Antioxidants seem to be a “cure-all” for just about anything and everything. We hear about antioxidant-rich superfoods in the news, and advertisements are dripping with promises for better health. They're known for their ability to fight free radicals, and this is good news. Free radicals make you age faster and deteriorate your health. But does that mean you should load up on anything labeled “antioxidant”? Not necessarily. Here’s why.
There are different types of sugars – your table sugar, corn sugars, and then there’s fructose. Fructose is found mostly in fruits and vegetables as well as honey and agave nectar. Fruits and veggies that are high in fructose include apples, grapes, watermelons, asparagus, peas and zucchini. And fruits and veggies that are low in fructose include bananas, blueberries, strawberries, carrots, avocados, green beans and lettuce.
Juice bars are popping up on every corner, especially here in Southern California. For many people, it has become perfectly normal to drink seven dollars' worth kale and ginger for breakfast. These days, it seems everyone is trying a juice cleanse.
Minerals are, in many ways, the unheralded and often forgotten heroes of keeping our bodies functioning at their best. While the
nutrients, carbohydrates, proteins and fat may be better well known, minerals are equally vital for helping us get and stay healthy.
They play a key role in combatting disease, helping your body heal, managing ongoing chronic health problems such as high
blood pressure, minimizing the impact of such common maladies as headaches and PMS, helping children grow up strong,
enhancing mental performance at all ages, and fatigue. They truly are your secret weapon for getting and staying your healthiest.
In this easy-to-read and easy-to-use guide, pH Lab’s team of recognized medical doctors and
specialists tell you about the role minerals play with common health issues along with detailed
information about individual minerals. You’ll also learn more about the relationship between minerals
and prescription medicines, why you need more than routine blood tests to see what minerals your body may
need, and where you can get these tests.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT CONTRIBUTE TO MINERAL DEFICIENCY
SODAS
Phosphoric acid is used to enhance the flavor of many carbonated drinks. It provides that tanginess that we enjoy. Although phosphorus is an
integral part of bones, high phosphorous intake, such as from the acidic forms found in sodas, can cause essential healthy bone minerals such
as calcium and magnesium to get pushed away while phosphates take their place leading to brittle bones (osteoporosis).
ALCOHOL
Chronic excessive alcohol users frequently have multiple nutritional and mineral deficits. Alcohol
has strong diuretic effects which may contribute to loss of minerals in the urine. There are other
mechanisms by which alcohol depletes minerals and affects bone formation. These are complex
and technical issues, which are beyond the scope of this book and will not be addressed.
COFFEE
In some older studies, increased coffee intake was mentioned as a minor contributor to osteoporosis; recent studies did not find
any differences. It is also noteworthy that different types of coffee contain different amounts of minerals. Overall
regular use of one cup of coffee per day does not seem to have any adverse effects on minerals and bone health, while high use may.
WATER WITH LOW MINERAL CONTENT
The minerals in drinking water from a municipal source or from bottled water differ. Clinical studies suggest that drinking
water that is rich in bicarbonate and potassium lowered calcium excretion in the urine and bone resorption. That means bone
is being better preserved. Mineral waters rich in potassium, magnesium, medium calcium and low sodium content are useful for
overall health not just for bone and cardiovascular benefits. Fluids lacking in minerals may be counterproductive to health.
STRESS
Stress increases cortisol levels and also interferes with other mineral-reabsorbing hormones. This may cause increased urinary frequency,
decreased mineral absorption and loss of essential minerals.
LACK OF MINERAL-RICH FOODS
Many individuals may be lacking in minerals because they do not eat foods that are rich in minerals. It is generally difficult to see the results of
such mineral deficits because the clinical signs maybe vague and nonspecific. For example, some of the short term clinical signs of mineral
deficiencies may be rather nonspecific, such as fatigue, appetite changes, constipation, headaches, sleep disturbances, muscle tightness
and cramps, changes in menstruation and premenstrual syndromes, hair loss, skin conditions.
COURTESY: Joy Stephenson-Laws, founder Proactive Health Labs
