and out of the gym in under three hours a week, check out fitness expert Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training program.]