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Tag: Nutrition

The Real Complications of Type II Diabetes 

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A Type II Diabetes diagnosis opens the door for other serious diseases. It’s one of the ugliest diseases, but it can be reversed! One out of every three people is already Pre-Diabetic. It can affect your life in more ways than just diet. It’s something to take seriously!

Potential Complications

  • Heart and blood vessel disease. Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and narrowing of blood vessels, a condition called atherosclerosis.
  • Nerve damage in limbs. This condition is called neuropathy. High blood sugar over time can damage or destroy nerves. That may result in tingling, numbness, burning, pain or eventual loss of feeling that usually begins at the tips of the toes or fingers and gradually spreads upward.
  • Other nerve damage. Damage to nerves of the heart can contribute to irregular heart rhythms. Nerve damage in the digestive system can cause problems with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Nerve damage also may cause erectile dysfunction.
  • Kidney disease. Diabetes may lead to chronic kidney disease or end-stage kidney disease that can’t be reversed. That may require dialysis or a kidney transplant.
  • Eye damage. Diabetes increases the risk of serious eye diseases, such as cataracts and glaucoma, and may damage the blood vessels of the retina, potentially leading to blindness.
  • Skin conditions. Diabetes may raise the risk of some skin problems, including bacterial and fungal infections.
  • Slow healing. Left untreated, cuts and blisters can become serious infections, which may heal poorly. Severe damage might require toe, foot or leg amputation.
  • Hearing impairment. Hearing problems are more common in people with diabetes.
  • Sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is common in people living with Type II diabetes. Obesity may be the main contributing factor to both conditions.
  • Dementia. Type II diabetes seems to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that cause dementia. Poor control of blood sugar is linked to a more rapid decline in memory and other thinking skills.

Have you ever taken digestive enzymes?

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Have you ever taken digestive enzymes? I take them before large meals or if I eat a lot of dairy.

The reason?
Taking a digestive enzyme with meals can make a difference in how you feel when you eat. It can reduce the feeling of being overly full, reduce gas and best of all… no bloating! From a nutritional perspective, digestive enzymes it help to break down the food so that the body has to do less work during the process of digestion and absorb the nutrients more efficiently.

To test the theory, I put a slice of steak in a Ziplock bag, added a little warm water and the contents of one capsule my digestive enzyme. In 10 minutes, the steak was broken down. That convinced me that digestive enzymes should be a part of my daily regimen.

My little capsules provide 18 unique digestive enzymes to help break down gluten, dairy, proteins, carbohydrates, fiber, and more, so, let’s break it down:

Breaks down protein in beef, chicken, pork, eggs, and nuts

• Protease 4.5 breaks down the proteins found in meats, nuts, eggs, and cheese
• Peptidase breaks down proteins during digestion to allow them to be used by the body
• Bromelain breaks down proteins
• Phytase helps the body digest minerals, such as calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese
• Protease 6.0 breaks down the proteins found in meats, nuts, eggs, and cheese
• Lipase breaks down fats found in dairy, nuts, oil, and meat products
• Neutral Bacterial Protease helps break down protein

Breaks down lactose and fats in milk, cheese, and ice cream

• Lipase breaks down fats found in dairy, nuts, oil, and meat products
• Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugars)
• Acid Maltase breaks down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to maintain an optimal absorption of nutrients
• Protease 6.0 breaks down the proteins found in meats, nuts, eggs, and cheese

Breaks down carbohydrates in bread, rice, pasta, cookies, candy, fruit, and vegetables

• Invertase breaks down sucrose (table sugar)
• Amylase helps break down starches to allow them to be absorbed and used for energy
• Glucoamylase helps break down starches into glucose, which is usable by the body
• Acid Maltase is used to breakdown proteins, carbohydrates, and fats to maintain an optimal absorption of nutrients
• Hemicellulase breaks down fiber and carbohydrates
• Pectinase is a group of enzymes that break down the pectin commonly found in plants
• Xylanase breaks down xylan sugars, like those found in corn
• Invertase breaks down sucrose (table sugar)

Breaks down fiber in salad, beans, and whole grains

• Alpha-galactosidase facilitates the digestion of beans, legumes, seeds, roots, and soy
• Cellulase breaks down cellulose (plant fiber)
• Beta-glucanase breaks down soluble fibers found in grains
• Hemicellulase breaks down fiber and carbohydrates
• Phytase helps the body digest minerals, such as as calcium, zinc, copper, and manganese

These little capsules are a game changer!

My gut health is so incredibly important to me, how’s your gut?

Risk Factors for Diabetes

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They say knowing is half the battle. 

Lately, many of my friends have been telling me their doctors are telling them, “You need to be concerned about Diabetes” after review their latest lab work. 

Many of these individuals are being told they are Pre-Diabetic. With one in every three people being diagnoses as Pre–Diabetic, it’s not a surprise.

Once your doctor mentions Pre-Diabetes be prepared for lab work that contains tests for glucose, A1C, Homocysteines, C Reactive Protein, D3, cholesterol and liver tests. All tests to ascertain Type II Diabetes. 

If we know what to look for, we can help prevent it or at the very least hold it off from developing quicker. It really does help to stay in front of this disease! The best way to start is to know the risk factors.

Risk factors for Type II Diabetes:

  • Weight. Being overweight or obese is a main risk.
  • Fat distribution. Storing fat mainly in the abdomen, rather than the hips and thighs, indicates a greater risk. The risk of Type II diabetes is higher in men with a waist circumference above 40 inches and in women with a waist measurement above 35 inches.
  • Inactivity. The less active a person is, the greater the risk. Physical activity helps control weight, uses up glucose as energy and makes cells more sensitive to insulin.
  • Family history. An individual’s risk of Type II diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has Type II diabetes.
  • Blood lipid levels. An increased risk is associated with low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol) and high levels of triglycerides.
  • Pregnancy-related risks. The risk of developing Type II diabetes is higher in people who had gestational diabetes when they were pregnant and in those who gave birth to a baby weighing more than nine pounds.
  • Polycystic ovary syndrome. Having polycystic ovary syndrome, a condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth and obesity, increases the risk of diabetes.

If you or a loved one display any of these symptoms, please get a physical and request the labs above it’s better t catch it early!

Diabetes and It’s Many Friends 

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Diabetes isn’t just about blood sugar levels 

Diabetes is a condition where the body doesn’t produce enough insulin or it doesn’t use insulin properly. This causes the blood sugars to become too high, known as hyperglycemia. 

Almost 10% of the population is diabetic, so there’s no wonder why pharmaceutical companies are marketing Ozempic, Mounjaro, Wegovey, etc in big ways. 

People with diabetes have a higher risk of developing serious complications including:

  • Heart Disease 
  • Kidney Disease 
  • Nerve Damage 
  • Dementia
  • Gum Disease 
  • Mood Disorders 
  • Eye Problems, including Blindness 

Type II Diabetes IS REVERSIBLE, but it takes effort. Even though it’s reversible, through diet, exercise and healthy life changes. Diabetes is a highly dangerous disease and it’s worth taking seriously. 

The Olive Oil Deception 

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Did you know that olives are a fruit?
Olive oil is a fruit juice, and, just like fruit juice, olive oil tastes best and is the most nutritious when it’s fresh.
Fresh-pressed olive oil has the highest levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and a unique anti-cancer compound called Oleocanthol.

But there’s a problem: According to Forbes magazine, “It’s been reliably reported that 80% of the Italian olive oil on the market is fraudulent. A study last year by the National Consumer League found that six of 11 bottles of extra virgin olive oil from three major retailers—Whole Foods, Safeway, and Giant—failed to meet extra virgin requirements.”

Many olive oil companies produce low quality olive oil diluted with other oils, and some companies sell “olive oil” that isn’t even made from olives!

In his book, Extra Virginity, olive oil expert Tom Mueller warns of contaminants and cancer-causing agents in these fake olive oils:
“Italian investigators have found hydrocarbon residues, pesticides, and other contaminants in fake oils, and pomace oil, a common adulterant, sometimes contains mineral oil as well as PAHs, proven carcinogens that can also damage DNA and the immune system.”

So how do you know if it’s authentic?

The Label: The label should indicate the harvest date and whether the oil has been blended with other oils. Look for a quality seal from the International Olive Council (IOC) for European oils or the California Olive Oil Council for American oils, which indicate that the oil has been tested and meets certain standards.

The Bottle: The bottle should be dark colored glass to protect against UV Ray exposure.

The Taste: Authentic EVOO has a bright flavor with hints of fruit, grass, and almond, and a slightly bitter, peppery aftertaste. Low-quality or “fake” EVOO may taste dull, greasy, waxy, or crayon-like, or have no flavor.

So shop carefully!

Gout

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I don’t know if it’s on the rise, but I keep hearing of people suffering with Gout, so I thought it might be good to post on it.

Gout is a form of arthritis that is characterized by sudden, severe attacks of pain and swelling, often in the big toe. 

Uric Acid is a waste product, produced by the body in small amounts. When uric acid blood levels get too high, it can cause problems such as gout, kidney stones or other kidney disorders.

What causes these high levels?

  • High Blood Pressure 
  • Obesity 
  • Excessive Intake of Alcohol
  • Diets High in Meats, Bacon, Turkey and Sardines 

Interesting Fact: Only about 4% of the population suffers from gout, but at least 21% of adults have high uric acid levels. This can lead to hypertension, chronic kidney disease, heart disease and insulin resistance syndrome.

Uric Acid can be reduce with the help of medications but these meds can have various side effects, so proceed with caution.

One simple way you can help to prevent cancer

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Cancer is the second leading cause of death, right behind heart disease. According to many of the leading experts in integrative medicine, cancer cells mainly grow out of control due to the existence of too many toxins trapped inside the body and a lack of nutrition, on a cellular level. The message is simple: there are natural techniques that exist to help discourage cancer cell growth.

Did you know Getting Sufficient Vitamin D Levels Can Slash Your Cancer Risk?
Having healthy levels of vitamin D has been linked in studies with lowered risk of bladder cancer, lung cancer and leukemia. But its “superpower” may well be its ability to decrease the odds of developing breast cancer. In a study of 4000 women over 55, participants with Vitamins D levels over 60 had one-fifth the risk of breast cancer than those with 20 (and 20 is what the medical community considers acceptable). It’s often recommended to make certain you get a minimum of 5000 IU’s of D3 every day PLUS and extra 2000 IU’s of K2/D.

When it comes to cancer, and other life- threatening diseases, the “sunshine vitamin” can lead to brighter outcomes.

Sources: “Sister Study 2017” and University of California San Diego School of Medicine

MAGNESIUM DEFICIENCIES

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Magnesium is an ESSENTIAL mineral. That means we ABSOLUTELY NEED it yet over 70% of people are deficient in it.

How do make sure YOU get your magnesium every day? Powder? Capsule? Tablet?

Mine is an easy to use powder so I can throw it in my sugar free lemonade mix that I drink all day long. (I also throw my collagen mix in there too at some point during the day).Sometimes I even mix my magnesium in my protein shake.

What about you?

What do you know about Pumpkin seeds?

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Pumpkin seeds contain more magnesium than spinach with 48 percent of your daily needs in just half a cup!
They beat all other seeds aside from hemp and chia in their magnesium content. 
Pumpkin seeds are also extremely high in chlorophyll, zinc, iron, and potassium, making them one of the most alkalizing seeds around. You want your body to be more alkaline because it reduces inflammation.
Enjoy pumpkin seeds raw and look for those that are bright green in color, not muddy brown. The greener the seed, the fresher and richer in nutrients it will be.

Medications can impact nutrition

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Did you know that when we take medications, they impact our bodies nutritionally?

I am NOT saying don’t take meds. I AM saying that when you take a medication, you need to address the depletion of nutrients caused by that medication.

I am NOT saying don’t take meds. I AM saying that when you take a medication, you need to address the depletion of nutrients caused by that medication.