Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery

February 25, 2014

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-The understanding

mitochondrial abnormalities are associated with opiate addiction

Addiction is a disease in the body and the mind and successful therapy depends on treating both. Mind Body medicine is based on the unity of mind and body and focuses on promoting health and balance in the mind body, thereby providing highly effective therapy for addiction. If you detoxify, or withdraw, from alcohol or a drug, but do not address the conditions in the body that create fatigue, depression, and anxiety, then relapse is more likely and therapy has been incomplete. Similarly, if you withdraw from a substance and do not understand the psychological and spiritual issues that promoted the need for it, then relapse is likely and the “lessons of disease” have not been learned.

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-The body

Integrative, or, functional medicine provides the tools to assess and treat the conditions in the body that contribute to fatigue, depression, and anxiety, thereby increasing the likelihood of chemical dependency. These include:

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) deficiency
Metabolic cofactor deficiency
Pyroluria
Hypothyroidism
Adrenal fatigue
And more

These “terrain issues” in the body need to be properly treated in order to make detoxification easier and to prevent relapse.

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) deficiency

NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which is the chemical term for a molecule that reacts with oxygen in the mitochondria in every cell of your body in order to create energy so you can move, breathe, pump blood, digest food, think, and generally, live your life. Lack of this essential cellular fuel is now recognized as a key feature of chronic fatigue, apathy, depression, anxiety, alcohol and drug addiction, weak immune system (infections and cancer), muscle pain and weakness, headaches, memory disturbance, sleep problems, focus and concentration defects and other chronic diseases. NAD deficiency may be an unrecognized epidemic of cellular disease.

Since NAD is so fundamental to good health, how is it that we can become deficient in this powerful molecule? First of all, the vitamins, minerals, complex carbohydrates, proteins and fats come from our diet and provide the building blocks to citric acid cycle energy production. If any one of the nutritional factors is low, energy production is weakened. Since oxygen is just as important as hydrogen in cellular energetics, lack of exercise and shallow breathing due to stress are common factors that can reduce the amount of oxygen at the cell level. And finally the enzymes that catalyze the citric acid cycle are often inhibited or destroyed by chemical or physical toxins that create oxidative, or free radical, damage. Free radical damage comes from cigarette smoke, drugs, radio waves from cell phones and wi-fi, and the myriad chemicals found in all humans at this time on earth, including phalates, parabens, pesticides, styrene, benzene, toluene, and thousands more. For example, medical scientists now widely believe that Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease share the common feature of nerve cell degeneration due to impairment of the ATP producing enzymes with the citric acid cycle and mitochondria.

Genetic NAD deficiency may be present at birth and appear in children as poor sleeping, behavioral problems, hyperactivity, impaired concentration, academic stress and underachievement. Some people have been tired and depressed for as long as they can remember. For these people there is a greater tendency to try drugs and alcohol in order to improve energy and mood, and simply feel better, but the risk for addiction is high.

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-Genetics and addiction

A word of caution is necessary as we discuss genetics and addiction, or, any other disease. Inherited variations in genes do not invariably lead to disease. Lifestyle and mind style factors often override, so to speak, a genetic tendency. Basically the DNA is the hardware in the computer and the epigenome is the software, which is influenced by our lifestyle and the choices we make in our lives. The epigenome responds to our thoughts, emotions, beliefs and overall stress levels, as well as our diet, exercise levels and other features of our daily lives. Basically, the genes put the bullet in the gun, but it is our lifestyle and mind style that pulls the trigger.

NAD deficiency:

There may be a genetic polymorphism that reduces a gene coding for a mitochondrial protein which regulates NAD production. Since mitochondrial DNA is all received from the mother through the egg (no mitochondria are found in sperm) we can look to the maternal side for clues to energy production in the family history.

Dopamine D2 receptor impairment:

Since the primary neurotransmitter of the reward pathway is dopamine, genes for dopamine synthesis, degradation, receptors, and transporters are areas of research. Also, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, opioid, and cannabinoid neurons all modify dopamine metabolism and dopamine neurons. Therefore, defects in various combinations of the genes for these neurotransmitters may result in a Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS).

The brain

The brain is composed of billions of nerve cells, called neurons. Brain activity is the interaction of neurons as they communicate with one another. Neurons do not actually touch one another; instead, they are separated by a small gap called a synapse. Activity within a neuron is electrical; however electrical activity cannot cross the synapse. When one neuron wants to signal another, it releases a number of neurotransmitter chemical molecules into the synapse. For each type of neurotransmitter, the receiving neuron has specific receptor sites on the surface. As neurotransmitter molecules bind to a receptor site, the process causes electrical activity in the receptor neuron. The receiving neuron then releases the neurotransmitter molecules so that the sending neuron can absorb them from the synapse in a process called re-uptake, stopping the communication.

Feeling the pleasure

The presence of dopamine, a neurotransmitter, in the synapses of the reward center of the brain is directly related to every feeling of pleasure we experience, from eating good food to falling in love. Other neurotransmitters mediate other emotions and attitudes.

Avenues of addiction

As people continue to use addictive substances, receptor function decreases, which requires the increased use of substances for pleasure or just a sense of well-being. In the absence of external substances, the body experiences a neurotransmission deficit. Some people begin by taking drugs to feel high while others begin by innocently increasing their prescription use to achieve the original effect. There are as many reasons to become addicted as there are people who become addicted. In most cases, NO ONE begins by believing they will become a slave to an external power which completely consumes and controls their life.

Understanding withdrawal

When a chemically dependent person is denied access to a substance to which s/he is addicted, the addicted brain goes into a frenzy that manifests itself in the physical symptoms of withdrawal. The symptoms may be life threatening and may induce agitation, hallucinations, intestinal upsets, severe muscular aches, etc. After withdrawal, the body may be completely free of the addicting substance, yet neurotransmitters of the brain are still not in balance. This may lead to physical feelings of craving, an almost overwhelming desire to use the substance again.

Treatment process

The first step is a comprehensive functional medical evaluation which reviews all systems in the body, including digestion, nutrient absorption, hormone balance, immunity and the like. After that dietary recommendations are provided, along with nutritional supplements. Then the 10 day intravenous program is started. The IV infusion varies from day to day and is individualized for each patient. Each day of the treatment, a nurse inserts an IV line. The patient relaxes in a lounge chair while the intravenous formulation is slowly infused through the vein. The uncomfortable feelings of withdrawal and cravings subside and remain at bay surprisingly quickly. Between the fourth and eighth day patients typically report feelings of amazing mental clarity. Infusions are tolerated well and any mild side effects disappear at the cessation of infusion. The severe physical symptoms of withdrawal vanish; however, the full protocol is required to complete the treatment and minimize or eliminate physical cravings. Note that following treatment the psychological aspects of addiction still need to be addressed. During the day the patient may watch television, read, eat, and even doze. At the end of the day, the IV is disconnected and the patient leaves the outpatient clinic.

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-Life after treatment

After treatment the patient is no longer physically addicted and may certainly resume a normal life; however, an addicted person will typically not have been leading a normal life for some time. In order to rejoin the world successfully, a variety of aftercare coping strategies can be helpful. The patient upon receiving treatment needs to continue engaging with the different support groups and commit to:

Individual psychotherapy
Group psychotherapy
Family psychotherapy
Exercise programs
Affinity and other social groups
Residential and/or Intensive Outpatient Programs

Healthy Mitochondria and addiction Recovery-The understanding

No Withdrawal Addiction Recovery, Without Withdrawal Seriously

February 23, 2014

you can seek specialist opinion on addiction and from that you may start the recovery journey

Addiction recovery without withdrawal

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-The Chance to Change Your Life

Your addiction has given you the opportunity to change your life. Changing your life is what makes recovery both difficult and rewarding. Recovery is difficult because you have to change your life, and all change is difficult, even good change. Recovery without Withdrawal is rewarding because you get the chance to change your life. Most people sleepwalk through life. They don’t think about who they are or what they want to be, and then one day they wake up and wonder why they aren’t happy.

If you use this opportunity for change, you’ll look back and think of your addiction as one of the best things that ever happened to you. People in recovery often describe themselves as grateful addicts. Why would someone be grateful to have an addiction? Because their addiction helped them find an inner peace and tranquility that most people crave. Recovery can help you change your life. You may need to adopt the following:

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-The first rule of recovery

One does not recover from an addiction by stopping using the substance or drug. You recover without withdrawal by creating a new life where it is easier to not use. If you don’t create a new life, then all the factors that brought you to your addiction will eventually catch up with you again.

You don’t have to change everything in your life. But there are a few things and behaviors that have been getting you into trouble, and they will continue to get you into trouble until you let them go. The more you try to hold onto your old life in recovery, the less well you will do.

Here are the three most common things that people need to change in order to achieve recovery.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-Avoid High-Risk Situations

Some common high-risk situations are described by the acronym, HALT:

Hungry
Angry
Lonely
Tired

How do you feel at the end of the day? You’re probably hungry because you haven’t eaten well. You’re probably angry because you’ve had a tough day at work or a tough commute home. You may feel lonely because you’re isolated. You don’t have to be physically alone to feel lonely. And you’re tired. That’s why your strongest cravings usually occur at the end of the day. Here’s another way of looking at high-risk situations:

People. (People who you use with or who are related to your use. People who you have conflicts with, and who make you want to use. People who you celebrate with by using. People who encourage you to use either directly or indirectly.)
Places. (Places where you use or where you get your drugs or alcohol.)
Things. (Things that remind you of your using.)

How can you avoid high-risk situations? Of course, you can’t always avoid these situations. But if you’re aware of them, they won’t catch you off guard, and you can prevent little craving from turning into major urges.

Take better care of yourself. Eat a healthier lunch so you’re not as hungry at the end of the day. Join a 12 step group so that you don’t feel isolated. Learn how to relax so that you can let go of your anger and resentments. Develop better sleep habits so that you’re less tired.

Avoid your drinking friends, your favorite bar, and having alcohol in the house. Avoid people who you used cocaine with, driving by your dealer’s neighborhood, and cocaine paraphernalia.

Recovery without Withdrawal isn’t about one big change. It’s about lots of little changes. Avoiding those high-risk situations helps you create a new life where it’s easier to not use.

Make a list of your high-risk situations. Addiction is sneaky. Sometimes you won’t see your high-risk situations until you’re right in the middle of one. That’s why it’s important that you learn to look for them. Make a list of your high-risk situations and to keep it with you. Go over the list with someone in recovery so that can spot any situations that you might have missed. Make the list and keep it with you. Some day that list may save your life.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal–Learn to Relax

There are only a few reasons why people use drugs and alcohol. They use to escape, relax, and reward themselves. In other words, people use drugs and alcohol to relieve tension.

The first rule of recovery without withdrawal is that you must change your life. What do you need to change? If you understood the previous paragraph, then you need to change the way you relieve tension. Everyone needs to escape, relax, and reward themselves. Those are essential coping skills for a happy life. But addicts don’t know how to do those things without using.

If you manage to stop using for a while, but don’t learn how to relax, your tension will build until you’ll have to relapse just to escape again. Tension and the inability to relax are the most common causes of relapse.

I know relaxation will help. I have treated thousands of patients. Many of them have told me that relaxation has changed their life. There is only one reason why people don’t relax – because they think they’re too busy to relax. It goes something like this, “I know it makes sense, but I’ve got so many other things I have to do.”

Ask yourself how much time you spend on your addiction. If you add up all the time it takes to get your drug, use it, deal with its consequences, and plan your next relapse, you’ll realize that relaxing for twenty to forty minutes a day is a bargain.

Relaxation is not an optional part of recovery. It’s essential to recovery. There are many ways to relax. They range from simple techniques like going for a walk, to more structured techniques like meditation. Meditation is an important part of that mix because the simple techniques don’t always work. If you’re under a lot of stress, you may need something more reliable like meditation. Use any of these techniques, or any combination. But do something every day to relax, escape, reward yourself, and turn off the chatter in your mind.

Numerous studies have proven that relaxation reduces the use of alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana and help the recovery without Withdrawal.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal-Be Honest

An addiction requires lying. You have to lie about getting your drug, using it, hiding its consequences, and planning your next relapse. An addiction is full of lying. By the time you’ve developed an addiction, lying comes easily to you. After a while you get so good at lying that you end up lying to yourself. That’s why addicts don’t know who they are or what they believe in.

The other problem with lying is that you can’t like yourself when you lie. You can’t look yourself in the mirror. Lying traps you in your addiction. The more you lie, the less you like yourself, which makes you want to escape, which leads to more using and more lying. Recovery without Withdrawal is a reality, you can do it!

Nothing changes, if nothing changes. Ask yourself this: will more lying, more isolating, and more of the same make you feel better? The expression in AA is – nothing changes if nothing changes. If you don’t change your life, then why would this time be any different? You need to create a new life where it’s easier to not use.

Recovery without Withdrawal requires complete honesty. You must be one-hundred percent completely honest with the people who are your supports: your family, your doctor, your therapist, the people in your 12 step group, and your sponsor. If you can’t be completely honest with them, you won’t do well in recovery.

When you’re completely honest you don’t give your addiction room to hide. When you lie you leave the door open to relapse.

One mistake people make in the early stages of recovery is they think that honesty means being honest about other people. They think they should share what’s “wrong” with other people. But recovery isn’t about fixing other people. It’s about fixing yourself. Stick with your own recovery. Focusing on what you don’t like about others is easy because it deflects attention from yourself.

Honesty won’t come naturally in the beginning. You’ve spent so much time learning how to lie that telling the truth, no matter how good it is for you, won’t feel natural. You’ll have to practice telling the truth a few hundred times before it comes a little easier. In the beginning, you’ll have to stop yourself as you’re telling a story, and say, “now that I think about it, it was more like this…”

Show common sense. Not everybody is your best friend. And not everybody will be glad to know that you have an addiction or that you’re doing something about it. There may be some people who you don’t want to tell about your recovery. But don’t be reluctant to tell the people close to you about your recovery. You should never feel ashamed that you’re doing something about your addiction specially when Recovery without withdrawal is an option.

Addiction recovery without withdrawal

Addiction Recovery, Painless Drugless Addiction Recovery is Possible!

February 23, 2014

Addiction recovery-It’s possible?

people suffering from addiction are struggling with the decision to make the first step to recovery.

When you’re struggling with drug addiction, sobriety can seem like an impossible goal. But recovery is never out of reach, no matter how hopeless your situation seems. Change is possible with the right treatment and support, and by addressing the root cause of your addiction. Don’t give up—even if you’ve tried and failed before. The road to recovery often involves bumps, pitfalls, and setbacks. But by examining the problem and thinking about change, you’re already on your way.

Addiction recovery-Decide to make a change

For many people struggling with addiction, the biggest and toughest step toward recovery is the very first one: deciding to make a change. It’s normal to feel conflicted about giving up your drug of choice, even when you realize it’s causing problems in your life. Change is never easy and committing to sobriety involves changing many things, including:

the way you deal with stress
who you allow in your life

what you do in your free time
how you think about yourself

You may wonder if you’re really ready for all that change or if you have what it takes to quit. It’s okay if you’re torn. Recovering from addiction is a long process, one that requires time, commitment, motivation, and support. As you contemplate your situation, the following tips can help you make the decision.

Thinking about change

Keep track of your drug use, including when and how much you use. This will give you a better sense of the role the addiction is playing in your life.
List the pros and cons of quitting, as well as the costs and benefits of continuing your drug abuse.
Consider the things that are important to you, such as your spouse, children, career and health. How does your drug use affect those things?
Talk it over with someone you trust. Ask the person how he or she feels about your drug use.
Ask yourself if there’s anything preventing you from changing. What are some things that could help you make the change?

Addiction recovery-Explore your treatment options

Once you’ve made the decision to challenge your drug addiction, it’s time to explore your treatment choices. As you consider the options, keep the following in mind:

There’s no magic bullet or single treatment that works for everyone. When considering a program, remember that everyone’s needs are different. Drug addiction treatment should be customized to your unique problems and situation. It’s important that you find a program that feels right.
Treatment should address more than just your drug abuse. Addiction affects your whole life, including relationships, career, health, and psychological well-being. Treatment success depends on developing a new way of living and addressing the reasons why you turned to drugs in the first place. It may have been because of an inability to manage stress, in which case you’ll need to find healthy ways to handle stressful situations.
Commitment and follow through. Drug addiction treatment is not a quick and easy process. In general, the longer and more intense the drug use, the longer and more intense the treatment you’ll need. But regardless of the treatment program’s length in weeks or months, long-term follow-up care is crucial to recovery.
There are many places to turn for help. Not everybody requires medically supervised detox or an extended stint in rehab. The level of care you need depends on your age, drug use history, and other medical or psychiatric conditions. In addition to doctors and psychologists, many clergy members, social workers, and counselors offer addiction treatment services.

As you seek help for drug addiction, it’s also important to get treatment for any other medical or psychological issues you’re experiencing. Your best chance of recovery is through integrated treatment for both the substance abuse problem and the mental health problem. This means getting combined mental health and addiction treatment from the same treatment provider or team.

Addiction recovery-Reach out for support

Don’t try to go it alone. Whatever treatment approach you choose, having a solid support system is essential. The more positive influences you have in your life, the better your chances for recovery. Recovering from drug addiction isn’t easy, but with people you can turn to for encouragement, guidance, and a listening ear, it’s a little less tough.

Lean on close friends and family – Having the support of friends and family members is an invaluable asset in recovery. If you’re reluctant to turn to your loved ones because you’ve let them down before, consider going to couples counseling or family therapy.
Build a sober social network – If your previous social life revolved around drugs, you may need to make some new connections. It’s important to have sober friends who will support your recovery. Try taking a class, joining a church or a civic group, volunteering, or attending events in your community.
Consider moving in to a sober living home – Sober living homes provide a safe, supportive place to live while you’re recovering from drug addiction. They are a good option if you don’t have a stable home or a drug-free living environment to go to.
Make meetings a priority – Join a recovery support group and attend meetings regularly. Spending time with people who understand exactly what you’re going through can be very healing. You can also benefit from the shared experiences of the group members and learn what others have done to stay sober.

Addiction recovery-Learn healthy ways to cope with stress

Even once you’ve recovered from drug addiction, you’ll still have to face the problems that led to your drug problems in the first place. Did you start using drugs to numb painful emotions, calm yourself down after an argument, unwind after a bad day, or forget about your problems? After you become sober, the negative feelings that you used to dampen with drugs will resurface. For treatment to be successful, and to remain sober in the long term, you’ll need to resolve these underlying issues as well.

Conditions such as stress, loneliness, frustration, anger, shame, anxiety, and hopelessness will remain in your life even when you’re no longer using drugs to cover them up. But you will be in a healthier position to finally address them and seek the help you need.

Addiction recovery-Build a meaningful drug free life

You can support your drug treatment and protect yourself from relapse by having activities and interests that provide meaning to your life. It’s important to be involved in things that you enjoy and make you feel needed. When your life is filled with rewarding activities and a sense of purpose, your addiction will lose its appeal.

Pick up a new hobby. Do things that challenge your creativity and spark your imagination, something you’ve always wanted to try.
Adopt a pet. Yes, pets are a responsibility, but caring for an animal makes you feel loved and needed. Pets can also get you out of the house for exercise.
Get involved in your community. Replace your addiction with drug-free groups and activities. Volunteer, become active in your church or faith community, or join a local club or neighborhood group.
Set meaningful goals. Having goals to work toward and something to look forward to can be powerful antidotes to drug addiction. It doesn’t matter what the goals are whether they involve your career, your personal life, or your health, just ensure that they are important to you.
Look after your health. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and healthy eating habits help you keep your energy levels up and your stress levels down. When you feel good, drugs are much less of a temptation. The more you can do to stay healthy, the easier it will be to stay sober.

Addiction recovery-It’s possible?

A good blend of Probiotics and Prebiotic could help you lose and be sexy this summer

February 19, 2014

A good blend of Probiotics and Prebiotic could help you lose and be sexy this summer- Did You Know?

Probiotics

Probiotics are generally safe for children; however you should speak with your pediatrician before giving them to your kids

They are live bacteria in yogurt, other dairy products and pills. Even though probiotics have shown effectiveness in managing certain gastrointestinal conditions, they do not have the same power that prebiotics do. They’re delicate, heat and stomach acid can easily kill them rendering them ineffective even before they are digested. Again, those who don’t eat dairy foods for taste or dietary reasons may find ingesting adequate amounts of probiotics difficult, if not impossible.

What is a prebiotic?

Prebiotic is a specialized plant fiber that beneficially nourishes the good bacteria already in the large bowel or colon. The body itself does not digest these plant fibers; instead, the fibers act as a fertilizer to promote the growth of many of the good bacteria in the gut. These, in turn, provide many digestive and general health benefits.

Probiotics and Children

Probiotics are generally safe for children; however you should speak with your pediatrician before giving them to your kids. They may be beneficial for digestive complaints and diarrhea, but research hasn’t clearly indicated any benefits beyond that.

Kara a researcher says probiotics are live microorganisms found within particular foods that help promote good gut health. Consuming probiotics is thought to increase the “good” bacteria within your gut and assist in maintaining an optimal balance between the good and the bad bacteria that are present.”

Several studies have been carried out and according one published in Bravo 2011, it states that mice that were fed on a particular strain of probiotics showed significantly fewer stress levels, anxiety and depression-related behaviors than those who were not given any probiotics. Besides, they also had lower levels of the stress induced hormone corticosterone.

If you want to lower stress and boost your gut health, with probiotics, then you need to try foods rich in probiotics like yoghurt with live active cultures, kefir (which is often found commercially as a yoghurt style drink), buttermilk, some blue and aged cheeses, as well as non-dairy products such as fermented foods i.e., sauerkraut (fermented cabbage), kimchi (Korean spicy cabbage), tempeh (a fermented soybean product), miso and soy sauce.

The process of manufacturing the food can kill the probiotics strains, which help in improving your gut health, thus, it is important to look out for words like “live” “active” “raw” “unheated” or “unpasteurized”, if you are planning to buy commercial brands from the market.

If you don’t like market products, you can make your own gut boosting products at home yourself, by utilizing simple processes.

On the other hand, Prebiotics are non-digestible, or selectively digestible, carbohydrates that fuel the growth of healthy bacteria in your gut. For this reason, consuming both, foods rich in probiotics, as well as those rich in prebiotics, can be beneficial to your gut health.

Many prebiotics are soluble fibers that are fermented by the bacteria in your gut to produce short chain, fatty acids, which have a range of beneficial effects on your body. These short chain fatty acids are known to reduce inflammation and play a role in digestive health and reduce the incidence of bowel cancer.

Prebiotics have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, slow glucose absorption, and thereby aid with blood glucose control. They can also improve blood lipid (fat) profiles by increasing HDL, your healthy (heart protective) cholesterol, and reduce LDL, your bad cholesterol, and triglycerides (Cani & Delzenne, 2009).

Who needs extra prebiotics and probiotics?
Antibiotics work well at killing off the bad bacteria that make us ill, but they also kill off good bacteria needed for digestion: acidophilus and bifidus, which are both types of probiotics. If you have taken antibiotics in the past, or will need to take them in the future, be sure to supplement with probiotic supplements that contain acidophilus. Other medications, such as the birth control pill and cortisone (used to treat inflammation), may affect gut bacterial balance. In women, recurrent yeast infections may be an indication that the healthy bacterial balance in the large intestine has become compromised.

Supplementing the diet with beneficial bacteria like probiotics and prebiotics stimulates immunity through increased activity of cells (macrophages) that consume invading organisms, as well as through increased production of other white blood cells and cytokines — this could lead to stronger resistance to bacterial and viral infections. In fact, studies have also shown that children attending daycare catch fewer colds and the flu if they are given probiotic supplements containing acidophilus, bifidus or both. Adults have been found to experience the same beneficial effect on immune system function. With benefits ranging from reduced cholesterol and inflammation to improved digestion and weight loss, the right type of bacteria should be a staple in your supplement cupboard (or in this case, fridge).

Getting the healthy bacteria your body needs

Yogurt naturally contains probiotics, but supplements may be more effective if you are looking for a concentrated source. Some prebiotics are naturally found in foods like chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, onions, asparagus, garlic, bananas, barley, wheat, rye, and tomatoes.

Probiotic supplements should be refrigerated to maintain the viability of the microorganisms, in the same way yogurt, milk and other refrigerated cultures need to be stored. Without proper storage, probiotic supplements may spoil and or lose potency.

Suggestion for those who have trouble digesting some probiotics and prebiotics:

Purchase a coconut milk kefir product to get your probiotics in without the lactose.
Consume a small amount of Greek yoghurt (which typically has most of the lactose pre-digested anyway) but don’t consume it along with other foods.

A good blend of Probiotics and Prebiotic could help you lose and be sexy this summer- Did You Know?

Why You Cannot Lose Weight Fast, Act Now, Call the expert!

February 18, 2014

12 Reasons why you Cannot Lose Weight Fast

Why You Cannot Lose Weight Fast, Act Now, Call the expert!

why you may not lose weight is due to poor eating habits and sleep deprivation.

Many at times we tend to follow the right ways in an attempt to losing weight by eating well and exercising, but despite all these efforts weight just won’t go away or worse still it’s going up! Surely, making desperate attempts to lose weight can be so frustrating may create a real stress in our lives. I can say with certainty that weight is the number one stress for women the world over.

We go round and round trying to control what we eat and yet we feeling like failures because the scale doesn’t move, we punishing ourselves for not being more in control, and then manifesting a huge amount of bodily stress that causes further problems in our bodies. Weight loss is achievable by following the right practices and being discipline to then. However there are several reasons that may make us not to lose weight, some of them include:

Why you cannot Lose Weight Fast -Lack of adequate sleep

Sleep deprivation may be hindering your weight loss targets. This brings down your metabolism and affects the hunger hormones leptin and gherkin. You cannot Lose weight Fast if you do not have time to restore.

Leptin hormones has a major function of communicating with the brain to stop eating, whereas Ghrelin is produced in the stomach and has a function of stimulates hunger. Research suggests that inadequate sleep is associated with low levels of leptin, high levels of ghrelin and weight gain.

the solution to sleep deprivation is to off your phone laptop and any other thing that may bring disruption and focus on good sleep hygiene, get to bed early, make sure your room is dark and cool and avoid all drugs including cigarettes, alcohol and sleeping pills. You cannot lose weight fast if you drink alcohol.

Why You Cannot Lose Weight Fast -Consumption of hidden sugars

Sugars are everywhere. The biggest culprits include muesli bars, breakfast cereals, sports drinks, sauces and spreads – even certain peanut butter brands contain sugar. So what’s the big deal? Added sugars are now considered to be more damaging than dietary fat to your weight and overall health, contributing to conditions including dental decay, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

The solution to this is to avoid products with high amounts of added sugar. It may be listed as corn syrup, sucrose, malt, glucose, molasses, fructose, maltose or fruit juice concentrate. You cannot Lose weight Fast if you eat Simple sugars.

You count calories, not nutrients

There is no question that portions need to be smaller in order to lose weight. However, we have become so obsessed with calorie control that we often overlook the most important aspect of food the nutrients.

The solution will be think quality. Don’t just focus on the calories. Instead, choose nutrient oriented food and nourish your body with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants found in fruit, vegetables and wholefoods.

Why you cannot lose weight Fast -You’re absorbing environmental estrogens

Also known as xenoestrogen, these are synthetic chemicals found in plastics, fertilizers, detergents and cosmetics. While the effects of xenoestrogens on the body are still being studied, it is believed they can mimic the biological hormone estrogen. Excess estrogen can result in weight gain in both men and women.

You sit down too much

Watching the Karda Are you eating well and exercising, but your weight just won’t budge? Or it’s going up? Desperate attempts to lose weight can be so frustrating and create a real stress in our lives. In fact, I’ll go as far as saying that weight is the NUMBER ONE stress for women I know. You cannot Lose weight Fast if you are stressed out.

It’s a vicious cycle of trying to control what we eat, feeling like a failure because the scale doesn’t move, punishing ourselves for not being “more in control,” and then manifesting a huge amount of bodily stress that causes further havoc in our bodies. Then we binge or take our diet to an extreme (never healthy) and the cycle continues…

Shians, doing sedentary jobs and stalking old flames on Facebook is a far cry from our hunter-gatherer ancestors. You may think you’re too busy to exercise, but the reality is we are meant to move.

Solution: You may laugh, but this is known as NEAT non-exercise activity thermogenesis). Research suggests those who fidget burn hundreds of extra calories throughout the day. Fidgeting includes crossing or uncrossing the legs, stretching, standing up often or maintaining a good posture. Aim to move every 30 minutes to bump your body out of hibernation mode. You cannot Lose weight Fast if you do not move.

You don’t have time to cook

The combination of busy lifestyles and fast food at our fingertips has resulted in less food preparation in the home. Grabbing breakfast on the go or takeaway for dinner is not good for your waistline.

Solution: Set a goal to attempt a new, healthy 20-minute meal each week. Whenever you make a meal, make extra and freeze portions for those days you don’t have time to cook.

You’re dealing with a hormonal condition

Hormone conditions such as hypothyroidism, polycystic ovarian syndrome and insulin resistance can cause weight gain and make it hard to lose weight.

Solution: Talk to your GP and get tested. If you have one of these conditions, diet may help. Exclude refined carbohydrates and increase good-quality protein, vegetables, seaweed and essential fatty acids. You cannot Lose weight Fast if your hormones are off balance.

You’re not eating enough good fats

For decades dietary fat was considered the enemy when it came to weight loss. But interestingly, since the introduction of low-fat products we have seen an increase in obesity around the world.

Solution: Scrap your negative view on fat and include a small amount of “good” fats in each meal. The essential fatty acids in flaxseed oil, oily fish, nuts and seeds not only help you feel full but also facilitate fat breakdown. You cannot Lose weight Fast if you do not eat enough good fats.

You believe the food hype

Marketing of processed foods can be confusing. A package may read “source of calcium” or “no artificial colors” but still be packed with sugar. Why You Cannot Lose Weight Fast if you do not read labels.

Solution: Read the ingredient list. If sugar is in the first three ingredients or it has chemicals you haven’t heard of, don’t buy it.

Your body has a set point

The set point theory says our body is programmed to be a certain weight and fights to stay there. This may explain why calorie restriction alone doesn’t produce long-term weight loss.

Solution: Steady weight loss through a balanced diet and exercise is the only proven way to lower your set point. Aim for a loss of a kilo a week and give your body time to adjust.

You’re not getting enough Vitamin D.

A huge number of the populations have low Vitamin D, which is associated with weight gain and several metabolic processes. If you spend much of your life indoors, get your Vitamin D checked with your doctor.

Your liver is sluggish and you need a good cleanse!

You cannot lose weight fast if your liver is sluggish. If you’re feeling low, tired, and moody and your diet contains alcohol, coffee and sugar, you need to give your body a break. When your liver is sluggish, it struggles to process substances/toxins/hormones efficiently and this leads to toxic build up and this will inevitably cause weight gain. You might benefit from a seasonal cleanse.

12 Reasons why you cannot lose weight fast

Category Archives: AWAREmed Health and Wellness Resource Center