1. If you’re thinking about trying some holistic health solutions, you may want to stay at home (or go on a relaxing getaway) and enjoy a juice diet. A juice fast is essentially a limited diet or a partial fast which reduces the amount of energy required for the crucial work of normal digestion, so that a substantial amount of healing can happen in a short span of time. The best juices for these reinvigorating diets are greens with somewhat mild veggies mixed with some of your favorite fruits to make them tasty. In most situations, individuals who are in excellent health shouldn’t have any problem going on a juice diet for six to nine days, but if you’re under a doctor’s supervision – for whatever reason, it’s critical that you consult your doctor first. It’s also extremely important to keep in mind that there are a variety of conditions - such as anorexia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, breastfeeding and pregnancy which make any kind of unsupervised fast or juice-fasting a dangerous proposition.
2. Do some serious sweating. Spend 30 to 45 minutes in a sauna or steam room (avoid steam rooms that have too much chlorine in the steam), or go to an intense yoga class, or enjoy a really hot bath - just let yourself really sweat. Deep sweating assists the skin, your most significant organ of detoxification, with doing its job properly.
3. Take up bouncing! Find a mini-trampoline and start bouncing regularly. The exercise alone will be great for your health, but a mini-tram also supposedly targets specific locations in the lymphatic system, helping to improve its overall functioning. The body’s lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart does, so it can use a bit of assistance. Most gyms usually have mini-trams, so when you go to work out, do your 5-minute warm-up while bouncing!
4. As soon as you wake up in the morning, scrape your tongue before doing anything else. Everyone’s body does a great deal of detoxing while sleeping, and that unpleasant coating on your tongue when you get out of bed (It’s called ama (metabolic debris) in Ayurveda) should be cleaned off before you even have a drink of water. The majority of dental care aisles at major health food stores - and most drugstores, usually sell very reasonably priced tongue scrapers.
5. Make regular use of a Neti pot. For quite some time, the yogis have been recommending “sinus bathing” as a crucial aspect of truly enlightened hygiene, and if you’d like to experience this sensation yourself, you can usually buy a Neti pot (exquisite ceramic ones and inexpensive plastic models) at most major health food outlets. You fill it with a warm saline solution and, following the instructions to the letter, allow the water to flow deeply into one nostril and then directly out the other; then repeat the process with the other side. For most people, this isn’t really a very pleasant sensation, but it certainly clears your head right up.
6. Buy a “dry body brush.” Right before you take a bath or shower, use this extraordinary dry body brush (ask someone at your local health food outlet; it’s a brush that has a removable handle, and it’s specifically intended to be used only on dry skin) to buff your skin, always beginning with the feet first. Then slowly work your way up, making upward strokes on the thighs and calves, strokes from your fingertips to your shoulders on your arms, and fairly gentle circular motions all around your chest, abdomen, and hips; this brush isn’t to be used on your face. By removing dead skin cells through gentle massaging, your skin will be warmed and energized, helping your skin to detox easily.
7. Colonics and Enemas. These are included because they’re commonly considered to be standard detox practices - and many, many people believe in them. Individuals in these circles generally say that people have some kind of toxic build-up – a toxic residue if you will, in the recesses of the colon which needs to be cleaned out.
8. Take a trip to someplace quite and clean. By “quite and clean,” I mean a spot where the air is untainted by civilization (in the mountains perhaps), and where electro-magnetic radiation is almost non-existent. There might be some people who will get frustrated that they can’t get any cell phone service, but it’s really wonderful to get away from it all. If you can take a trip for even just one weekend each season, it’ll make all the difference in the world for your sense of wellbeing.
9. Eat raw foods and make an effort to think loving thoughts. Okay, it’s two recommendations, but just by eating a diet high in raw foods, which is plant-based, even without any kind of fasting or juice dieting, you’ll make incredible headway in your detoxification efforts and quickly eliminate your sugar addiction. If at any time you find yourself experiencing a “detox crisis” - headaches, fatigue - just rest, eat sparingly, and allow it to slowly pass, or if you want to slow down the detox process to a more comfortable rate, then rest and start eating a lot more cooked food. Your thoughts during this process are of the utmost importance: make them loving, to everyone in the world, your body and yourself. This way, you detox not only your body, but the built-up negativity from the deepest recesses of your being.
10. Follow the 80/20 rule. To understand what the 80/20 rule is all about we need to understand that our body is made up of both acid and alkaline and when these two become out of balance, chaos reigns! All foods need to be alkaline, acidic or neutral, with by far the largest amounts being made up of alkaline forming foods. In this case 80% should be alkaline and the acid forming foods should represent 20%. This is a long way from the average North American diet, unfortunately.
Alkaline-based foods are largely vegetables and fruits and some nuts, while acid-based foods include animal protein, starch, sugar, alcohol, dairy and some grains. For some reason it has become traditional to serve vegetables as “a side” and in very much smaller portions, whereas according to the 80/20 rule it should be the other way around. Give it a try: 80% alkaline forming food and 20 % acid food, and experience what holistic nutrition can do for you!
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Scientists suggest that our sugar addiction can contribute to our bodies changing much faster than they should. It has been suggested that “cross-linking” takes place when sugar molecules attach to protein molecules, causing the linked molecules to alter their function. Some of these molecules accumulate in specific soft tissues which then stiffen over time and become less functional. This can occur in arteries, tendons, cartilage and can result in failure or deterioration.
Many believe that a high concentration of sugar in the blood stream is the primary culprit for cross-linking, and any foods or beverages that represent such a high concentration of sugar, such as sodas, should be avoided as much as possible.
When foods which are high in sugars - commonly known as high glycemic level foods, are consumed, inflammation can occur. This process will also release a high proportion of free radicals into the body.
Comprehensive holistic health solutions direct us towards a balanced, even perhaps defensive approach to nutrition as we get older. Naturally of course, foods which are well known to cause problems should be avoided, but unfortunately, most of us tend to have a narrow view of holistic nutrition, often taking shortcuts because of our hectic lifestyles. Many of us regularly place good health at the bottom our list of daily priorities - until we suffer from a shocking wake-up call of some sort. From the above, any sensible individual can clearly see that we should be prioritizing our daily lives quite differently, placing good health and longevity at the very top of our list.
When it comes to medical and scientific studies, there are far more than enough of them around to clearly show us that consuming saturated fats and high levels of cholesterol are quite bad for our health, and cause significant symptoms of premature aging too. Sugar may be one of the silent killers, as it is not regarded with such anticipation as those foods which are high in fat. The actual truth of the matter is that sugar has no nutritional value whatsoever, and has been shown to cause appetite spikes too.
Further studies by dermatologists suggest that eating sugary foods can significantly contribute to the development of wrinkles. Once again it is found that when glucose enters the bloodstream it attaches to the proteins used by the body to keep our skin supple and affects their ability to perform. In such situations collagen and elastin are no longer able to help us in our battle against a weathered look.
Aging should be a natural process and we should not contribute to its acceleration. If we were to treat our bodies as a temple and take a much more educated look at what we eat or drink on a daily basis, then we would feel more productive and more able to take on the trials and tribulations that life presents to us each day. Many people preach that caloric restriction extends life expectancy by keeping the flow of insulin in check. Sugar addiction can cause insulin levels to become highly elevated and it follows that we will age far before our time, unless we’re careful.
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A sugar addiction can be seriously debilitating and we need to seek focus on holistic nutrition before we develop numerous and significant health problems. We all know that we should be eating well, but due to significant marketing campaigns by the American Heart Association and others, a lot of the emphasis has been placed on low-fat and the elimination of cholesterol in our diets, while there may be other, equally as sinister, threats.
We know that heart disease can be the number one killer in our society, but we are not generally as aware that sugar can be very bad for us as well. Sugar is evident as a preservative, as a flavor enhancer in a very wide range of products, especially in processed foods. The truth is that we could lead a life without any additional or “added” sources of sugar, as there’s plenty to be found, naturally occurring within a wholesome diet.
An addiction to sugar is apparent in almost every one of us. In some of us, the craving for sugar might not be as apparent, but it is nevertheless there, mostly because our modern diet is filled with such a variety of processed foods, which are made up of sugar in the form of simple carbohydrates. The Western diet is directly responsible for the stunning levels of obesity that we see everywhere in industrialized nations such as the United States, and as preparing wholesome food is generally viewed as a task that interferes with our busy lives, we have the tendency to fill our diets with foods that are unbalanced - to say the least, and are a far cry from any sensible holistic health solutions.
If you notice that you have difficulty stopping off at the local store or gas station without walking out with something sweet – a drink or snack, then you’ve definitely got “the craving.” Also, consuming alcohol on a daily basis can disguise a significant sugar addiction. If you ever remember saying that the “foods that taste really nice are always bad for you,” then you’re indirectly admitting to having a sugar addiction.
Before you can kick your sugar habit, you have to take stock of your situation. Do you find that you are overweight, have little energy, become unfocused rather easily and wonder why you get those crazy mood swings? The likelihood is that your sugar intake is way too high. Less than 5 teaspoons or less then 20 g is the recommended daily intake for sugars. This refers to added sugars, rather than naturally occurring. Read those labels!
Once you have decided that you are suffering from sugar addiction symptoms and that your sugar intake is way too high, you have made the first big step to kicking your habits. You may find it rather difficult to start off with, but if you value holistic nutrition as much as you should, then you can develop a whole new approach to diet, exercise and look forward to living a much more productive life without a sugar addiction to slow you down.
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Basically, holistic nutrition tells us that we really need to have a thorough understanding of what it actually takes to make our bodies work optimally. As we grow up we gather all kinds of conflicting signals, bad habits and lazy ideals, causing our diet to become anything but optimal. Most of us have a fairly basic knowledge of nutrition and what we should be consuming, but for a variety of reasons, we end up establishing a regular diet that’s a direct result of our hectic - or sometimes sedentary, lifestyles, which usually addresses very few of our essential needs.
For the most part, our continuous reliance on quick fixes and convenience-based lifestyles usually guarantees that we consume huge volumes of empty carbohydrates and foods with excessive caloric values day after day. It is little wonder that we seem to have wildly fluctuating energy levels and a whole variety of poor health symptoms. We just need to stop for a second and consider that what we put into our body directly affects who we are and how we feel.
We see and hear so much conflicting information from the government and a variety of special interest groups, telling us that we need to eat one type of food and avoid another. An extraordinary amount of publicity has been created telling us that we need to take up fat-free diets, and innumerable products are constantly paraded before our eyes, offering us the double temptations of “instant” and “fat-free.” What we may not realize is that these products contain significant amounts of sugar, intended to make up for the loss in taste that would otherwise be apparent due to the reduced fat levels. Additionally, a lot of these processed foods require sugars to extend their shelf life.
The average individual consumes a colossal volume of sugar, far more than the maximum recommended guideline. Many experts say that over the span of a year, some people consume up to 160 pounds of sugar - the thought alone is quite disturbing, don’t you think? With a dedicated approach to the adoption of holistic health solutions in your life you could end up feeling better, rather quickly, from tip to toe. You could lose as much as seven pounds of body weight within the next seven days by making this effort to get rid of your sugar addiction. Those mood swings and erratic highs and lows would quickly become a thing of the past. Very few people realize that eating too much sugar can have a direct effect on your skin, causing it to become less elastic, rapidly promoting wrinkles and early ageing.
It is a fairly common misconception among people all over the world that anything other than the instantaneous but low value Western diet is tasteless, bland and boring. Little could be further from the real truth, and with a persistent effort on your part, you will be able to discover a new, tasty and fulfilling approach to holistic nutrition by chasing seven days to sugar freedom.
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It can often be extremely difficult to keep your attention on holistic nutrition when you’re suffering from intense cravings for some of those sweet, sugary items. It can be even more difficult when we see those temptations all around us. We only have to travel to the gas station or the corner store for something totally unrelated and right before our eyes we see those enticing donuts in the checkout line or candy bars right next to the cash register. Cravings can be incredibly challenging to handle, particularly if you haven’t eaten anything for a few hours. The combination of a hunger pang and that sweet tooth can be tough to resist and before you know it you have fueled your sugar addiction once again.
A variety of imbalances within the body can be responsible for spurring a sugar craving, especially when it comes to insulin production. If, for example, you are used to drinking sugary coffees or cans of soda at any opportunity, your body may have been accustomed to significant spikes in glucose and consequent insulin production, leading to a constant level of anticipation.
If you notice that you’re having to fight off those sugar cravings regularly, then it’s absolutely crucial to take some time and really think about the holistic health solutions in your daily life. One of the more important areas for your attention should be the balance of your overall diet. Sometimes you may not be getting as much protein as you should and you may need to realize that what your body is really asking you for is protein and not sugar.
As we’ve said before, temptations are virtually everywhere, and most of the time you can’t do much about their location. However, you can certainly clean your house of these temptations, where you have overall control and this means not stocking up on those tempting “after dinner” treats, or that carton of “Ben and Jerry’s,” sitting in its special place in your freezer!
You should know that there is a difference between simple processed sugar and sugar that is already contained within foods. Processed foods and candy bars, processed juices and soda drinks all contain sugars that contain zero calories or nutritional value and these are responsible for that “high” and subsequent low. Fruits, on the other hand, contain naturally occurring sugars which interact with your body in an entirely different way. We know that nutritional experts are always preaching at us to eat more fruits and vegetables and if you can get into the habit of eating an item of fruit every day, you will get beneficial fibers, vitamins and minerals as well.
Do not underestimate the power that this sugar addiction can have over you. You will need to make significant dietary changes and have a lot of willpower to be able to get through the early stages. Pay attention to everything that you buy in the grocery store from now on and read the labels to reveal your best buying choices. A sensible approach to holistic nutrition along with a few other holistic health solutions will soon help you to overcome your sugar addiction.
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January 2, 2010
Holistic Nutrition And The Shocking Facts On Sugar Addiction
You might not believe you have a sugar addiction, choosing to refute the old saying that tells us that anything that tastes really nice is bound to be bad for us. Whether this belief is really accurate or not is open to debate, but it most definitely applies to an excessive amount of sugar. Just as with everything else in life, we should practice moderation, because even though sugar gives us energy, too much too often is definitely unhealthy.
We need energy to function and sugar certainly gives this to us. Our body converts sugar into glucose, but the main problem we face as we indulge in our “instant fix” diets is that we turn to simple sugars, rather than complex sugars or carbohydrates. Simple sugars contained within sweets and soda or pop give no lasting value to the human body and we generally tend to eat added sugars rather than those naturally occurring, such as found in fruits, or within a more holistic nutrition plan.
Speaking in general terms, foods that have added sugars usually have very little nutritional value to people, and are often packed with calories - which to their misfortune and to our regret, adds to the world wide obesity problem on a daily basis.
In most diets, sweet drinks represent the primary source of sugar consumption, yet they provide almost nothing at all to us besides strongly contributing to the issue of tooth decay and giving us an intense “sugar rush” feeling, which is quickly followed by a feeling lethargy or sluggishness.
It is worth trying to remember that the typical 12 ounce can of Coca-Cola contains about 10 teaspoons of sugar. If you can easily imagine putting 10 spoons of sugar into a small soda can, it should put you off buying Coca-Cola for at least a little while!
Keep in mind that most sugar cravings are usually put down to just having a “sweet tooth,” and most people don’t give it any further consideration. However, an excessive attention to sugar can lead to mood swings, allergies, chronic fatigue, headaches, digestive problems, blood pressure issues and obesity.
It’s important to understand that the traditional Western diet plays too heavily on convenience, the quick fix, taste enhancements provided by fats or simple sugars and not enough on a balanced caloric intake, common sense and longevity. We might view sugar as our innocent friend but in truth, if not checked, it can lead to serious health issues and a less than productive daily life.
Many people wonder why they’re not as productive as they could be from time to time and often put this down to them just having an off day, whereas in the majority of cases a poor diet is often the reason for our lack of performance. We tend to rely on sugars and temporary fixes or that cup of coffee, not fully comprehending that we are shortcutting our way to problems and should really be looking into holistic health solutions.
Understanding the cold hard facts about your sugar addiction could lead to a more productive and fulfilling life.
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We often hear about how comfort food will help to brighten our day, to provide a haven for us when we get really stressed, but we often fail to realize that these distractions can also represent a facet of our uncontrolled sugar addiction. It’s true, comfort foods really do help us to forget about our problems - temporarily, and typically, they’re quite easy to prepare, and are also readily available almost everywhere too. They can often contain a significant amount of refined sugar and have questionable, if any holistic nutrition value.
Stress is a regular occurrence in everyone’s lives. Some of us are able to deal with it better than others. The recent severe economic downturn around the globe has piled on additional levels of stress and has challenged us more than ever before in many cases. Many people choose to turn to external influences and “fixes” to deal with their stress levels, often turning to cigarettes or alcohol or maintaining a less than optimum dietary level.
Stress and diet can be inexorably linked and if we are not able to control our stress, we can certainly add to it by eating very poorly. Sugar addiction is a widespread problem in modern society because sugar has an inherent quality which enhances flavors and adds marketability to some otherwise almost tasteless foods and drinks, making it an extremely valuable commodity to the major manufacturers.
What is commonly considered to be comfort food could just as easily be termed stress food, as when we look toward these kinds of products we’re attempting to modify some sort of situation that we’re currently dealing with. However, what many of us do not realize is that when we add sugar-based products and super refined sugars to our intake in these situations we can significantly aggravate the original problem. When we’re stressed out, our natural digestive processes have a tendency to function poorly, and the interaction of the sugars with our body chemistry can cause a stress-filled situation to become quite a bit worse. What we set out to try and manage with comfort foods, can be greatly aggravated through our poor choices.
Experts in holistic health solutions recognize that sugar addiction is a primary contributor to the very stress that we are feeling in the first place. Our over-reliance on sugar has undoubtedly accumulated over time and is contributing to a chemical imbalance within. This makes it more difficult to deal with everyday stresses and strains, and the vicious circle can be repeated when we turn to comfort foods to try and remedy our symptoms.
It is important to understand that a certain amount of stress is a vital ingredient and makes the human body function well. It can generally create good brain function and a level of awareness allowing us to deal with our complex lives. However, when stress becomes overbearing it can be very difficult to deal with, can lead to irrational decisions, the potential for long-term health problems and a significant sugar addiction, all of which must be contained if we want to live long and fulfilling lives.
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