Your Diet and Your Eye Health

Many people who embark on the Healthy & Active Plan find their eyesight improves once they improve their lifestyle and diet. Like all other parts of the human body the eyes, the proverbial windows of the soul, need to be nourished and cared for. Eye health is about making sure that they are not subjected to inadequate light, too much ultraviolet light or strain.  Otherwise you could experience eyes that are tired, bloodshot, infected, irritated, itchy, ulcerated, dry, sensitive to light or watery.

You could also suffer from compromised vision in any of its forms including the need for reading glasses, bifocals or trifocals and  the type of macular degeneration that eventually leads to blindness.

Dietary Recommendations For Beautiful Eyes

To keep your eyes healthy you are well advised to include vegan sources of A, C, E and all of the B vitamins such as broccoli, raw cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, green vegetables, squash, sunflower seeds and watercress.

Eliminating sugar and white flour from diet can also help keep your eyes healthy and prevent kidney and liver dysfunction that in turn can lead to problems with vision. For instance, an overloading of sugar leads to diabetes and then eventually blindness.

Lifestyle Habits That Lead to Great Vision

If you were glasses or sunglasses  wear clear lenses that have been treated to help prevent damage from ultraviolet rays.  By the very best lenses that you can afford so that your vision is always crystal clear. Nikon makes lightweight lenses of high quality that are sold by most prescription eyewear outlets.

Never use hair dyes on eyelashes or eyebrows as that can cause blindness and be sure to remove all eye make up at night to reduce the risk of eye infection and eye strain due to minute mascara particles falling in your eyes.

Be aware also that there are many types of drugs that can cause damage to the yes. These include cortisone drugs, aspirins, anticoagulants such as warfarin and heparin, diuretics,sulfa drugs and tetracycline. Studies have shown that taking Valium, Haldol and antidepressants can also damage the eyes.

Smoking marijuana or cigarettes can also cause macular degeneration. If you want healthy eyes, quit smoking

To prevent bloodshot eyes, avoid situations that cause eyestrain or fatigue such as driivng for too many hours at night, sitting in front of a computer for too many hours in a row or enduring wood smoke or cigarette smoke for a great length of time.

Taking good care of your eyes can help prevent such conditions as eyestrain, floaters, dry eyes, loss of vision, macular degeneration, blindness, eye infections or bags under the eyes.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

Is An Endocrine Disorder Behind Your Weight Gain or Weight Loss?

Diet or diabetes is not always the culprit when it comes to unexplained changes in your weight. Endocrine disorders can result from dysfunction originating in the peripheral endocrine gland itself (primary disorders) or from understimulation or overstimulation by the pituitary (secondary disorders). The disorders can result in hormone overproduction (hyperfunction) or underproduction (hypofunction). Rarely, endocrine disorders (usually hypofunction) occur because of abnormal tissue responses to hormones.

Weight Swings Are Associated With Endocrine Disorders

The symptoms that characterize endocrine disorders are either hyperfunction or hypo function.

In hyperfunction tissues because hypersensitive to hormones and the body’s antibodies react.  This can lead to conditions such as Grave’s Disease.  The person may become hyperactive and features may become distorted. A rapid heartbeat is also associated with hyperfunction.

The Endocrine System

In hypofunction, the endocrine gland is not stimulated enough by the pituitary gland. This leads to a conditions such as goiter or peripheral endocrine gland hyperplasia. Fatigue, loss of libido and weight gain are symptoms of hypofunction.

The main cause of hyperfunction is hormonal changes or dysfunction due to aging. The main cause of hypofunction are conditions such as tumors, inflections, vascular disorders or toxins.

Care and Treatment of An Endocrine Disorder

Usually hormones are prescribed to treat disorders of the endocrine glands. Hypofunction will be treated by hormone replacement therapy. Radiation, therapy, surgery and drugs treat hyperfunction in extreme cases.  The key to enrolling in the Healthy & Active program is to get your body back in balance so that radical allopathic methods are not needed to treat your heath problem.

The symptoms of endocrine disorders can be managed with hormone therapy ad a change of diet for the most part.  This is where the blood profiling that comes with the deployment of the Healthy and Active plan can help you get to the bottom of what is actually causing your weight gain, weight loss or even swings between the two and then help you find the diet that can best keep your particular condition under control.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

How Your Diet Impacts The Health of Your Mouth

As people age they tend to experience more problems with their mouth health. Aside from dental problems they may suffer from what is known as stomatitis. Stomatitis is a general term that describes any inflammation of the cheeks, gums, tongue, lips throat and roof or floor of the mouth.  The term angular stomatitis describes chapping and fissuring on the inside corner of the mouth.

What Causes Stomatitis and Why Does It Matter?

Mouth and lip problems that are caused by repeated licking your lips, moistening the corners of your mouths or even abrading them with a cosmetic balm or tool can usually be easily remedied by stopping the chronic habit that caused it in the first place.

A big cause of irritation inside the mouth is dentures or implants.  You don’t have to have “bad fitting” dentures for this type of effect to place. The mouth can also develop inner tissue irritation from consuming hot foods, overly acidic foods (like grapefruit juice) and medications. Allergic reactions and infections can also cause stomatitis.

If you are smoking, quit!  One of the most irritating of inner mouth irritations is called stomatitis nicotine and it is characterized by small red bumps on the roof of the mouth.

                                     

Taking Care of Your Mouth Tissues Matters and So Does Your Diet!

Chronic irritation of your mouth tissues can lead to conditions such as oral cancer, so it very important that you take good care of a mouth that is in a state of constant inflammation.

First off, stay away from eating very spicy, very hot or very cold foods, which can make inner mouth tissue inflammation worse.  If your mouth is fully inflamed with canker sores or any kind of irritation try to stay away from eating abrasive foods, such as raw stiff leafy greens, citrus fruits and condiments with vinegar.

Supplementation with Lysine, Vitamin A and a B vitamins can also help treat the condition as can eating foods that are rich in Vitamin B such as eggs, steak and chicken, that is, if your Healthy and Active diet plan allows these foods.

Foods that are high in Lysine include yogurt, cheese, beets, milk, mango, apple pear figs, avocados, salmon, cod, tuna and oats.

High amounts of Vitamin C are also recommended for this condition but in this particular instance, eating raw citrus might irritate the already inflamed lips and mouth tissues so it might be a good idea to take it in supplement form. A naturopath can recommend the therapeutic dose that is right for you.

It is also important to keep the corners of the lips well-moisturized wit Vaseline or a lip balm as loss of moisture from the lips can cause them to become cracked and dehydrated.

The good news is that most cases of stomata’s go away on their own, especially if you eat an alkaline diet that is fresh, organic and loaded with A, C and B vitamins.

For more information about the diet and lifestyle that is optimum for you in every way and the uniquely restorative Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

Ideas For HAP Smart Snacking Part II

If you are following your personalized HAP diet properly you may feel so nourished that you may not have the desire to snack at all. However, if the urge to snack strikes, it is better to have a snack that is nourishing and that falls within the perimeters of generally nourishing for most individuals to eat.

In this follow-up to the August 2nd HAP post called Ideas For HAP Smart Snacking Part I we provide additional ideas for quick healthy snacks that should fit most prescribed eating plans.  Many of the items on this list might be more forbidden than the ones on the first list because they are higher in fat and carbohydrates.  

Avocado

Avocado is considered to be a high-fat food but it is the good kind of monosaturated fat that is good for improving brain health. Avocados also protect your cells from free radical damage.

Cheese and Whole Grain Bread

If you are allowed dairy products and grains on your personalized HAP diet then cheese consumed with a slice of whole grain bread is very healthy.  Cheese also contains butyric acid which helps reduce hunger and rev up the metabolism. This is a filling combination of foods that can help stave off hunger pangs and cravings for junk food and salt.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are a source of Leucine, an amino acid that is used for weight loss that raises your metabolic base rate and helps keep your weight down. Egg whites are best eaten cooked.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of those foods that is so rich in fat soluble fiber that your body must burn a lot of calories just to digest it. This in turn boosts your metabolism and reduces your risk of hearth disease. 

Steak (lean)

Not every HAP diet will allow meat but if yours does then there are few more nutritious choices than lean steak. Eating steak helps your body build more muscle mass, which in turn speeds up your metabolism.

Spinach Salad

If you feel the urge to have a nutritionally sound snack, then try eating some spinach. This food speeds up your metabolic rate and helps prevent osteoporosis, colon cancer, arthritis and cardiovascular problems.  

Whey Protein

Unless you are not allowed soy in your diet then whey protein is a nutritious addition to your smoothie.  The muscle builders and work-out experts have it right when it comes to using whey protein to build more fat burning muscle.


For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.

Ideas for HAP Smart Snacking Part I

If you have been on the Healthy & Active Lifestyle plan then you are already acclimatizing yourself to the idea that some foods might be much better for you than others and that in fact there are some foods that are generally better for everyone to consume as snacks. Here is a list of snacks that are generally better for all to eat as opposed to the types junk foods that many of us were taught to believe provide .  

Apples

Apples are considered to be a "good carb" because they are packed with soluble fibre, including pectin. Two apples can fulfill all of your nutritional needs for the day.  This fruit is also packed with Vitamin C and provide a "feeing of fullness."

Almonds

Almonds make a great snack, provided that you are not allergic to them.  Technically almonds are high in fat but just a small handful a day are very good for you, especially if they are unsalted. Almonds contain monosaturated oil, which helps reduce the possibility of heart disease.

Asparagus

Asparagus is a food that benefits the liver and kidneys, which in turn is great for the metabolism.  You can lightly steam and salt them and serve the whole spears as a snack.

Blueberries

Blueberries are allowed on a lot of diets and are packed with antioxidants that aid in cell repair as well as vitamin K and vitamin C.  They go wonderfully with the plain greek yogurt also recommended on this list of healthy snacks.

Broccoli

Broccoli has many benefits, including the ability to lower cholesterol and can be eaten as a snack steamed or raw. Avoid dipping sauces with fat, salt or sugar in them.  Broccoli is also packed with vitamins A, D and K.

Greek Yogurt (plain)

Low-fat plain Greek yogurt is filled with that "good bacteria" that can help relieve digestive problems. Always check the sugar content of yogurt as it varies from 0 to as high as 48 grams in some products.  It is also a satisfying, high protein, low-fat product.  It is not recommended that you eat yogurt if your Healthy & Active eating plan does not allow dairy products.

Canned Tuna

In a pinch canned tuna satisfies a craving for substantial snack. Tuna contains B vitamins and protein and it is also low in fat. Try to buy albacore tuna, which is a pure white variety. If your HAP diet does not allow bread, tuna tastes great wrapped up in a lettuce leaf for a vegan wrap.  It is also best to purchase salmon that is packed in water rather than in oil.

Cottage Cheese

If you are allowed dairy products on your HAP plan then one of the most nutritious and filling snacks you can have is cottage cheese which is high in protein, calcium, magnesium, potassium and zinc.  This low-carb food also helps regulate blood sugar and is delicious just eaten in a lettuce leaf wrap or with a piece of fruit.

Edammame

Edammame is just another name for boiled soybeans. This is a tasty, low-calorie and low-fat snack that is packed with fibre and protein. Soybeans re also full of Vitamin A, C and Iron. However, avoid this snack if your HAP eating plan recommends that you do not consume soy.


Keep in mind that there are some foods on this list that may not fit into your personal Healthy & Active diet recommendations in which case they should be avoided, but for the most part, these are the foods that are generally very nutritious for everybody to consume.

For more information about the Healthy & Active Program please visit our website at www.healthy-active.com. You may also call us in Toronto at (41) 440-2217 and ask for Adrienne Wright Bulow or Dr. Michael Rahman or email us at adrienne@healthy-active.com.