The start of a new year is the time many people think about making resolutions, often
to improve their health. Although made with good intentions, they're often forgotten or
neglected within a month or two. Perhaps by making some simple changes over time you can
lead a healthier life without too much sacrifice. However it's important to stick with
your changes for at least 6 to 8 weeks in order to make them a habit.
- Discard any margarine or solid shortenings in your pantry and refrigerator. Discard any
old or rancid oils. Replace them with extra-virgin olive oil and, perhaps, a bottle of
organic canola oil or a dark-roasted sesame oil. Margarine and shortenings are
particularly unhealthy because of their high percentage of saturated fats. Even more
worrisome is that the process of artificially hydrogenating oils deforms the fatty acids
into trans-fatty acids (TFAs). Consuming these TFAs may negatively affect the hormonal
system that helps healing and may encourage the development of cancer. Scary stuff indeed!
- Discard any products that have artificial color. Look for phrases like "color
added," "artificially colored," or the name of a particular dye.
- Discard any artificial sweeteners, such as saccharin or aspartame, and any products
containing these chemicals. Although they are promoted as helpful for weight-loss, they
have been linked to headaches and menstrual dysfunction. There is also some concern that
they might actually be toxic and may promote cancer.
- Drink more water. Buy bottled water if you have to or add a water filter to one of your
faucets if your tap water doesn't taste good or if it has been chlorinated. Chlorine is a
strong oxidizing agent that may promote heart disease. Additionally unfiltered tap water
may contain cancer-causing chemicals such as arsenic, radon, or nitrates.
- Eat more broccoli, brussel sprouts, and/or cabbage for their anti-cancer properties. Try
lightly steaming so that they are still a little crunchy and bright green.
- Eat more whole grains. Adding fiber to your diet can help lower cholesterol, reduce the
risk of colon cancer, and slow the absorption of sugars. Dietitians say we should eat 40
grams of fiber every day, although most of us eat less than 20 grams per day. It's been
said that you would need to eat 50 loaves of white bread to consume enough fiber. Yech.
Instead try eating more brown and black rice, wild rice, kasha, and whole wheat. You don't
have to stop eating the refined-flour completely, just don't eat as much of it.
- Try adding flax seed meal or oily fish (salmon, sardines, kippers, mackerel) to your
diet. These are all good sources of omega-3 fatty acids which inhibit blood clotting thus
reducing the risk of heart attack. They can also help reduce cholesterol levels.
- Try substituting green tea for coffee and soda. Higher levels of catechins in green tea
can help lower cholesterol and may have anti-cancer effects.
- Try substituting a soybean product for animal-based foods. Many animals used for food
have been routinely given antibiotics and growth-hormones which may remain in their meat
or milk. Soybean products include tofu, tempeh, soy hotdogs and burgers.
(NOTE: You may want to eat meat from organic, grass-fed animals
instead of soybean products. Despite the marketing hype, soybean
products may actually be harmful, rather than healthful. For more
information see Dangers
of Soy Products.)
- Eat more garlic - raw if you can or lightly cooked if you can't. It can help lower blood
pressure, help lower cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, and help inhibit blood
clotting that could lead to heart attacks. It may also help protect against cancer by
inactivating ingested carcinogens. These positive attributes more than outweigh the
negative attribute of a little odor!
- Start taking vitamin C - up to 2000 milligrams per day. Ester-C is a wonderful way to
increase your vitamin C consumption without causing digestive upsets. For more information
on the benefits of taking mega-doses of vitamin C go to Breakthroughs
with Vitamin-C. If you would like to purchase
Ester-C please see it in our section on Dynamite Products.
- Start taking vitamin A or a mixed carotene supplement - up to 25,000 IU per day. Beta
carotene is another antioxidant and can help slow the aging process. You should also eat
fruits and vegetables that contain carotenes - carrots, cantaloupes, peaches, apricots,
squash, sweet potatoes, collards and kale.
- Start taking vitamin E - up to 800 IU per day. Vitamin E is also an antioxidant that can
block oxidation of LDL cholesterol (the kind that damages arteries). Be sure to take the
natural variety (d-alpha-tocopherol, not the dl-… version). By the way, Dynamite Plus for Adults includes
these three antioxidants plus a bunch of other vitamins and minerals in the proper
balance.
- Try to buy organic produce to avoid harmful chemicals that may have been applied to the
produce itself or to the soil. Although these chemicals may be in such small quantities to
do no observable, immediate harm they may accumulate over time and cause serious health
problems.
- Try a "fruit fast" one day per week. Although it's called a fast, you are
allowed to eat as much fruit and drink as much water and herbal tea as you would like.
Fruit is easily broken down by your digestive system so for one day you will be giving
your digestive system a rest. On these days take your vitamin C, but not any of the other
supplements.
- Try to avoid close contact to electromagnetic fields. These fields may disrupt the
body's healing system. Some common sources to avoid are microwave ovens, older computers,
electric blankets, electric clocks, and blow driers. You don't need to stop using these
products, just put some space between them and you while they are operating. Place your
bedroom clock at least a foot away from your head. Pre-warm your bed with the heating
blanket, but turn it off before you retire for the night. Stand away from the microwave
while it is operating and only use it for short periods of time. Long cooking times (30
minutes or more) may cause molecular changes that could be harmful.
- Consider buying an air filter for your house. More people are developing respiratory
problems such as allergies, asthma, bronchitis and sinusitis. A natural alternative is to
grow more house plants. Some of the best at absorbing toxic gases are the spider plant,
Boston fern, and English ivy.
- Do more exercise. Try walking more or take the stairs instead of the elevator. Add some
stretching exercises each day. Join a gym and do some weight lifting (it can help prevent
or reverse osteoporosis).
- Use sunscreen or sunblock regularly when you go outside. Advertising has convinced us
that a tan makes us look good, but UV rays can cause wrinkling, skin cancer and eye
problems such as cataracts. Your sunscreen or sunblock should protect against UV-B and
UV-A rays. You should also wear sunglasses with a UV-blocking coating.
- Pamper yourself. Buy some flowers. Take a long, relaxing bath. Turn off the television
and curl up with a good book. Get a massage. Try deep breathing exercises. Meditate. Just
do something to slow down for a few minutes and feel good!
You may want to check with your doctor before attempting these changes, but most people
should be able to make these changes in their lives with no ill effects.
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