Tag: heart disease and diet

What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.2 Comments

If You Knew the Diet You Are Eating Was a Major Contributor to Alzheimer’s, Heart Disease and Cancer?

I am not an alarmist. However the facts on this subject are very compelling and you have a right to know the facts about what you put in your body. What you do after reading the message is up to you. My hope is that it will resonate with you enough to bring healthy change in your diet and lifestyle.

The Ostrich Syndrome

You can’t ignore this and it will not go away. I hear and read reasons to justify food choices all the time. Such as; “Well I am going to die anyway so I should at least enjoy my food”, It’s genetics and its going to happen anyway so I am going to eat what I want”, My granddad lived to 99 and he smoked and ate fried foods and drank a lot so why should I do any different? Sound familiar?

Regardless, this isn’t something you can hide from or run from. As far as genetics go, studies have told us for years that most disease causing genes are dormant until we fertilize them with a poor diet, exposure to toxic chemicals or unmanaged stress. And some genes are going to express and cause disease regardless what we do, however, that is  a very small percentage of illness and disease. We create the perfect conditions for genes to spring to life to bring us disease. In contrast, a mostly plant-based diet may suppress these rogue genes. Sure, an occasional hot dog, fries or BBQ isn’t going to cause these conditions but consuming then week after week for years can and does.

The hardcore truth is; American’s are getting sicker and our crap foods and stressed lifestyle have a lot to do with it. Regarding Alzheimer’s, America has the 2nd highest rate and Finland has the highest.  America also has some of the highest rates of Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. The countries with the lowest rates are Asia, Eurasia the Middle East and African Nations.  The countries with the lowest rates of Westernization have the lowest rates of these diseases. Interestingly, 30% of people with Alzheimer’s also have heart disease, and 29% also have diabetes. (Alzheimer’s Association)  Alzheimer’s rates are climbing drastically. Maybe the American diet rich in AGE’s are a big part of the cause. Should we take a closer look at diet more and less towards drugs to find the cure. Hippocrates nailed it when he said “Let Food be Thy Medicine”.

Numerous, peer-reviewed studies show the majority of today’s rapidly growing diseases are diet influenced.

Could This be a Major Player in Disease and Illness?  There are many suspected contributors to disease and illness and the one I am presenting is not the only cause but I believe it is a big one. Read this thoroughly, do your own research and then make your own conclusions.

AGE’s

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE’s) accelerate our aging at the cellular level. Studies link AGE’s to heart disease, diabetes, stroke, vascular disease, nerve damage, kidney disease, vision problems and cancers, even Alzheimer’s, due to the production of amyloid proteins and free radical damage to brain cells.

“We found that mice kept on a diet high in AGEs, similar to Western diet, had high levels of AGEs in their brains together with deposits of amyloid-β, a component of the plaques characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, while at the same time developed declines in cognitive and motor abilities. The mice fed a low AGE diet remained free of these conditions. In addition, clinical studies have shown that subjects with higher blood AGE levels, in turn resulting from high AGE diets, are more likely to develop cognitive decline on follow up.” https://www.j-alz.com/content/new-study-postulates-role-dietary-advanced-glycation-end-products-risk-alzheimers-disease

AGEs are harmful compounds that are formed from dry, high heat cooking that combine sugars, proteins and fats. Even cooking certain foods at lower temperatures for longer periods still increases the production of AGE’s. Other cancer causing chemicals are produced as well, such as acrylamides.

AGE’s are another reason to avoid as much sugar as possible. Sugar is very harmful. Fructose (agave nectar or syrup and HFCS) forms AGE’s 10 times faster that glucose (blood sugar). Fried starchy foods (French fries, fried pies) are also rich in AGE’s and acrylamides.

Let’s get real for a moment and look at a few typical foods Americans eat every day high in AGE’s. Grilled meats, hot dogs, donuts, pastries, French fries, BBQ, breaded meats, potato chips, corn chips, crackers and even a baked potato with butter and cream are big providers of AGE’s. If you are eating these you are greatly increasing your risk for future disease and illness. The amount of AGE’s in food varies. In the list provided in this link you can see the foods with the highest AGE content are animal foods and a few roasted nuts.  Eat the nuts raw greatly reduces the AGE content.  There are very few AGE’s in plant-based foods like vegetables, legumes, raw nuts and seeds and fruits.

Research performed in animal studies show a restriction of dietary AGEs slowed the progression of atherosclerosis (causes heart disease) and diabetes. A study in humans found that a low-AGE diet reduced blood levels of C-reactive protein, which is a measure of inflammation and a known risk factor for heart disease.

The Standard American Diet is full of simple sugars like sucrose, fructose and galactose (milk sugar). Many of the sweeteners available today are at least 50% fructose or a fructose derivative such as high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, agave nectar and agave syrup. These added sugars are a major cause of AGE’s when added with fats and proteins in the right environment.

What foods have the most and least AGE’s?

  • Fats, dairy and meat products contain the most AGEs
  • Carbohydrates are relatively low in AGEs
  • Higher cooking temperatures increase AGEs
  • Longer cooking times increase AGEs
  • The presence of liquids in cooking (such as boiling ro steaming) reduces AGEs
  • Processed foods have more AGEs than natural or homemade foods

Looking at this list, we can say for sure a diet rich in vegetables, legumes, fruits, and raw nuts and seeds provides the least damage from AGE’s.   The real problem is with meats, dairy and processed foods.

How cooking influence’s AGE’s

When cooking foods, the higher the temperature, the longer the time and the type of heat determine the amount of AGE’s produced.  Dry heat produces substantially more AGE’s than wet heat.  Boiling, poaching, steaming and stewing are the cooking methods that produce the least amount of AGE’s and cooking, grilling, frying, baking, and broiling produces the most AGE’s.

AGEs form as food browns during cooking, primarily when foods high in protein or fat are subjected to high temperatures. Cooking at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time creates more AGEs than cooking at lower temperatures for longer periods of time. Also, exposure to dry heat produces more AGEs than cooking in liquid. Thus, broiling, frying, or grilling of meats creates more AGEs than boiling, poaching, or stewing. For example, a chicken breast broiled for 15 minutes contains more than five times as many AGEs as the same food boiled for one hour.  If you barbecue or allow meats to char ,not only do you have AGE’s you also have other cancer causing compounds. .

Balance in life

A life of wellness is about balance not perfection. Because certain foods have high amounts of AGE’s it doesn’t mean never consume them. It means be smart about it. Limit the intake and eat as nutritious as you can as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle. If you eat nutritious foods and prepare your foods in different ways, you will cut the risk of health issues from harmful chemicals and compounds present in everyday foods.

Healthy Wishes

Wally Bishop I.N.H.C.

Integrative Nutrition Health Coach

wellnesswithwally

Vive shake 

 

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3704564/  (Alzheimer’s)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18473848 (Alzheimer’s)

https://www.j-alz.com/content/new-study-postulates-role-dietary-advanced-glycation-end-products-risk-alzheimers-disease

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/omcl/2017/7039816/  (Alzheimer’s)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9777946 (Alzheimer’s)

http://www.neurodegenerationresearch.eu/2016/08/study-shows-that-exercise-and-diet-can-reduce-build-up-of-protein-linked-to-alzheimers/

https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/08/health/alzheimers-reversal/index.html

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3583887/ (skin)

http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/114/6/597 (Diabetes and vascular damage)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18473849 (Vascular disease and diabetes)

http://clinical.diabetesjournals.org/content/21/4/186 (Diabetes)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16037299  (Cancer)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28811077 (Cancer)

http://familywellnesshq.com/fructose-in-fruits-veggies-nuts-seeds-legumes-grains/  (Fructose content in foods)

http://inhumanexperiment.blogspot.com/2009/09/age-content-of-foods.html

https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/acrylamide/index.cfm  (Cancer)

http://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/alzheimers-dementia/by-country/

The information in this blog and on our website ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­is presented as is for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented in this e-mail, blog or on the website are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation. No statement in this e-mail or on the website has been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration or any other regulatory authority. Any product mentioned or described on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

We recommend that you do your own independent research before beginning a new lifestyle routine or purchasing anything. Please consult with your physician or health care provider if you have medical issues and before changing your diet or lifestyle or taking herbal or dietary supplements. Never start an exercise program with getting your doctors approval. Never quit taking medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.  Only your health care provider, personal physician, or pharmacist can provide you with advice on what is safe and effective for your unique needs

A Body Process at Warp Speed

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.Leave a comment

MethylationYes, I said warp speed! Read to learn more.

We all know the NutriBullet makes nutrition more absorbable but I bet you didn’t realize just how important the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals can be. As you will discover below, most nutrients work together in our body to make processes happen. Some of these processes make things, some change things, while others tear things apart. As a by-product of some processes, toxic or damaging compounds are made.  If you are lacking one of the nutrients vital to the process, over time DNA damage can occur creating illness and disease.

Most of my clients don’t understand the importance the right or wrong foods play in their health. Part of my process requires explaining how the lack of nutrients from their diet are related to there current state of health. Certain nutrients are absolutely critical for different body processes to function. If you are eating a diet rich in processed, refined and fast foods you are missing essential nutrients that can protect you from many adverse health conditions, illness and diseases. Just like you can’t build a house without wood, nails and tools. Your body systems can’t work properly without certain nutrients in adequate amounts.

Have you heard of methylation or homocysteine?

I doubt if you have ever heard of methylation or homocysteine. Both have a big impact on your health at the cellular level and are tied together in a unique way. Your diet has a huge influence on both the methylation process and homocysteine.

What is methylation?

Methylation is a key biochemical process that occurs millions and maybe even a billion times a second (I would call that warp speed)) and is critical, even essential for the proper function of almost all of your body’s systems. Methylation helps repair your DNA, reduce inflammation and keep the cellular detoxification system functioning at optimal levels. The methylation process helps recycle two very power molecules Sam-e and GSH from homocysteine (a damaging protein). For the methylation process to function optimally it is very dependent on Vitamins B6 (pyridoxine), B12 (cobalamin), Vitamin B9 (folate), and the compound betaine. Betaine is a derivative of the amino acid glycine and is also converted from the essential nutrient Choline.

What is homocysteine?

Homocysteine is a protein formed during the methylation process in our bodies. Without adequate B12. B6, Folate and betaine, homocysteine levels increase. These B vitamins and betaine are used to recycle homocysteine into two very powerful cellular compounds called Sam-e (S-Adenosyl methionine) and glutathione (GSH). Both are considered the most power cellular protectors in our body and Glutathione is considered the master antioxidant of the body.

How Does Homocysteine Affect Our Health?

As homocysteine levels increase this can result in damage to our DNA and increasing cellular inflammation across our body. Higher levels of homocysteine are associated with an increase in heart disease and cancer in some studies and not as much in other studies. However, what the other studies did show consistently was that levels of HDL (heart protective cholesterol) were low when homocysteine was high all while Folate, B6 and B12 levels were low. We know adequate levels of these nutrients lower homocysteine levels thereby by increasing heart protective HDL cholesterol levels.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3454269/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18990318

The relationship with cancer and homocysteine levels provided similar results in studies for different cancers. It’s confusing. They find that there is an association between breast cancer and lower levels of B6, B12, Folate but not necessarily because of elevated homocysteine. Still,  lower levels of these nutrients are linked to a greater risk of breast and other cancers.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2840179/

To make sure our methylation process is working optimally we need adequate amounts of B6, B12, Folate and Choline. The foods below are the best sources for these nutrients.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)  RDI 1.6 mg daily 1.9 mg

  • Tuna
  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Bok Choy
  • Bell Peppers
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Bananas
  • Turnip Greens
  • Garlic
  • Cauliflower
  • Turkey
  • Salmon
  • Potatoes

Folate (Vitamin B9)  RDI  400 mg to 600 mg daily

  • Lentils
  • Asparagus
  • Spinach
  • Turnip Greens
  • Broccoli
  • Beets
  • Romaine
  • Bok Choy
  • Parsley
  • Beans
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Green peas

B12 (Cobalamin)  most common in animal foods    RDI 2.4 mcg  to 2.9 mcg

  • Sardines
  • Salmon
  • Clams
  • Cod
  • Nutritional yeast
  • Blue green algae
  • Spirulina
  • Whey powder
  • Eggs (more in free range organic)

Choline  (used to make betaine)  RDI 400 mg to 550 mg

  • Eggs
  • Cod
  • Shrimp
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Collard greens
  • Broccoli
  • Swiss chard
  • Cauliflower
  • Asparagus
  • Spinach
  • Green peas
  • Cabbage
  • Shiitake mushrooms

If you want to protect your DNA and heart make sure you are getting adequate levels of B6, B12, Folate and Choline. Use your NutriBullet everyday with a variety of colorful foods to reduce your risk of disease and illness.

Healthy Wishes!

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

WebND

The contents of this blog are not and should not be considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.

 

 

 

 

 

Want to lose Over 100 Pounds? This is how I lost over 200!

Wallace Bishop I.N.H.C, C.N.C.7 Comments

Jump on the Wellness Train with me!!

I have lost over 200 pounds and have maintained my current weight for the past 10 years. If you need to lose 20 pounds or 200 pounds this formula worked for me and others. Success requires a desire for change, a little planning, preparation and being consistent. Diets do not work. You need to be able to adopt a lifestyle that gives you flexibility and you can be happy with forever.

If you are starting a diet or making changes to your lifestyle, always consult with your doctor before beginning the new routine.

Rules of safe weight loss and weight management.

1.) Never eat less than 1200 calories per day unless you are under the supervision of a qualified health professional.

2.) The minimum goal should be a calorie deficit of 500 calories per day. This should create 1 pound of fat loss per week. Never aim to lose more than 2 pounds per week.

3.) Eat 6 times per day, 3 snacks and 3 meals.

4.) Crowd out the unhealthy foods in your life by eating the healthy nutritious ones first.  If you add 2 servings of fruits and 3 or more servings of veggies to your daily diet routine, you are not going to have room for the unhealthy foods. In addition, it will gradually get rid of your cravings. Do not start out trying to eat like me. Start by adding more vegetables and healthy foods to your daily routine. Eventually the bad foods will disappear if you make the choice to follow this guide.

5.) Know your energy requirements. If you get rid of the majority of processed and refined foods in your diet you do not need to to worry about counting calories. However if you are still consuming processed foods then it is important to not consume more than you burn. This is critical!

6.) Exercise at least 6 days per week.  I highly recommend multiple exercise per day. Example: if your goal is 1 hour daily, you can split the 1 hour into two 30 minute sessions. This will keep you metabolism elevated causing greater fat burn for a longer period in the day. This facilitates faster and greater weight loss. Do different types of exercise: interval, aerobic and strength training. If you are just beginning an exercise program, consult with an exercise professional to insure your safety. Do not think that you can lose weight and then keep it off with out exercising. It will not happen. Plus the whole idea of losing weight is to improve your health.  Exercise partnered  with a nutritious dietary routine builds health

7.) Drink at least 1/2 your weight in ounces of water per day. If you weight 200 lbs, you need at least 100 ounces of water per day. Water is required in the metabolic pathway to burn fat and to create energy.  A 2% drop in body hydration can cause up to a 30% drop in available energy.

8.) Get plenty of rest and relaxation. A lack of sleep and mismanaged stress will stop weight loss and even cause weight gain. Aim for 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep per night. Practice stress reducing methods, get into a great book, get a massage, listen to soft music etc….  Turn your problems over to God.

9.) Make vegetative foods the majority of your food choices. They are low in calories, they alkaline the body, they cleanse the body, they help control blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels and they offer a wide array of nutrients that promote health.

10.) Limit your intake of simple carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates promote cravings by causing blood sugar spikes.  Eat lower glycemic foods. This does not mean you should eat a high protein diet. Select complex carbohydrates. Your brain and central nervous system (CNS) only burn glucose (sugar) for fuel. The average person needs 100 to 125 grams of carbohydrates to fuel the brain and CNS. Sugar, glucose and glycogen (stored glucose) are normally made from dietary carbohydrates. However up to 57% of protein can be converted to blood sugar when needed.

11.) Quit smoking, limit the intake of caffeine and alcohol and watch your salt intake.

12.) Do not weigh yourself more than once every 2 weeks. The best time to weigh is first thing in the morning upon waking and after you go to the bathroom.  Weigh the same time each day.  Your weight is just a by-product of  your particular lifestyle. Change your lifestyle and your weight will change.

13) Never deprive yourself of any food. If you want it, eat it. Just don’t go crazy and eat the whole container of Oreo’s.  When this happens, give your self credit for having the will power to control the amount you ate.  At the next snack or meal time exercise control and make healthy selections.

14.) Keep a food journal.

My Diet Selections

I am a flexitarian. That means I eat a vegetarian diet. However, I occasionally feel a need for animal protein. I typically go 1 to 2 weeks before I have that craving for salmon or chicken.  I do not eat red meat, pork or dairy.  Studies show a primarily vegetarian diet promotes better health by reducing the risk of major diseases and health conditions.

At least 75% of my diet is raw vegetables. Raw vegetables provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antioxidants and phytonutrients. When vegetables are cooked some of the vitamins are destroyed and all the enzymes are killed. However you do need some cooked vegetables. Leafy green vegetables contain a compound called oxalic acid. Oxalic acid binds with some minerals and interferes with their absorption. Cooking neutralizes most of the oxalic acid allowing more mineral absorption. Carrots provide more bio-available beta carotene when cooked. Tomatoes give more lycopene when cooked. A good ratio is 75% raw and 25% cooked.

If I eat out, I make wise selections and ask for variations on the menu. Most restaurants will be happy to make changes for you. For example; when ordering a salad, ask them to leave off the honey or sugar glazed pecans and dried fruit, save a couple of hundred calories, order the dressing on the side and dip your fork in the dressing before picking up the bite, you will use less dressing this way.

Calories

Understanding your calorie requirements is critical to weight loss and weight management.  Read this blog to better understand your energy budget. As you lose weight you will need to adjust your calorie intake.

Understanding How Much of What to Eat

Vegetables; you can eat these in unlimited amounts, aim for at least 5 servings daily. Eat raw, steamed, grilled, sautéed or broiled. Do not fry

Serving sizes; Cooked vegetables 1/2 cup, Chopped, raw vegetables 1/2 cup, Raw, leafy vegetables 1 cup, Vegetable juice 3/4 cup

Root Vegetables (for potatoes and yams the total should not exceed 2 servings total combined per week)

Fish & Seafood 1 serving 3 times per week.  Prepare by grilling, baking and broiling. Do not fry.

Serving size is 4 ounces

Fruits 3 servings per day and only low sugar fruits (berries, green apples, peaches pears and plums), a serving is 1 medium fruit and ½ cup juice. Dried fruit is coated with sugar so avoid it. Avoid fruit juices, they are also very high in sugar content.

Low Fat Dairy I do not recommend dairy products. If you must have them, goat or sheep is a better choice. I use almond breeze sugar free almond milk and rice cheeses.

Eggs, hen If you have high cholesterol limit to 1 per week otherwise 1 per day is ok. Eggs should be poached, scrambled or boiled, not fried. Select free range, organic eggs.

Beans & Legumes; eat what you want, just do not go over your daily calorie limit

Serving size is 1 cup cooked

Poultry & Lean Meats – limit to 4 ounces per serving, 3 times per week. 4 ounces is about the size of a deck of cards. I do not recommend eating red meats or pork, however, if you do, limit your intake to 1 serving per week.  Prepare by grilling, baking or broiling. Do not fry.

Nuts & Seeds Limit to 1 to 2 ounces per day due to high calorie content. Studies show people who consume 1 oz. of nuts daily lose weight and keep it off. In addition, they may cut their risk of heart disease by up to 45%. Nuts  and nut butters are very healthy for us.

Grains Limit to 2 servings per day. Grains raise blood sugar and insulin levels quickly creating cravings and weight gain. Serving sizes;  I don’t recommend eating bread except only occasionally and the only bread I recommend is Ezekiel Bread. However it does contain gluten.

  • Bread 1 slice
  • Tortilla, roll, or muffin 1
  • Bagel, English muffin or hamburger bun ½
  • Brown rice, pasta, oatmeal, cooked cereal, 1/2 cup
  • Ready-to-eat cereal 1 ounce (flakes or round)
  • Pancake, waffle 1 (4″ diameter)

Grain choices; all of these are gluten free Go grain free if you can!

Salad Dressings

I use olive oil and balsamic vinegar; Good Seasons Balsamic with olive oil or Good Seasons Greek Vinaigrette; Serving Size 2 Tablespoons, serve on side of plate, dip fork into dressing, then into bite of salad.

Butter

I use and recommend Smart Balance Lite Original with Flax. It’s 50 calories per serving, 1.5 grams of saturated fat and zero cholesterol and taste like butter.

Spices & Herbs; herbs are naturally very high in antioxidant power

Dark Chocolate; I eat dark chocolate every day. Only 100% dark raw chocolate is recommended. Limit to 1.5 ounces per day. Dark Chocolate has the highest antioxidant value of any food.

Natural Sweeteners; Serving Size 1 Tablespoon

Use these sparingly if diabetic;

Use as needed

  • Stevia; this is my choice of sweetener. Truvia is the best commercial choice.
  • Monk fruit is another of my favorites. Other
  • Green tea Cold Brew your own for more antioxidant power.

Moderation is the key in your diet. If you want something, eat it but try to limit the amount.  Consistency is the other very important factor.  If you eat healthy 80% of the time, you will give your body  the opportunity to build health.  We are what we eat. Eat junk and have a junk body, eat healthy and have a healthy body!

Healthy Wishes

Wally Bishop C.N.C.

 Vive

The contents of this blog is not and should not be  considered medical advice. This blog is for informational purposes only. Always consult with your doctor before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. Never quit taking prescription medications unless advised to do so by your doctor.

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