Health, nutrition
and fitness Introduction: Health maintenance
without fitness and proper nutrition is not possible. Research has proven it ,
and new research data is surfacing. Yet confusion exists: diet book bestsellers
come and go. Magazine headlines proclaim "miracle diets", and
diet foods or meals claim a sizable section of super markets and health food stores.
TV commercials show new food products in vibrant colors to entice the consumer,
and cookbooks deal with foods from health-conscious to decadent. Yet despite the
apparent abundance of products, whether it is fully stocked shelves in food stores
or restaurants with huge self-service buffets, not all is well in the health statistics
of the population : - 62 % of our society was obese in 1999,
which means that we have become the fattest people on this planet (Ref. 6)!
- Diabetes
has reached epidemic proportions along with this and continues to
be on the increase.
- Heart disease has become the
number one killer, and soaring health costs put excessive burdens
on health insurance plans. A host of other diseases are plaguing a large segment
of the population:
- Arthritis, osteoporosis and cancer
figure prominently.
- Alzheimers and
various other forms of dementia threaten to turn the so called "golden age"
into years overshadowed by disabilities and illness. (Ref.1)
Anti-aging
medicine has become a new specialty for an aging population. We
would be kidding ourselves, if we would assume that we can double our life expectancy
by lifestyle changes. However, it is not unreasonable to pursue the goal of reducing
poor health and disability as we age and enjoy a life that is vibrant and full
of energy by cutting down known risk factors for these diseases. Books
like "Breakthrough" by Suzanne Somers (Ref.8) have reviewed the new
insights of antiaging medicine. This consists of detoxifying the body from heavy
metals like mercury, lead and cadmium. Next you need to pay close attention
to healthy food intake. It is not surprising that nutrition represents the foundation
to health and well-being. We need building blocks that ensure that our physical
functions are running smoothly.
| Assuming
that we are building our health like a house... |
| ...we will start with a solid foundation
of good nutrition, add to this a structure of physical activity and fitness,
and add a protective roof called stress management by ultimately topping
it off with effective relaxation and meditation. You could liken the
heating/air conditioning system to our hormones that need to be in balance
to keep us confortable. This is dealt with under this
link. | It is a balance of our hormones,
which will ensure proper functioning of all our organs. Included in this is a
proper balance of our sex hormones, which ensures a regular sex life. Our mental
functioning depends on proper brain hormone balance. With too much sugar and starch
in our diet many North Americans have lost this balance, have inhibited their
hormone interaction and as a result suffer a variety of the cilized countries'
diseases (strokes, heart attacks, arthritis, high blood pressure, sexual dysfunction,
depression etc.). The following information sheet has been prepared by
Dr. Schilling for patients in a walk-in-clinic in Kelowna, BC who are trying to
take a proactive approach to their health. Anti-Aging Medicine Information
For You
Congratulations in taking charge of your personal health.
You will be working in close partnership with your physician on the various aspects
of getting and staying well in middle age and beyond. You may have read some magazine
articles or seen programs on TV about anti-aging medicine, lifestyle and nature
identical hormone replacement. It is important that you inform your physician
about your health history, surgeries, current or past illnesses and family health
history.
In order to get a closer look at your body functions you will need
to have some laboratory tests. They will give your physician the information about
your health status and also about possible deficiencies. Some of the tests (fasting
insulin, thyroid tests such as TSH, free T4 and free T3) will be blood tests.
Assessing your hormonal needs is best done by saliva tests, as they are more accurate
than blood tests. With all the test results in place your physician will prescribe
you the nature-identical hormones that are best suited for your individual needs.
They will be compounded by the pharmacist and will be used as creams that
you apply to your skin. After about 3 months you will have some of your tests
repeated and depending on the results the dosage of your hormones may be adjusted.
Hormone therapy should follow the concept of "starting low and going slow".
It is a fallacy to assume that nature-identical
hormones cannot cause any undesirable side effects and the creams can be used
without thinking much about the dosage. It is of importance that dosages prescribed
are not exceeded, but used as prescribed. Close compliance is necessary to give
your body its best chance. You will reap the benefits in the form of energy, overall
health and well being.
Your personal commitment to staying healthy does not
stop here.
For optimal health you will need a solid foundation in your lifestyle
choices:
-Make time for physical fitness. A brisk walk of 30 minutes at least
three times per week is a good start. Remember that your heart works 7 days a
week! Heart health does not start in an arm chair, but with a pair of good walking
shoes.
-Do some house cleaning: trash the junk food and throw out the cigarettes.
Eliminate harmful substances from your environment. Mercury fillings in your teeth
are not harmless! Have them replaced with ceramic fillings.
-Fuel is important!
Give preference to fresh vegetables, fruit, high quality proteins (fish, lean
meat, yoghurt, and tofu), whole grains (oats, barley), nuts and olive oil. White
flour and sugar are not good buddies in nutrition!
-Avoid MSG like the plague!
It is present in many processed foods, dressing, marinades and spice mixes. MSG
is an excitotoxin that destroys brain cells and runs under many disguises such
as hydrolyzed protein, vegetable protein extract, yeast extract, soy protein isolate,
soy protein concentrate, and natural flavor. Start reading food labels carefully,
as too many obscure chemical names in processed foods mean: don't eat it! Go back
to the basics.
-Not all our food contains everything we need. Use a multivitamin
supplement for starters. Various vitamins
and supplements are known to prevent illness, such as vitamin D3, vitamin
C, omega-3 fatty acids in the form of molecularly distilled fish oil capsules,
just to name the most prominent ones.
-Relax and enjoy. Clear your mind and
keep stress at bay. Allow yourself time to be calm and to unwind from a demanding
day.
-Get your sleep. Previous relaxation helps (see above.) The 11 PM news
probably won't contribute to rest and relaxation.
-Stick with it! In a world
of instant everything it is easy to give up a program after a month. Getting well
and staying well is a program for life. Enjoy the benefits! In the next
section I will discuss nutrition in detail. I will mention the ingredients of
protein, fats, carbohydrates, supplemental vitamins and minerals. I believe that
the best diet is one that sticks close to the natural diet of those who live long,
fulfilled lives and have lots of energy until a ripe old age. The population of
Okinawa comes to mind. |
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