Healthy Product News

The Key to Health – It’s All in Your Acid/Alkaline Ratios

Report by Sam Graci, Nutritional Researcher and author of The Bone Building Solution

When you hear the word “health”, what comes to mind? Unless you are ill or overweight, it’s likely you consider yourself to be healthy. Now what if I were to ask you if you’d like to achieve incredible energy and mental clarity, with improved digestion, easier weight loss and reduced risk for serious disease? What’s the secret you wonder? An alkaline pH level.

Without getting too scientific, your body’s pH (potential of hydrogen) represents the balance of positively charged (acid-forming) ions to negatively charged (alkalinizing) ions. For optimum health, studies show the ideal blood chemistry is slightly alkaline.

Most people are overly acidic due to poor diet. When the body is overly acidic, it becomes an opportune environment for disease and chronic illness – not to mention negatively impacts your energy, metabolism and bone health.

The good news is that you can achieve a more alkaline pH, starting with the foods on your plate. That’s because after food is consumed, digested and absorbed, it leaves an ash residue in our body. Foods that produce an alkaline ash are called “alkaline forming foods” whereas those that produce acid ash are called “acid-forming foods.”

The body needs both types of foods; however, studies show the ideal diet is 75% alkalizing and 25% acidifying by volume.

What happens when your body is too acidic?  Researchers believe that your health becomes impaired due to the following effects:

• Free radical oxidation occurs, impairing antioxidant activity
• Vitamins and minerals from foods and supplements are not properly absorbed
• Calcium is leached from the bone, increasing risk for osteoporosis
• Friendly bacteria in the small intestines die
• The immune system becomes weak/impaired
• Physical and mental energy is depleted, affecting stamina and mood

Acid-forming Foods – The minerals sulphur, phosphorus and iron form acid ions inside the body. These minerals are found primarily in proteins such as: fish, poultry, meat, eggs, grains, legumes and most nuts and seeds. Other highly acidic food sources include cola soft drinks, coffee and alcohol that are full of phosphoric and carbonic acids. It’s no wonder North Americans, the largest consumers of animal proteins, processed foods, grains and dairy, experience the highest incidence of heart disease, obesity and osteoporosis. We’re overly acidic!

Alkaline-forming foods – Fresh fruits and vegetables are the most alkalinizing foods available. Spinach, broccoli, apples, cherries, a variety of herbs, spices and green food drinks are just a few of the best sources to include daily. Does this mean you have to eliminate all acid-forming foods to achieve optimum health? Not necessarily. Instead, buffer their acid overload by including alkalinize-forming foods in combination, ie. combine lean white chicken with vegetables such as asparagus and kale.

If you can’t consume the recommended five to ten servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily, try adding a green food supplement that’s rich in phytonutrients. Look for one that’s research-proven and more alkalinizing than any other food – including spinach and raisins!

According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-funded scientists, a diet rich in alkalinizing plant foods was shown to help preserve muscle mass in older men and women. Despite the natural aging process where acidosis increases, causing muscle loss, the older subjects in this study averaged 3.6 more pounds of lean muscle versus subjects who did not consume an alkaline-rich diet. Scientists attribute these results to the alkalinizing effect of plant foods rich in potassium among other important nutrients.

Another cause of acidity in the body is intense exercise. So if you’re the type to hit the gym often, you’ll want to include a green food drink directly following strenuous exercise. Not only will this help neutralize the acid overload, it will also promote stronger, healthier bones without losing lean muscle mass as you age.

To determine your pH level, you can purchase a pH test at your local health food store. Ideally, you want to achieve a neutral score of 6.8 to 7.1. Anything below 7 is acidic. Using your saliva or urine, it’s relatively easy to do and can provide an accurate measurement.

In closing, as a nutritional researcher who’s worked with some of the world’s best medical experts, doctors, pharmacists and scientists at some of the most prestigious institutions, I can tell you the path to phenomenal health starts with you. By changing your diet to become more alkaline, I can guarantee your body will thank you back with increased health and vitality! To read more about the acid-alkaline connection to your health, including a complete list of foods, go to www.genuinehealth.com and search “pH”.

 

New Study Confirms Health Benefits of Leading Goji Berry Juice: GoChi™

Evidence Published in Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

Although the goji berry has enjoyed a 4,000-year reputation as one of Asia’s healthiest fruits, the Asian secret is out in the Western world with soaring popularity in entertainment and fashion circles around the world. The Oprah Winfrey Show called the goji berry “a vitality food that promotes longevity.” Time Magazine called the goji berry a superfruit, and BBC News proclaimed it to be a “miracle” Himalayan fruit.

Now, for the first time ever, GoChi™, produced by FreeLife International, is the first goji berry juice to be validated by a human clinical, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Published in the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, the study revealed that in just 14 days, participants drinking 4 oz. daily of GoChi juice experienced significant improvement in 13 categories of health and well-being. Benefits include easier awakening, more energy and less fatigue, less stress, better athletic performance, sharper mental acuity, greater feelings of calm and contentment, and increased feelings of happiness and health.

A leading brand of goji juice, GoChi, is enjoyed by consumers in more than 26 countries around the world, including such sports stars as New Orleans Saints’ Robert Meachem and Team USA speed skater Tina Koenig.  Singer/songwriter Jason Mraz recently offered Rachel Rae a recent sneak peek at his tour bus refrigerator and FreeLife’s goji juice was on the shelf.

GoChi juice is designed to deliver a high-potency of the goji berry’s bioactive Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) - the complex glyconutrients responsible for much of the benefits unique to the goji berry. The juice also contains antioxidants. No sugar, artificial colours, sweeteners, flavours or preservatives are added. GoChi juice is an all-natural product categorized as natural supplement. The U.S. Food & Drug Administration considers GoChi to be compliant with its GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) criteria.

GoChi is available through independent representatives and online at www.freelife.com.

 

American Ginseng Strengthens Adrenals and Improves Energy, Memory

By Terry Vanderheyden, ND

Research has shown that North American ginseng is a premier adaptogenic herb. It has been used traditionally to invigorate and fortify the mind and body in times of fatigue and debility. This herb improves resistance to stress and helps remedy a declining capacity to work. It also reduces mental fatigue from overwork and enhances exercise performance and recovery.

Various research studies have shown that American ginseng has a calming effect while improving concentration and memory. In fact, a monograph made available by the Mayo Clinic suggests there is “good scientific evidence” to support its use for improving mental performance, thinking and learning. These attributes make American ginseng valuable as well for the adjunctive treatment of symptoms associated with ADD and ADHD.

Adaptogens are herbal medicines that help us adapt to stressful life conditions. They act by restoring the normal functioning of the adrenal gland. The adrenals, which sit on top of the kidneys, produce adrenalin, the “fight or flight” hormone, in response to stressful situations. Chronic stress causes an over-production of this and another adrenal hormone, cortisol. With long-term stress, a weakening of the gland and elevated cortisol levels result.

Fatigue is a major complaint of those suffering with low adrenal function. Because cortisol is also linked to inflammation, conditions like asthma, arthritis, eczema, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, obesity, insomnia, gingivitis, coronary artery disease, depression, dementia, autoimmune diseases and other problems are more likely in those with hypo-functioning adrenals.

A traditional way of preparing ginseng according to Chinese herbalism is to make a decoction – herbs are prepared simply by boiling the plant material in water. This method is favoured for hard, woody materials like roots and bark. American ginseng is a root and is traditionally decocted or boiled with water for 20-30 minutes to maximally extract the medicinal properties of the herb.

Teas offer several advantages over tinctures (extracts made using alcohol and water). Although tinctures are highly effective for extracting the medicinal properties of herbal medicines, not everyone can use alcohol for health or religious reasons. Many prefer the comfort of a warm beverage.

St. Francis Herb Farm’s American ginseng tea is organically grown with certification by OTCO.  It has been tested for all types of contaminants.  The tea is available in loose form in a 150g bag. Available at the Big Carrot Dispensary (416-466-8432) and other selected health food stores.

To prepare: Add 3-6 grams of ground root to 1 litre cold water. Bring to a boil and then simmer at reduced heat for 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Once cooled, drink one cup and refrigerate remainder to be consumed that day. Drink 3 cups per day, before meals. If desired, more can be made at once and kept refrigerated for up to 4 days. Optionally, add 30-40 drops of American ginseng tincture to each cup of tea.

Contraindications and Cautions: Consult a health care practitioner prior to use if you are taking anticoagulant medications or if you have a bleeding disorder, are diabetic, or are scheduled for surgery.

For more information go to: www.stfrancisherbfarm.com