Posts Tagged ‘diet’

Maple Syrup (Master Cleanse)

Thursday, July 1st, 2010

I have been testing the Master Cleanse diet and thought I would post what it is and also the results during the testing.

Maple Syrup Diet Recipe

So here it is, the Maple Syrup Diet, also known as the Lemon Cleansing Diet, the Lemonade Diet or the Master Cleanse which can supposedly be used for 3-10 days safely. This diet isn’t new. The naturopath, Stanley Borroughs, developed it back in the 1950′s.

Take a clean one-gallon (4 l) jug and pour in the following:

3 Quarts (3.18 l) of Water

1 Cup (250 ml) Lemon Juice – just get yourself bottle of the pure juice from concentrate.
1 Cup (250 ml) Pure Maple Syrup, organic if you can find it and not maple flavored products. The cost of an 8 ounce bottle ranges between 8-12 dollars. Buy the cheaper versions.
1 Teaspoon (5 ml) Cayenne

Shake it all up and drink 8-12 glasses a day. I am drinking one gallon a day which provides over 800 calories which appears to keep blood sugar levels stable and enough fuel to function without exercise.

Warning: You will experience hunger, cravings, aches, pains, mental irritability and fatigue. These are symptoms of your body’s detoxification. Some have reported no hunger but my body has never fasted so it is just plain confused at this time.

This fast should not be used for more than 10 days and you should wait at least four weeks before repeating it. Supposedly this fast dissolves toxins and is great for breaking up mucous. (That much lemon and cayenne will clear anybody’s sinuses!)
Whatever you do, do not go directly back to a rich diet after your time on this fast. In fact, the best thing to do during a fast like this is to start setting your mind to healthy eating so that when you go off the fast you can start fresh on a healthy nutrition plan that will keep you body clean and strong. To ease out of the fast, do the following:

On the first day after your fast, drink unsweetened fruit juices.
On the second day, you can begin to eat soup.
On the third day you may begin to eat light foods. Whatever you do, do not “wake up” your digestive system with high fat foods. It could be a very painful awakening!

My results on the first day were hunger, pains and irritability. Starting weight in morning was 231.5. I spent the day going through a wide range of feelings from tingling to numbness to headaches. Later in the day I was so hungry that I ate a couple plums which instantly took away the cravings and hunger. I am also taking a fiber supplement and colon cleanse fiber from Dr. Natura which I really like.

The second day weigh in is at 225.5 first thing in the morning. When starting to drink the weight went up to 226.5. A lot more pain today with aches and a serious pain in the middle of my back. Not sure if it is just work related or cleanse related at this time. The brain cloud seems better today but the pain the in the arms and upper body is more.

My patience is running lower as well and find that my concentration is harder to keep focus. It will be interesting to see how my body corrects itself to prevent me from harming it with this cleanse or will it interpret this as a good thing and use it to release more toxins and stuff.

This is definitely the most annoying and painful cleanse I have ever tried. I have used many herbal cleanses and the body enjoys the detox but this one seems to be very different and maybe all the other cleanses that I have tried in the past were just sales hype and were not doing their job or maybe this is just a new way of torturing a persons body. It will be interesting to find out which in a couple days.

Day 3: Results: 223.5 this morning but switching scales to the medical scale now that performs a body composition to track results which shows 224.2 with a water weight of 108. Checked blood pressure 95/60 pulse 65, Blood Sugar level 79. Will drink the drink and see how the body responds after. After 1 hour and drink: One hour after drinking 20 ounces of the drink the blood sugar level has increased to 99 which is great feeling better and BP 104/66 pulse 68. Body aches are much less and no headache today so far ;-) . The cleanse is interesting and fasting still is not something I like and I guess I am not really fasting eating a couple fruits a day as well. Working on a plan for after the cleanse now.

Master Cleanse Nutritional Detials in PDF

Master Cleanse Agave Nutritional Details in PDF

Notice that Agave is not the best choice and it appears that Whole Foods could be marketing a product that is not really a great choice for our bodies as well.

Here is a graph to show how the body responded to the cleanse. The dates of the cleanse were 6/30-7/3, notice the body fat percentage as well. Click on picture to enlarge it to better see graph. The numbers on the left represent weight and the numbers on the right represent body fat percentage.

Results of Master Cleanse

Cleanse Dates 6/30-7/03

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

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High Glycemic Foods

Sunday, April 18th, 2010

In 1981, Dr. David Jenkins of the University of Toronto came up with a ranking system for carbohydrates based upon how long it takes them to break down into the system. Some carbohydrates break down very slowly and those release glucose gradually into the bloodstream and have a low glycemic index. For people who are diabetes, particularly those who are insulin dependent, a low glycemic index is preferable. These foods allow the insulin or medication to respond better to the blood glucose and allows for the sugars to break down more naturally.

Other foods are rated high on the Glycemic Index. These foods currently have high ratings and raise the blood glucose level quickly. High glycemic foods can be beneficial for people who are recovering from high exertion or those suffering from hypoglycemia. People with Type I or Type II Diabetes should avoid high glycemic foods as they can play havoc with the insulin or medication they are taking.

Some examples of foods that considered high glycemic foods include corn flakes, white rices such as jasmine rice, white breads and baked potatoes. People who have diabetes, either Type I or Type II, should avoid these foods as much as possible.

Other foods that are high glycemic foods include those with large amounts of white refined sugar or white flour. One thing a doctor will tell a patient on how to avoid high glycemic foods is to avoid anything white. This includes white bread, pasta made with white flour and even cakes or sweets made with refined white sugar or white flour.

High glycemic foods tend to take a long time to digest in the system of a diabetic. The glucose, or sugar, stays in the blood because the system of a diabetic is unable to process the refine sugars and flours. The glucose stays in the blood and in the urine causing the diabetic to frequently urinate, experience thirst and hunger more than the average person and sweat profusely.

After a while, this takes its toll on the system of a diabetic. The kidneys begin to hurt because they are not functioning properly. This is one symptom that diabetics often present with when seeking a physician. They also get blood in their urine and, in the worst case scenario, they faint or enter into an episode of semi-consciousness, confusion which can even lead to a diabetic coma. In some instances, a diabetic coma can prove fatal.

People who have Type I and Type II diabetes should be very mindful of which foods have a high glycemic index and avoid these foods in their diet. With proper diet, medication or insulin and monitoring of blood sugars, diabetics can lead a normal lifespan.

Diabetes is not a death sentence at all. It is simply a condition that many people possess that does not allow their body to break down sugars and starches through their system so that they digest normally. Diabetes is harmful to an individual who does not follow the advice of their physician, does not consume a proper diet and does not monitor their blood glucose levels. People who adhere to the medical guidelines concerning diabetes have just as much of a chance of living a normal life as anyone else.

Make sure to take our Free Assessment to receive your multi-page report that provides calorie consumption required and calorie burn estimates for your goal.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

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Can Autism be Cured

Friday, April 16th, 2010

This is a question that every parent of an Autistic child will ask at some point. The answer is no. There is no cure for Autism. While you may see ads for books, or products that promise a cure for Autism, they are misleading you. Autism has no cure. There are lots of treatments that can make living with Autism easier.
Here are some of the treatments that help with Autism:

Licensed Therapies

There are several types of therapies that can help with the treatment of Autism. Occupational, physical, behavioral, speech, music, sensory, drug, play, and many other types of therapy can make a big difference in the life of an Autistic child. The therapies will not cure your child’s Autism. They will just help teach them different ways of coping with it.

Alternative Treatments

Natural and alternative treatments are on the rise. These can include the use of herbs instead of prescription medications. The herbs do not have the side effects found in traditional medicines. Vitamin and mineral supplements are being found to help in treating Autism. Always notify the doctor of any natural products you are using with your child. Some herbs can have interactions with prescription medications. Remember again these herbs and vitamins are not cures. They are just to help with some of the symptoms of Autism.

Hypnotherapy and BioFeedback and also be used as a way to help with autism depending on the individual. There are also other alternatives that have shown to help like Horseback Therapy which from our own tests have shown to have positive results. Remember that these are not cures though and are designed to improve the life of the individual not cure the disease.

Nutritional Methods

Some people turn to the diet when treating Autism. They eliminate certain foods that could cause sensitivities. Some of the foods the remove from the diet are Gluten, dairy, and artificial dyes. The idea behind this method is that removing the foods that cause sensitivities will remove the behavior problems. You can have your child tested for food allergies. Ask your child’s doctor about allergy testing. This will let you know if your child could be having behaviors due to a food allergy. It will also give you an idea of which foods to eliminate from their diet.

There is no cure for Autism, but there are lots of treatments that can help with some of the symptoms. When trying a new treatment only try one at a time. This will let you know if it is helping or not. Allow enough time for the treatment to work. Usually two or three months is enough time to tell if a new treatment is working. There will be no miracle treatments that give immediate results. If you are using a herbal or vitamin treatment inform the doctor. They need to be aware of the things you are trying. Herbs and vitamins can cause reactions with other medicines. It is important that the treatment team be kept informed and on the same page. This will make your child’s outcome a more positive one.

Do not waste your money on products that claim to cure Autism. If there was a cure available it would be told to you by your doctor, instead of some guy on a late night infomercial. Continue to help your child by treating the symptoms of Autism. This will help your child have a better life.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

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Glycemic Index

Monday, April 12th, 2010

The Glycemic Index is a concept developed in the University of Toronto in 1981.  The purpose of the Glycemic Index is to measure the effect carbohydrates have on blood glucose levels.  The Glycemic Index is imperative for anyone who needs to monitor their glucose level due to diabetes or hyperglycemia.  With diabetes reaching epidemic levels in the United States, the development of the Glycemic Index could not have come at a better time.  Each year, more people are diagnosed with this potentially life threatening disease that can cause many serious complications.  It is important for anyone with this condition to familiarize themselves with the Glycemic Index so they can empower themselves and learn which foods should be avoided.

Carbohydrates are a diverse group of foods and all have different ways of breaking down in the system.  People with diabetes have a difficult time breaking down certain foods, particularly those high in carbohydrates, in their system.  Digestion is slow and sugars and starches are absorbed into the blood stream, causing an excess in blood glucose.  Diabetics are often warned to limit their carbohydrate intake because it takes such a long time for most carbohydrates to digest.  However, this is easier said than done and it is difficult, if not impossible, for many diabetics to eliminate carbohydrates from their diet.  This is one of the reasons many diabetics are non-compliant in their treatment.  Because diabetes does not often cause serious complications at onset, many patients refuse to take their medicine and continue eating foods that are high in sugar and starch.

The Glycemic Index is very helpful because it rates different carbohydrates based upon their effect on the different levels of blood glucose.  Those foods that digest rapidly cause the less harm to the system and have a low glycemic index.  The carbohydrates that take a longer time to digest have a higher rate as they cause more harm to the blood glucose level.

The Glycemic Index ranges from one to one hundred.  A low food in the glycemic index has a rating of below 55.  These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and some pastas.    Foods that fall between the 56 to 69 range are considered “medium” in the Glycemic Index.  They include candy bars, croissants and some rices.

Surprisingly, although a candy bar scores in the medium classification of the glycemic index, it is not as harmful as those carbohydrates that score in the high glycemic index range.  These include corn flakes, white rice, white bread and  baked potato.  In other words, it is easier for a diabetic to digest a candy bar than a baked potato.

Knowledge of the glycemic index is imperative for anyone who has diabetes or who has been diagnosed as borderline diabetic.  To be able to understand which foods have the most impact on blood glucose levels is crucial for anyone fighting this potentially life-threatening condition.

If you or a loved one suffers from diabetes, become familiar with the Glycemic Index so that you learn about the different categories of carbohydrates and which groups should be avoided.  There are many substitutes for carbohydrates that rate high in the Glycemic Index and are available at most grocery stores.  While diabetes is currently without a cure, there are many different ways that people with this disease can life long, productive lives.

Mystically yours,

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

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Healing Irritable Bowel Syndrome the Natural way

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

Medications are not the only way to control Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms. There are also natural means that can help in curing IBS. Unlike any other type of illness such as cancer, brain tumors and others, Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not as severe but the discomfort that it causes patients is enough to disrupt their social lives.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a common disorder that affects a great number of Americans. As a matter of fact approximately ten to fifteen percent or more of the Americans population is suffering from IBS. Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects the intestines and the stomach. Other terms used to refer to IBS are as follows: mucous colitis, nervous stomach, spastic colon, spastic colitis or irritable colon.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is often classified as a functional disorder, which means that it is a primary abnormality that affects the physiological function of the body. It simply cannot be diagnosed in a traditional manner such as blood test, x-ray and others. Why? Because IBS is a complicated disorder wherein symptoms are not clearly defined whether they are caused by the malfunctioning intestines or gut or by the autonomic nervous system that seems to alter the regulation of bowel motility or the sensory function.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is characterized by symptoms such as abdominal pain and others. These discomforts are caused by changes in the bowel pattern. There are various treatments available that involves medication, diet and some natural means.

Colonic Massage, Mind/Body Healing and Fiber-rich Foods
There are natural ways of controlling IBS symptoms such as colonic massage and mind/body healing. For the colonic massage you can perform this while sitting on the toilet or while lying down and bending your knees. Try to make a fist using your right hand and gently massage your colon by creating circular, digging motion with your knuckles.

Begin with the lower right quadrant of your abdomen and then work up making circular motion under the right side of your ribcage. Do the same with the left quadrant of your abdomen and try to massage your groin or pubic bone. The main objective of this exercise is to induce bowel movement plus it also helps in relieving colic in newborns since it force out gas as well as stool. But remember for newborns minimal force should be applied when doing this exercise.

You must be wondering why apply mind/body healing to control Irritable Bowel Syndrome? IBS often cause emotional and mental stress, which often aggravates symptoms. So in order to control IBS it is very important that patients be encouraged to sick out therapies that make use of somato-emotional release.

The somato (or body) emotional release is rooted on the belief that trauma is sometimes stored in the tissues of the body and not just in the mind or soul of patients. These traumas need to be eliminated in order for healing to happen. There are various somato-emotional release therapies available that patients can choose from such as craniosacral, reiki, acupuncture and other types of energy healing exercises.

Eating fiber-rich food is also a natural way of controlling IBS. However make sure that you include fiber in your diet little by little since abrupt consumption of fiber may cause gas and may trigger symptoms of IBS. Likewise, it would also help if you would try to take note of foods that you eat. List those foods that trigger IBS symptoms in you and avoid eating them.

Michael Holt, Ph.D.
Magi Institute of Natural Medicine

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