Posts Tagged ‘heart disease’

What you Need to Know About BPA

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Bisphenol A is a compound tin_can250that is used to coat the inside of almost all food and beverage cans, including soft drinks. It is also used to make plastics, including baby and water bottles and sports equipment. It has been shown to leach into our food and drinks. What may come as a surprise is that it has been suspected of being hazardous since the 1930’s, yet is still found in a multitude of products today.

Increased research has been conducted over the past few years and alarming health concerns have surfaced. BPA has been found to be an endocrine disruptor, meaning that it mimics the action of hormones in your body causing several negative health effects. It has been shown to interfere with fetal and infant brain development, disruption of thyroid functioning, increased prostate cancer susceptibility, heart disease and diabetes. The FDA raised further concerns regarding exposure of fetuses, infants, and young children in a 2010 report.

A few weeks ago, the Washington Post (2/23, Layton) reported that ““Major US foodmakers are quietly investigating how to rid their containers of bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical under scrutiny by federal regulators concerned about links to a range of health problems,” but the companies “are discovering how complicated it is to remove the chemical, which is in the epoxy linings of nearly every metal can on supermarket shelves and leaches into foods such as soup, liquid baby formula and soda.”

In addition, it reported that the “FDA does not know which companies use BPA, how much they use or how it is applied, because manufacturers are not required to disclose that information.“

If you’d like to reduce your exposure to this harmful compound, stay away from food and drinks in metal cans, and plastic bottles (labeled with #3 or #7 on the bottom of the bottle), avoid heating plastic in the microwave or dishwasher, and choose to store food in glass instead.

If you would like to learn more about how food, lifestyle and even cosmetic products can negatively affect your health by disrupting you hormone balance, contact us for a complimentary consultation or join us for our Hormone Health Seminar coming April 5th in Los Gatos.

Dorothy Lizak

Nutrition & Wellness Specialist

 

 

 

References:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisphenol_A

photo: thank you: www.recyclethis.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/06/tin_can250.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.recyclethis.co.uk/20060609/how-can-i-reuse-or-recycle-food-cans&usg=__PYfFWjneGXbzTJHuNOoKwcijdP8=&h=197&w=250&sz=24&hl=en&start=37&sig2=qM82gMsGuGbMa6l4J_jKng&itbs=1&tbnid=UyWKqT0hF93ycM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=111&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtin%2Bcan%26start%3D20%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1&ei=UiKVS8jwO5vMswPb59j8Aw

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Posted in Hormone Health, Nutrition Tips, Prevention information | No Comments »

Curb Hunger by Eating Right

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

We often have clients coming to us woman-eating-appleasking for ways to curb hunger. Some report feeling full after they finish a meal only to feel hungry again an hour or so later. Others say they feel o.k. in the morning, but find themselves getting hungry before or after lunch. Many times, just by making a few changes in what and when they eat can make a big difference in how they feel throughout the day. If you are finding yourself hungry outside of mealtime, try the following tips to find the real cause of  your hunger and learn how to improve how you feel throughout the day.

1. Eat Breakfast (and every other meal): Eating breakfast kick starts your metabolism and provides you with the energy you need to begin your day. Eating breakfast has also been shown to help promote weight loss and improve mood and concentration.

(As a side note, it is NEVER o.k. to skip meals. Your body needs fuel throughout the day to function properly, and by skipping meals you are throwing your hormonal system off balance which will impair how your body uses and stores calories, causing a multitude of problems, including the storage of calories as fat.) 

2. Drink Enough Water: Did you know that hunger is sometimes a sign of dehydration? Be mindful of how much water you are drinking throughout the day. A good rule of thumb: Your urine should be clear enough to be able to read through it (if there were a hypothetical piece of literature in your bowl).

3. Eat Protein: Many times too many carbohydrates in our diets are the culprits for increased hunger and decreased energy and mood. Carbohydrates are great for providing us energy, but our bodies burn through these fairly quickly. Protein takes longer to digest, keeping you feeling full until your next meal. Good sources of protein include lean meat, fish, nuts, beans, legumes, eggs and dairy.

4. Don’t Forget About Fiber: Most of us do not get enough fiber in our diets. Because it is undigestible, fiber moves through the digestive tract slowly, so it makes you feel full and has been shown to help reduce overeating, control blood sugar, reduce cholesterol and your risk of colon cancer. Fiber can be found in whole grains, nuts, seeds, and in the skins of fruits and vegetables. Don’t peel that apple!

5. Know Your Metabolic Type: Just as our bodies look different on the outside, they are also functioning differently on the inside. Knowing your metabolic type, or how quickly your body turns food into energy, is extremely helpful in knowing what ratio of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats you should be eating at every meal. Common symptoms when not eating for your metabolic type include: getting hungry quickly, fatigue, nervous energy, depression, headaches, mental sluggishness and cravings for sweets or coffee. Contact us if you would like to learn what your metabolic type is.

 

As always, we appreciate your comments and feedback on how these changes are impacting your life. If you are interested in learning more about how to restore health and vitality in your body, feel free to contact us for a complimentary consultation. We provide nutrition and lifestyle coaching in Los Gatos and San Francisco as well as over the phone.

 

Dorothy Lizak

Nutrition & Wellness Specialist

 

Photo: thank you to: http://women4hope.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/woman-eating-apple.jpg

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Posted in Digestive Health, Nutrition Tips, Prevention information, Uncategorized, Weight Managment | No Comments »

Break and Breathe: Simple Relaxation Techniques to Reduce Stress FAST

Sunday, January 24th, 2010

Many of us are constantly on the go, stress0multi-tasking our way through our day and finding ourselves feeling stressed out. If you are like so many others, your mind may be racing, your heart rate and breathing may quicken and you may have trouble concentrating and getting your work done. This probably starts making you feel badly about yourself and negative thoughts start swirling in your mind which just causes you to be more stressed. As we’ve mentioned in other blogs, stress doesn’t just affect you mind, it also negatively affects the way your body functions. It causes hormone imbalances, disrupts sleep, digestion, your immune system and has a strong correlation with medical conditions such as heart disease and depression. 

 

The next time you are feeling stressed, I want you to remember the two B’s: “Break and Breathe” and do the following.

 

1. Take a Break:

You are given breaks at work for a reason, so take them. So often we get caught up in the mindset of “I don’t have time” and work through our breaks and lunch which only leaves us burnt out, more stressed and less productive. Instead, take a time out, do some of the breathing exercises below, and you’ll probably be more productive when you get back. It’s best to leave your workspace, but if you can’t you can easily do these at your desk.

2. Breathe:

One of the easiest ways to change how your body is physically reacting to stress is through your breath. By focusing on your breathing, you are forcing your heart rate to slow down which will calm your body and mind. Here are a few breathing exercises to choose from.

     1. Close your eyes and inhale as slowly as you can and silently count “1″. Then exhale slowly and silently count “2″. On your next inhale, silently count “3″ and so on. The goal is to reach the number “20″. By this point you should notice that your breathing will be fuller and deeper, and you will be more relaxed.

     2. Close your eyes and inhale as slowly as you can. Try to prolong your inhale to the silent count of 4 seconds. When you finish inhaling, gently hold you breath for 2 seconds and slowly exhale to the silent count of 8 seconds. Repeat for a minute or longer. If you can’t control your breathing for that long, its ok to shorten the duration of inhale and exhale, just make sure your exhale is twice as long as your inhale.

   3. Close your eyes. As you slowly inhale through your nose, visualize pure white cleansing air entering and filling your entire body. As you exhale, picture the gray negative, stressed air exiting your body through your nose. Continue this process as you inhale and exhaling, replacing your stressed out body with clean, fresh air and energy.

It’s also important to remember that mental/emotional stress isn’t the only way to stress out your body. Eating the wrong kinds of foods, going to bed late, not drinking enough water, having unbalanced hormones, can induce stress on your body and cause a multitude of symptoms including low back and neck pain, PMS, irritable bowel syndrome, frequent illness, migraines, and many others. We provide nutrition and lifestyle coaching in Los Gatos and San Francisco as well as over the phone. Give us a call to learn how to get your body back in balance.

If you try these stress techniques, let us know your experience, we’d love to hear from you.

 

 

Dorothy Lizak

Nutrition & Wellness Specialist

 

References:

photo thank you to: http://www.stressrelatedillness.com/stress-management.html

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Posted in Emotional health, Meditation, Prevention information, Stress, Uncategorized | No Comments »

The Chakra Energy System: The Fourth Chakra

Sunday, May 3rd, 2009

 

253_chakra_chart_-_ancientThroughout your body you have seven main energy centers called chakras that spin in a circular motion and are located along your spinal column up to the crown of your head. Each chakra radiates a different energy frequency of vibration, and is represented by a different color of the rainbow that resonates at that same level of vibration. Each chakra main center is connected to your being on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level. On the physical level each chakra governs a main organ or gland, which is then connected to other body parts that resonate the same frequency. Your chakras are interdependent on each other for harmony and balance.

Medical science has proven that toxins, which include negative thoughts, poor food choices, chemicals and preservatives, lack of sleep, and various other forms of internal and external stress influence your body. These constant forms of “pollution” can cause your chakras to become imbalanced, which may eventually affect you on a physical level. When unbalanced, your chakras can be either too open or too closed. By understanding the chakra system and working to bring it into balance you’ll be able to help improve your own state of health and well being.

Understanding the Fourth Chakra: The Heart Chakra

The heart chakra connects your physical body with your higher spiritual self. This chakra allows you to relate to others with unconditional love, however it is not dependent on others (as compared to your first chakra, the root chakra). This chakra is concerned with forgiveness and accepting others with compassion. It is with this acceptance that you begin to also develop self-acceptance.

The heart chakra is located in the center of your chest. On a physical level, this chakra governs your heart, chest, lungs, and circulation. Physical dysfunctions that can result from an unbalanced heart chakra include shallow breathing, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer.  Emotional problems include co-dependency, melancholia, and fears related to feelings of loneliness, commitment and betrayal. 

Is Your Fourth Chakra Balanced?

 Select the group of words that best describe you: 

1. Possessive, loves conditionally, witholds emotions to “punish”, overly dramatic

2. Fears rejection, loves too much, feels unworthy to receive love, self-pitying

3. Compassionate, loves unconditionally, nurturing, accepts others for who they are

 

*If you chose #1, this chakra is too open, meaning it’s spinning too fast.

*If you chose #2, this chakra is blocked, meaning it’s spinning too slowly or  not spinning at all.

*If you chose #3, this chakra is balanced, meaning it’s spinning at the correct speed and maintains equilibrium. 

 

Try the Following Daily Affirmations to Help Balance Your Fourth Chakra:

I am grateful for all the love that is in my life.

I am open to receive love from those around me.

I choose to let go of the hurt I feel and choose to let love in.

Just because someone doesn’t love me “enough” doesn’t mean they aren’t loving me with all that they have.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in meeting the needs of those we love, that we forget to love and honor ourselves. Take the next couple of weeks to pay attention to how your body is feeling, and determine what your fourth chakra needs are. Feel free to contact us with questions or to learn specific exercises you can do to work on balancing your fourth chakra. For those of you in the area, our Rejuvination Class that meets every Sunday incorporates several chakra balancing poses (see events page for more information).

In a couple of weeks, we’ll discuss the fifth chakra, the throat chakra. If you suffer from sore throats, neckaches, thyroid problems, or asthma this information will be of particular interest to you.

Write in and let us know your feeling or experiences. We’d love to hear your story.

 

 

 

References:

Simpson, Liz The Book of Chakra Healing, Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 1999

 

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