A BALANCED DIET
Current recommendations on diet has led the US population to suffer a sharp rise in Obesity and Diabetes, not to mention other chronic conditions. Over the past few years, research seems to show that we are consuming too many carbs and refined sugars.
This leads to increases in insulin which in turn obligates the body to make and keep fat in our bodies. Insulin will NOT ALLOW fat to be mobilized from your fat cells. It doesn’t matter what kind of diet or how much exercise you are doing, if insulin is elevated YOU WILL NOT LOOSE WEIGHT! There is no single formula for a diet that can be applied to every patient. However, following a basic low carb diet while modifying it to your specific/current needs is the best way we know how to get your metabolism running in the right direction. You should spend time learning these basic concepts and how to apply them. Ask us about our nutrition orientation program.
Diet is the foundation of your health. If you are building a house, you need a solid foundation to keep the structure strong and true. Diet is the foundation over which we build a better you. Some foods promote inflammation and digestive problems. Staying away from processed foods would be a good start to avoid these symptoms. Then watching for specific foods sensitivities will help improve overall well-being. As often as possible avoid contaminants in food by eating certified organics.
A balanced diet for you may be very low in carbs, include enough protein to promote muscle growth/bone strength and have enough fat to keep you feeling satisfied. The right combination of these depends on your age, activity, chronic conditions and your goals. Your health care provider can help you with this. Results can be seen quickly once you have the right formula, even if you have not started exercising yet.
THE RIGHT STUFF
If you don’t have the appropriate levels of Micronutrients/Nutrition (vitamins and minerals) you will NEVER feel your best. Imagine you have a factory (your body) making cars, if you don’t buy enough tires, or get the right oil into the engines, your cars will not perform as expected. Your body is the same. Make sure you have the “Right Stuff” in your system before expecting it to function optimally. A simple test panel can give you information on which supplements to take. The fact that you could benefit from a specific supplement, doesn’t mean that your neighbor, friend or family member needs that same supplement (SO MEASURE FIRST). This is true individualized medicine.
Many of the supplements readily available in the market may not have what they claim, or worst, are contaminated with toxins. So make sure you get products from a reputable source. To assure the quality of supplements you obtain, here are some of the questions you should get responses to, from the manufacturer (either from the product literature, their website or directly from contacting the company):
Clinical studies have been done on this product
Auditing results by third parties to assure compliance with GMPs
List of the additives, fillers, and excipients used
List of raw materials from non-U.S. sources
Verification of Potency
List of tests done on raw materials; do they use organic or commercially grown herbs?
Do they use temperature controls while storing raw materials?
Test results on raw materials and/or each lot for: Bacteria, Mold, Yeast, Salmonella species, Escherichia coli, and S. aureus, rancidity, heavy metals, solvent/pesticide residue and PCBs.
Is each lot of finished product assayed to assure it meets 100% of label claims?
What procedures or testing is conducted on finished product to assure purity, composition, and quality?
Is stability and potency testing done to verify the expiration date?
GUT HEALTH
Your gut health (digestion) is a carefully orchestrated between your brain, mouth, stomach, intestines, pancreas and liver. But the wrong foods (like processed foods), certain medications and poor eating schedules will promote inflammation, bloating, heart burn, constipation/diarrhea etc. Inflammation that affects the lining of our gut is especially problematic because it can lead to leaky gut and inflammation in other parts of our body (arthritis, thyroiditis, etc.)
Some heart burn medications can make things worse by decreasing the normal acid in your stomach which is needed for digestion.
We prefer to use probiotics and enzymes, together with the right diet and supplements, to improve digestive symptoms. Probiotics are the good bacteria that help decrease inflammation as they help with digestion. Enzymes should help your digestion of fats and proteins, but enzymes that breakdown carbs and sugars should be avoided. Excess carbs and sugars will feed the inflammation producing bacteria and promote leaky gut. The right diet will usually consist of low carbs, and after testing your vitamin and mineral levels, need minimal supplements as needed to optimize how you feel and function.
The right digestion tools will help absorption of your nutrients much better and mobilize toxins out of your body. Your gut is at the center of your well-being. A healthy digestive function will keep your immune system and your nutrition in tip top shape.
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