MAN LOSES 154 POUNDS AND OVERCOMES DIABETES, SAYS EATING WHOLE FOODS WAS KEY TO WEIGHT LOSS SUCCESS

(NaturalNews) Six-foot one-inch tall Kerry Hoffman used to weigh 343 pounds, have diabetes and frequently indulge in processed, unhealthy foods (1). "I ate anything that tasted good -- wings, pizza, stuffed burgers, tons of sweets and dessert," said Hoffman, whose father passed away from liver disease. Not long after his father's death came the birth of his daughter. These two life events served as his breaking point, urging him to become healthy.

Today, the 32-year-old man has shed 154 pounds, and he currently weighs 189 pounds. He's no stranger to triathlons and cycling, and is used to people coming up to him asking for his weight loss and health advice.

More important than his participation in fitness events is the fact that his health has improved significantly. He recalls visiting his doctor and hearing him announce, "You have officially cured yourself of diabetes." (1) Furthermore, Hoffman was also taken off other medications for cholesterol and blood pressure.

Eating better to achieve weight loss goals

Hoffman explains that, in addition to incorporating fitness into his daily routine, he began eliminating junk food from his diet, which he still avoids today. "I eat mainly whole foods. I stay away from processed stuff as much as possible," he said. "I never ate vegetables or salad before, and now two helpings of salad with homemade dressing is a staple every evening, as well as a fresh veggie." (1)

Losing weight, as most are aware, is beneficial for overall health. Not only can losing excess pounds provide relief for the body's joints and increased energy, but studies show that weight loss achieved at any age also has long-term cardiovascular benefits (2), suggesting that it's possible for people to improve health no matter their age.

Others also prove that fresh fruits and vegetables are key to weight loss

Others like Hoffman have also been successful in the weight loss department, attributing their changes to better fitness and dietary habits.

For example, Justin Willoughby lost over 550 pounds in part due to giving up high-sugar foods and processed meats and, instead, enjoying natural foods and plenty of fruits and vegetables (3).

There's also Luis Melendez, who lost 120 pounds and no longer needs to be on certain medications, because he turned to a raw food diet (4).

Jennifer Lilley is yet another weight loss success story who says her ability to lose, and keep off the 70 pounds she lost, is in large part because of the fact that she includes plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and superfoods in her diet (5).

References

(1) http://www.huffingtonpost.com

(2) http://www.naturalnews.com

(3) http://blogs.naturalnews.com

(4) http://www.naturalnews.com

(5) http://www.naturalnews.com

Source

http://www.naturalnews.com/045747_whole_foods_weight_loss_success_story.html

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SECRET RUSSIAN WEAPON COULD WIPE OUT NYC, BOSTON AND D.C. IN MINUTES WITH A MASSIVE RADIOACTIVE TIDAL WAVE

(Natural News) According to a high-level Russian source with ties to the military (named in the podcast below), Russia not only possesses a devastating secret weapon against the United States; they’ve already apparently put it in place off the East Coast shoreline.

The existence of this secret weapon — which could unleash a massive radioactive tidal wave that devastates cities along the East Coast — has been covered by the BBC in this article:

The Kremlin says secret plans for a Russian long-range nuclear torpedo – called “Status-6” – should not have appeared on Russian TV news. The leak happened during a report on state-run Channel One about President Vladimir Putin meeting military chiefs in the city of Sochi.

One general was seen studying a diagram of the “devastating” torpedo system. Launched by a submarine, it would create “wide areas of radioactive contamination”, the document says.

The “oceanic multi-purpose Status-6 system” is designed to “destroy important economic installations of the enemy in coastal areas and cause guaranteed devastating damage to the country’s territory by creating wide areas of radioactive contamination, rendering them unusable for military, economic or other activity for a long time”, the document says.

Nuclear Moles: Warhead-carrying underwater drones that can be timed to unleash massive, radioactive tidal waves of destruction

The weapon is known as a “nuclear mole,” and it’s an underwater drone that carries a nuclear warhead, then burrows into the seabed floor off the coast of the target country. Once buried into the sea floor, these nuclear weapons can be remotely detonated to cause a massive tidal wave that would wipe out coastal cities in minutes.

I have estimated that a series of these weapons could be detonated in a timed sequence that multiplies the amplitude of the tidal wave, causing a much larger and more devastating wave than any single weapon by itself.

In addition to the physical destruction that could result from such a weapon, the tidal wave would contain radioactive sea water, making it a “dirty bomb” in addition to the physical destruction. The “dirty bomb” aspect of such a weapon would deposit deadly concentrations of radioactive isotopes across the affected cities, leaving behind a toxic legacy of radioactive elements such as iodine-131, cesium-137 and various isotopes of uranium and plutonium, both of which have far longer half lives than iodine (approx. 7 days) and cesium (approx. 29 years).

Washington D.C., New York City, Philadelphia and Boston are all highly vulnerable to this weapon system, as they sit very close to the U.S. coastline and are well within reach of nuclear-initiated radioactive tidal waves.

Russia is at least a decade ahead of the U.S. military in weapon systems innovation

Russia has also developed many other highly innovative weapon systems that are years ahead of the U.S. military, reports Dave Hodges at The Common Sense Show. These include the “Plasma Fighter Jet” that fires a plasma weapon, the “Naval Proton Gun,” the Krasuha-4, a mobile electronic warfare system, and the S-400 Triumph, a highly advanced anti-aircraft system that can track 300 airborne targets and fire surface-to-air missiles to almost any imaginable aircraft height, including 40 miles of altitude (essentially low Earth orbit).

The U.S. military, meanwhile, was forced under Obama to focus on transgender rights and twisted, Left-wing social experiments rooted in feminism and LGBT agendas rather than battle readiness. America’s military, in other words, has become a liberal “safe space” while Russians’ military has become a dangerous fighting machine… which is, of course, the entire point of a military force.

If this isn’t immediately turned around under President Trump, America’s ability to fight and win a conflict with Russia (or China, for that matter) is seriously in question. This in no way condemns the fine men and women in the military itself, who despised Obama’s pathetic policies. The spirit of our troops is fully intact, and they are ecstatic that Hillary Clinton is not their Commander in Chief. But they need our continued support and investment in weapons systems that can compete with the innovation of Russia.

Follow @ulthealthnews

Reference

http://www.naturalnews.com/2017-03-18-secret-russian-weapon-could-wipe-out-nyc-boston-and-d-c-in-minutes-with-a-massive-radioactive-tidal-wave.html

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A SOUR TRUTH ABOUT SWEETS AND OBESITY

By pH health care professionals

It’s no secret that obesity has been rising in America, and there are millions of people who want to get to the root cause of their weight gain so they can enjoy a healthy life.

According to the CDC, the 2011–2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that 33.9 percent of U.S. adults aged 20 and older were overweight, 35.1 percent were obese, and 6.4 percent were extremely obese. Comparatively, in 1988, the number of overweight people was about the same, but the number of obese people was significantly lower at 22 percent. In the 1960s, obesity rates were just 13 percent. Times have changed, and it makes you wonder .

What is going on?

Part of the problem may be the rise of sugar and sweeteners in the food supply.

A review of several studies found a clear association between sugar-sweetened beverages and weight gain. The amount of soda and sweetened-beverage consumption has led to excess weight in children and adults alike.

These excess sugars combine with fatty acids to form extra body fat. Excess fat and weight have been repeatedly shown to be associated with increased risk for blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and even cancer.

What about artificial sweeteners found in low-calorie food options?

Introduction of artificial sweeteners has in some ways led to a lower calorie intake in some people, while others have gained weight. So switching from regular sugar to artificial sweeteners may not be the best weight loss strategy.

Moreover, research shows artificial sweeteners don't provide any nutritional benefits, and they may leave you hungrier! Some studies suggest artificial sweeteners don’t stimulate the brain’s satiety centers. That means the brain continues to “feel hungry” after artificial sweeteners, leading to cravings and urges to eat excess calories, therefore causing weight gain.  

What about natural sweeteners?

There are a variety of natural zero-calorie or low-calorie sweeteners such as sugar alcohols (Erythritol and Xylitol), novel sweeteners (Stevia, Tagatose and Trehalose) and natural sweeteners (agave, date sugar, fruit juice and maple syrup). Natural sweeteners may be healthier, but keep in mind that excess use can still cause weight gain. New products keep popping up on the market; however, more research will be needed to prove their safety and positive health effects.

Be proactive!

• Minimize intake of artificial sweeteners and sweetened drinks, which may cause you to gain weight.
• Reduce your sugar cravings by reducing sugar in your diet (it’s habit-forming!).
• Craving something sweet? Opt for raw fruits – a much healthier alternative.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

References

http://phlabs.com/a-sour-truth-about-sweets-and-obesity

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VEGAN ZUCCHINI BASIL SOUP

 

Last summer, I had a lucky opportunity to spend a few weeks in France visiting vineyards, tasting wine, and of course eating great food. Whenever I travel, I come back with a list of recipes that I might want to recreate. Very often, the ones I actually end up making in my kitchen… the ones that stand out in my memory the most… are the simplest.

Jack met me toward the end of the trip which left me with some time alone in Paris while waiting for his flight to arrive. I knew exactly how to spend the day – I headed to the store Merci. Have you been there? It an Insta-worthy store full of home goods galore and it’s the sort of place that you should go to without your significant other because he’ll likely get impatient while you’re looking at every beautiful bowl, spoon, and table-scape. They also have the cutest little library-themed cafe that was just perfect for my afternoon alone. The soup du jour was zucchini basil soup. “It’s a cold soup,” the waiter warned me before I ordered it. I thought – great, I love gazpacho. But when it came it wasn’t gazpacho at all – it wasn’t ice cold and it wasn’t too acidic. It was this lovely bright green room temperature soup served with toasted garlic bread and it was perfect.

I’m not sure what took me so long to make this soup at home but when method reached out wanting to partner on a series of posts inspired by the herbal scents of their new kitchen hand wash, I immediately thought of this soup. Their plant-derived formula is specifically made to get food scents off your hands – especially pungent flavors like garlic. If you’ve ever gone to bed (hours later) with garlic hands, you’ll appreciate this kitchen wash 

Plus, the pretty basil bottle is pretty on your kitchen counter top.

I’ve tried to make basil soups before I realized that my mistake was in trying to heat it. The basil gets bruised and it can turn bitter. By keeping the soup at room temp (I like to serve it lightly chilled), it retains all of its fresh, vibrant flavor. The only thing that gets cooked here are the leeks (well, and the garlic-y croutons). After that, it all goes into the blender and voila!

There’s no cream or cream substitute. The blended zucchini and a scoop of hemp seeds makes this soup plenty creamy and, not to mention, light and healthy.

For depth of flavor I added a scoop of white miso paste. To make it bright, I added a bunch of lemon of course.

Blend until smooth and then add the basil last so that it doesn’t get hot from the heat of the blender.

Top the soup with toasty garlic croutons – this step is not optional. They really balance the “health” taste of this soup and make it nicely substantial. As always, soups taste better on the second day so this is a great make-ahead lunch option.

Zucchini Basil Soup

Serves: serves 4

Ingredients

§  ⅔ cup sliced leeks (the tender white and light green parts only)

§  extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

§  1 garlic clove, chopped

§  2 small zucchini, chopped + a few strands of spiralized or julienned zucchini for garnish

§  ¼ cup hemp seeds

§  juice of ½ lemon, more to taste

§  ½ tablespoon miso paste

§  1 cup water, more as needed for consistency

§  ½ cup packed fresh basil

§  sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

garlic croutons:

§  2 cups cubed sourdough bread

§  ½ garlic clove, minced

§  Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions

1.     Slice the white and light green parts of the leek into rings. Rinse well, drain, and let dry.

2.     Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a small skillet over medium-low heat. Add the leeks and a pinch of salt and cook until very soft, 5 to 8 minutes. Taste one, the leeks should be a bit translucent and should not have a bitter taste. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. Remove from the heat.

3.     In a blender, combine the leek mixture with the zucchini, hemp seeds, lemon juice, miso, water and a few grinds of pepper and blend until smooth. Add the basil and blend again. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more lemon for brightness and salt to taste. Add more water if you prefer a thinner consistency.

4.     Make the garlic croutons:

5.     Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. On the baking sheet, toss the croutons with the garlic and a drizzle of olive oil. Bake until crisp, about 8 minutes.

6.     Serve the soup at room temperature, or lightly chilled, with the garlic croutons and a drizzle of olive oil.

Reference

https://www.loveandlemons.com/zucchini-basil-soup/

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HOW MUCH SHOULD I BE EXERCISING FOR MY AGE?

By pH health care professionals

Physical activity is an important cornerstone for a healthy life. We know it can help with weight management, disease prevention, heart health and better sleep -- at any age!

Research has shown kids who are active may perform better in school. Middle-aged and older adults who exercise may be protecting their brains. Older adults who exercise may perform better on memory tasks and have a lower risk of dementia. There are benefits at every age.

How much should you be exercising and what types of exercise?

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provides the following recommendations for the amount and type of physical activity needed by age:

Ages 6-17

• Children and adolescents should do an hour or more of physical activity daily.
• Aerobic: Most of the 60 or more minutes a day should be either moderate or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity and should be done at least 3 days a week.
• Muscle-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include muscle-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• Bone-strengthening: As part of their 60 or more minutes of daily physical activity, children and adolescents should include bone-strengthening physical activity on at least 3 days of the week.
• It is important to encourage young people to participate in physical activities that are appropriate for their age, that are enjoyable and offer variety.

Ages 18-64

• All adults should avoid inactivity. Some physical activity is better than none, and adults who participate in any amount of physical activity gain some health benefits.
• For substantial health benefits, adults should do at least 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity, or 1 hour and 15 minutes a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity. Aerobic activity should be performed in episodes of at least 10 minutes, and preferably, it should be spread throughout the week.
• For additional and more extensive health benefits, adults should increase their aerobic physical activity to 5 hours a week of moderate-intensity, or 2 and a half hours a week of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity, or an equivalent combination of moderate and vigorous-intensity activity. Additional health benefits are gained by engaging in physical activity beyond this amount.
• Adults should also include muscle-strengthening activities that involve all major muscle groups, two or more days a week.

Ages 65 and older

• Older adults should follow the adult guidelines. When older adults cannot meet the adult guidelines, they should be as physically active as their abilities and conditions will allow.
• Older adults should do exercises that maintain or improve balance if they are at risk of falling.
• Older adults should determine their level of effort for physical activity relative to their level of fitness.
• Older adults with chronic conditions should understand whether and how their conditions affect their ability to do regular physical activity safely.

Examples of types of exercise

Moderate-intensity physical activity: Aerobic activity that increases a person’s heart rate and breathing to some extent. On a scale relative to a person’s capacity, moderate-intensity activity is usually a 5 or 6 on a 0 to 10 scale. Brisk walking, dancing, swimming or bicycling on a level terrain are examples.

Vigorous-intensity physical activity: Aerobic activity that greatly increases a person’s heart rate and breathing. On a scale relative to a person’s capacity, vigorous-intensity activity is usually a 7 or 8 on a 0 to 10 scale. Jogging, singles tennis, swimming continuous laps or bicycling uphill are examples.

Muscle-strengthening activity: Physical activity, including exercise that increases skeletal muscle strength, power, endurance and mass. It includes strength training, resistance training and muscular strength and endurance exercises.

Bone-strengthening activity: Physical activity that produces an impact or tension force on bones, which promotes bone growth and strength. Running, jumping rope and lifting weights are examples.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

References

http://phlabs.com/how-much-should-i-be-exercising-for-my-age

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TOXIC INGREDIENTS IN SODAS AND CANCER CAUSING INGREDIENTS IN PEPSI

By pH health care professionals

Do you love soda? Nearing possible addiction? This is nothing to be ashamed of, and the World Health Organization feels your pain and wants to help. Sugar-sweetened beverages are a significant contributor to the worldwide rise in obesity and diabetes, WHO said. In fact, obesity has at least doubled since 2014, and diabetes has risen to nearly 10 percent of the worldwide population.

In an effort to reduce the problem, WHO is suggesting countries implement a new tax to deter people from buying sugary drinks, and to ultimately prevent associated diseases and health care costs. In its October report, WHO recommended a tax of around 20-50 percent on beverages sweetened with sucrose, high-fructose corn syrup or fruit juice concentrates. This would affect the prices of sodas, energy drinks, sports drinks, iced teas, lemonade and fruit drinks.

Some cities in the United States have already moved in this direction. Philadelphia, for example, passed a tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and artificially sweetened beverages at 1.5 cents per ounce to go into effect January 1, 2017. The original measure suggested 3 cents per ounce, which was studied by Harvard researchersfrom the Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study (CHOICES). The benefits they found included:

• 36,000 cases of obesity prevented over a ten-year period.
• 2,280 cases of diabetes prevented over a one-year period once the tax reached its full effect.
• $200 million saved in health care costs over a ten-year period.

The tax would be on beverage distributors, which would likely lead to a price increase around 20 cents per 12-ounce can or $1 per two-liter bottle. The city expects the tax will bring in at least $91 million in revenue to help fund pre-K expansion, community schools and parks and recreation centers.

CHOICES also took it a step further to examine the possible results in other communities, including Albany, Oakland and San Francisco, CA (one cent per ounce tax), as well as Boulder, CO (two cents per ounce tax). They found that such measures would “prevent cases of childhood and adult obesity, prevent new cases of diabetes, increase healthy life years, and save more in future health care costs than it would cost to implement.”

So WHO may be onto something with its proposal! The question now is what the consumer would think. Would you support a tax on sweetened beverages?

If you are currently struggling with weight management, our new book, Minerals - The Forgotten Nutrient, has some information that may interest you. Click here to check it out!

Interested in more content about sugar? Click here.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

References

World Health Organization gets proactive to fight diabetes and obesity

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YOUR CHAIR MAY BE YOUR LIVER’S WORST ENEMY

By pH health care professionals

More and more research is pointing toward an unsuspected silent killer … your chair!

You’ve probably heard the news about studies linking prolonged sitting and inactivity with obesity, diabetes and heart disease -- but a new study from South Korea published in the Journal of Hepatology says there’s also evidence that all that sitting may be increasing your risk for liver disease.

Researchers found that prolonged sitting and decreased physical activity were independently associated with increased incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Study participants who sat for 10 or more hours a day had a greater risk for developing NAFLD than those who spent less than five hours a day sitting. And those who were physically active were less likely to develop NAFLD than those who were inactive.

SO WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?

Many of us spend our days sitting thanks to long commute times, desk jobs and a seemingly never-ending selection of TV shows to watch, stream and download. Unfortunately, more sitting means less moving. That sedentary lifestyle comes with more snacking and an unhealthy diet, research shows, and a host of other health problems including higher BMI, body fat content, insulin resistance and higher circulatory lipids – “all of which influence liver lipid content,” according to Michael Trennell, professor of metabolism and lifestyle medicine at Newcastle University, in an editorial accompanying the study.

“The message is clear, our chairs are slowly but surely killing us,” Trennell wrote.

HOW CAN YOU BE PROACTIVE?

• Reverse the curse of the chair! What’s the opposite of a sedentary lifestyle? An active one! Research shows exercise can improve liver lipids. And although there may not be a specific recommendation for exercise as it relates to NAFLD, a good place to start would be following the general guidelines for 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week or 10,000 steps a day (for most people). If you have a specific medical condition or health concerns, or you are a senior citizen, you may want to talk to a qualified health care professional before starting up a new exercise regimen. Bored with exercising? Try something new!
• Take a small step in the right direction. Doing a little is better than nothing at all. Even doing light activity instead of sitting may help reduce your risk for NAFLD, lead study author Dr. Seungho Ryu says.
• Take breaks from sitting. Current research doesn’t really say exactly how much sitting is “too much,” Trennell commented in the editorial. “We just know that it is better to sit less than to sit more.” So, can you set a timer and remind yourself to walk, stand or stretch throughout your work day? Are there other activities you could try after work instead of watching television?
• Test, don’t guess. According to the American Liver Foundation, fatty liver disease affects up to 25 percent of Americans, and often, there are no obvious symptoms. Be proactive and come talk to the pH health care professionals about what type of test would be best for you.

Enjoy Your Healthy Life!

References

http://phlabs.com/livers-worst-enemy

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