Detox Diet: Ayurveda and Herbal Remedies

By: Jason Uvios

The ancient discipline of Ayurveda has magical remedies to offer for a number of ailments. The healing techniques of this ancient science are based mainly on the therapeutic prowess of the herbs and plants.

The science of Ayurveda strongly believes in the philosophy that ‘prevention is better than cure’ and as such emphasizes on the importance of eliminating all the causes of ailments in stead of treating their symptoms. Thus detoxification of the body has great significance in the researches and studies of this age old medicinal practice.

The detoxification according to the Ayurvedic procedure involves a three step diet program.
The first step is like a preparatory phase when you have to gradually give up the cravings for fast foods and all other wrong foods, reduce the intake of salt and sugar, stay away from processed and left over foods and so on.

The second step involves the gradual increase in the intake of light foods and reduction in the level of heavy food intake. In Ayurveda, the fruits, vegetables and herbs are regarded as the light foods and recognized for their cleansing prowess. The carbohydrates, proteins and fats on the other hand are considered heavy, and nourishing.

Ayurveda also tends to distinguish between ‘good’ carbs and ‘bad’ carbs. While sugar and refined flour are regarded as very bad and requires to be completely avoided, the whole grains like wheat, oats, and rice are regarded as the good carbs that can be dropped from the diet for one week, but have to be incorporated once again after that period.

The last step of ayurvedic detox program calls for the complete elimination of animal based foods from the diet. These animal products include pork, red meat, poultry, fish, eggs as well as dairy products. In Ayurveda these are regarded as highly nourishing food and that is why hindrance to the detox.
But you can not deprive the body of the supply of protein. To provide energy to the body, Ayurveda prescribes the consumption of plant-based protein in small quantities during the cleanse. A typical Ayrveda detox recipe is simple combination of boiled whole grain and beans. In ayurvedic detox diet, the beans need to be smaller in size.

The ayurvedic detox recipes typical include the herbs and spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin seeds and fresh ginger. Fats and oils are also used, but in very small quantities in order to ensure the supply of essential fatty acids.

In addition to plenty of fresh and organic fruits and vegetables, the lemons are regarded as a wonderful detoxifier of the body. A common Ayurvedic detox recipe includes the juice of an organic lemon mixed with full glass of water with a pinch of honey added to it.

The herbs and spices used in ayurvedic detox are categorized according to their heating and cooling impact. While the spices like black pepper, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon and cumin have heating effects, the herbs like dandelion, burdock, aloe, and turmeric are considered good for removing excess heat from the body.

To get best result from ayurvedic detox program, back it up with deep breathing, massage and mild aerobic exercises.

Could Hidden Parasites be Keeping You Fat?

By: Margaret Mathews

Horrible parasites may well be the reason that you cannot lose weight now matter what you try.

You may have found that no matter what type of diet you have tried – whether it was reducing calories, increasing or reducing carbohydrates, fat or protein intakes, exercising till your heart drops out that no matter what you cannot lose the extra pounds and weight.

According to the WHO – the World Health Organization, 3.5 billion – yes that is right billions not millions of people throughout the world suffer from types of parasitic infestations and infections. You would think because you live in the clean modern US of A that you are immune and safe from these problems. Not so. Not all of these people of the 3.5 billion. Since the world population is estimated at 6.5 billion and since 3.5 billions are thought to be infected might it not happen to you?

Parasitic infestations may be severe or mild and can be life threatening, they may be apparently symptom less and go on for years. You may never even know that you are infected by parasites unless it becomes a problems that is apparent – such as poor absorption of critical vitamins leading to anemia or weight loss that is found to be the result of a large tapeworm or worms.

However in your case the direct cause of that weight gain that seems to be permanent and will never go away no matter what you do may well be those so called hidden insidious parasites.

Believe it or not parasites are a hidden major source of weight gain. Fish or meat that is raw, rare or cooked in a microwave oven is not exposed to the high heat necessary to kill those evil weight causing parasites like worms and protozoa and their offspring. Once in the gut these hardy creatures absorb the nutrients necessary to keep blood sugar levels balanced and energy levels for you high. As a result you may have sugar cravings in addition to chronic fatigue and even depression. Further since the body’s food intake feedback control system has been short-circuited biochemical signals that are normally correct are no erroneously reporting to your body and brain that you are in hunger further causing you to mistakenly overeat.

In essence the parasites are tricking your body into having you eat more so that they can be well fed and reproduce. So crafty. And at your expense in terms of calorie intake and weight gain.

What can be done? The first step is awareness and prevention. Choose your meals and preparation types well. Have your food especially meats well cooked in a proper hot oven. It may be hard for you though if it is your preference to miss that rare steak.

Secondly be very careful when you are on vacation especially to exotic climes including third world countries where sanitation and proper hygiene may not be the norm. Remember that seemingly innocent things like ice to cool a drink may be suspect.
Lastly be careful of water born parasites. If in doubt boil the water over a stove or in a kettle or coffee pot. And as well be careful if you swim away from chlorinated swimming pools.

Lastly if you are concerned that hidden parasites may well be the cause of you weight gain visit your health practitioner so that the appropriate tests and measures be done.

Diet and Nutrition for Children

By: Nicky Pilkington

As parents, we know how important it is for our children to eat healthy and receive all the vitamins and nutrients for a healthy body. Many of us also know about the Food Guide Pyramid, but you may not know that children do not use the same food pyramid as adults. Children should eat foods according to the food pyramid designed for children.

The food pyramid emphasizes food from the five major food groups, which your child needs for good health. Such items as fats, oil, and sweets should not be used as much as foods that promote good health. Yes, your child between the age of 2 to 6 will love sweets but this should not be a replacement for healthy food and should not be given all the time.

Obesity is a major problem in the US in young children and this problem begins with you. You have to control what your child eats and ensure they are eating well-balanced and healthy foods and not overdoing it on junk foods.

To begin with, your child should eat 3 well-balanced meals and 2 nutritious snacks every day. Let's start at the top of the pyramid with the Fats, Oils and Sweets. When it comes to this category, you should not allow your child to eat more than 30% of their diet from this group. The type of fat your child is consuming is very important. Saturated fasts include foods like meats, dairy products, coconut, palm and palm kernel oil, raise cholesterol more than unsaturated fats, which are found in olive, peanut, and canola oils, or polyunsaturated fats in safflower, sunflower, corn, soybean and cottonseed oils. They should only receive 10% of their daily calories from saturated fats.

Everyone believes that children need lots of milk for their growing bodies; however, they only need 2 servings from the milk group per day after age 2 until they turn 6. The amount of milk should be between 16-24 ounces per day. Other items in this group include 1 cup of yogurt and 2 ounces of cheese as a serving.

Within the meat group, your child should receive 2 servings per day. This can include 2 to 3 ounces of cooked lean meat, fish, or poultry, or ½ cup of cooked dry beans. Other things you can use as substitutes include 2 tablespoons of peanut butter or 1 egg for 1 ounce of meat.

You child should eat 3 servings from the vegetable group every day. One serving consists of ½ cup of chopped or raw vegetables or 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables.

From the fruit group your little one should eat 2 servings per day. This can include 1 piece of fruit or a wedge of a melon, ¾ cup of 100 percent fruit juice, ¼ cup of dried fruit, or ½ cup of canned fruit.

From the grain group you should serve your child 6 servings per day. This can include for one serving 1 slice of bread, ½ cup of cooked pasta or rice, 1 ounce of ready to eat cereal, or ½ cup of cooked cereal.

You Are What You Eat - The Basics Of A Macrobiotic Diet

By: John Morris

A macrobiotic diet is a diet formulated by the belief that food, and the quality of food, has an affect on a persons life on a greater extent than most people realize. Practitioners of this type of diet believe that food has an affect on health, as well as happiness and well being. Those who follow a macrobiotic diet believe that natural foods with little to no processing are the best choice of food. In addition, they believe in using traditional methods of cooking and they enjoy cooking for themselves, as well as for family and friends.

1. Have A Great Life

Literally translated, macrobiotics means great life. Physicians and philosophers from around the world have associated it with living in harmony with nature while eating a simple and balanced diet. In the 1920s, George Ohsawa, who founded the modern form of macrobiotics, claimed to have cured himself from a serious illness by changing his diet.

2. Chinese Heritage

Ohsawa believed in the Chinese philosophy of Yin and Yang. They yin represents outward centrifugal movement and the yang represents inward centrifugal movement. Yin and yang are always opposite, with yin being sweet, cold, and passive and with yang being salty, hot, and aggressive. In this type of diet, the yin and yang need to be kept in balance for good health. Because this balance of the yin and yang is at the core of the the diet, foods are all classified as one or the other. This division is in accordance with their properties, tastes, and effects on the body.

3. Healthy Foods

Grains and vegetables are not strong in either yin or yang. Therefore, they are especially important in the macrobiotic diet. These more neutral types of foods make it easier to maintain balance of yin and yang and these foods that are extremes in either yin or yang or to be avoided in this type of diet.

4. Organically Grown

All foods included in this diet must be organically grown. Whole grains, such as barley, brown rice, oats, millets, rye, core, buckwheat and whole wheat are thought to be the most balanced of foods in a this diet. Therefore, these foods make up about 50 to 60% of the macrobiotic practitioners diet. Whole grains are the preferred type of grain in a this diet, but small portions of bread and pasta derived from refined flour are acceptable.

5. Fresh Vegtables

Fresh vegetables make up approximately 25 to 30% of this diet. Broccoli, cabbage, kale, cauliflower, collards, turnips, mustard greens, turnip greens, radish, onion, butternut squash, acorn squash, and pumpkin are the primary vegetables to be included in a this diet. Iceberg lettuce, celery, snow peas, mushrooms, and string beans are to be included in the diet only two or three times per week. In a macrobiotic diet, these vegetables are to be prepared by either being steamed lightly or being sauted with unrefined cooking oil, ideally corn oil or sesame oil.

6. Other Sources Of Nutrition

5 to 10% of the macrobiotic diet consists of sea vegetables and beans. Chickpeas, adzuki beans, tofu, and lentils are the recommended types of beans. Sea vegetables should be included in the diet. These vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. Soups and broths make up about 5 to 10% of this diet. Soups should contain a soybean paste. They also should contain beans and vegetables.

7. Serving Size For A Macrobiotic Diet

In a macrobiotic diet, a few servings of seeds, nuts, and fresh fish (such as flounder, halibut, and cod) each week are acceptable. Acceptable sweeteners in this diet are barley malt, and rice syrup, that is a sweet drink made from rice. Plum and brown rice vinegar may also be occasionally used in this diet. Tamari soy sauce and sea salt can be used to add flavor to soups and to grains.

8. Liquid Sustenance

A person following a macrobiotic diet only drinks when thirsty. The only drinks that are generally accepted in this diet are teas, that are made from dandelion greens, roasted grains, or the leftover cooking water from preparing soba noodles. Teas containing caffeine or aromatic fragrances are unacceptable. In addition, all cooking water and drinking water must be purified before use.

9. Foods To Avoid

Foods such as eggs and dairy products are thought to have strong yang qualities. Similarly, chocolate, refined sugars, tropical fruits, coffee, fruit juice, soda, and hot spices are believed to contain strong yin qualities. Therefore, all of these foods are avoided in the macrobiotic diet. All foods with artificial flavors, artificial colors, and preservatives are also avoided.

New York Times article: "In Europe It’s Fish Oil After Heart Attacks, but Not in U.S."

October 3, 2006

By ELISABETH ROSENTHAL

ROME — Every patient in the cardiac care unit at the San Filippo Neri Hospital who survives a heart attack goes home with a prescription for purified fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids.

“It is clearly recommended in international guidelines,” said Dr. Massimo Santini, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, who added that it would be considered tantamount to malpractice in Italy to omit the drug.

In a large number of studies, prescription fish oil has been shown to improve survival after heart attacks and to reduce fatal heart rhythms. The American College of Cardiology recently strengthened its position on the medical benefit of fish oil, although some critics say that studies have not defined the magnitude of the effect.

But in the United States, heart attack victims are not generally given omega-3 fatty acids, even as they are routinely offered more expensive and invasive treatments, like pills to lower cholesterol or implantable defibrillators. Prescription fish oil, sold under the brand name Omacor, is not even approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use in heart patients.

“Most cardiologists here are not giving omega-3’s even though the data supports it — there’s a real disconnect,” said Dr. Terry Jacobson, a preventive cardiologist at Emory University in Atlanta. “They have been very slow to incorporate the therapy.”

The fact that heart patients receive such different treatments in sophisticated hospitals around the world highlights the central role that drug companies play in disseminating medical information, experts said.

Because prescription fish oil is not licensed to prevent heart disease in the United States, drug companies may not legally promote it for that purpose at conferences, in doctors’ offices, to patients or even on the Internet.

“If people paid more attention to guidelines, more people would be on the drug,” Dr. Jacobson said. “But pharmaceutical companies can’t drive this change. The fact that it’s not licensed for this has definitely kept doctors away.”

For example, on Solvay Pharmaceutical’s Web site for Omacor, www.solvay-omacor.com, the first question a user sees is, “Are you a U.S. citizen?”

If the answer is yes, the user is sent to a page where heart attacks are not mentioned. (In the United States, Omacor is licensed only to treat the small number of people with extremely high blood triglyceride levels.)

So community doctors do not learn how to use the drug. Lack of F.D.A. approval also means that insurers will not pay for treatment with Omacor. Approval from the agency for the use of the drug in heart disease is not expected soon.

A study published last month in The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that only 17 percent of family doctors were likely to prescribe fish oil to their patients, including patients who had suffered a heart attack. There was a great need, the authors concluded, to “improve awareness of this important advice.”

The fact that fish oil is also sold as a nutritional supplement has made it harder for some doctors to regard it as a powerful drug, experts said.

“Using this medicine is very popular here in Italy, I think partly because so many cardiologists in this country participated in the studies and were aware of the results,” said Dr. Maria Franzosi, a researcher at the Mario Negri Institute in Milan. “In other countries, uptake may be harder because doctors think of it as just a dietary intervention.”

In the largest study of fish oil — conducted more than a decade ago — Italian researchers from the Gissi Group (Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Infarto), gave 11,000 patients one gram of prescription fish oil a day after heart attacks. After three years, the study found that the number of deaths was reduced by 20 percent and that the number of sudden deaths by 40 percent, compared with a control group.

Later studies have continued to yield positive results, although some scientists say there are still gaps in knowledge.

This summer, a critical review of existing research in BMJ, The British Medical Journal, “cast doubt over the size of the effect of these medications” for the general population, said Dr. Roger Harrison, an author of the paper, “but still suggested that they might benefit some people as a treatment.”

Dr. Harrison said he believed that people should generally increase their intake of omega-3 acids, best done by eating more fish.

Still, he acknowledged that it was difficult to eat foods containing a gram of omega-3 acids each day. “If you ask me do I take omega-3 supplements every day, then, embarrassingly, the answer is yes,” said Dr. Harrison, a professor at Bolton Primary Care Trust of the University of Manchester in England.

“I, too, am caught up in this hectic world where I have little time to shop and prepare the healthy foods I know I should be eating,” he said.

It seems natural for Italy to be at the forefront of the fish oil trend and home to the largest clinical trials. Scientists have long noted that Mediterranean diets are salubrious for the heart and theorized that the high content of broiled and baked fish might be partly responsible.

But the landmark Gissi-Prevenzione trial of fish oil had methodological weaknesses: the patients treated with prescription fish oil pills were compared with untreated patients, rather than with patients given a dummy pill. This meant that, despite impressive results, the trial did not meet the F.D.A.’s standards for approval. Yet by 2004, regulators in almost all European countries, including Spain, France and Britain, had approved Omacor for use in heart attack patients.

Marylou Rowe, a spokeswoman for Reliant Pharmaceuticals, which owns the license for the drug in the United States, said that further trials of Omacor would be needed for it to be licensed for heart attack patients in the United States. But she refused to discuss a timetable.

The American College of Cardiology now advises patients with coronary artery disease to increase their consumption of omega-3 acids to one gram a day, but it does not specify if this should be achieved by eating fish or by taking capsules. But over-the-counter preparations of fish oil have much less rigorous quality control and are often blends of the two fish oils know to be beneficial in heart disease with other less useful fatty acids.

For that reason, Dr. Jacobson of Emory gives the prescription drug, “off label,” to cardiac patients, even though the F.D.A. has not approved it for that use. “Then I know exactly what they’re getting, and there is no mercury,” he said.

He said he tells patients who cannot afford the prescription version that they can take the over-the-counter supplements, although there is uncertainty about the dose and they probably need three to four pills a day.

In Europe, meanwhile, research on prescription fish oil, which is now thought to act by stabilizing cell membranes, has gained momentum. The Gissi Group is conducting two huge trials using fish oil in patients with abnormal heart rhythms and in patients with heart failure.