Body pH – Why Care?
January 30, 2012
Hello, again, Enota Friends!
Lots of us remember taking chemistry in high school or college; and, most of us have had our physician check the pH of our blood or urine, but do we really understand what it means?
Moms and scientists around the world tell us that we should eat at least five vegetables daily. But, how many of us really do it? And, how many of us understand why it’s advised. How can we do this when our lives are lived on-the-run and on the road? Increasing stress-related medical conditions in the world’s population points out that our overscheduled lives are unhealthy.
A typical breakfast for many people consists of orange juice, toast, honey, sweet rolls, muffins, waffles, pancakes, etc., all of which contain huge amounts of sugar and simple carbohydrates. This promotes high levels of yeast to grow inside the body. Traditional high protein breakfasts such as eggs, bacon, sausage, etc. also compromise the gastrointestinal system and lead to higher acid levels in our body.
As a result, many people nowadays suffer from acidosis, which is the condition of having too much acid in the system . Everything we eat influences our body pH level. By consuming acid-forming or acidic food, as noted above, our body is continuously fighting to neutralize the excessive acid and retain pH balance. Symptoms of a pH imbalance include weight problems as well as other health conditions such as allergies, arthritis, acne, even heart attacks!
Most American diets are acid forming. Our bodies are built to withstand some acidity, but it’s a problem when our bodies can no longer process so much acidity from the foods we eat. In addition to diet, other factors such as stress cause us to be even more acidic. Proper digestion is, of course, essential to the proper functioning of our bodies. We tend to take our digestive tract for granted, thinking it’s a simple process… food in… nutrients to cells… wastes out… However, when you take a closer look at digestion you realize that the process is fairly complex.
One element of digestion that is seldom discussed is the importance of keeping the body’s cells alkaline. The pH level of your body is very influential during every step of the digestion process. The stomach is designed to be acidic; our stomachs require acidity for certain digestive actions including digesting proteins. The stomach’s acidity also protects the digestive tract from germs and pathogens. When we eat alkaline foods, the stomach produces more hydrochloric acid which keeps the pH of the stomach acidic.
However, the rest of the gastrointestinal tract requires an alkaline environment. When the food reaches the small intestines this is where most of the nutrient absorption occurs. To neutralize the stomach acid, the liver secretes bile. Meanwhile the food mixes with enzymes such as lactase, sucrase and maltase, all of which are secreted from the alkaline mucosal membranes.
Our bodies are designed to know how to maintain the proper acid and alkaline levels for proper digestion. But when we take products such as antacids, this can mess up this balance, resulting in poor nutrition. The key is to maintain enough of an alkaline environment in the first place so that medications and antacids won’t be necessary!
While acidity is beneficial to your stomach, if the rest of your body gets too acidic, it can be harmful for the digestive tract. With too much acidity a variety of issues can result, including toxicity, weight gain and the creation and storage of fats. (In fact, fat is created to store acids and toxins) . On the other hand, when an alkaline environment is maintained in the body, diseases are less likely to form.
Fortunately there are alkaline foods that can keep your body’s pH balance at an optimal level. What you need to do is alkalize your body pH to restore good health and nutrition. The over-acidification of your body can be reversed by creating a proper nutritional balance of alkaline-forming and acid-forming foods in your diet.
An alkaline way of life is the perfect start to restore your overall health. By eating an alkalizing pH diet, your body’s pH level will gradually be balanced. When the nutrients of alkaline foods get into your bloodstream, every cell in your body will be regenerated. An alkaline helps boost your energy levels, improve your skin, reduce allergies and enhance mental clarity.
Also, when alkaline pH balance is achieved, your body will instinctively drops to its ideal weight. As soon as the acidic environment is eliminated, there will be no need for new fat cells to form. The remaining fat in your body is no longer needed to store acid wastes, and it will melt away. An alkaline way of life will restore good health. You will see and feel the difference!
We hope you have a better understanding of your body’s pH balance. Next time we’ll talk about specific alkaline foods to eat in order to restore the optimum pH balance in your body. And, remember… for a healthy and relaxing experience, come visit us here at Enota. Call and book your reservation for a beautiful vacation experience.
Enota Mountain Retreat
1000 Hwy 180, Hiawassee GA 30546
(706) 896- 9966 email: enota@enota.com
official web site: http://www.enota.com
Advertisements
Palm Reading, Anybody?
January 27, 2012
Greetings, Enota Family!
No, we’re not suggesting that you go to a psychic reader or buy yourself a crystal ball… Instead, let’s look at the scientific reasons why you might want to take a good look at your hands. A well-trained physician or RN will tell you that your health can be read by taking a serious look at your hands. Today’s blog post will highlight how your hands reflect your health, and will go into some specific conditions and how they are reflected “in the palm of your hand”. What if taking a look at your palms – and your fingers – could help you discover early signs of diseases you didn’t realize you had? Your hands can tell you a lot about circulation, hormones, certain organs, thyroid function, and your nutrition.
Seven Hand Clues to Overall Health:
1. Blue fingertips:
Blue-tinged fingertips can be a sign of Raynaud’s disease, which is a circulatory system disorder. Fingertips might also feel numb, or could be grayish-white rather than blue, and the hands will be cold. Raynaud’s syndrome occurs when there are sudden temporary spasms of the blood vessels. The narrowed arteries cause decreased blood circulation to the hands and fingers. This condition is fairly common – about 10 % of the population has this condition. It is more common in women than men, and is worsened with cold weather as well as with stress.
Sudden changes in temperature, such as taking an item out of the freezer, can bring on a Raynaud’s attack, so be aware of this effect. Wear gloves for freezer duty as well as when you go outside in cold weather, since cold is one of the major triggers for Raynaud’s.
Raynaud’s syndrome can restrict circulation over time to the point of tissue damage, so it’s important not to ignore symptoms. The best way to prevent Raynaud’s is to make lifestyle changes to keep your circulation healthy. Smoking and caffeine both constrict blood vessels, so quit smoking and cut down on caffeine intake. Aerobic exercise also increases your circulation and will help prevent Raynaud’s attacks.
2. Blotchy red palms
Medically known as palmar erythema, red palms over a long period of time may well be a sign of liver diseases, including cirrhosis of the liver and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Inflammation of the liver gradually impairs its function so it is no longer able to adequately flush waste products out of the body. This results in increased hormones which, in turn, cause the blood vessels in the hands and feet to dilate, making the redness visible through the skin.Other signs of liver disease include swollen legs and abdomen, prominent veins on the upper torso and abdomen, and fatigue. If you have these symptoms, consult your physician for further evaluation.
*** An exception to the red palm rule is pregnancy; about 50% of pregnant women will experience temporary red palms during the pregnancy due to increased blood flow.
3. Clubbed Fingers
Thickened fingertips that angle out above the last knuckle like miniature clubs can be a sign of heart or lung disease. You may also notice the nail rounding, with the fingers curving downward. When the circulatory system (heart and lungs) are impaired, oxygen levels in the blood drop. Over time, this causes the soft tissues of the fingertip pads to grow and the fingertips appear to bulge outward.
If your fingers and toes are clubbing, you’ve probably also been noticing other symptoms, such a shortness of breath or chronic cough. Clubbing also occurs with aortic valve disease, which can cause fatigue and chest pain. See your doctor for a full heart and lung evaluation. Be sure to tell your doctor how long you’ve noticed the change in your fingers and/or toes, as well as how long you’ve been experiencing other symptoms.
4. Finger length
You probably didn’t know this, but comparing finger length can tell you a lot about the likelihood of you having certain conditions. Men’s ring fingers are usually longer than their index fingers, while in women it’s the opposite. According to a study published in “Arthritis and Rheumatism” in 2008, women who have ring fingers longer than their index fingers are twice as likely to suffer from osteoarthritis. Longer index fingers, on the other hand, are associated with a higher risk of breast cancer in women and with a lower risk of prostate cancer in men. A 2010 study found that men whose index fingers were noticeably longer than their ring fingers were 33 percent less likely to develop prostate cancer.
Scientists believe finger length is affected by exposure to varying amounts of testosterone and estrogen in the womb. Longer ring fingers indicate greater prenatal exposure to testosterone, while longer index fingers suggest higher estrogen exposure. Since breast cancer is estrogen-fueled, longer index fingers correlate with higher breast cancer. Likewise, more testosterone is linked to a higher incidence of prostate cancer for men. Scientists don’t know exactly what the connection is for finger length and osteoarthritis, but they believe it has something to do with the way hormones affect bone growth in the womb.
Women who have longer ring fingers may want to be on the alert for weak or sore joints, especially the knees. And, men who may be at higher risk for prostate cancer should be proactive about PSA testing. Of course, all women should have regular mammograms for breast cancer screening; but, if you think you may be at higher risk, talk to your doctor about increasing the frequency of mammograms.
5. Pale nails
Ordinarily, if you gently press on your fingernails they turn white: and, then when you release the pressure, they turn pink again. If your nails stay white more than a minute after you press on them or look pale all the time, this can be a sign of anemia. Anemia, or iron deficiency, causes pale nails because there aren’t enough red blood cells circulating in the bloodstream. Severe iron deficiency can also cause the nails to have a slightly concave shape if the anemia goes untreated for a long time.
Iron deficiency can lead to fatigue and heart problems. Diet can help treat iron deficiency: examples of iron-rich foods are red meat and spinach and other dark greens, and nuts. Usually, however, anemia requires taking an iron supplement in addition to dietary changes. Also, remember that Vitamin C increases iron absorption, so whether you are getting iron through diet or supplements or both, increase your Vitamin C as well. .
6. Red stripes under the nails
Tiny red or brownish-red “splinters” under the fingernails (toenails, too!) are called splinter hemorrhages. Splinter hemorrhages occur when tiny blood clots block blood flow to the capillaries beneath the nails. Because they run in the direction of nail growth, they resemble splinters that got stuck under the nail. Splinter hemorrhages are tiny areas of bleeding and can signal infections of the blood and heart.
They most often occur with an infection of the heart valves called subacute bacterial endocarditis. This condition typically occurs in someone with a heart murmur or underlying infection. If you see splinter hemorrhages under your nails, take your temperature to see if you have a fever. Bacterial endocarditis is usually accompanied by a low-grade fever. If you’ve never had your heart checked and are concerned about these symptoms, call your doctor for a checkup.
7. Swollen fingers
One of the first places you see excess water is in the fingers. When your thyroid is underactive, it produces less of the hormones that regulate your metabolism and keep your body functioning properly. And when metabolism slows, the result is typically weight gain and water accumulation. You can feel and see that your fingers are swollen, and they won’t bend as easily either. . First try drinking plenty of water and cutting back on salt; but then, if your fingers feel thick and stiff, or if your rings don’t fit, you might want to talk to your doctor about having your thyroid checked..
*** Short-term swollen fingers can happen for various reasons… summer heat, a high-salt meal, or PMS can result in short-term water retention. Long-term retention is reflective of health problems.
Your life is truly in your hands!
Enota Mountain Retreat
1000 Hwy 180, Hiawassee GA 30546
(706) 896- 9966 email: enota@enota.com
official web site: www.enota.com
Chocolate Evolution!
January 25, 2012
Greetings, Enota Family!
Today we’re going to talk about chocolate and how it has progressed from a sticky sugary treat to become a true health food. We hope you will enjoy this post and that you will either make or purchase some healthy chocolate!
Wow! Remember the chocolate of “the old days”? Milk chocolate. Chocolate kisses, chocolate covered cherries, peanut butter cups,or nut and caramel bars, chocolate nonpareils… bought at the local grocers, drugstore, department store, or dime store. (Some of you will remember dime stores, definitely a thing of the past.)
Next came the dark milk chocolate, found primarily in chocolate samplers and boxed holiday candies. And, even then, just a few of the candies were dark chocolate; the rest being good quality milk chocolate. These dark chocolates were still high in sugar and cocoa butter – not really much different than regular milk chocolates.
And then came true dark chocolates. Chocolates made with 70% or more cocoa. Now , these were some serious chocolates. Almost bitter, but still with that tantalizing chocolate taste. Lovely to look at, wonderful yo the taste buds. Chocolatiers began making delicious candy bars such as 70% cocoa chocolate with hot peppers or mint or orange zest in the mix! Fabulous! These were candies for the chocolate connoisseur…
As if that wasn’t enough, chocolate makers began selling organic chocolates. Organic truffles, dark chocolate bars, and fine chocolate candies. Made the same way as the original milk chocolate bars from the “dime store” days, they are made with roasted chocolate, refined sugar, various fats, and a list of chemical-sounding ingredients. Dark chocolates were touted as having antioxidants, and many a person was glad to embrace the idea of chocolate being not only good but good for you.
Next some adventurous people started getting really serious about health issues. They rediscovered the actual cacao bean! The source of cocoa, the source of chocolate. Eaten alone, the cacao is intense and quite bitter – the experience is similar to tasting a coffee bean – a seriously strong flavor!
Health-conscious people started buying cacao nibs or powder to mix with agave or honey to create a healthy homemade sweet treat. This was a taste so intense that the chocolate lover didn’t require a lot to be satisfied. Almost perfect…
Well, it was only a matter of time until some of these healthy foodists found a way to make chocolates with unroasted cacao beans. And this was the birth of raw chocolates. Raw chocolates are made with unroasted cacao beans, a bit of agave or honey, some sea salt. Compared to the now-popular dark chocolates, raw chocolates win in both taste and health benefits. Raw chocolates are really good for you!
According to David Wolfe, author of “Naked Chocolate: The Astounding Truth About the World’s Greatest Food,” chocolate in its natural state (cacao beans, nibs, or powder) is the best form of chromium, iron, and magnesium, which coincidentally are the top three mineral deficiencies in the American diet! Wolfe, who is a raw chocolate advocate, also credits cacao with being extraordinarily high in vitamin C. Cacao also contains omega-6 fatty acids and is a source of natural fiber as well . “Dime store” chocolate and dark chocolate don’t have these benefits. . When cacao is roasted it looses its vitamin C and its fiber is disturbed. Cooking cacao also destroys PEAs (phenylethylamines), the chemicals contained in chocolate that make us feel like we’re in love. More about PEAs in a minute…
Raw chocolate also contains neurotransmitter modulating agents. These are natural chemicals in our bodies that act as natural antidepressants. “They allow our neurotransmitters like serotonin to remain in our bloodstream longer than usual,” explains Wolfe. “This makes us younger. The more chocolate you eat, the longer you live.” According to Wolfe, raw cacao is the No. 1 antioxidant food in the world — 30 times higher than red wine and 20 times higher than green tea. (For more info on the health benefits of raw chocolate, check out David Wolf’s book, “Superfoods: The Food and Medicine of the Future”.)
About those PEAs… PEAs are “love chemicals”. Eating raw chocolate improves not only your health, but also increases your sensuality. Good deal, huh? Eat chocolates for better health and an improved love life!
A Basic Raw Chocolate Recipe:
-
100g Raw Cacao Butter
-
6 Tablespoons Raw Cacao Powder
-
2-3 Tablespoons Agave Syrup
-
1 Small pinch of sea salt
*** Make sure that all bowls and utensils are completely dry before mixing ingredients!! Water will cause the mix to separate!
Directions:
Place the raw cacao butter in a bowl over a pan of water on a low heat and melt very slowly. Once melted add the raw cacao powder and mix well using a metal ballon whisk. Keeping the heat at very low, add the Agave and mix well. Taste the mix after it’s melted; slowly add more sweetener if you prefer a sweeter taste.
Remove from heat once it’s completely melted and blended. The mixture should be runny and easily poured. Pour or spoon into silicone molds or ice cube trays to create individual candies; freezer for at least 20 minutes or refrigerate for 2 hours.
Once made keep your raw chocolates in the fridge or freezer.