Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
This is the Foundation of Good Health (Part 2)
Scenario #2:
Digestive remnants that are broken down enough to be absorbed into your bloodstream and lymphatic system (but are still too big to be used for energy) are called "circulating immune complexes" (CICs).
These CICs are THE leading cause of fibromyalgia and can impede healing, encourage and worsen pain and inflammation and compromise your immune system even more, making you susceptible to infections and viruses of all kinds.
The kicker here is SO many people are walking around with a gut that's leaky and they don't even know it.
A primary reason for that is ALL of the most commonly prescribed drugs make leaky gut even WORSE.
I'm talking about:
1) Anti-inflammatories--including NSAIDS like Tylenol and Advil, aspirin and steroids such as prednisone and cortisone.
2) Antacids that decrease the acidity of the stomach
3) Antibiotics
If you take any of those drugs on a regular or even occasional basis, chances are excellent you're "leaky."
Not so innocent symptoms after all
So as you can see, when you get heartburn, gas, constipation or diarrhea, there's a LOT more going on inside than you realize. These should not be shrugged off as just little annoyances or worse yet, normal consequences of eating!
Your body is telling you that there's something seriously wrong with your digestion.
You have to listen.
Because if you choose to just keep blindly popping your Tums, Nexium, Imodium, Ex-lax or Gas-X, you're playing Russian Roulette. Sooner or later your number will come up.
Don't let that happen to you.
Natural, efficient digestion is the foundation of great health.
And the good news is, it's very easy to achieve.
It just involves two simple steps:
1. IntestinalFlora are properly balanced
The friendly bacteria in your system help to keep the gut wall non-porous, as well as assisting with digestion and keeping harmful bacteria under control.
The ideal flora balance is having at least 85% beneficial bacteria and no more than 15% harmful.
But most people have the complete OPPOSITE of what they should have. This is not only due to poor digestion, but also environmental toxins, medications, stress and lack of sleep.
So it's essential to give your gut a helping hand with a quality probiotic supplement like Flora Plus Probiotic formular
Flora Plus contains proven, effective medical-grade strains of friendly bacteria that are robust and ready to take their place in your system. They'll help fend off the bad bacteria, keep your digestion smooth, support your immune system and help keep that gut wall nice and strong.
2. Give your DIGESTION a boost
What is becoming the Standard Nigerian diet (lots of fast food, packaged food and complex meals) is VERY hard for your system to digest. Your body needs to expend a LOT of enzymes trying to break everything down.
But your body can only produce so many enzymes. And longer you eat this way, the more you reduce your body's ability to provide adequate enzymes for digestion.
Not enough enzymes = poor digestion (and leaky gut).
There are a lot of people walking around with enzyme deficiencies and they don't even know it.
Because you live in Nigeria, this very likely includes you.
The good news is, you can help your body tremendously through enzyme supplementation.
Our range of Digestive enzyme supplements can be just what you need
Our range of enzyme supplements contains a wide variety of enzymes that each have their own specialty and target all the different types of foods you eat.
Studies show that supplements that have a variety of enzymes are the most effective and help the greatest number of people.
Take care of your foundation of health -- your digestion -- and it will take care of you in countless ways for years to come.
Start now.
ST. EVE CONCEPTS LTD IS AN INTERNAL WELLNESS AND WEIGHT LOSS CENTRE WHICH SPECIALIZES IN ENZYME THERAPY TO ACHIEVE 3-5KG WEIGHT LOSS IN 7 DAYS OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. VISIT US AT 15 UDI STREET, OSBOURNE ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS. CALL: 08087630040 OR 08082043180.
www.eveconcepts.com
Have a Blessed New Month
Evelyn Okere
MD St Eve Concepts
eokere@eveconcepts.com
This is the Foundation of Good Health (Part 1)
Hello Friends,
Tell me, if you build a new house on a foundation that wasn't level, quite off kilter in fact, what do you think would happen?
The answer, of course, is that even if you used the very best materials, eventually your doors would stick and you'd need a crowbar to get your windows open. Stairs will creak. Walls will crack. Cupboard doors won't stay shut. The roof will leak and eventually all will be lost.
Soon enough, after a never ending stream of problems, it will have to be condemned and bulldozed.
Your body is the exactly same way.
It needs a solid foundation or it will fail.
Good digestion is that "foundation" on which your health is built from head to toe.
Everything good and bad in your health begins and ends with digestion.
You could be taking dozens of very expensive, highly specialized supplements or medications. But if your digestion is out of whack even a little bit, all those pills could be for naught. Totally useless due to poor absorption; money down the drain.
When your digestion isn't right (signs of this are: diarrhea, reflux, constipation, heartburn, gas, bloating, etc.) it's only a matter of time before the rest of the "structure" (YOU) starts to break down, and illness occurs.
What makes this worse is that the average person pays little or no attention to the symptoms of inadequate digestion. In fact, today it's commonly seen as normal!
And instead we rely on covering up symptoms with antacids, acid reducers, gas relievers, laxatives and anti-diarrheas.
But eventually the problems will become so big that you can't ignore them.
And they'll stem from one of these two things...
The two forms of poor digestion
When your foods are not broken down and reduced in size enough to be used by your body for energy production, one of two things is possible:
1) Food particles that are too big to pass through your gut wall will continue down the digestive tract, where they will putrefy and form toxins that get absorbed into your bloodstream.
OR
2) Food particles that ARE small enough to pass through the gut wall but are STILL too big for your body to use for energy will be absorbed into the bloodstream and the lymphatic system.
Neither of these is good. Here's why:
Scenario #1:
When your foods aren't completely digested and are too big to pass through the gut wall, they move down the GI tract and become nourishment for the harmful bacteria in your gut.
This is a double whammy.
For one, the food particles become putrefied, which is a fancy word meaning rotted. And as they rot, the harmful bacteria in your gut feed on them and multiply like rabbits.
As a result of this rotting, chemicals are formed that are poisonous to your body. They are SO toxic that they irritate the lining of your colon and eventually eat away at it, making it porous like a sieve.
This is called "leaky gut syndrome" and it allows those poisons to leak into your lymphatic and systemic circulation.
From there the poisons target specific organs, causing pain and inflammation and compromising their functioning until and unless they are detoxified by your liver (which can only handle so many toxins before IT gets overloaded and can't work properly).
The inflammation can manifest itself as a variety of conditions seemingly unrelated to digestion, so you (or your doctor) might not make the connection.
Some of the signs of leaky gut are:
* ADD (Attention Deficient Disorder)
* Joint and collagen problems
* Food allergies
* Chronic and rheumatoid arthritis
* Malnutrition
* Chronic fatigue
* Psoriasis
* Diabetes
* Fibromyalgia
(Fibromyalgia is a common syndrome in which people experience long-term, body-wide pain and tender points in joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Fibromyalgia has also been linked to fatigue, sleep problems, headaches, depression, anxiety, and other symptoms.)
* Eczema
* Autistic-like symptoms
* Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
* Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
* Schizophrenia-like symptoms
* Skin problems like acne, hives and rashes
Plus the harmful bacteria overgrowth that's going on during all of this makes your gut wall even MORE porous. And having such unbalanced intestinal flora greatly weakens your immune system too.
And if THAT'S not enough for you, there is more……….
ST. EVE CONCEPTS LTD IS AN INTERNAL WELLNESS AND WEIGHT LOSS CENTRE WHICH SPECIALIZES IN ENZYME THERAPY TO ACHIEVE 3-5KG WEIGHT LOSS IN 7 DAYS OR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. VISIT US AT 15 UDI STREET, OSBOURNE ESTATE, IKOYI, LAGOS. CALL: 08087630040 OR 08082043180.
www.eveconcepts.com
Evelyn
eokere@eveconcepts.com
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
IMPORTANCE OF PROBIOTICS
Many health care practitioners believe all health issues are related in some way to the process of digestion. The Chinese also believes that the stomach is the key to our entire body’s health. If you think about it, almost everything we consume is received, processed and distributed from the stomach. This is where the essential Probiotics, commonly known as acidophilus, come in. Probiotics play a crucial role in improving our digestive health, which, in turn, is interconnected to every single function in our bodies.
Probiotics are the friendly flora, or bacteria, that support the normal colon ecology for digestion, absorption, elimination, and prevention of yeasts, bacteria and parasites. Simply put, they are the soldiers which keep our stomach, intestines and colon clean and happy.
Imbalance of Intestinal Flora
Unfortunately, we are constantly surrounded by toxins and stresses, both internally and externally, which can wreak havoc on our bodies. Furthermore, there are several factors that affect the balance of bacteria in our body. The air we now are forced to breathe in the world’s cities has over 600 toxins that also affect this balance. Birth control pills, heat, cold, preservatives found in most foodstuff, salt, alcohol, colas, fluorides, and chlorines, just to name a few, also destroy or compromise this delicate balance of bacteria in the gut!
Antibiotics found in drug therapy and in the meat and foods we eat destroy the important balance of bacteria in our body.
The good bacteria in our GI tract is directly affected and becomes a casualty of war; good versus bad bacteria. If the stomach and intestinal area is toxic and laden with harmful bacteria, how do we expect our bodies to stay strong and healthy with a toxic life-force?
With the depletion of good flora comes the harmful bacteria and yeast which can monopolize the entire digestive track. As a result the body can become very acidic and prone to illness, yeast infections, Candida, digestive disorder, and much more.
It is recommended to take 3 or more billion live organisms of Probiotics daily as maintenance. The most commonly forms of acidophilus found in supplemental forms include: Lactobacillus acidophilus (the original strain); Lactobacillus casei; Lactobacillus bulgaricus; Bifidobacterium bifidum and various other.
HOW CAN PROBIOTICS HELP ME?
1. Probiotics increases energy in these five ways:
a. It improves your digestion
Nothing the human body does demands more energy than digestion. When your digestion is slowed down or inefficient, most or all of your energy is sapped up for digestion, leaving little or none left for anything else.
So you feel wiped out and rely on coffee, soda or vending machine snacks to get through the day. But these make the problem even worse, because harmful bacteria feed on sugars and acids. Harmful bacteria overgrowth impairs your digestion even more.
Probiotics improves the digestive process by helping to regulate the pH of the intestinal tract. Better, easier digestion means more energy available for YOU.
b. It helps eliminate waste build-up
Toxins from old built-up wastes in your intestines can enter the bloodstream. From there, they travel all over the body and cause pain, inflammation and fatigue because your cells cannot operate as they should when they are overrun with wastes, not getting the oxygen they need.
A good Probiotic formula has a broom-like cleansing effect and helps eliminate built up wastes from your intestines.
When your body is clean on the inside and not bogged down with those wastes and toxins, your cells can get the oxygen they need. More oxygen means more energy for what you want to do.
c. Increased nutrient absorption
Harmful bacteria lining your intestinal walls block nutrient absorption. So you can potentially eat a very healthy meal and still get very few of the nutrients in your food. Deficiencies in essential nutrients are a common cause of low energy and fatigue.
Probiotics helps increase nutrient absorption by fighting off the bad bacteria and competing with them for space along your intestinal walls. So you end up better nourished, and you have more energy.
d. No more leaky gut
Leaky gut syndrome is when bad bacteria eat away at the lining of the intestine, making it more porous. This allows toxins and improperly digested proteins to seep into the bloodstream and lymph system, which can make you toxic and sluggish (and cause a host of sicknesses and diseases).
Probiotics adheres to the intestinal wall, making it stronger and less porous. Plus it encourages the growth of good bacteria, which further strengthens the gut wall.
With a strong gut wall, toxins, pathogens and improperly digested proteins are kept "contained" and can be eliminated through a bowel movement as they should be.
e. It reduces inflammation
Inflammation can result when the immune system sees normal bacteria in your body as a dangerous pathogen or invader and attacks it.
Inflammation is being implicated in increasing numbers of medical conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome.
Probiotics helps to support the development of regulatory T cells in your immune system. These T cells help reduce overzealous immune responses throughout your body, which helps to reduce fatigue-causing inflammation.
Other things that Probiotics can do for you
1. Boost immune function
2. Favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance in the gut
3. Inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria and pathogens
4. Promote digestion
5. Increase resistance to infection
6. Prevent/Reduce diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics or other illness
7. Increased mucous production prevents adherence and colonization of pathogenic bacteria along the
intestinal wall.
8. Tightens the mucosal barrier (decreases gut permeability)
9. Helps prevent the entry of pathogens (disease causing agents) and allergens (substances that cause
allergies) into the blood stream.
10. Produce substances (bacteriocins and antitoxins) that inhibit pathogenic bacteria.
11. Produce enzymes which aid in the digestion of lactose and breakdown of proteins.
12. Probiotics lower colon luminal pH (increase acidity) and foster growth of beneficial nonpathogenic bacteria
Dietary Sources of Probiotics
In 1908, a researcher named Elie Metchnikoff observed that Bulgarian peasants lived to a ripe, old age and were disease free. These peasants consumed copious amount of soured milk, which contained living microbes that eliminated disease causing bacteria. One of the Probiotic strains found in soured (fermented) milk is now known as lactobacillus bulgaricus, in honor of its origin of discovery.
Most fermented or cultured food products and beverages provide us with beneficial bacteria:
1. Kefir (cultured milk), yogurt, sour cream, cheese
2. Pickled vegetables (sauerkraut, olives, ginger)
3. Fermented soy products (miso, tempeh)
4. Fermented tea (kombucha)
Who Needs Probiotics?
Every person could benefit from Probiotic supplementation, but it is especially important for people who have:
1. Allergies
2. Bladder and Vaginal Infections
3. High Cholesterol or Dyslipidemia
4. Chronic colds and flu
5. Constipation
6. Diarrhea
7. Halitosis (Chronic Bad Breath)
8. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or IBD
9. Lactose intolerance
10. Chronic skin condition (e.g. eczema)
A great diet alone is not enough to guarantee a healthy intestinal flora balance.
In order to give the population of good bacteria in your gut a fighting chance, it's essential to supplement with Probiotics. A healthy diet is important, but as you can see, it's not enough for most people. Too many other factors can get in the way.
Give your body the best possible defense against intestinal flora imbalance and all the GI problems and immune system harm it can cause.
In St. Eve Concepts LTD, Flora Plus a Probiotic is one of our products.
Let FLORA PLUS help keep your intestinal flora where it needs to be for you to feel great all the time. You need an effective Probiotic like Flora Plus because there are factors that affect the bacteria in your intestines that can't be fixed by diet.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Creating a Healthy Lifestyle
Eating Right
Eating the right foods and the right amounts of foods can help you live a longer, healthier life. Research has proven that many illnesses—such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure—can be prevented or controlled by eating right. Getting the nutrients you need, such as calcium and iron, and keeping your weight under control can help. Try to balance the calories you get from food with the calories you use through physical activity. It is never too late to start eating right. Here are some helpful tips.
Eat a variety of foods, especially:
Vegetables. Choose dark-green leafy and deep-yellow vegetables.
Fruits. Choose citrus fruits or juices, melons, and berries.
Dry beans (such as red beans, navy beans, and soybeans), lentils, chickpeas, and peanuts.
Whole grains, such as wheat, rice, oats, corn, and barley.
Whole grain breads and cereals.
Eat foods low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol, especially:
Fish.
Poultry prepared without skin; lean meat.
Low-fat dairy products.
Weight Control
Weighing too much or too little can lead to health problems. After age 45, many people gain too much weight. You can control your weight by eating healthy foods and being physically active.
Ask your health care professional:
What is a healthy weight for me?
What are some ways I can control my weight?
Physical Activity
Research shows that physical activity can help prevent at least six diseases: heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity (excess weight), diabetes, osteoporosis, and mental disorders, such as depression. Physical activity also will help you feel better and stay at a healthy weight. Research suggests that brisk walking can be just as good for you as an activity such as jogging. Try to do a total of 30 minutes of constant physical activity, such as fast walking, most days of the week.
Before you start being physically active:
Talk with your doctor about ways to get started.
Choose something that fits into your daily life, such as walking, gardening, raking leaves, or even washing windows.
Choose an activity you like, such as dancing or swimming.
Try a new activity, like biking.
Ask a friend to start with you, or join a group.
Don't quit:
Make time for physical activity, start slowly, and keep at it.
If the weather is bad, try an exercise show on TV, watch an exercise tape in your home, walk in the mall, or work around the house.