Navigating better health. By Kathy Gruver, PhD

With so many options for health, it can be a tough road to navigate. Here are some healthy suggestions of what to add and what to do away with. 

Eliminate:

Soda, diet AND regular. Regular soda contains high fructose corn syrup, which has been linked to obesity in some studies, and diet drinks contain dangerous artificial sweeteners. Both contain artificial colors, phosphorus that depletes minerals from the body, carbonation that can be hard on the system, and soda keeps you from drinking healthy beverages.

Add:

Meditation. We know stress is a killer in our society with 60-90% of doctor’s visits blamed on stress-related illness. Doing mini-meditations can help. And they are simple. Concentrate on your breath and on the inhale think, “I am” and on the exhale think, “at peace.” And repeat anytime you are feeling stress. This calms the nervous system, slows heart and respiratory rate and lowers blood pressure. It also readies the brain for higher functioning and slows the genetic effects of aging.

Eliminate:

Milk, unless you’re drinking raw, unpasteurized, un-homogenized milk straight from an organic cow in a wild field. Many people are lactose sensitive and cannot handle milk products. rBGH is a dangerous hormone and our cows are filled with antibiotics, neither of which we need. 

Add:

Essential Fatty Acids, specifically omega 3’s. It used to be that we obtained omega 3 and 6 in equal quantity, but because of our change in diet (more meats, corn oil and soy oil), we are now getting far more omega 6, which might be contributing to the rise in depression and inflammation in the body. Add flax seed or fish oil. It’s good for the skin, mood and heart.

Eliminate:

Artificial sweetener has been around a long time with Sweet n Low (saccharin) being the first used back in the 70s. Saccharin has been linked to bladder cancer, breathing problems, headache, skin eruptions, diarrhea, and larger reactions in people allergic to Sulfa drugs.

NutraSweet, equal, sugar twin (Aspartame) has been linked to cancer, hair loss, depression, dementia, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, seizures and increased hunger! There have not been intensive studies on this chemical and many scientists feel the FDA never should have approved it.

Splenda (sucralose), the newest addition to the sweetener family contains chlorine and has been shown to cause G I issues, wheezing, coughing, depression, mood swings, and it has only studied short term on animals.

Add:

There is plenty of evidence to show that our food is not as healthy as it was two decades ago. No matter how good you think you eat, we all need to add a high quality multivitamin and mineral supplement. Many people take a vitamin, but we need minerals for all functions of the body, don’t forget them. Everyone hears so much about calcium but remember there are so many more that are needed like copper, zinc, manganese and molybdenum. Magnesium is great for constipation, muscle aches, mood issues, sleep and PMS.

Eliminate:

MSG. This is another dangerous excitotoxin that causes hyperactivity, nausea, headaches, flushing, and racing heart in sensitive individuals. It does not have to be labeled as MSG so you might be consuming it without your knowledge. It is known by many names and is common in processed foods. Search for “hidden names of MSG” on-line for full lists.

Add:

Visualization. The brain doesn’t know the difference between what we are thinking and what is really happening, this is why visualization is so important. Studies show we can speed wound healing and activate our immune system with simple visualizations. To spark the immune system picture the white blood cells as ants eating away the negative, angels swooping in to carry off the bad stuff or the cavalry rushing over the hill to save the day.

Eliminate:

High Fructose Corn Syrup. Please don’t believe the propaganda TV commercials. Corn is natural but HFCS isn’t. It could be making this country obese and diabetic. There is evidence that fructose suppresses leptin, the hormone that gives the sensation of fullness, causes a raise in triglycerides and insulin resistance. And even if their research is correct and it’s just as safe as sugar, it still indicates a highly processed food, which I recommend eliminating and it’s probably genetically modified which should also be avoided (see below).

Eliminate:

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The most commonly genetically modified substances are corn and soy, ingredients like High Fructose Corn Syrup, Soy Protein used as a filler and Soy Oil. These two products are in most processed foods and trying to eliminate them can be challenge. Buy organic or products that are labeled NON-GMO to insure your family avoid these under-researched and potentially hazardous products.

It can seem daunting to make so many changes in your life. But do it incrementally, see what you can change over time and then progressively do more and more. For more information and tips about your health, visit Dr. Kathy Gruver at www.thealternativemedicinecabinet.com and have a healthy day!