Inflammation - The Cause Behind Chronic Disease

Do You Have Parasites? Diseases Of Modern Society:Anxiety & Depression

Inflammation - The Cause Behind Chronic Disease

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It has been pretty obvious from observation that consumption of sugar and foods that convert to sugar rapidly such as grains and any refined carbohydrate increase the risk of getting diabetes. What has been less obvious is that other sweeteners, even synthetic ones, can also

increase the risk of getting diabetes.

I have long warned against the use of synthetic sweeteners in particular because they have the same effect of creating a spike in insulin production as sugar/glucose does. What makes synthetic sweeteners even worse is that when a spike of insulin is present in the bloodstream as a result of that synthetic sweetener, together with an absence of any glucose in the bloodstream, the high levels of insulin don’t get used and remain in the bloodstream.

Combining that with the strong possibility that some of these synthetic sweeteners may also be carcinogenic gives you two good reasons to avoid using synthetic sweeteners.

The body is an extremely complex system. Research has shown that even just thinking about food, particularly refined carbohydrate food, will cause the pancreas to produce insulin.

Now a new study led by the Adelaide Medical School in Australia, involved 27 healthy people who were either given sweeteners - the equivalent of 1.5 litres of diet drink, or an inactive

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placebo.

At the end of two weeks, tests were carried out examining levels of glucose absorption, blood glucose, insulin and gut peptides.

The team found that those given supplements such as sucralose - which is commonly marketed as Splenda - saw a heightened response across all fronts.

None of these measures were altered in the volunteers who were given a placebo.

The study determined that just two weeks of sweeteners was enough to make a difference and increase in the risk of getting diabetes.

Previous studies had already linked high intake of sweeteners to a greater risk of diabetes, the new research, presented at a conference in Lisbon, investigated the mechanisms behind the association.

The study shows that the supplements can change the body’s response to glucose, heightening the risk of the condition which is suffered by millions of Americans.

Lead author Prof Richard Young said: “This study supports the concept that artificial sweeteners could reduce the body’s control of blood sugar levels and highlights the potential for exaggerated post-meal glucose levels in high habitual NAS [non-caloric artificial sweeteners] users, which could predispose them to developing type 2 diabetes.”

The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Lisbon, Portugal.

These changes could reduce the body’s ability to deal with sugar, leading to glucose intolerance, which can often be an early warning sign of type two diabetes.

If just two weeks of using an artificial sweetener can cause such a dramatic change, one can easily understand how habitual even daily use of artificial sweeteners for many years, particularly in diet drinks, could make it considerably more likely to result in diabetes.

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Before you say no to the question, Do you have parasites?, it’s better to read the list of symptoms.

In fact, we all have parasites; it’s simply a matter of whether or not you have the ones that cause annoying or serious disease or gobble up all the nutrients you are taking and eating from foods.

27 Symptoms of Pathogenic Parasites (the ones that harm you):

Here’s a list of the most common symptoms below. However, remember that because there are hundreds of possible parasites, the actual symptoms vary, depending on which one you may have.

1. Itching in the anus, usually at night2. Hungry all the time, even after eating a meal3. Headaches4. Mysterious skin rashes5. Night sweats6. Abnormal sensations in the belly, as if

something is moving7. Insomnia or wake up at night and have to

have a bowel movement8. Fatigue for no reason

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9. Craving of foods you know you should not eat10. Sore joints or stiff joints11. Digestive problems that never clear up (bloating, gas, cramping, diarrhea,

constipation)12. Symptoms you have worsen around the full moon13. Negative emotions that include depression, anxiety, irritability or even suicidal

thoughts14. Anemia15. Teeth grinding during sleep16. Memory problems17. Breathing problems18. Sores on the skin or infections that don’t seem to ever heal19. Muscle weakness20. Crawling sensations under the skin21. Weight gain or weight loss22. Body odor23. Drooling at night24. Nausea25. Track marks on the skin in the morning26. Multiple food and chemical sensitivities27. Passing a worm in the stool, or small eggs in the stool

How many did you check off on the list? Interestingly, you don’t need to have all of the symptoms or even most of them to actually be infested with parasites. Having only three of them could mean you’re a victim.

How People Get The Nasty Critters into Their Body

Parasites get into the body in many ways. The top three ways are:

1. Via Water They enter through water. In fact, at a recent parasite conference, one expert stated that over 50% of tap water sources were infested with giardia or Cryptosporidium parasites. Over 2 million people are estimated to contract giardia annually while only 300,000 are infected by cryptosporidium. That means if you really can’t depend on your local water company

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to give you safe water. You’re going to have to depend on yourself to take extra measures that your water is pure. Eating ice or drinking water while traveling to other countries is also a potential way to pick up the critters. Mountain water streams, rivers and creeks from supposedly pristine sources are also reservoirs for giardia and other parasites. Thus if you’re out camping and forget to bring a water filter, you could end up going home with a “critter”.

2. Via Food Food is also another source. Uncooked chicken, beef, fish, pork, or any meat can contain parasites waiting to find a new host: your intestines. Eating sushi is a great way to get parasites, and many who have parasites track their worm to sushi. They smartly refuse to eat it ever again. Even fruits and vegetables can be contaminated with parasites. Since parasites can range widely in size, you may never see the parasite egg that is as small as the dot on a page written by a pencil. It’s also difficult to see these small eggs in the stool. It’s exceptionally important to soak your fruits and vegetables in1 part apple cider vinegar water to 9 parts water for about 10 minutes before eating them! Removing any parasites before they get into you is an important self-defense mechanism you can take daily.

3. Via the Skin Some brazen parasites will even penetrate the sole of the foot, and just like that, it has become bloodbourne. Once a parasite is in the blood, it has the potential to go anywhere in the body.

Parasites have their favorite organs they like to reside in. Some

head right for the joints while others such as Giardia loves the gallbladder. Others feed off the large intestine and have hooks to

grab onto different sections of the intestines. And some even prefer feeding off brain tissues or live in the blood. One of my first patients as

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a doctor was a referral from a medical doctor for parasites that had already eaten away tissues in her brain. The x-rays confirmed the damage.

Types of Parasites We Live With

The primary types of parasites include helminthes (roundworms, hookworm, pinworms, tapeworms, flatworms), protozoans (single-celled organisms such as malaria), and ectoparasites (ones that live on the skin such as fleas and lice).

Below are some common types of helminthes that affect multitudes of people.

RoundwormsRoundworms are worms that can grow to 15 feet long. They can cause abdominal symptoms, appendicitis, fever, asthma, and rashes. Weight loss can also result from infestation. Roundworms love sex orgies inside your body and lay up to 200,000 eggs in one day.

The worms can block intestinal peristalsis and be a reason for why one’s colon never seemed to work properly. These worms can move to the pancreas and liver and disrupt function of these organs. Over one billion infections are estimated worldwide.

Hookworm The mouth of the hookworm is the big problem. While the hooks of the worm latch onto the intestine, the mouth sucks the blood until you get anemic. You can die from the anemia and protein deficiency the worm causes, and you’ll also be miserable from the multiple vitamin and mineral deficiencies.

Check your hair and skin; if they are dull and dry along with a big belly, swelling that’s

unexplainable, appetite loss, and abdominal cramps, a hookworm may be the culprit. Over 700 million people worldwide are estimated to have these parasites.

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PinwormsRectal and vaginal itching and irritation suggests that pinworms are at work. Although the white pinworms only grow a few inches long, they can make you irritable, nervous, cause digestive upsets and insomnia. One pinworm will lay 15,000 eggs in a day and the eggs can travel through the air.

Tapeworms These are the scariest, as they can grow 35 feet long and have hooks and suction cups on their skull. Their lifespan is 10 years! They can lay up to a million eggs in a day. Keep reading our articles on the topic though, as you’ll find the herb that makes them automatically release their grip – and get flushed out of the body.

FlatwormsThese love traveling through the blood, and hang out in the liver, bladder and lungs as well as living in the kidneys and intestines. It’s estimated that over 250 million cases of infection are seen each year. Flatworms are less than 3 inches long but they still cause severe disease.

Your first step is to identify whether or not you have any parasite symptoms and then begin a colon cleansing, liver/gallbladder cleansing program, followed by a parasite purge.

Make sure to read my article on how to eliminate parasites in next month’s edition of The Natural Choice.

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We’ve all experienced anxiety and depression at one time or another. These conditions are a normal part of life. Anxiety today is like a throwback to that of the early man. Our ancestors had to be on constant alert and ready to adapt

based on fight or flight responses.

But what’s happening right now? Ever since the end of World War II, clinical cases of anxiety and depression have been rising. Some people are now calling these diseases of the 21st century. Is humanity really in the grip of psychological epidemics?

Anxiety and Depression are Diseases of Modern CivilizationA systematic review of community studies in European countries explored the stats. It shows that 27% of adults had experienced at least one mental disorder. These include anxiety, depression, psychosis and eating disorders. It is estimated that 83 million people around the world suffer from clinical anxiety and depression.

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental illness in the U.S. It affects 40 million adults age 18 and older. At least 18% of the population.

Anxiety and depression are natural to occur in humans. But for some, these feelings strike when they’re most unexpected. Anxiety results in fear, uncertainty, rambling thoughts and avoiding certain behaviors. If you cannot cope with anxiety, it leads to depression. And it often complicates into other psychological disorders.

There may be something to modern life that’s causing anxiety and depression to be a global problem.

Are You At Risk for Having Anxiety and Depression?It’s obvious that anxiety and depression are serious matters. We need to take a look at the risk factors. And see what can be done about them.

AlcoholThe Global Information System on Alcohol and Health estimates that 3.3 million people die every year from alcohol abuse. One study suggests that 30-50% of people that abuse alcohol have clinical anxiety and depression.

The problem lies with an imbalance of chemicals in the brain. Our brain regulates neurotransmitters that influence our mood, thinking and behavior. Alcohol is a depressant that disrupts this balance. Drinking large amounts of alcohol lowers serotonin levels. This is a chemical that helps control your mood. As a result, people who abuse alcohol are more prone to have anxiety and depression.

Alcohol abuse leads to serious memory loss, depression, or anxiety. Worse, it may also lead you to commit suicide. Loss of control over your emotions leads to uncontrolled behavior, impulsiveness and impaired judgment. People also misuse alcohol to cope with

their anxiety.

Drinking and depression aren’t a good combination. Ask for help if you’re having a drinking problem. You don’t have to

worry. You’re not alone.

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Substance AbuseThe UNODC estimates that at least 246 million people worldwide use illegal drugs. About 1 out of 20 people use drugs. This places a heavy burden on public health systems. Worse, drug abuse leads to anxiety, depression, crime and HIV infections.

Substance abuse also aggravates the symptom of anxiety and depression. Psychiatrists expect that the symptoms of both conditions interact in certain ways. Drugs users are more prone to have impaired function. Usually, they have problems coping with stress and social functioning. It also takes more effort to treat anxiety when you are taking drugs.

Similar to alcohol, illegal drugs alter our brain’s function. Drugs influence its ability to regulate thoughts and emotions. As a result, people who take drugs have impaired judgment and unstable mood.

Seek professional help if you have substance abuse issues. It will also worsen your anxiety and depression. You need to recognize that mental illness and drug use are linked. Certain mental health professionals can help you identify the signs and symptoms of this dual problem, and help you develop strategies to cope with them.

StressAll of us experience stress and anxiety. But if we are not able to cope effectively, our anxiety becomes clinical. Anxiety might lead to major depression if left untreated. An NIOSH report claims that 40% of people feel that their work and daily routine is extremely stressful. And a lot of them don’t know how to deal with stress.

Anxiety and depression are often triggered by stressful events. These include death of a loved one, work stress, financial problems and marital disputes. Some people can cope with stress, but some can’t. If left untreated, anxiety and depression lead to low self-esteem, social isolation and physical disease. Worse, people can commit suicide.

Get help if you feel you can’t cope with stress. You have to realize that your coping strategies are not working. It will also help if you seek a professional help and emotional

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support. Remember, the key to handling stress effectively are healthy coping strategies.

Social IsolationLoneliness kills, and did you know that it is associated with mental illness? A study in Brigham Young University claims that social isolation is a public health problem like obesity and substance abuse. Many people today are living alone with limited social connections. Few give time to make physical, social interactions. Instead, they are more engaged with online activities, hectic work schedules and daily routines.

Social connectedness promotes mental well-being. It is a natural need to connect to people. It is necessary to communicate our thoughts and feelings. Being socially connected enables us to develop greater insight in life. And it helps us to be more capable of coping with anxiety and depression.

No man is an island. You’re putting more risk if you think you can handle anxiety and depression on your own. Everybody needs to have a balanced social life to cope with life’s problems. This way, we can effectively deal with anxiety and depression, and preserve our mental health.

Anxiety and depression are serious diseases in modern times. We should learn to know its risk factors, and develop healthy ways to cope with them.

References:Holt-Lunstad, J., et al. 2015. Loneliness and Social Isolation as Risk Factors for Mortality: A Meta-Analytic Review. [ONLINE] Available at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1745691614568352. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. 1999. Stress At Work. [ONLINE] Available at: http://cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-101/. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

National Institute of Mental Health. 2016. Any Anxiety Disorder Among Adults. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/prevalence/any-anxiety-disorder-among-adults.shtml. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

Shivani, R., et al. 2002. Alcoholism and Psychiatric Disorders Diagnostic Challenges. [ONLINE] Available at: https://pubs.

niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh26-2/90-98.htm. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2013. Drug Use Statistics. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/data-and-analysis/statistics/drug-use.html. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

World Health Organization. 2016. Global Information System on Alcohol and Health (GISAH). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.who.int/gho/alcohol/en/. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. 2016. Mental Health Data and Statistics. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/noncommunicable-diseases/mental-health/data-and-statistics. [Accessed 28 January 2017].

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Most people have heard of and have a basic understanding of the word inflammation. And certainly most people have experienced inflammation in their lives—knowingly or unknowingly—whether from tripping and falling to getting a cut that gets red and swollen to having swollen tonsils making it difficult to swallow.

On some level, inflammation is part of a normal life. But few people truly understand what is driving the abnormal epidemic of chronic inflammation in many Western countries and why this is crucial to address if we truly want to reduce our disease risk and feel better.

In today’s article, we are going to explore inflammation in depth—from acute to chronic types—and discuss both causes and strategies to relieve inflammation to help you feel and function better! The Purpose of Inflammation & The Difference Between Acute & Chronic Contrary to what some may think or believe, inflammation doesn’t just happen to us to make our lives miserable and more painful. In fact, inflammation serves an important evolutionary purpose. For instance, if we trip and sprain our ankle, within minutes that ankle begins to swell and become more and more difficult to walk on. That is important

By Dr Eric Wood, ND, MA

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because the swelling and associated pain gives you an obvious message to stay off your foot, as the ankle has been damaged and it needs time to heal and rest. Inflammation is essentially a coordination of the circulatory and immune systems especially in that certain chemical compounds and cells arrive to the site of a particular injury (in the case of acute inflammation) and begin to survey for bacteria to fight against infection and future disease, look to repair damaged tissues and blood vessels, and begin a histamine release to fill the area with fluid and cause swelling to further immobilize the area. In such an example however, gradually, if the body is in good health and not overly inflamed, this inflammation response should gradually wane over the following week and within 7-10 days should be relatively minimal (an example of acute inflammation).

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In cases of chronic inflammation however, parts of or perhaps the whole body to some degree becomes chronically inflamed, causing other changes and problems to occur systemically. These can include long-term decreased optimal circulation, heightened immunosurveillance potentially leading to immune disorders, poor oxygen deliverance, waste buildup, and sclerotic changes in tissues and blood vessels, encourage scar tissue to form which can making moving more difficult and contribute to plaque development in arteries. So why would the body become like this? Why would it choose to take such a course of action, given that it has negative long-term health effects? Well like anything the body does, it has its reasons and in one way or another, it has a purpose, even if we don’t realize it right away…so let’s investigate deeper. Causes: It Always Starts With Nutrition

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As is the case with many health matters, diet is paramount in either quelling or driving inflammation. And unfortunately, when it comes to preventing chronic inflammation from a dietary standpoint, we in the West are generally doing an awful job.

One of the main drivers of chronic inflammation is a balance between a couple key nutrients such as omega 6 vs omega 3 fatty acids and arachidonic acid and omega 3s. The typical American diet typically ranges in a ratio of somewhere between 17:1 -25:1 when it comes to the omega 6/3 ratio. Optimal, research suggests, is less than 4:1. Arachidonic acid to omega 3 ideally is approximately 1.5:1 or less and again the average American’s diet far exceeds that optimal value. When omega 6 and/or arachidonic acid is in excess, they generally have a pro-inflammatory effect, causing our bodies’ baseline levels of inflammation to elevate, essentially leading to long-standing, low-grade chronic inflammation. Causes: Compounded by Lack of Activity and Toxicity Furthermore, when we don’t move enough and live an active lifestyle and we aren’t careful with our toxin exposures, our body’s circulation slows down and is sluggish, leading to poor oxygenation and poor waste removal, also making us more acidic and more inflamed. With obesity reaching all-time highs and more than three quarters of the American population not regularly getting exercise, to say that our lifestyle habits are causing an inflammation and overall health-crisis, is an understatement! So, when we hurt and tend to be inflamed, this then begets a vicious cycle because few people want to try and get more exercise and improve their circulation if everything is hurting. Which tends to further push more chronic inflammation and certainly other health risks such as becoming overweight, losing muscle mass, and more. Chronic Inflammation Is a Body Trapped in a Negative Feedback Cycle Thus when your body is trapped in such a cycle, is it any surprise that risks for all kinds of illnesses and conditions go up, including: 1. Heart Disease2. Diabetes3. Cancer4. Kidney Disease5. Stroke

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6. Autoimmunity….and more! In fact, thirteen years ago in fact, TIME magazine profiled Inflammation as the “Silent Killer” linked to ALL chronic, degenerative diseases. Chronic inflammation is a vicious cyclical event that won’t quit on its own until we start taking away the driving forces behind it. So how do we do that? Well… How To Turn Things Around—Start With Food! As I often say when lecturing students and patients, lifestyle illnesses must use lifestyle medicine. Thus in this case, start with food! Cut out those damaged, often hydrogenated omega 6 fats so commonly found in processed foods such as chips, cookies, crackers, French fries, processed sandwiches, and snack cakes and start upping the intake of omega 3, anti-inflammatory fats found in things like:

• flax, chia, and hemp seeds• walnuts• and cold-water fish like salmon, herring, sardines, etc. For many people, they may do well with adding in a high-quality fish or krill oil to further balance and boost their omega 3 levels. For those able to pursue, you may wish to have advanced omega 6/3 and arachidonic acid/omega 3 ratio blood testing done to see that you’re bringing these ratios into ideal balance! Specific to arachidonic acid (i.e. ‘AA’), make a conscious choice to choose pasture raised/grass-fed meats, be careful with too much red meat intake, and also watch excessive egg yolk and peanut consumption, all of which have higher levels of AA. Adding in tasty, anti-inflammatory herbs and spices can additionally be a great way to counter inflammation. Consider some of these all-stars when it comes to fighting inflammation and spicing up your plate: • Curcumin (turmeric)• Ginger• Rosemary• Garlic…and more!

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Then, after we’ve made some good headway in the dietary department, start gradually getting more activity into your life. If you haven’t done anything for quite some time, start SLOW and don’t overdo. Try walking or swimming or biking and gradually, as you feel more comfortable and fit, start increasing your intensity and/or duration of exercise. Try adding some more challenging activities such as tennis, weight lifting, kickboxing, or whatever sounds fun and engaging to you! The best exercise is the exercise you WILL DO, so try and diversify it and make it routine! To take it to the next level, if you’re still struggling with some inflammation, consider adding in additional supplements such as curcumin (the extract from turmeric), boswellia, ginger, bromelain/digestive enzymes, and white willow bark to get things in better control. These work more naturally in the body vs. relying on NSAID medications (i.e. aspirin, ibuprofen, etc.) and don’t come with the considerable side effects these meds tend to over time.

Concluding Thoughts Chronic inflammation is a plague on modern Western society. Country after country in the West suffers from dietary and lifestyle imbalances that are fueling an epidemic of chronic inflammation, which in turn drives epidemics of chronic, debilitating illnesses.

Turning things around however doesn’t have to be rocket science: it begins with changing what you eat and how you’re living. If you want to take one simple yet major step towards reducing your risk from a plethora of the top killers globally, simply start working on your inflammation. Your body will certainly thank you for it!

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Being told you have prostate cancer is a life-changing diagnosis. Feeling scared, anxious, unsure, angry or feeling nothing at all is completely natural. Even a scare of prostate cancer can cause anxiety for any man over fifty.

If it is the case that you do have prostate cancer, it is important to maintain a healthy quality of life, regardless of whether you choose the natural or traditional route. Although there is much medical evidence that supports a healthy diet and exercise, low stress levels and good mental wellbeing is equally important.

Traditional therapy For advanced prostate cancer, radiation therapy is one of the more common forms of treatment. This can be effective in treating the cancer but this source shows that for 60-90% of the men undergoing radiation therapy experience fatigue, around 24% experience urinary incontinence whilst 21-85% experience erectile dysfunction. These side effects only add to stress that comes from having prostate cancer.

According to research from Dr. Neha Vapiwala, of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Pennsylvania’s Perelman School of Medicine, yoga has a number of benefits to anyone undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

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Why yoga?Yoga is a non-strenuous exercise that relieves stress, improves flexibility and all-round physical and mental health. Considering that prostate cancer tends to affect men over their 50s, it is a great exercise that does not put too much stress on the joints.

Also, yoga has the ability to reduce fatigue and strengthen pelvic floor muscles with continued practice.

Poses such as the supported shoulderstand, bound angle pose, boat pose, supported headstand and the reclining hand-to-big-toe pose are particular beneficial.

The specifics The study took place between May 2013 - June 2014. The men involved in the study participated in twice weekly yoga sessions during their prostate treatment. According to Penn Medicine News, ‘Each session lasted 75 minutes, beginning with five minutes of breathing and centering techniques and ending with five minutes of Savasana, a common yoga position.’

The results show decreased levels of fatigue with maintained levels of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Overall, the quality of life was maintained.

Other notable benefits of yoga include:

• Increased flexibility• Increased muscle strength and tone• Improved respiration, energy and vitality• Maintaining a balanced metabolism• Weight reduction• Cardio and circulatory health• Improved athletic performance• Protection from injur• Significant reductions in stress• Greater mood and feeling of peace• Increased levels of productivity

Are you ready to make that positive change in your life? Great, because you can start at home by simply searching on Youtube for free yoga videos and have all of the highlighted benefits in as quick as 15-20 minutes. Or even better you can attend a local class and be part of a great community of health conscious and loving people.

Best of luck!

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I’ve been keeping a ketogenic diet for a number of months now and even with occasional lapses, I have lost 22lbs.

I have tried some variations which have mainly been about intermittent fasting which I have found to be extremely effective and astonishingly easy. The most effective for me has been a 24-hour fast.

This may sound difficult but actually if you are also keeping to a ketogenic diet, fasting is easy. That is because with a ketogenic diet you simply don’t feel hungry.

Last week I decided to try an experiment which is to see what happens if I continue to do intermittent fasting but didn’t keep to a ketogenic diet. Intermittent fasting on a normal carbohydrate rich diet turns out to be very difficult. I happen to love sourdough and wholemeal bread. So I decided for four days to eat sandwiches. In those four days, despite the difficult to do intermittent fasting, I put on 4 lbs.

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I went straight back to eating ketogenic combining it with a 24-hour fast. One of the advantages of the 24-hour fast is it throws you straight back into ketogenisis. In just three days, I had lost the 4lb excess. Let me tell you a little bit more about why the ketogenic diet partners so well with an intermittent fast and why fasting is so good for you.

You are probably familiar with the seesaw effect of most diets. You start off full of hope and expectation. You reduce your calorie intake, you exercise, ostensibly to increase your metabolism and lo and behold you start to lose weight.

As this is very encouraging you continue with your diet. But your weight loss rate begins to reduce and if you stick to your diet long enough, it will eventually plateau and then you start to put the weight back on. If you reduce your intake still further your body will respond by reducing your basal metabolism again, and once again your weight loss will fail. Even worse, if you actually go back to eating normally, your weight gain will accelerate. It will take you back to where you started and then some. So what is happening?

The reason such diets never work in the long term is because the whole theory of weight loss underlying all these diets is wrong. The conventional medical view is that the body operates as an engine. Feed it less fuel and run it harder and weight loss happens. That turns out to be true in the short term but never in the long term.

That is because the body isn’t an engine. It is a very complex system with many different feedback mechanisms. Reducing your calorie intake will always also sooner or later reduce your basal metabolism. That is why these diets never work in the long term. Our bodies have been programmed by evolution to survive. That is their objective. So when you reduce calorie intake, the body becomes aware and fears that it is at risk of starving. It produces hormones that will reduce the speed of your engine until it will match your reduced calorie intake. That is why weight loss eventually plateaus. But and this is the real kicker, when you then go back to increase your calorie intake, the body does not increase the rate of your basal metabolism. That is why you put the weight all back on and then some.

It turns out that each of us is genetically programmed to set at a certain weight. Research that has been done on children that had been brought up by parents who are not their biological parents shows that their weight profile mirrors that of their biological parents not the parents that represent their environment. So in the nature/nurture equation it is

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nature that initially determines your weight profile.

That does not mean that it is impossible to escape from your genetic program but it is difficult and experience has shown that you can’t achieve it by reducing your calorie intake alone. That just means that you’re fighting your bodies program and trust me your body will always win.

One way of losing weight which I have already been describing is the ketogenic diet. That does two very important things. It changes the fuel that you burn from Glucagon to fat and everybody has an excess of fat. And the second important element is that it depresses your appetite. It virtually eliminates hunger pangs. So with the ketogenic diet, if you make that your way of life, not only will you be healthier but you will also be slimmer.

But, I have also been talking about intermittent fasting. Why does that work differently from reduced calorie intake? If you are burning Glucagon, your body is only too aware that you have a very limited store of that form of energy. Most active people will consume their entire store of Glucagon as energy within 24-hours if it is not replenished. So your body takes preventative action to make you feel hungry and eventually to reduce your basal metabolism.

In contrast once you go ketogenic and you are burning fat, your body knows that you have lots of fat so there is no panic response from your body, no need to increase appetite, no need to reduce basal metabolism. The world record for length of fast is 382 days. Everybody has enormous reserves of energy stored as fat, especially if you are a bit overweight.

Now, if you are ketogenic, when you fast and as a consequence consume less calories, you are directly burning your fat and your body does not take any evasive action that can sabotage your efforts to lose weight.

The ketogenic diet causes you to stop storing glucagon because it reduces the level of your insulin output. Reducing levels of Insulin turns out to be one of the most important keys to weight loss. But, research has shown that it is not only carbohydrates that cause your body to produce insulin. Carbohydrates, particularly refined carbohydrates certainly are responsible for the worst spikes in insulin production. But insulin is produced when you just eat protein. And even just eating fat will cause the body to produce less but nonetheless some insulin.

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It turns out that one of the most significant factors in weight gain is the frequency of your insulin generation and therefore in effect how often you eat. When you fast, you aren’t producing insulin.

So in a three meals a day environment, you are producing at least some insulin three times a day no matter what you eat. But overnight your body is getting an important rest from insulin.

However, add snacks between meals and suddenly the frequency of insulin production increases dramatically. And so does your body’s inclination to store fat and glucagon.

In contrast, doing intermittent fasting dramatically decreases the frequency of insulin production. Therefore, your body is facilitated to lose weight.

So is fasting dangerous? Will you have less energy? Will you feel tired? Will you be weak?

It turns out that nature and evolutionary development is a lot smarter than that. When your body knows that you are fasting, it assumes famine. So instead of reducing your energy levels, it increases them.

Your body wants you to be equipped to go out and get some more food.

Fasting is safe and people have been fasting for millennia. Periods of famine or shortage of food was the norm for centuries before we industrialised the whole process of food provision. Unless you are suffering from severe ill-health, you are unlikely to find fasting a problem. In fact, fasting is often a cure for many disease conditions.

People who fast report that they experience great increased energy and great mental clarity. Indeed, many religions recommended fasting as a way of increasing levels of concentration.

So intermittent fasting can help you achieve a range of benefits, including accelerated weight loss. There are a variety of different ways of doing this and all of them are easier when you’re doing a ketogenic diet as well.

One way to skip breakfast and start eating at lunchtime. If you finish your last dinner at 7 PM and eat your first meal of the day at 1 PM the next day, you are increasing your insulin free period from 12 hours to 18 hours. That is a 50% improvement and will make

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a difference to your weight loss.

Some people make that lunch at 1 o’clock (or 2 o’clock or 3 o’clock) their only meal of the day. That will now give you a 24-hour intermittent fast which is double what you would experience if you just didn’t eat during the night.

An alternative which is how I do it is also a 24-hour fast. I don’t eat till dinner and then fast right through to the following dinner. One supplement which I take that helps me with this process is Glycobalance. I recommend it very strongly, particularly if you are prediabetic and if you’re carrying a great deal of weight around your belly, there is a good chance that you are prediabetic. You can read more about Glycobalance if you click here.

It will not surprise you to know that I take many of my own supplements. One supplement that is particularly beneficial when you are dieting is a multi-vitamin and multimineral supplement. When you are restricting calories and therefore the variety of your food, you need to ensure that you are getting your daily requirement of minerals and vitamins.

There really is no better premium quality multivitamin and multimineral supplement than total health for the prostate. And of course it’s also good for the prostate. You can read

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THE HEALTHYLIVING KITCHEN

COOK

Fresh spicy chicken meatballs

For a fairly easy and filling recipe, try these chicken meatballs with a guacamole dip. Ground chicken mince is a change from the typical beef but what really sets this recipe apart is the guacamole. Avocado is having its moment, and it’s obvious why. The fruit is extremely high in healthy fats (making it perfect for the keto diet). Give these a try, you’ll love it!

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Grate the hard goats cheese and put into a bowl

2. 2. Prepare the vegetables, chop 1/2 red bell pepper and 2 sprong onions

3. 3. Add ground chicken and vegetables to the bowl with the cheese. Chop 2 tbsp cilantro and add

4. to the bowl. Season with the rest of the spices.

5. 4. Juice 1/2 lime into the chicken meatball mixture, then zest the lime and

add in the zest. 5. Add 2 tbsp of almond our and axseed, then mix everything together well

6. 6. Roll out the meatballs as uniform as you can get them and bake for 15-18 minutes or un l

7. cooked through8. 7. Make the simple guacamole by

mashing together avocado, lime juice, garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste

• Ground Chicken Mince (1lb)

• Spring Onions (2)• Red Pepper (1/2)• Cilantro (1/2 tsp)• Red Chilli Powder (1/2

tsp)• Lime (1/2)• Hard Goats Cheese

(2oz)• Flaxseed (2tbsp)

• Almond Flour (2 tbsp) Fast Guacamole

• Avocado• Lime • Garlic Powder (1/4 tsp)

ING

RE

DIE

NT

S

M E T H O D

Protein 24.8g |Fat 98.3g | 234 kcal

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THE HEALTHYLIVING KITCHEN

COOK

Broccoli, pea & basil soup

This recipe couldn’t be any more good for you – I mean it’s all green! Filled with all those healthy and energy fueling vegetables, this dish proves how soup can be nutritious and delicious! Broccoli is one of the power vegetables in this soup – along with its extensive nutrition and medicinal benefits, broccoli also has the ability to prevent many forms of cancers, improve your digestive system, lower cholesterol, detoxify the body, whilst maximizing vitamin and mineral intake.

1. Heat the coconut oil in a saucepan

2. Add the garlic, celery, oregano, chives and chopped basil and stir

3. Add the broccoli, stock and a large pinch of salt and pepper and stir

4. Bring to simmer, pop the lid and continue to simmer gently for 10-15 mins until brocolli stalks

are tender

5. Remove from the heat and add in the peas, basil leaves and 3/4 of the lemon juice 6. Blend the soup, check for seasoning and add last bit of lemon juice

6. Serve in a bowl and (optional) drizzle over some extra virgin olive oil

• Broccoli (4oz, sliced)

• 2 Frozen Peas (3.5oz)

• 3 Vegetable Stock (500ml)

• Fresh Basil (chopped)

• 5 Celery (1 stick)• 6 Chives (1 tbsp)• Garlic (1 clove)• 8 Lemon Juice (1

tbsp) 9 Coconut Oil (1 tbsp)

• 10 Sea Salt• 11 Black Pepper 12

Oregano

ING

RE

DIE

NT

S

M E T H O D

Protein 10.6g |Fat 13.78g | 238.5 kcal

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ASK BEN ANYTHING.DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS?

In case this is your first issue of our monthly journal The Natural Choice, Ask Ben is a recurring segment in every issue in which Ben responds to questions from you, the reader.

Many of our readers love engaging with us and asking a multitude of deep questions regarding their lifestyle. We provide feedback that inspires and equips our customers on exactly what they need to do for themselves in order to be victorious in their battle with health problems.

We believe all of your questions are valuable and choose some of the best to include in our monthly Natural Choice Articles. This is so that others going through similar experiences can learn how they can also live a more fulfilling life with the contribution of you and the community.

We are empowered by your feedback and this propels us to do more to provide the best service we can.

If you would like to have your prostate health or supplement related question, no matter the nature, answered by Ben in an upcoming issue of The Natural Choice then please feel confident to email your question to Ben.ong@bensprostate.com or alternatively click the button below.

Get Involved With Our Community

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Hi Ben,

I have read that eating eggs is not good for the prostate. What are your thoughts on that?

Kenneth

Hi Kenneth,

Thanks for your question.

A study that found a link between the choline in eggs and prostate cancer was only a very small study of 27 1/2 thousand men. Of those, only 199 men had prostate cancer. So it is a very small sample and there are a number of other problems with the study. It turns out that men who eat more eggs in that study were also more overweight and less fit.

Nobody actually knows what is contained in eggs that could actually increase the risks of prostate cancer. It is speculated that it may be the amino acid choline that may encourage prostate cancer cells to grow faster. But that is only speculation. There have been no follow-up studies, and nobody has replicated these results.

I eat on average between three eggs a day myself on the ketogenic diet and I’m not worried. If someone already has diagnosed prostate cancer, they might be prudent in cutting back on egg consumption but also red meat consumption. Otherwise I don’t believe that there is sufficient evidence to be concerned.

What is far more important certainly is to avoid those foods such as grain and dairy products and to eat more vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables. Similarly, doing regular exercise has been shown to reduce the risks of prostate cancer by 40%. Also, exercise reduces the risk of someone who already has prostate cancer of that prostate cancer becoming life-threatening. It also makes a great deal of sense to regularly take my Total Health for the Prostate supplement.

I wish you good health,

Ben

Q.

A.

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Hi Ben,

Can Cannabis help combat prostate cancer? Charles

Hi Charles,

Great question. I only know that cannabis taken as an oil of cannabis has been reported by many individuals over the years to be very effective against cancer. In Israel, they have the most advanced technology breeding specific cannabis plants for specific diseases. They may be able to tell you what percentages of THC and/or CBD are likely to be effective for prostate cancer. Because we are moving towards the medicalisation of cannabis, research is being done on specific dosages so the doctors will be able to prescribe. But as you will see from the stuff below, the safest approach is simply to take all of cannabis and not worry about the specific doses.

CBD & cannabis impact on cancerIt is a common misconception that CBD alone cures cancer. Results from studies and cancer patients have shown that the THC cannabinoid is mainly responsible in stopping cancer. Unlike CBD, THC is virtually not found in industrial hemp.

Cannabis is where THC can be found in high amounts which are needed for diseases like cancer. Normally cannabis contains low amounts of CBD. CBD is known to amplify the working of cannabinoid receptors, which in turn improves the effectiveness of THC and other cannabinoids.

I hope that’s useful, feel free to contact me or the team if you want to discuss furtherI wish you good health,

Ben

Q.

A.

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