The quest for building an alkaline rich internal environment in the body, next leads us to ionized water.

To recap the previous two Health Tips of the Week, internal pH values are an important part of health. The more acidic the body’s environment, the less healthy your body is. The more alkaline the body’s internal environment, the healthier you will be. A diet made up of at least 75 % fresh fruits and vegetables is the best way to prevent an acidic environment in the body, which can be a major factor in cardiovascular damage, weight gain and obesity, bladder and kidney trouble, immune system deficiency, premature aging, osteoporosis, joint pain and chronic fatigue.

Amazingly, something as simple as water can help you develop an alkaline rich internal environment.

Ionized water is drinking water that has undergone ionization. The ionization process separates the acid and alkaline content of the water by using a process called electrolysis. The alkaline water that is separated from the original water solution is the portion of water that is used for drinking. The acidic water can be discarded, or as you will see, can be used for another important purpose. The alkaline ionized water that you use for drinking increases your blood’s ability to carry more oxygen, and acts as a powerful anti-oxidant that helps to neutralize the dangerous free radicals in your blood stream.

One of the major benefits of ionized water is its ability to hydrate the body.

Ionized water has a hydration rate of three to six times more than regular water. In addition to the anti-oxidant benefits of ionized water, alkaline water drinkers have reported weight loss, healthier skin and better digestion. As for the discarded acid water, when used as a wash over the skin’s surface the acid water has been shown to help eliminate many skin conditions, including eczema and psoriasis.

At the moment, the only way to acquire ionized water is through a home filtration ionized water unit (about $1000.00-$2000.00), purchasing it by the gallon at a health food store (about $4.00 a gallon), or by utilizing a hydrogen stick that ionizes the water when you place the stick in your water pitcher or bottle (about $75.00 for one stick that lasts 6 months). If you would like more information, Google ‘Ionized Water Filtration Units,’ or ‘Hydrogen-Rich Water Stick.’

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Researchers are conducting more and more research into body pH.  ’pH’ is the measurement of the acidity of a solution.  In the case of body pH, the solution being measured is the body’s internal cellular chemistry.  The more acidic the environment, the more prone the body is to disease.  The more alkaline (like a battery) the body’s internal environment, the healthier the body.  The pH of the body (not the stomach, as that is supposed to be acidic to digest food) should be on the neutral or alkaline side for greater health.  Optimal pH levels are between 6.0 and 7.5.

You can measure your pH levels by using  pH test strips at different intervals of the day.

Testing the pH in the saliva and the urine will yield the most accurate results.  The urine pH determines how well the body processes minerals like calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.  These minerals are “acid buffers,” as they control acid levels in the body.  A test of saliva pH will reveal how well the digestive enzymes in the body are working.  These enzymes are essential to a properly functioning liver and stomach.  As previously mentioned, it is very important to have a balanced pH for excellent health.

The most common cause of an acidic environment in the body is diet.

A diet high in acid-producing animal products, such as meat, eggs and diary, coupled with a diet low in alkaline-producing foods such as fruits and vegetables, will lead to a pH imbalance.  In addition, acid-producing foods such as white flour, sugar, soft drinks and caffeine all contribute to the problem.  Society’s dependence on over-the-counter drugs and medication, as well as artificial sweeteners, is also a big problem, as these substances, too, are acid forming.

The bottom line is that an acidic environment in the body is a major factor in cardiovascular damage, weight gain and obesity, bladder and kidney trouble, immune system deficiency, premature aging, osteoporosis, joint pain and chronic fatigue.

The best bet to boost alkalinity levels in the body is to eat a diet that is at least 75% plant-based.  Fresh vegetables, fruits,and raw seeds and nuts will not only alkalize the body for optimal health, they will lead to weight loss and more energy.  Sounds like a winner to me.

Nothing will benefit human health and increase chances for survival of life on Earth as much as the evolution to a vegetarian diet.

The prostate gland is an important part of the male reproductive system.  About the size of a small Kiwi fruit, the prostate gland is located between the bladder and the rectum.  The prostate’s main function is to store and secrete an alkaline fluid that prolongs the life of the male reproductive cells, called sperm.  This alkaline fluid makes up 25-30% of the fluid contained in the male semen.

A common disorder of the prostate is prostatitis

Another important function of the prostate is to control the flow of urine during male ejaculation.  The prostate has a simple muscular valve system that allows the flow of semen to enter the urethra while shutting off the flow of urine.  A common disorder of the prostate is prostatitis, which is an inflammation of the prostate gland.  Prostatitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, but can also be caused by stress.   The prostate is a muscle, and the muscular system of the body is easily affected by stress or anxiety.

Unfortunately, the prostate gland is also susceptible to cancer.

Unfortunately, the prostate gland is also susceptible to cancer.  Prostate cancer, on average, kills 240,000 people per year, worldwide.  The good news is that a Swedish study, recently reported by the Lancet Medical Journal, documented that screening men ages 55-65 could cut the cancer mortality rate in half.   The screening consists of a simple blood test called the Prostate Specific Antigen test, or PSA.  The PSA test can detect early signs of tumors.  In the meantime, between annual PSA testing, keep your prostate gland healthy by drinking plenty of pomegranate juice or taking pomegranate concentrate.

According to a report on WebMD.com, drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice every day slows the progression of prostate cancer.

The antioxidant properties of pomegranate also help a healthy body (and prostrate), stay healthy.  But, as with other products, when looking for pomegranate juice, look for a juice that is 100% juice with no sugar, high fructose corn syrup or other fillers.  If pomegranate juice is not your style you may also supplement with Zinc A.G. with also supports the function of the prostrate.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the meninges, the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord.

Meningitis is caused primarily by bacteria or viruses.  There are two types of meningitis, bacterial and viral.  The bacterial form is very serious and can be life-threatening.  The viral form is more common and less serious.  Meningitis can affect children and adults of any age, and is very contagious as well.  Many common infections, such as respiratory, urinary and sinus infections, can lead to meningitis.  The most common viruses and bacteria that may lead to meningitis are streptococcus, e-coli, pneumococcus, herpes simplex and enterovirus.

Symptoms of meningitis are very similar to common flu and cold-like symptoms, including fever, headache, tiredness, nausea and vomiting.

This similarity makes meningitis difficult to diagnose because, in most cases, the illness may seem like a typical cold or flu.  Thankfully, there are a few “extra” symptoms that should sound a warning bell that a sick child (or adult) needs extra medical attention.  These symptoms include neck discomfort, skin rashes, eye sensitivity to light and seizures.  With infants, who are always difficult to diagnose due to their inability to verbalize, be on the look out for jaundice (yellowing of the skin), neck rigidity, fever, a high pitched cry and bulging of the soft spot at the top of the baby’s skull.

If any of these “extra” symptoms are present, you should take your child to a medical doctor immediately.

Your doctor will then perform lab tests to confirm or refute the presence of bacterial meningitis.  Doctors treat the bacterial form of meningitis with IV anti-biotic and a hospital stay until the patient is clear of the bacteria.  Patients who suffer from the viral form of meningitis usually undergo treatment at home, and viral meningitis typically goes away on its own in 7-10 days.  This information sounds scary and may give parents a cause for worry with every illness; but knowing the complete array of symptoms of meningitis is extremely important to keep your child healthy and, more important, alive.

KansasDC.com

Most vitamins cannot be made in the body

Most vitamins cannot be made in the body; they have to be taken into the body in the form of food.  The same goes with minerals.  The saying, “you are what you eat” is pretty accurate.  The body takes the food we eat and breaks it down into the nutrients we need to maintain our bodies’ function, repair our cells and supply us with energy.  Poor food choices hamper the body’s ability to be at its best.  Not only that, but poor food choices and an inadequate supply of vitamins and minerals promote ill health and disease.

For every junk desire that one may have, there are healthy alternatives that exist at every health market.

The over abundance of junk food commercials on television increases our desire to consume high calorie, high salt, high (bad) fat, no fiber, low vitamin foods. These foods are not good for you, do not promote health and should only be consumed by people with a death wish. Once in a blue moon, it may be alright to have an occasional splurge, but if you are not healthy or overweight, junk food is not an option.  For every junk desire that one may have, there are healthy alternatives that exist at every health market.  You can even find organic, 100% all beef, no-chemical-added hot dogs. Throw on some natural sauerkraut with organic mustard on a whole grain bun and now you are “living!”   Looking for high quality vitamins?.. ………….          try THE STORE

Thought for the Week: ” The patient must be guided toward discovering the healing powers that lie within him. Faith in pills and eternal treatments can be replaced by faith in oneself. The billions of dollars spent for impotent over-the-counter remedies, for painkillers and tranquilizers, and for solace from physicians can be saved by a medical system which restores faith and hope, not in drugs and physicians, but in each individual and his body.” - Dennis T. Jaffe, Ph.D

            A good friend of mine once said, “You have to be abnormal to be healthy”.  This has always stuck with me as I ventured into adulthood and began to question so many “normal” customs our society has.  As of yet, I have found very few accepted health customs that were not worth learning more about and forming my own opinion for the health of myself and family.  As a Mother I know that I am in the driver’s seat of my families’ health (Dads can lead the way to, but at my house this Mama cooks, shops and reads about health a little more than my better halfJ) and I am in constant pursuit of the BEST for the ones I love.  I do although realize that this is a daily battle to fight the norm and put our health first.  So here are just a few ways I say “I love you” everyday to my three tiny angels and beautiful husband!

1. Meal Plan Please:  The art of cooking and sitting down to a non processed meal has been lost.  Give your family the gift of health and togetherness by writing out the week’s meal plan.  Life is fast and crazy, and by having a weekly menu you can go to the calendar and read what to cook for that day.  This allows more time to enjoy your family and less stress each day come 4 pm!
2. Strong Snacks:  Anyone who has kids knows that they eat ALL day!  Try designating a spot in your kitchen that they can reach for healthy snacks.  By allowing them to pick the snack themselves they are more likely to want to eat them.  (Some favorites around our house are: fruit leathers, baggies of gold fish/raisins/peanuts, cheese sticks and fruits.)  *Also, keep a bag of good snacks always available in the car to curb appetites while on the road!
3. Picnics Please:  When you know you are going to be out and about around a meal time pack a fun picnic style lunch/dinner for you and your crew.  Kids LOVE to eat out of sacks or baskets.  If time permits stop at a park for fun family time and celebrate skipping the fast food line that is plaguing the health of so many Americans today!
4. Simply H20:  So many Americans, including children, consume way too much sugar and often these sugars are hidden in the drinks.  (Pop, juices, sport drinks, etc.)  Help keep yourself and family hydrated this summer by making fun water bottles.  Purchase plan water bottles and allow your kids to decorate them however the choose.  They will LOVE them and enjoy drinking good old water from their new cool bottle!
5. Supplement their health:  No matter how good your family eats, the truth is there is no way we can possibly consume all the nutrients needed each day to thrive.  By adding a simple multi vitamin and omega 3 you can insure your family is nutritionally sound!

Hope you and your family have a wonderful week!

Motherly Moments- Alexis

Most outdoor survival guides list essential rules to keep you alive in scary situations.  All survival rules start with the Rule of Three: air, food and water.  The average person cannot survive more than three weeks without food, three days without water, and three minutes without air.  Naturally, there are people alive today who are exceptions to this rule and have survived a scary situation by living without food for more than three weeks, water for more than three days and air for more than three minutes.  But, for the average Joe, the Rule of Three is the cut off between life and death.

Another type of Rule of Three that is also essential to life

As far as health care is concerned, there is another type of Rule of Three that is also essential to life.  Believe it or not, this rule concerns your spinal column. The average person cannot survive more than three seconds without the flow of nerve energy.  The nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and spinal nerves. The spinal cord is protected by spinal bones called vertebrae.  If the brain cannot communicate with the body’s essential organs and systems by sending nerve impulse messages down the spinal cord and out the spinal nerves, death occurs in about three seconds.  For example, if the spinal cord is severely damaged at the top of the neck, the brain cannot send the nerve impulses through the spine that control the function of the lungs and the heart.  Once that happens, the heart and lungs cease to work and death is imminent.  If the spinal cord is only partially damaged at that same level in the neck, a person may not die (partial nerve impulses may still flow), but the person will have to live with assistance, such as a breathing machine.  This scenario shows you how important nervous system flow through the spine is, not only for staying alive, but for being healthy.  If something disrupts or interferes with spinal nerve impulses in anyway, the body’s systems cannot function at their best and health is compromised. KansasDC.com

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