Water, Distilled

The quality of municiple tap water is questionable. Recent reports have indicated that many municipal water authorities are in violation of clean water standards. Significant levels of organic and inorganic chemical such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers and lead have been found in musical water supplies. Unfortunately many of these pollutants are difficult to get rid of using the common purification methods that are in place in many areas of the country today.

Given the above information, a good quality water filtration system is a sound and healthy investment. Unfortunately, distilled water is not. distilled water may not remove all of the organic chemicals from the water, and it also removed all of the materials. Some practitioners believe that we should not consume distilled water, because it acts as a vacuum and require the body to use its own stores of minerals to balance it out. There are better methods of water filtration, which include reverse osmosis, charcoal filtering and deionization. These are all acceptable methods of water treatment.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Water, Tap

The quality of municiple tap water is questionable. Recent reports have indicated that many municipal water authorities are in violation of clean water standards. Significant levels of organic and inorganic chemical such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers and lead have been found in musical water supplies. Unfortunately many of these pollutants are difficult to get rid of using the common purification methods that are in place in many areas of the country today.

Tap water contains pollutants such as fecal coliform bacteria, parasites, other water born pathogens. It also contains chlorine and in some cases fluoride, both of which are toxic to the body. It is bet to filter your tap water before consuming it.  Good, hgh quality water filtration system is a sound and healthy investment. Methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, charcoal filtering and demonization are acceptable methods of water treatment.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Margarine

Margarine is a man-made, chemically altered fat. Margarine was developed as the great healthy, easy-to-spreads cholesterol free, alternative to butter, because it was made out of vegetable oil. Unfortunately margarine is none of these. It is not even a food.

Margarine is 100% hydrogenated oil and is full of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fat that have been linked with the following health problems:

1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

The body does not know how to deal with trans fatty acids, as they are a new introduction into the food chain. We do not have the mechanisms to digest them and they tend to hang around the body for a very long period of time. The half-life for trans fatty acids is 3-4 months, it takes 3-4 months for the body to decrease in half the level of a recently ingested trans fatty acid.

People are under the impression that eating margarine will cause them to be healthier. Nothing could be further from the truth. Butter, used in moderation, is by far the most acceptable and healthy choice. Margarine will cause an essential fatty acid defieciency.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Eat Fast Food Regularly

We live in a fast food society with many demands on our time. Unfortunately choices we make with our time have long term impacts on our health. The choice to use fast food on a regular basis is one of these.

On of the major concerns of fast food is the type of oils and fats used to prepared and cook the food. Deep-fried foods and hydrogenated fats are the mainstay of fast food. Both of these will have long-term repercussions on health. Hydrogenated fats are a source of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fat has been linked with the following problems:




1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

Fast foods ar high is calories, and refined sugars, but low in active vitamins and minerals. The body has to metabolize the meal by robbing its stores of nutrients, leading to low energy, and nutrient deficiencies.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Fried Foods

Fried foods refer to regular consumption of commercially prepared fried or deep-fried foods. Sautéing or stir-frying food is a little olive oil is not a problem. The problem for our health is the nature of the oil that is used for commercial frying. It is usually hydrogenated oil that sits around for a long time, is changed infrequently and is a source of oxidized fats. Any fats that is subjected to high heat for long periods of time will become oxidized or rancid, forming free radicals, which are then consumed.

The body not only have to deal with the intake of free radicals but also large amounts of hydrogenated fats, which are a source of trans fatty acids. A type of unnatural, man-made fats that has been linked with the following health problems:

1. Cancer: high levels of trans fats have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
2. Trans fats have been linked with increased platelet stickiness, which is associated with coronary heart disease.
3. Pain and inflammation becomes much worse for people who eat hydrogenated fats.
4. Trans fatty acids block the body’s  production of naturallly occuring anti-inflammatories.
5. Trans fats are a source of immune system problems. They are incorporated into the cell membrane, where they increase cell memebrane permeability making them more susceptible to infection.
6. Trans fats block the body’s ability to metabolize and use the essential fatty acids, causing muscle fatigue and skin problems.

Most foods that are fried or deep-fried can be prepared in other ways: broiling, baking, or grilling. All sources of hydrogenated fats must be cut out of the diet. It is a type of food that is not compatible with health.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Water, distilled

The quality of municipal tap water is questionable. Recent reports have indicated that many municipal water authorities are in violation of clean water standards. Significant levels of organic and inorganic chemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, and lead have been found in municipal water supplies.  Unfortunately many of these pollutants are difficult to get rid of using the common purification methods that are in place in many areas of the country today. Studies have linked these pollutants with an increased risk of birth defects, mental disorders, cancer and many other health problems. Other pollutants such as fecal caliform bacteria, parasites and othe water burn pathogens have been reported in municipal water supplies.

Radiation Exposure

Radiation is one of the way to treat cancer by aiming a beam of high-energy radiationat the cancer in the hopes of killing the cancer cells. This treatment obviously has many side effects and takes its toll out on the body. A good diet is essential for someone undergoing radiation treatment. Please speak to you physician about ways to further assess the impact tha radiation is having on your body, and ways to strengthen the body through diet, lifestyle and nutrition.

Cigars / Pipes

Much of the emphasis on the harmful effects of tobacco have centers on the cigarettes, but much less on cigars and pipes. It has been proved beyond a doubt that smoking causes lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, and other fatal diseases. Cigars and pipes can also cause the above diseases but they are especially linked to throat and mouth cancer, a major concern. Cigars and pipes are also a source of nicotine, an additive substance. Nicotine acts like am injection of adrenaline, increasing pulse rate,

and blood pressure, which makes the heart work faster and harder, so that the heart actually needs more oxygen. Smoking cigars or a pipe will result in increased levels of nicotine in the blood and the problems associated with its additive qualities. Research on addiction indicated that nicotine works much like heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. When nictotime was give to volunteer intravenously (into veins), many of them cold not tell the difference between the effect of nicotine and that of cocaine. Nicotine produces pleasurable sensations and physical dependency by affecting the brain and spinal cord.


It is important that tobacco use (both smoking and chewing) has associated health risks and its use will prevent you from attaciong your highest health potential.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Alcohol

Alcohol is a metabolic toxin that carries with it some health risks. Its impact on the body is far reaching causing irritation to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to increased intestinal permeability (Leaky gut syndrome), a condition that allows unwanted substances to move from the intestinal tract into the blood stream. A leaky gut can cause allergies because of the unwanted material that is absorbed through the hyper-permeable digestive tract stimulates the immune system.

The regular use of alcohol can have a strong impact on your brain chemistry. Alcohol, and other substance such as refined sugars and flours and certain drugs, will interfere with the receptors in the brain for neurotransmitters. The brain identifies that the receptors for a certain neurotransmitter is already filled, so it reduces the amount of neurotransmitters it produces. As this level of neurotransmitters drop you begin to crave alcohol or refined sugar to fill newly emptied receptors in the brain. At some point you will no longed be able to fill the receptors with these empty foods and substances. At this point you begin to experience mood swings and an even more intense craving for alcohol or refined sugars.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Artificial Sweeteners

Most people use artificial sweeteners to avoid he high-calorie sweeteners such as honey and table sugar. Artificial sweeteners come in many forms including Aspartame (Nutra-Sweet), saccharine, Sucralose, and Acesulfame-K. They appear in many food and soft drinks. They can make you feel bloated and fat, which can cause you to shun real and whole foods.

Alternatives to Artificial Sweeteners
As with all your dietary choices, I recommend whole food, and not foods that have been "manufactured" by companies, An extract of the herd Stevia rebaudiana is a safe and effective sweetener that has no calories. Try making lemonade with fresh squeezed lemon juice, water and a little stevia. If you crave carbonate drinks try making the lemonade with sparkling water.


Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Luncheoun Meats

Luncheon meats, such as tined meats and hot dogs are packaged and processed food that contain preservatives, coloring, additives, flavor enhancers and coloring that are not compatible with a healthy diet. The average person on a standard Western diet consumes over 10 pounds of chemical additives a year, which puts an untold amount of stress on the body. The liver has to detoxify

and eliminate even the smallest amount of an additive. Over time this can place an enormous strain on the body's eliminative capacities.

One of the main problems is the sodium nitrite  found in about 99% of all processed tinned meats and hot dogs. Nitrites are added to make the meat bright red and also to kill spores of Clostridium botulinum. What is less known is the link between sodium nitrite and cancer. Nitrites become nitrosamines in the stomach, when then combine with stomach acid. Nitrosamines are a known carcinogen (cancer).

By staying away from processed and packaged meats, you will be much healthier.

Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing

Chewing Tobacco

Most of the emphasis on the harmful effect of tobacco has been centered on cigarettes, but  much less on chewing or " smokeless" tobacco, It has been proved beyond a doubt that smoking caused lung cancer and other fatal diseases. Chewing tobacco has been linked with throat and mouth cancer, a major concern. Chewing tobacco is also a source of nicotine, and addictive substance. Nicotine acts lie an injection of adrenaline, increasing pulse rate and blood pressure, which makes the heart work fasted an harder, so that the heart actually needs more oxygen, Chewing tobacco will result in increased levels of nicotine in the blood and the problems associated with its addictive qualities. Research on addiction indicated that nicotine works much like heroin, cocaine, and alcohol. When nicotine was give to volunteers intravenously (into veins), many of them could not tell the difference between the effect of nicotine and that of cocaine. Nicotine produced pleasurable sensations and physical dependency by affecting the brain and spinal cord.

It is important to remember that tobacco use (both smoking and chewing) has associated health risk and its use will prevent you from attaining your highest health potential.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing.

Well Water

The quality of much of the ground water in this country is questionable. Runoff pollution from field and roads can cause significant levels of organic and inorganic chemical such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, arsenic and other heavy metals in well water.

Unfortunately many people with well water do not routinely test their water quality and fail to use adequate filtration methods. Studies have linked these pollutants with an increased risk of birth defects, mental disorders, cancer and many other health problem. Bacterial contamination can occur if the well has not been properly sealed.

It is the recommendation to test your well water for organic and inorganic contaminants at least once a year. Depending on the result it is best to filter your well water before consuming it. A good, high quality water filtration system is a sound and healthy investment. Methods such as reverse osmosis, distillation, charcoal filtration and deionization are acceptable methods of water treatment.



Reference: Weatherby, D. (2004). Signs and Symptoms Analysis from a Functional Perspective. Jacksonville, OR: Bear Mountain Publishing