The Most Important Nutrient: Water

Water: H2O

"You're not sick; you're thirsty. Don't treat thirst with medication."
Dr. F. Batmanghelidj

Most of us are aware of the importance of drinking enough water. Getting our daily dose of water helps our organs perform their functions, keeps our skin clear and hydrated, and allows physical action in our bodies to flow smoothly. Even with this knowledge, it can still be challenging to drink all the water our bodies deserve daily. In the summer, when we tend to play hard, sweat and spend prolonged time in the sun, drinking plenty of water is critical. Those who are not drinking enough may experience poor digestion, sluggish thinking, skin breakouts, headaches, bad breath and general fatigue. 

To start your day right, set a large glass of water by your bed each night and drink it when you wake up. Drinking water first thing in the morning pulls out toxins from the previous day and freshens your system for the day ahead. Keep a bottle of water accessible throughout the day, whether you are on the go or at a desk. Having a bottle of water close by will remind you to take a sip when thirsty. The first sip will usually let you know how much more water you need. A sip or two may be enough, or you may need a big glass. If you drink most of your daily water before early evening, you most likely will not be thirsty before bed. This is good, because drinking before bed and then waking to use the bathroom disturbs your peaceful night’s sleep.

What about quality? Some people like bottled water, while others prefer filtered water. The key is to like the taste of the water you are drinking, and the water should agree with your body. If the taste of plain water is unappealing, experiment to see how you can make it tasty and drinkable. Try adding a few mint leaves, a wedge of lemon, a sprig of parsley, slices of cucumber, a twist of lime or a squeeze of orange to make water more tempting, or to jazz up your routine. Also, drinking tea or juice and eating raw fruits and vegetables contribute to the hydration process. So, splash in the waves, swim in the sun, drink plenty of water and enjoy the summer fun!

Why is Water So Important?

70% of the adult human body is comprised of water (more for children). The human eye is between 95% to 98% water. H2O encompasses 71% of the earth and is vital and essential to EVERY living creature in existence on earth.  The human body requires H2O more than it requires food.  You can survive weeks without food, but only a few days without water.  It is medically necessary for BASIC human survival that a person consume half their body weight in ounces of pure water per DAY.  Therefore, a 200 lb person should ingest 100 ounces of water daily!  95% of the time, the human body does not distinguish between hunger and thirst. When we think we are hungry, we are really thirsty.

All disease and dis‐ease comes from DEHYDRATION.   They are so many so-called incurable diseases that are being treated with drugs and procedures that are caused by lack of water and/or unprocessed sea salt.  The combination of lacking these two essential nutrients and drinking caffeine, alcohol, and soda which wreck our immune systems by ridding our bodies of these nutrients as well as vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes.  Dr. Batmanghelidj said, “We are not sick, we are just thirsty.” He also explains the root cause of the following list of “diseases” is chronic dehydration and claims people should not be sold drugs to treat the symptoms of thirst, which is the main reason they are incurable because the treatment is wrong! 

Dehydration causes our bodies to remain in an acidic state. The acid alkaline balance of the body is measured by the body pH factor.  The pH [potential of hydrogen] ranges from 0 [extreme acidic] to 14 [extreme alkaline].   There is a tenfold difference between each number.  For instance, a body pH of 5 is 10 times more acidic as a body pH of 6.  Optimally, we want the fluids in our bodies to have a neutral pH level, which is 7.0-7.4.  A pH less than 5.3 indicates an inability to assimilate vitamins or minerals. A pH below 7 is acid and above 7 is alkaline.

Toxins in the water we drink keep us from absorbing the correct amount of pure water needed to live a long and healthy life. Pure water has an alkalinity of 7.0 PH.  To stay free of disease a body must stay in an alkaline state.  All diseases thrive in an acidic state. No disease in existence has ever survived in an alkaline state.  Water balances your body and keeps it ALKALINE.  Since the alkaline [higher pH] blood, contains excess oxygen, the heart does not have to work as hard. Aging is accelerated because natural acid salts build up in the walls of your cells, causing them to stiffen, thicken, wrinkle and dry up.  This causes cells to lose their ability to receive essential nutrients and oxygen that are required for health and healing.  By the same token, aging is slowed when acid waste is removed from the body. An infant is highly alkaline.  A typical 75-year-old is highly acidic.  Death is 100% acidity.   Dr. Theodore A. Baroody wrote a blockbuster book entitled: Alkalize or Die. Consumption of beverages, such as pop, coffee, diet soda, etc., cause an acidic environment in the body. The body needs to work to neutralize the acid in the body. In addition to the daily ounces of water required by the human body (as a function of weight) consumption of:

• One 8 oz cup of coffee = 64 ounces of H2O to counteract and maintain optimal pH balance

• One 12 oz can of pop = 90 ounces of H2O r to counteract and maintain optimal pH balance

No health disorder or disease can possibly sustain itself when the pH is maintained in the neutral zone.  This is true for every man, woman and child.  At this level, the body is highly oxygenated; it detoxifies and heals itself; its cells are energized; and it has a strong immunity to all diseases.  Unfortunately, the vast majority of Americans have a pH level of 6.2 to 6.4.

The following are symptoms of dehydration and body being in acidic state:

Acid reflux                                            Autism

Addictions                                             Poor Circulation

Agoraphobia

Most allergies except food                Angina

Arthritis                                                 Asthma  

ADD                                                        ADHD

Back Problems                                      Birth Defects

Cancer                                                   High Cholesterol

Chronic Fatigue                                    Chron’s Disease

Most Colds                                            Colitis

Congestion/Mucus                              Coughing

Cramps (lack of salt)                            Cystic Fibrosis

Depression/Anxiety                            Chronic Dry eyes

Gallstones                                              Gout

Graves disease                                     Headaches

Heart Problems                                    Hiccups

Most HBP                                               Lupus

Many mental disorders                       Minere's disease, MD,

Obesity                                                  Chronis pain

Pet arthritis (99%)                                RSD

Most skin problems                             Strokes

Suicidal tendencies                             Syncope

Thyroid disease                                    Ulcers

Urinary tract infections.*

Works Cited

http://www.doctorajadams.com/AcidAlkaline.html

http://www.watercure2.org/

http://www.watercure.com/index.html

June Bugs and Fruit Smoothies

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Healthy Healing Habits June Bugs June, 2012 Newsletter Title Month, Year Greetings! Summer is upon us, schools are letting out and it's time for vacations, relaxing, camps, water sports and June bugs!  Take this short 3 months to start a new health routine, grow a garden, learn something new. "Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly." Pablo Neruda, 100 Love Sonnets Sincerely, Melissa Binkey Healthy Healing Habits Crazy Cravings Killing You? There's no denying that everyone, at one time or another, has had a snack attack. Views on snacking differ. Some feel that snacking is bad and that eating between meals leads to weight gain. Others believe that eating many small meals and snacks throughout the day is healthy for maintaining energy levels and optimal weight. If there were one way of snacking that was right for everyone, we would all be doing it!   To alleviate snack attack guilt, try to understand why you are snacking and what snacks work best for your body. Perhaps you snack because your daily diet is missing nutrition, or because you are eating too little at meals. You might be snacking to soothe jangled nerves when you are emotional, or to entertain yourself when you are bored. Whatever your reason, acknowledge it and start thinking about how to create a life that is nourishing and truly satisfying. Although snacks are no substitute for loving your life, they can be great energy boosters. Many convenient snack foods are highly processed and full of chemicals, additives, damaging fats and refined sugars. When a snack attack hits you, try foods that are filling and satisfying, but also nutritious. Here are some tips: Snack on things that don't come in a plastic wrapper or a box, like fresh fruit, leftover vegetables or rice cakes with almond butter and fruit spread. Make your own signature trail mix, organic hot chocolate made with almond milk sweetened with agave nectar, or blue corn chips with hummus. You can also try "upgrading": If you are craving something crunchy, upgrade from potato chips to raw carrots, apples or whole grain crackers. If you are craving a candy bar, upgrade to a handful of nuts and dried fruit. Instead of a cup of coffee, upgrade to green tea. Instead of ice cream, upgrade to applesauce with cinnamon. Upgraded snacks are high in nutrition and give you a greater sense of satiety and satisfaction; you won't feel physically or psychologically deprived, and you'll have plenty of energy to sustain your activities for hours. Snacking is enjoyable and there is a wide variety of healthful goodies forwhatever you're craving, be it sweet, crunchy, salty, creamy or spicy. Dive in, be creative and enjoy your snack attack.  To learn more about cravings and where they come from read this article: Crazy Cravings FOOD FOCUS: Fruit                                                                                                   A healthy lifestyle is the key to longevity, optimum weight, abundant energy and balance. By using fruit to satisfy our taste for sweetness, we can leave behind the use of chemical, processed and refined sweeteners. Fruits are easy to digest, are cleansing and cooling and are great for those who are overstressed and overheated from excessive mental strain or hot climates. Fruits are filled with fiber and liver stimulants, which act as natural, gentle laxatives. Whenever possible, buy fresh, locally grown fruit as opposed to imported fruits shipped from far-off places. This keeps you eating in season, and more in harmony with your environment and climate. Eating raw fruit in summer months is highly cooling, while baking it in the winter months neutralizes the cooling effect. Fruit in the form of juice is a great choice for cleansing the body, but be aware that juice rapidly raises blood sugar levels, leading to an energy crash soon after. Frozen, whole, puréed or juiced fruit can make great summertime cool-down treats. Try frozen grapes, banana-coconut smoothie popsicles or lime juice ice-cubes in iced tea! Whether you are having fresh fruit for a light early morning breakfast, a midday snack or evening treat, enjoy nature's sweetness and whenever possible buy organic. Here are a few summer fruits and their health benefits: Apricots: Great for lung conditions and asthma; used to help treat anemia due to their high copper and cobalt content. Bananas: Help to lubricate the intestines, treat ulcers, detoxify the body and manage sugar cravings; are rich in potassium (which helps hypertension). Cherries: Slightly warming in nature; increase overall body energy, remedy arthritis and rheumatism and are rich in iron, which improves the blood. Grapefruits: Treat poor digestion, increase appetite during pregnancy, alleviate intestinal gas and reduce mucus conditions of the lungs. Papayas: Tone the stomach, act as digestive aid, moisten the lungs and alleviate coughing; contain carpaine, an anti-tumor compound. Raspberries: Benefit the liver and kidneys, cleanse blood of toxins, regulate menstrual cycles, treat anemia and can promote labor at childbirth.  Want to learn more about fruit read this article: Fruitilicious About Me Healthy Healing Habits is the most effective and supportive nutrition counseling available.  I can help you overcome your eating addictions, reduce stress, have more energy, improve your sports performance through better nutrition and love who you see in the mirror.  I am dedicated to teaching healthy healing habits that last a lifetime.  Call me for a consultation 561-578-9492 or email FitChicMelissa@gmail.com Melissa Binkley Visit My Website In This Issue Snack Attack Fruit Healthy Healing Habits SE 10th Ave Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33316 Melissa Binkey Find Me Here:       Recipe of the Month: Fruit Nut Smoothie Prep time: 5 minutes Yield: 2 servings Ingredients: 1 banana 1 cup soy or rice milk 1 cup berries 1 cup diced melon 1/2 cup almonds 2-4 ice cubes Directions: 1.   Mix in blender for 1-2 minutes and serve. Note: You can add other ingredients for added nutrition such as a spoonful of bee pollen, coconut oil, flax seed oil, spirulina powder or a scoop of protein powder.

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Phytochemicals for Healthy Skin

Skin is the largest organ in our body, weighing about eleven pounds. Our skin serves as a protective shield against environmental chemicals, toxins, bacteria and UV radiation. We collectively spend billions of dollars each year to enhance our skin’s physical outward appearance. Fortunately, a healthy diet is an inexpensive solution to improve the protective qualities and appearance of our skin. 

Phytochemicals Protect Against Sun Damage
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., affecting one out of every five Americans. UV rays produce harmful free radicals, which can damage our DNA and lead to cancer. While certain types ofsunscreen and sunblock effectively block UVA and UVB rays from the sun, a nutrient dense diet can enhance our natural defenses against UV rays by combating free radical damage. For example consider the following two phytochemicals. 

• Lycopene is a carotenoid antioxidant found in red and pink fruits such as tomato, grapefruit, and papaya. Studies show that lycopene has photo-protective qualities that prevent and repair DNA damage to the skin caused by the sun.2 • Polyphenols are a family of antioxidants that possess anti-inflammatory and photoprotective activities that improve the overall quality of the skin. Polyphenols are found in most fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts and seeds. Rich sources include onions (flavanols), cacao, grapes, peanuts (resveratrol), apples and green tea (catechins), citrus fruits (flavanones), and berries (anthocyanidins). Studies have shown that the catechins and flavanols offer significant protection against solar-induced skin tumors and also repaired UVB skin damage and increased skin circulation, elasticity and hydration.3

Phytochemicals Give the Skin a Healthy Glow
As a society, we tend to recognize tanned skin as an indicator of health and vitality. However, darkening the skin with the sun’s rays promotes wrinkling and aging of the skin. On the other hand, food-derived carotenoids are pigment molecules that can "color" the skin with a slight yellow-orange tinge providing protective health benefits. One interesting study found that people preferred the skin color caused by carotenoids over the skin color from a suntan, suggesting that carotenoids contribute to a healthier and younger looking complexion.⁴ There is a direct correlation between skin color and health: skin with an orange tinge reflects a healthy, nutrient rich diet.
A diet rich in phytochemicals and antioxidants provides protection against skin damage and cancer and is also an effective way to achieve healthful looking skin.

Phytochemicals and antioxidants can be found in my favorite nutritious shake!! Find out more Here:  Shakeology

References

1. Skin Cancer Foundation: Skin Cancer Facts. October 14, 2010]; Available from: http://www.skincancer.org/Skin-Cancer-Facts/.
2. Rizwan, M., et al., Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo. Br J Dermatol, 2010. 
3. Heinrich, U., Neukam K., et al. Long-Term Ingestion of High Flavanol Cocoa Provides Photoprotection against UV-Induced Erythema and Improves Skin Condition in Women. J. Nutr. June 1, 2006 vol. 136 no. 6 1565-1569 
4. Stephen, I.D., Coetzee, V., Perrett, D.I., Carotenoid and melanin pigment coloration affect perceived human health. Evolution and Human Behavior, 2010.