5 Shocking Myths About Metabolism

You’ve probably heard a lot of people blame their weight on a “slow metabolism,” but what exactly does that mean? Is metabolism really the issue? And if so, can we control it?

What is Metabolism?

Metabolism is a complex, chemical process by which your body converts all that you consume into the energy it needs to function every day. Calories are the way that we measure this energy. If you see an item contains “100 calories” you are able to determine how much energy your body will theoretically get from eating or drinking it.

Each one of us has an individual basal metabolic rate that is based off of the following:

1. Your body size and composition. People who are larger burn more calories.
2. Your sex. Men usually have more muscle and less body fat than women of the same age and weight.
3. Your age. As you get older, the amount of muscle in your body tends to decrease, slowing down calorie burning.

Could a faulty metabolism be keeping me from losing weight?

The three factors listed above account for approximately 70 percent of the calories you burn every day. Another small portion is used up while digesting, absorbing, transporting and storing the food you consume. After that, it’s all dependent on physical activity. This portion of metabolism is called your “energy metabolism.”

Someone who goes for a run, vacuums the house, walks the dog and goes grocery shopping will certainly burn more calories than someone sitting at a desk or laying on the couch.

And while it’s true that some people seem to be able to lose weight more quickly or more easily than others, anyone and everyone will lose weight when they burn up more calories than they eat that day. It’s that simple.

So, while it may be tempting to blame your natural metabolism for unexpected weight gain or a lack of weight loss, odds are it’s really caused by something else like: genetic makeup, hormones, diet, stress or lack of sleep. Only in very rare cases will someone experience excessive weight gain from a medical condition, such as an hypothyroidism or Cushing’s syndrome. I recommend asking your doctor about this if you really suspect something’s wrong.

5 Common Myths About Metabolism You Need to Know 

The Myth: Slim people naturally have a higher metabolism.

The Truth: There are as many skinny people as overweight people with low metabolisms. It’s muscle mass that counts.

It’s easy to assume that fatter people naturally have a more sluggish metabolism. That’s why they’re overweight, right? Not at all. While there are skinny people with insanely high metabolisms, it’s likely because they’re hyperactive and find themselves constantly moving. Any sort of physical activity burns calories! However, most of the time slim people are just more in tune with their bodies. They eat only what they need and no more.

Second, body weight is really a poor predictor of metabolism. You could have two people, both weighing 200 pounds; however, if one has 30 pounds of fat and the other has 60 pounds of fat, the one with less fat (and more muscle) will automatically burn more calories.

The Myth: Drinking green tea every day will boost metabolism.

The Truth: No superfood will speed up metabolism long-term.

There are many food fads that claim to help you boost your metabolism and ultimately lose weight: green tea and chili peppers are two great examples. And while some studies have shown that green tea, for example, may temporarily boost metabolic rates, it isn’t nearly enough to offset any real number of calories.

Looking to lose weight? Focus on portion control and living a more active lifestyle, not magic snacks.

The Myth: Eating late at night slows metabolism.

The Truth: Nighttime eating doesn’t cause weight gain, as long as you stay within your body’s daily caloric needs.

There is little evidence to support the idea that eating late causes weight gain. Truthfully, it’s the extra calories (not when you eat them) that causes weight gain. Netflix binge nights anyone? It’s so easy to snack while hanging out on the couch. Those calories add up!

The Myth: I cannot change the metabolic rate I’m born with.

The Truth: You may not be able to change your age or basic composition, but you can adjust your muscle mass.

While it’s true that genetics help determine approximately 70 percent of our metabolic rate, it is possible to boost metabolism by increasing lean muscle mass. Muscle burns more calories per hour than fat does, which is why lean people with strong, muscular bodies need more calories to function than those with a higher percentage of body fat.

This is why strength training (not just cardio) is so important to losing weight, particularly as you age. If you’d like to increase your metabolic rate, start lifting to pack on a bit more muscle.

The Myth: Low-calorie diets can jumpstart weight loss.

The Truth: Low-calorie diets inhibit weight loss.

Sustaining a low-calorie diet for a long period of time forces your body into starvation mode. Rather than encouraging your body to burn fat, it actually causes your body to use energy more and more efficiently (i.e. burning as few calories as possible).

Skipping meals also has a similar affect, but not for the same reason. If you skip a meal, any drop in burn rate will be so small that you wouldn’t notice it long-term. However, if you skip meals regularly, odds are you’ll overeat at your next meal because you’re overly hungry. Unless you practice intermittent fasting. In the end, it’s an issue of meal size, not metabolism.

What You Can Do

1. Commit to 30 minutes of aerobic activity every day. If you can’t squeeze in half an hour, break it up into ten minute chunks throughout.

2. Start strength training. Increase your muscle mass now so that you will be better off as you age. Hire a personal trainer to help you get started learning lifting techniques.

3. Make positive lifestyle changes. Spend more time moving and less time sitting, particularly if you work a desk job. Go for walks every day. Take the stairs. Park farther away from the office. Ride your bike to work. Make housework really count!

Foods That Help Fight Cervical Cancer

Cervical cancer (cancer of the female cervix) is the second most common type of cancer in women, behind only breast cancer. Its most common cause is contraction of high-risk forms of the human papilloma virus – more commonly known as HPV.

Most women will contract some form of HPV at least once in their lives. The body’s immune system typically takes care of the virus before it evolves any further. However, sometimes the infection does not go away. If the virus stays active in the body for a significant period of time the risk of cervical cancer increases. 

How to Protect Yourself from HPV

Most doctors recommend that women protect their bodies from HPV in these three ways:

1. Get screened with a Pap test periodically.
2. Get an HPV test periodically (age 30 or older).
3. Get the HPV vaccine (ages 9-26).

Lifestyle Changes That Support HPV/Cervical Cancer Prevention 

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from cervical cancer is to get regular screenings like those listed above. However, there are many lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk altogether. One of which involves your diet.

Low levels of folic acid (a type of vitamin B) in the body can increase your likelihood of developing HPV; so, it is very important to eat a nourishing, vitamin-rich diet. Folic acid is crucial to the development of healthy DNA and can protect against precancerous changes in the cervix. In fact, dosages of 5 to 10 milligrams of folic acid daily can actually reverse mildly abnormal Pap smears.

Folic acid is most commonly found in dark, leafy greens like spinach and asparagus, citrus fruits, lentils and beans. Most researchers recommend developing a diet that is rich in B vitamins: particularly folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin C, iron and vitamin B12.

Here are some foods that do this best!

Cruciferous vegetables like:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage

Antioxidant-rich fruits and teas like:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Papaya
• Green tea

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids:

• Mackerel
• Salmon
• Cod
• Walnuts
• Chia Seeds

Here are some foods that you should avoid.

Animal products that cause inflammation:

• Red meat
• Dairy products

Refined sugars and highly-processed carbohydrates.

• Processed grains
• Pre-made boxed foods
• Bleached flour

Many of these cancer-preventing nutrients found in the list of foods above can also be found in the form of dietary supplements. Do not substitute real foods for supplements as too much of a good thing may become toxic in your body.

Why Everyone Should Use Cayenne Pepper. It does the impossible

Cayenne pepper has been called “the king of herbs” because it has been prized for thousands of years for its healing powers.  The famed herbal healer Dr. Shulze said, “If you master only one herb in your life, master cayenne pepper. It is more powerful than any other.”

Cayenne should be used daily by anyone who has problems with his heart or blood pressure, because it is beneficial to both. The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is capsaicin, which gives the herb its characteristic heat.

 

Capsaicin is extremely effective at improving blood flow even to the smallest of spaces such as the capillaries. Improved blood flow can be beneficial for a number of reasons such as for: optimal delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissue, fatty plaque elimination, decreasing blood clots, and eliminating spider veins and varicose veins. Cayenne does the impossible. 

From the healing text of Dr. Christopher:

“In 35 years of practice, and working with the people and teaching, I have never on house calls lost one heart attack patient and the reason is, whenever I go in–if they are still breathing–I pour down them a cup of cayenne tea (a teaspoon of cayenne in a cup of hot water, and within minutes they are up and around).” 

Cayenne has at least 26 different nutrients! It contains minerals such as Zinc, Selenium, Calcium, and Magnesium. It also contains vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin C.

It can be used for  chronic pain, shingles, heart disease, bad digestion, sore throats, headaches, high cholesterol levels, poor circulation, blood pressure issues, heart attacks, and toothaches.
In cayenne studies, scientists have discovered an 80% reduction with prostate cancers in mice and in human prostate cancer cells in cultures. The capsaicin in cayenne actually creates accelerated cancer cell apoptosis, or cellular self destruction

How to Use Cayenne Pepper

The lowest therapeutic level of SHU or heat units is 35,000. You will often find cayenne powder listed at 40,000, 60,000, 90,000 or 100,000 SHU or heat units.

Cayenne that is infused in warm water. Start by mixing a quarter teaspoon with 8 ounces of water or fresh squeezed juice. Drink this beverage every morning for the first week. The second week, increase the cayenne amount to half a teaspoon in 8 ounces of fluid. Use this general recommendation and increase the amount of cayenne by 25% until you reach one tablespoon. Once you reach this amount, use it for a at least a month to help clean out the arteries and maintain their health.

The plant that makes cancer cells disintegrate within 48 hours

They might not be welcome in your yard, but it turns out that dandelions have tremendous potential when it comes to helping people who are suffering from cancer.

Chemo-resistant melanoma is now the most common type of cancer affecting Americans aged 25 to 29. The only option doctors can presently offer these patients is surgery to remove the tumor and its surroundings, followed by immunotherapy, which does not usually work when the melanoma has metastasized.

  

However, all that looks set to change, thanks to a humble plant that many people pull out of their gardens and throw away. At the University of Windsor in Ontario, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has shown that dandelion root extract can cause human melanoma cells to essentially kill themselves without leading to any type of toxicity. In fact, their initial study saw cancer cells disintegrating within 48 hours, while healthy cells remained unaffected. The study was led by Professor Siyaram Pandey, PhD.

Concentrated dandelion root tea being used in clinical trials

These promising results prompted the non-profit organization Mitacs to reach out to AOR Inc., a Calgary company that produces natural health products, in order to develop a dandelion tea powder that is significantly stronger than that found in health food stores. They accomplish this by milling dandelion root, creating an extract from it, and then freeze-drying it into a powder that patients dissolve into hot water and then drink.
Frontier Dandelion Root Cut & Sifted, ORGANIC 16-Ounces

  

AOR is producing 6,000 doses of this tea for a clinical trial that will take place at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre, and will involve 30 patients with various types of cancer, including leukemia, who have not had success with conventional therapy.

A statement on the website of the Dandelion Root Project at the University of Windsor says:

Since the commencement of this project, we have been able to successfully assess the effect of a simple water extract of dandelion root in various human cancer cell types, in the lab and we have observed its effectiveness against human T cell leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, pancreatic and colon cancers, with no toxicity to non-cancer cells. Furthermore, these efficacy studies have been confirmed in animal models (mice) that have been transplanted with human colon cancer cells.  

  

Researcher and medical oncologist Dr. Caroline Hamm said that some of her patients have noted improvements after drinking dandelion root tea from health food stores. The concentrated tea could prove to be even more effective, potentially saving countless lives.

Dandelion could help fight a number of cancers

A 2008 study published in the International Journal of Oncology showed that dandelion tea reduced breast and prostate cancer cells. A subsequent report in the same journal showed that a dietary supplement that contained dandelion suppressed the growth of prostate cancer cells. Dandelion extracts have also demonstrated their efficacy in treating breast cancer and leukemia in traditional Chinese medicine as well as in Native American medicine. 

In addition, dandelion extracts show promise in fighting colon and pancreatic cancer cells.

Dandelion has plenty of other benefits, too

The benefits of dandelions don’t end there. The root can also stimulate the secretion of bile, relieve allergies, reduce cholesterol and cleanse the liver. In addition, it contains high amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin K.

This is just one of many natural cures that is showing great promise in treating conditions that conventional medicine has failed to conquer. Countless more natural remedies are likely growing in our planet’s forests, oceans and even deserts, just waiting to be discovered.

How MSG Affects Your Brain

MSG by any other name would still be just as harmful. When most people hear the name monosodium glutamate, or MSG, they assume this chemical food additive is only found in Chinese food. While it is true that this chemical flavor tends to be used in many Chinese food restaurants, this brain and nervous system toxin masquerades under many different guises and is found in a huge number of common foods.

Monosodium glutamate has been linked to many serious health conditions, including: hormonal imbalances, weight gain, brain damage, obesity, headaches and more, you may be shocked to learn how prevalent it is. MSG is almost always found in processed, prepared and packaged foods. Even when there is no sign of it on the label, it is still frequently hidden in many prepared foods. That’s because it goes by a wide variety of other names, including: hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed protein, hydrolyzed plant protein, plant protein extract, sodium caseinate, calcium caseinate, yeast extract, textured protein, autolyzed yeast and hydrolyzed oat flour.

What’s even more shocking than MSG’s seemingly ubiquitous nature is how the additive affects the brain. There is a protective mechanism in the brain known as the blood-brain barrier. The brain depends on careful control of chemicals to operate smoothly. Even small fluctuations in the concentrations of chemicals can cause drastic disruptions in brain function. When a category of chemicals known as excitotoxins enter the brain, they literally excite brain cells until they die. Monosodium glutamate is added to foods as a taste enhancer, but it is a well-established excitotoxin. 

Additionally, some parts of the brain such as the hypothalamus and the pineal are not protected by the blood-brain barrier, yet these parts of the brain control many hormones in the body as well as other bodily functions, including mood. When MSG enters the brain, not only does it kill brain cells, it wreaks havoc on brain functions.

Many people react within 48 hours of ingesting MSG, even in minute amounts, which can make it difficult to trace back to the food source that caused the reaction. The effects can include: headaches, hives, canker sores, runny nose, insomnia, seizures, mood swings, panic attacks, heart palpitations and other heart irregularities, nausea, numbness, asthma attacks and migraines. Many of my clients report experiencing restless leg syndrome after accidental ingestion of MSG.

Research by neurologist and author of the book Excitotoxins: the Taste that Kills, Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD, shows that MSG slowly enters the brain, bypasses the blood-brain barrier and reaches peak concentrations in the brain three hours after ingesting it. The high levels of MSG in the brain remain for 24 hours after the initial ingesting of the contaminated food.

According to Dr. Blaylock, MSG can be especially detrimental to people who have experienced some sort of brain injury, or a genetic predisposition to brain disease.

Avoid prepared and packaged foods as much as possible. Avoid eating at fast food restaurants since they are notorious culprits when it comes to MSG usage. If food products, such as those made in-house at the bakery and deli departments in grocery stores, don’t contain an ingredient list, you should assume it contains MSG. These types of food items frequently contain MSG. Avoiding as many of the MSG-containing culprits listed above can also help reduce your exposure.

9 Things You Should Always Eat Organic

While you maybe already be familiar with the Dirty Dozen, it’s a great time of year to make a new commitment to prioritizing organic — and not just food on the list. Time constraints and budget restrictions can often result in grabbing the closest edible item that resembles a healthy snack. While you may think that you’re doing yourself a favor by eating what you think is fresh fruit, you could actually be consuming particles that are hazardous to your health. Next time you’re at the grocery store, consider taking a trip down the organic aisle for the following products.

1. Strawberries

While apples usually top of the annual Dirty Dozen, strawberries have now trumped the annual list, ranking as the most heavily contaminated foods. Recent findings have shown that up to 17 different pesticides can be found in a single sampling of a strawberry. Chloropicrin, a chemical linked to cancer and respiratory disease, is often applied to strawberry crops in California – the nation’s leader in strawberry production.

2. Meat

Before you bite into that burger, you may want to think about where your cow is coming from. The antibiotics used to fatten up livestock can have devastating effects on your intestines, causing unpleasant digestive issues. Pesticides from animal feed have also been known to make their way onto your plate. Approved organic meat will also not include additives of any kind.

3. Pumpkins 

Many farmers use pumpkins as a clean-up crop since they absorb toxins from the soil. In 2014, California pumpkin farmers dumped close to 14 thousand pounds of Malathion to meet the supply of Halloween pumpkins. Malathion is a suspected endocrine disrupter, cholinesterase inhibiter and a possible carcinogen.

4. Dairy

Certified organic dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt come from cows that have only consumed 100% organic feed and are free of any antibiotics or growth hormones. Studies have shown that organic milk contains higher amounts of the cancer-fighting fatty acid, conjugated linoleic acid.

5. Cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomatoes have consistently topped lists when it comes to high pesticide content. The USDA has found that inorganically grown cherry tomatoes can carry residue from up to 69 different harmful pesticides.

6. Soy 

A staple of processed foods, nearly 93% of all soy is genetically modified. With GMOs linked to allergies and other health issues, you’ll want to go organic next time you reach for that soy sauce or tofu.

7. Peaches

When it comes to pescticide-pummelled fruits, peaches rank in the top five. Even a thorough scrub won’t wash away all of the 62 pesticides found on most peaches, including many known carcinogens. Choosing organic is especially important for this stone fruit since we usually ingest the skin.

8. Rice

Rice, especially brown rice, can contain high levels of arsenic.  According to the FDA, “Long-term exposure to high levels of arsenic is associated with higher rates of skin, bladder and lung cancers, as well as heart disease.” It’s important to buy organic not just for regular rice, but also rice products such as cereal, crackers, brown rice syrup, and rice noodles.

9. Popcorn

While you may not think twice about munching down on this theatre-themed snack, chemicals lining microwave popcorn bags have been linked to lung disease and Alzheimer’s. Corn, one of the largest crops in the United States, and the basis for popcorn, has also been found to been found to be primarily genetically modified. Choose organic kernels and pop it yourself. Try sprinkling on spices like turmeric or nutritional yeast instead of butter to make it an even healthier treat.

The good news is there is still plenty of non-organic produce out there that is more than safe to consume. Avocados, onions, pineapples, and cabbage have topped the Clean Fifteen list with very few testing positive for pesticides.

5 Processed Foods to Leave Behind in 2016

As we embark on 2017, many are on a mission to leave behind the uncertainty of the old year, and ring in the new with a fresh start.

A good way to begin a path toward better health is to remove popular store-bought, processed foods from your diet. These foods are often high in added sugar and sodium, while being low in fiber and important nutrients. The easiest way to avoid these foods is to prepare all your food at home. As this can be difficult and time-consuming for most, eliminating a few highly processed items from your diet can make a large difference.

Kickstart your eating habits and overhaul your lifestyle this 2017 by removing these five processed foods out of your pantry.

1. Breakfast cereal 

Store-bought breakfast cereals are often considered to be fairly healthy. However, by the time cereals reach grocery shelves, they’ve often been processed so much that they’re rather dangerous. Most cereals, even the “grown-up cereals” are often filled with sugar or alternative sweeteners. They’re also often low in dietary fiber which can increase your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Rather, try making your own muesli or granola to supplement your breakfasts, allowing you to control your sugar and fiber intake.

 

2. Dried fruit

With fruit in the name, how could this popular grocery store snack be unhealthy, right? Wrong. While dried fruit is better for you than candy, it’s still high in added sugar and preservatives. This can lead to weight gain and add to your fat store. To still satisfy your sweet tooth and stay healthy, try eating fresh fruit or dehydrating fruit yourself without adding any sugar. This can be done with a simple at-home dehydrator or even your oven. Now you can get your extra fiber and minerals, without the added pounds.

3. Salad dressing

Much like dried fruit and cereal, store-bought salad dressing is often considered to be part of a healthy diet. However, a quick gander at the label will reveal that mass-produced salad dressing often contains a myriad of ingredients with unrecognizable names. This often means high amounts of sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and sodium. An easy way to avoid this, is to make your own salad dressing. It’s both simple and fun. Whisk together oil and vinegar, and add your favorite spices like oregano or garlic powder.

4. Deli meat
While deli meat usually isn’t high in sugar, it often contains high levels of sodium and other preservatives. After all, it takes a lot of intervention for a slab of meat to remain edible for months at a time! This can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes, and weight gain. Rather, try to keep your meats as close to their natural (cooked) states as possible. Save leftover chicken and meat from dinner to use in sandwiches during the week.

5. Canned soup

While canned soup is often convenient and delicious, it contains high levels of sodium. This can lead to high blood pressure and heart disease. In addition, cans are lined with chemical BPA which has been linked to infertility and diabetes. While making your own soup may seem like a huge task, it can be rather rewarding. Homemade soup freezes well, can often be made in under an hour, and is a perfect addition to portion-controlled diets. Try this simple and delicious buttercup squash soup recipe, perfect for winter.