There is nothing worse than waking up with a “charlie horse”. This may be a sign of low minerals –magnesium, potassium and/or calcium. Many of our patients report resolution of the problem when they supplement with magnesium and/or calcium, Vegetable juice and apple cider vinegar are good sources of potassium that we recommend. The bottom line is that blood tests and medical histories are the most accurate way to determine individual mineral needs that will help with muscle cramps.
Beware of high fructose sweeteners
It is very helpful for both patient and practitioner to follow the results of blood work and other tests when a patient is making changes in diet and lifestyle. The patient will feel better but the improvements we get in tests results over time are confirmation that we are on the right track.
We have observed that patients who consume concentrated fructose have high blood triglycerides and central obesity. These problems often improve once they avoid the high fructose sweeteners. High fructose corn syrup is the most common source of concentrated fructose that Americans consume. It is found in non-diet sodas, many drinks and convenience foods. Bottled juices, most often made from reconstituted fruit juice concentrates, also provide too much fructose at one time for the body to handle safely. Other sweeteners such as honey and agave nectar also contain a lot of fructose so it is best to limit their consumption. Except for vegetable juicing, the rule of “don’t drink your calories” stands as a first step in not only weight loss but getting healthier in general.
For more information on high fructose corn syrup consumption and its negative impact on health, visit http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/17/you-did-it–we-are-winning-the-war-on-fructose.aspx
Dairy Products Make Some Folks Sick
Our experience helping adults and children with constant congestion, post nasal drip, tonsilitis, ear infections, bronchitis, and irritable bowel leads us to believe that cow milk products are often implicated in these health problems. Large commercial dairy farms use hormones, antibiotics, and the cows suffer from a lack of green pasture; so there is a quality issue involved with most dairy products. Here is a dramatic case that illustrates the problem some people have with dairy.
Having “no energy, strength or desire to go on”, a lady came to our office to see what nutrition therapy could do for her. She had a chronic cough (literally every 30 seconds!) though she never smoked. She was told she had asthma. After a few weeks of following the diet and supplement recommendations that were based on comprehensive lab testing, she was off her asthma medications. Her coughing stopped when she discontinued eating all dairy products. After four months she reported that her “energy was greatly improved” and she is back to exercising every day. An added plus is that she lost 21 pounds.
Other foods can contribute to congeston as well. Our nutrition consult includes taking a diet history which is the first step in detecting problem foods in a patient’s diet.
Weight Loss
Obesity is the root of many other health problems for many Americans and must be addressed. People over a certain age with weight problems almost always have other serious conditions which are a sign of poor health -hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, and greatly increased cardiovascular risk. Our question for the person who says he/she wants to lose weight is: Do you want to be healthier or just thinner? Do you recognize the serious health problems that you may have and do you want to get rid of them? We have been very successful with individuals who are motivated to reclaim their health. They are ready to begin helping themselves.
We treat each patient as an individual. Different people gain weight for different reasons. If the overall health and history of the patient is assessed by a clinically trained nutritionist, metabolic imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and toxic exposures contributing to the problem can be identified and addressed.
The most exciting part for us as we watch our patients learn how to help themselves and become healthier is that those who have been on medications often no longer need them. This is a true sign of good health-many people mistakenly think that medications buy good health. In truth, good habits earn good health.
There is some controversy about what constitutes a healthy diet. It is easier than you think, but unfortunately it is not well known. Americans have gotten lost in a sea of commercialism and advertising by special interests groups. Want to learn more? Call us today. 540-343-6636
