“Stop using salt. It will raise blood pressure.” Ever hear this before?

One of salt’s major purposes is to regulate the volume of blood and its pressure as well as  the flexibility of the blood vessels.   The human heart is a big pump. When it contracts, it forces blood through the arteries of the circulatory system; that pressure is “systolic,” the “top” number. Between heartbeats, the heart relaxes. Pressure measured between heartbeats is “diastolic,” the “bottom” number. When blood volume increases or the blood vessel walls don’t expand enough, blood pressure increases. Normal blood pressure is less than 130/85 according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.  In a population,  blood pressures are a good indicator of the incidence of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. The standard, accepted approach is that public policy should demand reduced sodium intakes to lower population blood pressure and, with it, the risk of heart attacks and strokes. But how accurate is this statement?

According to the medical studies done in Cornell Medical School’s Hypertensive Institute, particularly the famous “Intersalt study” with over 10,000 participants around the world, it was clearly shown that salt intake has nothing to do with an increase in blood pressure.

The major cause?

Obesity.

We often read about taking this supplement for that issue or avoiding XYZ foods etc., and often neglect the most important, powerful tools at our disposal – Our minds, that which we use to create our life.

Here is a deceptively simple exercise to assist in building and achieving your dream life.

Part 1. Ask your inner self or Inner Spirit what you want to be, do and have. Take as much time to connect and to write down the answers. Stop here and do this prior to reading Part 2.

Part 2. Now write down what would be even better than what you have already selected.

It is very awakening to see the difference between the two. The only questions remain are . . .which of the 2 do you want and are you willing to take action.

If there were dreams to sell, what would you buy?

You are ready to go. You have your nutrition list and . . .and. . and realize the list is 12 pages long. Maybe I can cut the list down. How about that one. . .no I really need this. OK, this goes. . .but what if. . . HOW DO I CHOOSE?!

It is not as complicated a question as it initially appears or certainly feels. There are a couple of ways to go with this one.

1. Hair & Blood tests. Hair Analysis (aka Trace Mineral Analysis) will provide an average of what has been  occurring in your system for approximately a 4 month time period. The information provided includes levels of minerals, levels of trace minerals, levels of toxic metals and ratios of electrolytes. The latter reflects oxidation rates (how fast or slow your system is breaking down food), stress levels and glandular function.

Blood tests come in a multitude of forms and can test for virtually every vitamin, hormone and other major levels. You can also extract exceptionally useful information from a standard SMAC/CBC. This information is more present-day.

PROs =The combo of 4-month average and present day will provide accurate data as to what your system needs.

CONs = Can be expensive and needs to be repeated every 4 months.

2. Use a baseline and adjust from this point. What would a solid baseline nutrition look like? One that addresses these major areas:

• Hormonal system. This consists of DHEA, hGH, melatonin and prostate/uterus support. It is your anti-aging program as well.  A standard protocol would be –50mg of DHEA every other day; 10-12 drops of Hgh Plus twice daily with weekends off; melatonin every other day; Utrophin every other day for women and an herbal such as fenugreek or yohimbe for men every 2nd day.
• Minerals. A multi mineral and multi-trace mineral supplement. Often found in one. Take at night for greater absorption and more restful sleep. You cannot get these from food anymore.
• PEOs or Parent Essential Oils. One of the most important substances. Loooong list of benefits including immunity, digestion and musculo-skeletal system health. 2-4 gel caps per day.
• For most, a digestive enzyme with each meal is advantageous.

This is a very solid baseline. Adjust from here. Ex/ If you are involved with sports, L-Glutamine is a virtual must, as are BCAAs.

If something arrives, use XYZ as needed. Ex/ Hypothyroidism — add Organic Iodine to your protocol for 4-10 weeks and stop or reduce to 1-2 per week.

3. My favorite is combining the aforementioned baseline with muscle testing. There is a protocol called CRA or Contact Reflex Analysis that will identify the major organ health, glandular and systemic functioning. If something is out of kilter, the body will let you know. It is easy to learn but you do need another person to work with you.

I use a combination of CRA with a baseline and again, the idea of a “block.”  Ex/ On days I weight train, I take fenugreek prior to training and BCAAs and Chrysin afterwards. On days I run, I take Rhodiola and/or Royal Jelly prior and Glutamine afterwards. If I am dragging, I add B6-Niacinamide for adrenal support. If too hyper, calcium. Because Florida is the allergy capitol, I always take Astragalus as a prevention.

In the course of a day, it is common to consume 7-10 or more different substances. This may or may not sound like a lot but everything is for a given purpose. I plan on living forever. In the event that does not happen, I want my life and my health to be maximized. There is too much dis-ease today. It is troubling, knowing that so much is preventable first. Treatable secondly.

Everyone is reliant on others. It is a part of life. We rely on our spouse or friend or grocery store. The problem comes up when reliance becomes dependency. “My doctor will take care of me.  The government will take care of me with  free health care. . .  etc. etc. etc.” The BEST health care is SELF health care. You know you and care about you more than anyone else. You are more than a vote or a number or a tax source. You are a powerful person with much to offer.

Health paves the way for this powerful person to spring forth!

I think the same approach — Block or Zen Dieting — works very well with athletes. There are some adjustments needed but the major ideas are very applicable. In fact, if you read the actual RESEARCH, not the conclusions or summary, you often come up with very different ideas. These ideas are called truth. It is a somewhat novel concept in the world of “scientific studies” as most are funded by companies vested in one exclusive outcome period. (Harvard and Stanford have huge endowment funds and are are 2 exceptions.)

Off soap box and back on track here. As an athlete, I think we should look at a block (a 1 day period) and ask ourselves, “What will we be doing today?” Usual answers are (1) not much, (2) some type of cardio such as running, cycling etc., (3) resistance training or (4) an event. Let’s look at each as it relates to food.

1. Not much. Today is a “nothing” day or perhaps rest day. This is the perfect day to apply the basic principles of higher proteins and fats/lower carbs. You will not be needed quick fuel and any carb intake will be stored as fat. PLEASE NOTE: The body does not care if the carbs are organic brown rice blessed by monks and sprinkled with magic dust or a candy bar. Both breakdown to sugar and you start the insulin/fat storage cycle.

2. Cardio. “Today is my track work.” Or “Doing a 10 miler today.” etc. These are the times when carbohydrates will come in handy. . .to a degree. Eating carbs a few hours prior to or during such training can provide quick and easy energy. Gels, Energy drinks, breakfast of oatmeal etc. — most of us are familiar with these and utilize them. This is one way to go and it is following the tenant of using food as medicine. There is a second way.

Whether we realize it not, our thoughts control a huge portion of our physiology. Quantum Physics for example, has shown us that our thoughts create our body; that is, the image of ourselves we hold in our consciousness reflects in our reality. Along this notion, we can train our body to utilize specific fuels for energy. We can train our body to use our stored fat and not rely on gels and bars etc., or at least not rely on them so much. (Ex/ I spoke with a well known endurance cyclist in Tampa who drinks at most 1 liter of water during 200 mile cycling events. It took him 3 years to train his body to do this but as we see, it can be done.)

Either way, the moral of the story is that we have a tendency to use a tool better than we use our own bodies. Time to reverse this. Use food as first aid medicine. How? Timing!

3. Resistance training. Again, this is similar to #1. Protein contains aminos and aminos are the muscle builders. Unless you are doing something like circuit training, higher amounts of carbs have little place here.

4. Events. They are the best! I love them. This is when carbohydrate and fat loading some into play. 2-3 days prior to events, carbohydrates can be significantly increased ASSUMING the event is challenging. Marathon – yes. Half-marathon – yes. 100K cycling – yes. 5k. . . not so much.

During long events, we need energy and need it quickly. Enter carbs. This is what they were designed for. Our system will utilize them for energy, thus avoiding any chance of fat storage.

I have received about 5 or 6 questions already and will do a Q & A next but allow me to address one here. One of our friends mentioned Dean Karnasas and his idea of “slow carb” dieting.

What is the difference (time wise) for a complex carb to get into the system versus a simple carb? Brown rice vs. Snickers? Anyone? Anyone at all? The answer is . . . . .

15 minutes! The joke is that it will take a person (who eats a lot of carbs) 15 minutes longer to get fatter.

Dean Karnasas does promote the slow carb idea and it works but he is not very accurate in terms of describing it. Firstly, I would guess his body fat is around 5% or so which is very low, so there is little in terms of reserves. Secondly, if you read about his diet — it is mainly protein and fats. He mentions grilled vegetables but goes out of his way to talk about avoiding sugar including fruits or smoothies. When he does consume sugars, when is it? During events! He is a perfect example of the principles we have covered in the past 5 blogs or so.

Paul Chek of the famous Chek Institute in Colorado works with elite athletes such as surfer Laird Hamilton. Chek said it best, “For most athletes, eating a steak while sniffing a piece of broccoli works best.”

Bottom line. . . test, test and retest. What works for you and what does not. The above is a guideline that can be adjusted to your needs. Having said that, the above is based on repeatable, reputable science. Seems like a pretty good place to start!

You know the hows and whys. You know the supplements. What will be presented is backed up by studies in only top flight medical journals (JAMA, Lancet, NEJM etc.). It certainly took me by surprise. Here we go with the star of the show. . . food.

Firstly, when you are thinking and acting about food/nutrition etc., think of a single day; that is, treat food as a 24-hour medicine of sorts. I look at it as “Block Dieting or Zen Eating” with the notion of taking things a piece/day at a time. Be in the moment grasshopper.

Secondly, the majority of intake should be protein. The balance should be fats and carbohydrates should be a distant third (I will address the sports aspect later). Proteins cannot be stored in the body or turned to fat. In fact, it is required for fat burning. The recommendation is at least 8oz. of animal-based proteins per day. This includes cheeses, fish, chicken etc.

Fats compose 50% of the 100 trillion cell membranes in your body. It is by far, the superior source of energy. The total percentage of fats in our diets doesn’t matter. THE key is the type of fats. Man-made unnatural, transfats, hydrogenated oils and preserved oils are the only harmful ones. Natural fats such as organic coconut oil, palm oil, grapeseed oil, peanut oil or even organic lard are the ideal sources. They are also the cancer prevention agents. Parent Essential Oils are the very best. For women, they are the ideal for hormonal regulation and breast health. For men, increased stamina and endurance during physical activity is commonplace.

Carbohydrates as in ALL carbohydrates are sugars with a longer name. This is what causes fat. Virtually nothing else but excessive carbohydrate consumption. Medical texts have made it clear that carbs are NOT the body’s preferred energy source; fat is supposed to be.

High carb diets overwork the pancreas. The more work it does (due to carbs), the higher the insulin. The more insulin, the more fat storage. Elevated insulin levels due to high carb ingestion causes blood clotting which blocks arteries.

According to Stryer’s Biochemistry text, “fat does not burn in the flame of carbohydrates.” In fact, carbs slow the metabolism.

So technically, how many carbs does our body require each? None. You are reading this correctly none. (This does not necessarily mean that zero should be consumed. I’ll explain later.)

Putting this all together. . . .

• Focus on organic proteins and healthy fats as the main food sources.
• Use carbs sparingly (during regular activities. I will cover Sports Nutrition next blog.). Start by cutting them in 1/2. Exactly 50% reduction and note how you feel after 4 weeks. For the first 2, you may be a little wobbly. After the adjustment period, your body fat will begin reducing and energy levels will soar.
• After a month, stick around the 50g per day of carbs. Adjust a little up or a little down depending upon if you wish to lose fat or maintain. YOU are in charge.
• Take each day as a “block.” Physically and psychologically, everyone can deal with a day. It is very difficult to say “stay away from rice and ice cream for the next 2 years.” Think of this as a Zen Diet — be in the moment.
• You do not need to go to the extreme ala Dr. Atkins. He was working with a sick population and tried to extract this information to the masses. To a degree it was successful, but this is a sounder way. Low = yes. Zero = not ideal at all.

Nothing works for 100% of the population. When in practice, I found that quality recommendations backed by science or real world experience will work with at least 80% of the population. You are you and your chemistry is unique. Adjust as needed.

More to come. . . Stay tuned to this channel.

Being merely moderately fit — walking briskly half an hour a day — can lower the risk of having a stroke, according to a new study whose findings apply to women as well as men.

“It seems that benefits we’ve been observing in men for many years … are also observed in women,” Hooker said.